Omicron is wreaking havoc in Canadian hospitals

Policy Insider for Jan 7: Canada Faces COVID Slog; Erin O’Toole speaks for the unvaccinated; and Jagmeet Singh’s new baby

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We still can’t know if Omicron will hit Canada like it did South Africa, with a wave falling as fast as it rose, so Canadian health officials are preparing for hard work, write triple patricia in Maclean’s.

The great concern is our health system. Although 82 percent of Canadians have at least one dose of the vaccine, that leaves nearly a fifth of the population unvaccinated. And with an unprecedented number of COVID-19 infections, including a large increase in cases among older people, that means the number of people who will eventually need hospitalization could saturate the system.

Treble also lists the things you can do to reduce risk, for yourself and the system. At the top of the list: get a respirator and avoid the crowds indoors.

Under pressure: Omicron is wreaking havoc in Canadian hospitals, the Mail reportsBut they were already struggling with personnel issues.

Even large urban hospitals and medical systems have been affected by understaffing. While news of staff shortages due to COVID-19 infections among healthcare workers and burnout have become common during the pandemic, officials are raising the alarm again amid a record number of cases due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

This pandemic should prompt Canadians to consider the reality that our health care system is not working. In fact, when a province of millions is virtually paralyzed at the prospect of a few hundred additional people in intensive care beds, that fact is undeniable.

Supporting the unvaccinated: Erin o’toole spoke loud For the unvaccinated on Thursday, CP reports: “There will be up to 15 percent of the population that is not vaccinated. In some cases, you will have to try to find reasonable accommodations between keeping people safe and people not losing their jobs, losing their home, not being able to provide for their children. I don’t think that this position is irrational when people’s lives are at stake ”.

Meeting urged: O’Toole called an emergency meeting of the House of Commons Health Committee to examine the federal response to the pandemic, CTV reports. O’Toole blame justin trudeau for blockades: “In a population that is now largely fully vaccinated, in fact, the action and inaction of the Trudeau government are normalizing blockades and restrictions as the primary tool to combat the latest variant of COVID-19” .

Endorse liquidation: O’Toole also endorsed the liberal-brokered $ 40 billion settlement in principle Ottawa negotiated on First Nations child welfare, the Balloon reports.

Border Opener Wanted: The travel industry wants Ottawa to ease travel restrictions, as other countries are doing, the Balloon reports.

Councilor Hawkish: The Balloon has a story about Trudeau’s new national security adviser, jody thomas, who is seen as a hawk from China, having spoken candidly about the threat posed by that country at a security conference last year.

Fêtards in trouble: The Quebec influencers who set up a media circus when they shared videos of their crazy flight to Cancun are in trouble. Some of them have lost their jobs The Montreal Diary reports (translation). The flying circus organizer has targeted airlines, Global reports. The Sorry saga continues to grab headlines worldwide.

Sing a dad: Jagmeet Singh Announced Thursday that he and his wife, Gurkiran Kaur, welcomed a girl into the world on Monday, CP reports:: “Our powerful baby is basically my birthday present for life.”

– Esteban Maher