As of April 1st 2022, the Canadian border will no longer require a pre-arrival negative COVID-19 test from fully vaccinated travellers entering or returning to the country. Previously, a rapid antigen test or a PCR test indicating a person does not have COVID was required by border authorities. This rule change should encourage Canadians to […]
After being closed for nearly 19 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on November 8th 2021 the United States land border officially opened to all fully vaccinated Canadians. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced they will be staffing their border at pre-pandemic levels, but warns that wait times may be longer than in […]
On August 9th 2021, Canada opened its border to all fully vaccinated Americans allowing tourists from the United States to visit the country once again. The US border remains closed to Canadians, however, and American authorities recently extended the border closure until September 21st citing COVID-19 transmission rates south of the border as well as […]
Most Canadians are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Consequently, Canadians are starting to think about international travel again, and are beginning to research possible vacation destinations. This leads to the question, which countries can a fully vaccinated Canadian visit? As of July 2021, Canadian citizens who have received two doses of the Pfizer, Moderna, or […]
Andrew Joseph and Helen Branswell, in STAT, on the lessons we’re learning from Omicron.
More Helen Branswell, in STAT, on 10 lessons she’s learned covering the pandemic.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, in his Substack, helps LeBron James understand the differenc…
I have been struck by the number of outstanding photos I am seeing of the brave soldiers fighting for Ukraine. I have been collecting these now for more than a month, and tonight I thought I would post some of the best:
This is Fedir Shandor. He’s fighting for #Ukraine.
In a peaceful life, he’s my colleague — uni lecturer & the Head of the Department of Sociology at Uzhhorod National University.
In the photo, he’s giving online lectures to his students, from the trench on the front line. pic.twitter.com/NPIPAGKWFm— Inna Sovsun (@InnaSovsun) May 16, 2022
This picture from #Azovstal! #SaveAzovstal #SaveMariupol pic.twitter.com/C7ADl6STyx
— Anonymous Operations (@AnonOpsSE) May 16, 2022
The first female navigator of @UA_NAVY
Eugenia Bakay: “Now you just need to decide – are you ready to defend your country or not”.
(1/4) pic.twitter.com/aocqkMd7K7— ArmyInform (@armyinformcomua) May 13, 2022
Damn, what a scary but beautifully written report from @mschwirtz accompanied by incredible photos from @lynseyaddario. I’m so glad you guys are safe!https://t.co/Yo0u6SIT2X
— Julia Ioffe (@juliaioffe) May 11, 2022
Each region in 🇺🇦has its costumes, cuisine&traditions. But, 🇺🇦is united & ONE in face of🇷🇺
💪So say soldiers of 128 Brigade-Zakarpattia Legion as they proudly display traditional bartka-chiseled shepherd’s axe, lethal weapons & trembita +embroidered Hutsul vest for their spirit! pic.twitter.com/Jc8EMBottZ
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) May 4, 2022
A Ukrainian and A French sniper fighting together against Russian invaders. I feel so much gratitude to the volunteers from different countries who came here to help us fight. pic.twitter.com/Z41XM5QM1A
— Nika Melkozerova (@NikaMelkozerova) May 1, 2022
🔥The darkest time is always before dawn‼️‼️‼️#StandWithUkraine #ArmUkraineNow https://t.co/KbSvKqbu0a pic.twitter.com/PyunGdg33D
— Cargo-200🇺🇦 (@RF200_NOW) April 25, 2022
A fighter in one of the #Ukrainian Special Forces in front of a destroyed #Russian T-72B3.
Glory to #Ukraine 🇺🇦✊🏻 pic.twitter.com/0otwiF5z5A
— Canadian Ukrainian Volunteer 🇺🇦🇨🇦✊🏻 (@CanadianUkrain1) April 22, 2022
An amazing photo: Fighters from the Ukrainian army’s 30th Brigade take their positions in a trench in eastern Ukraine -photo by Ukraine photojournalist Maxim Dondyuk
https://t.co/5D37YpRVfA— Cathie from Canada 🇨🇦 😷🏳️🌈 (@CathieCanada) April 20, 2022
Olena is an officer in Ukraine’s 128th Mountain Assault Brigade – the Transcarpathian Legion. pic.twitter.com/Gku8eMDYDh
— Michael MacKay (@mhmck) April 18, 2022
As of now #Ukraine is winning #Russia‘s war against #NATO. pic.twitter.com/oPRCnedKCT
— Linas Linkevicius (@LinkeviciusL) April 10, 2022
A #Ukrainian lioness with an important message.
Glory to #Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes, women and men ✊🏻🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/Wys3QMooIS
— Canadian Ukrainian Volunteer 🇺🇦🇨🇦✊🏻 (@CanadianUkrain1) April 7, 2022
I am so impressed by this young soldier, in a photo taken outside Kyiv as the Russians were leaving earlier in April:
Marcus Yam/ LA Times
How beautiful is this?
This mural was painted on the wall of the Military Academy of🇱🇹in Vilnius by an artist Linas Kaziulionis
It was inspired by a📷by Andriy Andriyenko, which captures a moment of farewell of🇺🇦border guard Vitaliy and his wife at Kramatorsk railway station https://t.co/juApw7Vpwr pic.twitter.com/5GWIt3XAuw— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) April 30, 2022
There are so many other First Responders worth highlighting too — here’s a firefighter taking a break:
Emilio Morenatti/AP
20yo Peter arrived in Ukraine from Tennessee to join the armed forces. The refusal didn’t discourage him & he started volunteering. Now every day Peter exhumes bodies in Irpin & Stoyanka for their decent burial on the cemetery. “Someone has to do it,” he says. Thank you, Peter! pic.twitter.com/m7KDLHENb6
— Olena Halushka (@OlenaHalushka) April 29, 2022
On the Russian side, today’s Darwin Award goes to…
— Professor Moriarty (@outpasta) April 26, 2022
Moving back to Canada for a moment, I couldn’t resist retweeting this classic:
Freedom? They are literally dancing and PARTYING in the streets in Ottawa right now. People using the word “dictator” and “tyranny” have zero idea. pic.twitter.com/uzaL7q6w67
— Dan MacDonald (@danmac800) May 1, 2022
Here’s the cover photo of 2010 book about the SlutWalk Movement — just thought I should help out that Ottawa school trying to “measure” the shorts and skirts of its female students today.Maybe if they used this photo as their guide, then their female …
Katherine J. Wu, Ed Yong, and Sarah Zhang, in The Atlantic, on how our response to Omicron to date represents all of our past mistakes on fast forward.
Related StoriesSaturday Story: Ed Yong on OmicronSaturday Storie…
Selena Simmons-Duffin, in NPR, drawing from HIV to explain how having the tools to beat a virus isn’t the same thing as using them.
STAT staff, in, yes, STAT, with 6 COVID mysteries that have yet to be solved.
Donald K. Milton, Edward A. Nardell and D…
No particular theme today – so let’s get going! Too late, Candice – that ship has sailed: WHAT?#CPC leader Candice Bergen is worried about this?”And lastly I promised caucus I would not do anything and we would not do anything that would make the …
Lots of comments tonight about the first Conservative debate — apparently not an “official” debate though I’m not sure why that mattered. The big loser was, I think, Patrick Brown — this would have been his first opportunity to introduce himself…
“A significant purpose of this visit is therefore to repent and atone for where our relationships
and actions have done more harm than good” says Welby.https://t.co/OoDwokQGxr— Global Saskatoon (@GlobalSaskatoon) April 29, 2022
The Archbishop of Canterbury has arrived #Sask pic.twitter.com/YjoaOslM3x
— Nathaniel Dove (@NathanielDove_) April 30, 2022
Members of James Smith Cree Nation lead the Archbishop of Canterbury into to community school for a meeting. pic.twitter.com/fpUUOoEV0J
— Olivia Stefanovich (@CBCOlivia) April 30, 2022
“How can we dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery in a way that it can never be used again?” asks the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in James Smith Cree Nation. pic.twitter.com/FIzgCFeEUc
— Olivia Stefanovich (@CBCOlivia) April 30, 2022
The Archbishop, holding an eagle feather, is now listening to survivors.
I won’t tweet the specifics so will just say survivors are detailing a range of abuses they suffered, including physical, emotional and sexual.— Nathaniel Dove (@NathanielDove_) April 30, 2022
Here are some of his words of apology:
“I am sorry. I am more sorry than I can say,” Welby said. “I am ashamed. I am horrified. I ask myself, where does that come from — that evil. It has nothing, nothing to do with Christ.”
BREAKING: Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby issues first ever global Church of England apology to residential school survivors here at James Smith Cree Nation. “I am sorry. I am more sorry than I can say. I am ashamed. I am horrified.” pic.twitter.com/nsKafz9ImO
— Jason Warick (@WarickCBC) April 30, 2022
Honour song/dance performed for survivors at James Smith Cree Nation and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby following his apology. pic.twitter.com/bdPIIFIkgI
— Jason Warick (@WarickCBC) April 30, 2022
In other news, the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was tonight.
Bazinga 🔥🔥🔥🔥#WHCA #WHCADinner https://t.co/QF0r2BtP8p
— ShePlaysGuitars (@ShePlaysGuitars) May 1, 2022
“There’s nothing I can say about the GOP that @GOPLeader hasn’t already said on tape” @JoeBiden.
“The GOP support this guy Brandon. He seems to having a great year.” #whca
— melissa “cancel student debt” byrne (@mcbyrne) May 1, 2022
Best line of the night! #WHCA #WHCD2022 #WHCADinner https://t.co/PdYrdWspJS
— ES (@es_seattle) May 1, 2022
“We are a great country. Our future is bright. It’s not guaranteed. Democracy is never guaranteed. Democracy has to be earned, defended, and protected.” Great line in a great speech! 🇺🇸❤️ #Biden #GoJoe #WHCD2022 #WHCA
— Kath (@kathlovestennis) May 1, 2022
I didn’t watch very much of it, but I didn’t hear about any pearl clutching moments.
As Washington prepares for tonight’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, I would like to take this moment to remind you of how this city lost its collective mind when Michelle Wolf made some jokes about Sarah Huckabee Sanders’s eye shadow. #pearlclutchcity
— Julia Ioffe (@juliaioffe) April 30, 2022
Though, of course, I’m sure the Repubs will search for something to be offended about. Three…two…one…
RNC complains about Biden mocking Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner#NerdProm #WHCA https://t.co/88wdRvvFfz
— Raw Story (@RawStory) May 1, 2022
Trevor Noah ends with a charge to the press. “If Russian journalists … had the freedom to write any word, to show any stories, or to ask any questions — if they had what you have, would they be using it in the same way that you do? Ask yourself that question every day…” #WHCA pic.twitter.com/qt6DJRKKUk
— Cynthia McLennan 🗽💉😷🪟 (@cindymclennan) May 1, 2022
Turning to the right, we see Rolling Blunder arrived in Ottawa today.
“What do we want?”
“All COVID restrictions lifted”
“When do we want it?”
“Last month when it happened” #OttawaOccupation #RollingThunder— The Beaverton (@TheBeaverton) April 30, 2022
Freedom of speech for me but not for thee. It’s the Conservative way.
— Philip MacQuarrie (@monkeynaut1966) April 30, 2022
My rough guess is that there’s 2,000-3,000 people in downtown Ottawa right now. Some are watching the speeches (which are…assorted), many are lounging on the grass, others are arguing with counter-protesters.
— Justin Ling (@Justin_Ling) April 30, 2022
Police outnumber bikers at ‘Rolling Thunder’ ceremony as speakers evoke memory of ‘Freedom Convoy’ protests – so far so good. No repeat of ‘Freedom convoy’ paralysis in Ottawa https://t.co/c6XsFVL7mT
— Phil Gurski (@borealissaves) May 1, 2022
And here’s a quick update on Ukraine tonight.
Modern International performance of #Ukraine‘s National Anthem https://t.co/PQLk9C0VAQ
— Euromaidan PR (@EuromaidanPR) April 30, 2022
“The only thing standing between the perpetrators of Butcha, Borodyanka, Mariupol and their potential future victims at this moment are the Armed Forces of Ukraine.” A reply to all who confuse peace with subjugation of #Ukraine. Furious #Thread /1https://t.co/PW6AgT8hHH
— Ralf Fuecks (@fuecks) April 30, 2022
“Russian forces appear increasingly unlikely to achieve any major advances in eastern Ukraine, and Ukrainian forces may be able to conduct wider counterattacks in the coming days,” @TheStudyofWar says now.
— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) April 30, 2022
The introduction of Western artillery is expected to accelerate a tactical shift by Russia and Ukraine to employ what is known as counter-battery fire, in which military forces seek out their enemy’s artillery, determine its location and attack.
https://t.co/ehyisghoTZ— Dan Lamothe (@DanLamothe) April 30, 2022
Now Ukraine is taking the fight to Russia, without announcing it:
A month into the war, Ukraine began attacks on Russian territory, fires at fuel and ammunition depots suggest, but Kyiv has a policy of ambiguity. The explosions are “just a completely wholesome, natural process. Karma is a harsh thing,” says one officialhttps://t.co/Jx5RcIWJI0
— Andrew E. Kramer (@AndrewKramerNYT) April 30, 2022
And I thought this was an interesting development:
Japan has been trying to get Southeast Asian countries to isolate Russia
Japan appealed to Indonesia with a PM visit to get Russia out of the G20 and is now trying to counter Russia’s partnership with Vietnam, which is its strongest in Southeast Asia
— Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2) April 30, 2022
The Russian war crimes are horrific. Russia is now shipping hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians to Russian concentration camps and onward into Siberia – perhaps all the better as they loot and pillage the captured Ukrainian towns and cities,:
Russia is establishing concentration camps in occupied territories in Ukraine where selections, or filtrations, are made. Torture and imprisonment, deportation or death are potential outcomes from the filtration process. https://t.co/hqb1ELh8KE
— Anders Östlund (@andersostlund) April 30, 2022
Kutuzivka near Kharkiv was liberated from #Russia invaders on April 28th. People hug #UkrainianArmy. That’s what true liberation is.#StandWithUkraine️ #ArmUkraineNow #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/5Y9SbqPlLN
— olexander scherba🇺🇦 (@olex_scherba) April 30, 2022
The UN was able to send some trucks into Mariupol to get about 20 women and children out today.
.@Polk_Azov on evacuation from Mariupol:
-ceasefire started 11.00; whole night, 🇷🇺artillery shelled Azovstal
-18.25: evacuation column arrived
-19.40: 20 civilians board for evacuation to Zaporizhia; Azov continue rescuing others from rubble
-🇺🇦WIA not taken; insists they must pic.twitter.com/Dvvksutf0U— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) April 30, 2022
Sir, UN didn’t ask to evacuate, they TOLD Putin they will evacuate. And RU will do nothing.
This is an example of speak softly but carry a big stick.
(Wife worked at UN and still has friends there. This is a middle finger, in addition to humanitarian mission).
— Alex Bard 🇺🇦 (@BardsWork) April 30, 2022
I hope they can do more. And finally, Ukrainians are remembering those they have lost:
A person in Lviv this morning stares at portraits of people murdered by Russian soldiers.
Many of the portraits are children. pic.twitter.com/zHBCjRkIiR
— Christian Borys (@ItsBorys) April 30, 2022
Jonathan Howard, in Science Based Medicine, more politely asks how did normal expand to include kids dying from vaccine preventable diseases?
Bill Hanage, in The Guardian, explains what “learning to live with COVID” should mean.
BC Human Rights …
Almost two decades ago, the International Day Against Homphobia, Transphobia and Biphobia was set May 17 — it has become a celebration around the world of Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. The only thing I am sorry …
First, this:
Traditional societal conflicts – class, sectarian, racial & ethnic conflicts – are giving way to something much more insidious & irreconcilable: a cognitive conflict b/w those open to living in reality (reality-based citizens) & those who are not (delusional citizens). #cdnpoli
— Harry P (@HarrysNotes) May 10, 2022
The difference between the “reality-based community” and the “make your own adventure” community was identified in an October 17, 2004 New York Times article by Ron Suskind titled “Faith, Certainty and the Presidency of George W. Bush”.
The aide said that guys like me were “in what we call the reality-based community,” which he defined as people who “believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.” … “That’s not the way the world really works anymore,” he continued. “We’re an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you’re studying that reality—judiciously, as you will—we’ll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that’s how things will sort out. We’re history’s actors … and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.
. @reggcohn: “Del Duca was still standing after a marathon 70-minute news conference Monday that may have set a recent record.” Ontarians deserve a leader who will answer tough questions. Ford’s been hiding from them for 4 yrs. #onpoli https://t.co/0Gm954q00t via @torontostar
— Cheryl Fullerton 🇨🇦🏳️🌈⚾️🇺🇦 (@CherylFull) May 9, 2022
Ontario Provincial Polling:
PCPO: 37% (-4)
OLP: 29% (+9)
ONDP: 24% (-10)
GPO: 5% (-)
Others: 6%Mainstreet Research / May 9, 2022 / n=1639 / MOE 2.5% / IVR
(% Change with 2018 Election)
Check out more ON details on @338Canada at: https://t.co/bQ5FUAHDA8 pic.twitter.com/jXke4fYYiZ
— Polling Canada (@CanadianPolling) May 10, 2022
Ontario had a leaders debate today in North Bay and Ford exited without answering any questions from reporters:
I think the dog ate Doug Ford’s homework before he was able to prepare for this important debate.
— Danika Dragomir (@NikaDragomira) May 10, 2022
I’m looking at the transcripts of the post-debate scrums. Doug Ford not showing up to face questions is the main focus of what reporters are asking the three leaders who did. #onpoli pic.twitter.com/LfEva1BAtF
— Mike Crawley (@CBCQueensPark) May 10, 2022
This is pure unadulterated Ukrainian military success👇 https://t.co/ekfxJWx08Q
— Trent Telenko (@TrentTelenko) May 10, 2022
This is what worries me about Ukraine winning:
Putin could use nuclear weapon if he felt war being lost – US intelligence chief https://t.co/yU3up1obJl
— Nick 🇺🇦 #FBR #FBPE #BLM 🇺🇦 (@hazydav) May 11, 2022
This is outstanding:
Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra makes it to Eurovision-2022 finals with their song “Stefania.”
The song, gaining in popularity since the start of Russia’s full-scale war, has already been performed by musicians globally. pic.twitter.com/1zhF3fu7X2
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) May 10, 2022
And I believe the anti-abortion movement in the United States will rue the day they “won” in their battle against Roe v Wade – now they are going to have to spend a great deal of time and money trying and failing to get juries to convict:
I’m thinking there are lots of state governors & attorneys-general who gleefully passed draconian anti-abortion laws over the years because they thought they would never have to actually enforce them. Now they will trying to get juries to lock up doctors & nurses & teen girls.
— Cathie from Canada 🇨🇦 😷🏳️🌈 (@CathieCanada) May 10, 2022
Just as Canadian juries refused to convict Morgentaler, so US juries will also refuse to convict.
Reminder to everyone: abortion was, in part, legalized in Canada due to jury nullification. Juries refused, time and again, to convict Dr. Morgentaler of providing abortions. Jury nullification is when juries refuse to convict a guilty person because the result would be unjust.
— Tactical Bra (@tactical_bra) May 7, 2022
Just because I’m pro-choice doesn’t mean I’m pro-abortion.
It means that your choice is none of my god damn business.
Why can’t Republicans understand this?
— Jo 🌻 (@JoJoFromJerz) May 9, 2022
And by the D.C. establishment, which loves clutching its pearls so much, you’d think they were all into autoerotic asphyxiation https://t.co/2DUpaHDeK1
— Julia Ioffe (@juliaioffe) May 11, 2022
First up, boy is this ever true! Now that spring is here, the rabbits from the nearby park are making their evening circuts through our cul-de-sac and our dogs are going NUTS! Audiences agree “Bunny On The Lawn” is the non-stop thrill ride of 2022! pic…
Jacob Stern and Katherine J. Wu, in The Atlantic, on the meaninglessness of endemicity.
John M. Barry, in The New York Times, on learning from 1918 the risks of pretending it’s over before it is.
Ed Yong, in The Atlantic, on the state of our hospitals…
As of April 1st 2022, the Canadian border will no longer require a pre-arrival negative COVID-19 test from fully vaccinated travellers entering or returning to the country. Previously, a rapid antigen test or a PCR test indicating a person does not have COVID was required by border authorities. This rule change should encourage Canadians to […]