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9 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,M arch 26,2020 theifp.ca LITIGATIONlegal matters I have a divorce order that provides me with regular access to my children. My spouse is refusing to let me see the children due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am not infected, and I am not subject to a requirement to self-isolate or self-quarantine. Can my spouse do that? The advice offered in this column is intended for informational purposes only. Use of this column is not intended to replace or substitute any professional, financial, medical, legal, or other professional advice. Q A ASK THE PROFESSIONAL Todd C. Hein Partner Family/Divorce Lawyer Proud member of B2C Halton Hills OFFICE LOCATIONS GEORGETOWN 8 Guelph Street 905 452 7400 BRAMPTON OFFICE (Main) 350 Rutherford Road S., Suite 320 905 452 7400 CALEDON EAST 15955 Airport Road, Suite 201 905 584 4545 These are uncertain and unprecedented times. I and my firm wish for the health and safety of our community and all the people of the world. Despite the state of emergency imposed by the Province of Ontario, existing court orders must still be adhered to and respected. A parent might feel that he or she is protecting the children by keeping them from the other parent, but the other parent still has rights as defined in a court order. Law and order must continue. There is still a legal process that must be followed, and we are not to take the law into our own hands. The courts, including family courts, have been closed until further notice. However, the courts are still hearing urgent or emergency matters.A parent denied time with children may be able to proceed to court on an urgent basis to ensure his or her rights are preserved. Of course, exchange of children is to take place in a safe manner that ensures the children cannot come in contact with the COVID-19 virus, following the recommendations of experts and our governments, e.g. proper hand washing, hand sanitizer, social distancing from others, etc. We do a lot of family/divorce law. Our offices remain open to help clients as lawyers have been deemed an essential service. I am happy to provide you with a free ½ hour consultation. Be healthy and safe one and all. Empowering Clients. Enriching the Community. New Patients Welcome Family and Cosmetic Dentistry We love meeting neW people marketplace Dental Centre Georgetown Marketplace Mall 905-877-CARE (2273) • www.georgetowndental.com HOURS: Monday & Wednesday 8:00am - 8:00pm • Tuesday & Thursday 8:00am - 6:00pm • Saturday 8:00am - 3:00pm Proudly Serving Georgetown Since 1994. Shop For Treasures Today! Seasonal • Antiques • Clothing • Furniture • Household Items • Toys, Games & More Drop Your Recyclables Today! Metal • Glass • Pop Cans & Tabs • Home & Office items • Shredded Paper Donate your items today to help YOUR Community!CLOSED Mon & Tues 905-877-6508 | 49A Mountainview Rd N Georgetown (just south of Armstrong) As the world started hearing more and more about COVID-19, many peo- ple started grumbling that it was nowhere near as bad as the flu. So, why all the fuss? Why should we worry? Is COVID-19 really worse than the flu? While the estimated number of flu cases annu- ally is far greater than the number of COVID-19 cases so far, the death rate of CO- VID-19 is about 3 per cent*, whereas the death rate of the flu is about 0.1 per cent, which means that CO- VID-19 seems to be about 30 times* deadlier than the flu. Let's crunch some numbers so that we can re- ally see what the fuss is about. As an example, let's take a look at our neighbours to the south (the numbers work out nicely). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention es- timates there were approx- imately 35,000,000 cases of influenza during the 2018/ 2019 season in the United States. Of that total amount, they estimate about 491,000 hospitalizations and approximately 35,000 deaths. 35,000/35,000,000 = .001 x 100 = 0.1 per cent. There's that 0.1 per cent death rate. For comparison, if we use the same number of to- tal flu cases for the CO- VID-19 calculation, let's take a look at what the numbers would be. So, 35 million cases**. What is 3 per cent of 35,000,000? 3/100 = .03 x 35,000,000 = 1,050,000 If exactly the same num- ber people who typically get the flu every year get COVID-19, that would mean that there could be more than one million deaths due to COVID-19, compare to 35,000 due to the flu, in the U.S. alone. So, yes, COVID-19 is worse than the flu. That's what all the fuss is about. Extreme measures are being taken for a reason. * These numbers are based on preliminary re- search and are subject to change as more people re- cover and less new cases de- velop, but it is the generally accepted estimate right now. ** Due to interventions that are being taken throughout the world, the number of coronavirus cases is significantly lower than estimated flu cases. Nadya Dominique is a family doctor. She can be reached at DearDoctorD@gmail.com. CORONAVIRUS VS. THE FLU OPINION WHY SHOULD WE WORRY ABOUT COVID-19? DR. NADYA DOMINIQUE SPELLS IT OUT NADYA DOMINIQUE Column VISIT THEIFP.CA TO READ CURRENT AND PAST INVESTIGATIONS