Jurisdictions with the most repressive lockdowns have higher death rates per case
The most mentioned reason for lockdowns has been the protection of health-care systems. The claim is that such protection saves lives. So is it fair to ask how well health systems are performing their lockdown life-saving duty? There are several points from which one can compare health jurisdictions and their fight against COVID-19. One can…
It’s hard to escape ABBA’s sickeningly sweet embrace. Having induced several waves of nausea, they’re back
On Nov. 5, the Swedish pop group ABBA released its first album of new songs in 40 years, Voyage. It will likely rocket up the charts and sell in the millions. Voyage may even end up breaking the record held by Michael Jackson’s Thriller of around 70 million copies sold. Considering the fact that ABBA…
Leaders are ‘locked’ into a lockdown model that does more harm than good
In a crushing blow to small business and morale, Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister has ordered a return to the very lockdown model that the World Health Organization (WHO) warned leaders to avoid. Premiers are being pressured by a prime minister who threatens to withhold money unless they once again shut down restaurants and small businesses…
It didn’t spend billions to pay people to stay home – as we have done – while compromising our children’s futures for generations
Most countries that adopted the lockdown model are still in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic. Typically, there’s an easing of rules when infection rates decrease. But when rules are relaxed and infection rates naturally rise, authorities clamp down again. Masks go off – then on again. Meanwhile, the horrendous cost of paying furloughed workers…
We should all take valuable lessons from the way Sweden has handled the COVID-19 crisis
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes that we have to learn to live with COVID-19. Notwithstanding hope of a vaccine, there is no guarantee. The virus awaits as we step out our door. And it could get worse. In Canada, the virus has been suppressed by a lockdown and strict social distancing, leaving residents at…
The Swedish achievement in the face of international panic lies in remaining true to political traditions and democracy
Much attention has been given to Sweden for its distinct approach to COVID-19 among Western nations. As more jurisdictions wrestle with lifting economic restrictions, Sweden is praised and condemned. People readily condemn Prime Minister Stefan Löfven’s Social Democrat (Sweden’s NDP equivalent) government for not emulating China and for violating what Swedish academicians called the “lockdown…
Our children and their children will be paying for the bad decisions made by our senior medical science and political leaders for decades to come
As this wave of the COVID-19 pandemic winds down, we should ask honest questions about our response to it. Although an accurate assessment of the lockdowns – closing schools and businesses – is months away, we need a plan to respond to a likely second fall wave. The Economist published an essay detailing how closing…
Locking down society, and business, makes no sense in the battle against COVID-19. It's time to take a more measured approach
Chris Hadfield has posted a video on YouTube entitled An Astronaut’s Guide to Self Isolation, in which he offers some valuable advice. The Canadian pilot and astronaut spent 166 days in the International Space Station in isolation. He says it’s an extremely dangerous environment where astronauts thrive in finding ways to be productive. The number…
The Nordic countries, particularly Sweden, are often trotted out as great examples of superior social systems. But a closer look at the details raises concerns
Referring to American millennials’ purported fascination with socialism, someone recently cracked that perhaps they’re confusing the term with social media. But wickedly irreverent though that crack might be, it fails to do justice to millennials and their aspirations. However, the question remains: What exactly do these socialism enthusiasts have in mind? Unlike left-wingers in the…
Ontario's new standards have raised the hackles of activists. They should look hard at the systems they mistakenly believe are better
It's been called shocking and disgusting. The Ontario government is moving to change how many children independent child-care providers can care for. The new rules allow three children under two instead of two (not counting the provider’s own children over age four). An independent care provider can look after no more than five children at…