All Things COVID-19

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Surrey company manufacturing N95 respirators waiting on Health Canada approval​

November 10, 2020

SURREY, B.C. -- A Surrey company claiming to be the first in B.C. to manufacture N95 respirator masks says it is ready to begin supplying front-line health-care workers — pending approval from Health Canada.

Eternity Medical Equipment set up shop in April and spent the last several months building a $500,000 clean room, with two assembly lines capable of pumping out 2.5 million masks per month.

“So far, we still didn’t get a Health Canada approval yet, even though we’ve done a lot of testing of filtration over 99 per cent,” said CEO Jeffrey Wang. “But there’s still a lot of regulation from Health Canada. We need to get approval.”

Tuesday morning the company invited media to a grand opening ceremony and tour of its 13,000-square-foot South Surrey facility.

Eternity Medical employs 17 people in the manufacturing process and says that number could double, or triple, if the company decides to add a second, or even third, shift.

“I’m really excited because this is a Canadian product, made right here in Surrey,” said City Coun. Allison Patton, who attended on behalf of the City of Surrey. “It’s at a very important time when we need these types of PPE.”

Wang said the company is anxiously awaiting the Health Canada approval so they can begin to fill some of the demand COVID-19 has created for N95 respirators.

“Some nurses wear one mask per day. So they reuse the mask over and over. There’s definitely a shortage of masks,” he said.

While awaiting approval, the company has donated 14,000 masks to the B.C./Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion to distribute to veterans and staff at local legions.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has not yet responded to a CTV News request for information about the approval process and the status of Eternity Medical Equipment’s application.

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/surrey-compan...s-waiting-on-health-canada-approval-1.5183060
 
Oh this feels like politics.. is tourism season not wound down for the season? Is he saying that Alberta is the reason for the influx in cases. This man has a history of making neighbor province the bad guy and a common enemy. His base loves it. No mention of the international airport.. That would upset his base.

What a Tool... Is this not the guy who called an unnecessary election in the middle of a pandemic.


This country is in trouble...

I don't think we have "bases" as you call them here. I see no Horgan rallies. I doubt there will be much travel anyway. I think this is getting blown of proportion and I don't support this one way or the other.

Just really don't like to see the US style rhetoric up here. It is sad way to have any real discourse.
 

Abbotsford woman urges people to follow rules after COVID-19 hospitalization​

November 17, 2020

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. -- An Abbotsford mom who contracted COVID-19 at a small family get-together has been released after a two-week stay in hospital that included seven days in the intensive care unit.

Denise Thompson, 33, said it started with her breathing.

"I couldn't breathe properly. I was sweating a lot. I had a really high fever. And then I ended up in the hospital," she told CTV News.

Although finishing her recovery at home, Thompson still has a persistent cough and difficulty breathing.

"I don't have a fever. I have a cough. They said I will still have a cough until my lungs heal," she told CTV News in a video call interview. "But the breathing is the hardest. So I'm on puffers. It's like steroids."

Thompson believes she caught the disease at a birthday party she hosted for her sister in late October.

At that time, small gatherings in private homes were still in compliance with provincial health orders.

But Thompson said a friend at that event knew a close contact of his had already tested positive for coronavirus, and should have been in isolation.

"He was fully aware that she tested positive for COVID and he still came out into the public," said Thompson, adding the friend didn't tell anyone about his possible exposure.

Thompson, who lives with her three- and 13-year-old children, hasn't worked since she started to feel unwell.

Her family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to help her cover expenses while she continues to recover.

She's now urging others to follow the advice of health officials as closely as possible, so more people don't needlessly wind up in the ICU breathing through a tube, or even worse.

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/abbotsford-wo...ules-after-covid-19-hospitalization-1.5193506
 
All these restrictions and mandates who is policing it it can never be enforced....there seems to alot of agendas at play here and the more I read and hear the more I feel propaganda creeping in think I should just sign out till fishing is all that matters....
shouldn't need enforcement. People should just follow the rules and most do.
A little enforcement like the guy in Victoria who got fined $2300 for hosting a poker party sends a real message.
It's not propaganda, it's life and death for a lot of people. Don't sign out, get on board.
 
shouldn't need enforcement. People should just follow the rules and most do.
A little enforcement like the guy in Victoria who got fined $2300 for hosting a poker party sends a real message.
It's not propaganda, it's life and death for a lot of people. Don't sign out, get on board.
Honestly we are on board wear are masks everywhere we go respect social distancing have cancelled non essential trips have had testing done everything in our power to remain safe,but I read through these reports and forums and things just don't add up on either side it makes it difficult to know whats real.
 
I heard the Freeman society had a rally in Coombs yesterday. 150 people in small town hall. LOL. I thought it was a joke and then googled them.


I love those guys. I always try to get people interested in the Freeman movement; my hope is that lots of people will join.

Mostly because I love seeing videos of people getting tased.
 
Honestly we are on board wear are masks everywhere we go respect social distancing have cancelled non essential trips have had testing done everything in our power to remain safe,but I read through these reports and forums and things just don't add up on either side it makes it difficult to know whats real.

I strongly concur. It is damn tough to not be somewhat confused buy it all.

Leading Canadian Health Expert Outraged at Government Response to COVID

Dr. Roger Hodkinson, MA, MB, FRCPC, FCAP, CEO and medical director of Western Medical Assessments, spoke at the Edmonton City Council Community and Public Services Committee meeting on Nov. 13 about the city’s move to extend its face-covering bylaw. He was listed as speaker number 95 on the meeting agenda.

Thank you very much. I do appreciate the opportunity to address you on this very important matter. What I’m going to say is lay language, and blunt. It is counter-narrative, and so you don’t immediately think I’m a quack, I’m going to briefly outline my credentials so that you can understand where I’m coming from in terms of knowledge base in all of this.

I’m a medical specialist in pathology which includes virology. I trained at Cambridge University in the UK. I’m the ex-president of the pathology section of the Medical Association. I was previously an assistant professor in the Faculty of Medicine doing a lot of teaching. I was the chairman of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada Examination Committee and Pathology in Ottawa, but more to the point I’m currently the chairman of a biotechnology company in North Carolina selling the COVID-19 test.

And [inaudible] you might say I know a little bit about all of this. The bottom line is simply this: There is utterly unfounded public hysteria driven by the media and politicians. It’s outrageous. This is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on an unsuspecting public. There is absolutely nothing that can be done to contain this virus. Other than protecting older, more vulnerable people. It should be thought of as nothing more than a bad flu season. This is not Ebola. It’s not SARS. It’s politics playing medicine and that’s a very dangerous game.

There is no action of any kind needed other than what happened last year when we felt unwell. We stayed home, we took chicken noodle soup, we didn’t visit granny and we decided when we would return to work. We didn’t need anyone to tell us.

Masks are utterly useless. There is no evidence base for their effectiveness whatsoever. Paper masks and fabric masks are simply virtue-signaling. They’re not even worn effectively most of the time. It’s utterly ridiculous. Seeing these unfortunate, uneducated people — I’m not saying that in a pejorative sense — seeing these people walking around like lemmings, obeying without any knowledge base, to put the mask on their face.

Social distancing is also useless because COVID is spread by aerosols which travel 30 meters or so before landing. Enclosures have had such terrible unintended consequences. Everywhere should be opened tomorrow as well as was stated in the Great Barrington Declaration that I circulated prior to this meeting.

And a word on testing: I do want to emphasize that I’m in the business of testing for COVID. I do want to emphasize that positive test results do not, underlined in neon, mean a clinical infection. It’s simply driving public hysteria and all testing should stop. Unless you’re presenting to the hospital with some respiratory problem.

All that should be done is to protect the vulnerable and to give them all in the nursing homes that are under your control, give them all 3,000 to 5,000 international units of vitamin D every day which has been shown to radically reduce the likelihood of Infection.

And I would remind you all that using the province’s own statistics, the risk of death under 65 in this province is one in 300,000. One in 300,000. You’ve got to get a grip on this.

The scale of the response that you are undertaking with no evidence for it is utterly ridiculous given the consequences of acting in a way that you’re proposing. All kinds of suicides, business closures, funerals, weddings etc. It’s simply outrageous! It’s just another bad flu and you’ve got to get your minds around that.

Let people make their own decisions. You should be totally out of the business of medicine. You’re being led down the garden path by the chief medical officer of health for this province. I am absolutely outraged that this has reached this level. It should all stop tomorrow.

Credentials:

Medical specialist in pathology which includes virology.

Trained at Cambridge University in the UK.

Ex-president of the pathology section of the Medical Association.

Previously an assistant professor in the Faculty of Medicine doing a lot of teaching.

Chairman of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada Examination Committee and Pathology in Ottawa

Currently the chairman of a biotechnology company in North Carolina selling the COVID-19 test.

It would appear to me that he is a lot more qualified than most to address these matters, and at the least, his opinion should be given due consideration as a consequence.


You may also wish to look into the Great Barrington Declaration he mentions, including the list of prominent professionals that have signed onto that. It is a lengthy list, and the credentials are eye-opening to say the least.

I can fully understand how many become confused on these issues. I am myself at this point. That said, my personal SawBones is still keeping me under a modified isolation regime. One that I have followed diligently, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Cheers,
Nog
 
Yup all the various opinions, thoughts, ideas and research that contradict each other can be confusing that's for sure! You can find qualified, experts with numerous, differing and even conflicting perspectives on how to best contain the spread of COVID-19. Who do we believe, who do we trust? No quick, easy answer on this one unfortunately. I think we need to keep on open mind and look at a variety of different viewpoints to form a more informed opinion and actions for ourselves - pretty much the best anyone can do with such a complicated matter as this.

IMHO it makes sense to listen and learn from what the majority of qualified experts are in agreement in saying that is backed up by consensus on peer reviewed evidence based research. I personally don't listen too much some of the more obvious 'wacky' or highly biased minority opinions on such important matters usually, as this is where frequently, but not always, the 'wingnuts' espouse their personal ideas, thoughts and at worst unfounded conspiracy theories. My 2 bits.

Some interesting reading below:

Scientific consensus on the COVID-19 pandemic: we need to act now​

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32153-X/fulltext

In response to the Barrington Declaration here is a counter declaration signed by almost 7000 doctors and scientists - the John Snow Memorandum

THE JOHN SNOW MEMORANDUM

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected more than 35 million people globally, with more than 1 million deaths recorded by the World Health Organization as of Oct 12, 2020. As a second wave of COVID-19 affects Europe, and with winter approaching, we need clear communication about the risks posed by COVID-19 and effective strategies to combat them. Here, we share our view of the current evidence-based consensus on COVID-19.

https://www.johnsnowmemo.com/

A Viral Theory Cited by Health Officials Draws Fire From Scientists​

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/19/health/coronavirus-great-barrington.html
 
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B.C. to require masks in indoor, public places and extend ban on social gatherings province-wide​

British Columbians must now wear masks in all indoor public places, officials announced, as part of sweeping new measures to crack down on the province’s second wave of COVID-19.

The province also extended the Nov 7. ban on social gatherings in the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health regions to December, and expanded it to the entire province.

Additionally, the province restricted community events, including faith-based gatherings, until Dec. 7.

Non-essential travel within the province is also banned.

https://globalnews.ca/news/7473178/bc-coronavirus-mandatory-masks-indoor-public-places/
 


Additionally, the province restricted community events, including faith-based gatherings, until Dec. 7.

Non-essential travel within the province is also banned.

https://globalnews.ca/news/7473178/bc-coronavirus-mandatory-masks-indoor-public-places/


I read it on CBC & it states
  • Officials are asking everyone not to travel outside their communities for non-essential reasons and asking people from other provinces to postpone their trips here.
Traveling within your own province is not banned. Nor would such a law be legal with in acting the federal emergency act.
I can not imagine owning a small business in BC right now. I feel sick to my stomach for them....


Its going to be a LONG ****** butt winter.


Crazy times.....
 
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Province-wide restrictions​

By order and direction of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), all individuals, places of work and businesses in B.C. must significantly reduce their level of social interactions and travel.
Last updated: November 19, 2020

PHO order on province-wide restrictions

By order and direction of the PHO, all individuals, places of work and businesses in B.C. must significantly reduce social interactions and travel.

The order is in effect from November 19, 2020 at midnight to December 7, 2020 at midnight.

Social gatherings and events​

No social gatherings of any size with anyone other than your household or core bubble. For example:

  • Do not invite friends or extended family to your household
  • Do not gather outdoors
  • Do not gather in your backyard
  • Do not have playdates for children
All events and community-based gatherings as defined in the PHO order – Gatherings and Events (PDF) are suspended. For example:

  • Galas
  • Musical or theatre performances
  • Seasonal activities
  • Silent auctions

Core bubble​

For most people, their core bubble is their immediate household. For others, their core bubble may contain a partner, relative, friend or co-parent who lives in a different household. This should be a maximum of two people outside of those living in your immediate household.

An immediate household is:

  • A group of people who live in the same dwelling. For example:
    • If you have a rental suite in your home, the suite is a separate household
    • If you live in an apartment or house with roommates, you are all members of the same household

People who live alone​

People who live alone cannot host gatherings. They can continue to see the same one or two people of their core bubble at each other’s homes.

University students​

Welcoming your child home from university is okay. This is not a social gathering.

Restrictions by sector​

Expand All | Collapse All

Funerals, weddings and baptisms

Movie theatres

Personal and home-based services

Formal meetings

Rental and home sale viewings

Party-buses and limousines

Religious gatherings and worship services

Workplaces

Child extracurricular activities

Allowed activities​

These activities are not considered a social gathering:

  • Going for a walk. You must make sure a walk does not turn into a group of people meeting outside
  • Parents carpooling kids to and from school
  • Grandparents providing child care

Restaurants and bars​

The order does not impact restaurants and bars. Restaurants and bars can continue to operate as long as they have a COVID-19 Safety Plan and employee protocols in place.

  • You should only visit a restaurant with people in your household or core bubble. Remember, a maximum of six people at a table
  • Reservations for private parties that include more than one household or core bubble must be cancelled
WorkSafeBC will be conducting inspections to verify that COVID-19 Safety Plans remain effective. Restaurants that are noncompliant with plan requirements may face orders and fines, and possible referral to public health which may result in a closure order.


Athletic activities​

Indoor group physical activities​

Businesses, recreation centres or other organizations that organize or operate high risk indoor group physical activities must suspend the following activities:
  • Spin classes
  • Hot yoga
  • High intensity interval training (HIIT)
Guidance on other physical activities done with a group indoors will need to follow updated guidance that is being developed. These activities can stay open while updated guidance is being developed. This includes:
  • Dance studios
  • Martial arts
  • Cheerleading

Gyms and recreation facilities​

Gyms and recreation facilities that offer individual workouts and personal training sessions can remain open as long as they have a COVID-19 Safety Plan that is strictly followed.

Sports games, competitions and practices​

Games, competitions and practices can continue with no spectators and no travel.

Spectators​

No spectators are allowed at any sport activities under the order. The only people allowed to attend sport activities are those that provide care to a participant or player. For example, providing first aid.

Travel for athletic activities​

Travel to, from and between regions for athletic activities like games, competitions, training and practice is restricted under this order. For example:

  • A team from Abbotsford cannot attend a training session in Chilliwack
  • A team from Victoria cannot attend a practice in Richmond

Exemptions​

High performance athletes are not included in the order. To qualify as a high performance athlete, you must be:

  • Identified by the Canadian Sports Institute Pacific as a high performance athlete affiliated with an accredited provincial or national sports organization
  • Already training in B.C.
  • Continuing to follow the safety guidelines of your provincial sports organization

Mask requirements​

Masks are now required for everyone in all public indoor settings and workplaces. People who cannot wear a mask or who cannot put on or remove a mask on their own are exempt.

  • Employers are expected to enforce the mandatory mask policy with both employees and customers
  • A customer can be refused entry or service if they do not wear a mask

Masks in public indoor settings​

Masks are required in all indoor public settings and all retail stores. This includes:

  • Malls, shopping centres
  • Grocery stores
  • Coffee shops
  • Common areas in hotels
  • Libraries
  • Clothing stores
  • Liquor stores
  • Drug stores
  • Community centres
  • Recreation centres
  • City Halls
  • Restaurants and bars when not seated at a table

Masks at workplaces​

Masks are required in all workplaces for shared work areas and areas where physical distancing cannot be maintained. This includes:

  • Elevators
  • Kitchens
  • Customer counters
  • Break rooms
  • Hallways
  • Meeting rooms with more than four people

 
cont:

Travel advisory​

At this time, all non-essential travel should be avoided. This includes travel into and out of B.C. and between regions of the province. For example:
  • Do not travel for a vacation
  • Do not travel to visit friends or family outside of your household or core bubble

What is essential travel?​

Individual circumstances may affect whether a particular trip is considered essential or non-essential. Essential travel within B.C. includes:
  • Regular travel for work within your region
  • Travel for things like medical appointment and hospital visits
For example, if you live in Vancouver and work in Surrey you can continue to commute.
If you need to travel for essential reasons, take the same health and safety precautions you do at home.
  • Wash your hands often
  • Practice safe distancing, 2 m
  • Travel only with yourself, household or pandemic bubble
  • Stick to the outdoors whenever possible
  • Clean spaces often

Travel for mountain sports​

Ski and snowboard at your local mountain. For example, if you live in Vancouver, you should ski at Cypress, Grouse or Mt. Seymour.

Coming from outside of B.C.​

At this time, people travelling to B.C. from another province or territory within Canada should only come for essential reasons. If you do travel, you are expected to follow the same travel guidelines as everyone else in B.C.

Flights to and from B.C.​

The order does not restrict flights entering and leaving B.C.

Enforcement​

During a public health emergency under the Public Health Act, the PHO can make orders as needed. You must follow the orders.

Under the Government’s Emergency Program Act, some orders can be enforced by police or other compliance and enforcement officials. People who don't follow these order could be fined.

Workplace enforcement​

In addition to compliance activities by WorkSafe, an Environmental Health Officers team will focus on workplaces in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions to ensure COVID-19 Safety Plan compliance and enable rapid response and action.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/...very/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions
 
And the big question, which vaccine will you take. There will be more than one.
 
There are plenty of experts who disagree 100% with the global government response. This Dr Hodkinson will get called a quack even though he has credentials to assert an opinion. The best part is he's in a position to benefit financially from this fiasco as his company administers covid tests and he's still offering the contrarian sentiment. Seems like an easier person to trust than some government appointed doctor. I had lunch today with 3 of my buddies, we sat in a booth 2 feet from eachother and had lunch and beers, but I can't invite them over to my house by provincial mandate? It's actually laughable that more people aren't asking questions.... Dr Bonnie Stalin is in complete control
 
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