A leading B.C. respirologist says it is “disconcerting” that hundreds of people would gather in Vancouver to rally against masks and protocols to stop the transmission of COVID-19, as case numbers continue to rise.
Crowds gathered at the Vancouver Art Gallery, Saturday, for a “B.C. Christmas Freedom Rally” opposing masks and restrictions on activities and social gatherings implemented by public health order.
“It’s really concerning, because at an individual level, masks protect you against the virus and at the population level, if there is not sufficient buy-in in terms of mask wearing, the community transmission of the virus will continue to escalate,” said Dr. Don Sin, head of respiratory medicine at Providence Healthcare and UBC professor of medicine.
“We have to put in every possible intervention to contain the virus while we wait for the vaccine to come and hopefully eliminate the virus altogether.”
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2:07 British Columbians opposed to wearing masks hold Vancouver protest
British Columbians opposed to wearing masks hold Vancouver protest – Jul 19, 2020
Sin cited a recent study which found mandatory masks in Germany cut virus transmission by about 45 per cent, and added that there is no scientific evidence that wearing a mask cuts oxygen intake or can make someone sick.
Fifty-one people have died of COVID-19 in B.C. in December alone. Active cases in the province and hospitalizations have continued to set daily records in recent weeks.
Speakers at Saturday’s rally included anti-vaccine activists, anti-mask activists, a message from Santa, comedy and speeches alleging censorship and government overreach.
It also included a headline-making appearance by former Canucks anthem singer Mark Donnelly. Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini took to Twitter Friday night to sever the club’s relationship with Donnelly over his appearance.
Donnally addressed the controversy, saying no one from the Canucks had reached out to him about the incident, despite his 20 years with the organization.
Donnelly told the rally he felt he needed to speak up and “support the side of an argument which is being marginalized and censored,” and criticized “draconian” public health measures which he claimed had been implemented without a cost-benefit analysis.
Donnelly went on to inaccurately claim that officials had promised the COVID-19 battle would be a “sprint” not a “10-month marathon from hell” and that officials in all jurisdictions were discussing mandatory vaccines.
In March, former finance minister Carole James specifically described the COVID-19 response as a “marathon.”
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the province was not contemplating mandatory vaccines as recently as Wednesday, while Alberta Premier Jason Kenney went out of his way to promise vaccines would be voluntary last week.
2:02 ‘Freedom Rally’: hundreds protest pandemic protocols in Vancouver
‘Freedom Rally’: hundreds protest pandemic protocols in Vancouver – Oct 18, 2020
Sin said that regardless of what people are reading on social media, masks have been scientifically proven to be effective.
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“I totally understand the frustration, but (masks are) an effective strategy of containing the virus and we all have to pitch in during these dark times to reduce the transmission,” he said.
“Otherwise our rates will just skyrocket and our hospitals will be full of COVID-19 patients, even young patients who may die from the disease.”
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
