Coronavirus Top Stories: 7/27/2020
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/
Full Ontario School Reopening Document
https://twitter.com/jkwan_md/status/1288900521156280322
"Ontario's School Reopening Plan: Technical Briefing."
WATCH: It's better but it's not where it needs to be' says biostatistician and Ontario high-school teacher Ryan Imgrund about kids and their return-to-school recommendations on Ask CBC News. 'What concerns me the most is what size these cohorts will be."
Coronavirus Top Stories
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/
Reported COVID-19 Infection by Ethno-Racial Group
https://twitter.com/drandrewb/status/1288901057410740224
"83% of TO COVID19 cases impacted racialized people/communities. This is a tale of two cities...a story of systemic discrimination/racism."
US COVID-19 Death Toll Soars Past 155,000, With One Death Every Minute
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/07/31/usco-j31.html
"US coronavirus cases soared past 155,000 on Thursday, with more than 4.6 million reported cases according to Worldometer. One person is dying in the US every minute of COVID-19 related causes. The US deaths account for nearly a quarter of the world's death toll, which stands at more than 669,000 and more than a quarter of the global case-count of more than 17.4 million..."
US Unemployment Supplement Expires, Setting the Stage for Mass Hunger and Homelessness
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/08/01/unem-a01.html
"...There are 14 million more unemployed workers than job openings, meaning millions will remain jobless no matter what they do. Slashing the $600 cannot incentivize people to get jobs that are not there."
COVID-19: Reported Cases and Deaths by Country, Territory or Conveyance
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries
"Learn more about Worldometer COVID-19 data."
COVID-19 in Canada
https://art-bd.shinyapps.io/covid19canada/
Daily update notes: U of T School of Public Health
Dr John Campbell, August 1, 2020, Coronavirus Updates
"Increasing cases and prevention in the UK. The resurgence of cases in Europe."
Russia Aims To Begin Public COVID-19 Vaccinations in October, Starting With Medical Workers & Teachers - Minister of Health
"Russia expects to start mass anti-coronavirus vaccinations across the country by October, the country's health minister said. Mikhail Murashko added that medical workers and teachers will be given first priority..."
Dr John Campbell, 8/3/2020, Coronavirus Update
Monday update: Global cases 18,102,671, sitreps Australia, USA
Vaccine Research on COVID-19: An Update
https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2020/07/vaccine-research-on-covid-19-an-...
"Notice that even this basic discussion demonstrates that a full year after Phase III vaccine trials have started is a bare minimum to reach any conclusions about efficacy. Better understanding of the immunology of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines is central. The more effort is dedicated to this, in both clinical and pre-clinical research the faster we will get better treatment and vaccine solutions and less risks will be assumed. Now let's see what's going on..."
While Boliva's Coup Regime Lets Its Citizens Die, Cuba Has Nearly Defeated COVID-19
https://twitter.com/TheGrayzoneNews/status/1290106334474571777
"From Bolivia, Ollie Vargas details the human toll of the military coup, as an incompetent US-backed regime leaves its citizens to die amid a pandemic*. In Cuba, meanwhile, the country's socialized system has saved its population from the worst of COVID-19."
*Special thanks due to Canada's Chrystia Freeland and the OAS who helped make it all happen.
This is absolutely the right message to tell people about fighting covid:
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, began her Tuesday news conference by thanking Albertans for looking out for each other over the past few days.
"We heard many positive reports of mask use and of people following the public health guidance that we've put into place," she said. "There is no silver bullet that will make any setting completely risk free and no region or community that is free from the virus. However, today's data shows our collective power to take on COVID-19 and limit its spread."
The downward trend began on Friday, when 97 new cases were reported. That was followed by:
- 67 new cases on Saturday.
- 74 new cases on Sunday.
- 65 cases on Monday.
On Saturday, bylaws requiring masks be worn in public places went into effect in both Edmonton and Calgary.
"Two weeks ago, I called our numbers a wake-up call," Hinshaw said. "Today, we're starting to see the results of Albertans answering that challenge.
"It's our hypothesis that one reason for these lower case numbers is that we have had a response from Albertans in general to follow more of the public health guidance than perhaps they were before."
Thank you Dr. Henshaw. I don't think speculation about covid lasting months or years is helpful. That just makes people more afraid and makes it feel like something we have no control over. A simple message of, "we don't know how long this will last, it could be a long time, but if we work together we can beat this by wearing masks" over and over is the right message. It gives people something to do and a sense that they have control over their destiny, which increases the likelihood of compliance.
Tangentailly, we are now seeing the results of mask mandates show up in the case counts for Toronto, Calgary, and Edmonton. Good start, but more needs to be done. Let's all mask up, we will beat covid by Thanksgiving, and then we'll be much better prepared for flu season.
No surprise of course to find Ottawa today announcing partnering with BIG PHARMA's Moderna and Pfizer on vaccine supply.
Live Coronavirus Updates
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-live-updates-covid...
World's First COVID-19 Vaccine Production Line Wins Approval
https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1196829.shtml
"Beijing facility expected to mass produce doses..."
Lancet Warns of Massive Resurgence of Coronavirus After UK School Reopens
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/08/05/ukco-a05.html
"A modelling study published in the Lancet, 'Child and Adolescent Health', warns that the UK's testing and tracing for coronavirus is inadequate to prevent a 'rebound' of the epidemic once schools are reopened next month. Without an improvement, the government is 'likely to induce a second wave that would peak in December 2020 if schools open full-time in September.' The warning comes as a resurgence of the virus is already underway. But the government's response to the Lancet study has made clear its determination to reopen the economy in the interests of big business, whatever the cost to the population..."
But not here, right?
Lancet Warns of Massive Resurgence of Coronavirus After UK School Reopenshttps://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/08/05/ukco-a05.html
"A modelling study published in the Lancet, 'Child and Adolescent Health', warns that the UK's testing and tracing for coronavirus is inadequate to prevent a 'rebound' of the epidemic once schools are reopened next month. Without an improvement, the government is 'likely to induce a second wave that would peak in December 2020 if schools open full-time in September.' The warning comes as a resurgence of the virus is already underway. But the government's response to the Lancet study has made clear its determination to reopen the economy in the interests of big business, whatever the cost to the population..."
But not here, right?
I would think at the very least the Atlantic provinces and Manitoba would be ready for schools to reopen.
A Look at the Top COVID-19 Vaccine Trials Happening Right Now (and vid)
https://twitter.com/SharkawyMD/status/1290655445808537601
"Several potential winners here. Remember no shortcuts for safety evaluation means we will need patience and vigilance for many months yet."
So why has Canada gone only with US Big Pharma's Moderna (Gates) and Pfizer?
Dr John Campbell, 8/6/2020, Coronavirus Update
Americas update. Why is Bolivia being ignored by msm?
Chinese Spat May Be Threatening Canada's Bid to Get Early Access To Leading COVID-19 Vaccine: Experts
https://nationalpost.com/health/china-spat-may-be-threatening-canadas-bi...
"Canada's first big push for a COVID-19 vaccine may be falling victim to sour relations with Beijing, as Chinese officials continue to hold up a shipment of the drug needed to carry out promised human trials here. It's likely that the shipment is being delayed as part of China's retaliation against Canada over the Meng Wanzhou arrest, David Mulroney, Canada's ambassador to China from 2009 to 2012 said..."
I'm sure Pfizer and Moderna won't mind.
A Polish-language newspaper in Toronto has published an article blaming Jews for the coronavirus pandemic.
https://forward.com/fast-forward/452219/toronto-polish-language-newspaper-blames-jews-for-pandemic/
Ridiculous and outrageous. As we are constantly reminded, it was a Chinese Communist Party creation not a Jewish one.
Multiple Vaccine Candidates Needed to Safeguard Against Possible Failures, Task Force Co-Lead Says
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cbc-radio-s-the-house-august-8-2020-1.5...
"...The vaccine task force strategy is to develop - and we have developed - a portfolio of vaccines,' said Dr Joanne Langley, head of infectious diseases at Halifax's IWK Health Centre. 'The announcement that you heard this week was for two [American] vaccines, but in fact we've been recommending a suite of vaccines across a number of platforms, and negotiations about those vaccines are underway.' Langley spoke to CBC Radio's The House after the federal government announced it had signed deals with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and [Bill Gate's] biotechnology firm Moderna to secure millions of doses of potential vaccines..."
New Zealand Has Gone 100 Days Without Community Transmission of COVID-19 - Here's How...
https://twitter.com/i/events/1292332879414927361
"Here's how New Zealand's communities, businesses and officials have helped stem the flow of the novel coronavirus..."
Dr John Campbell, Coronavirus Updates, 8/9/2020
Coronavirus Weekend Update: 'The roller-coaster in the United States.'
Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliot shows how to respond to a bad day (my emphasis):
"While a slight uptick and an end to our streak, we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that thanks to your efforts the trend in the province remains downward," Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said in a tweet Monday.
"An online petition slamming Ontario's 'disturbing' back-to-school plan has gained nearly 200,000 signatures but the government still won't budge on reducing elementary class size this September. Ontario demands better..."
COVID-19: Reported Cases and Deaths by Country, Territory or Conveyance
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries
"Learn more about Worldometer COVID-19 data."
COVID-19 in Canada
https://art-bd.shinyapps.io/covid19canada/
Daily update notes: U of T School of Public Health
Coronavirus Pandemic [LIVE]
Real time counter, World Map, Updating News
US Hits Five Million COVID-19 Cases as Testing Declines and Schools Reopen
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/08/10/covo-a10.html
"It has taken just over two weeks for the United States to record an additional one million cases of COVID-19. On August 6, the nation reached the grim milestone of five million cases..."
India Reports Record Coronavirus Deaths
https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/india-reports-record-coronavir...
"India on Monday reported more than 1,000 new coronavirus deaths, the most the country has recorded in a single day since the pandemic began. The new toll puts India's total at 44, 386 deaths, trailing only the United States, Brazil, Mexico and Britain. The country has also reported more confirmed new cases than any other in the world for six consecutive days, including 62,000 on Monday..."
Chunky Mark: The Artist Taxi-Driver
"1,000 New Cases A Day': Boris Goes On His Summer Holiday!"
This looks like a valuable project:
Project Pandemic is a data co-op and collaboration designed to support Canadian news organizations by providing local maps of infections and other unique information at no cost.
Members have access to a storehouse of resources and assets that empower reporters and engage audiences as they together document the impacts of COVID-19 on essential services workers and vulnerable populations.
https://caj-iij.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=83b86b838d...
Yes indeed. Thanks for posting it ll.
'We Need To Do Better': BC Announces 131 New COVID-19 Cases Over a 3-Day Period
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/we-need-to-do-better-b-c...
"Active cases in the province are triple what they were on July 1, with health officials warning that the province must urgently work to re-flatten its upwardly trending curve..."
Passengers With COVID-19 Keep Arriving in Canada on International Flights
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/passengers-with-covid-19-keep-arriving-in-can...
"Eighteen flights arriving in Canada from international destinations since the start of August have had people on board with COVID-19. Eight of the flights arrived in Toronto, while 7 landed in Montreal, one in Vancouver and one in Calgary..."
Dr Sanjay Gupta: Why I Am Not Sending My Kids Back To School
https://twitter.com/CTVNews/status/1293553866148061184
"...As our kids become increasingly mobile, they will become part of a large national experiment, and there is little doubt the infection rates will increase. Also considering all the objective criteria and assessing the situation in our own community, we have made the decision to keep our girls out of school for the time being. This was not an easy decision but one that we believe best respects the science, decreases the risk of further spread and follows the task force criteria..."
Dr Sanjay Gupta: Why I Am Not Sending My Kids Back To School
https://twitter.com/CTVNews/status/1293553866148061184
"...As our kids become increasingly mobile, they will become part of a large national experiment, and there is little doubt the infection rates will increase. Also considering all the objective criteria and assessing the situation in our own community, we have made the decision to keep our girls out of school for the time being. This was not an easy decision but one that we believe best respects the science, decreases the risk of further spread and follows the task force criteria..."
One of the tweets below this one says it all.
Replying to
This is an interesting perspective. And informed. Respect Dr Gupta. That said his decision making process is based on a US outbreak data set and policies. If I was in the US I might think twice. In Ontario my kids are going back. Media should think twice before posting US news.
9:45 AM · Aug 12, 2020·Twitter for iPhone
I repeat: think twice before posting US news.
Good point. I believe 'What Canadians need to know' must perforce include the the international news as well as the domestic. One assumes people will check differences/conditions between provinces in Canada or USA, but upon reflection perhaps not.
Sign Now: Ontario Needs A Better Back To School Plan
https://act.leadnow.ca/on-back-to-school/
"Ontario kids could be back in their classrooms in less than a month - but Premier Ford and Education Minister Lecce's haphazard back to school plan is putting students, teachers and communities at risk of COVID-19 outbreaks. Teachers are calling it a 'disaster': inadequate funding for a safe reopening, patchwork safety requirements and overcrowded classrooms with no room for physical distancing. A groundswell of public outrage now could force Premier Ford and Education Lecce back to the drawing board to come up with a better plan that prioritized the health and safety of students and staff..."
A 'Bargain Basement' Scheme: Ontario's Back-To-School Plan Under Scrutiny
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/a-bargain-basement-scheme-onta...
"...What is appropriate physical distancing in schools, a question that is at the heart of the increasing pressure on the provincial government from educators, unions, some parent groups and opposition parties at Queen's Park. They say the government's plan to return elementary schools to regular-sized classes in unsafe..."
Urgently Needed: A New Chief Medical Officer of Health For Ontario
https://twitter.com/cathyacrowe/status/1294139258375032832
"Drs Williams and Yaffe must resign. Lots of fails. Most recently our children..."
And before that our elderly. Charges should be brought.
The Jimmy Dore Show
"Schools reopen while Congress goes on vacation...'If we don't open up the schools you're going to hurt the economy significantly." - Sen Chuck Schumer -
Officials Warn that 550 People May Have Been Exposed to COVID-19 At a Strip Club
https://twitter.com/i/events/1294287265540145158
"Toronto Public Health has alerted residents that they may have been exposed to a worker with COVID-19 at the Brass Rail strip club in Toronto between August 4 and August 8..."
Dr Vicky Forster
https://twitter.com/vickyyyf/status/1294266679556530177
"Here we go Toronto. Two weeks after opening the insides of bars, clubs and restaurants and right on time, we are go. So glad we opened up this essential...strip club while we still don't have a good plan for getting schools reopened safely yet. Our priorities are wrecked..."
This is the real tsunami heading towards us. If they don't turn CERB into an ongoing Basic Income program it will have a devastating effect on our society.
For workers, research has already revealed flaws in Canada’s federal income supports. A study released this week by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives found that more than 80 per cent of the 4.7 million Canadians currently on CERB would receive nothing under the current EI regime. More than half of those at risk are women.
The CCPA’s research identified long-standing gaps in the country’s employment insurance program well before the pandemic, especially for low-wage earners and women. In 2017, 42 per cent of all unemployed workers qualified for EI — but just 28 per cent of workers earning $15 or less did. The study noted that women make up the majority of low-wage workers.
Now, even as employment figures start to rebound, July’s labour force survey shows that recovery is happening more slowly for low-wage workers and women. The survey also shows that racialized workers, particularly those who identified as Black, South Asian or Arab, experienced disproportionately high unemployment rates during the pandemic.
https://www.bramptonguardian.com/news-story/10138228-reduced-hours-job-l...
Re Above:
Sign Now To Support M-46 Guaranteed Livable Basic Income
https://twitter.com/JdelCSanchez/status/1294349412005797892
"I just signed in support of converting the CERB into a guaranteed livable income! Let's keep #MOTION46 trending and ensure all persons in Canada are afforded respect, dignity and security."
Please forward and circulate
Coronavirus in Canada: 8/15/2020
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus
Total Cases: 121,568/ Active: 4,638 / Recovered: 107,910/ Deceased: 9,020
Dr John Campbell, Coronavirus Updates: 8/14/2020
International update, Canada included and schools return
Dr John Campbell, Coronavirus Update: 8/15/2020
International update, NZ, US, UK, Europe, Africa
WATCH: "Matthew McConaughey asks Dr Fauci the top 5 questions people have about COVID-19. Here's how he responded..."
#SafeSeptember
https://twitter.com/hashtag/safeseptember
"Status quo funding. Status quo classes. In unprecedented times Ford and Lecce refuse to put our children first. It's a total dereliction of duty. We need an unprecedented response..."
This personalized account of the virus is very worth reading.
“The point I really want to get across is that I, in a demographic where, if I get COVID-19, I am expected to be fine,” said Oele. “It’s supposed to be a bad flu and we come out of it completely fine. That has not been my experience. I would not wish this on anybody.
“I’m continuing to struggle and if I’m being honest, I don’t see an end in sight for my struggles in the near future. I think I’m going to be dealing with this for some time and I want that known. It’s a life-changing event.”
https://www.prpeak.com/community/former-powell-river-resident-outlines-h...
US Health Insurers Doubled Profits in Second Quarter Amid Pandemic
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/14/us-health-insurers-coron...
"US's largest health insurer United Health Group reported $6.7bn in profits compared with $3.4 bn for the same quarter last year..."
Cannibals.
Canadian Authorities to Reopen Schools, Facilitating COVID-19 Spread
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/08/18/casc-a18.html
"With the full support of Justin Trudeau's federal Liberal government in Ottawa, provincial governments have unveiled back-to-school plans in recent weeks that will accelerate the COVID-19 pandemic across Canada and endanger the lives of teachers, students and their families..."
No Easy Answers: Concern Over Ontario's Return to School as Province Rejects TDSB's Plan (radio)
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-august-19-2020-1.569...
"Our series No Easy Answers looks at concerns over the return to school in Ontario after the provincial government rejected the Toronto District School Board's plan."
Coronavirus in Canada : 8/21/2020
https://ctvnews.ca/coronavirus/
