The Agenda with Steve Paikin (Video)

As people grow increasingly "squirrelly," as Premier Ford recently put it, pressure mounts to understand where we're at in this pandemic. We welcome Dr. Isaac Bogoch, infectious diseases physician at University Health Network and a scientist based out of the University of Toronto. for a look at when distancing might begin to be wound down.

COVID-19 croppping up in shelters has highlighted the precarious circumstances of homeless people in Ontario. Could this crisis help cities think differently about housing, both now and in the future? The Agenda welcomes Cathy Crowe, a long-time advocate for those facing homelessness, and author of "A Knapsack Full of Dreams: Memoirs of a Street Nurse;" Sean Galbraith, urban planner at Galbraith & Associates; andAlex Bozikovic, architecture critic for The Globe and Mail.

Physicist Brian Greene tells the story of, well, everything: from the beginning of the universe to how life and mind emerged from matter to the unavoidable truth: nothing remains forever and all life in the universe will eventually cease to exist. He grapples with this story and our impermanence in his new book, "Until the End of Time: Mind, Matter, and Our Search for Meaning in an Evolving Universe."

If medical facilities become overburdened by a surge in COVID-19 cases tough ethical decision may have to be made about who receives life-saving care and who doesn't. The Agenda examines medical ethics during a pandemic and Ontario's last resort guidelines.

Can animals become infected by COVID-19? And if so, are some more susceptible than others? We welcome veterinarians Dr. Scott Weese and Ian Sandler, as well as the Toronto Humane Society's Phil Nichols to discuss the health and well-being of pets, and how veterinary services are adapting to the ever-evolving pandemic.

As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to climb, fraudsters are out in full force preying on the anxiety and fears of Canadians. We welcome Jeff Thomson of the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and Rachel Jolicoeur with Interac Corp., to discuss fraud tactics and why Canadians need to be the first line of defense when it comes to cybercrimes.

The Rideau Canal is the oldest, continuously operating lock system in the world. And while many people associate it with of skating on it in winter in Ottawa, it actually flows there from as far away as Kingston. Now, TVO presents a four-hour, so-called slow cinema documentary called "Tripping the Rideau Canal," taking viewers on a 27-kilometre portion of that waterway. The Agenda welcomes Laura Smith to discuss her experience of canoeing the canal.

Northwestern Ontario Hub journalist Jon Thompson provides an update on COVID-19 cases in the region and discusses how medical students are helping to fill the need for doctors in the province's northern communities that already have limited health-care resources.

Megacities have been home to some of the worst COVID-19 devastation. Should we rethink extreme density? The Agenda welcomes Joel Kotkin, executive director of the Urban Reform Institute, and Jennifer Keesmaat, Toronto's former chief city planner.

Health-care workers now comprise one in 10 known Ontario COVID-19 cases. Do they feel as protected as possible while executing their work? How can Canada ensure the safety of those fighting this disease on the frontlines? The Agenda discusses the immediate and future need to protect health-care workers with Dr. Sohail Gandhi, president of the Ontario Medical Association; and Doris Grinspun, CEO of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario.

What are the possibilities or limitations of imagination? Whether it's memory, creativity, hallucinations, or imaginary friends, the inner workings of our minds are complex. Jim Davies, director of Carleton University's Science of Imagination Laboratory, sheds light on this in his book, "Imagination: The Science of Your Mind's Greatest Power."

Just over a year ago, the last payment went out for Ontario's basic income pilot project. The program, introduced by the previous government, was cancelled by the new Conservative government before it had run its course. Now, because of the ongoing pandemic, the federal government has launched the CERB - the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. And that's renewing interest in what a basic income program can do. Joining Steve Paikin to discuss this is Evelyn Forget, health economist at the University of Manitoba and author of ,Basic Income for Canadians;, and Mike Perry, a lawyer and social worker who is leading legal action to get the province to reverse the cancellation of Ontario's basic income pilot.

This week, Christians and Jews mark some of the most sacred holidays on their calendars: Easter and Passover. And later this month, Ramadan begins for Muslims. However, the current restrictions on gathering mean there won't be any church or worship gatherings. Here to reflect on how their communities intend to deal with this, and also how religious faith can help during an uncertain time are Thomas Cardinal Collins, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Toronto; Imam Shabir Ally, president of the Islamic Information & Dawah Centre International; and Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin from Beth Tzedec Congregation, a conservative Jewish synagogue in Toronto.

How are Canada's penal institutions dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic? Fears of the virus spreading in correctional facilities has some advocates calling for the release of lower-risk offenders. The Agenda discusses the issue with Lee Chapelle, president of Canadian Prison Consulting, an advocacy and reform-based firm; Kim Pate, an independent senator in Ontario; and Chris Jackel, a correctional officer and Ontario Corrections Division MERC co-chair for OPSEU.

Reports of domestic violence are spiking in countries around the world as people are staying indoors to prevent the spread of COVID-19, trapping some victims with their abusers. The Agenda explores this issue with Silvia Samsa, executive director of Women's Habitat; Pamela Cross, legal director at Luke's Place Support and Resource Centre in Durham Region; and Katie Bortolin, program manager at Beendigen Anishinabe Women's Crisis Home & Family Healing Agency.