Canada - Coronavirus COVID-19 #3

[otto]

The new variant is in BC

"B.C. has identified its first case of the COVID-19 omicron variant, health officials confirmed Tuesday.

The case was found in a person residing in the Fraser Health region, who had recently returned home from travelling in Nigeria. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says that person is isolating.
...

The omicron variant has also been found in Alberta, Quebec and Ontario."​

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/henry-dix-nov30-1.6267987

"Alberta's first case of the omicron variant has been confirmed in a traveller who returned to the province from Nigeria and the Netherlands."
​

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/deena-hinshaw-covid-19-alberta-1.6268276

 

[JDG]

All of these variants will be worldwide already.

It was first detected in South Africa but that does not mean it started there.

Being a mutating virus, it can/will mutate in any host, anywhere in the world.

We are all breathing in and out, breathing in the air expelled by others who may have the variant.

ETA: Omicron was in the Netherlands before it was reported in South Africa.

DailyMail is reporting that it was found in tests from approx. a week before it was detected in SA.

 

[tarabull]

FUREY: Canada, it's long overdue that we drop the COVID alarmism cycle | Calgary Sun

 

[otto]

FUREY: Canada, it's long overdue that we drop the COVID alarmism cycle | Calgary Sun

The Calgary Sun, famous for a putting a new photo of a half naked girl on the front page of the newspaper every day for years - catering to an audience that valued that sort of 'news'. It's not surprising that the same newspaper suggests that social responsibility regarding pandemic is "alarmist," or irresponsible.

 

[JDG]

Omicron was in the Netherlands BEFORE South Africa alerted the world about it | Daily Mail Online

 

[otto]

New questions about the origin of the omicron variant as WHO and South Africa discourage travel bans. I question whether this article does includes all the facts.

"Travel bans have been criticised by South Africa and the WHO has urged against them, noting their limited effect.

Much is still not known about the variant - though the WHO warned that the global risk from the variant is 'very high' and early evidence suggests it could be more contagious.
...

The RIVM health institute found the mutant Covid strain in samples dating from November 19 and 23.

But the WHO said South Africa first reported the the variant to the UN health agency on November 24 - meaning the new variant was already being transferred around the world before anyone even knew it existed."​

Omicron was in the Netherlands BEFORE South Africa alerted the world about it | Daily Mail Online

Nature article states that omicron was in South Africa on November 12.

"A top priority is to follow the variant more closely as it spreads: it was first identified in Botswana earlier this month and has since turned up in a traveller arriving in Hong Kong from South Africa. Scientists are also trying to understand the variant’s properties, such as whether it can evade immune responses triggered by vaccines and whether it causes more or less severe disease than other variants do.
....

The apparent sharp rise in cases of the variant in South Africa’s Gauteng province — home to Johannesburg — is also setting off alarm bells. Cases increased rapidly in the province in November, particularly in schools and among young people, according to Lessells. Genome sequencing and other genetic analysis from a team led by Tulio de Oliveira, a bioinformatician at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, found that the B.1.1.529 variant was responsible for all 77 of the virus samples they analysed from Gauteng, collected between 12 and 20 November."
​

Heavily mutated Omicron variant puts scientists on alert

 

[deugirtni]

Toronto Police place more than 200 members on unpaid leave over vaccine mandate

The deadline has arrived for Toronto Police officers, both uniform and civilian, to show their COVID-19 vaccination status or stay home on unpaid leave.

In the latest numbers released on Tuesday, Toronto Police Services (TPS) says 98 per cent of more than 7,400 members have disclosed their vaccination status — 98 per cent of those are fully vaccinated.

The remaining 205 employees who are unvaccinated or have an unknown status are now being placed on an unpaid absence. TPS says 117 are uniformed members and the other 88 are civilian.

CityNews

 

[deugirtni]

Unvaccinated travellers barred from planes and trains as of today

Summary

• The policy came into effect on Oct. 30, but the feds allowed a short transition period for unvaccinated travellers
• New requirement comes amid the emergence of the new, highly mutated Omicron variant of COVID-19
• Vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents visiting the U.S. for less than 72 hours won't need a PCR test to re-enter

CityNews

 

[deugirtni]

Ontario could expand booster shot eligibility as CDC recommends 3rd doses for those 18-plus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) broadened its recommendation for COVID-19 booster shots for all adults as the new omicron variant is identified in more countries.

The agency had previously approved boosters for all adults but only recommended them for those 50 years and older or if they live in a long-term care setting.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said the new guidance reflects the emergence of the omicron variant, which has not yet been identified in the U.S. but that officials say will inevitably reach the country.

“Everyone ages 18 and older should get a booster shot either when they are six months after their initial Pfizer or Moderna series or two months after their initial J&J vaccine,” she said in a statement.

The United Kingdom acted quickly on Monday, announcing that all adults will be able to get their booster COVID-19 vaccine doses three months after their second shot. Boosters had previously only been available a minimum of six months after a second dose for people over 40 and for those over 16 with underlying health conditions.

Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, said Monday the government is currently reviewing measures and are expected to update the province’s booster rollout as early as this week. As things stand, individuals 70-and-up are eligible for booster shots, as well as anyone who received two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

CityNews

 

[tarabull]

Excess deaths, increased mental health disorders and substance use: new CMA report highlights pandemic's broader impact

 

[otto]

Toronto Police place more than 200 members on unpaid leave over vaccine mandate

The deadline has arrived for Toronto Police officers, both uniform and civilian, to show their COVID-19 vaccination status or stay home on unpaid leave.

In the latest numbers released on Tuesday, Toronto Police Services (TPS) says 98 per cent of more than 7,400 members have disclosed their vaccination status — 98 per cent of those are fully vaccinated.

The remaining 205 employees who are unvaccinated or have an unknown status are now being placed on an unpaid absence. TPS says 117 are uniformed members and the other 88 are civilian.

CityNews

It sounds like a high percentage of civilian employees within the police service are unvaccinated. Too bad so sad, but, same as health care employees. The People expect that they will not become infected with the pandemic virus due to interaction with health and safety. If Health and Safety civil servants to not want to comply with government and global regulation regarding global vaccination program, they should find another job.

 

[otto]

Unvaccinated travellers barred from planes and trains as of today

Summary

• The policy came into effect on Oct. 30, but the feds allowed a short transition period for unvaccinated travellers
• New requirement comes amid the emergence of the new, highly mutated Omicron variant of COVID-19
• Vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents visiting the U.S. for less than 72 hours won't need a PCR test to re-enter

CityNews

Just like in the 1970s, Canadians, and visitors to Canada, have to travel with the vaccine passports.

 

[otto]

Ontario could expand booster shot eligibility as CDC recommends 3rd doses for those 18-plus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) broadened its recommendation for COVID-19 booster shots for all adults as the new omicron variant is identified in more countries.

The agency had previously approved boosters for all adults but only recommended them for those 50 years and older or if they live in a long-term care setting.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said the new guidance reflects the emergence of the omicron variant, which has not yet been identified in the U.S. but that officials say will inevitably reach the country.

“Everyone ages 18 and older should get a booster shot either when they are six months after their initial Pfizer or Moderna series or two months after their initial J&J vaccine,” she said in a statement.

The United Kingdom acted quickly on Monday, announcing that all adults will be able to get their booster COVID-19 vaccine doses three months after their second shot. Boosters had previously only been available a minimum of six months after a second dose for people over 40 and for those over 16 with underlying health conditions.

Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, said Monday the government is currently reviewing measures and are expected to update the province’s booster rollout as early as this week. As things stand, individuals 70-and-up are eligible for booster shots, as well as anyone who received two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

CityNews

In several Canadian provinces, vaccine booster shots are reserved for Indigenous people and anyone over age 70. What are the rules for covid booster shots in light of the big mutation Omicron - that does not seem to be more deadly.

Does anyone know how booster shots are being distributed in Canada? Are they Pfizer, Moderna? Does it depend on Trudeau making a purchase? What's the hold-up?

 

[tarabull]

How do you suppose this will go???............

Toronto police put 205 employees on unpaid leave as part of COVID-19 vaccination policy

 

[tarabull]

Canada Post employee COVID-19 vaccine mandate disrupts small town parcel service | Globalnews.ca

Hundreds of B.C. public servants placed on unpaid leave after failing to get vaccinated for COVID-19

ETA: Schit is just "starting to hit the fan" right across the country...

Canada Post employees in Petawawa, Ont. on unpaid leave over vaccination status

 

[otto]

In 1918, it was a known fact that mail carriers spread the virus. Should we allow that to happen again today, or should mail carriers accept that a condition for having contact with so many homes on a daily basis requires taking every precaution available?

"His group at Mount Sinai Hospital has synthetically reproduced the 1918 virus, using genetic material gleaned from lung-tissue samples preserved in paraffin by the U.S. military as well as samples preserved in bodies deposited below the permafrost line in a mass grave in the remote Inuit village of Brevig Mission, Alaska. In Brevig Mission, the postman delivered the virus along with the mail, and within a week all but eight of the village's 80 inhabitants had perished."
​

Researchers gain traction in race against pandemics

 

[JDG]

Ottawa doctor pleads for help from the prime minister after death threat
Erika Ibrahim

OKay, it didn’t make a link but it sure needs to….if anyone can link this CTV OTTAWA story or video I’d really appreciate it.

There is also a podcast at CBC dot ca, White Coat Black Art where she speaks about this atrocity.

TIA for the help.

ETA: Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth is the doctors name

 

[otto]

Alberta to provide booster shots by age group with all Albertans being eligible in the next few months.

"Alberta will begin to administer COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to all adults in phases, the province announced Wednesday afternoon when it reported two more Omicron cases.

Albertans 60 years of age and older will be eligible for third doses starting on Monday, Dec. 6.

Booster shots will be administered to people who had their second dose at least six months ago.
...

Currently, third doses are available for people who are immunocompromised, 70 years of age or older, residents of seniors' supportive living, health-care workers, and First Nations, Metis and Inuit.

Appointments for the 60+ group open on Thursday online.

"We anticipate that bookings for all adults aged 18 and over will be open by early next year but the exact timing will depend on the volume of appointments booked and the availability of vaccine supply."​

Alberta expands COVID-19 vaccine booster eligibility to all adults in stages

 

[otto]

Ottawa doctor pleads for help from the prime minister after death threat
Erika Ibrahim

OKay, it didn’t make a link but it sure needs to….if anyone can link this CTV OTTAWA story or video I’d really appreciate it.

There is also a podcast at CBC dot ca, White Coat Black Art where she speaks about this atrocity.

TIA for the help.

ETA: Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth is the doctors name

Here's the link. Article is from Nov 11.

"Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth's "jabapalooza" vaccine clinics -- held outdoors in a residential neighbourhood last spring -- got a lot of attention, but she says that after receiving a threatening letter she won't be holding similar clinics when vaccines are approved for younger children.

"I'm literally afraid now to walk outside of my office, even in broad daylight, because somebody has said they're going to kill me," she said in an interview Thursday.

"So how can I possibly reach out and immunize people who aren't my own patients?"

She said she also does not feel safe walking around her own neighbourhood alone."​

Ottawa doctor pleads for help from the prime minister after death threat

 

[JDG]

Canoe is reporting about a N. Ontario doctor retiring early due to harassment over COVID as well.

Mob mentality is taking over, this is just awful.

Thanks very much Otto.