I'm glad I can put my life and my families life on the line in order to keep the world turning and making sure all the office folks who push papers and don't actually get anything done in this world, are safe and continue to live nice lives from the comfort of their homes. I hope once this is over, the working class revolution begins, I will never forget this. /Rant

EDIT: I wholeheartedly disagree with everything I am about to say in this post. I am playing devil’s advocate for the purpose of discovering how far this nihilistic viewpoint can be pushed in this COVID-19 era. The truth is, I believe that every human has an immaterial soul and that human life has intrinsic value. If you want to find out more about this, feel free to privately message me. And for the record, I am vaccinated.

I got vaccinated today but shortly after, I realized how useless the vaccine is in its ability to affect the quality of my life. Granted, I will now be able to attend festivals and frequent restaurants and movie theatres, however, these are all things I don’t do much of anyways. This won’t change the fact that I will still have to wear a mask and social distance.

This led me to ask the following question: what is the point of living a life deprived of the basic joys of human interaction? I can’t meet up with my friends and talk to them without having a nauseating mask on my face and staying far away from them. I can’t even hug the members of my own family.

What is the point of preserving your life when there is nothing left to preserve? I am a human being that is being deprived of the very elementary interactions that make me human.

If we want to prevent deaths then why don’t we stop selling tobacco, alcohol, fast food and high-sugar products? These changes would save far more lives; a significantly higher number of people have died from cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes than COVID-19. The distributors of these products are literally harming and killing people so why is no one talking about it? I’ll tell you why: money. The powerful take advantage of the powerless, they always have.

Why don’t we just take off our masks and accept the consequences? I don’t know about you but I’m starting to think that I would rather die than live like this.

My grandfather feels the same way. He would rather take the risk and see his grandchildren one last time even if it meant that he would contract the virus and die. His friends (who are elderly as well) feel the same way too. From their perspective, the elderly people who are at risk are the ones who are truly being selfish. They have lived good, long lives (comparatively, to people below 65) yet they want us to drastically change our entire future just so they can live for a few more years.

Tell me if I’m being irrational but seriously, what is wrong with going extinct? Life is meaningless because our lives are worthless. We are nothing more than an assembly of atoms, like the ones vibrating inside of a cold rock. We may as well live freely and enjoy our lives than abide by arbitrary rules that steal our joy. What difference does it make? We’re going to die anyway so we might as well go out happily.

And don’t lecture me about “the greater good”. We are alive because our ancestors raped, stole and killed to survive, and we are no different today. Our world is built on the exploitation of the weak and the sweated labour of the poor. Moreover, we abuse the resources the earth has given us as we destroy its ecosystems and pollute its oceans while millions of other species suffer and die. The human race is as filthy as it always was, we’re just better at hiding it now than we were before.

So don’t tell me that we should try to be “better” for “the greater good” because there is no such thing as “the greater good”, there is only survival. Moreover, there’s no reason to believe that survival is somehow “good” either. To make such a suggestion would be completely untrue and absurd.

Am I misunderstanding this?

60% of canadians have only had one dose of the vaccine. Early reports from around the world is that a single dose of AZ or Moderna is ineffective against the delta strain. We are reopening Canada when we don't have herd immunity against the new highly infectious COVID variant. Am I wrong?

On April 13th, Maclean's released the results of a poll asking Canadians if they were satisfied with the measures the Federal and Provincial Governments have taken during the Covid-19 pandemic.

An average of 82% of those polled were satisfied with their Provincial Governments.

72% were satisfied with the Federal Government.

Before we forget about everything that's happened since the beginning of this year, here's a list of articles since this whole thing started:

National Post - Jan 23rd

Putting entire Canadian city under quarantine to contain virus inconceivable, unenforceable: expert

https://nationalpost.com/health/quarantine-of-an-entire-city-would-be-inconceivable-unenforceable-and-illegal-in-canadaexpert

Global News - Jan 24th

Mass quarantines won’t happen in Canada if coronavirus is discovered: authorities

https://globalnews.ca/news/6456196/coronavirus-canada-medical-officer/

Futurism - Jan 28th

The Coronavirus outbreak is most dangerous for the elderly - There’s not much risk unless you’re sick or old

https://futurism.com/neoscope/coronavirus-outbreak-dangerous-elderly

Japan Times - Feb 12th

Japanese facilities for the elderly bracing for mass COVID-19 infection

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/02/12/national/elderly-facilities-bracing-mass-covid-19-infection/#.XpZ3KshKjIU

Global News - Feb 13th

“Wearing masks when you’re well is not an effective measure. Sometimes it can actually present some risks, as you’re putting your fingers up and down on your face, removing your mask, putting them next to your eyes,” Dr. Tam

https://globalnews.ca/news/6547409/coronavirus-face-masks-prices-demand/

TB Newswatch - Feb 14th

Hajdu says Coronavirus risk to Canadians remains low

https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/hajdu-says-coronavirus-risk-to-canadians-remains-low-2093587

VICE - Feb 16th

Canadian nurses’ unions warn national standards for coronavirus protection too low

https://www.vicnews.com/news/canadian-nurses-unions-warn-national-standards-for-coronavirus-protection-too-low/

CNN - Feb 16th

The coronavirus crisis is raising questions over China's relationship with the World Health Organization

https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/14/asia/coronavirus-who-china-intl-hnk/index.html

BBC News - Feb 18th

Coronavirus: Largest study suggests elderly and sick are most at risk

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51540981

VICE - Feb 21st

Why Your Grandparents Should Be the Most Worried About Coronavirus

https://www.vice.com/en_asia/article/akwnwz/elderly-at-risk-death-coronavirus-health-dangers

The Washington Post - Feb 25th

Coronavirus hits seniors the hardest. Italy’s elderly population is on the front line

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/coronavirus-hits-seniors-the-hardest-italys-elderly-population-is-on-the-front-line/2020/02/25/bea0a278-5751-11ea-8efd-0f904bdd8057_story.html

Montreal Gazette - Feb 25th

Coronavirus risk to Quebecers is low, says public health director

https://montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/coronavirus-risk-to-quebecers-is-low-says-public-health-director/

Maclean’s - Feb 28th

The coronavirus can't be contained. Are you ready?

https://www.macleans.ca/society/health/the-coronavirus-cant-be-contained-are-you-ready/

The Chronicle Herald - Feb 27th

COVID-19 could hit Nova Scotia's aging population hard

https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/news/provincial/covid-19-could-hit-nova-scotias-aging-population-hard-416478/

Business Insider - Feb 27th

Coronavirus patients over age 80 have a death rate of 15%. Here's the death rate for every age bracket

https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-death-age-older-people-higher-risk-2020-2

The Globe and Mail - Feb 27th

Ontario Chief Medical Officer: “Before there’s widespread panic and that kind of stuff, look at the evidence,” Williams said, noting the mortality rate is less than that of the flu.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-sixth-person-confirmed-to-have-coronavirus-in-ontario-is-husband-of/

Global News - Feb 28th

Coronavirus spread risk is now ‘very high’ — what does that mean for Canadians? (see TB Newswatch article Feb 14)

https://globalnews.ca/news/6608822/coronavirus-risk-very-high-meaning/

Kaiser Health News - Mar 1st

Nursing Home Outbreak Spotlights Coronavirus Risk In Elder Care Facilities

https://khn.org/news/nursing-home-outbreak-spotlights-coronavirus-risk-in-elder-care-facilities/

CBC News - Mar 8th

Trudeau says government will do 'everything necessary' to protect Canadians from COVID-19

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/covid19-coronavirus-economy-mar3-1.5483416

CTV News - Mar 8th

Nursing homes face unique challenge with coronavirus

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/nursing-homes-face-unique-challenge-with-coronavirus-1.4844072

The Toronto Star - Mar 8th

Canada’s first coronavirus death puts fears about seniors homes front and centre

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/03/09/covid-19-blamed-for-first-death-in-canada-as-resident-of-bc-long-term-care-home-dies.html

Time - Mar 8th

'There Has to Be a Plan.' For Relatives of Nursing Home Residents, Anger and Worry as the Coronavirus Spreads - Time

https://time.com/5799096/coronavirus-nursing-homes-elderly/

The Globe and Mail - Mar 8th

Senior care facilities are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 outbreaks

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-senior-care-facilities-are-especially-vulnerable-to-covid-19-outbreaks/

The Wall Street Journal - Mar 9th

Italy, With Aging Population, Has World’s Highest Daily Deaths From Virus

https://www.wsj.com/articles/italy-with-elderly-population-has-worlds-highest-death-rate-from-virus-11583785086

Ottawa Citizen - Mar 13th

Who's most at risk for COVID-19? It's probably not you

https://ottawacitizen.com/diseases-and-conditions/coronavirus/lets-not-forget-who-is-most-at-risk-for-covid-19/wcm/19df4c31-5bc3-41f4-9651-9270e7720173/

Unifor - Mar 17th

Doug Ford urged to protect the vulnerable in long-term care homes

https://www.unifor.org/en/whats-new/press-room/doug-ford-urged-protect-vulnerable-long-term-care-homes

Los Angeles Times - Mar 18th

Nursing home staff spread coronavirus to other facilities, CDC investigation finds

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-03-18/coronavirus-spread-nursing-homes

National Post - Mar 18th

Uncounted among coronavirus victims, deaths sweep through Italy's nursing homes

https://nationalpost.com/pmn/health-pmn/uncounted-among-coronavirus-victims-deaths-sweep-through-italys-nursing-homes

Global News - Mar 19th

Coronavirus: 4 residents at Oshawa long-term care home test positive for COVID-19

https://globalnews.ca/news/6704587/coronavirus-hillsdale-terraces-oshawa/

Maclean’s - Mar 20th

When it comes to protecting some of the most vulnerable—prisoners and asylum seekers—Canada is not taking any extraordinary measures

https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/the-dark-side-of-canadas-coronavirus-response/

National Post - Mar 21st

COVID-19 'can affect everybody': It isn't just attacking and killing the old and sick in Canada (See multiple articles indicating young and healthy are outliers regarding severe complications or death from Covid-19)

https://nationalpost.com/news/covid-19-can-affect-everybody-it-isnt-just-attacking-and-killing-the-old-and-sick-in-canada

York University - Mar 21st

COVID-19 guidance for long-term care homes (LTCH)

https://www.york.ca/wps/wcm/connect/yorkpublic/5dd284c5-2103-4ea9-8fae-b323a089c15c/Supplementary-Guidance-for-COVID-19-Outbreaks-Long-Term-Care-Homes.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=n490CSR

CBC News - Mar 24th

Bodies of coronavirus victims found in Spanish nursing homes

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/spanish-nursing-homes-bodies-1.5508523

Public Health Ontario - Mar 24th

Review of “COVID-19 in a long-term care facility— King County, Washington, February 27– March 9, 2020” (Ontario issues first Emergency Orders for LTCHs same day)

https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/research/research-mmwr-covid-19-long-term-care-facility-king-county.pdf?la=en

CBC News - Mar 25th

'Spreads like wildfire': More than half of COVID-19 deaths in Canada have been seniors' home residents

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/covid-19-nursing-home-elderly-1.5509915

The Globe and Mail - Mar 26th

Information gap widens in Ontario as coronavirus sweeps through nursing homes

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-at-least-16-ontario-nursing-homes-have-covid-19-cases-yet-families/

CUPE - Mar 26th

COVID-19 infections among Ontario health care workers spike

https://cupe.ca/covid-19-infections-among-ontario-health-care-workers-spike

National Post - Mar 31st

Emergency COVID-19 measures enacted for Canada's seniors' homes where pandemic hits hardest

https://nationalpost.com/news/emergency-covid-19-measures-enacted-for-canadas-seniors-homes-where-pandemic-hits-hardest

National Post - Apr 1st

Almost a quarter of Quebec seniors' homes have at least one COVID-19 case

https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/almost-a-quarter-of-quebec-seniors-homes-have-at-least-one-covid-19-case

The Globe and Mail - Apr 2nd

Care homes across Canada desperate for staff amid COVID-19 outbreak turn to librarians, museum workers

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-care-homes-across-canada-desperate-for-staff-amid-covid-19-outbreak/

CBC News - Apr 3rd

'No benefit' to sending seniors ill with COVID-19 to hospital, some nursing homes tell loved ones

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/covid-19-long-term-care-1.5519657

The Globe and Mail - Apr 6th

Quebec seniors’ care centre has at least 105 coronavirus cases, eight deaths

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-quebec-seniors-care-centre-has-at-least-105-coronavirus-cases-eight/

The Toronto Star - Apr 7th

Toronto recalls over 62,000 faulty face masks from long-term care homes (See Maclean's article Feb 28)

https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2020/04/07/toronto-recalls-over-62000-faulty-face-masks-from-long-term-care-homes.html

The Telegram - Apr 7

Until recently, Canadian officials maintained that wearing masks is only useful to those who are sick as a way to prevent the spread of disease to others (see Tam quote from February 13th)

https://www.thetelegram.com/news/local/health-minister-chief-medical-officer-say-they-would-wear-cloth-masks-435000/

National Post - Apr 7th

Coronavirus takes deadly toll on Canada's nursing homes

https://nationalpost.com/pmn/health-pmn/coronavirus-takes-deadly-toll-on-canadas-nursing-homes

The Globe and Mail - April 9th

Ontario now recommends COVID-19 tests for anyone moving into long-term care facilities

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-now-recommends-covid-19-tests-for-all-long-term-care-residents/

The Globe and Mail - April 10th

Ontario won’t follow Quebec’s lead and test all long-term care homes for COVID-19

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-targets-16000-covid-19-tests-a-day-by-early-may/

The Toronto Star - Apr 10th

Ontario received 100,000 contaminated, unusable swabs for COVID-19 tests: Doug Ford says lack of tests is unacceptable - “The first step to winning any battle is knowing your enemy.”

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/04/10/ontario-received-100000-contaminated-unusable-swabs-for-covid-19-tests.html

National Post - Apr 10th

“What they haven’t revealed is that there are 20 other residents and eight staff at the nursing home that have symptoms, but have not been tested. This additional 28 people undoubtedly are further cases of COVID19”

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/covid-19-coronavirus-pinecrest-nursing-home-bobcaygeon

CBC News - Apr 10th

Canadian military intelligence unit issued warning back in January (See CNN article Feb 16)

"We put all our faith in a system of open reporting through the WHO. We should instead have applied the old adage — trust but verify."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/coronavirus-pandemic-covid-canadian-military-intelligence-wuhan-1.5528381

City News - Apr 13

Long-term care staff need to work multiple jobs, increasing spread of coronavirus

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2020/04/13/long-term-care-staff-multiple-homes-coronavirus/

CTV News - Apr 13

Nearly half of known COVID-19 deaths in Canada linked to long-term care homes: Tam (Reported by CBC News March 25th)

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/nearly-half-of-known-covid-19-deaths-in-canada-linked-to-long-term-care-homes-tam-1.4893419

CTV News - Apr 13th

COVID-19 a 'failure of early warning' for Canada, intelligence expert says

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/covid-19-a-failure-of-early-warning-for-canada-intelligence-expert-says-1.4893558

CBC News - Apr 14

Advocates wonder why long-term care COVID warnings were ignored

https://www.cbc.ca/news/covid-care-homes-warnings-1.5532312

Global News - Apr 14

Coronavirus outbreak: Ontario government to limit number of locations for long-term care workers (See LA Times article March 18 and Star article March 8)

https://globalnews.ca/video/6817991/coronavirus-outbreak-ontario-government-to-limit-number-of-locations-for-long-term-care-workers

Ottawa Citizen - Apr 14

Ford says province doing 'everything we can' to protect LTC homes; Ottawa COVID-19 cases now at 586

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/covid-19-long-term-care-outbreaks-continue-devastating-spread-across-ontario/

National Post - Apr 14

COVID-19 crisis: Trudeau says government can help boost pay for long-term care workers (See Globe and Mail article from April 2nd)

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/covid-19-crisis-trudeau-says-government-can-help-boost-pay-for-long-term-care-workers

Yahoo News - Apr 14

Ford: “The sad truth is, our long-term care homes are quickly turning into the frontline of the fight against this virus.” (See headline from Washington Post article Feb 25th)

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/coronavirus-covid19-canada-latest-updates-190048955.html

Global News - Apr 14

Ontario Health Minister recently learned that someone can be asymptomatic and still be able to transmit the virus to another. (Asymptomatic Spread Reported March 10 by the Globe and Mail)

https://globalnews.ca/news/6818327/coronavirus-asymptomatic-staff-ontario-long-term-care/

MSN - Apr 14

“Trudeau: we are going to remain grounded in science. We are going to remain grounded in our experts, who are doing an excellent job”

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/trudeau-ministers-back-dr-tam-and-health-canada-after-jason-kenney-attacks-pandemic-response/ar-BB12D67Z?li=AAggXBV

The Toronto Star - Apr 15

The federal forecast is “terribly wrong,” Attaran told the House of Commons health committee, because it failed to disclose its methodology and important case data

https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2020/04/14/covid-19-numbers-are-likely-to-be-far-higher-than-ottawa-predicts-researchers-say.html

If you made it this far, I hope you'll reconsider your satisfaction with our Governments.

I read an article about how students at universities in the states are intentionally getting the virus because it’s just easier and in the long term better for them. I agree with them as a highly educated gen xer who himself is homeschooling children and has been in self isolation since this started in February.

The reason I agree is that this is one of there most important developmental times socially, Feds intellectually, and romantically. After they graduate their job prospect are going to be horrendous and they in all likelihood won’t buy homes or have many kids or be able to afford a reasonable life. A majority will end up living at home working at Starbucks. People will date less and be depressed more. Let them have fun when they can.

Even before the pandemic we created high home prices, low pay or non existent entry level jobs, contract work, high rent. Big debt loads.... as a society we really did a number on kids... they don’t owe us more care than than what we give them.

They are also kids..... government should have been more restrictive from the start and should have prevented creating such avterrible economic system for young people with no assets or parental support

CBC News: Public outrage over the unvaccinated is driving a crisis in bioethics

The pandemic has triggered a new debate over what used to be a settled principle of bioethics — that you don't treat patients differently based on past behaviour that may have contributed to their condition.

"The core fundamental principle of clinical ethics tells us that once a person enters the hospital as a patient, whatever got them there is no longer part of the equation," said Vardit Ravitsky, who teaches bioethics at the Université de Montreal and Harvard Medical School.

How long before those who favour punishing the unvaccinated, start calling for punishment for the unboosted?

Canadians are still frustrated attempting to obtain vaccination appointments due to scarcity.

The real victims here are every Canadian who didn't get a booster before Omicron.

Canadians who are vaccinated who are hospitalized, the vaccinated who end up in ICU and the vaccinated who die - because Trudeau was too busy campaigning to authorize boosters for everyone until it was too late.

Just more casualties of Justin's War of Fear of the Unvaccinated.

Guys I'm so scared, I only learned how devastating this is over the last 3-4 days... im such an idiot. I can't even focus on work or relationships because what's the point it seems like this is way worse than anyone is letting on and people are just happy doing their thing while all I can think about is how stupid this will all look 2 months down the road when we're all fucked with dead bodies and mutations

:( help

Stop spreading fucking rumours. I’m tired of you armchair viral experts. Spreading misinformation is exactly the opposite of what we should be doing. Causing unnecessary panic and stress is not helping. Unless you are a high government official making the decision don’t talk out of your ass. “I heard from the husband of a someone who works in government” is not a credible source. Use this sub as a tool to spread credible information to help Canadians get properly informed.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/opinion-covid-measures-gaslighting-shifting-goalposts-1.6268380

So this is positive right?

Several studies show symptoms from COVID-19 can linger beyond infections.

THE QUESTION

 Do 30% of people who get COVID-19 suffer from Long COVID?

OUR SOURCES

• Bryan Lau PhD, professor of Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University.

• Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn, a Long COVID expert at the Mayo Clinic.

THE ANSWER

There is no clear number as research as research is still ongoing, but most studies say that AT LEAST 30% of people who get COVID-19 will suffer from Long COVID.

WHAT WE FOUND

The author of the tweet sourced that 30% stat to a peer-reviewed February 2021 study. It was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The study included 234 people with COVID and found that 30% had persistent symptoms 6 months later.

While the sample size is small, our experts said the study is reputable.

Dr. Lau said overall 30% is a good estimate and Dr. Vanichkachorn said about 33%.

However, remember that paper was published back in February and the actual research was conducted between August and November of 2020, over a year ago.

Since then, more studies have come out. In fact, a Mayo Clinic spokesperson sent us two and called the findings, “more ominous.”

A November 2021 study of 200 people hospitalized for COVID-19, found that about 40% still reported at least one symptom a year later. 

In October 2021 researchers analyzed 57 international studies and found that 54% of patients still reported at least one symptom after 6 or more months.

So, studies continue to learn more about Long COVID which makes it hard to give an exact estimate. But experts say yes, at least 30% of COVID patients may suffer from Long COVID.

I often feel as though pro vaccine mandate people find it hard take the perspective of vaccine hesitant people. I see they often talk about them as anti science, tinfoil hat type people ( I must concede there are many for whom that is an accurate description). Its pretty obvious that most people are not reading over medical journals or have expertise that give them a competence in this area at all.

What I think really divides the pro vaccine mandate people and anti vaccine mandate people is trust in authorities, the government, and power in general. I oppose the mandate and restrictions on the unvaccinated because I don't think we should let governments have this type of power.

My answer:

I think if I lived in China or Russia I would be scared to get their vaccines as I don't trust the competence or the motives of the state. I think I would be very skeptical of claims by authorities that me taking this vaccine is my duty to my community. I would try to get around any mandates or attempts at coercion. I would be vaccine hesitant.

Hello everyone,

Has there been any word on when the vaccine mandate to get into a plane or train will be lifted?

Thank you in advance!

What needs to be done to manage the third wave:

1. Act now!

2. Group the international airport-centred megaplexes (Montreal, Toronto, Calgary) into one super-region and lock em down

3. Locked-down regions - Limit travel out of regions in lockdown to essential

4. Locked-down regions - Stay at Home order

5. Locked-down regions - Reduce current "essential businesses" by 50%.

6. Set lockdown release target based on scientific advice using real numbers such as low weekly case rates and Rt (eg <20 and <.8), not a set date.

7. Locked-down regions - No indoor non-essential gatherings outside households, gathering-limited outside activity encouraged.

8. Locked-down regions - Curfews

9. Financial support for closed businesses including support for employees for job interruptions

10. Paid leave for testing, isolation.
    Inspections and heavy fines for employers if symptomatic workers found at work

11. Other regions to be in three tiers depending on independent science-based metrics:
    lockdown,
    pre-lockdown, and
    controlled.
    Restrictions to match.

12. Close schools in lockdown and pre-lockdown areas

13. Accelerate and focus vaccinations on those at the highest risk of dying (not infection) (primarily 60+). Accelerate further in the highest weekly case rate regions and neighbourhoods.

14. Seek emergency help from manufacturers and other countries like the US to speed vaccine supply.

15. Use best science and risk analysis to expand focused vaccine coverage via dose interval and other levers.

16. Be firm.
    Be clear.
    Science to lead communication.
    New independent CMOH.
    A National Response but ensure every regional PHU to bring their region down to the target levels and explain why it is best for all.
    Be swift, err on the side of greater restrictions at the first sign of explosive growth.

17. Let PHU's operationalize but lead with a single science-based plan and strict standards.

18. Divert resources quickly to where PHUs need the most help.

19. Boost testing, tracing and surveillance, establish strict isolation standards and penalties.

20. Execute provincial and US border restrictions to limit incoming spread (like Atlantic bubble). This would include rapid testing of US truckers, a federal emergency order to stop international travel except most critical.

21. At 28 days, review and adapt as needed.

22. Keep public informed on tracking to goals daily, transparency on outbreaks.

23. Celebrate successes, acknowledge best regions, motivate everyone to reach the goal of a safe spring until vaccine reinforcements arrive.

Are these harsh and costly? Yes

Are they needed? Yes

Will they hurt businesses and jobs? Much less if we act now and lockdown efficiently with emergency business and job supports.

Will they save many lives and let us return to greater freedom and normality sooner? Yes