Researched, Curated, Fact-Checked Covid-19 Information for Osoyoos, BC, Neighbours and Neighbors
Today would have been Easter Eggstravaganza in Osoyoos.
Although B.C. Premier John Horgan has issued an “eggs-emption” to allow the Easter Bunny to continue its important work, the annual Easter festival in Osoyoos was called off some time ago.
If you’re missing this fun family festival, we have some video of last year’s Easter Eggstravaganza. Enjoy!
Getting exercise and fresh air is essential for your physical and mental health, even during these times of physical distancing and isolation. More accurately, especially during these times when many people are under stress.
Walking is great exercise that most people can do. It restores the mind and body. I find I sleep better if I’ve had a chance to take a good walk.
But mixed messages from public health authorities have left many people confused about what they can and can’t do to get exercise.
Some interpret the message to “stay home” a little too literally as meaning you shouldn’t step outside your door. Worse, these people sometimes make it their mission to attack others who might go out for fresh air.
But health authorities have been clear that getting outside and exercising is necessary, although you need to adhere to guidelines on physical distancing. Stay at least two metres apart from others and don’t congregate in groups. Continue reading “Getting exercise is essential, but don’t forget physical distancing”
As my fridge and kitchen cupboards got emptier and emptier in recent days, I realized I would have to make another dreaded trip to the grocery store.
I’ve been trying to limit my grocery shopping to once every two weeks to avoid unnecessary exposure to other people. But I only managed to hold out for 11 days. My eggs, bread and other items were all gone. The remaining small amount of milk in my jug was starting to smell.
I’ve also been holding out on a few other items I’ve needed or wanted. Prescriptions down to the last pills. A needed hardware item. And, since I don’t intend to give up all alcohol until a vaccine is available, a trip to the liquor store.
Shopping scares me. I try to go in as quickly as I can, armed with a plan, knowing exactly what I need to get. I wear a face covering, which offers limited protection to myself and others. I’m careful about what I touch and the bandana reminds me not to touch my face. Continue reading “Shopping scares me, even though stores are doing their best to make it safe”
Health agencies in Canada and the U.S. have now done a 180-degree turn on their previous advice that healthy people should not wear homemade face masks.
Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s public health officer, in the past has opposed the use of homemade masks, arguing that they give people a false sense of security and that people might spread infection when they remove the masks. She continues to make those arguments.
But facing pressure as a growing number of countries introduce requirements for face covering in public, along with growing evidence that homemade masks can help when used in conjunction with physical distancing and hand washing, Tam relented on Monday (April 6). Continue reading “Canada, U.S. agencies reverse advice on homemade masks, now supporting their use”
With a Covid-19 vaccine likely still many months away, there is debate about whether people who have had the illness and recovered have immunity and can escape the isolation the rest of us face.
In the United Kingdom these days, some are proposing that “immunity passports” could be provided to people who are found by testing to have the antibodies in their blood that might prevent them from getting reinfected and spreading the disease.
It’s an attractive idea on the surface. Many of the people infected are healthcare workers and they are urgently needed back at work. Would they need the same level of protection if they’ve already had the virus? Some see it as a way to restore the economy with recovered workers, even as most of the rest of the population remains in isolation.
But there are still too many unanswered questions about the nature of the immune response to Covid-19. And there are dozens of logistical questions. Continue reading “Immunity could help society recover, but questions are many, and we’re not there yet”
Today, April 4, The Osoyoos Photography Club (OPC), celebrates the opening of its anticipated exhibition, Focus 2020.
The show had been planned to launch this date at The Art Gallery Osoyoos, but obviously the gallery had to close due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Instead, the show launches here in the “Life Goes On Virtual Gallery.” Continue reading “Life Goes On: Osoyoos Photography Club exhibition Focus 2020 celebrates opening in Virtual Gallery”
Sadly, the Osoyoos Times and Oliver Chronicle both announced Thursday that they are suspending their print editions, though they will continue to publish online.
To my knowledge, next week will be the first time since the Osoyoos Times was started by Stan Stodola in early 1947 that the Times has not published a paper edition.
The decline of community newspapers began long before Covid-19, but no doubt the impact of the pandemic on local businesses has badly hurt the advertising revenue these papers need to survive. Continue reading “Osoyoos Times, Oliver Chronicle suspend print editions”
There’s a growing international movement advocating the use of homemade face masks in the fight against the spread of Covid-19.
As pointed out in a story last week about masks on OsoyoosPersists.ca, the official line from such respected organizations as the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) is that the general public should not wear masks unless they are infected or are caring for someone with the virus.
But a report yesterday (March 31) in the Washington Post suggests the CDC may be reconsidering this advice. Other countries, such as the Czech Republic, have rapidly switched from almost no public wearing of masks to generalized public use. Continue reading “UPDATE: There’s growing push-back against message that public should not wear masks”
Teachers in B.C. are returning to work after spring break, but it won’t be business as usual at schools in Osoyoos and across the province.
The provincial government announced some new measures on Friday, March 27 and further announcements are expected this week. Continue reading “Teachers back, but classrooms going virtual”
The Osoyoos Photography Club (OPC) had been planning an exhibition, Focus 2020, to be held at The Art Gallery Osoyoos in April.
With the gallery closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the club is going ahead with a “virtual” exhibition in the Virtual Gallery on OsoyoosPersists.ca.
From now and through April, we’ll be featuring the work of OPC members. We plan to open the Virtual Gallery to other Osoyoos and area artists in the near future. Continue reading “Life Goes On: Osoyoos Photography Club exhibition Focus 2020 is first show for Virtual Gallery”