Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Snowbirds to boost morale amid COVID-19 with cross-country tour

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 Apr, 2020 11:16 PM
  • Snowbirds to boost morale amid COVID-19 with cross-country tour

The Canadian Armed Forces is deploying its famed Snowbirds aerobatics team on a cross-country tour aimed at boosting morale as Canadians continue to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The plan to unleash the team and have its nine-plane formation fly over Canadian cities starting this weekend follows a similar initiative south of the border, where the U.S. military's own flight demonstration teams have been flying in honour of front-line workers and first responders.

Some have criticized the Pentagon's decision to launch such a tour, given the mounting death toll from COVID-19 in the U.S. and what some have said are more pressing needs, such as getting protective equipment for health-care workers.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the Snowbirds' cross-Canada tour during his daily news conference Wednesday, describing the plan to deploy the red, white and blue Tutor jets as an effort to "salute Canadians doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19.

As we watch the Snowbirds fly over our homes, let's remember that we are all in this together." The team, which is based in Moose Jaw, Sask., will conduct its first flyover in Nova Scotia before heading west.

Exact details on when and where the Snowbirds will perform are expected in the coming days, though officials have said the team will focus on hospitals and residential neighbourhoods.

Some Canadians took to social media on Wednesday to ask whether the flyovers are necessary, given many people are continuing to struggle and die from COVID-19. That echoed criticisms of the U.S. military's decision to deploy its Blue Angels and Thunderbirds teams.

"We would be flying regardless," the Snowbirds wrote on their official Twitter account in response to criticisms about the planned tour. "Now we're just spreading the love (from a distance of course) instead of saying hello to the same farmers around Moose Jaw."

The Snowbirds initially paused their training in March because of COVID-19 and delayed the start of their flying season, which was to begin in June. Now the team will spend two days at CFB Moose Jaw flying refresher and training missions before starting the tour.

The Snowbirds season ended early last year after one of the team's Tutor aircraft crashed prior to an air show in the U.S. state of Georgia. Capt. Kevin Domon-Grenier sustained minor injuries when he ejected from the plane, which crashed into a farmer’s field. No one else was hurt.

MORE National ARTICLES

3M pushes back on Trump administration order to stop sending N95 masks to Canada

WASHINGTON — One of the world's largest U.S.-based makers of consumer products says it has been told by the White House to stop exporting medical-grade face masks to the Canadian market.

3M pushes back on Trump administration order to stop sending N95 masks to Canada

Researchers look at humidity as a weapon in the fight against airborne viruses

The ongoing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic could get a boost if Canadians paid more attention to the relative humidity levels in public and private spaces, according to a growing body of international research.

Researchers look at humidity as a weapon in the fight against airborne viruses

Region of Peel 'accidentally' mails wrong COVID-19 test results to 16 people

BRAMPTON, Ont. — The Region of Peel in Ontario is apologizing after it "accidentally" mailed letters to 16 residents saying their COVID-19 test results were negative when, in fact, they were positive.

Region of Peel 'accidentally' mails wrong COVID-19 test results to 16 people

Canadians asked to wash mailboxes, keep dogs at bay, to ensure safe mail delivery

OTTAWA — The union representing Canada Post employees is asking Canadians to disinfect their mail boxes to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Canadians asked to wash mailboxes, keep dogs at bay, to ensure safe mail delivery

Fake test kits and other COVID online scams play on public anxiety: fraud centre

VANCOUVER — The new coronavirus has spawned an increase in online and telephone crime, targeting anxious Canadians who are self-isolating at home in front of their computers, experts say  

Fake test kits and other COVID online scams play on public anxiety: fraud centre

Vancouver home sales up 46% in March, but show signs of slowing due to outbreak

Vancouver home sales up 46% in March, but show signs of slowing due to outbreak
VANCOUVER — The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says home sales started off strong in March but tapered as the COVID-19 outbreak intensified.  

Vancouver home sales up 46% in March, but show signs of slowing due to outbreak