WATCH: "What was Sharkawy MD's main takeaway from the pandemic projections released today? 'I think they're conservative, quite frankly,' said Dr Sharkawy. He added he would 'not be surprised to see numbers even higher than Dr Tam is projecting."
https://twitter.com/CTV_PowerPlay/status/1308524181504561153
"Time for Ontario doctors to speak loudly against the current lack of action by the Ford government. Are we really going to wait for 600, 800, 1000 cases per day? At that point an economic shutdown is inevitable." [See thread]
Pentagon Spent $1 Billion of Coronavirus Funds on Military Supplies
The Washington Post reports that Pentagon officials spent most of a $1 billion coronavirus relief fund on jet engine parts, spy satellites, drones, body armor and dress uniforms for troops. The money was allocated by Congress under the CARES Act and was meant to combat the pandemic. This comes as hospitals around the U.S. continue to report severe shortages of N95 masks and other medical supplies.
When our representatives start talking, as they will, sooner or later, about the big bills for this pandemic, let us collectively refuse them their blood money, first and foremost, for any more weapons of war. We don't need or want them and we can't afford the expensive and dangerous saber-rattling at enemies they even now create themselves. Health care, housing and helping the planet must come first before all else.
When our representatives start talking, as they will, sooner or later, about the big bills for this pandemic, let us collectively refuse them their blood money, first and foremost, for any more weapons of war. We don't need or want them and we can't afford the expensive and dangerous saber-rattling at enemies they even now create themselves. Health care, housing and helping the planet must come first before all else.
Well said. I'll march for that.
Good point. The pandemic has begun a debate about what national security entails and it isn't all about the military and policing. There is food, health, shelter, and fuel security.
Another question is what we should be incuring a deficit for. The sum total of our expenditures contribute to the deficit not just social supports. We need to look at everything we spend money on.
150+ Countries, Not Including the U.S., Join U.N.’s Effort to Fairly Distribute COVID-19 VaccineIn international news, 156 nations have formally joined together to ensure the fair distribution of future COVID-19 vaccines. The United States and China have both declined to join the effort, known as COVAX, which is being organized by the World Health Organization.
Utterly shameful. Soviet and American scientists were able to co-operate to eliminate smallpox against the odds during the Cold War. Now you have the 2 superpowers using the pandemic as a power struggle?
With this move, China has shown itself to be just as horrible and willing to use any situation for a powerplay as the United States. The main difference is the balance of power between these 2 countries.
"Time for Ontario doctors to speak loudly against the current lack of action by the Ford government. Are we really going to wait for 600, 800, 1000 cases per day? At that point an economic shutdown is inevitable." [See thread]
Hyperbolic much? Why do they think the case count is going to go that high, especially when today the new case count dropped well below 400?
When I took math in high school and university, I always had to show my work. It wasn't enough to show the answer I came up with, I had to outline how I arrived at that conclusion. Why do these doctors think that the new case count would go that high?
[quote=Aristotleded24]
150+ Countries, Not Including the U.S., Join U.N.’s Effort to Fairly Distribute COVID-19 Vaccine
With this move, China has shown itself to be just as horrible and willing to use any situation for a powerplay as the United States. The main difference is the balance of power between these 2 countries.
[quote=NDPP]
Perhaps you should instead focus on the 'utterly shameful' gang of rich countries including your own who have 'pre-bought' the lion's share of potential vaccines, pre-empting availability for the global south. Try deepening your analysis and sources before falling into the automatic China/Russia bashing response so common here.
China Mulls Thorough Plan to Balance Vaccine Supply Before Joining COVAX: Analysts
https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1201744.shtml
"...China has already promised to prioritize some partners and neighbors on other platforms, like the B&R Initiative, The Association of Southern Asian Nations, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. China was probably working to make a thorough plan to make sure that it is able to guarantee supply in all these platforms, not to mention for its residents before joining COVAX, Zeng said. Zeng said he thinks China would eventually join COVAX. China supports COVAX and has been in communication with WHO and other sponsors of the plan. China will remain in consultation with those organizations, Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said at a press conference."
Putin Offers UN Staff Free Dose of Russia's pioneering Sputnik V jab as he calls for global conference on COVID-19 vaccine
"Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a top-level meeting on joint global development of a COVID-19 vaccine. He also offered UN staff a dose of Russia's Sputnik V formula for free. 'We are absolutely open and committed to partnership. In this regard, we are coming with an initiative to hold a high-level online conference in the nearest future with states interested in cooperation in the development of vaccines against coronavirus..."
Perhaps you should instead focus on the 'utterly shameful' gang of rich countries including your own who have 'pre-bought' the lion's share of potential vaccines, pre-empting availability for the global south. Try deepening your analysis and sources before falling into the automatic China/Russia bashing response so common here.
China Mulls Thorough Plan to Balance Vaccine Supply Before Joining COVAX: Analysts
https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1201744.shtml
"...China has already promised to prioritize some partners and neighbors on other platforms, like the B&R Initiative, The Association of Southern Asian Nations, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. China was probably working to make a thorough plan to make sure that it is able to guarantee supply in all these platforms, not to mention for its residents before joining COVAX, Zeng said. Zeng said he thinks China would eventually join COVAX. China supports COVAX and has been in communication with WHO and other sponsors of the plan. China will remain in consultation with those organizations, Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said at a press conference."
Putin Offers UN Staff Free Dose of Russia's pioneering Sputnik V jab as he calls for global conference on COVID-19 vaccine
"Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a top-level meeting on joint global development of a COVID-19 vaccine. He also offered UN staff a dose of Russia's Sputnik V formula for free. 'We are absolutely open and committed to partnership. In this regard, we are coming with an initiative to hold a high-level online conference in the nearest future with states interested in cooperation in the development of vaccines against coronavirus..."
Right, because the Chinese and Russian government never have any ulterior motives of their own and are only in it to help everyone else.
No. I didn't say nor do I believe that. But you can't repeat msm assertions that are devoid of context, unsupported or contradicted and not expect objections either.
COVID in Canada: Updates
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus
Dr. Deborah Birx Reportedly “Distressed” by Direction of WH Coronavirus Response
The United States reported nearly 1,100 deaths from COVID-19 and over 40,000 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday. At the White House, President Trump said he might overrule the Food and Drug Administration if it issues stricter guidelines on the emergency use of a vaccine. Public health officials warn Trump’s push to approve a vaccine before Election Day threatens to bring an unsafe and untested product to market.
This comes as CNN reports White House task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx is “distressed” with the direction of Trump’s coronavirus policy and is not certain how much longer she can serve in her position. CNN reports Birx believes White House coronavirus adviser Dr. Scott Atlas is feeding the president misleading information about the efficacy of face masks for controlling the spread of the virus.
...
Dr. Anthony Fauci Warns of Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 on Survivors
On Capitol Hill, top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci warned a Senate committee that many of those who survive COVID-19 suffer symptoms measured in weeks to months.
Dr. Anthony Fauci: “They have fatigue, myalgia, fever and involvement of the neurological system, as well as cognitive abnormalities such as the inability to concentrate.”
Dr. Fauci warned that many patients who appeared to have recovered from COVID-19 were found to have inflammation of the heart.
Dr. Anthony Fauci: “These are the kind of things that tell us we must be humble and that we do not completely understand the nature of this illness.”
...
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Warns of Second Wave of Coronavirus Infections
The global death toll from COVID-19 has topped 975,000, according to government statistics, though the true count is likely far higher. Indonesia reported more than 4,400 new coronavirus cases Wednesday — a daily record.
India recorded more than a thousand deaths and over 80,000 new cases, keeping India on track to pass the United States within weeks as the nation with the highest caseload.
In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned Wednesday of a new surge in coronavirus cases.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: “In our four biggest provinces, the second wave isn’t just starting. It’s already underway. … We’re on the brink of a fall that could be much worse than the spring.”
France’s health minister has ordered new restrictions on public gatherings amid a record surge in new cases, while Spain is now seeing more daily cases than it did at the height of its first wave of the pandemic last spring.
Dr John Campbell, Coronavirus Update
Pandemic update for US, UK, Africa
Vandana Shiva: Bill Gates' Global Agenda and How We Can Resist His War on Life
https://www.counterpunch.org/2020/09/24/bill-gates-global-agenda-and-how...
"The coronavirus pandemic pits all of humanity against the virus,' he said. In fact the pandemic is not a war. The pandemic is a consequence of war. A war against life.
Health is about life and living systems. There is no 'life' in the paradigm of health that Bill Gates and his ilk are promoting and imposing on the entire world..."
4 Coronavirus Vaccine Stocks the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is Betting On
https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/09/24/4-coronavirus-vaccine-stocks-t...
"Here are 4 vaccine stocks that the Gates' Foundation is betting on..."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Speaks with Bill and Melinda Gates
https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/readouts/2020/05/01/prime-minister-justin-trude...
This from the above piece I think is worth highlighting:
But that’s not the totality of Gates’ vision. In fact, it is even more sinister—to colonise the minds, bodies, and spirits of our children before they even have the opportunity to understand what freedom and sovereignty look and feel like, beginning with the most vulnerable.
In May 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York announced a partnership with the Gates Foundation to ‘reinvent education.’ Cuomo called Gates a visionary and argued that the pandemic has created ‘a moment in history when we can actually incorporate and advance [Gates’] ideas…all these buildings, all these physical classrooms—why with all the technology you have?’
In fact, Gates has been trying to dismantle the public education system of the United States for two decades. For him students are mines for data. That is why the indicators he promotes are attendance, college enrollment, and scores on a math and reading test, because these can be easily quantified and mined. In reimagining education, children will be monitored through surveillance systems to check if they are attentive while they are forced to take classes remotely, alone at home. The dystopia is one where children never return to schools, do not have a chance to play, do not have friends. It is a world without society, without relationships, without love and friendship.
As I look to the future in a world of Gates and Tech Barons, I see a humanity that is further polarized into large numbers of ‘throw away’ people who have no place in the new Empire. Those who are included in the new Empire will be little more than digital slaves.
Or, we can resist. We can seed another future, deepen our democracies, reclaim our commons, regenerate the earth as living members of a One Earth Family, rich in our diversity and freedom, one in our unity and interconnectedness. It is a healthier future. It is one we must fight for. It is one we must claim.
Much of what is said echos Lascaris minus Bill Gates. I agree he is a big concern.
Unfortunately the author does not offer an alternative for managing Covid.
What Happened to PPE Production in Canada?
CFNU, OCHU/CUPE and Green Jobs Oshawa
Joint Statement on Domestic Production of N95 Respirators
On August 21 the federal and Ontario governments announced major subsidies for 3M Canada to expand its Brockville plant, and starting in early 2021, to produce 50 million N95 respirators each year for five years. This is an important step toward addressing the existing shortage of this much needed personal protective equipment (PPE). It is also an important step, in the face of global supply chain uncertainties, to create the needed capacity to produce them in Canada. However, it is not enough to remedy the current deficiencies in the supply chain and PPE policy requirements.
First, why will it have taken a full year from the time that news of a new virus first emerged at the end of 2019 to the launching of the Brockville production? After the SARS crisis in 2003, a Royal Commission made recommendations – called for by healthcare workers and their unions – to respond properly to the next epidemic, including by always deferring to the precautionary principle in dealing with health and safety risks to staff and the people they care for; by stockpiling N95 respirators and by reducing the percentage of part-time healthcare staff. In fact, during the COVID-19 crisis the precautionary principle was ignored, and the stockpile of masks expired. The percentage of part-time staff grew significantly during the period from 2003-2019 as healthcare budgets staggered to balance real cuts and surging population growth and aging. This contributed significantly to the unpreparedness this time.
Second, what will happen between now and when the new respirators arrive? The federal government originally ordered 154 million N95 respirators but has only received 61 million as of today, leaving a massive gap. This gap will become much worse if there is a second wave of the pandemic or if international supplies are cut off.
Third, what matters is not only the number of respirators produced, but access to them. Throughout this crisis the voices of the frontline workers and their unions have been neglected. Ignoring the ‘precautionary principle’ – in the context of uncertainty and great risks, the benefit of the doubt should lie with those whose health and safety is directly affected – employers (backed by the federal and Ontario governments) have often defined ‘needs’ narrowly to respond to supply pressures, thereby dramatically lowering the number of respirators officially required. A consequence has been that the share of total Canadian COVID-19 infections that include healthcare workers is among the highest in the world.
It remains remarkable in this context that there have only been ‘incentives’ but no direct pressure on companies to convert their facilities to address this social emergency. What has been needed in this emergency was not ‘subsidies’ and ‘incentives’ but decisive government action, comprehensive planning, and the use of emergency powers to mandate the conversion of manufacturing plants to prioritize public needs (much as would be done in a war-time emergency). The massive GM Oshawa facility, for example, does not need expansion, is already making surgical masks, and could be making N95 respirators quickly, since GM has already perfected the process and has been manufacturing N95s for the US government in its Warren, Michigan plant......
U.N. Says 1 Million Coronavirus Deaths Due to Nations’ Lack of Preparedness and Solidarity
At the United Nations General Assembly, Secretary-General António Guterres warned Thursday the coronavirus pandemic has killed nearly a million people, infected 30 million, and remains out of control due to a lack of preparedness, cooperation, unity and solidarity among world governments.
Secretary-General António Guterres: “This pandemic is a wake-up call for even more catastrophic challenges that may arise, starting with the climate crisis. If we meet these with the same disunity and disarray we have seen this year, I fear the worst.”
Tighter Restrictions Needed Now to Halt Spread of COVID-19 in Ontario
"Given the sharp rise in COVID-19 cases over the last two weeks, and the speed at which this virus spreads, now is the time to put public health measures in place to immediately limit opportunities for disease transmission.
As physicians and health care leaders specializing in infectious diseases, general internal medicine, medical microbiology and infection prevention and control (IPAC), we're calling on the Government of Ontario to immediately place restrictions on non-essential businesses and activities that facilitate social gatherings and increase opportunities for exposure, including dine-in restaurants and bars, nightclubs, gyms, theatres, and places of worship. The province must also ask non-essential businesses to have employees work from home and instruct universities and colleges to offer classes online, wherever possible.
Ontario reported 478 cases on Tuesday, with a seven-day average of approximately 400 cases/day – a figure last seen in May at the height of the pandemic. Without immediate action, we know from international experience that this extremely contagious and life-threatening virus will spread rapidly through our schools, long-term care homes, retirement homes and other congregate settings.
While maintaining our province's economy is always a priority, we are extremely concerned that, without action, the current rate of spread will require a return to widespread closure of non-essential businesses and schools to prevent a rise in hospitalizations......
Sweden's high coronavirus death toll could be linked to mild flu season, chief scientist says
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/23/swedens-high-coronavirus-death-toll-coul...
"Sweden's chief empidemiologist has partly blamed the country's high coronavirus death toll on mild flu outbreaks in recent winters."
I guess if you were responsible for Sweden's high coronavirus death toll you'd be desperate to blame something else too.
..i have a friend in vancouver who works at a clinic. recently 2 people came into the clinic and exposed a number of people to covid. my friend said the trackers told them not to get tested and that the tracking that followed was poorly done.
..sounds like the bare minimum is being done on account of so many getting infected. not enough staff.
Sweden's high coronavirus death toll could be linked to mild flu season, chief scientist sayshttps://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/23/swedens-high-coronavirus-death-toll-coul...
"Sweden's chief empidemiologist has partly blamed the country's high coronavirus death toll on mild flu outbreaks in recent winters."
I guess if you were responsible for Sweden's high coronavirus death toll you'd be desperate to blame something else too.
There is actually a relationship between a high corona death count and a mild flu season across Europe.
Obviously Sweden did many things wrong in its response, but that does not necessarily qualify it as a disaster. My challenge for anyone who thinks that Sweden is a disaster is to do the following. Go to Google, and try and find a recent news article about a protest in Sweden protesting the government's covid response. Germany, New Zealand, and Australia were all considered to be successes. Repeat that Google exercise for those countries. Let me know what you find.
And since when is an article in an MSM news source a reliable thing on babble that should be accepted without question when it comes to covid, but treated with skepticism on any other issue?
Johnson's bogus agenda for combating the escalating pandemic will cost tens of thousands of lives
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/09/23/john-s23.html
"Prime Minister Boris Johnson's raft of measures to supposedly combat the escalating resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic will do nothing of the sort. The real aim animating the list of partial, sometimes contradictory and always ineffectual measures is to prevent a second lockdown and protect the profits of the major corporations and banks, no matter how great the cost in human lives.
After Johnson's health advisers announced Monday that there would be 50,000 cases a day by mid-October and 200 death a day by November without government action, Johnson's list of measures reads like a cruel joke. The UK yesterday recorded 4,926 new coronavirus cases, the highest total since early May, confirming a pattern of at least a weekly doubling. And contrary to government claims, the real extent of testing is not massively greater than it was then and will not be in future. Johnson has promised a 100 b pounds national testing programme, but his recently appointed head of testing Baroness Dido Harding, yesterday suggested that tests will likely no longer be available on the NHS and would have to be purchased privately by those who need them..."
Johnson's bogus agenda for combating the escalating pandemic will cost tens of thousands of lives
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/09/23/john-s23.html
"Prime Minister Boris Johnson's raft of measures to supposedly combat the escalating resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic will do nothing of the sort. The real aim animating the list of partial, sometimes contradictory and always ineffectual measures is to prevent a second lockdown and protect the profits of the major corporations and banks, no matter how great the cost in human lives.
After Johnson's health advisers announced Monday that there would be 50,000 cases a day by mid-October and 200 death a day by November without government action, Johnson's list of measures reads like a cruel joke. The UK yesterday recorded 4,926 new coronavirus cases, the highest total since early May, confirming a pattern of at least a weekly doubling. And contrary to government claims, the real extent of testing is not massively greater than it was then and will not be in future. Johnson has promised a 100 b pounds national testing programme, but his recently appointed head of testing Baroness Dido Harding, yesterday suggested that tests will likely no longer be available on the NHS and would have to be purchased privately by those who need them..."
And if we don't act now to rid the world of Saddam Hussein and the dangers of his WMD program the final proof, the smoking gun, will come in the form of a mushroom cloud.
Look at the data. In the vast majority of cases that are experiencing increases in cases, there is nowhere near the relationship between hospitalizations and deaths that took place in the first wave.
By the way, why is the WSWS cheering on the idea of a right-winger like Boris Jonhson having more authoritarian and far-reaching powers?
Canada is no longer calling the shots when it comes to equitable global access to the covid-19 vaccine
https://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/views-expressed/2020/09/canada-no-longe...
"...COVAX is an international partnership whose 'aim is to accelerate the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines, and to guarantee fair and equitable access for every country in the world.' And indeed, Canada submitted its nonbinding 'expression of interest' to COVAX before the August 31 deadline. However, just 2 days after that deadline, the headline 'Canada mulls global vaccine contribution as Trump turns back on alliance' about sums up the state of affairs. Even stranger was Canada's total silence as the September 18 deadline for finalizing a commitment came and went. Canada said nothing..."
Canada: Covid Updates: 9/27/2020
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus
Canada: Covid Updates: 9/27/2020
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus
- new covid cases in Ontario surge to highest level in nearly 5 months (491)
- Canada's death toll could hit 16,000 by end of 2020
- 8th school with covid outbreak in Ottawa
- tiny airborne particles may pose big coronavirus risk
- CERB recipients left in limbo
Don't also forget to mention that Saddam will be able to launch weapons of mass destruction by Thanksgiving.
We know that the MSM is more interested in hyping things up and playing on people's fears that something bad is going to happen rather than take the time to honestly examine the issues. Sure the number of cases is higher. That is partly a function of more testing, where more people are being advised to be tested now than there were in the spring. Most of the infections right now are hitting younger people who aren't going to end up in the hospital. Furthermore, you look at the data direcly on the web pages of the Quebec and Ontario governments, there is not nearly as strong a relationship between new cases, deaths, and hospitalizations as there were in the spring. Finally, what's with this idea that the death toll will hit 16000? That's nearly double the current mortality count, and it has half the time to reach that number as what the current death count is after six months. You really think the death count is going to be that high when the virus is currently moving through a segment of the population that is at low risk for death?
COVID in Canada: Updates
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/
We have now heard from RNs, MDs, Scientists and Ont Health Assn.
https://twitter.com/drwarner/status/1310621122472407044
"With Ontario reporting 700 new COVID-19 infections today, the OHA is calling on ONGov to intensify public health measures in Toronto, the GTA and Ottawa. At this rate hospitals are facing a direct threat to their ability to continue delivering high-quality care."
How Ontario's Second Wave of COVID-19 is Forecast to Play Out
https://twitter.com/SharkawyMD/status/1310565072096423938
"We are 2 weeks away from potentially 1000 cases a day, Ontario. Flu is on the on-deck circle. Do we want more surgeries cancelled? More COVID and non-COVID related morbidity deaths? You have a choice. Use it wisely."
Why has Toronto abandoned anti-COVID safety measures on transit? TTC vehicles are once again crowded and unsafe. Social distancing hasn't been possible for months. We all know the engines of capitalism have priority over human health in Canada, but we refuse to be lectured by the Premier the Mayor and assorted city officials when they are the ones responsible for putting people into harms way. They Are Killing Us for money and profits.
This won't be a 'wave' but a tsunami. Fix it. It doesn't have to be this way.
NS Goes 6 Days Without a New COVID-19 Case
https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-s-goes-6-days-without-a-new-covid-case-1-a...
"The provincial state of emergency which was first declared on March 22 have been extended to Oct 4."
Why has Toronto abandoned anti-COVID safety measures on transit? TTC vehicles are once again crowded and unsafe. Social distancing hasn't been possible for months. We all know the engines of capitalism have priority over human health in Canada, but we refuse to be lectured by the Premier the Mayor and assorted city officials when they are the ones responsible for putting people into harms way. They Are Killing Us for money and profits.This won't be a 'wave' but a tsunami. Fix it. It doesn't have to be this way.
Toronto's demographic structure and status as a major travel hub essentially guarantees that a pandemic will spread like wildfire through the city. Health officials in the declining days of the summer were fear-mongering back then that we couldn't enjoy the good news and had to brace for a second wave. So those in charge knew Toronto was going to see a surge. How were they not able to prepare for what we are seeing now?
COVID in Canada: Update
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/
"Canadian physicians concerned about PPE, access to flu vaccine ahead of 2nd wave: survey."
The Second Wave of COVID-19 is Underway in Canada
https://twitter.com/SanctuaryTO/status/1310938358064058369
"The City of Toronto still has not ensured 2 m distancing in all directions for beds in homeless shelters. We are in Court (public hearing) over this on Thurs. Press release/factum..."
Dr John Campbell: Coronavirus Update: 9/29/2020
"Now past 1 million official global deaths. We know it's higher. News from US, UK and Europe. 90% of US populatin remains susceptible."
Feds announce plan to buy 7.9 million rapid COVID tests
Public Services and Procurement Minister Anita Anand today announced a plan to buy roughly 7.9 million rapid point-of-care COVID-19 tests from U.S.-based Abbott Laboratories.
The purchase is meant to offer other testing options to Canadians at a time when the country's testing apparatus is being severely strained, with coronavirus caseloads spiking in some regions.
To date, the vast majority of tests have been done at public health clinics, with samples then sent to laboratories for analysis — a process that can take days.
A point-of-care test could be administered by trained professionals in other settings. The test Canada is looking to buy — the ID NOW — can produce results from a nasal swab in as little as 13 minutes.
While Canada has announced this purchase from a well-regarded U.S. firm, the test itself has not yet been approved by Health Canada for distribution.
Proactive purchasing
"As with many of our agreements for equipment, tests and vaccines, we have pursued an advanced purchase agreement to secure Canada's access to these tests conditional on Health Canada's regulatory approval," Anand said.
"These rapid tests will aid in meeting the urgent demands from provinces and territories to test Canadians and reduce wait time for results, which is key to reducing the spread of the virus."
Anand said that, beyond the Abbott deal, Canada will proactively purchase other rapid tests in bulk to supply the country.
With tens of thousands of tests being done each day, the demand is high.
The announcement comes as Health Canada bureaucrats in charge of regulating new testing devices are defending the government's response to this point.
Health experts — including Dr. David Naylor, the co-chair of the federal government's COVID-19 task force — have for weeks been urging regulators to approve rapid testing to take the pressure off testing centres.
While other major Western countries such as the U.S. authorized point-of-care tests months ago, Health Canada regulators have been slow to give the necessary approvals to deploy these devices.
In fact, the first approval for a point-of-care device — one that could be used in such settings as a doctor's office or a walk-in clinic — only came last week.....
As COVID-19 Claims Over 1 Million Lives, Reports of Rift Among White House Advisers
The global death toll from COVID-19 has topped 1 million, but the World Health Organization says the actual toll is likely much higher. In the United States, more than 205,000 people have died, and over 7.1 million cases have been reported — by far the highest figures in the world. More than half of all reported COVID-19 deaths have occurred in just four countries: the United States, Brazil, India and Mexico. On Monday, India became the second country to top 6 million cases.
Public health officials in the United States are expressing alarm as 21 states report a rising number of new COVID-19 cases. Hospitalizations are surging in the Midwest. In the Dakotas, more than a quarter of all COVID-19 tests are coming back positive — the highest rate in the United States.
Meanwhile, The New York Times is reporting top White House officials pressured the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to downplay the risks of sending children back to school. The pressure campaign was confirmed by Olivia Troye, who served as Vice President Mike Pence’s lead staffer on the task force until July.
NBC is reporting the head of the CDC, Dr. Robert Redfield, was overheard on a recent flight disparaging President Trump’s new coronavirus adviser, Dr. Scott Atlas, saying, “Everything he says is false.” Atlas has faced widespread criticism from public health specialists for questioning mask use and promoting a controversial “herd immunity” strategy that could lead to the deaths of millions of Americans. Atlas is a neuroradiologist with no background in epidemiology.
COVID-19 in Canada: 9/30/2020
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/
'We've got to pay attention to what's going on in the community' (and vid)
https://twitter.com/SharkawyMD/status/1311289664050008064
"If we wait until the ER and ICU is full of COVID-19 we are in big trouble. Already near capacity. This can change quickly. Please Be Vigilant. Please no non-essential social meetings until we stem the tide."
Health Coalition Demands that Ontario Government Stop Privatizing Healthcare
The Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) expressed deep concern about the Doug Ford government’s privatization of healthcare services, the lack of a coherent plan for a second-wave of COVID-19, and cuts and layoffs at public hospitals while the government shifts funding to private companies for COVID-19 related services. On September 22, Premier Ford said, “I think it is a free market society” in response to questions about private for-profit companies charging Ontarians up to $400 for COVID-19 testing. Under the Canada Health Act patients cannot be charged for medically-necessary services, including diagnostic tests.
On September 23, the Ford government announced plans to contract private for-profit pharmacies to have COVID testing in their stores. Today (September 24), CBC revealed a draft document developed by the government that proposes to use of so-called private for-profit clinics (euphemistically called “independent health facilities”) to clear diagnostic and surgical backlogs. The Ontario Health Coalition responded today with a call to reopen closed operating rooms and ramp up existing capacity in the public healthcare system and warned that it will do everything it can to stop the government from undermining public healthcare, expanding for-profit privatization, and giving private contracts to companies with which it has close connections.....
Peruvian Medical Workers Strike, Demanding Personal Protective Equipment
In Latin America, the International Labor Organization said Wednesday at least 34 million jobs have been lost since the start of the pandemic.
Brazil registered more than 1,000 new coronavirus deaths Wednesday for the first time since mid-September.
In Peru, thousands of healthcare workers launched a two-day partial strike to demand job security and personal protective equipment. At least 166 Peruvian doctors have died of COVID-19, and thousands of healthcare workers have been infected on the job. Peru has reported more than 32,000 COVID-19 deaths — the highest per capita death toll in the world, ahead of Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and the United States.
Madrid Back on Lockdown as Coronavirus Infections Surge
Spain’s government has ordered a second lockdown of Madrid and surrounding areas amid a fresh surge of coronavirus infections. Under tough new rules, residents won’t be allowed to cross in or out of Madrid except on essential business.
Pandemic of Repression: Modi Government Crushes Dissent While Ignoring India’s 6 Million COVID Cases
As India becomes just the second country to hit 6 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, we speak to journalist Rana Ayyub in Mumbai, who was recently hospitalized after testing positive for the disease. India’s lead pandemic agency says an antibody study suggests more than 60 million people in the country have already been infected with the coronavirus — 10 times the official count but still a small fraction of its population of 1.3 billion. “It doesn’t feel like India is even talking about the pandemic,” says Ayyub, a global opinions writer for The Washington Post. “More than the fear of the pandemic, people in this country are fearing the massive unemployment and the fact that they are going without food.”.....
Today's Update on COVID-19 in Ontario LTC Homes
https://twitter.com/NorthernStall/status/13117031946398211
As of Sept 30:
Dr John Campbell, Oct 1, 2020, Coronavirus Update
"Vitamin D news and science."
Citing COVID-19 Concerns Students to Walk Out of Class at Montreal High School
https://twitter.com/JohnOCAP/status/1311742860421627910
"Solidarity and respect for these students in Montreal taking an action we should all learn from."
Civil Liberties Group Finds Ontario Police Used COVID-19 Database Illegally
https://globalnews.ca/news/7368904/canadian-civil-liberties-association-...
"...People weren't being told that when they went for COVID-19 tests that this information was being shared with police and they certainly weren't asked for their consent,' said Abby Deshman, the criminal justice director for the CLLA..."
Case numbers are starting to creep up in Sweden
Coronavirus Outbreak Shutters Queens School on First Full Day of In-Person Classes in NYC
Here in New York, the John F. Kennedy Jr. School in Queens sent students home for two weeks after staff members tested positive for coronavirus. This came on the first day of in-person classes at all of New York City’s schools, where an estimated 500,000 students attended classes even as 10 ZIP codes in Brooklyn and Queens reported alarming spikes in coronavirus cases.
Amazon on Thursday released data showing nearly 20,000 of its employees have tested positive or were presumed to have COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.
And in sports news, the Tennessee Titans canceled Sunday’s game with the Pittsburgh Steelers after the team’s total number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 11.
A MESSAGE FROM THE FUTURE II: THE YEARS OF REPAIR
Can we imagine a better future? If we stop talking about what winning actually looks like, isn’t that the same as giving up?
COVID Canada Updates: 10/2/2020
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus
