Author: Gateway Gazette Contributor

By Zania Stamataki, Senior Lecturer in Viral Immunology, University of Birmingham The first coronaviruses known to infect humans were discovered more than half a century ago – so why are there no vaccines against these viruses? Should we be optimistic that an effective vaccine will be developed now? SARS-CoV-2, the recently discovered coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is…

May 13 at 6 p.m. Stage one of Alberta’s relaunch strategy begins May 14 as restrictions are gradually lifted, with a more gradual reopening in Calgary and Brooks. Alberta’s COVID-19 hospitalization rates remain low with 70 people currently in hospital, 11 of whom are in intensive care. In total, 5,076 Albertans have recovered from COVID-19.…

Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Doug Schweitzer issued the following statement commemorating National Police Week: “The recent tragedy in Nova Scotia, and too many before it, bear witness to the risks that police officers shoulder every day as they serve and protect their fellow citizens across Canada. “Going to work knowing the risks takes…

May 8, 2020 – Small business owners say that managing social distancing (64 per cent), keeping up with cleaning (55 per cent), making customers feel comfortable (53 per cent), knowing what the rules are (52 per cent) and access to PPE (48 per cent) are their top concerns as governments start to lift restrictions and reopen…

To support businesses reopening during stage one of Alberta’s phased relaunch, government is launching a new resource to help them keep their staff and customers safer. The new alberta.ca/bizconnect webpage will provide business owners with information on health and safety guidelines for general workplaces and sector-specific guidelines for those able to open in stage one of relaunch…

Budget 2020 confirms government’s commitment to the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1) as an essential part of flood protection for Calgary and southern Alberta. SR1 will provide flood mitigation along the Elbow River to protect southern Alberta and Calgary from future flood events. Budget 2020 includes a commitment of $196.3 million over three years. The project…

May 12 at 6 p.m. Alberta’s COVID-19 hospitalization rates remain low with 73 people currently in hospital, 12 of whom are in intensive care. In total, 4,866 Albertans have recovered from COVID-19. Latest updates 45 new cases have been reported, bringing the number of total active cases to 1,361. Cases have been identified in all…

OTTAWA, May 13, 2020 — The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) and its Provincial and Territorial Organizations (PTOs) today filed an urgent court application over the federal government’s inadequate and discriminatory funding during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The shocking lack of funding and discrimination impacts the most vulnerable and disadvantaged Indigenous peoples in Canada. National Chief of the…

While teacher-directed at-home learning continues for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, the province is engaging the education system on a re-entry plan. With in-person classes cancelled, teachers continue to work from the at-home learning guidelines established on March 20, with subject matter and workload varying by grade level. “I want to thank our…

If we are making poor lifestyle choices for ourselves, that we might be making those same choices for our pets

Restaurants Canada is calling on the province to help foodservice businesses remain viable as they ramp up operations. EDMONTON — A new survey from Restaurants Canada has revealed that most foodservice businesses in Alberta might not have enough cash flow to successfully reopen their doors to diners. As jurisdictions across the country move forward with…

Minister of Health Tyler Shandro issued the following statement to mark National Nursing Week, May 11-17: “The theme of this year’s National Nursing Week is ‘Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Nursing the World to Health.’ “That theme takes on new meaning as nurses help the world respond to the global coronavirus emergency. Here in…