Here come the Variants, March 18

 

It is difficult to find detailed data on the epidemic in BC (hope its because its not a priority to make them public and not because they are not available). This post on the Mountainmath Blog shows the expected vaccine deliveries and the projected increase of variant cases. Deliveries looking better, variants not so much.

At least BC doesn't go through waves of closures and openings like Germany. The only relaxation of rules recently was to allow outside meetings of a few people outside the household.

The assumption of 10% VOCs made in the article from March 10 seems to be correct. The PHA reported 12% this week (March 15-20).

 MountainMath: Vaxx vs VoCs

 

 

 

Good News on the Vaccine Roll Out - March 1

 

Good news on the vaccination roll-out: BC extends time between the two vaccinations to up to 4 months. This should speed things up! Lack of vaccine shipments from producing countries means Canada's progress is rather slow, nowhere near US and UK but comparable with many of the EU countries.

https://www.thestar.com/politics/2021/03/01/canadian-press-newsalert-bc-to-offer-second-dose-of-covid-vaccine-after-4-months.html

Finally Masks!

Finally masks are mandatory in public places in BC. There has been a lot of reluctance by health officials (masks may cause a false sense of security, possible backlash against those that cannot wear masks etc.) but finally pressure from retail store and the public was strong enough.

CBC, Nov 20, 2020

Aerosol Route - better late than never...

Canada finally recognizes that 'aerosols' are a possible transmission route for SARS-Cov-2. Its taken a long time but better late than never. This comes with the advice to avoid the 3 C's (closed spaces, crowded spaces and close contact) and, yes!, mask use.

Global News Nov 6, 2020