The last days of mask mandates

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Good morning!

So, the good news is, yesterday was gorgeous. Truly an A-One start to spring(ish). And, according to local weather historian Rolf Campbell, it is the second warmest March 17 on record, with a high of 15.6 C. The bad news is that the geese are already returning. Couldn’t even go one warm sunny day without the telltale honk of our national birds who are majestic in theory, but in practice…if you know, you know.

Also, it is the last day of our survey. It closes at midnight tonight, so it’s everyone’s last chance to complete it and potentially win the Batter Up Bakery gift card. We’ll announce the results next week. Find the survey here!

With that, let’s get to your Friday newsletter.

— Robert Hiltz, managing editor

Can you do us a favour and forward this to your friends? It helps others discover the Lookout. Forwarded this email? Sign-up for free. 

Weather Report

Friday: +9 🌡️ +2 | ☁️

Saturday: +8🌡️ +2 | 🌧

Sunday: +10 🌡️ -2 | ⛅️/🌧

Monday: +9 🌡️ -6 | ☀️

Last Days Of The Mask Mandate

You won’t have to, but maybe you should: This marks the last weekend of the province-wide indoor mask mandate. And while they will no longer be compulsory in most places, an awful lot of doctors are suggesting people should still wear their mask inside. Ottawa Public Health (OPH) still strongly recommends using a mask, CTV reports.

The Ontario Science table, which advises the government on COVID policy, is still recommending individuals wear a mask.. On Twitter they also recommended people to continue voluntarily wearing masks, in an update on the latest modeling the Ontario Science Table posted on Twitter.

• The key line: “Hospital and ICU occupancy will likely increase over the next few weeks, but less than in January 2022 and for a limited period of time if changes in behaviour are only moderate.”

Watching the signals: The Science Table says it is already starting to see the wastewater signal rise across different regions of the province. That signal is being seen here too, according to OPH, which they see as an indication of an increase of transmission, they told CTV. Masks will still be mandatory on public transit, in care homes and other health-care settings until April 27.

OPH says that if things trend in a worrying direction, they will work with the province to see what measures could be implemented locally, according to the Ottawa Citizen.

Third doses still lag: Dr. Vera Etches says the number of people with three COVID vaccine doses is still not high enough, CTV reports. Across the city, only 64 percent of those eligible have their booster dose. Like with many other COVID measures, the rates of vaccination are lowest in lower-income neighbourhoods. 

Want to see how your neighbourhood stacks up? See CTV’s full list.

Ottawa By The Numbers

6.13%: Ottawa’s inflation rate, 0.2 per cent higher than Ontario and one of the highest in all Canadian cities.

514,941: The number of people in Ottawa who have their third dose of the COVID vaccine.

Housing, Housing Everywhere And All Of It Quite Expensive

Public housing, not zoning will help: Capital Ward Coun. Shawn Menard argued on Twitter this week that municipal zoning is never going to be the solution to the housing crisis in this city. What will? “Building actual public and not-for-profit housing and investing in housing supports,” Menard argues. 

• Read more: What’s Your Home Worth? Ottawa-Area Real Estate Now Vs. Five Years Ago [CTV] 

Complex factors: There’s more at work than just not enough houses to go around. York University economics professor George Fallis argued in the Globe and Mail on Monday, housing has largely kept up with population growth, it’s just the wrong kind. 

• Condos have made up a large percentage of the new homes, but people don’t want to live in homes which generally aren’t built to fit a family. Fallis also points to the move to remote work over the pandemic, and historically low interest rates as fuelling the rapid price increases.

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Discover why Basia was one of the top 10% of real estate agents at Royal LePage in Ottawa (2021). Contact Basia today and see how you can get the best price for your home.

 Looking For A Liver

In need of a transplant: An Ottawa woman is publicly asking for help in her search for a living liver donor, the Ottawa Citizen reports. Sheila Young has end-stage liver failure, and is in need of a transplant—the only cure for her disease. 

• “With this gift from a living liver donor, I would enjoy my grandkids, family and friends. I would share their favourite things: baking and decorating cookies, biking, camping, roasting marshmallows around a campfire, rock climbing, baseball, gymnastics, swimming, ‘Gen Z’ podcasts, reading and video games,” Young said in a Facebook post.

Living donors give a portion of their liver to the person in need, and typically have their liver regenerate within six to 10 weeks.

Could you be the donor? If you have O-type blood (positive or negative), are between the ages of 18 and 60, and have no medical conditions like diabetes, cancer, or heart disease, you could be a living donor. If you think you might be able to help, visit the University Health Network Ajmera Transplant Centre’s website to find out the next steps. You may also be eligible for reimbursement for expenses and lost wages through a provincial program.

Good Food and Good People at Si Senor

The man in the video was almost tearful in his gratitude for the City of Ottawa plow driver who helped him clear his Rideau business driveway. By the tail end of the occupation emotions had been scraped raw and gestures of kindness were the currency in which many Ottawans traded. This was my introduction to Hugo Crespo and his shop Si Senor, located at 506 Rideau St.

City Hall Bulletin

NCC appeals embassy decision: The National Capital Commission wants the province to overturn a city council decision to deny the construction of a new embassy row in Mechanicsville. The NCC has taken its case to the Ontario Land Tribunal, saying the city is only denying the proposal because the federal commission opposes the city’s vision for the Brian Coburn Extension in Orleans. The Mechanicsville community association says it is disappointed by the NCC’s decision to appeal. [Ottawa Citizen]

Laura Shantz running for council: Community activist Laura Shantz, a board member of the Ottawa Transit Riders Association, is running for the Rideau-Vanier council seat, currently held by Coun. Mathieu Fleury. Shantz says she wants to improve transit, build affordable housing, and prioritize the fight against climate change.

Last Chance To Win a Batter Up Bakery Gift Card

We’re launching a special members newsletter called Lookout Insider. It’s full of restaurant reviews, the best local events, restaurant discounts — basically your ticket to living your best life in Ottawa.

We need your input to shape what we write about in the newsletter. Do you want restaurant reviews? The best local breweries? The best dishes at each restaurant? You decide: Take our short two-minute survey. But hurry, the survey closes at midnight tonight. 

• Everyone who completes the survey will be entered to win a $50 gift card to Batter Up Bakery

Stories You Might've Missed

Rideau flood risk low: So far, so good. That’s the message from the city’s Public Works Department who oversee Ottawa’s flood risk. The rise in the river caused by the spring melt is not expected to reach flooding levels this year. But, with high temperatures expected this week, there is the possibility of a sudden melt, which could cause flooding in particularly low-lying regions. The city has set up a number of sandbag filling stations if your home is in a danger zone. You can find out more information on where you can pick up sandbags here. [CBC]

OCSB orders more HEPAs: The Ottawa Catholic School Board is adding 1,600 HEPA air filters to classrooms by the end of the year. The board says that while it is adding new filtration systems, it is already meeting the provincial guidelines for air quality within schools, as part of the fight against COVID. The board has also started to change filters in already existing systems more frequently. [CityNews]

Losing grocery store a blow to Hazeldean Mall: The future is not looking bright for the Hazeldean Mall. The Kanata shopping centre is set to lose its Independent grocer later this year, and has nothing to replace it. Online shopping is reducing foot traffic, which has led Loblaws—the parent company of Independent—to conclude the unprofitable store will never turn it around. [Ottawa Citizen]

Literal fork in the road stolen: Missing, one three-metre tall stainless steel fork. The town of Frankville had its landmark fork taken from a fork in the road. The sculpture had been damaged and bent over. But within a few days of the damage, before it could be fixed, the town’s utensil was taken. The town has reported the theft to the police, but say they’d be fine if the fork was returned to the fork, no questions asked. [CTV]

Abductor not criminally responsible: A woman who bear sprayed a mother while abducting her baby has been found not criminally responsible for a number of charges she pleaded guilty to. The woman snatched an eight-day-old baby from her mother last Mother’s Day before being stopped by a neighbour and then arrested. [CBC]

Community Highlights

• An aggressive rodent is striking fear (or mild annoyance) for residents in Carleton Place. [CBC]
• Bad news for Senators fans — defenceman Thomas Chabot broke his hand and is likely out for the rest of season. In more bad news, the Senators lost to the Blue Jackets for their third loss in a row. [CTV, CBC]
• The Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral is hosting egg painting workshops, known as Pysanky, for children 8-15 years old. [CTV]
• Meet Cinders, a four-year-old cat. She’s a self-starter who could be a great addition to your home. [CityNews]

Here's your guide to the weekend:

• Check out one of Ottawa’s many Italian restaurants with our guide to the best ones in the city.
• Catch urban roots rock band Otis Strange at Ottawa’s newest music venue Red Bird, playing Saturday from 8-11pm. Tickets start at $17.
• Narcity has a list of things to do in the city this weekend, including a Canadian theatre dinner musical, a vintage French pop party and tapping maple trees for syrup.
• Instagram user melshangrytable says you should try Kuidaore Izakaya Ottawa at 420 Preston St. Try the pork belly ramen and their desserts like deep fried matcha or black sesame ice cream.
• If Japanese food isn’t your thing, check out Burger Factory Ottawa, an Ontario chain that just opened in Ottawa at 293 Dalhousie St.

Today's Top Photo

A beautiful shot from an alleyway from user shaiman13. Can you guess where this is and what street crosses in front of it? If you know, reply to this email with your answers. Everyone who responds correctly will be put in a draw for a free year of our Lookout Insider membership (launching soon!). And if you haven’t taken our survey to help shape our membership program, you can do it here.

Have a photo you want to share with Lookout readers? Send it over and it could be featured in our newsletter and on social media.

Daily COVID Stats

All infection and vaccination data via Ottawa Public Health. You can find the status of the wastewater tracking here. And you can find vaccination stats here.

• Active Cases: 779 (+130)
• Deaths: 755 (+0)
• Ottawans In Hospital: 11
• Ottawans In ICU: 2
• Acute Beds Occupied: 98% 
• ICU Beds Occupied: 72% 
• ICU Ventilator Beds Occupied: 27%

Health Canada Approves Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine For Kids Aged 6 To 11 [CBC]

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