A recent study found that there is no measurable difference between maintaining a 3 or 6 foot distance for the purpose of safe social distancing. The conclusion the researchers came to is nothing new, as it serves to reinforce a paper that came out last summer in Lancet that said 3 feet is fine to achieve social distance. But this new study is still worth a moment of discussion, as it is representative of a fundamental problem within the scientific community: presenting commonly agreed upon “facts” as science.
The basis for the “science” of 6 feet of distance is rooted in work done with tuberculosis in the late 19th century, not on current scientific inquiry. Presenting it as a “fact” that applies to a current situation has been greatly misleading.
Just like the sensationalized “facts” that were prevalent at the beginning of the pandemic negatively impacted healthcare delivery, the perpetuation of beliefs in unproven or outdated science (like the need to maintain six feet of distance) is dangerous. Whether they do so intentionally or inadvertently, those who promote these “facts” are inciting fear, confusion and, what’s more, distrust in the science that keeps us safe.
It’s important to understand that science naturally evolves as we ask questions and learn more about diseases, development and other items of inquiry. Therefore, science requires a candor and honesty that acknowledges new learning as facts on the ground challenge previously held beliefs. Hypotheses get tested and results get disseminated, discussed, challenged and replicated. That’s how we advance.
Indeed, science isn’t dogma. The essence of science is to systematically challenge assumptions – but with objectivity and the rigor of the universally recognized scientific method. Sometimes studies will draw very different conclusions, and those different interpretations of results naturally lead to debates. That is perfectly natural and necessary. This only becomes a problem when, as is true in other walks of life, there are “scientists” who knowingly distort their data or use it to conform to a political narrative or dogma aimed at fear or control. They do a disservice to us all, as well as themselves.
When those in positions of power distort science for political ends, they not only undermine their own credibility, they undermine the real power of science – the very thing that will bring us through this pandemic! The acceleration of vaccine production and distribution has been a remarkable testament to the power of science and the opportunity for public/private partnership. We should all be proud of the groundbreaking accomplishments of the last year, even if we still feel a bit uneasy. There is an enormous amount of anxiety out there that is exacerbated by uncertainty. Many people are still isolated with their kids at home because of distorted views, not science, regarding what is and isn’t safe. As a result, the emotional, psychological, physical, and economic toll has been enormous – in many ways, perhaps even worse than the virus itself.
Nevertheless, we’re on our way to achieving herd immunity faster than many could have imagined. And we will stay the path and successfully beat back Covid-19 if we take the politics out of this effort, focus on the data, and elevate the science.
Granted, we’ll probably be living with coronavirus for years to come. Just like with the seasonal flu, there will be more deaths, but much fewer in number than what we have seen this past year. The more we know about this virus and, per true science, how to best prevent and treat it, the better off we will be in the “new normal.” But first we need to stop allowing agreed-upon “facts” to supplant the good science that keeps us safe.
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the NDP is caving to political pressure from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre when it comes to their stance on the consumer carbon price.
Trudeau says he believes Jagmeet Singh and the NDP care about the environment, but it’s “increasingly obvious” that they have “no idea” what to do about climate change.
On Thursday, Singh said the NDP is working on a plan that wouldn’t put the burden of fighting climate change on the backs of workers, but wouldn’t say if that plan would include a consumer carbon price.
Singh’s noncommittal position comes as the NDP tries to frame itself as a credible alternative to the Conservatives in the next federal election.
Poilievre responded to that by releasing a video, pointing out that the NDP has voted time and again in favour of the Liberals’ carbon price.
British Columbia Premier David Eby also changed his tune on Thursday, promising that a re-elected NDP government would scrap the long-standing carbon tax and shift the burden to “big polluters,” if the federal government dropped its requirements.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
Simon Jolin-Barrette, minister responsible for consumer protection, has tabled a bill to force merchants to calculate tips based on the price before tax.
That means on a restaurant bill of $100, suggested tips would be calculated based on $100, not on $114.98 after provincial and federal sales taxes are added.
The bill would also increase the rebate offered to consumers when the price of an item at the cash register is higher than the shelf price, to $15 from $10.
And it would force grocery stores offering a discounted price for several items to clearly list the unit price as well.
Businesses would also have to indicate whether taxes will be added to the price of food products.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
Quebec legislature member Youri Chassin has announced he’s leaving the Coalition Avenir Québec government to sit as an Independent.
He announced the decision shortly after writing an open letter criticizing Premier François Legault’s government for abandoning its principles of smaller government.
In the letter published in Le Journal de Montréal and Le Journal de Québec, Chassin accused the party of falling back on what he called the old formula of throwing money at problems instead of looking to do things differently.
Chassin says public services are more fragile than ever, despite rising spending that pushed the province to a record $11-billion deficit projected in the last budget.
He is the second CAQ member to leave the party in a little more than one week, after economy and energy minister Pierre Fitzgibbon announced Sept. 4 he would leave because he lost motivation to do his job.
Chassin says he has no intention of joining another party and will instead sit as an Independent until the end of his term.
He has represented the Saint-Jérôme riding since the CAQ rose to power in 2018, but has not served in cabinet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
