ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR
- 7/29/2020
Ontario government reveals back to school plan
Ontario's elementary students and many high schoolers will return to traditional classrooms full time in September, the provincial government announced Thursday. But the province's new back-to-school plan indicates that high school students at two dozen boards—including the Toronto District School Board—will only attend class half the time in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, with a maximum class size of 15. - 7/29/2020
Low-cost moist heat treatment of N95 masks eliminates SARS-CoV-2, bacteria
A new study shows that moist heat treatment of N95 masks eliminates severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and bacteria, which would allow reuse of these scarce resources. The study is published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). - 7/29/2020
ConquerCovid-19 a true Canadian success story
“Not all heroes wear capes.”—It’s an expression often found on the internet. It, of course, refers to the fact that you don’t have to be Batwoman or Superman or whoever, to do some good in this world. During the Great Pandemic of 2020 of course this phrase is often used to describe those of us who provide healthcare on the front lines. Cleary, the physicians, nurses, first responders, PSWs, support staff, environmental services staff and many others who provide front line care during this historically difficult time are heroes. - 7/29/2020
Povidone-iodine products show rapid in vitro efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 virus
Povidone-iodine gargle–mouthwash might be useful in reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission in dental practices - 7/29/2020
AstraZeneca won't profit from COVID-19 vaccine in pandemic
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca repeated its promise not to profit from a COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic as it reported it was on track with late-stage trials for the treatment. Such promises were boosted by strong sales across its range of treatments during lockdown. Sales jumped by 14% to $12.6 billion in the first six months of 2020 and were helped by strong trading in new medicines, as well as cancer and respiratory medication. - 7/28/2020
Siemens Healthineers releases test kit for coronavirus
Siemens Healthineers announced the availability of its molecular Fast Track Diagnostics (FTD) SARS-CoV-2 Assay test kit used to detect the severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus that causes the COVID-19 disease. - 7/28/2020
Manitoba frontline workers to get $1,500 to recognize work during pandemic
The program is funded 75% by the federal government but each province gets to determine which workers are eligible - 7/28/2020
Adracare announces the launch of self-serve telemedicine
Adracare, a leading provider of telemedicine and practice management solutions based in Toronto, announced the launch of its self-serve platform, available to Canadian and U.S.-based clients immediately. With the Adracare self-serve platform now fully functional, healthcare professionals can sign-up and start running their virtual practice in under 90 seconds - 7/28/2020
Toronto, Peel to join Stage 3 of reopening Friday, July 31; Windsor-Essex remains in Stage 2
The province wants to collect and examine data for at least another week before deciding whether the Windsor-Essex can move ahead in the reopening process - 7/28/2020
Ottawa should transfer money to provinces for doctors' COVID losses
Until recently, few had heard of this obscure code. Recently the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) disclosed that during the pandemic, a at least $623 million had been paid to civil servants—especially in the Canada Revenue Agency and Correctional Services. According to Yves Giroux of the PBO (Jennifer Chevalier, CBC News, July 24, 2020), this amount of lost productivity was the “absolute minimum.” Federal employees were permitted to stay at home during the pandemic and receive full pay while not working—all thanks to the pay code 699 policy. This involved at least 76,000 persons, or a quarter of all government employees. Randall Denley (Ottawa Citizen, July 29, 2020) put this number at 79,000. (By comparison, there are 86,000 practising physicians in Canada.)