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by Junayd Hussain Noor Al-Kaabi

We need to do more: Advocating for refugee health after arrival in Canada

Canada is considered a “world destination” for refugees, but are we doing enough to support their unique health needs?

Article
by Mary-Kay Whittaker

Despite (or because of?) pandemic, students are flocking to nursing

Despite pandemic-induced grueling work schedules and stressful work environments, nursing programs have never been as popular. In Ontario alone, applications to registered nursing (RN) programs rose 17.6 per cent from 2020 to 2021.

Opinion
by Rehona Zamani

The fight for women’s autonomy must include those who wear the hijab

It's a battle to wake up and choose the hijab each day. I truly believe in this aspect of my faith, but the fear and experience of harassment and discrimination is a form of oppression I endure. I know this is a feeling shared by my peers in medicine.

Opinion
by Noah Ivers

Do we have the political will to ensure effective, equitable health care?

COVID-19 has exposed the longstanding frailty of our health-care system. The truth is that every flu season, our hospitals burst at the seams. Hard-working health-care workers have held the system together so far. It’s past time to create the system they deserve.

Opinion
by Kieran Quinn

Omicron may be less severe but ‘let it rip’ is not the answer

Some argue that since Omicron is less severe than previous variants and all Canadians will likely be infected eventually, why not “let it rip” and be done with it? But there are three fundamental problems with this approach.

Article
by Marianne Apostolides

Lessons learned, mistakes repeated: From HIV/AIDS to COVID-19

Many infectious disease practitioners pivoted from HIV to COVID when the pandemic struck. Now, some of them are sharing their views on what we’ve learned, where we’ve repeated mistakes, and how we can move forward.

In Case You Missed It

In June 2021, five doctors and scientists debated an idea that is once again the subject of intense dispute: that schools should never be closed as a means of limiting the spread of COVID-19.

Video

The COVID Debates: Should schools be closed to stop the spread of COVID-19?

Debate
Posted: Jan 4, 2022

Debate: Be it resolved that school closures should never be used to stop the spread of COVID-19

In June 2021, Ari Bitnun, Andrew Morris, Jennifer Grant, Colin Furness, and Martha Fulford debated a notion that has once again become the subject of intense dispute as Canada sees a huge spike in COVID-19 cases: whether schools should never be closed as a means of limiting the spread of COVID-19.

Yes
VS
No
Timeline
by Ari Bitnun

Ari Bitnun

We should never have closed schools because there is no compelling reason to do so. Not only are children at very low risk of developing severe COVID-19, but schools are also not significant sites of transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

by Andrew Morris

Andrew Morris

We should not rule out school closures, since even though the short-term consequences of COVID-19 on children generally appear to be mild, they are not always benign – and no-one even knows what the long-term effects are. Furthermore, transmission does occur within schools, which can endanger not only schoolchildren but the broader community.

See full debate
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In Their Own Words

Throughout this pandemic, we have heard from health professionals, scientists, politicians, media personalities and private citizens, but there is one group whose perspectives have not been sought: our youth.

That’s why we’re launching a brand-new series, “In Their Own Words.” Through essays, poetry, and art, youth from various communities express what the pandemic has been like for them. It is imperative that we understand their needs so we can foster positive environments for their growth now and in the future.

Special Series

In Their Own Words

In Their Own Words is a new series to share and amplify the reflections by Canadian youth on the pandemic.

In Their Own Words
by Keren Vince

Who knew

Who knew I would miss the simple smile of a stranger walking by me at the grocery store. Who knew I would miss that snarky side-eye by a random person judging me as I walked past them at the mall. Who knew I would miss those little kids who would stick their tongues out at me and giggle. I didn’t.

In Their Own Words
by Mackenzie Campbell

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It’s been over 500 days since I held someone and not just someone; anyone / this world filled with change / and I'm having a hard time catching up / faces behind masks hiding away from the pain of our reality yet we grow older / grow bolder / and grow in our separate ways without growing apart

In Their Own Words
by Sean Chen

Passing seasons

While news reports blared the newest case counts and the lives lost, I was trying to gain traction in the ever-deteriorating and demanding world of online learning. From “you’re muted” to “sorry, my wifi cut out,” I realized that this was the new “normal.” With no recovery in sight, I realized the things I missed the most, were the ones I cherished the least.

Special Series Highlights

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Understanding the Learning Health System

The vital partnership between research, community and clinical operations is the hallmark of the learning health system. In this series, we explore the fundamentals of a learning health system as well as several examples of learning health systems in action.

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Without Compassion, There Is No Health Care

In partnership with AMS Healthcare, Healthy Debate is publishing a series of seven articles that explores the relationship between technology and compassion in the field of health care today, and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Pillars of the Pandemic

Pillars of the Pandemic is a new series honouring outstanding individuals who have made huge contributions to our fight against the pandemic.