Well, this is a fluster-cluck.
Originally posted Feb 13 2025
There’s a meme describing Canadians as the nice neighbors who live above a meth lab.
They aren’t feeling so friendly these days. Canadians are cancelling their trips to the US. Many are selling their second homes. From what I read, a lot of them no longer feel safe in the US, nor do they want to tangle with the border police.
I shop at several different stores. Many American product have been physically removed from the shelves, and there are red maple leaf stickers on ALL the items made in Canada. There are proud displays of Canadian made goods, and lists of how to swap out the US brands. People here are taking the tariffs personally.
I keep checking the price of eggs. So far so good.
I found this article, published on the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation). It’s dated Feb 5, 2025. Egg prices have rocketed in the States because so many hens have been culled due to bird flu, or the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The US restaurant chain Waffle House now adds a 50c surcharge on orders due to the egg shortage. There are limits on how many cartons of eggs you can buy at one time in certain grocery stores. Remember when it was toilet paper that was scarce?
The CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website has been down for a looooong time now, and yes, I keep checking, because it’s historically been a way for me to watch trends. Now, there’s a header saying, “CDC’s website is being modified to comply with President Trump’s Executive Orders.
What a cluster.
The USDA said some 23.2 million birds were killed in December 2024 after contracting bird flu. According to this APNews report, nearly 158 million birds have been slaughtered since the outbreak began.
Furthermore, the USDA reports that the virus can mutate in mammals, increasing the risk of mammal-to-mammal spread and transmission to and among humans. Five black bears (2022), six Arctic foxes (2023), five wild mice (2024) had it as well as sea life, with nineteen wild sea lions showing signs in 2022. Racoons, cows, goats, dogs, and skunks are also on the list. It’s all over the place.
In August of last year, the Colorado Department of Public Health reported bird flu in domesticated cats, including indoor-only cats.
Our neighbor, here in Canada, is a lovely lady and keeps chickens. Here are the signs of HPAI in backyard birds specifically. The article covers what to look for in other animals as well. This is for birds.
lack of energy, movement or appetite
decreased egg production
swelling around the head, neck and eyes
coughing, gasping for air or sneezing
nervous signs, tremors of lack of coordination
diarrhea
sudden death.
Supposedly, it is difficult for humans to get bird flu, but after the shitshow of 2020, I’m not sure I believe that. Here’s an interview with the doctor who treated the bird-flu infected teenager in British Columbia.
Wash your hands. Cook everything thoroughly. Wash your hands again. Wear a mask if you feel under the weather.
Are we going to get another pandemic? Will there be a vaccine under the current US administration? Should there be one? God only knows, and she’s not sharing.
Do your own research as there seems to be a gag order on info coming from inside the US government. Canada is a good resource.
While at times it feels like we’re living at the end of days, try and find levity. Actually, schedule it into your day. Seek things that make you smile. Play music that makes you want to dance. Call a friend and tell bad jokes.
Sending you love. I wish I could send you eggs.
*
Here’s a funny video to lighten up this post. Chicken Club Compilation by Smac McCreanor - hilarious!