Musings with Music: Disabled voices once again silenced — TAIT

CAM TAIT

Published

3 months ago

less than 1 minute read

Advertisements Cam shares thoughts, images, questions and even a few giggles five days a week. Cam has always wanted to be a radio announcer, and now, with Voicemaker software, his words are read in broadcast quality. Cam lives with cerebral palsy.

Follow Author

TAIT’s *8: Things overheard from Canada Men’s soccer team on the weather

Uncategorized / 1 month ago

TAIT: Only a Game?

Edmonton / 2 months ago

Tait: Thank you, Captain Kirk!

Alberta

Red Deer South Conservative MLA is a one man opposition party within government

Published on December 3, 2021

Todayville

Jason Stephan may be treading on thin ice with his government as the backbench MLA stood in the Legislature this week t0 challenge his own government.. again. Backbench government MLA’s tend to disappear for long periods of time waiting for a shot to get into cabinet and make decisions that affect the province. These MLA’s spend time on committees trying to influence the cabinet decision makers and ultimately the Premier. Stephan is having none of that. The Red Deer South MLA has repeatedly taken his own government to task when he doesn’t agree with the actions they’re taking.

The latest example took place in the Legislature Thursday when Jason Stephan rose to challenge Health Minister Jason Copping on Section 1 of the Charter which says “limits to fundamental freedoms must be justified.” In this extraordinary exchange Health Minister Jason Copping repeated government talking points while Stephan demanded answers on whether the province has subjected any of the public health restrictions to due diligence to ensure they meet requirements set out in the Charter of Rights.

In this amazing exchange between members of the same government, MLA Stephan challenged Minister Copping on due diligence, restrictions against children, and restrictions against people who test negative or have protective antibodies due to the fact they’ve already survived covid.

Video from the Facebook page of Jason Stephan

Alberta

Province wants everyone in Alberta to get a third shot

Published on December 1, 2021

Government of Alberta

Expanding COVID-19 booster to all Albertans 18-plus

Expanded availability of third doses of COVID-19 vaccine will help Albertans increase their protection against COVID-19.

Starting Dec. 2, all Albertans aged 60 and older can book appointments for a booster dose of mRNA vaccine six months after receiving their second dose. First appointments will be available beginning Dec. 6.

All other Albertans aged 18-plus will be notified when the next age group is able to book appointments. Additional age groups will be announced as quickly as possible.

“I am pleased that we can offer booster doses to more Albertans. Millions of Albertans have rolled up their sleeves to have their best protection against COVID-19. While two doses continues to provide strong protection against severe outcomes, we will continue to push the federal government for supply to ensure all Albertans can receive their third doses to continue limiting COVID-19 infection and transmission.”

Jason Copping, Minister of Health

“With the winter season increasing transmission risks, and more Albertans approaching the six-month milestone since receiving their second dose, the evidence supports expanding booster doses to add an additional layer of protection. Vaccines continue to be our best protection against COVID-19, and I continue to encourage Albertans to book their first, second and third doses as soon as they are eligible.”

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health

Current evidence indicates that vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 infection appears to wane over time. While individual protection against severe outcomes remains strong after two doses for most people, there are still many in our communities who are completely unprotected, and third doses will help boost population protection and limit the spread of COVID-19.

Expansion of booster dose eligibility was informed by the advice of the Alberta Advisory Committee on Immunization.

Booking for booster doses

Effective Dec. 2, eligible individuals can book appointments for third doses online with participating pharmacies by using the Alberta vaccine booking system. Albertans can also call 811, participating pharmacies or participating physicians’ offices. The first appointments will be available starting Dec. 6.

Booster eligibility is based on birth date. Albertans who are 59 turning 60, and First Nation, Métis or Inuit individuals who are 17 turning 18, are asked to not book appointments before their birthday.

Albertans who were previously eligible for third doses continue to be able to book their appointments.

Albertans eligible for additional doses

Albertans eligible for additional doses now include:

Eligible at least six months after receiving their second dose:

Albertans aged 60-plus
First Nations, Métis and Inuit people aged 18-plus
Health-care workers providing direct patient care and who received their second dose less than eight weeks after their first dose
Individuals who received two doses of AstraZeneca or one dose of Janssen vaccine

Eligible at least five months after receiving their second dose:

Seniors living in congregate care

Eligible at least eight weeks after receiving their second dose:

Individuals with eligible immunocompromising conditions

Quick facts

To date, 378,507 Albertans have received a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
84.1 per cent of eligible Albertans 12 years of age and older have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine while 88.8 per cent have received at least one dose.