Episode 2
January 28- BC Public Health Announcement:
Case 1- A man in his 40s from the Vancouver Coastal Health region who recently
travelled to Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the COVID-19
outbreak. He has since recovered from the virus, meaning he is
asymptomatic and was cleared by two consecutive tests performed 24 hours apart. cbc.ca/news
– Time Line COVID 2013
We first heard the news of the coronavirus around the end
of January. Based on our previous viral experience and future travel plans, our
interest in this news item was definitely heightened.
Feb. 11, 2020 - COVID-19
named: The World Health Organization announces
the respiratory disease caused by the novel corona-virus has been named
COVID-19. Officials say the name was chosen to avoid the stigma of associating
the illness with any particular country and that other names could be
inaccurate. Number of test-confirmed
cases in B.C.: 2
cbc.ca = Time Line COVID 2020
March
7, 2020- Care home outbreak: Two
residents at the Lynn Valley Care Centre test positive for COVID-19. Provincial
health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the care home is now considered to be the
site of an outbreak. Henry begins recommending “social” or physical distancing
as a way to slow the spread of the virus across the province. Number
of test-confirmed cases in B.C: 27
cbc.ca/news
–Time Line COVID 2020
I was to attend the Vancouver Rugby 7’s tournament starting
Friday March 6th. By March 2nd two cases had been
identified in BC. There was some governmental discussion about whether or not
to allow the tournament to proceed but not acted upon so the decision was made
for me and off I went. By that Friday there were 27 cases confirmed in BC. I was joined
by our son and 40,000 other fans for two days of cheering and beering. Canada
won the bronze in a thrilling game against Spain.
March 11, 2020- Pandemic declared: The World Health Organization declares the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. The province says the British Columbia Pandemic Provincial Co-ordination Plan is in motion, and focused on containing the corona-virus by breaking up transmission chains. Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C: 45
cbc.ca/news – Time Line COVID 2020
Arriving home on Monday March 9th after flying
through YVR, it seem prudent that I self isolate at home for the recommended 14
days. Little did I know that I would soon be joined by 1,000’s of other British
Columbians and soon the entire country.
March 16, 2020 - Strict
physical distancing: Many British Columbians begin the work week from home,
following directives from public health officials to stay home if they are
able. Physical distancing measures ramp up further as the gravity of the crisis
sets in for many. Gatherings of more than 50 people are banned in B.C.,
including sporting events, meetings, conferences, concerts and religious
gatherings. Any businesses that cannot avoid large groups of people, like
restaurants, bars and casinos, are ordered to shut down. Many restaurants move
to take-out service only. Visits to long-term care homes are restricted to
essential visitors only. The total number of cases confirmed through testing
surpasses
100, rising to 103.
cbc.ca/news – Time Line COVID 2020
cbc.ca/news – Time Line COVID 2020
About week 3 we started to feel like we were trapped in a
very boring version of the game of Life. We decided to break free and go for a
mild hike to the top of Giants Head Mountain. Giants Head sits about 500
metres above Okanagan Lake.
Photo: castanet.net
March 17, 2020- Public health
emergency declared: Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry declares a
public health emergency in B.C., giving herself power to make verbal orders to
the public that are immediately enforceable. Henry confirms three more deaths
related to COVID-19. She also confirms 83 new cases of the illness, the biggest
spike in a single day to date. Classes are cancelled indefinitely for B.C.
students in kindergarten through Grade 12. The majority of the province’s
550,000 students are already home on March Break. Officials begin looking at
new methods for electronic or online learning.
Nationally, the prime minister delivers a stern message for Canadians still abroad: “It’s time to come home.” Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C.: 186.
cbc.ca – Time Line COVID 2020Nationally, the prime minister delivers a stern message for Canadians still abroad: “It’s time to come home.” Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C.: 186.
From the top we were rewarded with a 360 degree view of the
Okanagan Valley along with a chilly south wind.
As we descended back to the parking lot, we found snow still present on the shadier side of the mountain making the trail a bit slippery. Despite the snow, spring could be found making a valiant attempt to assert itself into the landscape.
March 21, 2020- Businesses
shut down: The B.C. Ministry of Health
orders personal service businesses, such as barber shops, hair salons, nail
parlours and tattoo shops, to shut down immediately. The province also releases details on the
epidemiology of the virus in B.C. (Epidemiology analyses “the who, what, where
and when of disease outbreaks” to better understand and fight them.) This
confirms most initial cases in B.C. were travel related. Roughly 55 per cent of
all cases are female, with many linked to the outbreaks at long-term care
homes. Health Minister Adrian Dix says the provincial testing strategy has
evolved to focus on clustered outbreaks, hospitalized patients and frontline
health-care workers. Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C.: 424
cbc.ca – Time Line COVID 2020
Giants Head is the result of a massive volcanic dome. Volcanoes have formed an important part of many of our adventures. In the past 20 years we have climbed on, around
and into a number of volcanoes around the world.
Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii, Italy. Our first experience with volcanoes. The day we visited, the temperature reached 41 degrees. Which seemed very reasonable for a volcanic area.
Rano Kau, Easter Island. We visited Easter Island as part of a trip to Chile and Argentina. We were able to spend a few hours hiking around Rano Kau's crater rim.
That is when we weren't being stalked by those nosy Moai statues found below the volcanic dome of Ranu Raraku
Villarica tops out at just less than 3,000 metres but were able to avoid the first 1,000 metres as we were driven up to a parking lot that once served an abandoned ski hill. They have tried to keep the chair lift running as this would knock off a bit more elevation for us tourists but not in service today. First part of the trip was over a loose volcanic screed with the last section covered in an icy snow making crampons and ice axes necessary.
The trek was a grind and we reached the caldera with shaky knees. Some of the shaking may have been due to the fact we were standing on a hard lava plug inside the caldera. Every few minutes the vent would rumble and spit out a cloud of soft fluffy ash the size of tea plates that would then gently flutter to the ground. The volcano had only been reopened a few months after its last eruption. (It erupted again in 2018) Looking into the vent you could see the red glow of the molten lava. Thus was our molten passion for volcanoes erupted.
My desire for the trip up Mauna Kea was to lay claim to having made and thrown a snowball in Hawaii. Mission accomplished. It was more of an ice ball. Sorry Nonie.
Kilauea Iki Crater, Big Island, Hawaii. Kilauea is home to Pele, the goddess of fire and the name of our pet cat. The Kilauea volcano is still active, with the most recent eruption in 2018.
March 28, 2020- Fatalities rise: Another death is confirmed in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, raising the provincial total to 17. Health officials also confirm another case at a new long-term care home in the Fraser Health region. There are now 12 residential facilities affected by outbreaks. Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C.: 884.
cbc.ca – Time Line COVID 2020
We hiked the 12 kilometre Kilauea Iki Crater trail. The hike takes you along the rim of the crater then down into the caldera. There is almost no vegetation growing in the caldera and you find yourself suddenly going prehistoric. It felt like you had been transported back to what the world looked like when dinosaurs roamed.
At any minute we were sure one would come roaring out from behind the curtains of steam escaping from the vents that dotted the landscape, their fearsome jaws ready to rip us into bloody shreds.
Napau Crater, Big Island, Hawaii. This crater is part of the Kilauea complex of craters. The trail will lead you to the closest view of the Pu U Oo volcano that was and is currently increasing the size of the Big Island as it pukes lava into the Pacific Ocean. It is estimated the this volcano has added over 500 more acres to the Big Island while at the same time burying over 40 square miles of existing Island in fresh coat of lava.
The trip was worth it as we were rewarded with a clear view of a smoking Pu U O o. There was a trail crossing Napau crater that would get you in for a closer look at the crater but access is forbidden as there is the extreme danger of running into hydrogen sulfide gas which can cause serious lung injury and death. That and you never know when it might erupt again. Even from the look out, we could smell rotten eggs as the wind shifted in our direction.
Pu U Oo Volcano, Big Island, Hawaii. After the hike, there was no way we were leaving Hawaii without getting a closer look at Pu U Oo.
Missed the small print that said that Pu U Oo was on most days shrouded in mist and fog and getting near it was not allowed if covered in cloud. Luck was with us as it cleared for a few minutes allowing us a foggy peak at the crater.
Not a lot of heat but it was still a really cool adventure.
Mount Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom), Tongariro National Park, North Island, New
Zealand. I am not really a Lord of the Rings Geek but when given the chance to see Mount Doom up close, how could I say no. Mount Ngauruhoe first erupted about 2500 years ago and the most recent was in 1977. Climbing the volcano is verboten as it is considered sacred to the local Maori's. A number of Ring scenes were done at the base.
Lake Taupo, North Island, New Zealand. The lake is actually the caldera of the super volcano Taupo. The lake is over 600 square kilometres so it must have been one hell of an eruption.
Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, North Island, New Zealand. Mount Maunganui is a 230 metre high lava dome located just off downtown Tauranga. The temperature was in the high 30's C with 50 percent humidity the day we climbed to the top. Discovered New Zealand beer that afternoon.
See blog “Plenty to Sea and Do" February 2019
I fully expect that volcanoes will continue to be a part of our future adventures. We are hooked.
That is when we weren't being stalked by those nosy Moai statues found below the volcanic dome of Ranu Raraku
March 26, 2020- Mandatory quarantine for travelers: Due to the increasing number of outbreaks at long-term care homes in B.C., Dr. Henry issues an order to stop staff from working in multiple facilities at once in an effort to slow the spread of the virus between centres. The federal government imposes strict, mandatory quarantine rules on travelers returning to Canada and promises heavy fines and jail time for those who ignore the warning. Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C.: 725
cbc.ca – Time Line COVID 2020
Villarica Volcano, Pucon, Chile. Villarica is one of Chile's most active volcanoes. We came to Pucon with the single desire to climb the volcano. Weather on the mountain can be very hazardous so any hiking must be done on clear days. We arrived to rain and it rained on and off for the next two days. But luck was with us on our last day and we woke to clear blue skies. Game on.
photo: en.wikipedia.org/
We were joined by a group of 20 somethings who when they saw how old we were, were quite concerned whether we had the right stuff to make the climb. Well lets just say we weren't the ones whining 1/2 way up the mountain. They were so impressed that they invited us to join them that evening and take a taxi up into the mountains to a remote set of hot springs to soak our weary legs and sip on some lovely Chilean reds.
March 27, 2020- Modelling
revealed: Health officials confirm two more deaths in the Vancouver Coastal
Health region, bringing the provincial total to 16. Cases are also confirmed at
two more care homes in the Lower Mainland, bringing the total of facilities
affected to 11. The province unveils modelling used to help officials track the
trajectory of the outbreak in B.C. and prepare for possible scenarios that will
strain the health-care system. The data suggests physical distancing; travel
restrictions and other measures have helped slow the spread of the virus by as
much as half. Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C.: 792
cbc.ca _ Time Line COVID 2020
The trek was a grind and we reached the caldera with shaky knees. Some of the shaking may have been due to the fact we were standing on a hard lava plug inside the caldera. Every few minutes the vent would rumble and spit out a cloud of soft fluffy ash the size of tea plates that would then gently flutter to the ground. The volcano had only been reopened a few months after its last eruption. (It erupted again in 2018) Looking into the vent you could see the red glow of the molten lava. Thus was our molten passion for volcanoes erupted.
Mauna Kea, Big Island, Hawaii. From our condo, Mauna Kea's elevation is 4,207 metres. Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano is the highest point in the state of Hawaii. It hasn't seen an eruption since 2600 BC and is believed to be over a 1,000,000,000 years old. Due to its dormancy, elevation, dry atmosphere and lack of man made illumination, it has become home to 13 telescopic arrays. Most of Mauna Kea is under water so its actual height is closer to 10,000 metres from ocean floor to the summit.
My desire for the trip up Mauna Kea was to lay claim to having made and thrown a snowball in Hawaii. Mission accomplished. It was more of an ice ball. Sorry Nonie.
Kilauea Iki Crater, Big Island, Hawaii. Kilauea is home to Pele, the goddess of fire and the name of our pet cat. The Kilauea volcano is still active, with the most recent eruption in 2018.
March 28, 2020- Fatalities rise: Another death is confirmed in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, raising the provincial total to 17. Health officials also confirm another case at a new long-term care home in the Fraser Health region. There are now 12 residential facilities affected by outbreaks. Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C.: 884.
cbc.ca – Time Line COVID 2020
We hiked the 12 kilometre Kilauea Iki Crater trail. The hike takes you along the rim of the crater then down into the caldera. There is almost no vegetation growing in the caldera and you find yourself suddenly going prehistoric. It felt like you had been transported back to what the world looked like when dinosaurs roamed.
At any minute we were sure one would come roaring out from behind the curtains of steam escaping from the vents that dotted the landscape, their fearsome jaws ready to rip us into bloody shreds.
March 31, 2020- 1,000 cases: B.C. surpasses 1,000 cases of COVID-19, with
a total of 1,013. Health officials confirm five more deaths, bringing the total
number of fatalities to 24. Dr. Henry confirms there are now outbreaks at 19
long-term care and assisted living homes in the Lower Mainland. Officials stress there is "zero"
chance that physical distancing orders will be lifted before May. On a positive
note, Henry says more than half of B.C.’s total case count — 507 patients —
have recovered from COVID-19.
cbc.ca – Time Line COVID 2020
Most of the time, Pu U Oo's lava travels through tubes formed by hardening lava and were not visible to us till it spewed out into the Pacific. Especially beautiful at night. On occasion the volcano will become more active and increase its lava production. This extra lava will break out onto the surface. The latest eruption was in 2018 with lava flows causing $800 million in damage destroying houses and roads.
The hike is an 19 kilometre out and back trek starting on a massive lava field. Lava fields are usually bare of any vegetation. Every once in a while we would come upon small islands of vegetation missed by the lava flow. These are called kipukas. We came upon one kipuka that contained a strip of paved road. From the lava fields we moved into dense rain forest. We passed several small craters but forest was so thick that they could not be seen from the trail despite being only a few metres away.
The trip was worth it as we were rewarded with a clear view of a smoking Pu U O o. There was a trail crossing Napau crater that would get you in for a closer look at the crater but access is forbidden as there is the extreme danger of running into hydrogen sulfide gas which can cause serious lung injury and death. That and you never know when it might erupt again. Even from the look out, we could smell rotten eggs as the wind shifted in our direction.
April 1, 2020- Recoveries: Officials say 1,066 people in B.C. have had
confirmed infections with the novel coronavirus. Twenty-five people have died,
while more than half of all confirmed patients — 606 in total — have fully
recovered. Number of test-confirmed
cases in B.C.: 1,066
cbc.ca – Time Line COVID 2020
Pu U Oo Volcano, Big Island, Hawaii. After the hike, there was no way we were leaving Hawaii without getting a closer look at Pu U Oo.
Photo: usgs.gov
So we signed up for the expensive “Feel the Heat”
helicopter tour out of Hilo airport. Feeling the heat is accomplished by taking the doors off the helicopter. Supposedly this will allow us to feel the heat as we soar over Pu U Oo's caldera. .
Missed the small print that said that Pu U Oo was on most days shrouded in mist and fog and getting near it was not allowed if covered in cloud. Luck was with us as it cleared for a few minutes allowing us a foggy peak at the crater.
More missed small print, we aren't actually able to fly over the crater due to the above mentioned hydrogen sulfide gases emitted by the volcano. We flew out to the ocean where we watched the lava boil out an into the ocean.
Not a lot of heat but it was still a really cool adventure.
April 8, 2020- Self-isolation
plans: The government of B.C. announces
it is now mandatory for returning travellers to have an approved self-isolation
plan upon arrival. Those who don't will not be allowed home until they do. All
provincial parks in B.C. are also closed to deter travellers during Easter
weekend.
Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C.: 1,336
Number of test-confirmed cases in B.C.: 1,336
Cbc.ca _ Time Line COVID 200
See blog “To Quest or Not to
Quest, That is the QUESTion” February 2019
Lake Taupo, North Island, New Zealand. The lake is actually the caldera of the super volcano Taupo. The lake is over 600 square kilometres so it must have been one hell of an eruption.
See blog “Life is a Barrel of Dwarfs" February 2019
See blog “Plenty to Sea and Do" February 2019
I fully expect that volcanoes will continue to be a part of our future adventures. We are hooked.
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