COVID-19 AND INCREASE IN SCAMS

My 407 ETR bill included an alert about the increase of scams. There was one being sent to users of the 407.

What was good was the number to call them if needed.

They also included the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

The link to the Centre was included.
Antifraudcentre

So be aware of the increase in scams during this difficult time.

Remember when under stress we all tend to think less clearly.

So get in the habit of double checking, talking with someone else or call any company or service to their direct number you find in a website or on the back of your credit card etc.

If a phone call, either hang up or say you will call your local police for clarification getting a name and phone number. But just hanging up is the best option.

Scammers want to catch us off guard. Stress keeps us off guard. So just be wary of everything and you will be safe.

Basically don't trust anyone. Not even your mother. Well maybe your mother is okay!!!
#scammersandCOVID19#scammerscatchusoffguard#learntobedistrustfulofanycalls#doublecheckeverything#feelingvulnerablelet'susmakemistakes#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#antifraudcentre#canadiananti-fraudcentre#covid-19

COVID-19 AND THE INCREASE USE OF PROFANITY

Do you find yourself swearing more?

My husband pointed out that I have been using that f word that rhymes with duck and truck quite a bit lately!!

My anger does come out with swearing. I always thought it was better to swear than punch someone.

No I really do not swear at people. I swear in the house. In my car. But I do not call people names or swear at them.

I do swear at COVID-19. I swear at the hurt and harm it is doing.

I swear if I make a mistake or spill something or just feel frustrated.

So are others swearing?

Well during her curbside, physically distancing with her in-laws, my daughter found her mother-in-law swearing at COVID19. She barely speaks English but she knew the swear words.

When chatting with a Senior lady walking her dog, I was trying to be polite and not swear in my conversation. She stated she would say worse and did. So I did too. Two Seniors using that f word on a city street.

So has your use of profanity gone up? Do you notice others swearing more?
#useofprofanity#swearingmore#usingthatfword#angerreleasedwithswearing#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimdmbro#COVID-19anduseofswearing

COVID-19 AND WHEN WILL WE JUST BE ANGRY

Since the initial shock of how much this little virus has turned our lives upside down, there is a new mood.

Anger.

Sad, mad, glad but anger.

Those of us who are trying so hard to follow all the rules are getting tired of those who don't.

It's like drinking and driving. No matter how many messages are conveyed there are still infractions.

No Easter. No Passover. Staying away from loved ones. A sacrifice.

Then we hear of gatherings in the park or parties or just not giving a damn.

Staying positive is hard when all of us know people who have been so impacted by this situation.

Yes we want to thank the doctors and nurses but there are so many people doing so many wonderful things too.

The parent trying to home school online. Trying to be a parent, a worker and now the teacher.

Or the philosophers trying to say what we will learn from this and it will be a better world.

Well the domestic violence rate is up. So the Social Workers will be out in great force too.

With Mental Health at stake, will there be a higher suicidal rate if it is not recognized.

Yes there will be PTSD. But let's help and recognize it now.

Anger at the fact that none of us are responsible for the virus. Not from too much sugar or lack of exercise or overspending. It came from another area of the world where the government there follows different rules. And did not give a crap about the rest of the world. But we must be politically correct.

Yes anger can be a defense for sad.

But anger can just be anger. A feeling of being fed up. And please we know we need to wash our hands. Quit treating us like children.
#anger#angeratCOVID19#fedupwithitall#somanypeopletothank#enoughofthephilosophy#thelongtermeffectswillbehuge#domesticviolenceisup#mentalhealthissuesarehuge#angerishere#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#covid-19

COVID-19 AND CREATIVE IDEAS

Watching the news channel for the feel good stories and not just the statistics, cute things happen.

Heard about David Foster's new CD of just piano music.

Some children have made a snakes and ladder game on their driveway.

An 102 year old woman gave her advice about how to cope.

More celebrities are singing to us. Well that does get a little annoying.

So what is the most creative thing you have done while staying at home??

Super cleaning your house really does not count. Come on. Cleaning the house is rather necessary but boring!!

And the garden? Does it need some work? Or just a nice walk around to check on the spring bulbs growing.

Or putting out the patio furniture. Since you have to plant your butt at home, why not plant it on that nice patio chair and see how it feels. Sitting can help you day dream and think of creative ideas too!!
#COVID19andcreativeideas#takingtimetothinkcreatively#ohnonotanothersingsongbyacelebrity#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#covid-19

COVID19- SOME PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR MANNERS

So physical distancing while walking can be challenging.

Who gives way first? As a polite person, I have usually yielded while walking on the sidewalk.

However, yielding now and moving away for the other person with no thank you or even acknowledgement wears thin.

As an older woman I find the males to be the rudest. As if it is okay to bulldoze along!

I also found the dog walkers are leaving little bags of goodies everywhere. If you are going to poop and scoop then put it in the garbage.

My visit to the bank today because the bill I had intended on mailing was due so I thought a quick trip to get it paid on time brought a terse interaction. Not a regular teller I knew and perhaps someone brought in from another branch. No good morning. No how are you? Just what do you want? Bill paid. I needed some cash. No if you have your card use the ATM. Then head down.

I understand times are difficult. But whoever is able to work should be appreciative of the luxury right now.

I do not go out very much. Trying to be at home doing the self isolating thing with my spouse.

However on a few occasions I try to be positive and polite to everyone. This is my usual demeanor.

Do we make excuses now for others when they are rude? Or do we call them on it??
#COVID19andrudeness#sidewalkchallengesduringCOVID19#whogiveswayfirst#hownototberudeduringtoughtimes#dogwalkersandtheirrudebehaviour#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

COVID-19 AND WORLD AUTISM DAY

We can become so absorbed in the COVID-19 crisis that we can forget there are many people dealing with stressful situations everyday year round.

Families with Children or Adults with Autism need our love and support everyday. Not just today World Autism Day.

Disruptions for anyone is difficult. But for children with Autism it can be daunting.
So blue is the colour to honour this special group of individuals.

Reach out to families and see how they are coping. Is there any support they may need??

Tonight the CN Tower in Toronto will be blue to support awareness of this group of special individuals.

#worldautismday#supportingindividualsandfamilieswithautism#autism#thecntowerwillbeblue#bethereforotherswithautism#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#covid-19

APRIL IS CANCER AWARENESS MONTH TOO- FIND A DAFFODIL

With all the COVID19 talk we can also remember about cancer awareness.

Any family that has lost a loved one to cancer never forgets.

So among the many worries we carry today, there are still people facing cancer and fighting it.

Love hopefully will prevail for all.
#cancerawareness#wearadaffodil#remembersthosewelovedwhohadcancer#lovewillprevailinthecancerfight#COVID19andcancerbothsuck#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro