Latest from Meera Bains
Former Chilliwack student calls out high school for allowing blackface photo in 2017 yearbook
Makena Lejeune said there were no repercussions after the image was published in the G.W. Graham Secondary School 2017 yearbook, despite complaints from some students that the photo was offensive.
COVID-19 death rate at Metro Vancouver hospital ICUs notably lower than in other countries: study
COVID-19 patients in intensive care units at Metro Vancouver hospitals were more likely to survive than patients in hospitals in other countries, according to a study published Wednesday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Uncertainty clouds B.C. summer camps for kids during COVID-19 pandemic
Parents and camp providers are eagerly awaiting word from the B.C. government on whether summer camps can go on this year amid COVID-19 concerns. They are hoping for more health guidelines soon so arrangements can be made or cancelled for children and teens.
B.C. cities expand street space for cyclists, pedestrians due to COVID-19
BC's top doctor Dr. Bonnie Henry is encouraging people to use alternate ways to get to work such as walking and cycling, and some B.C. cities are making moves to give active transportation more space during the pandemic.
SFU professor's invention to help recovery of ventilator patients approved for emergency use in U.S.
Prof. Andy Hoffer's therapy system uses electrical stimulation to strengthen the diaphragm, which becomes weaker when a ventilator takes over to help a patient breathe.
Some B.C. pharmacies to remove 30-day prescription refill limit as drug-supply fears ease
Most pharmacies across the country introduced the limit — lowered from the usual 90-day refill term — last month due to a potential risk of drug shortages, after a surge in demand and drop in supply.
Woman with disability dies alone at B.C. hospital amid COVID-19 restrictions
The brother of a 40-year-old woman with cerebal palsy says she died alone after Peace Arch Hospital failed to tell them that her health was rapidly declining and didn't allow a caregiver to be with her during her three-day stay at the facility.
Youth sports could return with new rules and physical distancing
Dr. Bonnie Henry is looking for suggestions for how to safely resume team sports in the "new normal" of COVID-19.
Rise in family violence hotline calls amid pandemic worry advocates
The Officer of the Human Rights Commissioner is raising concerns about incidents of family violence during the COVID-19 pandemic as people experience more economic pressure, and uncertainty. It has led to a 300 per cent increase in calls to the Battered Women Support Services based in Vancouver.
'Extremely painful': Passengers on repatriation flights from India describe disorganized booking process
Some Canadian citizens and permanent residents returning from India on repatriation flights organized by the federal government say the process of returning home was rife with disorganization and difficulties in dealing with a travel agency that they claim was unresponsive to requests for ticket and ground-travel information.
BC Ferries to screen passengers for COVID-19 symptoms
BC Ferries says in response to new federal measures, it will begin screening passengers for COVID-19 symptoms on routes longer than 30 minutes by presenting them with a series of questions.
B.C. business council calls for more help for ailing consumer-based industries
The Business Council of British Columbia supports social distancing but says the longer the pandemic goes on, the more government money will be needed to help in the aftermath.
Social-distance wedding celebration becomes social sensation online
Even though their big day was downgraded from more than 100 guests to fewer than 15, it was still "magical," said Joshua and Anastasija Davis, whose wedding photos with friends looking on from a social distance have gone viral online.
B.C. 'soft-launches' coronavirus self-assessment tool
B.C.'s Ministry of Health soft-launched a new COVID-19 symptom self-assessment tool to help determine whether someone needs testing for the virus.
B.C.'s visitor economy faces collapse without government relief, tourism association warns
The provincial and federal governments must step in with financial relief to prevent a complete collapse of the visitor economy, a tourism industry group in B.C. is warning, saying that businesses are losing millions of dollars due to the COVID-19 pandemic.