Coronavirus crisis
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street for the House of Commons for his weekly Prime Ministers Questions, in London, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. British lawmakers will vote later Wednesday to shut down Parliament for 4 weeks, due to the coronavirus outbreak. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.(AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Britain’s PM tests positive: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced today he has tested positive for COVID-19 after showing mild symptoms. “Be in no doubt that I can continue, thanks to the wizardry of modern technology, to communicate with all my top team, to lead the national fightback against coronavirus,” he said in a video message. READ MORE
Pandemic’s potential impact: Parliamentary budget officer Yves Giroux will post a “scenario analysis” on his website this morning that will explain what the pandemic could mean for the economy and Ottawa’s balance sheet. The Canadian Press reports. READ MORE
Pride postponed: Winnipeg’s Pride festival has been postponed, organizers announced this morning. Pride Week had been scheduled to start May 24 but is now slated for Sept. 4.
Service Canada centres closed: The federal government announced Thursday night it’s shutting down Service Canada centres because of virus-related health concerns. Julia-Simone Rutgers spoke to people who queued up outside in the snow Thursday in an effort to navigate the employment insurance process. READ MORE
Bill before House: The U.S. House of Representatives is set to pass a US$2.2-trillion relief package today. Leaders in both parties hope to pass the bill quickly, but Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who opposes the measure, might seek to force a roll call vote. The Associated Press reports. READ MORE
Weather
Your forecast: A mix of sun and cloud, then sunny this afternoon, with a high of 7 C, wind from the south at 30 km/h gusting to 50 this morning and from the west at 20 km/h gusting to 40 this afternoon, and wind chill as low as -10 this morning.
More on the virus
CNS PROVINCE Vancouver SunInfluenza victims crowd into an emergency hospital near Fort Riley, Kansas in this 1918 photo.
Lesson from long ago: Retired Steinbach microbiologist Glen Klassen said the experience of Manitoba Mennonites in the 1918-19 influenza pandemic shows the importance of social distancing. John Longhurst reports. READ MORE
Elevator anxiety: Social distancing can be a challenge for people living in apartment or condominium buildings. The Canadian Press reports. READ MORE
Supplies sought: David Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Metis Federation, says the federal government should give Métis communities supplies such as hand sanitizer and protective equipment that has been delivered to neighbouring First Nations. “We live right next to reserves. They were dropping off supplies there,” he said. “They should have been dropping off supplies to our communities.” The Canadian Press reports. READ MORE
Daily details: Manitoba Health officials will give their regular update on COVID-19 cases later today. Meanwhile, approximately one-third of Manitobans are resisting the advice of public health officials to slow the spread of the virus, a new poll says. Danielle Da Silva reports. READ MORE
Hundreds laid off: Birchwood Auto Group is laying off at least half of its work force for at least three weeks because of a drop in sales and the challenges of social distancing amid the pandemic. “There is just not enough business right now to support all the staff,” CEO Steve Chipman said. Martin Cash reports. READ MORE
In other news
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSBombers linebacker Adam Bighill in a boardroom at Wellington Altus Private Wealth where he’s been an investment adviser for just under a year.
Ahead of the game: Taylor Allen spoke with two big-name Blue Bombers players about juggling football and more traditional careers. READ MORE
On this date
On March 27, 1967: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that Philippines president Ferdinand Marcos had asked the United States to relinquish control of a naval base in Manila Bay, despite an agreement reached six months earlier that granted the U.S. control of it for 25 years. A U.S. tanker had split in two after hitting the Seven Stones reef, spilling “a new sea of oil toward the already-fouled beaches of southwest England.” The Bank of Montreal would reduce its lending rate from six per cent to 5.5 per cent, and increase what it paid on savings accounts from three per cent to four per cent.
Today’s front page
Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Winnipeg Free Press READ MORE
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