Tag Archives: COVID vaccine

Health

No Longer an Official Emergency, COVID Remains a Crisis


Editor’s note: Between March 2020 and October 2022, there were 1,809 documented cases of COVID in the Greater Campbell River Health Area. There were fatalities in outlying areas like Cortes and Quadra Islands, as well as in the city. While the numbers have decreased, COVID is still a threat. According to the Government of Canada, 7,274 British Columbians have died of COVID as of August 3, 2024. Of course, these are just the documented cases. The actual numbers are undoubtedly higher.

By Michelle Gamage, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

British Columbia’s top doctor has ended the COVID-19 public health emergency, which began nearly 1,600 days ago on March 17, 2020. 

Declaring COVID-19 a public health emergency gave provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry the ability to issue mask mandates, travel and gathering restrictions and vaccination requirements for health-care workers to curb the spread of the virus. 

While experts The Tyee spoke with agree the  public health emergency may no longer be needed, they stressed that  COVID-19 still poses a serious and potentially deadly threat to the  general public. 

Continue reading No Longer an Official Emergency, COVID Remains a Crisis →
Politics

Pierre Poilievre aims to turn B.C. coast blue at NDP’s expense

Editor’s opinion: Prior to NDP candidate Rachel Blaney’s election in 2015, our area (North Island-Powell River) was a Conservative stronghold for 7 years. Blaney won 40.2% of the popular vote, as opposed to the Conservatives 26.2%. Since then, the Conservatives have slowly been increasing their numbers in North Island-Powell River. They lost by 5.3% in 2019 and only 3.5% in 2021. Now that Blaney has decided not to run in the next election, the Conservatives have a chance to retake the riding. As of this morning, 338Canada’s projections show the Conservative Party of Canada taking as many as 5 of Vancouver Island’s 7 seats and the most likely riding to switch is North Island-Powell River.

(This is by no means certain and any swing to the right would most likely have less momentum in the Cortes, Quadra and the other Discovery Islands – which tend to lean more to the left than Campbell River.)  

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Long before the next election, Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre is setting his sights on winning seats on Vancouver Island, despite the NDP’s domination over the past decade. 

The NDP holds six of the region’s seven ridings, with the exception of Green Party Leader Elizabeth May’s Saanich-Gulf Island riding. 

Continue reading Pierre Poilievre aims to turn B.C. coast blue at NDP’s expense →
Health

Anti-vax graffiti in Cortes Island newspapers

Someone has been defacing pro-COVID vaccine adds inside copies of the Campbell River Mirror distributed on Cortes Island. 

When Tom Bohart picked up a copy of the February 1st edition at Mansons Landing, he saw the endorsement on page A 26, where Dr Titus Wong said ‘There are people who are vulnerable. Help protect them from serious illness by getting a booster.’ Someone had taken a felt pen and wrote ‘Lies + propaganda! They cause harm + death’ across the add. Returning out of curiosity the next day, Bohart found a similar defacement in the first paper he checked.  

Continue reading Anti-vax graffiti in Cortes Island newspapers →
Health, Justice

Is Canada’s Charter of Rights in Jeopardy? Folk U Radio @89.5

In this Folk U Radio show Former Newfoundland Premier, the Honourable Brian Peckford, gives part history lesson and part current update on the state of Canadian civic life on Folk U Radio. Friday April 15th at 1 p.m.

Continue reading Is Canada’s Charter of Rights in Jeopardy? Folk U Radio @89.5 →
Health

BC Cuts COVID Restrictions. Critics Say It’s Dangerous

By Moira Wyton, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

British Columbia will drop its major remaining COVID-19 protective measures Friday despite modelling suggesting a sixth wave could send 100  new people to hospital each day by mid-May.

Provincial health officer  Dr. Bonnie Henry also said today that second booster shots will be  available to older and vulnerable people to boost waning immunity.

Continue reading BC Cuts COVID Restrictions. Critics Say It’s Dangerous →