covid-19

Wednesday March 6, 2024

The recent surge in measles cases in Canada, particularly in Montreal, underscores the urgent need to address vaccine hesitancy and combat anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, with historical evidence emphasizing the proven efficacy of vaccines in preventing disease and protecting public health.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday March 6, 2024

The Vital Role of Vaccines in Preventing Measles

The recent surge in measles cases in Canada, particularly in Montreal, underscores the urgent need to address vaccine hesitancy and combat anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, with historical evidence emphasizing the proven efficacy of vaccines in preventing disease and protecting public health.

News: Quebec reports 10 cases of measles in Montreal area, health officials urge vaccinations

December 2, 2021

The recent resurgence of measles in Quebec, with ten confirmed cases in Greater Montreal, serves as a stark reminder of the critical role vaccines play in public health. This outbreak, now the epicentre of a Canadian concern, has ignited discussions about the root causes, and it seems that vaccine hesitancy, fuelled by anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, is a significant factor.

As health officials scramble to contain the outbreak, the words of Quebec Public Health Director Luc Boileau echo with urgency. He warns that the disease could rapidly spread among the unvaccinated, emphasizing the need for swift action to address the situation. While Quebec currently does not mandate vaccination, the emphasis is on providing information, facilitating access to shots, and dispelling misconceptions.

November 30, 2021

The efficacy of vaccines, especially against measles, has been proven over the past 50 years. Dr. Caroline Quach-Thanh, a paediatrician and infectious disease specialist, emphasizes the safety, efficiency, and quick action of the measles vaccine. Yet, despite decades of evidence supporting vaccination, a significant challenge remains – vaccine hesitancy.

In Montreal and its suburbs, vaccination coverage in schools hovers around 80%, below the 95% required to prevent community transmission. The reasons are varied, from delays in translating foreign vaccination records to vaccine hesitancy, a phenomenon exacerbated by limited access for newly arrived children.

September 15, 2021

The virus’s high contagion rate, coupled with potential complications, especially in young children, underscores the importance of immunization. The harm extends beyond the individual; the immune-compromised face severe consequences, making vaccination not just a personal choice but a communal responsibility.

The historical success of vaccines, including the measles vaccine, should guide our present actions. However, the current landscape is clouded by misinformation and skepticism, particularly regarding COVID-19 vaccines. The rise in anti-vaccine sentiment, as evidenced by the unfounded chatter on social media, suggests a broader problem.

December 11, 2020

A simple fact-checking response might aid in emphasing the importance of relying on scientific evidence and expert consensus, and not on quackery baked up in Tik-Toks and You Tube clip served up by snake oil agents. It counters the notion that mRNA vaccines, a breakthrough in the fight against COVID-19, are ineffective or overhyped. The evidence points to the contrary, highlighting the role of mRNA technology in reducing mortality rates and controlling the virus’s spread.

As we grapple with the resurgence of measles and the challenges posed by vaccine hesitancy, the message is clear – vaccines save lives. The current outbreak should serve as a call to action, not just to address immediate concerns but to tackle the root causes of hesitancy and misinformation. In a world where viruses don’t develop resistance to vaccines, the path to overcoming outbreaks is through widespread and informed vaccination. (AI)

Letter to the Editor, The Hamilton Spectator, March 11, 2024

Vaccinations and our rights

Re: Hamilton, Brantford to host booster clinics after measles exposures (March 1)

The return of measles, which can be deadly or leave serious side effect like deafness, reveals that a major portion of the population is unvaccinated, especially children. As with COVID-19, those refusing vaccination on the basis of their democratic right of freedom ignore what democracy is about. Democracy indeed allows for freedom of ideas, speech, choice, movement, but equally, and the “no vaccines” crowd ignore it, is that these rights may not be exercised should they imperil other members of society or their rights.

February 8, 2022

You may think what you wish, but you may not spout hatred, not vocally nor in the media, nor in print, nor in blasting truck horns all night. You may not pull together enough fellow bigots to bring in voting regulations which deny the vote to fellow citizens, as we have witnessed in some U.S. states. You may not endanger the health of your fellow citizens; thus anti-pollution laws. Under freedom of choice, these non-thinkers are rejecting vaccination, a treatment to control an incredibly infectious disease which threatens all democratic rights, and because they continue to move about freely, they endanger the lives of fellow democratic citizens. In practice, I reject autocracy totally, but recognize the sneakily cynical thought that tyrants have one advantage, they can enforce essentials. Unfortunately, they cannot enforce intelligence. Equally unfortunate, there is no vaccine for pig-headed stupidity.

Dr. Helen Hatton, Hamilton

Friday January 5, 2024

The federal government's reluctance to extend the Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA) deadline, despite a concerning number of small businesses facing insolvency, raises critical questions about its commitment to supporting the backbone of the economy amid rising interest rates and inflation.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday January 5, 2024

Small Businesses on the Brink

Saturday October 23, 2021

In the wake of the economic challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses across the nation are teetering on the edge of insolvency, caught in the crossfire of the federal government’s unwillingness to adapt measures amid rising interest rates and inflation. The latest data from a December 2023 survey conducted by a national business association paints a dire picture of the Canadian business landscape.

Approximately 34% of business owners have successfully repaid their Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans, a lifeline provided during the darkest days of the pandemic. However, a concerning 23% of owners find themselves unable to make any payment, revealing the harsh reality faced by a significant portion of the small business community.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business’s media relations officer, Dariya Baiguzhiyeva, emphasizes the looming threat, stating that 40% of business owners are at risk of missing the current payment deadline of January 2024. A staggering 250,000 small businesses nationwide, with 96,000 located in Ontario alone, are at risk of closure if the CEBA deadline isn’t extended.

News: Hamilton Liberal MP says no CEBA extension on business loans is proposed

The recent incident in Vancouver, where Pro-Palestinian protesters surrounded Prime Minister Trudeau at a restaurant, along with previous instances of incivility, underscores a concerning trend of disrespect and aggression in Canadian politics that threatens the principles of civil discourse and democratic engagement.

November 17, 2023

Despite these distress signals, Hamilton Liberal MP and cabinet minister Filomena Tassi remains resolute in the government’s decision not to provide another extension on CEBA loans. Tassi argues that three extensions have already been granted, and the government has offered unprecedented support, asserting that small businesses still have options.

However, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, representing over 280 industry associations, begs to differ. In a July open letter to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, they pleaded for an extension of the CEBA repayment deadline to the end of 2025, or at least by one year. The letter emphasizes that many businesses had no choice but to take on the loan due to circumstances beyond their control.

Failure to extend the deadline carries severe consequences for businesses unable to repay their loans, as they stand to lose access to the forgivable portion of up to $20,000, exacerbating their already burdensome debt loads.

February 10, 2021

Hamilton Centre NDP MP Matthew Green echoes the sentiment that the federal government is favouring large corporations over small businesses and non-profits, who have borne the brunt of the global pandemic and the subsequent cost-of-living crisis. Green calls on the Liberal government to prioritize and support small businesses in Hamilton as they navigate the challenges ahead.

The reluctance to extend CEBA’s deadline raises serious concerns about the government’s commitment to sustaining the backbone of our economy—small businesses. As interest rates and inflation rise, the federal government must reconsider its stance and provide the necessary support to prevent a wave of small business closures and the resulting economic fallout. The cost of inaction may prove far greater than the $907 million estimated by the parliamentary budget office, as countless businesses face an uncertain future, hanging by a thread over the precipice of insolvency. (AI)

 

Wednesday October 4, 2023

Amid rising COVID-19 cases and vaccine rollout, it's crucial to combat antivax sentiments by staying informed and resilient. Highlighting the recent Nobel Prize awarded to scientists Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman for their groundbreaking mRNA vaccine development can serve as a powerful countermeasure against such sentiments.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday October 4, 2023

Trust in Science: A Vital Component in Our Fight Against COVID-19

October 15, 2021

In the face of rising COVID-19 cases and a new vaccine rollout, it is disheartening to witness the resurgence of anti-vax sentiment. Yet, we must resist the urge to succumb to COVID fatigue and instead emphasize the importance of staying informed, resilient, and trusting in science. Recent developments have spotlighted the critical role of mRNA vaccines in our fight against the pandemic. In 2023, scientists Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking discoveries at the University of Pennsylvania that paved the way for effective COVID-19 vaccines.

Kariko and Weissman were honoured for their “discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.” These vaccines, along with others, have been administered over 13 billion times, saving countless lives, preventing severe illness, and allowing societies to reopen. This achievement is a testament to the power of scientific innovation and collaboration.

News: mRNA COVID vaccines saved lives and won a Nobel — what’s next for the technology?  

January 7, 2022

The story behind these Nobel laureates is a testament to the persistence and ingenuity of scientists. Their journey began in 1998 when they met while waiting for rationed photocopying machine time. Kariko’s breakthrough was finding a way to prevent the immune system from launching an inflammatory reaction against lab-made mRNA, a significant obstacle to therapeutic mRNA use. Together with Weissman, they demonstrated in 2005 that modifications to nucleosides could keep mRNA undetected by the immune system. This pioneering work laid the foundation for mRNA vaccines and revolutionized the way we combat diseases.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, first discovered in 1961, represents a novel approach to medicine. Unlike traditional biotech medicines produced by genetically modified cells in complex reactors, mRNA functions as a software that instructs human cells to produce specific proteins. This technology holds promise not only for vaccines but also for treatments against cancer, malaria, influenza, and rabies.

July 15, 2022

Pfizer, in partnership with BioNTech, and Moderna harnessed the work of Kariko and Weissman, among others, to develop mRNA vaccines in record time when the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in 2020. Yet, despite these remarkable achievements, a vocal anti-vaccine movement has emerged.

The Nobel Prize for Kariko and Weissman’s work may not sway the most ardent vaccine skeptics. Still, it serves as a reminder of the tremendous impact of science on our lives and the rigorous processes that ensure the safety and efficacy of vaccines.

The current wave of anti-vaccine sentiment, particularly in the United States, has deeper roots than political ideology. It reflects a broader decline in trust in institutions of all kinds, including science. This distrust, while most significant among Republicans, is not limited to any one party. It transcends politics and education levels.

It is essential to understand that skepticism about science does not fit neatly into traditional small-government conservatism. Even though mRNA vaccines were developed with private-sector innovation and streamlined regulatory processes, many conservatives remain distrustful of these vaccines, citing concerns about their rapid deployment.

News: Organized Disinformation Fanning the COVID-19 Flames of Vaccine Hesitancy  

July 21, 2020

Restoring faith in science is crucial for a functioning society. Experts must reflect on why so many Americans, regardless of political affiliation, have grown skeptical of institutions and science. It is not just about pro- or anti-government sentiment; it is about trust itself.

Empirical data shows that declining trust in science is linked to a broader decline in institutional trust. Those with more confidence in institutions are more likely to be vaccinated. Religious beliefs and education levels also play a role in shaping attitudes toward science.

The Nobel Prize awarded to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman reminds us of the incredible progress that science can achieve. It is incumbent upon all of us to stay informed, resist the pull of misinformation, and rebuild trust in science. We must recognize that science, even in the face of skepticism, continues to be our most potent weapon against COVID-19 and future threats. Let us honour the tireless efforts of scientists like Kariko and Weissman by choosing science over misinformation and trust over doubt in our quest for a healthier world. (AI)

 

Tuesday July 25, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday July 25, 2023

The Persistent Threat of COVID-19: Preparing for the Long Haul

As the world continues to navigate the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic, we find ourselves experiencing a temporary lull in cases and hospitalizations. However, it is crucial not to be complacent as this may be just a momentary respite from the challenges posed by the virus. Despite the current decline in numbers, it is becoming evident that COVID-19 will remain a cause for concern for years to come.

July 18, 2023

Experts have cautiously welcomed the recent decline in COVID cases and hospitalizations. The availability of vaccines and public health measures has played a role in driving down infection rates. However, we must remember that this downward trend might not last. As we move into the fall season, with students returning to schools and people spending more time indoors, the virus may find renewed opportunities to spread rapidly once again.

The data from past COVID peaks and troughs suggests that immunity levels in the population significantly influence transmission rates. In the early days of the pandemic, only a small percentage of the population had COVID antibodies due to infection. Today, a much larger proportion of the population has been exposed to the virus, either through infection or vaccination. This means that changes in COVID cases and hospitalizations will likely be a reflection of how much the virus is being transmitted, which, in turn, depends on people’s behavior and adherence to safety measures.

The emergence of highly transmissible variants, such as the Omicron subvariants XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16, raises additional concerns. These variants have the ability to escape immunity and pose a challenge to current vaccination efforts. While vaccines have been effective in reducing severe outcomes, their effectiveness against new variants may vary. The need for ongoing research and adaptation of vaccine formulations remains critical.

December 3, 2021

The pandemic has already taken a toll on healthcare systems and the overall well-being of individuals. Even as cases decrease, we must not forget that many COVID survivors continue to suffer from long-term health effects. Moreover, vulnerable populations and healthcare facilities still face outbreaks and strains that demand continued vigilance and preparedness.

The path forward requires a balanced approach. Efforts to encourage vaccinations and booster shots, especially for vulnerable populations, will play a crucial role in mitigating future waves of infections. Continued adherence to public health guidelines, such as mask-wearing and physical distancing when necessary, will also be vital in curbing transmission.

As we progress through this ongoing pandemic, it is essential to remain vigilant, adaptive, and compassionate towards one another. COVID-19 will continue to be a challenge that impacts our lives for the foreseeable future, but with proactive measures and a collective commitment, we can better navigate the road ahead. (AI)

 

Tuesday July 18, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday July 18, 2023

The Struggles of Staying Home: Variants of Concern and Skyrocketing Interest Rates

November 30, 2021

In recent times, people have been facing multiple challenges that keep them confined to their homes. Two significant issues that have played a role in this situation are the emergence of Variants of Concern (VOC) during the COVID-19 pandemic and the sudden increase in interest rates, impacting variable rate mortgages. These circumstances have led individuals to prioritize financial stability over indulging in luxury and recreational activities like visiting restaurants, bars, movies, and vacations. Let’s explore the impact of these interconnected factors on people’s lives.

The COVID-19 pandemic has witnessed the emergence of various variants of the virus. While most variants do not significantly alter the virus’s properties or its impact on communities, some Variants of Concern have raised alarms. These variants exhibit changes that affect crucial factors such as transmissibility, virulence, vaccine effectiveness, and diagnostic testing. Detecting and monitoring these variants is of utmost importance to prevent their rapid spread and devise appropriate strategies to contain the virus.

January 30, 2021

One such method used to identify VOC was through the testing of wastewater in Ottawa. However, due to limited funding, the rapid and cost-effective testing method for variants will soon cease. This decision has raised concerns among scientists and researchers who stress the importance of timely and frequent monitoring of variants. Identifying emerging VOC and estimating their growth within a community becomes increasingly challenging when testing frequency is low. It is vital to maintain robust monitoring systems to stay ahead of the ever-evolving COVID-19 virus.

January 27, 2022

In parallel, the recent surge in interest rates has significantly impacted homeowners with variable rate mortgages. The Bank of Canada’s consecutive interest rate hikes have left borrowers grappling with higher borrowing costs. This increase comes after a brief respite when interest rates remained steady, fueling a surge in home sales and prices reminiscent of the pandemic’s real estate boom. However, the central bank’s efforts to curb inflation have now placed borrowers under mounting pressure.

Variable-rate mortgage borrowers face the immediate burden of rising costs as more of their monthly payments are allocated towards interest rather than reducing the size of their loans. Consequently, the length of their loan repayment periods automatically extends to maintain steady payments. While some borrowers managed to make additional payments during the rate reprieve, the recent interest rate hikes will further stretch their amortization periods. As a result, borrowers will face higher monthly payments when their loans come up for renewal, leading to potential financial strain.

June 22, 2021

The impact of these rising interest rates is also evident in the housing market, particularly in major cities like Toronto. The market, once characterized by frenzied activity, has started to show signs of cooling. Home sales have decreased, reflecting buyers’ growing caution and concerns about future increases in interest rates. The once-enticing real estate landscape has now become a cause for hesitation and financial prudence.

These converging challenges have limited people’s mobility and hindered their ability to engage in leisurely pursuits. The combination of Variants of Concern and rising interest rates has reshaped priorities, pushing individuals to focus on financial stability rather than indulging in luxuries or non-essential activities. Restaurants, bars, movies, and vacations have taken a backseat as people adapt to the new reality, emphasizing the importance of financial planning and prudent decision-making.

As we navigate these challenging times, it is crucial to find a balance between safeguarding public health and maintaining economic stability. Timely monitoring and surveillance of COVID-19 variants, along with supportive measures to help borrowers cope with rising interest rates, will be essential in enabling individuals to regain a sense of normalcy. By addressing these concerns, we can strive to create a safer and more sustainable future, where people can confidently venture out from their homes without compromising their well-being or financial security. (AI)