What did I miss while I was following the news about the convoy?
Lots, from the Olympics to Saskatchewan's new COVID-19 mandates to the beginning of Black History Month. Don't worry — we have you covered with the latest news.
Welcome to the 64th issue of The Supplement, a newsletter that fills in the gaps of your other news intake. This is Sam, one-third of The Supplement team!
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This week, we’re tackling this question: What did I miss while I was following the news about the convoy?
TL;DR: Lots! The Olympics are in full swing — the Canadian women’s hockey team just beat the US team 4-2, a cause for major celebration. Saskatchewan is ending its proof of vaccination mandate despite health workers continuing to feel the strain of the pandemic. Black History Month is here, and we’re trying to balance joy and prosperity with acknowledging that we have a lot left to do. And Boris Johnson is embroiled in scandal for… partying.
Though the trucker convoy is still the top story of almost every Canadian (and foreign) news site, this week we’re drawing your eye to other stories you may have missed recently. (That being said, if you’re still looking to get caught up, here’s our own in-depth roundup from last week’s issue.)
The Olympics are in full swing
Canadians are celebrating after the women’s Olympic hockey team remains undefeated! They beat the US team 4-2 in their final game, and goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens made 51 saves — a new record.
Also: Scott Gow earned Canada’s best-ever Olympic finish in the men’s 20-km individual biathlon.
I also loved this profile of Jocelyn Larocque, the first Indigenous woman ever to play hockey at the Olympics, by the West End Phoenix.
If you’re a medals type of person (aren’t we all, just a little bit?) here’s an easy-to-follow tracker from Sporting News.
Saskatchewan has new COVID-19 protocols
On Tuesday, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe ended the policy requiring proof of vaccination or negative tests to enter public venues in the province. This will kick in on Feb. 14. Remaining public health restrictions, including the masking mandate for indoor places, will remain in place until the end of the month.
Meanwhile, the StarPhoenix’s Zak Vescera reported late last week on internal documents that showed the health authority was preparing for a record number of COVID-19 patients over the next few weeks. They anticipate health care services will be disrupted and have asked doctors and nurses to volunteer for even more shifts to keep up.
Black History Month began
This year, Black History Month is all about the here and now — that’s what Eddie S. Glaude Jr., chair of the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University, wrote in the Washington Post this week. In other words, while it’s so important to also celebrate Black excellence and prosperity during BHM instead of solely highlighting ongoing oppression, let’s be up front and say that we have so much progress still to make.
Black nurses in Ontario deal with rampant racism, but a new task force is trying to change that. BC’s The Tyee has a fantastic package running on its website right now, which covers everything “from students voicing what it’s like to be #BlackInSchool, to the oppressive presence of police, to how urban planning disenfranchises Black people,” reminding us that “the fight for both recognition and equity is long.”
World news kept on happening
The standoff going on over Ukraine between the West and Russia “could turn into a drawn-out and dangerous diplomatic slog” as no side has yet agreed to a compromise. This analysis from The New York Times is pretty good.
Johnson & Johnson has quietly paused production of its COVID vaccine despite consistent demands, once again raising concerns that less wealthy countries in need of shots will go without. The company is apparently pivoting its focus to another vaccine unrelated to COVID.
A probe into the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the “heavy drinking culture and partying” during the country’s COVID-19 lockdowns — an estimated 16 gatherings over a 20-month period — came back with a scathing report. Johnson has since apologized and vowed to “fix” government, but calls for his resignation from all sides of the political spectrum continue.
After multiple Muslim women attending a government college in Karnataka, India were asked to leave the classroom because they were wearing hijabs, protests have sprung up around the country. Muslim are calling out what they say is increasing persecution by the Hindu nationalist government. The latest: authorities in southern India have ordered schools to close.
Here’s someone to follow:
Since we could all use a good laugh these days (re: the last issue I wrote), I’m recommending that you follow satire outlet The Beaverton for a good laugh.
Here’s a story to check out:
You might know by now that I love a good longread — and the more mysterious, the better. This one from the Atavist Magazine, about a woman who called herself Reverend Mother, kept my stomach clenched until the very end. It’s a writing masterclass from Christine Grimaldi.