Canada - Coronavirus COVID-19 #2

[otto]

I was a bit horrified when my younger adult son was preparing to head out the door to receive his first vax.. I asked to see his healthcard because he told me it had expired and he was concerned it wouldn't be accepted. I knew Ontario was postponing healthcard renewals since Covid started over a year ago.. I just wasn't expecting the expiry to be SO long ago. It expired in 2018!! But they accepted him without question. Also, he had qualified because he is in an eligible occupation.. and the eligibility had opened up to include anyone over 18 in certain occupations.. online there was nothing to fill in to say which company he worked for, nor what he did for a living. When he arrived for his vax, the nurse issuing the vax merely asked him 'what made him qualify for getting the vax that day', and so he said, 'I'm in manufacturing and I work at x-company'.. and that was it.. no proof required. Meanwhile, we had printed off one of his recent paystubs to prove it, etc., to be prepared just in case. It seems like this scheduling thing has been somewhat of a show all around. imo.

That seems to be the case across the country - that people declare that they are in a priority group, no proof required. That is how a few people I know were able to jump the line and get vaccinated a month ahead of their actual eligible group. Basically, they lied about having a job or role as a caregiver.

 

[deugirtni]

That seems to be the case across the country - that people declare that they are in a priority group, no proof required. That is how a few people I know were able to jump the line and get vaccinated a month ahead of their actual eligible group. Basically, they lied about having a job or role as a caregiver.

I noticed on the news this morning.. all they were talking about were various vaccine clinics in Toronto. They said something like 'all people living OR working in the postal code starting with 'M' are eligible for this popup clinic', and another popup clinic's rules were something like, 'anyone who lives or goes to school OR drives someone there' is eligible. So I thought to myself, well I guess that includes virtually everyone who wants to get a vaccine, since they're really not able to produce proof if someone might be 'driving' someone, or working at a certain location, etc., and they don't seem to be asking for any proof anyway... and then I think about how all the dishonest people might take advantage of that, and meanwhile, the honest people sit and wait. Also, they are vaccinating people withOUT a healthcard, which means that some people may be getting their second shot, or even more than their second? And kids from age 12 can be vaccinated withOUT parental consent, and it's doubtful a lot of 12 year olds carry around their healthcards, so I guess we'll count on their word as to whether they've been vaccinated or not? If some health issue arises with a 12 year old who says, or whose parents say he/she got a vaccination and that was the cause of their health issue, who is to know whether it's a legitimate side effect, etc? Such a mess.

 

[otto]

I noticed on the news this morning.. all they were talking about were various vaccine clinics in Toronto. They said something like 'all people living OR working in the postal code starting with 'M' are eligible for this popup clinic', and another popup clinic's rules were something like, 'anyone who lives or goes to school OR drives someone there' is eligible. So I thought to myself, well I guess that includes virtually everyone who wants to get a vaccine, since they're really not able to produce proof if someone might be 'driving' someone, or working at a certain location, etc., and they don't seem to be asking for any proof anyway... and then I think about how all the dishonest people might take advantage of that, and meanwhile, the honest people sit and wait. Also, they are vaccinating people withOUT a healthcard, which means that some people may be getting their second shot, or even more than their second? And kids from age 12 can be vaccinated withOUT parental consent, and it's doubtful a lot of 12 year olds carry around their healthcards, so I guess we'll count on their word as to whether they've been vaccinated or not? If some health issue arises with a 12 year old who says, or whose parents say he/she got a vaccination and that was the cause of their health issue, who is to know whether it's a legitimate side effect, etc? Such a mess.

That sounds like a bit of a fiasco. I had read that some people living in high density areas of Toronto requested early vaccination eligibility, so perhaps those areas are now provided with a popup vaccine clinic. If people who drive to those areas are eligible, then indeed it is a system that is wide open to abuse. That also means long lineups with people who may already be infected.

I wasn't impressed to learn that I knew people who would cheat the system. I waited patiently for my turn, which perhaps would have been sooner had there been monitoring of eligibility. On the upside, there was no lineup when I was vaccinated. It was well organized where I was asked for driver's licence, health care card and confirmation that it was my first shot. Everything was entered into my health care records during the appointment.

 

[JDG]

I know many teachers were anxious if they lived in a low COVID area, yet taught in a high COVID area. They dont want to catch it and bring it home.

That's where the WORK in an area came into the picture.

As for no health card, there are homeless people and people without Residency papers living here too. Do we want to deny them the vaccination and have them passing around COVID?? Dont think so. Give them a shot.

I know that there were 'eligibilities' ahead of myself but if you are Aboriginal, you have to have a Treaty card.

The Urban Aboriginals went way ahead of many seniors, they're classed as higher risk. The government also went wayyyy up North to vaccinate Aboriginals at the very beginning.

If you had Home Care, you needed a letter from LIN co-ordinators etc, etc.

There really was no way to 'game the system' in that sense, when there was not a lot of vaccine.

Now we have thrown the baby out with the bath water as far as 'age' being a risk factor and no one is getting their second shot.

These are political decisions, there are elections coming up, remember that part!!

The elderly, elderly in homes are now fully vaccinated.

Some of the medical staff, but not all, are fully vaccinated.

Many medical staff have quit/have plans to quit, hope we can make it through the rest of this mess.

The rest of us are blowing in the wind with fingers crossed.

 

[JDG]

This might make you a bit happier about the decision...

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine generates antibody responses three-and-a-half times larger in older people when a second dose is delayed to 12 weeks after the first, a British study said.

The study released on Friday is the first to directly compare immune responses of the Pfizer shot from the three-week dosing interval tested in clinical trials, and the extended 12-week interval that British officials recommend in order to give more vulnerable people at least some protection quickly.
...
However, taken with data showing good protection against hospitalization and death from just one shot of Pfizer vaccine, Public Health England said the study was further supportive evidence in favor of Britain’s approach.

“The approach taken in the UK for delaying that second dose has really paid off,” Gayatri Amirthalingam, Consultant Epidemiologist at Public Health England, told reporters.

Delaying 2nd Pfizer vaccine dose may protect better against COVID-19: study

Delaying 2nd COVID-19 vaccine dose can help reduce deaths: study

Thank you for posting this information but no, it doesnt help at all.

Words like 'may' and 'might' and studies of a couple of hundred people mean nothing to me.

With small studies, it becomes a matter of lies, damned lies and statistics.

These are narratives put out to fit the situation, the government has eroded our trust in their ability to run a vaccine program during a deadly pandemic, yay!

I would much prefer reliable double blinded studies that are peer reviewed but they do not exist.

We are all part of a ginormous drug trial and in most cases, its not even following the recommendations of the manufacturer.

 

[LadyL]

I was on waitlists with three different pharmacies for at least a month, and still have not heard from any of them. In the meantime, I was vaccinated through Health Services.

I think the reason that we were able to accidentally schedule two appointments for my son is that different addresses were used (permanent address, rental address), and one of the appointments did not include his health care number. Anyone who is booking multiple appointments would probably be using numerous fake names and fake addresses, always omitting health care number.

my sis & b.i.l. booked multiple appt's because they were afraid it would get cancelled or something
idk I didn't ask why but she told me they booked a few for each of them and then cancelled the others once they got their first shots
so ... I don't think the system is set up to flag the same health card # at all

 

[otto]

More "weird" variants

"A weird “triple mutant” Covid variant with a “strange combination” of genes is being probed by a team of UK virologists as England’s R rate worryingly rises to potentially over one.

So far there have been 49 cases found of the new variant mainly in Yorkshire and Humber with people being told not to be alarmed by it. The mutant form of Covid is a “variant under investigation” but there is no evidence yet to say it is more transmissible or resistant to vaccines as yet."
​

Virologists Probe New 'Triple Mutant' Covid With 'Strange Combination' Of Genes

 

[JDG]

my sis & b.i.l. booked multiple appt's because they were afraid it would get cancelled or something
idk I didn't ask why but she told me they booked a few for each of them and then cancelled the others once they got their first shots
so ... I don't think the system is set up to flag the same health card # at all

There may have been differences between the pharmacy bookings and hospital based bookings.

I've heard a lot of stories about people being on multiple pharmacy lists but we stuck to the hospital sites and it flags you as soon as you put in the Health card number. You can change sites but it cancels previous bookings.

Then, there's the City of Toronto fiasco.

Why the mayor thought elderly, disabled people would be able to go to the Toronto Convention Centre and other out-of-the-way locations, is beyond me.

Sure, they're in their 90s but can hop on the subway, then walk a few blocks before trudging through a convention centre??? Get real, doofus.

With this long weekend, when many, many people are out of town, there is a huge push on for people to get vaccinated.

They must get rid of the AZ shots that are about to expire and they now have loads of Pfizer and Moderna.

Why can people who want their second shot not make an appointment and use these resources??

Welcome to the Gong Show, just dont expect to be fully vaccinated any time soon.

ETA: unless you're getting a second shot of AZ.

 

[JDG]

More "weird" variants

"A weird “triple mutant” Covid variant with a “strange combination” of genes is being probed by a team of UK virologists as England’s R rate worryingly rises to potentially over one.

So far there have been 49 cases found of the new variant mainly in Yorkshire and Humber with people being told not to be alarmed by it. The mutant form of Covid is a “variant under investigation” but there is no evidence yet to say it is more transmissible or resistant to vaccines as yet."
​

Virologists Probe New 'Triple Mutant' Covid With 'Strange Combination' Of Genes

If this is an attempt to cheer us up, its not working! LOL

 

[LadyL]

Sad news from Manitoba.

A person, over 65 yrs of age and fully vaccinated has died of COVID.

Eight persons who were partially vaccinated have also died from COVID.

'They' are warning people to remain vigilant after the first shot.

Wonder how many others in Canada have died after full vaccination/partial vaccination??

 

[LadyL]

There may have been differences between the pharmacy bookings and hospital based bookings.

I've heard a lot of stories about people being on multiple pharmacy lists but we stuck to the hospital sites and it flags you as soon as you put in the Health card number. You can change sites but it cancels previous bookings.

Then, there's the City of Toronto fiasco.

Why the mayor thought elderly, disabled people would be able to go to the Toronto Convention Centre and other out-of-the-way locations, is beyond me.

Sure, they're in their 90s but can hop on the subway, then walk a few blocks before trudging through a convention centre??? Get real, doofus.

With this long weekend, when many, many people are out of town, there is a huge push on for people to get vaccinated.

They must get rid of the AZ shots that are about to expire and they now have loads of Pfizer and Moderna.

Why can people who want their second shot not make an appointment and use these resources??

Welcome to the Gong Show, just dont expect to be fully vaccinated any time soon.

ETA: unless you're getting a second shot of AZ.

I'm not sure where they booked but mine and my husband's appt's were neither hospital or drugstore - they were at Covid vaccination sites booked through the health unit

 

[musicaljoke]

Thank you for posting this information but no, it doesnt help at all.

Words like 'may' and 'might' and studies of a couple of hundred people mean nothing to me.

With small studies, it becomes a matter of lies, damned lies and statistics.

These are narratives put out to fit the situation, the government has eroded our trust in their ability to run a vaccine program during a deadly pandemic, yay!

I would much prefer reliable double blinded studies that are peer reviewed but they do not exist.

We are all part of a ginormous drug trial and in most cases, its not even following the recommendations of the manufacturer.

Yes, I would also prefer to read a peer reviewed study of a large population. But meanwhile, I support the process of giving as many people as possible a first vaccine while supplies are trickling in. I believe it is saving lives.

This protocol gets more people vaccinated now, especially the younger age groups, who are more likely to be in jobs where they work with the public. It's my personal opinion from working in the vaccination clinics that people who get their first vaccination are highly likely to get their second.

It's like striking while the iron is hot. If we wait, while the results of our lockdown drive down the case numbers, then the urgency isn't there anymore and resistance to being vaccinated may become problematic and case numbers will come roaring back up.

Even if we have to give a third booster, I am convinced that it was a better move to vaccinate as widely as possible, and as quickly as possible.

Did you happen to notice that Canada now has a larger percentage of the population who have received their first vaccination than the US. We are moving forward at a steady pace. I'm super excited that this week we will be starting to vaccinate kids over 12.

 

[LadyL]

Canadian troops lining up in droves to be vaccinated with 85% receiving one dose

 

[musicaljoke]

Canadian troops lining up in droves to be vaccinated with 85% receiving one dose

From the article ...

"Defence Department spokesman Daniel Le Bouthillier says the majority of unvaccinated Canadian service members haven’t declined to get a jab, they just haven’t had an opportunity to bare their arms.

“A significant portion of currently unvaccinated personnel appear to be those who might be on various forms of leave or in more remote locales with limited access,” he said. “As things stand, we are quite happy with our members’ acceptance of vaccines.”

So proud of our troops!

 

[LadyL]

Vaccine shopping to avoid Moderna shot is 'alarming,' unnecessary and potentially harmful, doctors say

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toro...jlzifdCHFIC_J9XZ8KGRKTN41roDGm8bTdwZZud05rk3w

 

[LadyL]

Nova Scotia set to deliver 2nd doses of COVID-19 vaccine ‘well ahead of schedule’

 

[Tadpole12]

Ontario reports 1,039 new COVID-19 cases and 33 more deaths; lowest single-day case count since early March

Hope y'all had a great Victoria Day weekend,
multiple sunny days in Ontario, was lovely.

 

[Tadpole12]

Montreal, Laval to stay as COVID-19 red zones until June 7, says Quebec premier

 

[Tadpole12]

I was on waitlists with three different pharmacies for at least a month, and still have not heard from any of them. In the meantime, I was vaccinated through Health Services.

Same here, otto, wrt my family and friends.
Still waiting for that Shoppers Drug Mart's text message.

 

[Tadpole12]

If someone had Pfizer or Moderna, the optimal timing was 21-28 days and they're being MADE to wait 16 weeks!!!!!

These are political decisions, not scientific ones.

We, the general public, have NO idea of how these changes are going to affect us.

We, the general public, ARE all guinea pigs who are not following the producers vaccine regimes.

Nothing could possibly go wrong, eh??

OH CANADA!!

Idk JDG
My cautious optimism is bubbling over today.
May just be too much sun ... feel good about our progression.