Give me the Omicron update … but give me a few things to be excited about, too
In which we quickly get tired of talking about the new COVID-19 variant and pivot to some news for the new year and great reading recommendations.
Welcome to the 59th issue of The Supplement, a newsletter that fills in the gaps of your other news intake. This is Alex, one-third of The Supplement team!
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Also, this will be our last newsletter issue for 2021. Happy holidays 🎉, stay safe and see you again on Jan. 11!
This week, we’re tackling this question: Give the Omicron update … but give me a few things to be excited about, too
TL;DR: A LOT of has changed since we wrote about Omicron a few weeks ago, so we’re giving you a rapid-fire rundown on what to know about the new variant and resulting restrictions. And if you’re burned out from this news cycle, we also have some curations on predictions for 2022 and reading recommendations to take your mind off of the news completely.
I wrote about Omicron a few weeks ago. But A LOT has changed since then, so here’s a rapid-fire run down on what you need to know. If you want more details, check out the rolling updates by the Globe.
Omicron is very transmissible, looks to have a shorter incubation period and leads to more breakthrough cases. (In fact, it is “now the dominant variant in the US.”) All of this is fueling major surges in cases and new restrictions across Canada. So far, Quebec has implemented the strictest rules, mandating work from home and shutting down gathering places like bars, theatres, gyms and schools. The federal government has also advised Canadians against non-essential international trips. At the same time, Ottawa lifted the much-criticized restrictions on travelers going through or coming from a number of African countries, and re-imposed the testing requirement for short trips.
(So what does this mean for your holiday plans, one of the few things bringing you happiness in this trying time? This is a helpful guide on that from CBC.)
In terms of preventative measures, experts say the new standard for masking should be N95s.
Rapid tests are the other hottest thing in town. But while some provinces like Ontario, Quebec and Alberta are already providing free at-home rapid tests, others like BC won’t be doing so until January. This decision has, of course, been criticized.
As of Dec. 16, Canada has recorded 30,000 deaths related to COVID-19. Scientists estimate that vaccines have likely saved many more people and stressed the importance of rolling out the third dose to boost up protection against Omicron. (Check out the rules for the booster shot in your province or territory here.) But it’s also important to remember that much of the world still has scarce access to vaccines, and it’s this inequity that is giving rise to new variants!
One last note: while the rapid changes around Omicron can be anxiety-inducing, it’s important to remind ourselves that we’re not completely new to the fight. We now know what helps, such as masks, vaccines and good ventilation.
A little non-COVID look ahead
Can we skip to what next year could look like?
Grist recently published a cool article that asks 22 climate and justice leaders about their predictions for 2022 when it comes to tech, infrastructure, food, energy, culture and more.
Casey Newton has been covering tech for a long time, now via his newsletter, Platformer. Here are his predictions for changes in consumer tech next year.
Unfortunately, researchers have forecasted up to 7 per cent increase in food prices due to climate change, the pandemic and supply chain issues. This would mean more challenges around food insecurity.
Just take me out (of the news)
If you want to take your mind off of the news entirely, Longform and Great Canadian Longform provide excellent reading recommendations. In particular, here are some great reads (or re-reads):
The Magpie River in Quebec, a place which holds a lot of significance for Innu First Nations, is now considered a legal person with rights like the right to be free from pollution. Check out this Globe story and its beautiful visuals to see what this status could mean for conservation.
Dinosaur cowboys? Say no more! Read about the hunt for multimillion-dollar fossils here.
If you’re on Twitter, you probably have already read this story back in October. But if you are not, please set aside time to dive into “Who is the Bad Art Friend?” It’s giving petty drama — a balm for when everything else in the world seems to be imploding.
And finally this one about eating at the worst Michelin-starred restaurant ever because it made me laugh.
Here’s someone to follow:
If you want to keep up with what’s happening in Saskatchewan, a severely under-reported region in Canada, it’s hard to find a better source than Star Phoenix’s health reporter Zak Vescera. (Full disclosure: Zak is a dear friend whom I’ve known since high school, but there’s no denying that he does amazing work.) He also recently published a series on Saskatchewan’s toxic drug crisis, which is an absolute MUST read!
Here’s a story to check out:
The Star’s Sara Mojtehedzadeh, who does some of the best labour reporting in Canada, is back with another investigation! This time, she dug into the wage theft, worker’s misclassification, deportation threats and other abuses that long-haul truckers are facing — and how truckers in Brampton are fighting back.