Hoops

“That a duly elected government will act in the best interests of its citizens is the first hope of a democracy. As we enter the second holiday season since COVID emerged, it seems that all reason and accountability has been abandoned by those in authority. Our critical care services are failing. We will once again have to fly out ventilated patients to other provinces. Meanwhile we cannibalize essential services to maintain ICU capacity. Our fourth Health Minister since the onset of the pandemic continues this government’s legacy of denial and downplaying of the absolute desperation in our hospitals and the impact of poorly vaccinated communities. The vast majority of ICU COVID cases are unvaccinated. Meanwhile wait times for surgeries, endoscopies and other essential diagnostic services grow to levels unimaginable prior to this pandemic. There is no acknowledgement of the preventable tragedies that will unfold. Thousands wait anxiously at home, hoping that their aneurysm will not rupture before surgery, that their cancers will be diagnosed and treated before they become terminal, or that their multiple sclerosis will be evaluated and treated before they lose mobility and independence. ICU nurses are in shorter supply because of burnout, resignations, and diminishing volunteerism. As a consequence, ICU capacity can no longer be expanded to levels that we saw six months ago. If poor access to vital health services is to continue, we can expect many more deaths than those caused directly by COVID-19. We need this government and its health authorities to refocus on two fundamental goals. First, the government must take the following steps to reduce the rate of new cases: 1) Public health orders need to be strictly enforced, with fines and closures if necessary, including in under-vaccinated communities. 2) Vaccination for school age children should be required if they are to continue to attend school in person. Clear medical exemptions must be allowed. 3) Rapid COVID testing must be made widely available to schools and businesses as in most other provinces. 4) Holiday gatherings should be restricted to family members only. The second goal must be restoration of surgical and diagnostic services and clinic capacity in vital areas. The essential steps required for this to occur are: 1) Federal assistance in the form of armed forces ICU health workers should be requested immediately to maintain current ICU capacity. 2) Redeployed personnel must be returned return to their surgery, ambulatory care and diagnostic services as soon as replacements are available. It’s time for this government to stop fabricating spin, admit its failures and demonstrate actual concern for its citizens. That first hope of democracy can only be realized when an informed and reasoning public remains vigilant and demands that those in power do their jobs. Dr. Dan Roberts, Critical Care Dr. Eric Jacobsohn, Critical Care Dr. Jillian Horton, Internal Medicine Dr. Kendiss Olafson, Critical Care Dr. Charles Bernstein, Gastroenterology Dr. Pamela Orr, Infectious Diseases Dr. Christine Peshken, Rheumatology Dr. Martha Ainsley, Respirology Dr. Anand Kumar, Critical Care Dr. Phil St. John, Geriatrics”

Still amazed that rapid test kits are so expensive in Canada - even the ones where they require you to buy in bulk. I can get either saliva / nasal rapid tests for almost as low as RM 6.50 ( CAD 3 ) at a convenience store in Malaysia.

can we weaponize comfort already? 

like your blog but no offense how are you on Tumblr in ur late 20s?

Mad Max: Fury Road was edited by Margaret Sixel, who is married to George Miller and who he begged to edit the film because he said that if a man edited it, would be a totally different movie and not one he wanted to make.

tldr;