Tag: Healthcare
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The Class Struggle Against the Pandemic
Kevin Courtney, joint General Secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), summed it up when he said, the best response to the Tory pandemic disaster is to join a union and join the Zero Covid campaign. Talking at a 400-strong online conference, he paid tribute to NEU and Unison members who had followed union advice … Keep reading »
COVID-19 Crisis Situation In Ontario: Deadliest Day of the Pandemic
January 7th is the deadliest day of the pandemic so far, 89 people died in the last 24-hour period. By every measure the situation is critical, warns the Ontario Health Coalition. Keep reading »
Failure to Protect Essential Prisoner Workers Undermines Public Safety
The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading through federal prisons. As of December 30, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) has reported 1093 positive cases and three deaths among federal prisoners. The outbreaks show no sign of slowing down anytime soon. Prisoners and advocates have called for action to combat the spread and keep prisoners and surrounding … Keep reading »
Vaccine Rollout
In this episode we discuss what is currently known about Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout plans, the privatization and closure of Canada’s own vaccine producer Connaught Labs, the potential for electoral blowback from a delayed vaccination schedule, and our general displeasure with the NDP. Listen to audio »
Vaccine Nationalism? An Incurable Disease Called Hope
The total level of global indebtedness now sits at an astronomical $277-trillion, an increase of $15-trillion since 2019. This amount is equivalent to 365% of the global gross domestic product. The debt burden is highest in the poorest countries, where coronavirus defaults have begun; Zambia’s default is the most recent. The various programmes to suspend … Keep reading »
COVID Vaccines: Calling the Shots
Before the COVID-19 pandemic engulfed the world, the big pharmaceutical companies did little investment in vaccines for global diseases and viruses. It was just not profitable. Of the 18 largest US pharmaceutical companies, 15 had totally abandoned the field. Heart medicines, addictive tranquilizers, and treatments for male impotence were profit leaders, not defences against hospital … Keep reading »
Sick and Tired of Virus Banalities
Everyone has seen those cheesy T-shirts which say, “My grandmother went to Tahiti and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.” One of our friends went to Venice and brought us back an attractive mask, one of those with a protruding beak. It hangs on a wall in our hallway. I pass by it many … Keep reading »
Why We’re on a Long Road to COVID-19 Immunity Even With Vaccines
As the pandemic continues to spread throughout the world, many countries seem to have given up the fight against COVID-19 and are now waiting for a vaccine to protect against the virus. With cases exceeding 37 million, and more than a million dead, the world economy has taken a bigger hit than at any other … Keep reading »
Ontario Urgently Needs Money for Hospitals
Over the last week, the Ford government has rolled out a series of media announcements about healthcare funding and staffing. Today the Ontario Health Coalition issued the following statement to break down what has been announced, what it means, and whether it is enough. “Hospitals are reporting across Ontario that have been promised their extraordinary … Keep reading »
Health Coalition Demands that Ontario Government Stop Privatizing Healthcare
The Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) expressed deep concern about the Doug Ford government’s privatization of healthcare services, the lack of a coherent plan for a second-wave of COVID-19, and cuts and layoffs at public hospitals while the government shifts funding to private companies for COVID-19 related services. On September 22, Premier Ford said, “I think … Keep reading »
What Happened to PPE Production in Canada?
Joint Statement on Domestic Production of N95 Respirators On August 21 the federal and Ontario governments announced major subsidies for 3M Canada to expand its Brockville plant, and starting in early 2021, to produce 50 million N95 respirators each year for five years. This is an important step toward addressing the existing shortage of this much … Keep reading »
The California Disaster: What is the Link Between Wildfires and the Coronavirus?
I live in the San Francisco-Bay Area outside of Berkeley. Following the COVID-19 outbreak we went into shelter-in-place in March and officially never left after a second wave in early summer perpetuated school closures and other preventive measures. Following another dry winter and an unprecedented heatwave, Northern California is currently experiencing a series of massive … Keep reading »