COVID-19 Canada: First 'virtual parliament' brings accountability with a few technical headaches - APRIL 2020 EDITION
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Volume XXXVIII No. 4 April 2020 Montreal, QC www.filipinostar.org
COVID-19 Canada: First 'virtual
parliament' brings accountability
with a few technical headaches
Ryan Tumilty, April 29, 2020
National Post
OTTAWA — Canada’s first
“virtual parliament” brought MPs
together Tuesday over Zoom with
technological challenges from muted
microphones, translation issues and
slow internet.
Health Minister Patty Hajdu
was the first to speak but, like a tree
falling in the forest with no one
around, there was no initial sound.
The mute button had felled its first
victim.
She was not the last to have a
mute button misfire with several MPs
from all parties making the same
mistake, including the prime minister.
There were also issues with
simultaneous translation that lead to
several stoppages of the nearly two-
hour question and answer session.
But the session did allow MPs to
question government ministers on a
range of files, from personal protective
equipment orders, to help for
international students, to concerns
about meat processing plants shutting
down.
Without any heckling, the
Speaker also never had to stop the
proceedings to bring the Commons to
order.
Conservative leader Andrew
Scheer dialed into the conference from Canadian Members of Parliament, displayed on a computer monitor, attend the first virtual meeting
of the special committee on the COVID-19 pandemic, as efforts continue to slow the spread of the
See Page 4 First Virtual Parliament coronavirus disease (COVID-19), on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada April 28, 2020. Blair
Gable / Reuters
Military deployed to care
homes in Quebec to help
curb spread of COVID-19
MONTREAL -- Members of the we have to use a lot more care,” said
Canadian Armed Forces are now Corporal Mathieu Bergeron, a medical
working in Quebec’s long-term care technician in the Canadian Armed
facilities where the COVID-19 infection Forces.
rate in homes is hovering around 75 Nurses and support staff have
per cent. been deployed along with the
Military personnel were in technicians from Val Cartier, and
Laval, Que Monday bringing medical inside the facility, the only uniform
supplies and much needed help at the they’ll be wearing is scrubs.
Villa Val des Arbres long-term care The Armed Services staff will
Canadian Forces personnel arrive at the Villa Val des Arbes seniors home.
residence, Monday April 20, 2020 in Laval, Que.THE CANADIAN “They’re much older, much See Page 4 Military deployed
PRESS/Ryan Remiorz more fragile than younger people, so
www.filipinostar.org
2
The North American Filipino Star
might regret. this pandemic has led us to discover
From the 4. Manage stress. Try to new ways of doing things, and have
Executive Publisher’s Desk change situations causing you stress. led some people to innovate and to be
Learn relaxation methods to cope with creative in overcoming boredom and
stress. These could include deep isolation. It has also led to the
breathing, meditation, and exercise. renaissance of home baking because
5. Strive for balance. Find a people have more time in their hands.
Coping with healthy balance between work and play Social media is more popular now than
and between activity and rest. Make ever as it is one of the ways to get in
mental health time for things you enjoy. Focus on touch with others. The virtual world has
positive things in your life. come alive. In fact we have just had
issues amidst 6. Take care of your physical our first virtual parliament in history this
health. Your physical health can affect week notwithstanding the technical
your emotional health. Exercise problems which are part of anything
the global regularly, eat healthy meals, and get new.
enough sleep. Don’t abuse drugs or Even If we have to fret and
pandemic alcohol. sigh, we must be aware that facing the
7. Connect with others. We are challenges of this pandemic helps us
social creatures. We need positive become better human beings. Let us
connections with other people. Make a try to take it in stride as we must
Zenaida Kharroubi lunch date, join a group, and say hi to maintain our mental health first before
strangers. we can go forward. We must believe
During normal times, it is ever predicted. How do we find the 8. Find purpose and meaning. that nothing is impossible and never
common knowledge that there are balance between the two pressures of Figure out what is important to you in give up in fighting an invisible enemy.
some people who suffer from economic insecurities and emotional life, and focus on that. This could be With the immense scientific knowledge
depression. We are also aware of the breakdowns? your work, your family, volunteering, that has kept humanity alive on this
fact that there are many groups of There are numerous caregiving, or something else. Spend planet, there is no reason to think that
people who are in a very precarious recommendations on achieving good your time doing what feels meaningful we cannot conquer this virus like others
situation which is aggravated by the mental health. Learning how you react to you. in the past.
global pandemic, namely, people who to situations that you have no control 9. Stay positive. Focus on the
are supposed to have surgeries but are over may give you a better chance of good things in your life. Forgive
postponed because priority is given to surviving this global pandemic and yourself for making mistakes, and
Allison Hanes: Quebec is
Covid 19 patients in intensive care. managing the stress associated with forgive others. Spend time with healthy, now paying the price for
refugees in detention centers, prison the fear and anxiety that are normal positive people. undervaluing caregivers
inmates who are being infected in responses to this crisis. Moreover According to this website,
close quarters, new immigrants, even under normal conditons, no one there are other things to consider Allison Hanes • Montreal Gazette
temporary permit holders who are can avoid stress and must learn how to regarding mental health. People who Publishing date:April 16, 2020
take control of it in order to avoid have good emotional health can still Quebecers, including those in
losing their jobs as businesses are
closed. Government response getting sick as stress is considered to have emotional problems or mental high office, have suddenly come to
programs simply do not cover the be a precursor to more serious illness. Mental illness often has a realize the crucial importance of the
diseases. unheralded grunt work involved in
needs of everyone and somehow there physical cause. This could be a caring for frail seniors, a job usually
will be people who are going to fall into Everyone in the healthcare chemical imbalance in the brain. Stress
the cracks as they will not get any help field has been trained to react to stress and problems with family, work, or left to the lowliest and lowest-paid
they so badly need. in a calm way in order to do his or her school can trigger mental illness or caregivers in the health system.
job well. Even though doctors and make it worse. Those who change adult
The news about a New York
nurses are known to succumb to the diapers, wipe chins, give sponge baths
City emergency doctor who took her Counseling, support groups, to the bedridden and coax spoonfuls of
own life due to the work pressures she pressure of dealing with so many sick and medicines can help people who
was suffering from is just an example patients at the same time with limited have emotional problems or mental purée into reluctant mouths are in such
how much damage this pandemic has resources. they are also able to illness. If you have an ongoing short supply due to COVID-19 that
caused and revealed that the bounce back because they know that emotional problem, talk to your family Quebec’s long-term care homes are in
healthcare system in general is not they have chosen this profession to doctor. He or she can help you find the need of what Health Minister Danielle
save people’s lives as their noble right type of treatment. McCann called “a humanitarian
prepared to deal with a global
mission in life. In other words, having mission.”
pandemic of this magnitude. This also In addition to these guidelines,
a goal or purpose in life, as well as a it is also a good idea to take a break or Some 2,000 staff from public
shows the great importance of finding
dream can sustain a person’s hope to limit your exposure to bad news and and private seniors’ residences across
ways to cope with the mental and
and believe that this crisis will pass in try to switch to other news that can the province are missing in action,
emotional issues facing everyone, and
due time. An optimistic person can make you laugh or be entertained. either because they’ve contracted
to a greater degree, our front line
look at it like a wheel of fortune - when COVID-19, are in isolation after
workers who seem to bear the greatest In view of what has been exposure or are simply too frightened
burden because they have to take care it is down, the only other way is for it to happening and what may happen in
go up. to show up for work. The dire lack of
of the sick and worry about their own the future, we can say that there are personnel to carry out basic tasks and
families’ welfare. Compounding the In order to keep one’s always two sides to any story, to any
stress among healthcare workers is the optimism, it is important to have event, and that if we are by nature maintain the dignity of patients has
fact that our healthcare system is far emotional health during this stressful optimistic, we will focus on the positive forced the government to take
from perfect and that shortages of period of our life. This helps us develop side rather than the negative. After all, desperate measures.
the ability to deal with the physical Premier François Legault on
proper equipment to protect them have
become acute. They have also, dangers of the virus. There are many
ironically, become both heroes and books written about the subject but we
victims of the crisis. We have known have chosen to quote practical tips that
cases where healthcare workers are are easy to follow and undersand from
praised but also shunned because a website called family doctor. org:
people are afraid of being 1. Be aware of your emotions
contaiminated. and reactions. Notice what in your life 7159 ch. de la Cote des Neiges Tel.: 514-485-7861/ 514-506-8753
It is often said that mental makes you sad, frustrated, or angry. E-Mail: marketing@filipinostar.org
Try to address or change those things.
Montreal, Quebec H3R 2M2
problems are harder to solve than any www.filipinostar.org Published by: Filcan Publications, Inc..
physical ailment. For this reason, 2. Express your feelings in
many studies have been done to find appropriate ways. Let people close to Zenaida F. Kharroubi
ways of helping people with any you know when something is Fely Rosales Carino Chief Editor W.G. Quiambao
mental issue to learn how to seek help bothering you. Keeping feelings of Society News Publisher - North .American Tagalog Columnist
and not feel stigmatized. However, sadness or anger inside adds to stress. Filipino Star
during this time, everyone is bound to It can cause problems in your
April 1998-present
Bert Abiera
relationships and at work or school.
Sam Kevin
suffer from the effects of worrying Founder-Publisher, Filipino
3. Think before you act.
Show Biz News & Layout Editor
about the future. What happens after
Star Nov. 1982- Nov. 97
this lockdown is anyone’s guess as Emotions can be powerful. Give
there is no definite answer. We are all yourself time to think, and be calm The opinions expressed by the writers and columnists do not necessarily reflect
that of the management of the North American Filipino Star nor its editors.
facing an uncertainty that no one has before you say or do something you
April 2020 The North American Filipino Star 3
wearing of masks. The reality is that
Masks are mandatory now to ride most people likely do not want to share
public transit vehicles with unmasked
persons whom they may perceive as
public transit in most of the world’s likely to spread the virus."
Accordingly, Rotrand is calling
largest cities. Why not in Canada? for a national safety standard that could
be proposed to the provinces and
Rotrand Questions Lack Of transporters to bolster public
Clear Direction On Wearing confidence and rebuild ridership.
Face Masks These measures should
City Councillor Marvin Rotrand include: an obligatory use of masks to
has undertaken a comparative study of ride transit for the foreseeable future
major world transit systems, looking at a federal fund to allow transporters to
elements such as ridership, funding and distribute masks for free to riders and to
changes to policies in the wake of the offer abundant hand sanitizer
Covid-19 pandemic. a uniform cleaning standard outlining
Recent figures from across how often and by what means transit
North America show a 50 to 90% drop in vehicles are cleaned
transit ridership with accompanying Rotrand notes that both
revenue losses for transporters. As the Theresa Tam and Horacio Arruda
economy gradually reopens and in the recommend that transit riders wear
eventual return to normalcy, masks.
transporters' biggest challenge will be to However to date, despite
growing world wide legislation obliging
Italian authorities are making the use of face masks mandatory on
win back public confidence that transit
mask use in transit, none of the
public transport and in stores as they gradually loosen lockdown
is safe.
provinces or major transporters in
measures, starting next Monday. Here's where and when you have to put
Rotrand anticipates changes to on a mask. (Paywall Free)
work habits where, at least in the short Canada have adopted a law or directive
term, more workers will accomplish at Masks are now compulsory in Hundreds of smaller cities also to make mask use mandatory.
least part of each week's work schedule most cities that have large transporters have adopted this strategy as key to In Montreal Mayor Valerie
at home and online. As well, the move such as: maintaining and rebuilding transit Plante favours keeping mask use
to increased on-line shopping will Mexico City, ridership. voluntary. Rotrand says that sends a
depress transit ridership. Singapore, "Cities from New York to Berlin very mixed message that may well keep
However, the Councillor San Francisco, to Dubai have quickly moved to make riders away.
believes that the key factor that Shanghai, mask wearing mandatory during the Rotrand - who last week asked
operators will have to address is fear. Buenos Aires, COVID-19 crisis to protect public health for urgent federal funding to stabilize
Rotrand's study shows that Taipei, and to bolster public confidence about transit - notes that as of April 20 Canada
most major public transporters world- Tel Aviv, continuing to use transit. That's not the already obliges air travellers to wear
wide have by now made the wearing of Honolulu, case in Canada where many cities masks.
masks in buses and trains mandatory. Istanbul... recommend but don't oblige the
extra four-per-cent boost in salary for It’s especially insulting for those left seniors’ residences dangerously
minimum-wage-earning préposés aux nursing home employees who were unprepared as the pandemic swept the
bénéficiaires and an eight-per-cent thrust into what turned out to be the province. And it is now belatedly
premium for front-line nurses. But after epicentre of the pandemic without recognizing that the exhausting, back-
underestimating the devastation COVID- always having access to the personal breaking labour of caregiving is the
19 would unleash on long-term care protective equipment, training and crumbling foundation on which the
homes, Quebec is sending in the most safety gear deployed to hospitals. entire eldercare system is built.
highly paid professionals in the health According to their union, two caregivers If the true measure of any
system as reinforcement. from the Mauricie region are now society is reflected in how it cares for its
There’s no doubt this is an all- hospitalized in intensive care after most vulnerable members, Quebec’s
hands-on-deck moment and that contracting COVID-19. missteps in protecting seniors from
anyone and everyone with training is Sending in the cavalry is too COVID-19 have been especially
needed to respond to the pandemic — little, too late. If only we’d invested heartbreaking. But how we have treated
particularly to look after seniors in proactively over the years in those who do the difficult work of caring
residences who have been preyed upon underfunded CHSLDs or in the nurses for our sickest and weakest is just as
by this brutal disease. and caregivers who provide this troubling.
We don’t have to look far to see essential work, perhaps the pandemic’s
A worker pauses from wiping down
grim toll on the aged might have been
furniture at Résidence Herron in Dorval
on Wednesday. JOHN MAHONEY / what happens when there’s not enough
Montreal Gazette
staff on hand. As the Montreal Gazette lessened.
Wednesday appealed to doctors — first revealed, public health authorities As it stands, Quebec is
surgeons, specialists and general who took over the privately run belatedly coming to terms with the fact it
practitioners alike — to roll up their Résidence Herron in Dorval found
sleeves and lend a hand in Quebec’s patients unfed, dehydrated and stewing
beleaguered CHSLDs. He had already in their own feces and urine. A doctor
issued a call to arms urging retired who arrived on scene ended up calling
health professionals, nursing her own husband and teenage children
professors, social workers and dentists to come feed hungry seniors, La Presse
to join the fight. reported.
He’s now asking physicians to This may be an extreme case,
help bathe, clothe and feed the non- but there are 41 seniors’ homes in
autonomous elderly, take temperatures, Quebec where the situation has been
monitor blood pressure, dispense deemed critical.
medications — perhaps even hold the There is something bitterly
hands of the dying or place final phone ironic about drafting doctors — an
calls to family members to allow them to expensive solution to a problem largely
say goodbye to parents and born of underpaying, undervaluing and
grandparents who have been in exploiting the unsung caregivers who
lockdown for a month. do arduous physical and emotional
In other words, he wants them labour most of us are unwilling to sign
to take on the humble work of up for.
caregivers. For this “humanitarian It’s a slap in the face to those
mission,” Legault is ready to pay who have suffered through long shifts,
specialists up to $211 an hour or a mandatory overtime, understaffing,
maximum of $2,500 a day. overwork and abysmal morale toiling
Yes, you heard that right. away in Quebec’s CHSLDs for years on
Quebec could only come up with an end.
www.filipinostar.org
4 The North American Filipino Star April 2020
Industry Minister Navdeep Conservative MP Kyle Commons Clerk, Charles Robert, said
From Page 1 First Virtual Parliament Bains caught people’s attention with a Seeback said on Twitter he couldn’t he wasn’t sure all MPs would be able
his House of Commons office, striking painting of men in colourful connect to the meeting because of his to participate. He said at the time the
complete with a Canadian flag and the turbans on his wall. He later explained internet connection speed and Zoom platform that the House was
Saskatchewan Roughriders on Twitter that it was the work of Conservative MP Alain Rayes said he using would likely not be able to
merchandise key to the decor of any Benjamin Charles Ellis, an artist from was unable to connect to the meeting handle much more than 60 MPs.
MP from the province. Peterborough, Ont. for ten minutes because his internet But the House of Commons
Scheer used his first question Alberta Conservative MP service failed, despite being in a staff managed to overcome the
to focus on testing kits, with several Shannon Stubbs was in her kitchen government building in Ottawa. technical problems, because 280 MPs
companies waiting for approval from when she asked questions about help Liberal Cabinet Minister were ultimately on the call Tuesday.
Health Canada, he asked why the for the province’s oil industry — with a Seamus O’Regan seemed to also be There have been security and privacy
government wasn’t doing more. fridge covered in family pictures at the struggling with connection issues, concerns with Zoom, but the House is
“The latest information is that edge of the shot. because his video was low quality and using a commercial version of the
up to 50 companies are waiting for In a moment parents across audio strained when he answered platform and there were no incidents of
Health Canada approvals, so can the the country will sympathize with, Green questions. people forcing their way into the
prime minister explain why Health MP Jenica Atwin warned the The virtual sittings were meeting.
Canada has, to this point, been unable committee they might hear a crying approved last week during a special At committee last week,
to implement a fast track process?” child in the background as she asked sitting of the House of Commons, as a Speaker Anthony Rota said he would
We did have a few glitches, her questions. means to provide government impose the rules of decorum that
but nobody is perfect and we are The virtual parliament did accountability to Parliament while House of Commons has for the virtual
working on perfection leave some people on the sidelines limiting how often parliamentarians session and warned MPs to respect
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, however. would have to attend the House of parliament’s dress code even if they
appearing apparently from his Rideau Saskatchewan MP Cathay Commons in person. were in their living rooms. They all did.
Cottage office framed by a bookcase Wagantall said despite the hard work The meetings are technically a During Tuesday’s meeting he
and a painting of the northern lights of House of Commons staff she was new committee, but unlike other cautioned them not to take photos of
behind him, said Canada couldn’t unable to connect to the meeting. She parliamentary committees all members their screens respecting the rules that
afford test kits that did not work said everything worked on the trial run of the House are members. Tuesday prevent photos from being taken on
perfectly. the House held on Monday, but was the first virtual sitting, with an in the House of Commons’ floor and in
“We have seen around the Tuesday she couldn’t connect and had person sitting scheduled for committee rooms.
world problems with test kits that have to watch the proceedings through the Wednesday. Rota ended the session by
been faulty or unreliable,” he said. online webcast system. No legislation can pass during thanking technical staff and saying he
“Health Canada is prioritizing and I am watching through ParlVu the virtual sittings, but as set up they hoped the system would only improve.
rapidly going through a process of and not connected. It’s very will give the same amount of time for “We did have a few glitches,
evaluating these tests, but we can’t disappointing.” questioning ministers that MPs but nobody is perfect and we are
compromise, not just the safety of She said the virtual parliament normally get from Question Period working on perfection.”
individual Canadians, but the safety of worked OK, but there was still a lot over a full week. Starting next week, there will
our entire country.” missing and she believed in person The Conservatives opposed be twice weekly virtual sessions, on
Many MPs dialed in from their sittings could have been possible. the virtual sittings, pushing instead for Tuesday and Thursdays, to go with the
homes where they, like most “There is nothing quite like three in person sittings, but the other in person sessions on Wednesdays.
Canadians, have been for weeks now being in that room,” she said. “I think opposition parties sided with the
while public health authorities work to we have the capability to be there in government.
control the pandemic. reasonable numbers.” Last week, the House of
From Page 1 Milittary deployed Trudeau under pressure to do more to
help with everyday tasks such as
feeding, changing and moving
residents.
protect seniors, long term care workers
BY STAFF THE CANADIAN PRESS
Lieutenant-Commander Posted April 17, 2020 7:19 am
Heather Galbraith is a family physician Updated April 17, 2020 7:20 am
and said working in seniors’ homes is Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
generally fast-paced, but with COVID- will be under pressure today to flesh
19, it’s a very different reality. out his promise to do more to protect
“You add, pardon my seniors in long-term care homes,
language, a pesky bug that we just are which have been hardest hit by the
learning day-to-day more and more deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
about, you’re in a different realm,” she Trudeau promised earlier this
said. week that the federal government
Like many care homes in would provide funding to top up the
Quebec, Villa Val des Arbres is wages earned by essential workers in
struggling with staff shortages, and nursing homes who earn less than
containing the virus. Fifty-nine per cent $2,500 a month.
of the residents have tested positive. That promise was discussed
Nathalie Veilleux can only visit during a conference call among first
her father Guy through a window. He ministers late Thursday. territories to allow them to top up Commons should be required to work,
has dementia and his daughter No details of the call were wages. She did not say how much they should be issued with masks and
learned on Saturday that he tested immediately forthcoming, other than a money Ottawa is prepared to ante up. gloves where necessary and hand
positive for COVID-19. brief summary of the discussion issued Personal support workers in sanitizing stations should be set up at
“We heard that beds weren’t by the Prime Minister’s Office which nursing homes often work poorly paid entrances and exits of the Commons
being changed,” she said. “We don’t said first ministers “agreed on the part-time jobs in multiple facilities, and other strategic locations
know what the real conditions are urgent need to ensure long-term care which has contributed to the spread of throughout the parliamentary precinct.
inside.” facilities have the resources they need COVID-19. Canadian cases
Nearly 90 military personnel to protect the health and well-being of In a letter late Thursday to CONFIRMED
have been deployed in the Montreal their residents and workers.” Commons Speaker Anthony Rota, 53,009
area, and more may be coming. Since the salaries paid to Conservative whip Mark Strahl argued (Today: +1,423)
It is an unusual situation for workers in long-term care homes fall that regular sittings could be done DEATHS
them, but they are up for the under provincial jurisdiction, Trudeau safely without putting at risk the health 3,180
challenge. has been clear that whatever the of MPs or Commons staff at a time (Today: +184)
“We’re mostly proud to be federal government does must be in when all Canadians are being advised RECOVERED
here,” said Bergeron. “We’re going to collaboration with the provinces. to keep two-metres physical distance 21,211
be helping our own population in Seniors Minister Deb Schulte from one another and stay home as
Quebec. We live here. They’re our told CBC News late Thursday that the much as possible.
people and we’re here to help.” federal government will boost transfer Strahl said only essential staff
payments to the provinces and necessary for the operation of the
www.filipinostar.org
April 2020 The North American Filipino Star 5
Meet the 101-year-old who was born on a ship during
the 1918 flu pandemic and just beat coronavirus
Angelina Friedman survived the nursing home.
cancer, miscarriages, internal "She's super active. You
bleeding, sepsis and now not one, but couldn't believe it for her age," Elba
two pandemics. More than 100 years said. "Still doing her leisure activities
after living through the 1918 influenza probably that she's done forever."
pandemic, the 101-year-old woman Like many other facilities, Elba said,
just beat coronavirus. they have set up alternative means for
An administrator at the patients to remain in contact with their
Mohegan Lake, New York, nursing families.
home where Friedman lives said Due to a back injury, Merola
Friedman is back to her old self and hasn't been able to visit her mother
celebrating life as if nothing ever since February, but she doesn't live far
happened. from home. Because her mother is
"It also just goes to show how much nearly deaf, they can't speak on the
the world needs hope that you can phone.
beat this at 101," Amy Elba told CNN. As prom season approaches,
Friedman's daughter, Joanne Merola, Elba said that although the schools
told CNN affiliate WPIX that her mother Angelina Friedman celebrates her birthday. might not get a dance, Friedman is
is a survivor. Her mother died giving birth, and off for several weeks as she certainly going to have hers -- and
"She and my dad had cancer and her two sisters helped her survive battled the coronavirus until April 20, hopes she will be named prom queen
at the same time. She survived. He until they could reunite with their father when she tested negative. for the second year in a row.
didn't," she said. in New York, where they lived in Nurses called Merola and said
After beating coronavirus at Brooklyn, Merola told WPIX. Friedman was doing great. She was
101 years old, Friedman started One of 11 children, Friedman is the last eating again and looking for yarn to
looking for some yarn so she could surviving. crochet with, they told her. Advertise
knit. "She is not human," Merola "She is a mover and a shaker," Elba
After beating coronavirus at said. "She has superhuman DNA." said. "She's a big knitter and she to prepare to
101 years old, Friedman started Now a resident of the North makes all kinds of things and gives
looking for some yarn so she could Westchester Restorative Therapy & them away to visitors." re-open
knit. Nursing Center, Friedman battled yet The staff threw a big birthday
In 1918, Angelina Sciales (now another pandemic. party for Friedman's 101st birthday, your business
Friedman) was born on a ship that was "She had gone out to the hospital for a and last year she was crowned prom
transporting immigrants from Italy to procedure and when she returned she queen.
New York City. It was in the midst of the had tested positive," Elba told CNN. Friedman was named Prom
Call
1918 pandemic. It's not believed that Merola told the affiliate her mother Queen at the nursing home.
the baby contracted the disease. isolated in her room and ran a fever on Friedman was named Prom Queen at 514-485-7861
www.filipinostar.org
Tagalog Seksyon
6 The North American Filipino Star April 2020
pakinggan kapag naisalin sa ibang magsalita at magsulat ng English o
lengguahe. Ang halimbawa ay “lasing”. Tagalog o kung saang pamantasan siya
Sa Bicol ay hindi magandang pakinggan nagtapos. Masusukat natin ang
Opinyon/Komentaryo
ang salitang lasing kaya nagulat ang katalinuhan ng isang tao kung may
nanay ko nang minsan ay magpunta sa katuturan ang kaniyang mga sinasabi.
ni Willie Quiambao
aming bahay ang Bikolanong nanliligaw May mga kilala ako na nagtapos sa mga
sa kapatid ko. Fiesta sa amin at umiinom pribadong pamantasan na teribleng
ito ng beer kasama ang ibang bisita. magsalita ng English. Isang Pilipino ang
Nagsalita ito ng Bikolano na ang ibig tumanggap ng award at sa isang
sabihin ay nalasing yata siya. Ang isa pagtitipon ay buong pagmamalaki niyang
pang salita ay ang itlog. Sa Tagalog ay ibinalita sa mga panauhin na tumanggap
MAY NANGYARI RING MAGANDA SA nakakuha ako ng paksang maisusulat
itlog pa lamang ito pero sa din siya ng notorious award, sa halip na
AKIN NOONG MANALANTA ANG nang mag-google ako at makita ko ang
Kapampangan, ebon na ito. meritorious award. Ito ang malapropism,
COVID - 19 Debate sa Pagdiriwang Ng Buwan ng
Mayaman ang kultura ng Pilipino. Marami maling gamit ng salita sa isang salitang
Hindi madali sa mga tao ang Wika o Mga Wika sa Agosto. Nakapaskil
tayong wika, mga awit at sayaw na nais niyang sabihin. Halos magkapareho
pinagdadaanan ngayong may pandemic sa Philippine Embassy sa United
katutubo na wala ang ibang bansa. Ang ng tunog ang notorious at meritorious.
sa buong mundo. Sa akin naman, may Kingdom na ang mga sumusunod tulad
mga ito ang maipagmamalaki nating mga Isa naman ang nagsabi na na-
maganda at hindi magandang ng Bikocano, Ilokano. Cebuano,
Pilipino. dismembred siya sa isang asosasyon.
pangyayari na naranasan ako dahil sa Kapampangan at Waray ay mga
ANG MAPANGMATANG INGLESERO Ang ibig niyang sabihin ay stripped of
Covid -19. Wala akong mapuntahan lengguahe (wika) at hindi mga dayalekto
Napatawa na lamang ako sa membership. Nakatatakot pakinggan ang
upang magpalipas ng oras. Sarado ang (dialects). Matagal na itong nakapost
nabasa kong salaysay sa Manila Bulletin dismembered, parang pinagputol putol
casino, mga restaurant at mga sine. pero tiyak na kaunti lamang ang
ng isang nagngangalang James Soriano, ang mga bahagi ng katawan ng isang tao
Iniiwasan ko ang mga lugar kung saan nakaaalam sa impormasyong ito. Kahit
estudyante ng Ateneo University. tulad ni Lucila Lalu, queen of chop chop
maraming tao. Sa kabila ng mga ito, may ipinanganak at umaki ako sa Maynila ay
Nagkaroon ng malaking isyu sa Pilipinas noong 1967.
nangyari ring maganda sa akin dahil sa nagagalak ako dahil ang Kapampangan
nang isulat niya na ang English is for the May naikuwentro sa akin na
COVID – 19, Unang una- ay nakaiwas ako na naririnig kong ginagamit ng aking mga
learned and the Tagalog is for the people isang ina sa Heritage Class ang nagsabi
sa mga gastusin. Hindi natuloy ang magulang noong bata pa ako ay
on the streets, katulong at tindera. Sobra sa anak na huwag magsalita ng Tagalog
pagdiriwang sa aking kaarawan noong lengguahe rin pala. Hindi ako
naman. Lumaki raw siya na dahil Canadian na siya. “Bakit ipinasok
Marso 23 dahil natatakot ang aking mga makapaniwala sa nabasa ko na ayon sa
napaliligiran ng mga taong nagsasalita pa sa Heritage class ang anak?”tanong
kamag-anak na lumabas at kumain sa Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF)na
ng Engish sa eskuela at sa bahay. ko. Walang masama kung matutuhan ng
restaurant. Pangalawa, nagkaroon ako may mga 150 na lengguahe tayo tulad ng
Nagsasalita lamang siya ng Tagalog isang bata ang wikang ginagamit sa
ng pagkakataong makapag-email at mga nabanggit ko sa itaas. Ang
kapag nasa kanilang lalawigan at kausap bansang kaniyang pinagmulan. Ayon sa
makipagbalitaan kay Budz Sarmiento at lengguaheng Pilipino o Tagalog ay
ang mga kamaga-anak. Sa halip na pag-aaral, hindi makasasama sa isang
Felix Reyes na nakapagdadala sa akin ginagamit kahit saang bansa tayo. Ang
mainis ay naawa na lamang ako sa tao ang turuan ito ng iba pang wika
ng mga nakaaaliw na balita mula sa dayalekto ay ginagamit sa isang pook o
kaniya. Hindi niya alam ang mga salitang habang bata pa ito.
Pilipinas. Araw- araw ay tungkol sa lugar, maliit o malaki,. Ito rin ang unang
paggalang na “ho” at “po” sa mga Sa iba’t ibang lugar sa mundo ay
corona virus ang nababasa ko sa diaryo wika na kinagisnan natin sa ating tahanan
nakatatanda sa kaniya. May karapatan maraming mahuhusay na doktor at nurse
at nakikita sa television. Pangatlo, nag- na ginagamit ng ating mga magulang o
siyang magbigay ng opinyon subalit hindi na Pilipino. Kung magkasakit si Soriano,
aalaaala rin pala sa akin ang mga miyembro ng pamilya. Noong una ay
niya karapatang insultuhin ang wika ng pipiliin niya ba ang mga mahuhusay na
pamangkin ko kahit madalas kaming nagtatawa ako kung may nagtatanong sa
ibang tao. Maaaring ikatwiran niya ang doktor at nurses na nagsasalita ng
magsigawan kapag nagpapaturo ako sa akin na “Pilipino ho kayo?” Gusto ko
freedom of expression. Kung matalino English na pam-palengke o dayuhang
kanila sa komputer. Ngayon ay lagi nila siyang sabihan, “Kinausap mo ako ng
siya, alam niya na babatikusin siya ng mahusay mag-English na kulang ng
akong pinaaalalahanan na huwag Tagalog, itatanong mo pa kung Pilipino
makababasa sa kaniyang isinulat. Dapat karanasan sa panggagamot? May
lumabas ng bahay kung hindi rin lamang ako.” Bagamat natutuwa ako na
ay alam niya na ang bawat kalayaan ay kaniya-kaniyang opinyon ang bawat tao
kailangan. Covid – 19 din ang naging lengguahe rin pala ang Kapampangan
may limitasyon. Ang gulo siguro sa at karapatan niya iyon. Ang hindi niya
dahilan upang magkasundo ang mga tulad ng Ilokano, Bikolano, at
mundo kung wala tayong batas na karapatan ay mang-insulto ng ibang tao.
magkakamag-anak at magka-kaibigan na Zambuenguenio, hindi ako sang-yon na
sinusunod. May kalayaan tayong bumoto Nakalulungkot lamang isipin na kaya
may tampuhan. Walang pinipili ang maging wikang pambansa ang isa man
pero alam nating hindi puedeng mahina ang pag-unlad ng Pilipinas ay
corona virus – 19 - mayaman o mahirap. sa mga ito. Kapag naging wikang
mandaya. May kalayaang magsalita at minsan, ikinahihiya natin ang ating
At hindi naman masama ang mga pambansa ang isa sa mga ito, higit
sumulat pero dapat ay alam nating mag- magandang kaugalian at mayamang
namumuno sa ating pamahalaan. Hindi tayong hindi magkakaunawaan. Kung
iingat tayo sa ating isusulat at sasabihin kultura. Kapag nanood ka ng pelikulang
sila tumitigil sa paggawa ng paraan minsan, kahit Tagalog na ang ating
dahil baka ma-idemanda tayo ng slander Tagalog, sasabihin ay kabilang ka sa
upang masugpo ang pagkalat ng corona ginagamit sa pagsasalita ay hindi pa tayo
o libel. Hindi natin basta maisusulat na “bakya crowd”, mahirap at hindi mataas
virus. Tumutulong din naman sila sa mga magkaintindihan, ano pa ang mangyayari
magnanakaw ang isang tao. Dapat ay ang pinag-aralan tulad ng mga taong
taong naaapektuhan ng sakit at kung iba’t iba pang lengguahe ang ating
alam ni Soriano na ang katalinuhan ng nagsusuot ng bakya. .
nawawalan ng trabaho. Higit sa lahat, gagamitin? May mga salita sa Tagalog na
tao ay hindi nasusukat sa kahusayang
nag-iiba ang kahulugan at sumasamang
With angry words around the world, China uses
COVID-19 pandemic to take on superpower mantle
NATHAN VANDERKLIPPEASIA under which Beijing asserts
CORRESPONDENT ownership over Taiwan – if it wanted
BEIJING the smooth procurement of masks
PUBLISHED APRIL 30, 2020 and other protective equipment from
U00:00 China, according to a person with
knowledge of the situation. The
Open this photo in gallery country refused the Chinese demand.
A man walks near a Chinese national The Globe and Mail granted the
flag, in Beijing, on April 29, 2020. person anonymity because they are
not authorized to speak publicly.
THOMAS PETER/REUTERS No longer is Beijing acting
like an emergent nation. It is asserting
Weeks of battles between China and itself as a rival superpower, and
western countries has brought making demands befitting the role it
intemperate language, pointed has assumed. “Any notion that China
metaphors, at least one quotation was a rising power has been
from Mao Zedong – and a clearer superseded by the fact that they have
glimpse into the ways Beijing is using risen,” said Jane Golley, director of
a worldwide pandemic to bolster its A man walks near a Chinese national flag, in Beijing, the Australian Centre on China in the
efforts to assert a new place of global on April 29, 2020.THOMAS PETER/REUTERS World at the Australian National
importance. University.
Netherlands and the United States, in in the world. As one striking example, But it’s an ascension
Chinese diplomats, senior Party a sustained assault that has Chinese diplomats demanded that at
officials and state media have lashed underscored an important change to least one country publicly rededicate
See opposite page Angry words
out at Australia, France, the how Chinese leadership sees its place itself to the “one-China principle” –
www.filipinostar.org
April 2020 The North American Filipino Star 7
Trump says China ‘will do anything they can’ to see
him
STE
lose re-election race
VE HOLLAND REUTERS official, speaking on condition of Trump is leading a triage effort
PUBLISHED APRIL 29, 2020 anonymity, said on Wednesday that an to try to keep the U.S. economy afloat
President Donald Trump said informal “truce” in the war of words that through stimulus payments to
on Wednesday he believes China’s Trump and Xi essentially agreed to in a individuals and companies while
handling of the coronavirus is proof phone call in late March now appeared nudging state governors to carefully
that Beijing “will do anything they can” to be over. reopen their states as new infections
to make him lose his re-election bid in The two leaders had promised decline.
November. that their governments would do He said he is happy with the
In an interview with Reuters in everything possible to co-operate to way many governors are operating
the Oval Office, Trump talked tough on contain the coronavirus. In recent days, under the strain of the virus but said
China and said he was looking at Washington and Beijing have traded some need to improve. He would not
different options in terms of increasingly bitter recriminations over name names.
consequences for Beijing over the the origin of the virus and the response Trump’s handling of the virus
U.S. President Donald Trump
virus. “I can do a lot,” he said. to it. has come under scrutiny. Forty-three
answers questions during the daily
Trump has been heaping However, Trump and his top per cent of Americans approved of
briefing of the coronavirus task
blame on China for a global pandemic aides, while stepping up their anti- Trump’s handling of the coronavirus,
force on April 27, 2020. Trump
that has killed at least 60,000 people in China rhetoric, have stopped short of according to the Reuters/Ipsos poll
says China could have stopped the
the United States according to a directly criticizing Xi, who the U.S. from April 27-28.
coronavirus before it became a
global pandemic.
Reuters tally, and thrown the U.S. WIN MCNAMEE/GETTY IMAGES president has repeatedly called his But the president got some
economy into a deep recession, can to have me lose this race,” said “friend.” good news when Gilead Sciences Inc
putting in jeopardy his hopes for Trump. He said he believes Beijing Trump also said South Korea said it’s experimental antiviral drug
another four-year term. wants his Democratic opponent, Joe has agreed to pay the United States remdesivir was showing progress in
The Republican president, Biden, to win the race to ease the more money for a defence co- treating virus victims.
often accused of not acting early pressure Trump has placed on China operation agreement but would not be Trump has also seeking an
enough to prepare the United States over trade and other issues. drawn out on how much. accelerated timetable on development
for the spread of the virus, said he “They’re constantly using “We can make a deal. They of a vaccine.
believed China should have been more public relations to try to make it like want to make a deal,” Trump said. “I think things are moving
active in letting the world know about they’re innocent parties,” he said of “They’ve agreed to pay a lot of money. along very nicely,” he said.
the coronavirus much sooner. Chinese officials. They’re paying a lot more money than At the end of the half-hour
Asked whether he was He said the trade deal that he they did when I got here” in January interview, Trump offered lighthearted
considering the use of tariffs or even concluded with Chinese President Xi 2017. remarks about a newly released Navy
debt writeoffs for China, Trump would Jinping aimed at reducing chronic U.S. The United States stations video purportedly showing an
not offer specifics. “There are many trade deficits with China had been roughly 28,500 troops in South Korea, unidentified flying object. “I just
things I can do,” he said. “We’re “upset very badly” by the economic a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War wonder if it’s real,” he said. “That’s a
looking for what happened.” fallout from the virus. that ended in an armistice, rather than hell of a video.”
“China will do anything they A senior Trump administration a peace treaty.
undergirded by anger at perceived attacks on the “malevolence” of the see the country as the victim of a broad look from a developing country’s
historical humiliations against China French media, calling them lapdogs of Western attempt, led by Washington, perspective, who has done a better
over the past century. “They firmly the U.S. He suggested Le Figaro was to pin blame on Beijing for the job? The United States or China?” she
believe the time is right for China to trafficking in “lies” and accused pandemic as a way to distract from asked. The official numbers show a far
take revenge, and America and the western politicians more generally of their own missteps. smaller death toll in China than the
West is in decline,” said Feng Chongyi, agitating “the populist, racist and anti- “Calling for an investigation is U.S. ”And that raises the possibility, I
a scholar at Australia’s University of Chinese strands of their countries just buck-passing behaviour,” said think, that authoritarianism wins favour
Technology Sydney who studies against China.” Ruan Zongze, vice-president of the in other parts of the world,” she said.
contemporary Chinese history. And so, “Some Westerners are starting to have China Institute of International Studies. China stands to be the first
“whoever offends China will be no confidence in liberal democracy,” xIt is for that reason unfair to major economy to return to growth,
punished.” Mr. Lu wrote, sneering at critics he criticize China for aggressive raising the country’s importance for
The spread of the COVID-19 deemed “psychologically fragile.” diplomacy, he said. Chinese officials other countries seeking to buttress
pandemic from China to the rest of the In the Netherlands, the are engaged in “self-defence against their own economic performance.
world – and the ensuing recriminations Chinese embassy called De Volkskrant irresponsible accusations made by At the same time, some of the
– have intensified that conflict. So, too, newspaper “full of prejudice, western political figures. China isn’t most successful strategies to counter
has Beijing’s confidence that it has discrimination and malice,” while provoking anything.” In fact, he said, the virus have taken place in
more capably handled the outbreak China’s Communist Party-backed “China should choose to be tough on democratic states, including Taiwan,
than western democracies, despite Global Times reported comments from people who just try to throw mud at our South Korea, Australia and New
accusations of an initial cover-up. It’s a Beijing that “China may consider country, because they never hesitate Zealand.
confidence that has turned strident in suspending medical supplies to the to demonize and degrade China. How In China, “the same
recent weeks. Netherlands” after a change to the can you be polite to impolite people?” authoritarian system that checked the
Cheng Jingye, China’s name of the country’s mission in Beijing, too, has good reason spread of the virus was also
ambassador to Australia, questioned Taiwan was viewed as not honouring to threaten economic consequences, responsible for covering it for months
whether a country that is so “hostile” is the one-China principle. (The said Su Hao, a professor in the School and allowing it to disperse from Wuhan
“the best place to send” Chinese newspaper’s editor, Hu Xijin, also of Diplomacy at China Foreign Affairs to the world,” said Mr. Fullilove.
students for education, or whether called Australia “chewing gum stuck University. He accused the Donald “Once, the world saw China as
Chinese consumers would want to buy on the sole of China’s shoes. Trump administration of manipulating a source of capital, labour and
Australian wine and beef, after Prime Sometimes you have to find a stone to the emotions of other countries to join innovation. … When this is finally over,
Minister Scott Morrison called for an rub it off.”) the U.S. in strategically constraining with armies of dead and a battered
independent review of the spread of China’s outspoken officials China. Remain silent, and others will global economy, does anyone think
the virus. Vice foreign minister Le “are seeking to prevent any censure of follow, he said. “China must use such that China will remain blameless?”
Yucheng accused the U.S. of “political China and impress headquarters in language, so to ensure a threat of a
manipulation to a level beyond Beijing. Some of the behaviour is quite boycott is actually understandable. With reporting from Alexandra Li
anyone’s imagination” in response to outrageous,” said Michael Fullilove, They must realize that their attempt to
White House pressure over the virus executive director of the Lowy Institute, contain China is wrong.” Australia's calls for an independent
and, in an interview with NBC News, Australia’s leading foreign policy think Besides, he said, “China and inquiry into the origins of COVID-19 is
quoted Chairman Mao Zedong: “a first- tank. the World Health Organization should 'reasonable' and not targeted at any
order question in revolution is to “Beijing is anxious because not and do not want to be scapegoats” specific country, Prime Minister Scott
discern the true enemies and true the stakes are so high. If Beijing gets for public health failures in other Morrison said on Wednesday.
friends.” pinned with responsibility for the countries. REUTERS
In France, Lu Shaye, who pandemic, that will be a huge drain on The pandemic has allowed
previously served as ambassador to its soft power,” he said. China to make a much larger
Canada, has released a series of Many in China, meanwhile, argument, said Prof. Golley. “If you
www.filipinostar.org
8 The North American Filipino Star April 2020
Compiled data from
educational research by
Zenaida F. Kharroubi
Ontario unveils details of learn-at-
home program, students out of
school until at least May 4 Schools were initially set to reopen on April 6, but are set to remain
eachers will issue final grades and program to keep students learning
closed until at least May as the number of COVID-19 cases in Ontario
report cards, work done at home will while at home. Lecce also said
continues to increase. Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute,
be graded: education minister teachers will be issuing final grades
pictured here, is among them. (Alan Habbick/CBC)
training educators to better enable them. (Alan Habbick/CBC)
CBC News · Posted: Mar 31, 2020 and report cards, meaning work them to teach online, and could see The director of education at the
11:19 AM ET | Last Updated: March completed at home will be graded. schools distribute laptops or other province's largest school board told
31 Whether or not the school year will devices to students who need them, parents Monday night they are
Ontario students won't be back in the extend into the summer has yet to be Lecce said. developing a plan to connect
classroom until at least May 4 as the determined, he said. "By providing clarity for teachers to students and "restore
province continues to battle the Lecce said the plans will parents, enhancing support for teacher-led learning to the greatest
spread of COVID-19, the government incorporate online learning, but where students and enabling the teacher- extent possible as of April 6."
announced Tuesday. that is not possible, telephone calls student relationship, we are ensuring TDSB's John Malloy says
Effective immediately, and mail-out packages will be used. our children continue to safely learn staff have been trying to determine
publicly-funded schools will remain For now, students will — providing some sense of stability more information about the devices
closed until May 1 for teachers and continue to complete credits, and that and hope for them amid this and internet access families have in
May 4 for students, Premier Doug "no student will have their graduation difficulty," Lecce said. the meantime.
Ford confirmed at a news conference, compromised by COVID-19," the Students throughout Ontario He asked for patience as
adding he is prepared to extend the government said in a news release. have been out of class since March educators connect with thousands of
closures even further if the province's As part of what Lecce called 14, after Lecce issued a ministerial students to make plans for remote
chief medical officer of health advises the "second phase of Learn at Home," order to keep publicly-funded schools learning.
him to. students will reconnect with their closed for two additional weeks after "As you can appreciate, this
Private schools, licensed child teachers and school staff, including March Break as concerns mounted is no small task, however we have
care centres and EarlyON programs mental health workers. about the threat of COVID-19. Private been working around the clock to
will also remain closed for at least Here's what the program will schools were also closed a few days ensure that as many students as
another two weeks, according to the look like: later. possible have the opportunity to
province's emergency declaration, Kindergarten to Grade 3 Some licensed child-care resume learning remotely next week,"
which only allows closures to be students will complete five hours of centres won't survive COVID-19 Malloy said in a statement.
extended for 14 days at a time. work each week, focusing on literacy closures, industry warns Union stresses need for 'inclusive
"We know from the medical and math. Schools were initially set to opportunities'
experts that the next two weeks will be Grades 4 to 6: Five hours of reopen on April 6, but both Ford and The government has formed
critical in the fight against COVID-19 work each week, focusing on literacy, Lecce have conceded that the a working group with the province's
and that's why we're taking further math, science and social studies. closures would need to be prolonged education sector unions to look at
action to keep our kids safe and Grades 7-8: 10 hours of work as the number of COVID-19 cases in options for continued learning until
healthy by having them stay home," each week, focusing on math, literacy, Ontario continues to increase. the pandemic abates.
said Ford. math, science and social studies. 'No small task' to make The Elementary Teachers'
Ontario COVID-19 cases near Grades 9-12: Three hours of remote learning possible Federation of Ontario, which
2,000 as schools set to stay closed work per course each week for The president of the Ontario Public represents 83,000 public school
until at least May semestered students, 1.5 hours per School Boards' Association, which teachers, said in a statement that it
Speaking to reporters, Ontario course each week for non-semestered represents trustees, said school supports the temporary moves made
Education Minister Stephen Lecce students. boards have been hearing from to address the situation.
announced a new "teacher-led" The program will also involve parents in recent weeks that they But the union's president
need help teaching their children at stressed that learning is best done
home. "face-to-face in a classroom setting."
Cathy Abraham said every Ontario teachers hosting virtual
board in the province has been lessons as COVID-19 keeps students
crafting a local plan to address the out of class
needs of students who may not have "We have reminded the
access to the internet, computers or Ministry that many students have
tablets, or whose parents may not unique and specialized needs and
have time to oversee their schooling. that some have challenging
"This is uncharted territory for circumstances affecting their ability to
everyone," she said. "We're just engage in learning outside the
asking parents to have a little bit of classroom," Sam Hammond said in a
patience with their statement.
school boards while they try to figure "It is extremely important that
it out. It's not going to be the same during this temporary situation, we
for everybody." strive to provide equitable and
Schools were initially set to inclusive opportunities for students to
reopen on April 6, but are set to advance their learning."
remain closed until at least May as
the number of COVID-19 cases in With files from The Canadian Press
Ontario continues to increase.
Danforth Collegiate and Technical CBC's Journalistic Standards and
Institute, pictured here, is among Practices|About CBC NewsBy Joyce
www.filipinostar.org
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