CCBI Resources for Covid-19 – February 19, 2021

Dear Friends of CCBI,

We are sending this Bulletin as Ontario’s premier and health officials prepare to announce decisions about re-opening policies, while Toronto and Peel health officials warn that the lockdown should continue for another few weeks in these major ‘hot spots’ in Canada. The Medical Officer of Health for Toronto, Canada’s largest city, is quoted as saying: “I have never been as worried about the future as I am today.” In the same Globe article, we are told that Toronto had 56 confirmed variant cases, with 283 suspected cases. The increasing numbers of variants cases is of great concern, since these viruses seem to be more dangerous and more easily transmissible, therefore vigilance remains crucial. Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr Teresa Tam, spoke on City News about the problems the variants pose, stating that unless we do more to contain them, a ‘third wave’ is a distinct possibility. It is to be hoped that Ontario’s officials pay close attention.

One of the variants present in Canada is the British variant, known as B1.1.7, which now accounts for more than 80 per cent of all COVID-19 cases in the U.K. Studies have found that the variant is up to 70 per cent more transmissible and around 30 per cent deadlier than the original version of the virus. The number of deaths and hospital admissions in December and January reached the highest levels since the pandemic began, but recently numbers have dropped and hospital admissions have also slowed. It is believed that the national lockdown with severely reduced social contact after Christmas was the main reason for the drop in infections. For Canadians, this is somewhat encouraging, since apparently this “…did not reflect the country’s mass-vaccination program which began in early December and picked up pace in January and February. Nearly 16 million people have been given at least one dose of vaccine so far, equaling roughly one quarter of the population.” This should inspire some hope in Canada that ongoing restrictions do work, and that we are not enduring this ‘bleak mid-winter’ for no good reason while we wait for vaccines.

Extending the numbers of vaccine doses through drawing six doses from each vial, as opposed to the five originally recommended, could help speed up the numbers vaccinated once the main delivery begins in March, assuming Pfizer and Moderna are able to deliver! The AstraZeneca vaccine and other possibilities are yet to be approved by Health Canada but many of them are the ‘unethical vaccines’ that we have pointed out some of us will not want to receive. Nonetheless, the overall numbers being vaccinated will increase. Yet another contributor to increased numbers could be the decision to delay the second dose required for mRNA vaccines for a much longer period than the manufacturers recommend, enabling delivery to a greater number of people across the age spectrum. This is showing promise as a method but has yet been officially adopted in Canada. Two Canadian researchers urged such a delay in a letter in the New England Journal of Medicine, February 18, claiming one dose is highly effective. Stay tuned!

Michael Swan’s question about fair distribution of vaccines has been on my mind for weeks now. I had replied that once Canadians were vaccinated then, of course, what was left over from Canada’s apparently larger than necessary order of dosages should be given to less developed countries. Even at the time I thought that was rather self-centred and Canadian-centric, typical of the ‘me first’ response of more developed countries. Canadians need to be vaccinated, too, of course! Yet I admit to still being conflicted about vaccine distribution: most of us can protect ourselves, follow restrictions, endure social deprivations (to a point, given the increase in mental health issues), bolstered by a certain amount of social security. In countries where these advantages are not available, wouldn’t it be better for them to have priority in receiving vaccines to prevent even more deaths, while we could wait? This is a foreign concept for developed countries – to wait our turn. Even the COVAX arrangement was based on Canada’s being able to withdraw quantities of vaccines for itself, and was still a ‘me first’ concept, not genuinely altruistic. According to a UN report, “COVAX has already missed its own goal of beginning coronavirus vaccinations in poor countries at the same time that shots were rolled out in rich countries.”

Vatican News reports, however, on a plan whereby airlines adopting a humanitarian approach will distribute vaccines and other pandemic necessities to less developed countries as one attempt to redress the balance. Organized by UNICEF, this “…Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative brings together the airlines covering over 100 countries, in support of the COVAX Facility which represents a global effort aimed at equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines….145 countries will receive enough doses to immunize approximately three percent of their population, beginning in the first half of 2021.” Three percent is a small number but might buy some time until developed countries donate their surplus or until vaccine facilities can increase their output.

Our Lady, Health of the Sick, pray for us!

We pray for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded! (Pope Francis’ intention for the month of February)

Moira and Bambi

The Globe and Mail

Toronto, Peel health officials urge Ontario government to extend COVID-19 lockdown

British study points to lockdowns as COVID-19 infection rates fall 67% in England – The Globe and Mail Canadians worried about the British variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 can take comfort from a study in England which shows that infection rates have fallen by 67 per cent in the past month … www.theglobeandmail.com

City News

Dr. Theresa Tam discusses COVID-19 and the variants – Video – CityNews Toronto Mel is joined by Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam to talk about the possibility of a third wave due to the variants spreading across Canada, the concern of the vaccine being able to outpace the spread of the COVID-19 variants, the release of new COVID-19 numbers tomorrow, and more. toronto.citynews.ca

Reuters

Researchers urge delaying Pfizer vaccine’s second dose as first highly effective

Vatican News

UN decries unfair access to vaccine across world – Vatican News
The United Nations and its partners working to achieve equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines appealed on Wednesday for the UN Security Council to ensure people caught in conflict have access to this lifesaving treatment. www.vaticannews.va

Leading airlines commit to humanitarian vaccine transport initiative – Vatican News At least ten international airlines signed up for UNICEF’s Humanitarian Airfreight initiative aimed at prioritizing the delivery of Covid-19 vaccines, essential medicines, medical devices and other supplies to lower-income countries. www.vaticannews.va