Canadian COVID-19 News

[Tessellate]

Originally Posted by Montanan

Alberta's new Covid-19 restrictions.

The new measures introduced on Tuesday will be evaluated after three weeks, Kenney said.

'Social gatherings are the biggest problem'

"Let me just be absolutely clear about this," Kenney said. "Social gatherings are the biggest problem. ...

That's interesting that they're saying social gatherings are the biggest issue in Alberta. What I've read is that social gatherings are more of just an easy scapegoat for politicians to blame; at least in the US there isn't evidence that they're the biggest cause or contributor to the recent surge. This article says epidemiologists think it's more about the dozens of other major sources - especially workplaces, long-term care homes, jails, bars, and large gatherings (weddings, churches, etc):

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/23/h...atherings.html

Perhaps there is data-based evidence in Alberta since they have better contact tracing, but I'm not able to find the data that Premier Kenney is basing his statement on. It would be interesting to read. It's definitely interesting that he says only 0.7% of identifiable transmission is coming from restaurants. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmon...ures-1.5792919

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Tessellate

That's interesting that they're saying social gatherings are the biggest issue in Alberta. What I've read is that social gatherings are more of just an easy scapegoat for politicians to blame; at least in the US there isn't evidence that they're the biggest cause or contributor to the recent surge. This article says epidemiologists think it's more about the dozens of other major sources - especially workplaces, long-term care homes, jails, bars, and large gatherings (weddings, churches, etc):

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/23/h...atherings.html

Perhaps there is data-based evidence in Alberta since they have better contact tracing, but I'm not able to find the data that Premier Kenney is basing his statement on. It would be interesting to read. It's definitely interesting that he says only 0.7% of identifiable transmission is coming from restaurants. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmon...ures-1.5792919

I too would love to see the data these public health measures are based on. I do note, however, that BC has made the same determination regarding restaurants and bars. They state there data shows little transmission from these locations.

I continue to wonder what role schools play in the growing rates. Evidence so far indicates a large percentage of young children and people up through their 20s can have sub-clinical infections. But they remain infectious (although how much is unclear).

Schools are normally a cesspool of transmissible disease that is then brought home, as any parent can tell you. Why would Covid-19 be any different? Yet no one is talking about closing schools so far (just extending some holidays). Likely this is because if you close school you then end up closing a lot of workplaces. Without state-sponsored childcare, parents can't go to work.

[sv_pelagia]

Then there's this (14 yr old dies from covid)...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...es-coronavirus


ALBERTA: apparently contact tracing is significantly backlogged...
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...klog-1.5813847

"Thousands of Albertans caught in a COVID-19 contact tracing backlog will no longer have their cases investigated. The province's contact tracing system has grown increasingly overwhelmed as Alberta's case counts spike."

I understand BC contact tracing is not quite yet overwhelmed, but is "stretched to the max". Dr. Bonnie is worried!

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Wow Alberta has a very tough set of restrictions

Actually, they're looser than what was just implemented here in parts of Ontario, which is bugging me a little, because we're "in danger" while Alberta is having a "medical emergency".

As related up thread, these Alberta restrictions:

Food and beverage — Restaurants, bars, pubs and lounges will be open. Tables can seat a maximum of six people from the same household, while people who live alone can meet with up to two non-household contacts who are part of their cohort. Last call will continue to be at 10 p.m. and licensed food-serving establishments must close at 11.

Businesses that can remain open with restrictions include most retail businesses, with capacity limited to 25 per cent of fire code occupancy. That includes liquor and cannabis shops, grocery stores, pharmacies, clothing stores, computer and technology stores, hardware, automotive and approved farmers and seasonal markets. Also included are movie theatres, museums and galleries, libraries, casinos (though table games must close) and indoor entertainment centres.

Fitness and recreation centres can operate with reduced capacity, but only for individual workouts, with no group fitness, group classes, group training, team practices or games.

... are all more permissive than our new restrictions in Toronto and Peel regions.

It just goes to show that, same country, same (or worse) per-capita infection threshold yet lighter restrictions... there's little consistency in measures and timing.

[Halifax Sailor]

The term “live streaming” was taken to a whole new level during Tuesday’s provincial COVID-19 news conference in New Brunswick. So I guess "working from home" has some disadvantages.

https://www.country94.ca/2020/11/25/...ng-goes-viral/

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Halifax Sailor

The term “live streaming” was taken to a whole new level during Tuesday’s provincial COVID-19 news conference in New Brunswick. So I guess "working from home" has some disadvantages.

https://www.country94.ca/2020/11/25/...ng-goes-viral/

[Halifax Sailor]

The term “live streaming” was taken to a whole new level during Tuesday’s provincial COVID-19 news conference in New Brunswick. So I guess "working from home" has some disadvantages.

https://www.country94.ca/2020/11/25/...ng-goes-viral/


Apparently this "leaked out" overnight. His boss told him "...urine trouble..."

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Wow Alberta has a very tough set of restrictions

That's your definition of tough?

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

Actually, they're looser than what was just implemented here in parts of Ontario, which is bugging me a little, because we're "in danger" while Alberta is having a "medical emergency".

As related up thread, these Alberta restrictions:

... are all more permissive than our new restrictions in Toronto and Peel regions.

It just goes to show that, same country, same (or worse) per-capita infection threshold yet lighter restrictions... there's little consistency in measures and timing.

Nothing much changed in Alberta, or at least in the cities. What was interesting about the announcement was that it was a textbook example of how ideologies cannot be separated from political/public action. Kenney stuck by his guns —openly stating his ideological stance without even feeling he need to defend it (other than "apologizing" for having to go that far) — and as much as I disagree with him he sured seemed heartfelt.

We will see in 3 weeks whether his interpretation of "harsh" restrictions was up to snuff. Meanwhile I can gamble, shop and go to church but not visit my family in my own home (not that I was really doing that anyway).

Mike if you are still in-province you better get moving because in-home gatherings are verbotten and you might find yourself sleeping in a quinzhee.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Macblaze

That's your definition of tough?

yes the complete ban on indoor gatherings of any size with a fine as well.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Macblaze

...Mike if you are still in-province you better get moving because in-home gatherings are verbotten and you might find yourself sleeping in a quinzhee.

Shhhhh, don't tell anyone, but I'm still here. I will be sneaking out the door (Westjet-gods willing) in a few days though. But I love winter camping. It has been a while since I slept in my own quinzee, but I'm up for it .

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

.................
.......................................

It just goes to show that, same country, same (or worse) per-capita infection threshold yet lighter restrictions... there's little consistency in measures and timing.

Could this be because there are differing population densities in different areas?

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Could this be because there are differing population densities in different areas?

Well, when we're mainly talking urban areas - eg Calgary, Edmonton in Alberta and Toronto/Mississauga in Ontario - these are urban centres with comparable density. I can't imagine why Toronto would need stricter restrictions than downtown Calgary.

This month-old source suggests that Alberta's cases per capita, and its R0 are both a bit worse than Ontario's. And the more recent data from the NY Times (free login required) says:

Alberta's now averaging 1065 cases/day (26.2 per 100k) and
Ontario's now averaging 1251 cases/day (9.3 per 100k)


So... again, I don't get why a harder lockdown is required in Toronto than in Calgary.

But hey, we're all still pretty new with this. In Toronto there's been a lot of complaint from small business owners, and I sort of agree, that they're as capable of managing their traffic as a Walmart. We shall see if the province relents a bit.

[Midnight Son]

Originally Posted by Macblaze

Nothing much changed in Alberta, or at least in the cities. What was interesting about the announcement was that it was a textbook example of how ideologies cannot be separated from political/public action. Kenney stuck by his guns —openly stating his ideological stance without even feeling he need to defend it (other than "apologizing" for having to go that far) — and as much as I disagree with him he sured seemed heartfelt.

We will see in 3 weeks whether his interpretation of "harsh" restrictions was up to snuff. Meanwhile I can gamble, shop and go to church but not visit my family in my own home (not that I was really doing that anyway).

Mike if you are still in-province you better get moving because in-home gatherings are verbotten and you might find yourself sleeping in a quinzhee.

Mac, talking about ideologies. Here in Manitoba, one of the specialists interviewed, called Pallister's stance, 'trying to make a political deal' with something that doesn't have a brain.
Sad state of affairs, if Pallister would have acted a month sooner, we would be coming out of this by now (my estimate, FWIW), as it is it's looking more like January, unless people get their act together!
Best wishes, stay safe

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

...
So... again, I don't get why a harder lockdown is required in Toronto than in Calgary.

Look up all the stats you want then go watch Kenney's introduction to his last Covid restriction announcements. This is all about him balancing a few select facts (that group transmission is is higher than individual) with the fact that businesses Must Not Close, with a sprinkling of Religion Is Important.

There was never any way Kenney was going to close businesses again. He was falling all over himself with his "this hurts me more than it hurts you," and frankly I believe him. He genuinely thinks the economy is more important than stopping this. Time will tell.

So why? Because in this small way Ford is way less neo-liberal than Kenney...