Canada - Coronavirus COVID-19 #3

[otto]

It feels like things have completely gone off the rails now... completely out of control. Shortage of PCR tests.. employees being 'forced' to submit to rapid tests performed by their employer.. only a 5 day quarantine for positive rapid test results.. people who've been a close contact now have to also quarantine for 5 days, even if double vaccinated.. people expected to be honest and quarantine if they're asymptomatic and test positive on a rapid test - even though many can't afford to miss 5 days of work/pay.. numbers are now absolutely meaningless..

Messaging is completely confusing. Some provinces have strict lockdown, but at the same time omicron is described as mild. Something doesn't add up unless we assume that the government has decided that the only option is herd immunity. The problem with that is that people can become sick with covid more than once. There's also the long-covid symptoms, where people suffer shortness of breath and other health issues long after they recover from the illness. I feel like we are receiving inconsistent/ contradictory information.

 

[otto]

I'm hearing about rising hospital cases in Ontario, which might explain why Ontario has gone into strict lockdown and cancelled surgeries. Alberta cancelled surgeries a couple of months ago - now we see interviews with people who are at stage 4 cancer and it's too late for surgery.

Quebec and Ontario are usually ahead of Alberta in rising cases and lockdowns. Ontario schools are closed until at least Jan 17, Alberta schools open on Jan 10. Alberta parents are concerned about air quality and want hepa filters added to school HVAC systems. The provincial government has already provided money to schools for covid response. Sounds like few schools put the money towards air quality.

My impression is that many view omicron as nothing but a cold, and that it signals the end of covid. That is, everyone is going to get it, omicron is not serious, so why bother with proper masking? Others do not want any variant of covid in their children and family.

 

[JDG]

It’s not just a cold. That kind of misinformation fuels the non vaxxers IMO.

People are still dying from COVID pneumonia, all ages. And from other COVID related illnesses such as strokes.

Not only are there more admissions, the hospitals are very short staffed with employees having caught COVID.

 

[otto]

It’s not just a cold. That kind of misinformation fuels the non vaxxers IMO.

People are still dying from COVID pneumonia, all ages. And from other COVID related illnesses such as strokes.

Not only are there more admissions, the hospitals are very short staffed with employees having caught COVID.

Yes. It's bad - this 5th wave. So contagious, so mild. It's like March 2020 when governments claimed that a virus is not airborne - masks were unnecessary - stay 6 feet from others. Only old and sick people die.

Today, only the unvaccinated die?

Something seems unclear about the big picture today. Under-staffed hospitals and cancelled surgeries due to unvaccinated people, or due to the surge in covid: omicron variant. Is the government taking a "herd immunity" decision and let the chips fall where they may? Governments cannot indefinitely artificially bolster economies. Double vaxxed people have a milder version of the variant, and unvaccinated are clogging the health care system. Is that true?

Not sure what to believe with the mixed messaging from govts.

 

[otto]

Sounds like the regular flu. Symptoms can last from 4-10 days.

"Smart and McCready suggested the following for those experiencing mild covid symptoms:

• Take over-the-counter pain relief, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, if needed.
• Stay hydrated, by drinking lots of water.
• Have soothing foods like soup on hand.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Isolate from those in your household who are not ill.
• If you have difficulty breathing, seek help immediately."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-covid-19-how-to-treat-at-home-1.6304646

 

[tarabull]

Trudeau says Canadians are 'angry' and 'frustrated' with the unvaccinated
_________________

EDITORIAL: Stop vilifying the unvaccinated | Toronto Sun

 

[tarabull]

Niagara Health pauses mandatory COVID-19 vaccination program due to ‘intensity’ of Omicron | Globalnews.ca

 

[otto]

As with the 1918 pandemic, different age groups seem to be effected by different waves (variants) of the virus. Omicron seems to be worse for children and infants.

"Kids and teens — and even newborns — are now among the rising number of Canadians being hospitalized with COVID-19 as Omicron infections keep surging across the country to unprecedented levels.
...

Kakkar's hospital, the largest mother-and-child healthcare centre in Canada, reopened its pediatric COVID-19 ward a few weeks back. The team is now seeing admissions on a daily basis, with double the number of patients as the same time last year, she said.

"We're way higher than we were previously. Part of that is because there are so many cases in the community that kids are coming in — some with COVID, some for other reasons — and we're screening COVID on admission," Kakkar explained.

"In previous waves, babies were essentially unaffected by COVID," she continued. "But now we're seeing newborns. So in that first 30 days of life, significant disease."​

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/children-hospitalization-omicron-1.6305207

 

[otto]

Seems like bad timing to be returning to school when this particular variant is causing illness in infants and children. Children who are in contact with the virus in schools will infect siblings and parents at home. Hospitals are filling up across the country with vaccinated and unvaccinated people even though some are claiming that omicron symptoms are nothing to worry about. Are we dealing with wishful thinking on behalf of governments to end covid disruptions?

 

[tarabull]

CP24 Toronto's Breaking News: Nearly 5,000 layoffs at Cineplex after Ontario closes movie theatres

 

[tarabull]

Vaccine mandate for truckers could lead to mass layoffs and supply chain issues

 

[Tadpole12]

"In previous waves, babies were essentially unaffected by COVID," she continued. "But now we're seeing newborns. So in that first 30 days of life, significant disease."​

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/children-hospitalization-omicron-1.6305207

Aw otto, sad face to think of this suffering.

Good to see y'all in 2022.

Been mostly housebound since Christmas, hubs is on holiday through next week, so just hiding out. Neighbours, got covid. Antivaxers.
Kinda in limbo just waiting for the booster shots end of jan for hubs and beginning of Feb for me.

 

[musicaljoke]

Vaccine mandate for truckers could lead to mass layoffs and supply chain issues

Well, I guess the laid off Cineplex workers could check out the trucking industry. Just kidding of course, since it's not that simple.

However, the unemployment rate is at an all time pandemic low, so there are jobs available, but maybe not so many in the unvaccinated lines of work.

I'm not worried about the truckers losing their jobs. There are lots of placements in the national trucking industry. Those who refuse vaccinations will just be moved off the international routes and replaced by those who are vaccinated.

 

[tarabull]

MANDEL: Anti-vaxx doctors fight investigation into their issuing vaccine exemptions | Canoe.Com

 

[LadyL]

these three ugh

3 Ontario nurses disciplined for social media posts related to pandemic launch $1M libel suit

 

[otto]

Covid in Alberta. Projections are that it will peak at the end of the months. That's three weeks from today. That sounds like managed herd immunity.

"The Omicron variant is so prevalent in our communities right now that if you have COVID-19 symptoms such as a stuffy or runny nose, cough, fever, sore throat or loss of sense of smell or taste, you should assume you have COVID-19 and are legally required to isolate," Hinshaw said.

"You should stay home and away from others for five or 10 days, depending on your vaccination status or until your symptoms improve, whichever is longer," she said.
...

There are officially 57,332 active reported cases in the province — but the true figure is thought to be far higher due to the high positivity rates and reductions in testing.

The positivity rate now hovers around 38 per cent across the province."
​

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/covid-alberta-deena-hinshaw-1.6309706

 

[otto]

It's strange to think that one day everything was routine, and on March 13, 2020 the world went into lockdown to deal with the Wuhan virus on a cruise chip. The decision? To release that ship to the USA. The West foolishly believed that border customs could control a virus.

Almost two years later, the virus is more virulent but less deadly to adults. Children seem to be vulnerable to omicron - damaging the lungs of infants. This means shortening lifespan - in my opinion.

Returning Canadian children to school, even though the virus is everywhere, when children are more vulnerable - everyone is asking whether school shutdowns are coming.

 

[deugirtni]

Ontario schools will reopen for in-person learning on Jan. 17, a spokesperson for the Doug Ford government confirmed to CP24 Monday.

Ontario schools to reopen for in-person learning on Jan. 17

 

[deugirtni]

... the new guidance, which was quietly updated on Thursday, adds five additional symptoms to the list and requires that the siblings of symptomatic children also isolate at home, even if they are not exhibiting any symptoms themselves.

Under the updated guidance, children will now be expected to stay home if they develop any one of 10 listed symptoms with their return dependent on how soon they get better, which symptoms they had and whether or not they can access testing.

The most stringent rules apply to fever or chills, shortness of breath, a loss of taste or smell or a continuous cough. If a child develops any of those symptoms, they will be expected to isolate for a period of five to 10 days, depending on their age and vaccination status.

That is unless their symptoms have been improving for 24 hours and they have tested negative for COVID-19 on a single PCR test or two rapid antigen tests taken 24 hours apart.

Meanwhile, the guidance is different for children exhibiting other symptoms, some of which are typically associated with the common cold.

The ministry says that if a child has a single symptom from a list that includes a sore throat, a runny or stuffed nose, a headache, extreme tiredness, muscle aches or joint pain and nausea, vomiting or diarrhea they can simply stay home until their condition has been improving for at least 24 hours.

However, if they have two or more of those symptoms, the guidance requires them to either test negative for COVID-19 or isolate for a period of five to 10 days.

Fully vaccinated children and those aged 11 and younger can return to school five days after symptom onset, while everyone else must wait the full 10 days.

The new guidance is stricter than what was in place throughout most of the fall when parents only had to screen their children for five symptoms.

Ontario adds new COVID-19 symptoms to list that require students to stay home

 

[tarabull]

Slim majority support government lockdowns, restrictions in response to Omicron | Canoe.Com