Last week, Alberta's Minister of Education announced that rapid tests for at-home COVID-19 testing will be provided to students in K-6 schools that are on the outbreak list. The program is free, optional, and is available now. Produced by Hannah Cunningham. https://www.alberta.ca/lookup/covid-19-school-status-map.aspx
As of today per the universities implemented strategy to combat new covid cases on campus you will need your campusready pass to be present on any u of a campuses. If you have not already you can access the signup webpage at ualberta.ca/covid-19. This pass once again will be mandatory when asked for all students, faculty and staff. The following individuals can ask to see your pass : Your Instructor Campus service representatives Event organizers Your supervisor Your hr services partners or othe...
Cycling and walking in the dark This is my annual reminder that, while its getting darker earlier and staying dark longer there’s a sneaky time of day when sun is exactly at the horizon and that makes cyclists and walkers very hard to see. Moreover, this situation will happen for us right up until the time change and then it will go on after the time change until the we move further into November and the sun rises after our commutes are over. Is there any particular way to prepare for this low v...
Researchers confirm how to decontaminate and reuse masks during COVID-19 pandemic: heat and methylene blue with light activation shown to decontaminate N95 respirators and medical masks without affecting performance. Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34016200/ Produced by Saveta Cartwright.
Schools in Alberta have had to take on the responsibility of COVID-19 contact-tracing while the Alberta government prepares to step back in, and it's costing schools not only money, but also people-power and time. Produced by Hannah Cunningham. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/covid-19-mitigation-contact-notifications-costing-alberta-schools-more-than-money-1.6218847
In this week's campus update we cover the approaching deadline to be campus ready by November 1st, with the university again requiring all students, staff and faculty to submit their proof of immunization or exemption and have a campus ready pass before November. Noted is that even if you are working remotely or learning remotely you will also have this requirement. A helpful guide is available on their site Also included in that update the u of a released numbers across campus of reported cases...
Maps and you in Edmonton The City of Edmonton provides a number of maps that are helpful in planning your walk or ride and include information on communities, attractions, public washrooms and a number of other amenities. You’ll also find information on snow and ice clearing for facilities, bike lanes, bridges, stairs, bus stops, natural areas and parking lots. If you’re wondering about a route, or looking to add a bit of excitement to your current route, check out walking in Edmonton under Edmo...
Experts worry that the health of people living with heart disease or stroke has worsened because of limited access to care during the pandemic. Source: https://www.healthing.ca/news/pandemic-poses-long-term-risks-to-heart-health-canadian-survey/ Produced by Saveta Cartwright.
Advocacy group Support Our Students has provided responses from Edmonton Public and Edmonton Catholic school trustee candidates from a survey that includes questions about the continued response to COVID-19. Survey results: https://www.abtrusteevote.info/ Produced by Hannah Cunningham.
It's another week of updates, with the University of Alberta's newest article reminding U of A students, faculty and staff members that they are required to submit their proof of vaccination or exemption. While also needing have their CampusReady passes readily available while on campus by November 1st. All campus visitors are encouraged to read and become familiar with the campus's social and safe engagement protocols. You can find that information on ualberta.ca/covid-19 Also noted is that flu...
There’s a lot of reasons to doff your walking shoes and head out to wherever it is you need to go. Here’s ten: 1. A nearly 5 k walk takes about 45 minutes 2. Walking gives you an emotional boost as it ramps up your endorphins 3. Walking helps to keep you trim, but it’s not the be-all or end all in weight loss. If you are actively seeking to change your bodyshape, it’s best to consult professionals. 4. If you decide to rely on alternative transportation as your main mode of transportation, you’ll...
Vaccine verification app (AB Covid Records Verifier) launched, province projected to spend north of $15million toward latest vaccine incentive, 72% of eligible Albertans are fully vaccinated (compared to 82% Canadians). Source: https://www.alberta.ca/news.aspx Produced by Saveta Cartwright
The Alberta government has reinstated contact tracing for schools in the province. For more information: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-to-resume-contact-tracing-in-schools-provide-rapid-testing-kits-to-families-1.6200640 Produced by Hannah Cunningham
With another update released this past Friday, the university released that numbers are down but precautions are on the rise . The university once again reminds you to have your campusready pass on you if you are a student, faculty or staff member with regular pass checking due to start on November 1st. Also noted is that the current number of cases has steadily fallen from 61 at the beginning of September to 11 as of October 2nd, included in these were 59 cases associated with an off-campus ori...
As of September 20, 2021, restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and nightclubs must implement the Restrictions Exemption Program, which means they will require proof of vaccination or negative test results, as well as mandatory masking, to continue operating as usual. If they do not implement the restrictions exemption program, then Indoor dining is not permitted. Outdoor dining only with a maximum of 6 people per table (one household or 2 close contacts for those living alone) while their liquor sales...
Kim Raine, the primary investigator on Alberta's Nutrition Report Card, says the newly released 2021 report card shows that the pandemic has made it harder for children to eat well, but also suggests that nutrition-focused public health policies can make a positive difference Source: https://www.ualberta.ca/folio/2021/09/covid-19-underscores-need-to-address-invisible-pandemic-of-diet-related-chronic-diseases-researcher.html Produced by Saveta Cartwright.
Updates for schools: Wildrose Elementary School in St. Albert moves online for two weeks. Link: https://www.spschools.org/district_operations/covid-19/school_covid_tracker Produced by Hannah Cunningham.
The University of Alberta has released new proof of vaccination requirements for students, staff, and community members on campus. More information at https://ualberta.ca/covid-19 Produced by Jarret Kamm.
If you’ve been wondering how to score a bike that can be your reliable ride through-out the year, Bike Edmonton is having an “as-is sidewalk rummage sale” Saturday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Go check out their outdoor sale in front of their downtown shop, located at 10612 – 105 Avenue. They have a lot of one-off and unusual items that would be gems in the hands of the right person. They have BMXs, vintage cruisers, and a lot of bikes and bike frames that they don't have the capacity (or parts) t...
Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many aspects of life for Canadians. During the period from April to June 2021, one-quarter of Canadians reported experiencing high levels of stress most days, and nearly half of Canadians considered that their stress levels were worse than prior to the pandemic. This was particularly true among women; those aged 25 to 54; the LGBTQ2+ population; and those living with children. Furthermore, almost one in five Canadians aged 25 to 44 reported th...
An advocacy group called Support Our Students Alberta (SOS) is crowdsourcing outbreak information in primary and secondary schools, because the province is not sharing outbreak information. Links: https://www.supportourstudents.ca/school-outbreaks.html Produced by Hannah Cunningham.
Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health updated the province’s definition for those who it considers to be fully vaccinated to recognize World Health Organization approved vaccines. This brings welcome news for some international students and employees who may have already received a full set of COVID-19 vaccines outside of Canada. To See a full list of the approved vaccines visit https://www.ualberta.ca/covid-19 If you are now fully vaccinated please update your U of A vaccination status to ‘...
The next Ever Active Schools City Cycling clinic is October 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Parkdale Cromdale community league. You’ll learn to ride on Edmonton bicycle infrastructure, meet other cyclists, and have your bike tuned up. To participate contact Ever Active Schools at https://everactive.org/projects/ast/city-cycling-strategies/ Although we’ve all heard how far our parents walked to their school and about the various perils they encountered on the way, there’s been a formal internati...
New data, from the eighth poll collected by Mental Health Research Canada, shows Albertans are reporting higher anxiety than any other province, surpassing Ontario for the first time since the pandemic began. Source: https://www.mhrc.ca/findings-of-poll-8 Produced by Saveta Cartwright.
Updates for students: School districts take on contact tracing. Link: https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/schools-taking-over-calgary-board-assumes-responsibility-for-covid-19-notifications-1.5582382 Produced by Hannah Cunningham.
Up your active transportation game by investing in a cargo bike. Not only will you be able to get yourself to the office, the game, or the store, you can also haul other people AND all the things you or they might need. What is a cargo bike you ask? It’s a sturdy bike built for heavy loads and often two or more people. They vary in size and number of wheels, they have a longer wheelbase than regular bikes and have space either in the front or the back for cargo. They’re customizable, and they’re...
All in-person classes are cancelled until Monday at the University of Alberta, and the Government of Alberta has declared a public health emergency. With over 18,000 active Covid-19 cases in Alberta and hundreds of Covid-19 patients in intensive care units, the provincial government just announced major new health restrictions. Starting September 20, businesses will have to either ask for proof of vaccination/a negative Covid-19 test, or be subject to new limits on capacity and service. There ar...
Updates on outbreaks in Alberta school districts. Source: https://globalnews.ca/news/8177796/alberta-schools-covid-19-outbreaks/ Produced by Hannah Cunningham.
As a new week arrives and a semester begins once again, the University of Alberta has announced a new update to ongoing efforts to mitigate the physical risks with students back on campus. In the most recent update the university details recent issues pertaining to an event held at Beercade in late August that lead to students, some of which fully vaccinated, contracting Covid-19. The university also notes that even with a vaccination rate of 90% the most immediate risks are still through social...
We’re seeing increasingly stormy weather which should not hinder our active transportation, we just need to be clever about it. So, direct from the weather whiz kids.com. When you’re out and about keep one eye on the sky or on your favourite weather app, and you’ll be fine, particularly if you follow these guidelines: Remember: All thunderstorms produce lightning and are dangerous. If you hear the sound of thunder, then you are in danger from lightning. Lightning kills between 75 to 100 people e...
