Canada - Coronavirus COVID-19 #4

[MistyWaters]

RSBM
But it's been pointed out that, although vaccines may not prevent transmission of this variant (masks and social distancing are more effective for that) they do prevent the likelihood of severe illness and death.

Good News: Full Vaccination Protects Against Omicron Hospitalization And Death

I don't know who that particular person is, that the CBC is citing. But it seems very peculiar that she would misinterpret the puposes and function of vaccines in that way.

Everyone hopes the pandemic will soon come to an end. IMO waiting a few more months is no big deal if it gives more people the chance to live their full lifetime of decades afterwards.

BTW, I find these graphs from Worldometer very interesting:
Cases (left) and Daily deaths (right) in Canada throughout the pandemic:

View attachment 333480 View attachment 333481

Even a supposedly 'harmless' variant like Onmicron, in a population that is highly vaccinated, and with many restrictions to prevent spread, has resulted in a high number of deaths, which undoubtedly impacts hospitals and their ability to treat other health care problems, like cancer.

JMO

That is true. But I don’t recall reading anywhere how greatly Omicron affects fully healthy people who are vaccinated compared to unvaccinated, as it’s known to be a less serious variant. It seems either can pass it on and majority of patients in hospitals have other health issues as well.

 

[otto]

That is true. But I don’t recall reading anywhere how greatly Omicron affects fully healthy people who are vaccinated compared to unvaccinated, as it’s known to be a less serious variant. It seems either can pass it on and majority of patients in hospitals have other health issues as well.

The stats are available. In Alberta (not sure why some numbers highlighted in blue), stats are here.

COVID-19 Alberta statistics

 

[LadyL]

Lack of enforcement in Ottawa 'inexplicable': Blair

 

[MistyWaters]

RSBM
But it's been pointed out that, although vaccines may not prevent transmission of this variant (masks and social distancing are more effective for that) they do prevent the likelihood of severe illness and death.

Good News: Full Vaccination Protects Against Omicron Hospitalization And Death

I don't know who that particular person is, that the CBC is citing. But it seems very peculiar that she would misinterpret the puposes and function of vaccines in that way.

Everyone hopes the pandemic will soon come to an end. IMO waiting a few more months is no big deal if it gives more people the chance to live their full lifetime of decades afterwards.

BTW, I find these graphs from Worldometer very interesting:
Cases (left) and Daily deaths (right) in Canada throughout the pandemic:

View attachment 333480 View attachment 333481

Even a supposedly 'harmless' variant like Onmicron, in a population that is highly vaccinated, and with many restrictions to prevent spread, has resulted in a high number of deaths, which undoubtedly impacts hospitals and their ability to treat other health care problems, like cancer.

JMO

Maybe some day someone will dive deeply in the stats as we look behind us. Because if vaccinations prevent severe illness from Omicron, I’d just note there are a lot of hospital patients who have contacted it. But without considering comorbidities, it difficult to read the impact of that into breakdown of data vaccinated vs unvaccinated. That article I posted above was published by CBC so its interesting MSM is now beginning to feature medical professionals who are casting a degree of doubt on the effectiveness of vaccines. That’s not surprising though, considering it was created to control the first variant of COVID.

I don’t mean to discourage anyone from being vaccinated or getting their booster but it appears to me caution is still strongly advised for those people with high risk health concerns, restrictions and mandates aside. JMO

 

[MistyWaters]

Good grief, I don’t think too many excavator operators should be interested in cross border trucking mandate restrictions!

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/coutts-rcmp-blockade-troy-savinkoff-protest-1.6350336
“RCMP said the excavators were disabled to prevent them from being used in the blockade. The tickets were all issued over the last 24 hours, mostly under the Traffic Safety Act.”

 

[dotr]

Ontario restrictions: Here's what's reopening and when | CP24.com
Feb14 2022
''Here’s a full list of what’s reopening and when in Ontario:
February 17

• Increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
• Increasing organized public event limits to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors
• Removing capacity limits in the following indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to: Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities, non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms, cinemas, meeting and event spaces, including conference centres or convention centre, casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments and indoor areas of settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements.
• Allowing 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas
• Allowing 50 percent of the usual seating capacity for concert venues and theatres
• Increasing indoor capacity limits to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs
• Increasing capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance. Capacity limits are removed if the location opts-in to use proof of vaccination or if the service, rite, or ceremony is occurring outdoors.

March 1

• Lifting capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings
• Lifting proof of vaccination requirements for all settings at this time. Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination.
• Masking requirements will remain in place at this time, with a specific timeline to lift this measure to be communicated at a later date''

 

[dotr]

Breaking.. rbbm.
Alberta RCMP arrest 11 people at Coutts border blockade, seize weapons | CTV News
''Alberta RCMP officers have arrested 11 people and seized a number of weapons including guns and body armour at the Coutts border crossing blockade.

The arrests happened early Monday morning after investigators became aware of a small group of people within the larger Coutts protest that had access to a cache of firearms and ammunition, RCMP said.

“The group was said to have a willingness to use force against the police if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade," RCMP said in a Monday news release.''
Officers searched three trailers and arrested 11 people.

During the execution of the search warrants, police said the following items were seized:
13 long guns;

• • Handguns;
  • Multiple sets of body armour;
  • Amachete;
  • Alarge quantity of ammunition; and
  • High capacity magazines.''

Feb 14, 2022 7:54 AM ET | Last Updated: 34 minutes ago
Trudeau plans to invoke Emergencies Act in response to protests: sources | CBC News
''Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has told his caucus he will invoke the never-before-used Emergencies Act to give the federal government extra powers to handle anti-vaccine mandate protests across the country, sources say.

Those sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly, said the prime minister informed the premiers of his decision this morning.

The Emergencies Act, which replaced the War Measures Act in the 1980s, defines a national emergency as a temporary "urgent and critical situation" that "seriously endangers the lives, health or safety of Canadians and is of such proportions or nature as to exceed the capacity or authority of a province to deal with it."

''The War Measures Act was most famously used in peacetime by Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau during the October Crisis.''
RCMP seize haul of guns, ammo and make 11 arrests at Coutts, Alta. border protest | The Star

 

[MistyWaters]

“RCMP say a large farm tractor and a semi truck attempted to ram a police vehicle on Sunday evening, providing "an example of the militant mindset of a small segment of the protest," the release said.

Officers were able to get out of the way and avoid a collision.

The driver of the tractor was identified and officers are working to locate him and arrest him, RCMP said.

Police say a small organized group within the protest was said to have a "willingness to use force against the police if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade."….”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/coutts-protest-blockade-arrests-rcmp-monday-1.6351112

 

[otto]

All sorts of food shortages in my part of the world today. The sooner the protesters get out of the way, the sooner Canadians can enjoy normal pre-protest life.

Even children disagree with protester demands, and they disagree politicians who listen to conspiracy theorists rather than health officers.

"Students at a Calgary high school are planning a walkout on Monday afternoon as a demonstration against the province’s lifting of the mask mandate meant to stem the spread of COVID-19 within schools."​

Students plan walkout as Calgary schools return maskless Monday | Calgary Herald

 

[otto]

Breaking.. rbbm.
Alberta RCMP arrest 11 people at Coutts border blockade, seize weapons | CTV News
''Alberta RCMP officers have arrested 11 people and seized a number of weapons including guns and body armour at the Coutts border crossing blockade.

The arrests happened early Monday morning after investigators became aware of a small group of people within the larger Coutts protest that had access to a cache of firearms and ammunition, RCMP said.

“The group was said to have a willingness to use force against the police if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade," RCMP said in a Monday news release.''
Officers searched three trailers and arrested 11 people.

During the execution of the search warrants, police said the following items were seized:
13 long guns;

• • Handguns;
  • Multiple sets of body armour;
  • Amachete;
  • Alarge quantity of ammunition; and
  • High capacity magazines.''

Feb 14, 2022 7:54 AM ET | Last Updated: 34 minutes ago
Trudeau plans to invoke Emergencies Act in response to protests: sources | CBC News
''Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has told his caucus he will invoke the never-before-used Emergencies Act to give the federal government extra powers to handle anti-vaccine mandate protests across the country, sources say.

Those sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly, said the prime minister informed the premiers of his decision this morning.

The Emergencies Act, which replaced the War Measures Act in the 1980s, defines a national emergency as a temporary "urgent and critical situation" that "seriously endangers the lives, health or safety of Canadians and is of such proportions or nature as to exceed the capacity or authority of a province to deal with it."

''The War Measures Act was most famously used in peacetime by Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau during the October Crisis.''
RCMP seize haul of guns, ammo and make 11 arrests at Coutts, Alta. border protest | The Star

This is not surprising. The protest is primarily funded by the USA, and the organizers have unusual ideas about covid.

Who is who? A guide to the major players in the trucker convoy protest

American donors to trucker convoy may be outnumbering Canadians: CTV News analysis

 

[otto]

People have their children at the Coutts, Alberta protest because they think they're making a Canadian Moment that their children should witness. Meanwhile extremists are heavily armed and have rammed police vehicles with farm equipment and trucks. What a proud moment for parents who think an armed, violent protest is wiser than a mask during pandemic.

I'm at the point where I don't understand what the protesters want - although it seems that they want to prevent others from using any precautions during a pandemic that has killed more than 5 million people globally.

 

[otto]

Alberta students, both k-12 and post-secondary, object to provincial government decision to remove all mask mandates in learning environments. Grade school parents and employees are pursuing this in court.

"Edmonton law firm Roberts O'Kelly Law filed an application Sunday for an emergency injunction to reinstate the mask mandate for students.

The applicants include the parents of five immunocompromised children and the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) which represents about 170,000 unionized Alberta workers.

The application asks that the public health order exempting students from wearing masks in school be rescinded pending a judicial review of the policy and how the decision to end the mandate was reached.
...

It alleges that the order is a policy based on politics, not public health — and that the decision was made not by Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, but by government officials who don't have jurisdiction over public health restrictions."​

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/student-mask-mandate-injunction-alberta-1.6351165

 

[MistyWaters]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/coutts-protest-blockade-arrests-rcmp-monday-1.6351112
“Alberta RCMP have arrested at least 13 people in relation to a protest against pandemic restrictions near the main U.S. border crossing in southern Alberta.

Mounties said in a release Monday morning that they became aware of a small organized group within the larger protest at Coutts, which led to 11 arrests.

They say they had information that the group had access to a cache of firearms and ammunition in three trailers. Officers seized long guns, handguns, multiple sets of body armour, a machete, a large quantity of ammunition and high-capacity firearm magazines.

In light of the news, Marco Van Huigenbos, one of the organizers of the protest, said a decision has been reached to roll out from Coutts on Tuesday morning.

"We were infiltrated by an extreme element.… Our objective was to be here peacefully," he said. "To keep that message going, we want to peacefully leave Coutts and return to our families."….”

 

[otto]

The Alberta Court request for an injunction, against removal of mask mandates in k-12, was denied.

 

[MistyWaters]

The best possible ending at Coutts border crossing, cooperation. IMO.

Police hug protesters as they roll out from Coutts, Alberta border crossing | National Post
“As the trucks and other vehicles rolled out, with horns blaring, Alberta RCMP officers shook hands and hugged the protesters who had paralyzed a United States border crossing for more than two weeks….

……The protesters left voluntarily, Royal Canadian Mounted Police spokesperson Gina Slaney told Reuters. The border has now reopened in both directions.

Commercial and personal vehicles left the area one day after RCMP arrested 13 people and seized a cache of firearms and ammunition.

Mounties said an early morning raid on Monday uncovered 13 long guns, handguns, a machete, a large quantity of ammunition and body armour. Two additional weapons were seized later that day.

RCMP also said a semi truck and farm tractor attempted to ram a police cruiser on Sunday.

Premier Jason Kenney said Monday the potential for escalating violence was disturbing and should serve as a wake-up call to protesters to go home immediately….”

 

[Satchie]

The Alberta Court request for an injunction, against removal of mask mandates in k-12, was denied.

Will be interesting to see how many students continue to wear masks, and for how long. The government can't force people to take off their masks.

Whenever it happens, I expect reduction of mask wearing will be a gradual process, and depend on social attitudes in a location. Some store owners may prefer masks, some stores may go back to certain hours being mask-only, etc.

 

[MistyWaters]

Will be interesting to see how many students continue to wear masks, and for how long. The government can't force people to take off their masks.

Whenever it happens, I expect reduction of mask wearing will be a gradual process, and depend on social attitudes in a location. Some store owners may prefer masks, some stores may go back to certain hours being mask-only, etc.

Yes I’m not sure why the students who want to wear masks wouldn’t continue doing so. But these were not large protests although it did make the news.

https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/legal-action-filed-to-keep-mask-mandate-in-alberta-schools
“Mask use is now optional in Alberta schools as of Monday, one of the first steps in the United Conservative government’s plan to ease nearly all COVID-19 restrictions by March 1.

In Calgary, about 50 students walked out of class at Nelson Mandela High School Monday afternoon in protest of the decision. A similar demonstration also took place at Central Memorial High School.”

 

[LadyL]

cya there!

A Doctor Is Paying For 100 Beers At A Calgary Bar Tonight If You Use Your Vaccine Passport

 

[LadyL]

RCMP release names of 13 people arrested, charged at Coutts, Alta., border blockade

New leaked data shows most donors to 'Adopt-a-Trucker' GiveSendGo page were Canadian

Banks are moving to freeze accounts linked to convoy protests. Here's what you need to know

Convoy protesters pursue new funding, including own crypto token, as feds swoop in

 

[LadyL]

Breaking.. rbbm.
Alberta RCMP arrest 11 people at Coutts border blockade, seize weapons | CTV News
''Alberta RCMP officers have arrested 11 people and seized a number of weapons including guns and body armour at the Coutts border crossing blockade.

The arrests happened early Monday morning after investigators became aware of a small group of people within the larger Coutts protest that had access to a cache of firearms and ammunition, RCMP said.

“The group was said to have a willingness to use force against the police if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade," RCMP said in a Monday news release.''
Officers searched three trailers and arrested 11 people.

During the execution of the search warrants, police said the following items were seized:
13 long guns;

• • Handguns;
  • Multiple sets of body armour;
  • Amachete;
  • Alarge quantity of ammunition; and
  • High capacity magazines.''

Feb 14, 2022 7:54 AM ET | Last Updated: 34 minutes ago
Trudeau plans to invoke Emergencies Act in response to protests: sources | CBC News
''Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has told his caucus he will invoke the never-before-used Emergencies Act to give the federal government extra powers to handle anti-vaccine mandate protests across the country, sources say.

Those sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly, said the prime minister informed the premiers of his decision this morning.

The Emergencies Act, which replaced the War Measures Act in the 1980s, defines a national emergency as a temporary "urgent and critical situation" that "seriously endangers the lives, health or safety of Canadians and is of such proportions or nature as to exceed the capacity or authority of a province to deal with it."

''The War Measures Act was most famously used in peacetime by Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau during the October Crisis.''
RCMP seize haul of guns, ammo and make 11 arrests at Coutts, Alta. border protest | The Star

body armour and a machete
these are not my Canadians