WildPath

Oh, Winnipeg police aren't always playing nice. It depends on the side you are on and the colour of your skin. Detainment of Indigenous demonstrator causes outrage and disgust (citynews.ca)

From the very article you posted - "Experts say COVID-19 vaccine mandates have been effective at reducing transmission, hospitalizations and compelling people to get vaccinated, but ending them too soon could undo some of what’s been accomplished in the past year." The article does a good job of discussing both sides of the argument. Obviously this is a very dynamic situation as we learn more about the virus and the potential limitations of vaccinations/booster shots. I agree that there is less of a case for mandates when they aren't as protective for infection/transmission, but they are still overwhelmingly keeping hospitals from being overrun and keeping vulnerable people protected. Boosters are currently protective against infection/transmission. The situation may also change as more vaccines emerge, including Omicron-specific vaccines and vaccines with potentially longer lasting protection. It may also change as new variants emerge, we don't really know. Now that the prairie provinces have caved to occupiers it will be very hard to ever re-introduce mandates for vaccines or masking, even if science is overwhelmingly in favour of it. We know who's voices have priority. It still seems like there is significant consensus among health experts that mask mandates should continue as well.

NSFW: Pretty interesting video surfacing from Pat King, one of the lead organizers of the occupation. He compares indigenous protests to "what would happen if" yellow vests decided to protest and block infrastructure and trade. He tries to incite violence against indigenous protestors and warns about shelves being bare because of their protests. I can't think of a strong enough superlative to show my disdain for this.

I don't see your point with this article. The title literally says "Omicron may be peaking but COVID-19 isn't done with us yet: Tam" It says nothing about getting rid of vaccine or mask mandates. The quote you highlighted says the exact same thing I already said - that Tam said it is time to look at how to manage Covid in a sustainable way. I am curious at what she means by getting nearer normalcy, but it says nothing about getting rid of mask/vaccine mandates. I would be shocked to see Tam give the thumbs up to the reopening plans of Alberta/Sask and likely Manitoba. Again, this is just Tam (your example). Here is an article where other experts say that it is too premature to open - Manitoba reopening plans initiated prematurely, say experts | CBC News.

As far as I am aware, Dr. Tam has said that restrictions need to be reviewed once we are out of the Omicron wave. Maybe she did say that we should get rid of all restrictions, but I just can't find that anywhere. I've never heard her say anything about getting rid of mask mandates, but again, I could have missed it. I still have seen nothing stronger from her than saying policies will need to be re-examined to be sustainable for a longer period of time.

Just want to contrast that with the reality that I know from working with some of the most affected families. I teach a group of kids who have someone in their family that is at high risk of dying if they contract Covid. There are people in their families that have had to quit their jobs in order to protect someone vulnerable at their house. There are kids trying to take classes while in the hospital. These kids have not been able to see friends for almost 2 years because of the risk to their lives that it poses. They have accepted these realities because that is what is required to keep them safe. The more Covid that is spreading in communities, the more these families are at risk regardless of how careful they try to be. They can get Covid from the many doctor appointments they have. They can get Covid from going to pick up groceries. These are kids who desperately want to play with friends again, but a reckless attitude towards Covid places them at too great of a risk. While this is my experience with a vulnerable group, there are many other vulnerable groups who are similarly put at heightened risk and lose some freedoms because of uncontained Covid spread in communities. It is so easy to pretend that the pandemic is over because we all desperately want normal lives back, but that fairy tale just isn't the case. Hospitals are still "flexing" for capacity which means normal operations are just not happening. This puts everyone at risk. We are learning more about the lingering effects of a Covid infection, including for mild cases which would not be considered "long covid". There is an increased risk of kids developing type 1 diabetes after a previous Covid infection. There are likely also lingering effects in the brain and heart from Covid post-infection. It is easy to frame it as "scared to go out", but why not "scared to wear a mask" or "scared to get a vaccination"? Both should actually not be a big deal breaker when we are talking about saving lives and protecting from long term effects of Covid. If masks/vaccinations aren't mandated, those most likely to be infected/spread are placing an even greater burden on those who choose to stay safe. The vast majority of the population does not support moving on. According to a recent Leger poll only 32% support removing all restrictions. In addition, I am assuming a lot of people are still underestimating the impact of Covid because of government attitudes towards Covid - "if they say if is over/safe, then we really should be opening up." This is not what the WHO or most medical experts say.

Federal Conservatives have realized big business is not liking this and gotta tow that line. This has been condemned by a large number of large corporations on both sides of the border. Shame on them for encouraging and emboldening the occupations. Look where it has got them in a short amount of time. Third party status is more than these selfish, spineless grifters deserve. They could have prevented a lot of this from happening. The PC government proposed Bill 57 to protect critical infrastructure and protests like this from happening. Definitely don't see any of the same sentiments being expressed now that the protestors look like them and support their party. This would(and has been in the past) be handled completely different by the government and the police force if it was an indigenous movement.

Unfortunately I think this trucker protest would make just about any government really hesitant to update definitions of fully vaccinated, despite it making medical sense with Omicron and potentially a new shot from Pfizer specifically targeting the Omicron variant.

Uhhh... source on this? I tried to look it up myself and found this from the (respectable) Guardian(It's time for the pregnant Olympics | Sport | The Guardian): In 1988, the First Permanent World Conference on Anti-Doping in Sport included 'abortion doping' on its agenda and Alexandre de Merode, chairman of the medical commission of the International Olympic Committee until his death in 2002, claimed that he knew of a Swiss doctor who was carrying out the procedures. In fact, there is no real evidence that this has ever been done. And then this story from the sketchy pro-life group LifeSite (their most popular article right now is about how prayers are being sent to truckers to avoid 'The Great Reset'): OLYMPIC ATHLETES GETTING PREGNANT AND ABORTING TO BOOST PERFORMANCE - LifeSite (lifesitenews.com) Not saying this isn't true, but I could totally see something like this as pro-life manufactured propaganda.

B.C. expands vaccine mandate as Sask and Alberta race to do away with them. B.C. expands health-care vaccine mandate to include dentists, chiropractors and other regulated professionals | CBC News

Honestly thought we would cave. We tend to follow Alberta and Saskatchewan on things like this. It is easier to pass off responsibility if you aren't the first.

Wonder what the difference will mean to him in terms of sponsorships and outside of football income. Can't imagine a CFLer can make decent coin doing promos and such in Toronto.

If McGuire came back this year he was one hit to an oft-injured quarterback with a history of injuries away from being a starter. Most QBs go down at some point during a year, we have been lucky that Zach hasn't. If he fared well enough with another opportunity he definitely could have had offers to start next year.

This! Honestly convinced a lot of them just play dumb because that is what the supporters will understand. There's no point to logical arguments when you cater your messaging to those that would not understand it. I believe it has been confirmed that a strategy to get George Bush Jr. elected was to play dumb so the media would jump all over him for his mistakes and look like the elite criticizing the average guy.

Those last two shots of him.... made it hit home. 😢 The business side really sucks.

100%. That was the big criticism from the right for the longest time - we need vaccines and Trudeau is not getting them fast enough. If this virus was significantly more deadly, these same protestors would be trying to use their privilege to ensure they were prioritized for vaccinations. Vaccine mandate 'not an issue at all,' CEO of Canada's largest trucking company says (yahoo.com) First one of the biggest grocery chains says that vaccine mandates are not the cause of empty shelves and supply chain shortages - that people getting sick with Covid is. Now the CEO of the largest trucking company says the vaccine mandate does not affect their business.

I've seen this a few times. When Stove was out near the start of the season, our run d was pretty poor from what I recall. I think we also have Kyrie Wilson out and they came back at the same time and our run D had huge improvement. I hate losing Stove, but I hope he's getting a huge payday.

Lots of complaining on what he's not doing, but I'm genuinely interested in what some would propose that he could do? Not saying he is handling it well/not well, just wondering what would be suggested as good options.

The leaders definitely realize it and it is probably the main motivation behind the half-assed efforts that are underway. The problem is, one country can't fix climate it for itself. So much easier to excuse damaging actions that will reinforce a high-carbon economy and point to another country saying that they are doing nothing. Diffusion of responsibility big time here and I just don't see us doing enough as a planet in time.

Harris is the most complete back I've ever witnessed in the CFL and does the little things so well. He finds holes and is patient when they are developing, always falls forward to get the extra yards, a great leader on the team, an excellent blocker and you always see him talking to guys and getting them in the right positions. I noticed a big dip in all these intangibles when he was out of the lineup. He's not as fast as BO or JA, but I think this year he would still be a better RB. I would love if he would come back with a few less touches and really try to help BO and JA gain some of the intangibles that he has. I'm not sure it would destroy the locker room - O'Shea is amazing at building that up, but I'm sure some players would get a hit of reality that careers are short and business means that sometimes a team turns their back on you, regardless of how tight knit the room is. I know Harris was a big fan of Charles Roberts growing up. Hope he is thinking about how his career ended and our organization keeps that in mind too. Roberts wasn't half the team guy Harris is which would probably sting both sides even more if it ends the same way. All that said, I can totally understand the team not wanting to pay him the amount he has been getting.

Sorry to hear that. This is my worst fear. Can not imagine being in that family and having people trying to shut down the city over wearing a mask....

What an idiot. I'm fortunate not to need to travel in the area, and I'm sure it is really frustrating, but this just gives more powder to the keg. This will definitely be used to excuse their own violence/hate.

I don't think the organizers "messed up". I think this is what they wanted, except on an even bigger level. The million or so semi's they had running to Ottawa for example 😁. I think many genuinely believe the rules in place shouldn't apply to them despite the crap they would spew if the same was going on with indigenous protesters. Personally knowing some of the people that support this garbage, I know they would openly advocate violence against indigenous protesters.

Stuff like this is really important if we want to try to avoid going down the hole that the US has been going down. There needs to be people with spines in the Conservative party. The same with when Eileen Clark quit her role in the Pallister government when they were defending residential schools. I was hopeful that O'Toole would condemn the convoy and that would be the Conservative party line, but they've gone in totally the opposite direction with the Candice "Maga" Bergen who can't even denounce nazism without bringing up indigenous protests and the toppling of the statue... Manitoba Premier's response to Candace Bergen questioned (citynews.ca) He also said the Conservative party has taken an “increasingly divisive and vitriolic” approach and he will continue to speak against extremism in the party. “We need to shift away from that,” he said. --------------- Former federal Conservative cabinet minister Chris Alexander called the Conservatives’ stand “both disgraceful and inexcusable.” “I’m ashamed to see Conservative Party of Canada members, including elected MPs, portraying vaccine mandates as ‘tyranny’ and Trudeau as the ‘biggest threat to freedom in Canada’ while Russia prepares to launch a massive war on Ukraine,” he said.