This model shows the rate of hospitalizations, which is much lower when physical distancing is greater, providing time to grow ICU capacity. #ottnews

"Public health measures have made a difference," says Etches. #ottnews

Now onto masks. Dr. @VeraEtches says medical masks must be reserved for health care workers. Homemade masks can be useful for people who need to be within 2 metres of someone else, but feel well, they *may* help prevent the spread of coronavirus. #ottnews

An @ottawahealth poll shows that 94% of people believe COVID-19 is serious and agree with measures being taken. Poll indicates that most people are taking physical distancing seriously. #OttNews

(CORRECTION from earlier: there are only 22 members of council on this meeting. I forgot that council lost @StephenBlais to Queen's Park. That means any vote requires 12 "yeas" to succeed.) #ottnews

Now, the financial situation. If the pandemic continues until the end of June, the city will lose $102M in revenues; another $85M if it lasts until September; and another $86M if it lasts until the end of the year - that would be a total revenue shortage of $272.6M. #ottnews

Treasure Wendy Stephanson will ask province for additional powers for the city, including additional powers to raise revenues. (Not sure what those might be....assume it will come up during councillor questions.) #ottnews

City is in a good cash position, but this situation isn't sustainable without help from the province. #OttNews

Now, Coun. @Eli_ElChantiry gives a flood update. Staff have been filling sandbags for expected "normal" flooding levels. Not expecting anything like the 2017 and 2019 levels (thank goodness). #OttNews

Now, we move onto councillor questions. Coun. @Eli_ElChantiry asks abut rural testing. @VeraEtches says the @OttawaHospital is heading that effort. #ottnews

Coun. @KeithEgli asks about capital projects, and if they can be deferred. That's something that staff is looking at. #ottnews

Now, Coun. @AllanHubley_23 , asking if we have hospital capacity for the COVID-19 peak. Dr. @VeraEtches warns that modelling becomes less reliable the farther you look into the future, but the answer is yes, for now. #ottnews

It's very key that we follow strict physical distancing -- as Hubley points out, even at 60% physical distancing, COVID-19 cases could overwhelm hospitals. #ottnews

To a question from Coun. @cmckenney, there has not been a confirmed COVID-19 case in the city's shelter community. Staff is looking for more space for vulnerable residents who need physical isolation (eg. hotels). #ottnews

In answer to a question from Coun. @RiverWardRiley, Dr. @VeraEtches says she believes that more than 70% of people in Ottawa are practising physical distancing (based on the poll). (So that's good news, relatively speaking.) #ottnews

Answering a question from Coun. @glengower, Etches says the number of cases will increase if we ease off social distancing, and if we begin testing more people. The most NB number are projected hospitalizations and deaths. #ottnews

Etches also reiterates why people can't hang around in parks. "People could be infected without knowing it," she says. #ottnews