News

Is this Life as We Know It?

Published

2 years ago

June 21, 2022

We have been told that there are now perhaps several COVID pathogens out there in the real world, like ephrin B.2 & B.3, known as entry receptors for hernia viruses that attack both humans and animals alike. Initial contacts with these two viruses were with infected pigs and horses, in time a human was also infected, and we know what happens next right? Becoming ill while not knowing it, the subject meets friends, neighbours and family unknowingly infected those met. B2 & B3 can cause severe illness, attacking the subject’s lungs, very much like COVID-19.

So now we have new strains of COVID-19, viruses that attack not only us but our pets and food sources, but also Monkey Pox, coming straight from Africa to your neighbourhood. Most found infections are found in Quebec, a place with a high rate of immigration coming from French Speaking African Nations. There are New Canadians who travel back and forth from their old homeland to their new home. Monkey Pox can cause severe physical poxing, and scaring that can grow visibly. More viruses to come. We can be assured that more variants will arise to make our lives more difficult.

Is there good news out there? Well many States, Provinces and Nations have opened their economies up, with domestic and international travel all the craze. Canada no longer requires expensive testing for domestic and international flights but reserved the right to apply restrictions as it saw fit. Ontario’s Premier Ford declared that Ontario was back in business once again. If you go to a mall, sporting event or simply anywhere the wearing of masks has become uncommon and looked down upon. You will hear comments like “man its over…what’s with the mask?” or “get with the times”. Yes, there are many less kind remarks heard recently. Are we safe?

Again, one can ask if we are free of these viruses? Nope. Not by a long shot. COVID-19 in all its forms still spread throughout the community. People are still dying from its effects daily too. Our children continue to spread the virus to the aged population, and the potency of those vaccinations has come into question also. It has been said and admitted that vaccinations are extremely effective for up to 6-14 weeks, whereupon their potency begins to decline. Possible vaccination boosters for the unforeseen future?

Living in Ontario, I have found our locally elected leaders unable or unwilling to make the decisions needed to protect us. They face the challenge or priorities, the health and welfare of the electorate vs economic survival. In Ontario, we are presently moving from one to the other. Economic growth has become central to our Provinces future, a future that will be filled with illnesses, loss of medical staff, vaccination upon vaccinations, and full hospitals with waiting periods of 2-10 hours to just get into a hospital.

Our hospitals are full, of COVID cases, delayed operations, COVID affected patients unable to go home because they suffer from “Long COVID” and all its various symptoms.

Populations in the 1st world nations don’t hear about the horrid effects that COVID-19 has had upon nations throughout the world, and these poorer nations have not received their vaccinations in mass yet. We are not familiar with how Monkey Pox has spread throughout Africa into Asia. Our medical community is exhausted, with fatalism found amongst them, driving many to retirement or leaving their professions. Have our governments made efforts to train nurses, medical professionals or even doctors in mass? Nope, they have not. They throw our money around and make claims of future investment, but we do not see any results from these investments at a time when we need to be assured as people are under attack from the unseen Virus.

A strict mandate is certainly needed. Our governments need to be straight and honest with us all. Our hospitals are in a mess, finding medical professionals will become more difficult, and our universal health system may need to be revised and re-imagined. We need to realize that economics holds a bigger stick in this fight for survival, and while our governments do what they can to keep us safe, the economy will always reign supreme, certainly on most continents. Will there be any fallout due to how our various countries’ governments have acted or not acted on this ongoing pandemic?

In North America vicious movements of distrusting Americans and Canadians have developed, where no matter what the Federal Government does, they are seen to be wrongly minded and untrustworthy. In the EU Right-Wing Movements continue to grow in popularity and membership. EU Citizens are also being divided socio-politically. The war between Russia and Ukraine has begun to unite Europeans against Russian aggression by enlarging EU Membership even in Ukraine. Nations that are not ready for such membership are being brought into the EU, along with their historic, racial and political baggage.

Asian Nations have placed the survival of the Economy over their own citizen’s betterment. A growing, prospering economy makes for a Prosperous Citizenry. India is torn by political, religious and economic influences, COVID-19 still influences Japan, Singapore and Vietnam. China is still in close-down mode, able to close any province at a moment’s notice. Russia is at war, so COVID-19 is a secondary issue. Ten’s of thousands of Russians are dying from COVID while Russian Troops receive preferred treatment in their hospitals. The mass movement of millions of Ukrainians trying to flee the conflict brings with it influences placed on host nations, namely Pandemic infections, stress upon their health systems, and certainly what can they do with these millions of new European Migrants?

While your state of mind is possibly confused, uncertain and probably bewildered. You may ask what is next on your lived calendar? Well, educate yourself about all local and international things of interest and happenings. You can be in a charming state of confusion or realize that ignorance is the worst state of liberation. It is better to know and act upon information than be a victim to ignorance”(timothy Leary).

Our governments, religious & local authorities attempt to comfort us, by giving us orders, rules, and regulations to help form our minds and attempt to create a state of mind that is vulnerable to their suggestions. Think for yourselves, since certainly, it will be your state of mind and actions that keep you and your family safe at this time. What makes sense and is commonsensical probably is the avenue you should pursue. Good luck and may the “Force” be with you.

Steven Kaszab

bradford, Ontario

skaszab@yahoo.ca

News

Fall storm could bring ‘hurricane force’ winds to B.C.

Published

5 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Anne Joseph

VANCOUVER – Environment Canada is warning about an intensifying storm that is expected to bring powerful winds to Vancouver Island and the British Columbia coast this week.

Matt MacDonald, the lead forecaster for the BC Wildfire Service, says models predict “explosive cyclogenesis,” which is also known as a bomb cyclone, materializing Tuesday night.

Such storms are caused by a rapid drop in atmospheric pressure at the centre of a storm system that results in heavy rain and high winds.

MacDonald says in a social media post that B.C. coastal inlets could see “hurricane force” winds of more than 118 km/h and create waves up to nine metres off Washington and Oregon.

Environment Canada posted a special weather statement saying the storm will develop off the coast of Vancouver Island on Tuesday, bringing high winds and heavy rain to some areas starting in the afternoon.

It says the weather system may cause downed trees, travel delays and power outages, adding that peak winds are expected for most areas Tuesday night, though the severe weather is likely to continue into Wednesday.

B.C. has been hit by a series of powerful fall storms, including an atmospheric river that caused flash flooding in Metro Vancouver in mid-October.

A lightning storm overnight and early Monday covered parts of Metro Vancouver in hail.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 18, 2024.

Source link

News

CBP Announces New Hours for Border Crossing Locations

Published

6 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Press Release

CHAMPLAIN, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), will adjust hours of operation for 38 ports of entry (POEs) along the U.S. northern border, beginning at midnight, Jan. 6, 2025.

This will allow CBP to enhance border security while facilitating legitimate cross-border trade and travel. CBP officers will be deployed to busier ports of entry, enabling the agency to use its resources most effectively for its critical national security and border security missions.

These adjustments formalize current operating hours that have been in effect for more than four years at 13 ports of entry across the northern border, with eight ports of entry expanding hours. A small number of ports will see reduced hours in an effort to continually align resources to operational realities. Travelers who use these affected crossing locations will have other options within a reasonable driving distance.

Importantly, these adjustments have been made in close coordination with CBSA, to ensure aligned operational hours that further enhance the security of both countries.

CBP continually monitors operations, traffic patterns and volume, and analyzes the best use of resources to better serve the traveling public. CBP will remain engaged with local and regional stakeholders, as well as communities to ensure consistent communication and to address concerns.

The vast majority of the 118 northern border ports of entry will continue to operate at existing hours, including many with 24/7 operations. Locate ports of entry and access border wait times here.

The following are the new permanent POE hours of operation for select New York POEs:

Chateauguay, NY new hours of operation – 6 am to 6 pm
Trout River, NY new hours of operation – 6 am to 6 pm
Rouses Point, NY new hours of operation – 8 am to 8 pm
Overton Corners, NY new hours of operation – 6 am to 10 pm

Again, these changes will go into effect beginning at midnight, January 6, 2025.

Below is a listing of each location with the closest border crossing that will remain open 24/7 for appropriate commercial and passenger traffic:

Chateauguay, NY – closest 24/7 port: Fort Covington – 27 miles
Trout River, NY – closest 24/7 port: Fort Covington – 11 miles
Rouses Point, NY – closest 24/7 port: Champlain – 8 miles
Overton Corners, NY – closest 24/7 port: Champlain – 5 miles

For additional information or to contact a port of entry, please visit CBP.gov.

For more on Customs and Border Protection’s mission at our nation’s ports of entry with CBP officers and along U.S. borders with Border Patrol agents, please visit the Border Security section of the CBP website.

News

Man police linked to neo-Nazi group pleads not guilty to terrorism charges

Published

6 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Anne Joseph

OTTAWA – An Ottawa man is pleading not guilty to charges of terrorism and hate-speech related to the promotion of a far-right group.

RCMP charged Patrick Gordon Macdonald in July 2023, alleging he took part in activities of a listed terrorist organization.

It’s the first case in Canada where the government laid charges for both terrorism and hate propaganda against someone for promoting a violent, far-right ideology.

As the trial opened Monday in Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice, Crown prosecutors alleged Macdonald helped produce propaganda for the Atomwaffen Division, an international neo-Nazi organization Canada listed as a terror group in 2021.

Prosecutors alleged he aided in the production of three propaganda videos designed to recruit new members and incite hatred against Jews.

The allegations have not yet been proven in court.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 18, 2024.

Source link