Victoria Viewpoints: Thursday-Friday, January 20-21, 2022

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for   Thursday-Friday, January 20-21, 2022
   

Coronavirus response in BC

'We cannot eliminate all risk: BC Health Officials shift emphasis to preventing transmission of COVID-19

Rapid tests to be distributed to schools in British Columbia

BC reports nine more deaths as hospitalizations top 900 for first time

New pandemic guidance reflects 'highly-vaccinated' community, says BC family doctor

BC's top doctor signals major shift in COVID strategy, says contact racing no longer useful

Two years into pandemic, effects of COVID-19 on youth mental health a growing concern

Patients with and without COVID can share hospital rooms, Fraser Health says

BC Centre for disease control apologizes for isolation guidance flip flops

BC changes its COVID-19 Isolation requirements

The test trap for Long COVID patients

BC Omicron cases have yet to peak, warn Independent analysts

BC adjusts rules on sharing hospital rooms

Change to shorter isolation period part of managing COVID-19 in BC, provincial health officer says

BC reports 33 more people in hospital with COVID-19, 11 more in ICU

BCCDC apologizes for creating confusion by repeatedly changing isolation advice 

'We cannot eliminate all risk' BC health officials shift emphasis to preventing transmission of COVID-19

I feel unsafe': BC kids exposed to COVID-19 can go to daycare if symptom-free

Dr. Bonnie Henry says 70 percent of people getting tested for COVID-19 don't have it

Outbreaks at three Victoria care homes declared on Thursday, Friday

BC reports 2,364 more COVID-19 cased, 9 deaths Friday

BC COVID-19 hospital admissions slowing, latest testing shows

BC's COVID-19 fifth wave continues to decline, 15 more deaths

Globe and Mail

'No choice' in enforcing court injunctions against demonstrators, RCMP Commissioner says

Warmth spreads avalanche danger through southern BC, western Alberta, forecaster says

A pandemic fed urge to ramble sending BC real estate prices soaring

BC Hydro says heat, rain and cold in 2021 underscore changing demand for power

BC study links low summertime river flows with lower chinook salmon productivity

Drivers told not to stop for photos along flood-damaged BC highway

Violent crime increased in Vancouver's poor neighbourhoods; property crime on the rise in wealthier ones during COVID-19

CBC

Provincial secondary school exams scheduled for next week postponed until spring

Green Party's interim leader among hundreds in BC whose surgeries have been postponed  

Take 2 steps and call me in the morning: Exercise as a prescription for depression

Cloverdale Rodeo cancelled for 2022 - But not by the pandemic

Jazz legend Eleanor Collins adds to list of honours with unveiling of Canada Post stamp

Vancouver Sun 

The sign that launched millions of selfies - Barge Chilling Beach - is now just a memory

As Canada dithers about a flood of house investors, Singapore pushes back

Surrey group urges mayor to disclose legal fees arising from public mischief charge

Twenty city residents promised shelter at a BC hotel evicted for not paying rent

BC Food Banks brace for rising prices, demand for services

Care home providers concerned public health not doing enough to protect Seniors

'The whole landscape has changed' - Parks and rec sites severely damaged by BC Storms

BC cities growing fast, for different reasons

Another migrant farm worker dies alone in a hotel room

First Nations Justice moves forward

Liberal leadership hopefuls take aim at municipal red tape slowing down housing development

Victoria Times-Colonist 

Short lived strike over after Season Ferries, union reach agreement

January Provincial exams cancelled for Grade 10 and 12 students due to staff shortages

Kennedy Hill Highway project on track for summer 2022 completion, says ministry      

Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district to introduce COVID vaccine mandate for staff

BC SPCA seize cattle from Shawnigan Lake farm

Two doctor's frustrations a sign of turmoil in health care; 3,000 of their patients displaced

Marijuana is a risky choice for drivers

What are we to do with the unvaccinated?

Victoria News

Plans to develop 175 unit low-income housing complex in the works for Victoria

Island communities breathe sigh of relief, Seaspan Ferries reaches deal with union

Public parking charges to return to BC hospitals on March 4

Surrey, Abbotsford, Vancouver get first centres for homeless people

Global

Police remove 'unruly' unmasked passengers from flight at Abbotsford airport

BC SPCA seizes 216 'neglected' beef cows from Vancouver Island property

Canada Post recognizes jazz legend Eleanor Collins with new stamp

Return of pay parking at BC Hospitals hurts universal access to healthcare: critics

National fitness association critical of non-compliant gyms

BC Transit workers in Whistler, Squamish and Pemberton issue strike notice

BC Hydro: 2021 was a record breaking year for electricity demand

Experts say truckers should have done more to prepare for vaccine mandate 

Ucluelet First Nation without water and Tonga tsunami surge probed as possible cause

MP Sukh Dhaliwal considering a run for mayor of Surrey

Georgia Straight

Leave plastic where it belongs - in the tar sands

Downtown Vancouver office vacancies rise as Omicron derails return-to-work plans

Organizer of 'monumental convoy' Pat King says the plan is for truckers to shut down Ottawa

Cottage style home in Vancouver gets 26 offers and sells $580,000 over asking for $1.83 million

Realtor suspended for falsifying signature of mother's dead boyfriend in Richmond condo deal

CIBC Economics says COVID-19 immigrants more employable and 'in position to purchase a home earlier'

Why the politics of the pandemic could catch up the NDP

Downtown Eastside women's organizations describe recent Vancouver Police news release as 'particularly egregious'

The Tyee

World Class of Liveable? Vancouver's Split Imagination

Getting to Zero Waste by 2040

As Vancouver shrinks, the Suburbs swell

Miscellaneous

Utility says BC's heat, rain and cold in 2021 underscore changing demand for power

BC study links low river flows with lower chinook salmon productivity

New report suggests Alaskan fisheries are over-harvesting plummeting BC salmon stocks