N.S. doctors warn against COVID-19 stigma, say ‘othering’ people makes pandemic worse

coronavirus restrictions may end in just two weeks time.Opening Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Johnson said: “It is my intention to return on the first day after the half-term recess to present our strategy for living with Covid.“Provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions – including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive – a full month early.”Mr Johnson indicated that as long as the data remained positive, the legal duty to self-isolate would be lifted a whole month earlier than planned.The plan was for self-isolation regulations to expire on March 24., but the announcement means the law could axed on around as early as Thursday 24 February.Mr Johnson's announcement comes as a leading expert believes the UK is “past the point” where vaccinating young, healthy children against Covid-19 will do any good.Paul Hunter, professor of medicine from the University of East Anglia, said most children have already had coronavirus, with the vast majority not falling seriously ill.Prof Hunter told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme infection rates in children are “falling really quickly at the moment”, adding: “So I think in many ways we’re past the point where vaccines are actually going to make much difference.”This is a breaking news story and is constantly being updated.Please refresh the page regularly to get the latest updates. Reporters working on dailystar.co.uk will be working to source the latest information, reaction, pictures and video related to this story.

Destigmatizing suicide could help those in need: mental health advocate “People who are in early recovery or even in long term recovery may have been depending on mutual support organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous,” said addiction specialist James MacKillop.“Those organizations really provide support via fellowship in person and obviously are no longer available in the same way during the pandemic.”MacKillop said 12-step groups and more traditional forms of therapy have done their best to be there virtually — but there’s no doubt for many people the pandemic made a hard life that much harder as basic survival took precedence.There has been, however, an unexpected silver lining to COVID-19, he said.“There’s a group of people who are

[ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ]“Remember to always follow the public health measures, keep your social contacts low and consider making COVID-19 testing part of your personal protocol.”Nova Scotians are being strongly encouraged to seek asymptomatic COVID-19 testing, particularly if they have had several social interactions, even within their own social circles.Appointments can be booked at https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/, by choosing the asymptomatic option.

COVID-19 on Saturday as the active number of cases continues to drop.There are now just seven active cases of the virus in the province, health officials confirmed.“I am so proud of Nova Scotians for the work they’ve done to contain the virus and keep our case numbers low,” said Premier Stephen McNeil, in a press release on Saturday.“I want to remind everyone that provincial restrictions aren’t changing until Monday, so let’s keep the current measures in mind and have a safe weekend.”McNeil and Dr.

COVID-19: Hockey Alberta cancels minor hockey games for remainder of season “It’s been pretty tough for people with disabilities,” retired Team Canada sledge player Chris Cederstrand said from a southeast outdoor rink.“Me and Zach are pretty lucky, we’re able to walk around, we’re able to potentially get out to an ODR or something like that.“A lot of the guys that we know and that we train are in a wheelchair.

He says they’ve also heard from struggling businesses reaching for help.“We had three calls last week from businesses asking if we were interested in acquiring them,” he says.“Unfortunately it’s not an ideal time for acquisitions.”“There’ll be lots of changes in the future for sure,” says Campbell.Another waterfront business, Amos Pewter, opted not to keep the doors at their Halifax location open through the winter amid pandemic uncertainty.“We’re hibernating for the winter in Halifax and will reopen in the spring,” says retail lead Karen Pinsent.She says the overall impact of two years without cruise ships is undeniable.“Especially where the locations at the Halifax Waterfront, Peggy’s Cove and Charlottetown where it’s on the waterfront.

coronavirus restrictions after reporting only eight active cases in the province.Effective Monday, the province is increasing gathering limits for events organized by businesses and recognized organizations to 100 people indoors and 150 outdoors.However, groups of 10 at these events must be kept. No new COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia, 8 active cases remain They must stop any food or alcohol service by 10 p.m.

Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang announced Friday that the province would begin loosening COVID-19 restrictions as of Monday, Feb.

coronavirus on Friday.Chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang will be joined by Premier Stephen McNeil, in what will be McNeil’s final COVID-19 briefing before he is replaced as premier this weekend.The update will be livestreamed on the Global News website at 1 p.m.

Nova Scotia’s active COVID-19 case count at 10 Thursday as residents urged to get tested Officials say passengers on Air Canada Flight 8302 from Montreal to Charlottetown on Feb. 1 are advised to monitor for symptoms.The province says it has three active reported cases.Prince Edward Island has reported a total of 113 infections and zero deaths linked to the virus.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb.

COVID-19 visitation restrictions for patients in palliative care need to be more clearly defined to front-line staff after a case of miscommunication kept their loved one from seeing her children.Tina Baker of Moncton said she had been pleading with staff at the Moncton Hospital to allow her sister, Colleen Cail, to visit with her youngest daughters more frequently while she is in palliative care at the hospital.“She is at the end of her life and we are fighting to try to get those children in to see her,” said Baker.

Yarmouth-to-Maine ferry suspended for 2021 season due to COVID-19 The province said earlier this week it was cancelling the 2021 sailing season because of the “ongoing uncertainty” around the COVID-19 pandemic.The 2020 season was also cancelled because of COVID-19 concerns, and the 2019 season was shelved when operator Bay Ferries was unable to complete construction at the Bar Harbor terminal to meet U.S. customs specifications.The province budgeted $16.3 million for last year’s sailing season and there’s no word yet on what the fixed costs will be for this year.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb.

COVID-19 on Thursday as the province reported two additional recoveries.That now means the province sits at 10 active cases of the coronavirus.Health officials say the new case reported Thursday is located in the central zone and is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada. Nova Scotia updates its COVID-19 vaccination plan “Nova Scotians can be proud of the work they’re doing to keep our case numbers low,” Premier Stephen McNeil said in a press release.“It shows people are taking the health of their fellow citizens seriously.

Nova Scotia will set up its first community-based vaccine clinic later this month to begin vaccinating Nova Scotians 80-year-old and up.

COVID-19 vaccine and nearly 3,500 Nova Scotians have received their second dose to date.With a countrywide delay in new vaccine shipments last week, some questioned whether the province would be able to stay on track with its immunization plan. Canada-based coronavirus vaccine maker working to get government attention In a Wednesday provincial briefing, health officials assured Nova Scotians that the province’s rollout plan is flexible.“We are prepared to ramp up or ramp down based on our vaccine supply,” said chief medical officer of health Dr.

COVID-19 operational plans – or no plan at all, nearly a year after they were required to create one.Tim Petersen, vice-president of prevention at WorkSafeNB, says the government agency’s officers have issued about 900 compliance orders and 80 stop-work orders since March 2020.“Those are instances where the workplaces haven’t had any plan or any real idea what they need to put in place, and we’ve identified that has put people at significant risk in that moment,” Petersen said in an interview Tuesday, about stop-work orders.Most of the stop-work orders have been issued since the start of 2021, he added.

Destigmatizing suicide could help those in need: mental health advocate Roksandic said successfully navigating social contacts has a positive correlation with brain size, and that human beings developed larger brains in response to complex social networks.Successful cooperation, she said, was essential for our hunter-gatherer ancestors when taking down large prey.“As a single human, you cannot actually go out and kill an elephant or a mammal.

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil on Wednesday announced from Feb. 22 to 25, the province will offer COVID-19 vaccinations at a community clinic in Halifax for people aged 80 and older.

The number of COVID-19 cases reported daily in New Brunswick stands in stark contrast to the number of cases in Nova Scotia. But, there’s no easy answer as to why one province has done better than the other. Silas Brown has more.

All the potential COVID-19 exposure sites in Nova Scotia over the past 14 days Health officials are asking passengers in rows 8 to 12 in seats A, B and C to continue self-isolating — as required for out of province travellers — and to immediately arrange for COVID-19 testing, even if they have no COVID-19 symptoms.[ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ]They can contact 811 or go to the province’s COVID-19 self-assessment page to arrange for a test.Nova Scotia recommends visiting the province’s website to do a self-assessment if, in the past 48 hours, individuals have had or are currently experiencing:Or two or more of the following symptoms:It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus on the

coronavirus on Wednesday.Premier Stephen McNeil and chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang will meet at 3 p.m.

COVID-19 pandemic keep her from staying in shape.The Special Olympian hasn’t missed a beat, still training six days a week.“I have been working out lots at my home gym at home and I’ve done Special Olympics Zoom fitness classes,” said Rutledge.“I’ve been doing lots of art and trying to keep in shape so I’ll be ready.”She has been training with her sister, Kimberly, who is a volunteer with Special Olympics B.C.Together, they beat the COVID-19 blues with endorphins. Kelowna Motionball Marathon of Sport raises $60,000 for Special Olympics “We have a great relationship,” said Kimberly.

COVID-19 pandemic.There were no large crowds and no Willie in a video made by Wiarton, Ont., for Groundhog Day this year. Instead, a fur hat was tossed with no shadow.Willie did, however, take to Twitter later to announce that he didn’t see his shadow.Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie Sam emerged from his burrow, calling for an early spring.

COVID-19 cases across Atlantic Canada, the pandemic fortunes of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have diverged in the first part of 2021.New Brunswick reported 657 new cases in the month of January. In all of 2020, New Brunswick recorded 599 cases of the virus.Just across the border from Aulac, N.B., Nova Scotia reported just 94 cases of the coronavirus over that same period.

coronavirus on Tuesday.The province says the new case is in the central zone and is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada. The individual has been self-isolating as required.Ten cases of COVID-19 remain active in the province.“The low number of cases we have been seeing is a reflection of the hard work put in by Nova Scotians, and we can’t stop now,” said Premier Stephen McNeil in a news release.“We must continue our efforts to contain the virus by following public health protocols as we roll out the vaccine.” N.S.

coronavirus pandemic.Since Nov. 23, all restaurants in the province have been required to collect contact information for all dine-in visitors to ensure Public Health can conduct contact tracing in case of an exposure of COVID-19.While some relied on paper and pens, and some on iPads and similar technology, the Restaurant Association wanted to bring a consistent solution to all businesses.

Groundhog Day will be observed online across Canada today in the interest of public safety during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.Ontario’s Wiarton Willie and Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie Sam will make their annual predictions in front of no crowds, instead the critters’ emergence from their homes will be broadcast.Folklore has it that if a groundhog sees its shadow on Feb. 2, it will retreat into its burrow, heralding six more weeks of cold weather.No shadow is said to foretell spring-like temperatures are on the way.

‘Exhausted, overburdened and overwhelmed’: pandemic pet boom leaving veterinarians in short supply “We try and see everything we possibly can,” she explained.“I hear stories of clinics turning patients away because they physically cannot take anymore.”“Obviously that is not good for our pets and the toll on staff… We’re spread thin,” Lupton said.The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) says there are currently about 12,500 vets in Canada.

COVID-19 on Monday.The new novel coronavirus case is a close contact of a previously reported case.The province also reported one additional recovery, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 10.Two Nova Scotians are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, one of whom is in intensive care.

COVID-19 crisis has impacted people in many different ways.For some, the biggest toll has been socially or financially. For others, they’ve experienced loss during this extraordinary time.

coronavirus pandemic.Bay Ferries’ CAT will sit idle for another year as the travel restrictions between Canada and the U.S. remain strict and are not expected to change in the near future.“It is a disappointing decision to have to make, but given the ongoing uncertainty, it is really the only choice we have.

‘They’re struggling behind closed doors’: Doctors reveal disturbing stories of child maltreatment amid pandemic The ruling says that while all three children struggled with pandemic-era life in Ontario, where significant public health measures have been in place for months to curb surging case counts, they’ve had a far happier experience in Newfoundland where both cases and government measures are much more limited.The decision says the mother has opted to stay in Newfoundland for the teens’ sake and is requesting permission to remain there until Ontario schools reopen to in-person classes, while their father is demanding their immediate return home.In adjourning the matter until Feb.

coronavirus on Sunday, for the third time this week.The province has reported only nine new COVID-19 cases in total in the last week of January.“I want to thank Nova Scotians for continuing to follow the public health protocols and for participating in rapid testing clinics,” said Premier Stephen McNeil in a news release.“Your hard work is helping to contain the virus as we wait for vaccine supply to become more consistent.” Nova Scotia reports 3 travel-related COVID-19 cases Saturday Ten active cases remain in the province.The province says two individuals are hospitalized with the virus, one of whom is in ICU.Nova Scotia has confirmed 491 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths in the second wave of the virus.

COVID-19, but says the pandemic has been the most peaceful time in her life.“There’s so many people who were struggling and having a hard time with it.

live stream.Korn, an only child, says the service lasted 30 minutes — a completely different experience than the seven-day shiva she had for her dad when he died 10 years ago.“Nobody would touch me. Nobody would console me,” she says.

COVID-19 on Saturday and said 11 active cases remain in the province.According to Public Health, one case is in Western Zone and two are in Central Zone. All cases are related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada and are self-isolating, as required.“Thank you to everyone for your hard work in helping us to slow the spread of the virus.

COVID-19 pandemic hit, according to a new poll.The survey on mental health, commissioned by Pacific Blue Cross and conducted by Insights West, found nearly half of B.C.

Nova Scotia announced the first phase of a multi-year plan to invest in long-term care throughout the province in response to COVID-19. Alicia Draus has more.

Nova Scotia reports no new COVID-19 cases, 11 active cases There are now only 11 active cases in Nova Scotia as of Thursday, the province confirmed.There is one person in hospital at this time.Officials say 65 people have died as a result of the virus.There have been 1,576 cases of the virus in Nova Scotia, of which 1,500 people are considered to have recovered.Nova Scotia completed 1,763 tests on Wednesday, pushing the tally of total tests completed since the pandemic began to 280,462.As of Wednesday, 13,504 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 2,709 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.Dr.

A group of Nova Scotia doctors are warning people against stigmatizing others who’ve been diagnosed with covid-19. The doctors say stigma and shaming could lead to a rise in cases. Alicia Draus reports.

“economic security” campaign calling on Education Minister Zach Churchill to commit to a province-wide salary scale for ECEs, along with improved — and guaranteed — benefit and pension packages for all.Churchill was not immediately available to comment on this story, but Nickerson said he has acknowledged ECEs’ calls for equal compensation.Over the past two years, a group of eight people representing the sector has been making recommendations to his department, some of which were posted on the government’s website.Discussions on sector-wide pensions in particular, however, were stymied by the COVID-19 pandemic.“They say they had the intention to start actually realizing some of those things, wages, pensions, benefits, anyway COVID put a

COVID-19 cases on Thursday.As a result of a single additional recovery on Thursday, there are now only 11 active cases of the novel coronavirus in the province.

Health Protection Act in an offence related to COVID-19.Police say they received a report on Tuesday that a man was not wearing a face mask while approaching people in the lobby of an apartment building in Halifax.“Officers spoke to the man and educated him on the provincial regulations which require everyone to wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth while present in a public place,” read an HRP release. Young man injured in overnight shooting in North Preston After receiving a second call about the man continuing to not wear a mask, police returned to the building and issued him a ticket for violating the act.Nova Scotia requires individuals to wear a face-covering inside of communal spaces in an apartment building.

COVID-19 vaccine expert panel.“The province needs to appreciate what is at stake if our elders get sick.

Cases of COVID-19 remain low in Nova Scotia, but Mi’kmaw leaders are concerned with the province’s vaccination roll out plan. Regional Chief Paul Prosper is calling on the province to implement a Mi’kmaw-specific vaccination strategy, saying Indigenous communities are at greater health risk.

Nova Scotians will get a COVID-19 update on Tuesday.Premier Stephen McNeil will be joined by Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, at 3 p.m.

COVID-19.Jean Francois Menard is a mental performance coach, working with athletes, executives, pop stars, surgeons, and just about anyone who wants to improve their mental game.  When it comes to dealing with the stress of the pandemic, his view is simple.“It is what it is, not what it’s supposed to be,” Menard said.Professional snowboarder Max Parrot has confronted that reality while preparing for an unusual season of competition.

Misinformation is spreading as fast as coronavirus. It will ‘take a village’ to fight it The campaign is lead by Prof.