With the first case of omicron confirmed in California and more cases expected across the U.S., public health officials who know the difference between good and bad crisis communication say they can’t afford to be quiet and wait until scientists know how risky the new variant is before they speak out. “We don’t want to just be silent on…
Category: Community News
Why people with mental illness are at higher risk of COVID
Even before the federal government’s recent decision last week to authorize COVID-19 boosters all adults, it had already recommended them in October for people with certain high-risk conditions. Along with illnesses like diabetes and heart disease, that list included mental health conditions. The decision to prioritize people with psychiatric diagnoses in the early rollout of boosters…
To Honour Lee Maracle’s Life, Read Indigenous Women
The Salish author’s body of work is a tribute to the power of storytelling. On Nov. 11, legendary Salish author Lee Maracle passed into the next life. The outpouring of grief, stories, memories and tributes that followed demonstrated her profound impact on the world, particularly Indigenous writers. Maracle was born in what we call North…
Canada announces new travel restrictions as the world braces for Omicron
Politics Insider for Dec. 1, 2021: Omicron sparks new restrictions; new vaccine questions; and a political challenge Omicron measures: Canada announced Tuesday that air travellers from all countries except the United States will need to take COVID-19 tests when arriving in Canada, CBC reports, as the world braces for the Omicron variant. The tests will be required of all travellers, regardless of their vaccination…
Omicron: Here’s what we know so far about the latest variant of concern
Vaxx Populi: From how vulnerable Canada is to what the vaccine makers are doing in response, here’s what we know about the newest variant of concern Omicron entered our lexicon at exactly 12 p.m. Eastern Time on Nov. 26, according to Google Trends, which recorded a massive spike in online searches. Since then, searches have only…
U of Waterloo: Invitation to participant in an interview about COVID-19 vaccine confidence
Would you be interested in having a say about how COVID-19 vaccine policy gets communicated? The COVID-19 pandemic is evolving daily and public health information must try and keep pace to support community well-being. At the University of Waterloo, School of Pharmacy researchers led by Kelly Grindrod and Nancy Waite are investigating how we follow…
Yee Hong’s Caregiver Education & Support Services: December’s Programs
Yee Hong has released their newest webinar calendar for December 2021. Caregiving can be immensely rewarding but can be emotionally and physically demanding too. Yee Hong’s Caregiver Education and Support Services helps caregivers fortify their love and patience, with up-to-date knowledge, essential skills and wellness support, to ensure positive and successful results. Please see the image below…
Conducting a COVID-19 risk assessment before bringing employees back
If you’re about to welcome employees back into the workplace, ensure they will be protected from COVID-19 by conducting a pandemic-specific hazard assessment. It’s an essential step in managing workplace hazards, whether they involve safety issues, such as slips, trips and falls and machine hazards, or health risks, such as COVID-19. “The assessment will help…
WHO advises against international travel for some over the age of 60 due to Omicron
TORONTO — In light of the new variant Omicron emerging, the World Heath Organization (WHO) has put out new advice regarding international travel, including that some people over the age of 60 years old should refrain from travelling. The organization put out an advisory on Tuesday listing ways that countries and individuals can attempt to stay safe…
Can a child get a COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario without their parent’s permission?
TORONTO — It’s not uncommon to see a teary eye or hear a child wail when they get a shot—but it is rare to see a health practitioner refuse to vaccinate a child because they would not provide consent. Children between the ages of five and 11 became eligible to get their first paediatric dose…