The state of online fights about COVID-19

Will we ever war this way again?

Seth Rogen @Sethrogen

@DanDicksPFT You’re a fucking idiot. Stay inside.

A protest in Vancouver described as “a massive march against tyranny” caught the attention of Seth Rogen—who entered the Twitter fray with videographer Dan Dicks. Meanwhile, a CTV News story highlighting COVID-19 hoax claims by Calgary’s David Stephan brought on plenty of questions about why his views were being amplified.

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The politicians are at it again

CBC News @CBCNews

Elizabeth May says she knew the risks when she boarded a packed government plane with Scheer and his family. cbc.ca/1.5530542 @CBCDavid

cbc.caScheer and family joined other MPs on packed flight to Ottawa, ignoring social distancing rules | CBC NewsConservative Leader Andrew Scheer and his family, Liberal cabinet minister Carla Qualtrough and Green MP Elizabeth May packed a government jet to get to Ottawa, despite health guidelines on physical distancing.

Andrew Scheer brought his wife and their five kids on a small plane that stopped in Regina en route to Ottawa, but the Conservative leader said they didn’t speak moistly. Questions also surrounded Justin Trudeau’s family reunion photos, which looked like he was flouting his own advice. (But the PM says he followed the rules.)

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“We’re seeing a glimmer, a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel here.” Cautious optimism from Doug Ford accompanied word that Ontario’s state of emergency will extend to May 12, while the peak of cases in the province is expected this week. Time will tell whether the premier’s recent pandemic compassion remains his political style.

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State of the sharing economy

Splend, an Australian company that expanded to Toronto two years ago and rented Kia Sportages to ride-hailing-service drivers for $250 a week, recently filed for bankruptcy in Canada. Beck Taxi’s operations manager feels slightly vindicated:

Kristine Hubbard @KristineHubbard

While we’re on the topic of exploitation: Splend, a foreign company that exploited drivers using the exploitative Uber and Lyft apps to bring 500 more cars to Toronto streets for untrained drivers is bankrupt. Hopefully fully insured, locally licensed taxi operators survive.

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Les Expos are getting airtime again. Having run out of Raptors championship reruns, TSN turns to vintage Montreal baseball, up against old Blue Jays on Sportsnet. The anemic ratings for retro sports still brought on schadenfreude from Bob McCown.

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Finally, he’s our new Norm now

Neil Macdonald, who recently retired from CBC, quipped on Twitter about how his job depended on getting Liberals elected, amidst a flurry of criticism aimed at anchor Rosemary Barton—who cut away from an inquisitive Conservative. Macdonald then claimed that he’s no more likely to watch Barton today than he is the Polka Dot Door:

Neil Macdonald @TypesAndSpells

Even after you tell people you were mocking their willingness to believe foolishness, they insist on believing you were serious. Which I suppose makes my point.