/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/politics/federal/2020/06/03/hydroxychloroquine-is-not-effective-in-preventing-covid-19-study-says/hydroxychloroquine.jpg)
Hydroxychloroquine is not effective in preventing COVID-19, study says
OTTAWA – A new joint Canada-U.S. scientific study of hydroxychloroquine says the drug that U.S. President Donald Trump promotes as a preventive medication does not protect people who’ve been exposed to the coronavirus from developing the COVID-19 disease. That’s encouraging news for other scientists whose studies were paused or suspended last week, based on early observational studies. The World Health Organization had ordered its global “Solidarity” trial into hydroxychloroquine paused while it reviewed safety data, and other countries followed suit. Among those who received hydroxychloroquine, 49 developed the disease versus 58 in the control group that received a placebo. It has approved 38 clinical trials into potential COVID-19 therapies and vaccines, including 10 involving hydroxychloroquine, some in combination with other drug therapies.
Source:thestar
June 03, 2020 19:01 UTC
New lawsuit aims to invalidate travel ban for seasonal residents
A new class-action lawsuit aims to invalidate rules barring seasonal residents from entry into Newfoundland and Labrador during the pandemic. A special order in place since May 15 closed the border to all seasonal residents. Budden said the situation seasonal residents currently face reveals an "inconsistency" in how COVID-19 restrictions are being applied. While Newfoundland residents, no matter their point of departure, are guaranteed entry, seasonal residents are automatically shut out, despite people like the Koehlers, for whom Budden argued travel to the province would be "demonstrably less risky." 2nd suit filed against provinceThe class action Budden and Buckingham are preparing is the second lawsuit filed against the province since the government tightened restrictions at the border.
Source:CBC News
June 03, 2020 18:49 UTC
Serious crash near Humboldt, Highway 5 closed: Sask. RCMP
Emergency crews are tending to what they described as a serious motor vehicle collision on Highway 5, about 11 kilometres west of Humboldt, Sask. RCMP said Wednesday the highway is being closed in both directions and a detour will be set up. STARS Air Ambulance has dispatched crews from Regina and Saskatoon to the scene. STAR 9 (Regina) has been dispatched for a Scene Call Emergency in the Humboldt, SK area. Police are asking drivers to be cautious around emergency workers on the highway.
Source:CBC News
June 03, 2020 18:49 UTC
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U.S. protests reading list: Three powerful recent books by Black authors
These three books will change the way you perceive the world when you read them. Amidst worldwide protests against police brutality against Black people they are passionate and difficult and vitally important. The Star spoke to the authors when their books first came out — here is a small taste of what they had to say. Desmond Cole, “The Skin We’re In”Cole’s book came out in January. I want people to have conversations too, about the specific ways that Black people have fought to liberate ourselves.
Source:thestar
June 03, 2020 17:26 UTC
U.S. defence secretary Esper opposes using military for law enforcement
Breaking with President Donald Trump, U.S. Defence Secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday he opposes using military forces for law enforcement in containing current street protests. Esper has authorized the movement of several active-duty army units to military bases just outside the nation's capital, but they have not been called to action. Hundreds of soldiers in nation's capitalThe Defence Department has drafted contingency plans for deploying active-duty military if needed. Esper also said Wednesday he has ordered an investigation into the use of a National Guard helicopter to fly over protesters. The National Guard said it is also initiating a probe into the decision.
Source:CBC News
June 03, 2020 15:55 UTC
Without internet, rural adult students feeling shut out
For rural students of an adult training program in eastern Ontario, the COVID-19 shutdown, combined with the lack of affordable and reliable internet, is proving especially challenging. Hildebrand has no internet connection at his rural home in Palmer Rapids, Ont., where his only option would be an expensive and spotty satellite feed. - Jane Wouda, instructorBut Wouda said even that doesn't do it for some students. Sue Rupert is program manager of the Training and Learning Centre of Renfrew County. Rupert said unless the internet suddenly becomes reliable and affordable in rural Renfrew, the centre's instructors will continue to rely on mailings and phone calls to help students on their path to new opportunities.
Source:CBC News
June 03, 2020 15:16 UTC
Island realtors hopeful sales will pick up after dismal spring
's real estate association says it's hopeful the market will start to rebound after a spring plagued by low sales and a shortage of listings. Another challenge facing the real estate market — the continued restrictions on people visiting the Island. No house, no coming hereThose restrictions were almost enough to foil Peter and Karen Lefantaisie's Island house buying plans. — Greg Lipton, P.E.I. Lipton said he is optimistic it will all add up to a better summer of house sales than some feared.
Source:CBC News
June 03, 2020 15:00 UTC
Indigenous women's organization gives Ottawa failing grade on its MMIWG response
The organization also wants to be at all decision-making tables with the federal government on issues related to Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people. They must do it for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls as well." The inquiry recommended governments establish a national Indigenous and human rights ombudsperson, and to establish a national Indigenous human rights tribunal. Heidi Illingworth, federal ombudsman for victims of crime, said the delay of the national action plan can't be blamed on one minister. It's unclear how long the creation of a national action plan will take.
Source:CBC News
June 03, 2020 14:44 UTC
Canada Army Run cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns
The 2020 Canada Army Run has been cancelled due to concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers say. "Canada Army Run is no ordinary race, and 2020 has proven to be no ordinary year," organizers said in a post on the race's website. Organizers said even though the in-person run is cancelled, the event will move online, with details about programming to be announced in the future. Those who already paid can either defer to 2021, get a credit for a future race or participate in the 2020 virtual race. Organizers of the Ottawa Race Weekend offered similar alternatives when they cancelled the event, which was scheduled to take place last month.
Source:CBC News
June 03, 2020 14:37 UTC
Bank of Canada holds rate steady, saying COVID-19 economic impact 'appears to have peaked'
The Bank of Canada held its benchmark interest rate steady at 0.25 per cent on Wednesday and said it thinks the economic impact of COVID-19 on the world's economy "appears to have peaked." The bank's rate influences the rates that Canadian borrowers and savers get from their banks on things like mortgages and bank accounts. "The bank stands ready to adjust these programs if market conditions warrant," the central bank said. The rate decision means that Canadians with variable rate mortgages shouldn't expect any changes to their lending rate any time soon. Macklem "participated as an observer in governing council's deliberations for this policy interest rate decision and endorses the rate decision and measures announced in this press release," the bank said Tuesday.
Source:CBC News
June 03, 2020 14:34 UTC
Mix of online, in-class learning could continue in September: B.C. education minister
's education minister says a hybrid of in-class and online learning will likely be part of the next school year, given the potential of a second wave of COVID-19 in the fall. Schools reopened Monday on a part-time and optional basis for students in kindergarten through Grade 12, while online learning also continues for the final four weeks of the school year. About 90 per cent of teachers are back in class and also offering online learning. The 10 per cent who aren't have primarily been assigned full-time online teaching, the minister said. "That's one of the reasons why going back to school and having in-classroom learning right now was so important.
Source:CBC News
June 03, 2020 14:15 UTC
More than 600 nurses have died around the world from COVID-19, association says
More than 600 nurses worldwide are known to have died from COVID-19, which has infected an estimated 450,000 health-care workers, the International Council of Nurses said on Wednesday. Infection rates varyExtrapolating from more than six million reported cases produced its estimate of some 450,000 infections among health-care workers. Spain and Germany have recorded low numbers of fatalities among health-care workers despite large outbreaks, the group added. This is an issue raised directly by the Philippine Nurses Association to ICN, concerning Filipino HCWs in the U.K.," it said. The ICN represents 130 national associations and more than 20 million registered nurses.
Source:CBC News
June 03, 2020 14:03 UTC
B.C. man describes helplessness of grieving from afar after brother, cousin shot dead in Chicago
man who found out that his brother and cousin were killed in his hometown of Chicago on Sunday says he feels helpless watching from afar as protests engulf the city and COVID-19 remains a risk. Jelks grew up in the south side of Chicago with his brother Darius and his cousin Maurice, and remembered them as bubbly individuals. He says they were driving to his mother's house when they were shot and killed at a traffic signal. "What once was a 15-minute drive turns into an hour, two-hour drive trying to navigate the neighbourhoods to stay safe." Still, Jelks said he understood why there were mass protests across the city and country.
Source:CBC News
June 03, 2020 13:57 UTC
Port Coquitlam councillor taking city to court after being censured
After being censured by the rest of her colleagues on Port Coquitlam council, Laura Dupont is taking them to court. Support outside PoCoIt's not often that a councillor is formally censured by their colleagues or stripped of certain responsibilities. Adriane Carr, who chairs the Metro Vancouver Climate Action Committee that Dupont had sat on prior to her censure by Port Coquitlam. Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West says he can't comment on what information Dupont disclosed, but it was not a public policy issue. Dupont said she would support Port Coquitlam having a code of conduct going forward.
Source:CBC News
June 03, 2020 12:56 UTC
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‘The Walrus and the Whistleblower’ profiles ‘walrus whisperer’ and his battle with Marineland
Growing up near Niagara Falls, Ont., Nathalie Bibeau was well familiar with the splashy spectacle of its zoo and amusement park Marineland. “Not just the activist side, but even inside Marineland — what does it feel like to have the paradigm shift on you? The film follows his activism and fame as a so-called “walrus whisperer,” his battle to fight a lawsuit launched against him by Marineland, and his journey to gain “custody” of Smooshi. Bibeau pointed to a scientist she spoke with for a digital short film she’s made to accompany “The Walrus and the Whistleblower” online. “She said to me, ‘At the end of the day, we all love animals,’” Bibeau said of the scientist, who works at an aquarium.
Source:thestar
June 03, 2020 12:56 UTC