This might be the most important year to get immunized against the flu, top doctor Robert Strang says. During last year’s flu season, when Nova Scotians and much of Canada were under some form of COVID-19 lockdown, there was less activity than normal for the flu virus. But with day-to-day life closer to normal this […]
COVID
Posted inNews + Opinion
The Halifax paradox of Nova Scotia politics
S ometime this summer, Halifax became, maybe, the best city in the world. Earlier this year, Halifax came in at the top of Maclean’s annual ranking of the best communities in the country, up from 131st place in 2020. The editors at Maclean’s haven’t fallen in love with donairs, watery Keith’s and “Barrett’s Privateers” singalongs. […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Tracking all of Nova Scotia’s COVID deaths
There have been 71 COVID-19 deaths in the province since the virus first reared its ugly head here. The province has released only sparse details on the ages and locations of each person who died—while at the same time telling the public they’re not just statistics, but people with lives, families and stories. What can […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Nova Scotia hopes to vaccinate 75 percent of population by September 30
The Nova Scotia government gave more details on the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out program in Nova Scotia on Tuesday. With both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines approved by Health Canada, the province is aiming to vaccinate up to 10,000 people per day by mid-May. That’s a fair stretch of time since the first vaccine clinics at […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Everything you need to know about Nova Scotia’s Pfizer vaccine rollout
The Pfizer vaccine arrived in Nova Scotia on December 15, one day after it arrived in Canada from its production facility in Michigan, and the day before the first vaccine is set to be given in the province. Gary O’Toole, senior director of population and public health with the NSHA told reporters that there’s already […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
The coronavirus vaccine, explained
With approval from Health Canada this week and the first shipment of vaccines shipment making landfall in Nova Scotia next Tuesday, the third phase of the coronavirus pandemic is nearly underway. The first phase brought panic and uncertainty: It saw snap-decision lockdowns, confusion over transmission and mounting fear. The second phase saw public health mitigation […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Halifax’s indoor skatepark movement is just getting started
Tayvon Clarke’s best trick on his skateboard is a backside heel flip. To do it he combines a backside 180—which is already a combo of an ollie and a 180-degree turn—and a heelflip, where the heel hits the board and causes it to spin 360 degrees lengthwise. It requires—like all parts of skateboarding—hours and hours […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
We love that Halifax came together in grief
Grief and ritual normally go hand in hand. Ever since humans began living and dying, people have been moved by the need to fully acknowledge death and move through it—often with the help of their community. And though on the surface COVID-19’s greatest crime is death, its greatest punishment falls on those left behind. […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Coronavirus explained, again
Back in March (a lifetime ago) The Coast spoke with Denys Khaperskyy, an assistant professor and researcher at Dalhousie University in the department of microbiology and immunology. Khaperskyy, an expert in virology and influenza viruses, told us the difference between SARS-CoV-2 and Coronavirus Disease and explained the best ways to prevent spread based on what […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
What you need to know about COVID benefits: May edition
Since the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit AKA the CERB opened to Canadians in early April, over seven million people have applied. Stats Canada reported almost two million jobs lost in April, as the employment rate dipped by 11 percent. In Nova Scotia, unemployment is below the national average of 13 percent, but still climbed three […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Episode three of Budget is Blind streamed live on HRMflix today, here’s what happened
At today’s Halifax Regional Council committee of the whole meeting, councillors and mayor Savage went for round three of batting around the C19-revised budget. Today Brad Anguish, top boss of transportation and public works, was back on the line, answering questions about the difference between a prune (fruit) and pruning (the act of trimming back […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
You can go outside, but don’t fuck it up
Before the dessert, the vegetables. And not broccoli-with-cheese-sauce or sweet-potato-fries vegetables, either. Premier Stephen McNeil and NS top doc Robert Strang brought the boiled turnips to their webcast C19 briefing on Friday. “I know many people are tired of staying home and that we all just want to see some light at the end of […]