Horgan commits to provide free COVID-19 vaccine, once approved and available
At his Keep BC Moving Forward virtual town hall, John Horgan committed to provide a free COVID-19 vaccine to any British Columbian who wants one—once a vaccine is approved and available. “We have worked hard to keep people healthy and safe through the pandemic,” said Horgan. “The difficult times are not over yet, because the...
Open letter to Dr. Bonnie Henry: speading COVID-19 in prisons
Dear Dr. Henry, Thank you profusely, Dr. Henry, for everything you and your ministry staff have done these past many months to safeguard British Columbians from the suffering of the global novel coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic. I am a sixty-six year old Extinction Rebellion climate activist residing in Victoria, and am writing...
BC records 125 new cases overnight, residents urged to respond with compassion and empathy
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Stephen Brown, deputy minister of health, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia: “Today, we are announcing 125 new cases, including one epi-linked case, for a total of 9,138 cases in British Columbia. “There are 1,284 active […]
August overdose deaths in BC rise 71% from this time last year
The BC Coroners Service has published updated reports on illicit drug toxicity deaths and fentanyl-detected drug deaths to the end of August 2020, with 147 illicit drug toxicity deaths reported in the month. The illicit drug toxicity death total represents a 71% increase over the number of deaths in August 2019 (86) but a 16% decrease […]
Column: COVID-19, school and climate change
The global pandemic has created a unique and challenging back-to-school season. Many parents, guardians and teachers are struggling to balance children’s safety with education, all while keeping their households running smoothly. It’s like nothing we’ve seen before. Many adults are rightfully focused on making sure the...
96 new Covid-19 cases overnight in BC, three in IHA
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer and Stephen Brown, deputy minister of health, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia: “Today, we are announcing 96 new cases, including seven epi-linked cases, for a total of 8,304 cases in British Columbia. (Three new cases in […]
Sept. 16: Two staff members at SD 20 board office/KCLC Trail campus test positive for Covid-19
SChool District 20 sent the following letter to staff/students on Sept. 16: Dear School Board Office and Kootenay-Columbia Learning Centre, Trail Campus, staff: This letter is to advise you that two staff members of the School Board Office have tested positive for COVID-19. They are isolated at home with support from public...
IHA offers information/recommendations for people struggling with wildfire smoke
Wildfires burning in the Western United States are causing higher than normal smoke pollution in many areas of Interior Health. Smoke can worsen symptoms for those who have pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, allergies and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Typical symptoms may include:...
Explainer: What’s in wildfire smoke, and why is it so bad for your lungs?
By Luke Montrose, for The Conversation If I dare to give the coronavirus credit for anything, I would say it has made people more conscious of the air they breathe. A friend texted me recently after going for a jog in the foothills near Boise, Idaho, writing: “My lungs are burning … explain what’s happening!!!” A wildfire ...
OP/ED: Landmark decision by BC Supreme Court protects public health care
In today’s landmark ruling in the Cambie Surgery Centre case, Justice Steeves dealt a strong blow to the efforts of Dr. Brian Day and others to undermine Canada’s publicly-funded health care system. The decade-long legal attack launched by one of the largest for-profit surgical centres in Canada sought to invalidate key...
