The province has been making the Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine available to some mandated public workers who refused an mRNA vaccine, top doc Robert Strang said, and has ordered a small amount of AstraZeneca doses for others who are refusing Moderna or Pfizer. “In my mind it’s not a great choice to be refusing […]
Lyndsay Armstrong
Lyndsay was a city reporter covering all things Halifax, health and COVID-19. She is a data journalist who has covered provincial politics for allNovaScotia.com and represented Nova Scotia in a national investigation into lead in drinking water with the Toronto Star and Global.
Posted inNews + Opinion
No contact from premier, minister regarding racism faced by 16-year-old hockey player
The family of the 16-year-old hockey player who was subjected to racist taunts at a game in Prince Edward Island is disappointed having not yet heard from the Nova Scotia government. “I know it’s a hockey thing, but I thought (there would be) at least an acknowledgement from the minister in charge of African Nova […]
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Mandatory vaccine policy puts more than 1,050 NS workers on unpaid leave
More than 1,050 Nova Scotia workers in frontline health, education and civil service have been placed on unpaid leave following the province’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, which came into effect Nov 30. “The few in both mandates who didn’t get vaccinated have made their choice,” premier Tim Houston said in a statement. “It’s unfortunate they […]
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New instructions to police expected to strengthen ban on street checks
A new law enforcement directive is meant to strengthen the existing ban on the racist practice of police street checks, which targeted Black Haligonians six times more often than white residents. Liberal and NDP critics for justice and African Nova Scotian affairs say they’re pleased with the change, but there’s more work to be done. “It’s […]
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Doctor Strang talks the omicron variant and needing a new travel restriction for kids
Halting out-of-province travel for sports and arts events for kids under 11 is needed to prevent the spread of COVID among children until they become vaccinated, Robert Strang said Wednesday. Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health spoke in a teleconference with media that was called at the last minute, following the province’s sudden announcement […]
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HRM school buses may be impacted by mandatory proof of vaccine policy
The province says there may be school bus disruptions within the Halifax Regional Centre for Education due to the proof of COVID vaccination requirement, which comes into effect at the end of today. After Nov 30, all public workers in education, health, home care, long-term care, day care, correctional services and more must prove they […]
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Vaccines for NS kids coming December 2
Kids in Nova Scotia can get their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine beginning Dec 2. The province opened the booking system for child vaccine appointments Nov 26. “We expect the vaccine to start arriving this week and once we have certainty of delivery, date and time, we will open up appointments,” chief medical officer of […]
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60 new COVID cases and a briefing scheduled for Wednesday
A man in his 90s died from COVID-19 in the western region of the province, marking 13 deaths since August and 107 deaths since the pandemic began in Nova Scotia. The province is reporting 60 new cases of COVID-19 since Friday, with 88 recoveries. “COVID-19 is still here. It isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and it […]
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NS preps for loss of unvaccinated public education and health staff
With less than two weeks before all Nova Scotia’s public employees in health care, education and long-term care must show proof of COVID vaccination to keep working, the sectors are developing contingency plans to cope with losing staff. “When we put the policy in place, we did so accepting that we’re going to lose some […]
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Justice minister isn’t concerned by police inaction after Gospel Light Baptist Church event
Premier Tim Houston said Wednesday he “can’t understand honestly why the police haven’t advanced their investigation” into the 100-person multi-day gathering put on by the Light Gospel Baptist Church, which led to a COVID outbreak and three deaths. “Police should be doing their job, they should be enforcing the laws,” the premier said during a […]
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Public health fine against Gospel Light Baptist Church pastor is insufficient, premier says
The maximum public health fine ($2,422) against Gospel Light Baptist Church pastor Robert Smith, for hosting a 100-person gathering without proof of vaccine, is not enough, Tim Houston says. Nova Scotia’s premier is looking into further fine options following the church leader’s “totally disgusting” sermon remarks minimizing the loss of life to COVID-19. “I do […]
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It’s been two years since the world’s first case of COVID-19
Patient One, the first person known to be infected with coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, was identified Nov 17, 2019—two years ago today. The debut instance of COVID contagion was reported by Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post, which found that a 55-year-old man in Hubei province was the first person to present with the virus. Scientists […]