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PoP BC:

Protect Our Province

Physicians, nurses, health scientists, health policy specialists and community advocates working together to advocate for evidence-based health policies in BC.

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Long COVID Web: Webinar Series – Session 2

Protect Our Province BC’s Dr. Filiatrault participated in this Long COVID Web presentation on November 14, 2023. Along with Dr. Bhéreur, a prior guest on our POP BC briefings, Dr. Filiatrault emphasized the need for “true public health” to prevent COVID infections and reinfections among Canadians. Barring this, more and more Canadians will develop longterm chronic illnesses and disabilities at the same time as our healthcare system is unravelling.

CTV News: Dozens sign open letter urging ‘safe return to school’ amid respiratory illness concerns

“With students returning to B.C. classrooms in four weeks, an open letter to the province is outlining five things the signatories say must be addressed to ensure ‘a safe return to school.'”

Read Angela Jung’s article in CTV News about PoP BC’s open letter to the Ministers of Health and Education on what’s needed to keep kids safe in school this fall.

Latest News from POP BC

Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test FAQ Header Image with test and heading text
General Information Q: How accurate are Rapid Antigen Tests?  A: Positive test results on rapid tests are generally accurate, and if you test positive you should take precautions (wear a high-quality respirator mask, isolate, inform your contacts) to avoid passing on the virus.  A negative test doesn’t necessarily mean your don’t have Covid; it *could*… Continue reading Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) – FAQ
The 'Star of Life' image in red (a 6-limbed 'star' (looks more like an asterisk) with the Rod of Asclepius in it) - it is the symbol for emergency medicine.
To Drs. Doan, Fedder and McInnes and the BC Section of Emergency Medicine Thank you for your commitment and dedication to caring for emergency patients in British Columbia during a very stressful time. As emergency physicians and the co-presidents of the Section of Emergency Medicine, Doctors of BC, what you do matters and sets the… Continue reading Open Letter – Bring Back Universal Masking in BC Emergency Departments
PoP BC heart logo on a white background with the following text below it in red letters:
[Edited Sept 13, 2023 – the original text of this post erroneously linked to an article about Chicago public schools from 2022. That has been removed.] To BC Premier David Eby,  Minister of Health Adrian Dix, Minister of Education Rachna Singh and Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry Today Protect Our Province BC (POP BC) calls… Continue reading Open Letter – Protect Our Province BC Calls on the BC Government to restore masking in Healthcare and Schools

Latest POP BC Briefings

An image of a person standing facing away from the camera - in front of them is a road that branches in a curve symmetrically to the left and to the right. In between the two branches is a tree. The right half of the image is shaded dark grey and looks like storms may come soon, the left side is bright and sunny. The PoP BC heart logo is in the upper left and is followed by text that reads: “(UN)SAFE SEPTEMBER? IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE! LIVE BRIEFING: Wednesday, June 28 12:30-1:30pm PDT Join us for a conversation on keeping kids safe at school this fall Livestream link: www.protectbc.ca/live
A Protect Our Province BC panel discussion with Join PoP BC for a panel discussion about how we as a community can pull together to create a safer learning environment for kids when school starts again in September! We can avoid another ‘tripledemic’ if we work together! Ready for Fall 2023? video: Briefing video:
To the right of the image, a profile view of a very advanced pregnant abdomen with the pregnant person's left hand resting on the side of the belly. To the left, text that reads:
“COVID-19 vaccination is safe during pregnancy and may protect newborns from infection, especially if vaccines are given in the second or third trimester. This is similar to what we are already doing with other maternal vaccines, including TDaP and seasonal influenza.” – Dr. Eastabrook
Image shows a large COVID viral particle (dark pink colour) being pulled by a tiny human with a tight rope, along a hill. Grey clouds in the background with the hill depicted in black. Logo of PoP BC is in the lower left corner.
“If we had an epidemic of people with broken limbs and we saw people in plasters and crutches, it would be more evident. But there is a lot of disability that is happening, which is a hidden disability often, which is why we need to talk about it more, for people to understand what the consequences are. And that will help to make better decisions.” – Lynette

ACTION: Download or print a PoP BC poster on how to hold inclusive events in your community (translations available!)

PoP BC’s mission is to provide evidence-based public health guidance in an effort to collectively reduce the spread of COVID-19. You can support our efforts and contribute to our mission by helping us get the word out.


In BC, there is an ongoing attempt to dismiss the severity of COVID-19 and to pressure people to ‘get back to normal’. But the virus is still circulating (the current version is the most infectious yet) and people are still getting sick. At the same time, we all want to see each other and enjoy our lives – how do we do that without excluding people who are still taking precautions to avoid getting COVID (or giving it to others)?


PoP BC is happy to share these posters on how to hold inclusive events, available in the following languages: Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), English, Filipino, French, Korean, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, and Vietnamese.


These graphics are designed for sharing, whether by email, on social media, or by printing and distributing in your local area or your workplace. Click on the button below to find PDFs and images of how to host events that don’t exclude vulnerable members of your community.



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