Victoria Viewpoints: Monday, February 8, 2021

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for  Monday, February 8, 2021 
   

Coronavirus response in BC

BC's COVID-19 case count tops 70K with 1,236 new cases, 13 deaths reported over three days

BC Seniors over 80 to receive COVID-19 vaccine info in coming days, province says

Dr. Bonnie Henry on variant case increases, seven healthcare outbreaks over

BC to do clinical trial of COVID-19 drug on emergency basis to treat severe cases

Genome science is shaping BC's COVID-19 response and guiding health officials through wrenching decisions

Mass COVID-19 vaccinations to begin in BC in March, health officials say

Here's why COVID-19 numbers have dropped among BC's South Asian population

Rising tide of COVID variants has health officials on edge

BC approves trial of treatment drug developed in Vancouver

86 people in Island Health test positive for COVID-19 over weekend

BC to do clinical trial of COVID-19 drug on emergency basis to treat severe cases

Henry says COVID Vaccine supply to increase in February; total cases to 70,000

Top doctor 'dreading' possibility that COVID variants will take off in BC

Globe and Mail

Transferred Mount Cashel teacher abused boys in BC lawsuit alleges

Safety Board report on BC ship collision says crews need to watch the forecast

BC ombudsperson calls for fair, consistent policy on long-term care visits

CBC

Dawson Creek woman dies in extreme cold trying to get home from next-door neighbours

Incoming Arctic air means it's going to be a cold week across BC

Abusers from Mount Cashel Orphanage victimized boys in BC, lawsuit alleges

BC Blueberry growers eagerly await looming US trade decision

Tŝilhqot'in chief adds voice to chorus of leaders calling for unity amid reports of racism

RCMP's attempt to shut down abdution rumours was 'a missed opportunity' says women's advocate

BC ombudsperson calls for fair, consistent policy on long term care visits

Chinese Canadians worry about racism, job losses one year into pandemic

Vancouver Sun

Catholic Church sued in class-action suit linked to Mount Cashel case

Snow hits parts of Metro Vancouver ahead of Monday evening rush hour

Vancouver condo developer sentenced to six years in US prison for real estate fraud

Hundreds with mental illnesses are falling through the gaps

Victoria Times-Colonist

People sheltering outside at risk as temperatures plunge in capital region

Province buys Thetis Cove property in bid to advance reconciliation with First Nations

Victoria News

Victoria looks to tighten up rules for electronic council meeting attendees

Province buys $13 million piece of land to give back to Esquimalt Songhees nations

'Micro credentials' offer rapid post-secondary training in BC

British firm Drax bids to buy BC based pellet maker Pinnacle

Global BC

Arctic air and extreme cold warnings in place for parts of BC as winter blasts province

Many BC institutions have racial bias, chief coroner tells committee on police reform

BC Ombudsperson supports updating long-term care visit policy

A Canadian first: BC registered nurses to begin prescribing drugs to treat opioid use

BC government pausing controversial Rose Swanson logging project

Work on Trans Mountain pipeline resumes after safety review

Rent dispute continues between the Bay, Penticton's Cherry Lane Shopping Centre

Kelowna Chiefs disappointed after junior hockey leagues cancels regular season, playoffs

BC man sees concrete action on lobbying efforts to install highway median barriers near Summerland

BC Ombudsperson supports updating long term care visit policy

Georgia Straight

Journalists stage protest in downtown Vancouver against media clampdown in India

Unauthorized insurance for Vancouver strata corporation leads to $25,000 fie against HUB brokerage

Earthquake shakes Alaska Panhandle near northwestern BC and Yukon

The Tyee

Critics skeptical as Alberta Reverses course on Open-pit Coal Mines

The VSB's Review of Armed Police in Schools has not gone smoothly

To soothe vaccine hesitancy, Tap into the expertise of Nurses

'This can really save someone's life'

Miscellaneous