COVID–19

This is a photo of a person wearing a mask. The photo is taken very close to their face, so only the mask can be seen.
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BC’s pandemic budget may “wind down” in 2024

Peak Web February 6, 2024

Editor’s note: A previous version of this piece misspelled Dr. Karina Zeidler's last name as "Zeilder," but has now been corrected.  By: Michelle Young, Opinions Editor BC’s budget and fiscal report covers a “three year fiscal plan” for housing, sustainability, and healthcare. The report states, “As the funding for pandemic contingencies are set to wind down by the end of 2023/24, it is anticipated that the Ministry of Health will wind down or integrate any services into ministry operations, as appropriate, to support the ongoing health and well-being of British Columbians.”  The report did not elaborate, and The Peak reached…

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A photo of a COVID-19 antigen test and a KN95 mask.
5 min 0 1495

We need more supports for dealing with COVID-19

Peak Web January 10, 2024

By: Michelle Young, Opinions Editor Recently, Global News reported that BTNX, “a small rapid test supplier based outside Toronto, deleted dozens of specimens, or samples, from a study it submitted to Health Canada.” In turn, this meant these tests were…

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Illustration of a line graph with rising COVID-19 cases, and a health official saying COVID-19 is no longer a problem
8 min 0 2608

How to stay informed on COVID-19

Opinions December 5, 2023

By: Michelle Young, Opinions Editor BC public health has made it too confusing to keep up on COVID-19 information. With the government changing information about COVID-19 data and obscuring data collection, knowingly downplaying risks about transmission, and overall unclear messaging,…

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A group of respirators on a table
6 min 0 1811

BC’s new masking guidance isn’t enough

Peak Web October 17, 2023

By: Michelle Young, Opinions Editor As of October 3, masks are mandatory for healthcare workers and visitors in settings that are accessible to patients, including areas where they receive care. This includes spaces like the rooms where doctors and nurses…

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This is a photo of the outside of Vancouver General Hospital. As it is raining outside, there are people walking in and out of the building holding umbrellas.
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Dr. Lyne Filiatrault discusses masks in healthcare

Peak Web October 17, 2023

By: Eden Chipperfield, News Writer On September 27, BC provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and health minister, Adrian Dix, announced mandatory masking would be re-established in healthcare environments as COVID-19 cases are rising at a rapid rate. Starting October…

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News crews congregate outside Adrian Dix's MLA office, gathering around protesters wearing respirator masks and holding signs demanding masks back in healthcare, access to Paxlovid and PCR testing, and holding some of the names of those impacted. In the centre, a young person stands at a microphone telling her story. She holds a yellow sign saying she has had Long Covid for 20+ months.
5 min 0 1946

Advocacy group calls for stronger COVID-19 measures this fall

Peak Web September 19, 2023

By: Michelle Young, Opinions Editor On August 28, DoNoHarmBC hosted a protest in front of the Minister of Health, Adrian Dix’s office to call for the return of universal mask protections in healthcare settings. The in-person protest featured 25–30 people,…

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This is a photo of an individual on a bus wearing a mask. The two people next to them are also wearing masks.
4 min 0 2021

BC’s first annual clean air festival promotes immunocompromised accessibility

Peak Web September 14, 2023

By: Eden Chipperfield, News Writer On September 2, BC’s first annual Clean Air Festival occurred at Trout Lake in East Vancouver. The event is supported by Protect Our Province, Safe Schools Coalition BC, Masks4EastVan, and Do No Harm BC. It…

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An illustration of two people with brown skin and brown hair sitting on an orange picnic blanket, each with bubble tea, and snacks between them. They are both wearing masks.
4 min 0 1150

COVID conscious activities for a safer summer

Peak Web June 19, 2023

By: Michelle Young, Opinions Editor COVID-19 is still in the air, and indoor dining is not where it’s at. With more students looking to socialize, it’s important to keep a layered approach to pandemic precautions so everyone can avoid severe…

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On the pavement in the foreground lies a young protester with shoulder-length brown hair, a blue t-shirt and jeans, and an N95 repirator mask. They lie as if dead, one hand fallen beside their face, surrounded by a chalk body outline. All around them are other chalk body outlines stretching as far as the eye can see. In the corners of image are the feet of standing and crouching protesters.
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DoNoHarmBC protests the removal of mandatory masks in healthcare settings

Peak Web May 15, 2023

By: Michelle Young, Opinions Editor Content warning: mentions of medical ableism. On April 28, DoNoHarmBC hosted a non-violent die-in protest in front of health minister Adrian Dix’s office to protest the removal of mandatory masks in healthcare settings. The group’s…

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A healthcare provider sitting in a hospital, wearing a head strap N95 mask.
5 min 0 1108

We need masks in healthcare settings

Peak Web May 11, 2023

By: Michelle Young, Opinions Editor As of April 6, masks are no longer mandatory in healthcare settings. As one of the only settings in BC to have pandemic precautions, the decision is needlessly harmful and irresponsible. It puts those who…

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