At-home learning starts today in Nova Scotia, booster clinics rolling out
A planned one-week of at-home learning starts today for the province’s public school students. The plan is for in-class learning to resume next Monday, January 17th. 837 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Nova Scotia on Sunday. Those new cases include 541 cases in central Zone, 133 in Eastern Zone, 90 in Northern Zone and 73 in Western Zone. The data released on Sunday did not include anything on the number of recoveries or hospitalizations in the province. 1,145 cases were reported on Saturday.
New community clinics are providing booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine in some parts of the province. Some existing COVID-19 testing centres will also offer vaccine by appointment. Centres that will start vaccinations today include Pictou County Assessment Centre in New Glasgow; Rath Eastlink Community Centre in Truro; and Antigonish Market Square in Antigonish. People who are 30 or older can book a booster dose at least 168 days after they received the second dose of their primary series.
Vaccine clinics for African Nova Scotians in Northern Zone this week
COVID-19 Vaccine Family Clinic for African Nova Scotians will take place in the Northern Zone this week, including a clinic at Glasgow Square Theatre In New Glasgow on Tuesday from 10am-3pm.
Paid Sick Leave Program opens today
Applications for the province’s COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Program open this afternoon at 1 p.m. for people who cannot work remotely and must stay home due to COVID-19. The program is open to employers and self-employed workers, and covers up to four sick leave days for employees, including self-employed workers, up to a maximum of $20 per hour or $160 per day. The maximum payment over the 15-week period is $640 per worker. The program covers workers who miss less than 50 per cent of their scheduled work time in a one-week period who need to self-isolate due to exposure, close contact, or because they are experiencing symptoms or getting tested. The program will be retroactive to include sick days starting Dec. 20, 2021, and will continue until Mar. 31, 2022.
The Nova Scotia government is arguing receiving timely access to appropriate housing is not a human right for people with disabilities and is asking Canada’s top court to overturn a decision that found its current practices are discriminatory. In an argument seeking leave to appeal to the top court, two government lawyers warn that if the province’s Court of Appeal decision is allowed to stand, human rights legislation would be taking on too much power. It says that in effect, adjudicators would be defining the quality of social services people receive, usurping the legislature’s authority and budget setting power. (The Canadian Press)
NYC apartment fire: At least 19 dead, including 9 children
(Scott Heins/Getty Images)
Nineteen people, including nine children, are dead after an apartment fire in the Bronx in New York on Sunday. New York City’s fire commissioner says it was one of the worst blazes in the city in recent memory. There were dozens of people taken to five hospitals, with the majority of the victims suffering from severe smoke inhalation. As many as 13 are in critical condition. A faulty space heater is reported to be the cause.
Bob Saget, beloved TV dad of ‘Full House,’ dead at 65
Bob Saget, the comedian and actor best known for his role on the sitcom ”Full House,” has died. He was 65. The Orange County, Florida, sheriff’s office says it was called Sunday about an ”unresponsive man” in a hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando. Detectives found no signs of foul play or drug use. Saget was in Florida as part of his comedy tour. Saget was also a longtime host of ”America’s Funniest Home Videos,” and tributes from friends and fellow comics noted both his humour and kindness. (Files and photo from the Associated Press)
