In recent weeks, Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout has made significant progress, with efforts shifting to reach eligible stragglers and those left behind. Just one population remains barred from the much-coveted jab in the arm: children under 12. But with a return to schools in September expected to include the resumption of extracurricular activities, as well as loosened rules…
Category: Community News
When will Ontario move out of Step 3? Not so fast, according to regional vaccination rates
As public health units across Ontario ramp up efforts to fully vaccinate all eligible residents against COVID-19, many regions have a long way to go to meet provincial thresholds for exiting Step 3 and returning to some semblance of normal life. All public health units have vaccinated over 50 per cent of their populations 12 years…
Students stressed and anxious as universities deny residence spots due to COVID-19
‘Everyone’s frantically trying to find places,’ says incoming University of Victoria student Some Canadian universities are turning down residence applications by the hundreds this year, and the rejected students — who were hoping for an on-campus experience after the COVID-19 pandemic ate their final years of high school — say it’s a major disappointment. Many…
COVID-19 conspiracy theories are spreading online like a virus. An inside look at a dangerous misinformation movement that’s spilling into the real world
Like the virus, the hashtag #nomorelockdowns has spread across borders, taking root in India, the U.S., the U.K. and Canada, where its use has intensified. Don Garfat was frustrated by the impact the pandemic was having on his community. The forced closing of businesses and tight restrictions on church services seemed particularly unfair. It was…
COVID-19 hit racialized and immigrant groups in long-term care hard. A new report says data is needed for change to happen
Residents and workers in Canada’s long-term-care system have been harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic — and those who are racialized and from immigrant communities likely have been affected most, a new report says. But the lack of demographic data on what these groups face in long-term care makes it difficult to pinpoint how they’ve been impacted, and…
Why mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for health-care workers could help Canada fight a 4th wave
France, Italy and Greece have mandated shots amid calls for Canada to do the same The debate over mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for health-care workers is growing louder in Canada as more countries move forward with the controversial approach in order to safeguard health-care settings and fight the spread of more contagious variants. Requiring vaccinations as a condition…
Long Time No See-Send Us YOUR Stories and Photos of Spadina Chinatown
Chinatown is again facing a period of change and uncertainty with businesses battered by COVID lockdowns, with Anti-Asian Racism and with development pressures in Toronto’s over-heated property market. Some of us got together hoping to put a face to our community to show what and where in Chinatown we work, shop, eat and love.Chinatown needs…
A comprehensive harm reduction plan for at-risk populations is essential to Canada’s COVID-19 recovery plan
Matthew Bonn is program coordinator, Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs; Vanessa Gruben is associate professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa; Elaine Hyshka is assistant professor, School of Public Health, University of Alberta; Carol Strike is professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. The overdose epidemic has had a devastating…
Preventing the next pandemic: Will Canada contribute or stand aside?
Tania Bubela is Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University. Canada’s innovation system is not ready to meet the next health crisis. Rather than boldly investing in innovation where others have not gone before, Canada prefers to buy medicines developed elsewhere – with delay and at high cost. Case in point:…
Ontario considering incentives to boost COVID-19 vaccinations
Ontario’s chief medical officer of health says the province will look at “all possibilities” to improve immunization rates as it looks to boost vaccine uptake ahead of an expected surge in COVID-19 cases this fall. While eight of 10 Ontarians eligible for the vaccine have had at least one dose, that still means two of every 10…