Canada should repeal its unilateral economic and political sanctions
We write to express appreciation for the leadership the federal government is demonstrating in response to the unprecedented challenges presented by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, we applaud the government’s support of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for a global ceasefire and the recent announcement of $159.5-million in funding to support the global COVID-19 […]
Impact together: Dalhousie researchers and the COVID-19 pandemic
HALIFAX—When news emerged late last year that a new and deadly virus was spreading through parts of China, researchers around the globe began a quest to learn more about the new disease and ultimately develop a vaccine. It soon became clear that addressing the complexity of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, would require researchers on all […]
Fast funding, fast decisions, fast research, and later, a need for a pause
CALGARY—The COVID-19 pandemic is a societal grand challenge—a biological phenomenon that has been jarring in its sudden appearance, quick propagation, and steady march across the globe, sparing no country. Responses have been remarkable. Governments have decisively implemented drastic measures: shut-downs with significant economic effects and limits to personal freedoms, health system adaptations to accommodate a […]
Canada is tapping into ingenuity of businesses and manufacturers to help fight COVID-19
COVID-19 has presented all Canadians with unprecedented challenges. The magnitude and scale of the fight against COVID-19 has proven all-encompassing, leading the Government of Canada to commit to a whole-of-government, all-hands-on-deck approach to fighting this pandemic. Needless to say, the public health impacts of COVID-19 are paramount, compelling us all to marvel at the tremendous […]
Trudeau’s near-daily pressers offer chance to ‘reset,’ repair battered brand, say pollsters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s near-daily briefings amid the pandemic are helping propel his lift in the polls, potentially paving the way for a reset to his brand after it was battered in the lead-up to and during the 2019 election, say pollsters. Mr. Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) has seen a sharp rise in public opinion polls […]
Some reasons to hope
You don’t feel like reading about the plague today? Good. I don’t feel like writing about it again either. So here’s some reasons to hope, none of which are even remotely related to the coronavirus. First, they have found not one but three new ways to combat malaria, just as the problem of growing resistance […]
Federal policy will need to pivot from support to recovery
The coronavirus pandemic has brought economic shock faster and more severely than the 2008 global financial crisis. In contrast to the financial sector factors that led to the events of 2008, the shock of COVID-19 has stemmed from the government’s necessary and humanitarian response to impose stay-in-place orders and business shutdowns to fight COVID-19. The […]
Too many front-line workers not getting personal protective equipment
Our health-care professionals in direct contact with patients who are infected, or presumed to be infected, with COVID-19, are making the selfless decision to put the lives of others ahead of their own. Now, more than ever, they need to be propped up, cheered on and profoundly thanked. But more importantly, they need to be […]
Side effects may vary: lack of evidence prompts vigilance when considering contact-tracing apps
Mother’s Day is fast approaching. If you’re like me—lucky enough to have a loving mother who lives relatively nearby—the prospect of a hug-less Mother’s Day, thanks to COVID-19, is your current gloomy reality. Evidence tells us that hugs spread COVID-19, and that seniors are particularly susceptible to the worst of the disease. So, many of […]
Don’t let privacy concerns complicate necessary data sharing to combat public health threats
Health surveillance systems are key cornerstones to protecting populations from emerging public health threats. In Canada, these systems fall under shared responsibilities between local, federal, and provincial and territorial (FPT) agencies. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) creates the common elements to manage this system within a national framework to standardize data collection and […]
