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Dec 31, 2021: Omicron in BC – PoP Response Panel to Government Press Conferences

Omicron has sent case numbers to their highest levels yet, even with limited testing. There are many issues to be addressed, including:

  • Omicron - How mild is it? Can we live with it?
  • N95 masks for healthcare workers, including at vaccination clinics - why is this important?
  • BC Third Dose roll out - Let’s talk intervals since last vaccine and, who should be prioritized?
  • Is it ethical to allow healthcare workers to work while sick?
  • Testing in BC - update on the ongoing saga of RATs (rapid antigen tests) - is usage for diagnosis an effective strategy?
  • What are other ways to manage Omicron spread and avoid “inevitable” infection?
  • Schools – are the “Enhanced Safety Measures” enough for Omicron?
  • Reaction to announcements and comments made during the December 31 COVID-19 update

Protect our Province BC hosted a panel of steering committee members to discuss and provide a response to Government and Public Health’s most recent COVID-19 updates from this week, those held on December 29 and 31. Members of the press and the public were invited to ask questions following the discussion.

Speakers:

  • Dr. Karina Zeidler, Family Physician
  • Dr. Lyne Filiatrault, retired BC Emergency Physician
  • Dr. Amy Tan, Palliative Care & Family Physician, Clinical Associate Professor, UBC Faculty of Medicine
  • Jennifer Heighton, Community advocate, Teacher

Streamed on Friday, December 31

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Archived Briefings from Protect Our Province BC

As we start a new school year, clean air in schools is a vital issue not only because of the health effects from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and air pollution, but because of the direct link to the ability of children to learn. Hear about the new recommendations for Indoor Air Quality in Schools and Childcare Facilities from Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health.
“For some of the most vulnerable patients, the air in the hospital can be deadlier than the diagnosis that brought them in” Join Protect our Province BC and Drs. Susan Lee, Jean Warneboldt, and Victor Leung to hear about their advocacy, their struggles and successes in improving the air quality in different BC Health Authorities. Why are different healthcare administrations within BC treating this critical topic so differently - in one, obstructing and blocking and in another rewarding and awarding?
In honor of February being Heart Month, cardiologist Dr. Leslie Kasza joined Protect our Province BC’s Dr. Susan Kuo for a discussion on COVID-19’s impact on heart health and how you can reduce your risk. Don’t be fooled into thinking it won’t happen to you because you are _________, fill in the blank: young, healthy vaccinated and/or you only had a mild infection, etc.

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