COVID-19 Daily News Digest – December 7, 2020
LNG Canada workers complained about unsafe conditions prior to COVID-19 outbreak
The outbreak at LNG Canada started on Nov. 19 and there are now 54 cases. In the months leading up to the outbreak, workers raised concerns about COVID-19 cleaning procedures in common areas, rooms and work spaces, prompting inspections by WorkSafe BC on Aug. 28 and Oct. 19.
The documents also reveal that a WorkSafe BC inspection of the Site C work camp’s sewage treatment facility in northeast B.C. on March 19 found the facility did not have a plan to sufficiently protect workers from pathogens, body fluids, human waste, mould and COVID-19.
A look at what provinces and territories have said about COVID-19 vaccine plans
The federal government is laying plans for the procurement and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. The approval of a vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech is said to be imminent. The second vaccine in line for approval in Canada is from Moderna. The Canadian military will have a role to play in vaccine distribution and a dress rehearsal is planned for next week to make sure doses can get to every corner of Canada. Various provinces have started spelling out their plans as well. Here’s a look at what they’ve said so far
Indigenous Affairs Committee tables its report on food pricing and food security in remote communities
‘However, despite these challenges, the Committee also learned that there is a very good story to be told about what happened in remote communities this year during COVID-19. We have an opportunity to harness some of the lessons of the Supermarket Taskforce and the Food Security Working Group that were established this year in response to this pandemic and can build on the networks and goodwill generated through that process.’
He stated ‘it is important to acknowledge that this is the third time this matter has been examined in recent years and none of those inquiries has resolved the concerns about food prices and security that have been expressed.
Sweet Grass Patrol gains support from some city councillors for its work in Vancouver’s inner city
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the group is connecting with people on the street, handing out essential safety items like masks and hand sanitizer. Their goal is also to calm tensions and some Vancouver councillors have taken notice. They say the initiative may be an effective tool as the city looks at alternative safety measures for the DTES.
“I think what Sweet Grass Patrol is doing that’s different is sort of taking this de-escalation, crisis intervention and bringing it into practise and doing it through an Indigenous lens,” said Coun. Pete Fry.
Breaking the Silence. All Men and boys play important role in ending violence
“Safety looks like a whole community caring for Indigenous women, loving Indigenous women, uplifting their voices, protecting their children, educating their children, feeding their children. Safety looks like love multiplied. Safety is found at the end of colonial violence. Let’s stop the violence, the trauma. Let the women lead.” (Community-Based Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Submission, 2018 / Reconciliation with Indigenous Women: Changing the Story of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2020) Report)
Canada to get doses of Pfizer vaccine this month: sources
The early delivery time will allow provinces to start vaccinating vulnerable Canadians and health-care workers before the end of 2020.
Trudeau is scheduled to hold a news conference along with Minister of Public Services and Procurement Anita Anand, who has been leading the government’s efforts to secure vaccines and personal protective equipment.
Later today, MPs will vote on a Conservative motion that calls on the government to lay out a detailed vaccine rollout plan.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-announcement-otoole-vaccine-motion-1.5830938
Rangers deployed to Shamattawa ‘too little, too late’ as COVID-19 infects nearly 200, chief says
The Canadian Armed Forces announced on Saturday it will soon be on hand to support the Shamattawa First Nation, where Chief Eric Redhead said there were 195 confirmed cases among the community’s approximately 1,300 people as of Sunday evening.
“That’s not what we’ve been requesting. We’ve been requesting medical personnel from the military — their nurses, their doctors — to help with contact tracing, to help with testing,” Redhead said.
“It’s too little, too late.”
“We need to act fast. It took over a week for the pandemic team to arrive.”
“I knew this was going to blow up because of the overcrowding in the homes. It was just a matter of time, and look where we are now. It’s really, really concerning.”