COVID19: The Omicron variant in Canada
Here we are, less than a week before Christmas. So many plans and gatherings. So much to do, so much to see. 2021 was going to make us forget about 2020. Afterall, the majority are double-vaccinated against Covid-19 and the numbers of infected were dropping. Then just weeks ago, a new variant was uncovered in South Africa and it’s spreading like wildfire around the globe and with it, more restrictions.
The new variant is now the dominant variant with some unique characteristics, one of which is its extreme transmissibility. The healthcare sector is bracing for the next massive wave of infections. How it will impact the system is yet to be seen.
Our Unpublished.vote question asks:
Will the Omicron variant lead to a 5th wave of the pandemic in Canada?
Our audience responded:
- Yes = 24.3%
- No = 70.8%
- Unsure = 4.9.%
If you haven’t voted yet, you can still have your voice heard at unpublished.vote...
Guests:
Joining us to discuss the new variant, where it could leave us physically and in particular mentally since we are closing in on two years of the pandemic:
- Dean Karlen, Professor of Physics University of Victoria;
- Steven Taylor, Professor, Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia. He is also the author of Psychology of Pandemics.
- Raywat Deonandan, Epidemiologist and Assistant Professor, uOttawa
- Ryan Mallough, Senior Director, Ontario Canadian Federation of Independent Business
