The current issue of The North Shore News volume 16-31 published October 30th, 2020.
Covering North Shore local news, politics, sports and other newsworthy events.
(Click HERE to read the paper.)
North Shore News 16-31
Recycling in the service of Halloween
The employees of the Public Works Department of the city of Lorraine are busy pruning the grasses on our medians in preparation for winter. This year, one of them had the idea of making pretty bouquets free of charge as a service to the residents in Lorraine, just like they do for mulch. Here is an ideal outdoor decoration idea for Halloween decorations!
The city informs us that as quantities are limited, around 200 bouquets, citizens that are interested in acquiring them have to limit themselves to three bouquets per residence. These will be placed in the mulch trough, located near the municipal garage (boul. De Gaulle, south of Adolphe-Chapleau). Bouquets will be added as the cuts are made, until next Friday, or while stocks last. The city reminds citizens that it will be “first come, first served”.
When your grasses take on a dull hay look, consider placing them in your brown bin so that they end their life in composting!
New Sculpture at Hamilton House
The City of Rosemère unveiled its most recently completed sculpture, located in the new meditation garden at Hamilton House!
Designed by artist Maud Palmaerts, this work entitled “Les racines de l’être” is an integrative sculpture whose primary intention is to create a comforting and protective space. It is composed of a rust-coloured Corten steel structure that looks like a tree, roots and branches intertwining. The characters are holding an umbrella glowing with transparency and bright colours!
During the cultural mediation, during which the residents took part in designing the sculpture, the artist told us how pleasant all the residents were. Some came to visit her regularly to support her and keep her company throughout her residency. She would like to express her heartfelt thanks to them all.
“I discovered caring people, open to new things, intrigued and curious about the process and the discourse of the emerging work of art. I had the opportunity to meet members of the Goodwill Committee and we had wonderful discussions! The values and mission of this Committee aim to reconnect residents of all generations around the challenges of aging. This is an important topic, especially in the situation we are facing today,” noted the artist.
This sculpture will be part of a magnificent floral walkway that will enhance the superb meditation labyrinth starting next spring. At its centre, the sculpture becomes integrated and rises as a return to unity, a symbol of love of self and others and unifying bonds. With its commemorative umbrella, the sculpture offers us shelter, respite and protection, while bringing light and colour to the stages of life we go through.
“I discovered a remarkable town and its residents. Thank you for your confidence and trust as well as for your inspiring vision. I have come away enriched from this experience, and with increased stature, too,” stated Mrs. Palmaerts. Drop by Hamilton House to admire it!
Who is Maud Palmaerts?
Artist and sculptor of Belgian origin, Maud Palmaerts was born in Quebec in 1985. Her interest in creation manifested itself from a young age when she discovered painting and developed an acute attraction for the language of colors.
In 2003, she obtained a diploma in visual arts at the Lionel-Groulx college, in Ste-Thérèse. From 2D to 3D, the works are deployed more in space. In 2007 she graduated from the Maison des Métiers d’Art in Quebec with a specialization in sculpture. She continued her studies at UQAM in 2018. Her research focused on the desire to inhabit space through her creations.
Anthropomorphic subjects are revealed through his creations. In perpetual transformation, the material is associated with the evolving spirit. Thus she is interested in the passage from one dimension to another by integrating light projections.
Driven by a sharp sensitivity, Maud Palmaerts is interested in the spirit of things. The magnetism that emanates from a work becomes as important as the form generated. She wants to bring out the essence that expresses itself beyond time.
Since 2010, under the name of Création Vitale. She offers art workshops to children and adults. Inhabited by the desire for easy access to creativity in everyone.
Flu vaccination campaign launches
Dr Éric Goyer, director of Public Health, invites residents to get their flu shot to protect themselves and their loved ones. The vaccination campaign starts November 1, 2020 in the Laurentian region. In light of the recommendations made by the experts at the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), vaccination is recommended and provided free of charge to people who are at greater risk of developing complications:
Infants and children with a chronic disease
Adults with a chronic disease (including pregnant women)
Pregnant women in their second and third term
Seniors aged 75 years old or older
To minimize the risk of contamination, vaccination will also be free for:
People living under the same roof as, or an informal caregiver to, a child under 6 months old or someone in a high-risk category (those mentioned above)
Health care professionals
Target groups can be vaccinated:
In a pharmacy, for more information, residents should contact their local pharmacy
During some appointments in CISSS des Laurentides facilities
By appointment
This year, making an appointment will be mandatory. One can do so by visiting clicsante.ca website or by calling 1-888-664-2555. It will not be possible to make an appointment on site.
To ensure the safety of all people and health care professionals, prevention measures and physical distancing will be enforced in vaccination facilities:
Disinfection after each patient
Mandatory face-coverings for patients and personal protective equipment recommended for professionals
Monitoring of preventative measures and control of circulation by security personnel
Mandatory hand washing upon entering and leaving
No waiting in line at the door, individuals must arrive precisely on time for their appointment or wait in their vehicle
More frequent cleaning of vaccination facilities
Individuals must come to their appointment alone, as much as possible
Individuals must not come to their appointment if they are experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms or if they are self-isolating as a precautionary measure
North Shore News 16-30
The current issue of The North Shore News volume 16-30 published October 23rd, 2020.
Covering North Shore local news, politics, sports and other newsworthy events.
(Click HERE to read the paper.)
To Sweden or not to Sweden?
That is the question for Dr. Karatzios…
Dimitris Ilias
It was the great experiment! A country that went against all others in the way they handled Corona. They paid a price of almost 6000 dead Swedes. Their epidemiologists insisting against lockdowns and depending on the general good will of the population to follow the rules. The second wave appears to have arrived in Sweden as in all of the world, but according to the stats posted daily on Worldometers the daily cases are not as high as the spring and the deaths from the disease lately, up to now, have been infinitesimal (Graph A-Worldometers)
The WHO is also beginning change its story about the necessity of lockdowns and we are all left with the impression that this virus is toying with us, making our scientists change their diagnoses constantly.
So, where does the truth lie? Was Sweden right to sacrifice 6k of its citizens? We turned to our regular contributor Dr. Christos Karatzios assistant professor of Paediatrics/Infectious Diseases at the Montréal Children’s Hospital, to enlighten us about the Sweden situation.
Not convinced
In a previous articles Dr. Karatzios had critiqued their approach to lax mitigation strategies while all their neighbors and most countries on the planet closed down to “flatten the curve”.
According to the doctor, Sweden didn’t flatten any curve and while most deaths that occurred in that country were in the elderly and in nursing homes, it still is quite telling that their hospitals were overrun in the spring. They had to resort to refusing admissions to their ICUs to anyone over a certain age and (obese) weight or Body Mass Index.
When compared to similar countries in terms of population density and total population numbers, Sweden has one of the worst per capita death rates from COVID-19 in the world. Also, the excess mortality in Sweden between March and May 2020 has dwarfed that of its neighbors’.
Dr. Anders Tegnell (the controversial state epidemiologist responsible for the Swedish approach) admitted that Sweden did not achieve any form of “herd immunity” at the end of the first wave when reports of only 12% of Stockholm’s population had antibodies to SARS-CoV-2.
So it begs the question: what happened after the first wave? FB “epidemiologists and doctors” angrily denounced new mitigation strategies in the last few days here in Quebec, Canada.
Dr. Karatzio’s answer to them is: WAIT. We have all been humbled by this pandemic but what he has learned is this: leaders and countries that have boasted about getting control of the pandemic, have ended up eating their words more often than not.
Cases in Sweden have surged in the last 2 weeks and ever since people have returned to the largest urban centre Stockholm (home to 22% of Sweden’s population) after summer holidays (most Swedes leave for the sparsely populated countryside essentially socially distancing from others), and after schools started. Death surges usually lag by 2-4 weeks.
Sewer water analyses in the last month show high levels of SARS-CoV-2 in the water indicating widespread community infection.This is an indication that herd immunity has not been achieved and the Swedish idea may be just a dream. The WHO 🇺🇳 was too quick to state 2 weeks ago that the Swedish approach is a model “to study”. The Swedish model cannot be applied to other more densely populated countries of the world. Sweden is densely populated around Stockholm but essentially the hinterland is forest and tundra and sparsely inhabited. Stockholm was never spared and has not been spared.
The Swedish economy contracted just as much as other similar economies in locked countries. Maybe it fared a bit better in general but at a high cost to its people. Also, other countries with denser populations tried to emulate the Swedes and failed – locking down after the house caught fire – only to control the infections well into lockdown: the UK 🇬🇧, and the Netherlands 🇳🇱.
Countries that were caught off guard and didn’t have time to lock down before the house burned down had some of the worst death rates per capita: Italy 🇮🇹, Iran 🇮🇷, Spain 🇪🇸, France 🇫🇷, and Belgium 🇧🇪.
Countries that were caught off guard but locked down hard eventually controlled the infections: China 🇨🇳
Countries that saw the danger and locked down early and effectively, had a good first wave: Vietnam 🇻🇳, Thailand 🇹🇭, Taiwan 🇹🇼, Hong Kong 🇭🇰, Singapore 🇸🇬, Australia 🇦🇺, New Zealand 🇳🇿, Greece 🇬🇷, Finland 🇫🇮, India 🇮🇳, and Israel 🇮🇱.
Countries with inconsistent lockdowns or no lockdowns have some of the highest per capita death rates in the world: the US 🇺🇸, Brazil 🇧🇷, and Sweden 🇸🇪.
Countries that initially did well and opened up too fast or recklessly are now seeing big surges and the deaths have started to climb: Israel 🇮🇱, Greece 🇬🇷, Canada 🇨🇦, and India 🇮🇳. As a result, new mitigation measures ranging from semi to full lockdowns have been reimplemented.
Conclusions according to Dr. Karatzios
It is too soon to make any conclusions but the numbers are not looking rosy for Sweden as it is entering its second wave.
The Swedish model cannot be used as an example of a success story. Too many people have died, the economy isn’t significantly better than other places, and herd immunity has not been achieved.
The Swedish people have paid a high price for this.
Sweden has started mitigation strategies and has admitted it may need to close down some sectors and even Stockholm if cases continue to rise sharply. They didn’t test and contact trace as much before. They are starting now.
Lockdowns (full or semi with effective testing and case tracing) work. No one likes them but there is no sugar coating this.
The Swedish story is not over and the Dr. Karatzios would be curious to see how it unfolds. He has reservations about success (and always had) looking at reports out of Sweden.
Stool PCR testing
Stool PCR testing for the SARS-CoV-2 has been used as an early warning of an upcoming surge in cases. The ability to detect SARS-CoV-2 in the upper respiratory tract ceases after 2 to 3 weeks post-symptom-onset in most patients. In contrast, SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in the stool of some patients for greater than 4 weeks, suggesting that stool may hold utility as an additional source for diagnosis.
The graph below shows how the rise in detection of SARS-CoV-2 in sewer water precedes the wave of positive cases.
Dr. Karatzios has posted about PCR detection in sewage as an early warning tool Public Health can use to gauge an upcoming surge and take the necessary measures to prevent a wave.
Deux-Montagnes takes over tree planting relay
On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, Earth Day Canada launched its Municipal Tree Planting Relay, a Canada-wide movement during which every 22nd of the month, for one year, municipalities announce their commitment to plant at least 50 trees. The City of Deux-Montagnes proudly took over the relay on October 22, announcing the planting of some 130 trees, including those planted in recent weeks along Boulevard Deux-Montagnes.
“We attach great importance to tree cover in Deux-Montagnes. The presence of trees on our territory not only contributes to beautifying and greening the landscape around us, but also brings many well-known benefits, such as improving air quality and reducing heat islands” says Mayor Denis Martin.
Planting sites
• Along Deux-Montagnes Boulevard
• Mikaël Kingsbury and Louis-Warren Parks
• In front of the CHSLD
• On the site of the Public Works & Urban Planning building
Tree policy
Committed to protecting, conserving and developing its urban forest heritage, the City of Deux-Montagnes also adopted a first Tree Policy last June. This Policy aims to supervise various actions concerning the trees found on its territory.
Launch of #Partagelaroute Awareness Campaign
The MRC Thérèse-De Blainville, in collaboration with the municipalities of Boisbriand, Blainville, Bois-Des-Filion, Lorraine, Rosemère, Sainte-Anne-Des-Plaines and Sainte-Thérèse as well as the Régie intermunicipale de police Thérèse-De Blainville, the Service de police de Terrebonne and the Service de police de Blainville, is launching its new road safety awareness campaign: #Partagelaroute. This campaign aims to protect vulnerable people with regard to road safety risks, more specifically by targeting road sharing. The campaign will be rolled out in three phases and based on three themes: pedestrians (WATCH), motorcyclists (SLOW DOWN) and cyclists (SHARE). The first phase begun on October 22nd, while phases two and three will be rolled out next May and June.
“A general challenge facing municipalities is the safety of vulnerable users. The MRC is constantly creating territory-wide initiatives that encourage inter-municipal collaborative efforts by all the community’s key players. It is within this context that we are very pleased to contribute toward funding this prevention campaign, in partnership with the Government of Québec,” stated Kamal El-Batal, Director General of the MRC Thérèse-De Blainville.
The first phase of the campaign runs from October 22 to November 22 under the theme “WATCH” and is aimed at motorists and pedestrians. Awareness will be raised mainly through an animated video clip shared on social networks. Also, posters with the colours and images of the campaign will be displayed in the municipalities and stickers will be distributed by police officers during awareness operations.
“With this regional campaign, we want to improve our road safety record and make residents aware of their responsibilities, particularly in terms of sharing the road. We want to emphasize the protection of more vulnerable users and the safe habits to adopt,” added Richard Perreault, Préfet (warden) of the MRC Thérèse-De Blainville.
“To watch is to be 100% vigilant at all times. Each one of us, whether we are in our own vehicle or pedestrians, we must make sure that we can see, hear and are seen by the other road users. We are all part of the solution!” stated Rosemère Mayor Eric Westram.
According to the SAAQ, there is a higher number of accidents involving pedestrians in October, November and December. The Greater Montréal area is by far the region with the highest number of pedestrian accident victims, all injuries combined. Making pedestrians and drivers aware of the rules of the Highway Safety Code is the key to ensuring safe road sharing, in harmony!
This campaign is made possible through the financial assistance program of the Fonds de la sécurité routière of the Ministère des Transports du Québec.
Replacement of the recycling bin: the collection of old bins still in progress
The operation to distribute the new blue recycling bin is, with a few exceptions, completed throughout the territory. However, several old bins still have to be recovered in exchange from citizens. To the big disappointment of the city of Deux Montagnes, the supplier who won the contract was unable to meet the schedule and manage this operation.
Therefore, the public works team is taking over and will be roaming the streets of the city over the next two weeks to ensure the collection of all old bins. The city is asking for citizens who still have one or more bins to be collected by the City to leave them at the corner of their driceways for the duration of the operation.
It’s a go for the new Charbonneau Chalet!
One of Rosemère’s most beloved projects was initiated in a groundbreaking ceremony by Eric Westram, Mayor of Rosemère, surrounded by members of Town Council and accompanied by Fernand Proulx, President of the Corporation de développement culturel et sportif de Rosemère (CDCSR); David Maréchal, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Éco-Nature organization, and Jean Lauzon and Director of Development of the Éco-Nature organization. The ceremony signaled the official kickoff pf the construction work on the new Charbonneau Chalet, located in the park of the same name on the shores of the Mille Îles River.
“This is a project that is near and dear to our hearts and long awaited, as we made a commitment to build it back in 2017. It is with great excitement that we are embarking on this major project, which will become an ecological, recreational and tourist hub in partnership with the Corporation de développement culturel et sportif de Rosemère and the Éco-Nature organization. We are confident that the official inauguration will take place next fall,” stated Rosemère Mayor Eric Westram.
The Rosemère community will soon be able to benefit from a superb municipal chalet featuring modern architecture and built with eco-responsible materials and an eco-responsible design. It will be located on the former volleyball court, near the existing splash pads. Covering an area of 35 feet by 40 feet, this building will be accessible both summer and winter. It will feature a rest area where people can change their clothes and put on their skates during the winter, locker rooms with washrooms, a terrace on the second floor where it will be possible to admire the scenery as well as a watercraft rental stand in the summer. In addition, educational posters on the features of this eco-responsible building will give residents the opportunity to learn more about this ecological aspect, and even to be inspired by it as well!
The City is benefitting from a significant financial support of the CDCSR, which has agreed to contribute an annual amount of $60,000 over a 15-year period, which represents 50% of the cost of building the chalet.
“Our mission, as a non-profit organization, is to promote and implement cultural, sports and community activities and projects for the residents of the Town of Rosemère. The construction of this new recreational and tourist chalet will enable us to greatly diversify our service offer to the entire community, which is why we are proud to offer this financial contribution,” stated CDCSR President Fernand Proulx.
Waterfront area accessible
The construction of the chalet is in line with the primary idea of restoring access to the waterfront area for residents who want to enjoy the pleasures of water sports, in particular. Moreover, the Éco-Nature organization that manages the Rivière-des-Mille-Îles Park, along with its regional partners, would like to submit a project (Rés’eau-Vélo) to the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) aimed at implementing an ecological, utilitarian and recreational transportation network along the river and waterfront area as part of the second phase of development of the blue-green infrastructure. In particular, Éco-Nature will offer the clientele self-guided tours, an electric shuttle boat service and the rental of various watercraft as well as traditional and electric bicycles. This new range of services will help ease the pressure on the Laval tourist welcome site, increase accessibility to residents of all waterfront municipalities, create the connectivity that this park needs to pursue its development mission and create the public involvement required to ensure the sustainability of its ecosystems.
“For more than 20 years, the Town of Rosemère has supported the mission of Éco-Nature, which is to protect, conserve and enhance the Mille Îles River and its tributaries through concrete actions. The development of Charbonneau Park, which is well appreciated by the Town’s residents and very popular with them, too, is yet another example. Rosemerites can be proud of their Town Council, which once again is taking part in an innovative, ecological and recreational tourism project that is accessible to one and all!” stated Jean Lauzon, the founder and Director of development of Éco-Nature – Rivière-des-Mille-Îles Park.
