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Scientists who express different views on Covid-19 should be heard, not demonized
Society faces a risk even more toxic and deadly than Covid-19: that the conduct of science becomes indistinguishable from politics. The tensions between the two policy poles of rapidly and systematically reopening society versus maximizing sheltering in place and social isolation must not be reduced to Republican and Democratic talking points, even as many media outlets promote such simplistic narratives.
Scientific consensus is important, but it isn’t uncommon when some of the most important voices turn out to be those of independent thinkers, like John Ioannidis, whose views were initially doubted. That’s not an argument for prematurely accepting his contestable views, but it is a sound argument for keeping him, and others like him, at the table.
Vinay Prasad is a hematologist-oncologist and associate professor of medicine at the Oregon Health and Science University and author of “Malignant: How Bad Policy and Bad Evidence Harm People with Cancer” (Johns Hopkins University Press, April 2020). Jeffrey Flier is an endocrinologist, professor of medicine, and former dean of Harvard Medical School.
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Ottawa police prepare for trucker protest against federal vaccination mandate
A convoy of truckers protesting against the federal vaccination mandate could arrive in the capital as early as Thursday, and other groups and counterprotesters will likely join their multiday demonstration, Ottawa police say.
Senior Ottawa law enforcement officials told the police board on Wednesday that the protesters are difficult to predict and officers are preparing contingency plans in case of violence. The number of participants is quickly changing, but the officials said that, so far, they expect 1,000 to 2,000 people to arrive in trucks and other vehicles, and stay through the weekend.
Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly said the main group of truckers, which calls itself the Freedom Convoy, has been peaceful as it rolls through towns and cities, but others who plan to join the protest or hold counter demonstrations are being more aggressive.
“There are a range of people on social media who are producing a range of statements from benign to threatening, and all of that is being monitored,” Chief Sloly told the board.
Acting deputy chief Trish Ferguson said it will be a “significant and extremely fluid event” and police are “planning for a range of potential risks, including but not limited to counter demonstrations, blocking of intersections, interfering with critical infrastructures, and unlawful and violent activity.”
On Facebook, Tamara Lich, one of the convoy’s organizers and a member of the western separatist Maverick Party, posted a video disavowing any threatening comments or violence.
“Nobody in this convoy will be inciting violence or uttering threats. That is not what we’re here to do,” Ms. Lich said. “Violence and threats is not our mandate.”
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Britain drops most COVID-19 restrictions, including masks and vaccine passports
The pandemic is still raging across much of the world, but in Britain, COVID-19 restrictions are becoming a thing of the past.
Thursday saw the end of almost all mandatory measures in England. Masks are no longer required anywhere, and vaccine passports have been dropped – although they were only compulsory in nightclubs and at large events such as soccer games. There is also no longer any work-from-home guidance.
The government is also removing the limit on the number of visitors allowed in nursing homes in England next week, and all testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers will expire Feb. 11.
Just about the only measure left in place, self-isolation for up to 10 days after a positive COVID-19 test –could also be scrapped before the end of March.
Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have also eased many of their restrictions, although face coverings continue to be required in most public places in those regions.
While many other countries, including Canada, have also begun to drop some COVID-19 measures, few have gone as far as Britain. And the British government has made it clear that it doesn’t want the country held back by the virus any longer.
“We’ve got to find a way to live with it in the same way we live with flu,” Health Secretary Sajid Javid told the House of Commons Health and Social Affairs Committee this week.
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Justin Trudeau says he is isolating after learning of COVID-19 exposure
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is isolating at home after learning that he was exposed to someone who had tested positive for COVID-19.
The prime minister said in a tweet Thursday morning that he learned about the exposure the night before, after he had been at a news conference on Parliament Hill with three top ministers.
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B.C. reports 13 more COVID-19 deaths, 141 in intensive care
The percentage of B.C. residents 12 and over to reach triple vaccination status is now at 43 per cent.
A statement from the Health Ministry also says 90 per cent of people 12 and older have received their second shot.
The province is reporting 2,033 new cases of COVID-19, although health officials have said testing limitations mean that number could be up to five times higher.
The statement says 977 people infected with the virus are in hospital and 141 of them are getting intensive care.
The Health Ministry says 13 more people have died, bringing the death toll to 2,588 since the pandemic began.
There are now 62 outbreaks in long-term care and assisted-living facilities as well as hospitals
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