MODERNA VACCINE APPROVED FOR CANADA
Health Canada says the COVID-19 vaccine from U.S. biotech firm Moderna is safe for use in Canada.
The vaccine is the second to be greenlit in Canada, following the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine on Dec. 9TH. Moderna anticipates starting shipments to Canada within the next 48 hours. Up to 168,000 doses are set to arrive by the end of December, and two million by the end of March. Canada is to get 40 million doses of Moderna’s vaccine in 2021, enough to vaccinate 20 million people, or about two-thirds of the Canadian adult population. The vaccine is not yet recommended for use on children as tests on adolescents only began in December and tests on children younger than 12 won’t begin until next year. (Cdn Press)
HOUSTON CRITICIZES NOVA SCOTIA’S LATEST CHINA DEAL
Opposition leader Tim Houston is criticizing a new agreement between Nova Scotia and the Chinese province of Fujian, saying the timing is wrong given two Canadians are still being detained by China. Houston says he understands Premier Stephen McNeil has put a lot of work into the partnership agreement, but “there comes a point where governments should know when to walk away.” Houston says Nova Scotians deserve to know whether McNeil, who retires from politics in early February, advocated on behalf of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig “while packing up his office.”
FOUR NEW COVID CASES IN THE NORTHERN ZONE
Public Health reported seven new cases of COVID-19 across the province in the latest update. Officials say four cases are in the Northern Zone and are close contacts of previously reported cases. Three are in the Halifax-Central Zone. There are 40 active COVID infections in Nova Scotia, but nobody is currently being treated in hospital.
Passengers on Swoop Airlines flight 409 travelling last Friday December 18th from Toronto and landing in Halifax at 9 p.m. in rows 15 to 21 are asked to continue to self-isolate – and to book an online COVID-19 test immediately.
The same advice to do an immediate online COVID test has been issued for WestJet flight 254 leaving Toronto last Saturday December 19th at 9:45 in the evening and arriving in Halifax at midnight this past Sunday, December 20th in rows 1 to 5.
ONLINE CANNABIS ORDERS DANGEROUS TO NOVA SCOTIA CHILDREN, SAYS POISON CENTRE
The pandemic lockdown is causing people to spend more time at home, and they’re not keeping their cannabis under lock and key. Medical experts say parents can’t just put chocolate or candy-based cannabis on a high shelf, because it’s too tempting for younger kids. In fact, five children had to be admitted to the IWK’s poison centre in the last nine days after consuming cannabis edibles that contained THC. That’s normally what the poison centre sees in an entire year. Laurie Mosher is the centre’s clinical leader. She says the spike is concerning because THC was never meant to be given to young brains and bodies that are still developing, and reactions can be severe. And Mosher says this is product that’s not from the NSLC. It’s been ordered online, with much higher THC content. (File Photo)
VIOLA’S PLACE SCAMMERS MAKING THE ROUNDS IN PICTOU COUNTY
Viola’s Place Homeless Shelter board members say it appears someone has been going door to door soliciting donations for the shelter. Folks on the board say Viola’s Place is in no way involved with a door-to-door donation campaign. So if somebody approaches your door asking you to help out Viola’s Place, please contact police and report it. (Facebook Photo)
FORESTRY INNOVATION FUND STARTED WITH MILL CLOSURE NOW DOLING OUT CASH
Nova Scotia’s $50-million Forestry Innovation Transition Trust has started putting out some serious cash. Announced a year ago with the shutdown of Northern Pulp, the fund is intended to help forestry entrepreneurs diversify. This week’s spending announcement includes up to $2 million for the Nova Scotia Community College’s multi-year forestry innovation voucher program. It allows new and existing businesses to develop new products and technology in partnership with the NSCC. The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq is getting almost $289,000. Their pilot project creates Mi’kmaw-led forestry efforts on about 20,000 hectares of Crown land in Annapolis and Digby counties. (Stingray News Photo)
MORE BICYCLING OPTIONS COULD STEM FROM NEW GLASGOW SURVEY
This winter, the Town of New Glasgow is working with Bicycle Nova Scotia to create a plan for a cycling network. The plan is to help those of us who’d like to travel to everyday destinations within the town by bike. The link to the survey can be found on the Town of New Glasgow social media site. The survey closes Monday, January 11th. There is a direct link to it below.
Blue Route Hub Bikeway Study – New Glasgow (office.com)
This year, Bicycle Nova Scotia is working with Port Hawkesbury, Wolfville and New Glasgow. The federal government has also signaled its interest in supporting active transportation this year. So an updated bike network plan could help New Glasgow secure federal cash for active transportation in the months to come. (Blogspot Photo)
