Photo by Whitehorse Star
Dr. Brendan Hanley
Little is new on COVID-19 front
After a rash of pandemic restrictions being lifted on Tuesday, there was little news on the COVID-19 front during Wednesday’s weekly briefing.
After a rash of pandemic restrictions being lifted on Tuesday, there was little news on the COVID-19 front during Wednesday’s weekly briefing.
There are no new cases to report in the Yukon, said Premier Sandy Silver and the chief medical officer of health, Dr. Brendan Hanley.
There were also no new changes for lifting restrictions, they said.
As of Tuesday, Yukoners and British Columbia residents who can prove their vaccination status can come into the territory without having to self-isolate for 14 days.
Travellers will need to agree to have the government search their health records as they pertain to vaccines, Silver said.
If they don’t agree to sign the waiver for the search, they will be obligated to serve the two-week isolation period.
Travellers from other jurisdictions in Canada won’t have the same luxury yet.
Silver said the Yukon system isn’t tied as closely to them as it is to British Columbia.
A system for verifying vaccination status has yet to be created. People from those areas will still need to self-isolate for the moment.
Silver said as far he is aware, the Yukon system is functioning normally and has had no problems.
Hanley was also queried as to when the mandatory masking might come to an end.
He remained consistent with his comments of last week: that masking will likely be one of the last health restrictions to go, although it is being currently deliberated.
He said the performance of mandatory masking was successful enough that they would contemplate at least its continuing periodic usage for combating both the virus and for other diseases, such as influenza.
Hanley said he believes Canada will be moving more in the direction of Asia, where people are much more accepting of widespread public masking.
He continued to say COVID-19 could be with us for years to come.
He suggested, again, that it might well become an endemic virus which will never be eradicated.
That’s why it’s important to move cautiously when it come to loosening health restrictions, Hanley said, with Silver agreeing.
They also announced that 77 per cent of Yukoners have now received at least their first vaccine shot.
The number is creeping up by approximately one per cent a week.
See letters.
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Comments (39)
Up 11 Down 3
Joe on Jun 2, 2021 at 10:22 pm
Here’s what’s new- COVID is over. It was never as serious as it was made out to be and now it’s over. Time to move on.
Up 27 Down 3
Max Mack on Jun 2, 2021 at 11:00 am
The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.
H. L. Mencken
Up 35 Down 9
Chris Bemister on Jun 1, 2021 at 9:38 am
Be honest. How many of you have worn the same mask twice. Ever. Most wear the same mask all day long, in and out of multiple businesses. This is not how masks work. Wear once and disgard. After paying $10 for a personal mask nobody throws them away after a single use. This goes to show you that the majority are just wearing them with no idea of how to wear them to actually be effective. It's all a sham. Masking does absolutely nothing. All it is is a public sign of conformity. The government will keep this going as long as people believe it. The Liberals are already delaying an election so Trudeau can stay in power as long as possible. He knows he has lost the support of the Canadian people. Time to stop this scam.
Up 5 Down 2
DMZ on May 31, 2021 at 9:17 pm
@Anie, I think the headline is in code. As in, no news is good news. And yet, no news.
Up 15 Down 5
bonanzajoe on May 31, 2021 at 5:41 pm
Atom, please get off the cannabis, it's bad for your mind and health. Go outside, take off your mask, face the wind and take a deep breath. Enjoy while you still can. Oh, and in ten years from now, tell all your friends how much you like Marxist Socialism.
Up 31 Down 6
George Moss on May 31, 2021 at 5:39 pm
I am pretty damn sure I don’t need the SS and his liberal storm troopers and Brendan Hanley telling me what’s good for me and how I’m gonna live my life and how I’m gonna die, that’s my choice.
Up 11 Down 6
bonanzajoe on May 31, 2021 at 5:34 pm
NeilAlexGeddy: Except the Liberals Dictatorship policies are not for good intentions, but to keep everybody under their socialist heel.
Up 21 Down 5
bonanzajoe on May 31, 2021 at 5:32 pm
BNR, your comment is dribble. I don't know how old you are, but I lived in the 1940s and 50s. Don't lecture us oldies on "Democracy". If you aren't our age, you never saw pure Democracy in action. And judging by the Communist agenda in Canada today, led by the drama teacher and skate board instructor, you never will. In fact the day is coming when you will think today's poor excuse for democracy was great memories.
Up 19 Down 3
Fredia on May 31, 2021 at 5:14 pm
So my fully vaccinated Yukon born son and daughter-in-law can visit us from B.C. but they'll have to board out their under 12 year old kids. Now that's a plan! There is no vaccine for under 12 years of age so sure they can all come but we would all have to isolate in our Whse home for the 10 days they were hoping to spend with us. Wow, now that is what I call a dream vacation. This is so wrong.
Up 48 Down 2
yukongirl on May 31, 2021 at 3:46 pm
Like most everyone else, I am mentally exhausted from masking up. Yukoners have done their part and been very successful in not spreading this virus and not spreading a doomsday message. The government needs to do its part now and lead. Premier Silver is not doing his job by allowing a public servant to warn of indefinite masking for this perpetual state of emergency.
Up 32 Down 3
Anie on May 31, 2021 at 3:36 pm
This is the headline : "Little is new...". Seriously? This is a headline ? Why would anyone bother to read a story with that headline? What's next - "This just in..... the sky didn't fall today. More details in tomorrow's edition."
Up 21 Down 4
Anie on May 31, 2021 at 3:25 pm
Groucho asked - is masks are so effective why are we not wearing gloves. Initially, we were told the virus is spread by droplets. So masks were worn to keep infected people from spreading the virus to others. Droplets could land and live on non porous surfaces for up to 36 hours. A person could touch that surface wearing gloves, then touch their eyes or scratch their nose and pick up the virus from the gloves, or contaminate another surface. Gloves were not seen as an effective way to prevent the virus from spreading and could do the opposite. Now, this was 16 months ago. I'm too confused to keep track of all of it today.
Up 4 Down 1
Rob on May 31, 2021 at 2:21 pm
https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/app/secure/ocl/lrs/do/vwRg?cno=6281®Id=510632
Enough said...
Up 33 Down 8
Groucho d'North on May 31, 2021 at 9:42 am
Seems public tempers are getting a bit frayed with the oversight being administered by the governments. If masks are so effective in spreading infection, why then are we not also wearing rubber gloves?
Up 40 Down 4
When will it end? on May 31, 2021 at 9:00 am
Seriously. This has been the longest "2 weeks" ever. Make it stop.
Up 34 Down 4
Skeptical on May 31, 2021 at 8:37 am
@ BnR and Proscience Greenie
You don't have to be some sort of absolutist laissez faire libertarian to appreciate the importance of freedom or recognize that the concept of the common good -- applied broadly enough -- can be abused to eliminate any reasonable sphere for private decision making and individual action. The two have to be balanced against each other. Masking as an interim measure to prevent the spread of a disease with high mortality and morbidity for which there (was) no vaccine is one thing. Perpetual masking for prevent the spread of a disease with substantially lower mortality for which there is a vaccine is another. At some point people who are afraid of the risks of day to day life need to just stay home rather than demand that everyone else make them safe.
Up 9 Down 2
iBrian on May 30, 2021 at 4:17 pm
@DMZ
Very well said.
Up 34 Down 3
There is new on May 30, 2021 at 3:43 pm
Just his email didn't tell him any of it
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/spencerbrown/2021/05/26/new-study-refutes-fauci-efficacy-of-mask-mandates-n2589990
Welcome to Camp Canada. Hanley won't get an update or research anything on his own. Then he'd be responsible if something didn't go right. Right now he can defer all his decisions to that email he gets from the health minister. "I was just following the federal recommendations."
Well there is information out there that proves this is all b.s. But hey! Why ruin a state of emergency where you get the summer off and full pay!
Up 59 Down 7
Juniper Jackson on May 30, 2021 at 11:55 am
The absolute gall of Hanley to imply that masking was why we didn't have a flu season. REALLY? What a tool. We weren't masking through the flu season..people DID get the flu, I had the flu and I also had the flu shot. You know what you can do with your 'masks'. I could post 300k urls that say how harmful masking is, you could post 300k urls that say it's just super duper...
One thing this so called pandemic has done is destroy, world over, what ever faith and trust people had in their governments. You can't believe anything that drops out of a politician's face these days. Big news media can not be trusted to print, and CBC is nothing but a mouthpiece for the Liberal government. Every single piece of information we get is contradictory.
What do you believe? Eventually, I met people who had covid. One felt feverish, sore throat, 3 days, good to go. The other couple, he had sore throat, cough, earache, 3-4 days, he's good to go. His wife? Fever, cough, though, her legs hurt to walk as far as the bathroom, she didn't vomit, but couldn't eat, 6 weeks later, she's still short of breath, and legs are weak. My take? It hits everyone differently. One of the few things we know as truth, is if you have severe underlaying conditions, chances are good you will die. I don't believe anything Silver has done, was done in good faith, concern for Yukoners. I believe he and Hanley, just followed Tam and Trudeau down the path of Trudeau's little dictatorship. NEIL ALEX GEDDY.. you nailed it i think. Make Masking optional.
Up 56 Down 5
Bandit on May 30, 2021 at 8:54 am
Hanley said he believes Canada will be moving more in the direction of Asia, where people are much more accepting of widespread public masking.
Not F&^%$*g likely. But I guess there is a slim chance with we have in Ottawa and the BnR types that believe this is all for the greater good...WTF
Up 9 Down 31
Atom on May 30, 2021 at 8:44 am
@john Bonanza Al.....
Get Bent. We live in the most civilized country in the world...and you have somehow managed to avoid the blessings of that civility.
But you have managed to enlighten readers to your ridiculous notion that the past one and one half years of pretty serious address to a world wide pandemic, is only because politicians want to control us.
That's a type of mind set that has been written about, but never given any credibility, because it defies all realms of reason.
Please keep up the good work, viewers love the surprise in this great show called humanity.
Up 58 Down 5
Lost In the Yukon on May 30, 2021 at 8:37 am
Let me say it in words Herr Hanley may understand. Time you realize that gone are the days when people fawned over you with singing tributes in the halls of power, and you got to shed a tear and the Yukon’s liberal elite “felt your pain” ... enough is enough. Stop playing god, the majority of Yukoners have had it with your uninformed musings and dictatorial leanings.
Up 47 Down 4
DMZ on May 30, 2021 at 1:18 am
Hanley is being foolish laying out predictions about what will happen after the restrictions are lifted, like his suggestion that masks will become part of the culture, as in Asia, and an implied threat that they might be mandatory in flu season. I don't know if that's what he meant. I also don't know if he thinks he will continue to wield such power in a normal event, like flu season. But his whimsical thinking-out-loud was abhorrent to me. I thought masks in Asia were partly about air pollution. They seem to wear them outside.
Some reporter temporarily lost their mind and referenced an actual study that medical officials were basing their love of masks on. I didn't get an overwhelming conclusion that masks were indispensable from the study, just that they were useful combined with everything else. I could see reading that study and deciding to make them a recommendation, rather than mandatory. I've come to my own conclusion that the powers-that-be mostly like the visual, because it's like a branding. We can never forget that we're in a pandemic, and they find that useful. But I find it beyond offensive when anybody, never mind an official like Hanley, suggests they're here to stay.
He doesn't know, and we don't know, how we will react when restrictions are lifted. But every extreme event has the reaction, and the reaction against the reaction. So it's possible that all the compliance will turn into distaste and then outright dismissal. Hanley should stick to what's on his plate now.
I'm one of those people who would opt for quarantine, rather than sign a permission for them to investigate my records. "Sophisticated system" according to Silver. Please. Google "health records breach Yukon" to see how sophisticated it is.
Either way, they're stuck with a lot of time and expense on administration to "investigate" our truthiness, so it's an effort doomed to get bogged down and abandoned. The most troubling thing is that they seem to think it's no big deal. I'm tired of them thinking every transgression and violation of our personal space and our rights is no big deal.
Almost 80 percent vaccinated. And this is where we are.
Up 54 Down 5
HJ on May 29, 2021 at 1:47 pm
If I still lived in the Yukon, I think this article would mean I'd reached the limit of my compliance. What exactly are they waiting for? The Yukon is more vaccinated than Israel now; there should be ZERO restrictions, not this nonsense about keeping them. Absolutely ludicrous!!
Up 6 Down 42
ProScience Greenie on May 29, 2021 at 1:05 pm
They are Yukon Trumpers BnR. Most of them don't believe in the 'common good' thing, only what's in it for them.
It's ironic that most of the gullible fake libertarian CV19 denier types ranting about liberty and freedom were so strongly against legalization of relatively harmless cannabis or same sex marriage. A sad lot but thankfully a minority (that would be more at home in Putin's Russia than civilized and democratic modern Canada).
Up 37 Down 12
Al on May 29, 2021 at 12:18 pm
@ BNR
Nice twist on Mathew's words. You know damn well that is not what Mathew meant. Stop the spin and read what he is trying put out there. Of course if you are a schlep - well there is nothing anyone can do to help your comprehension level.
Up 70 Down 7
HJ on May 29, 2021 at 10:15 am
This is completely insane. Several provinces have already announced their planned end to mandatory masks.
Up 80 Down 6
NeilAlexGeddy on May 29, 2021 at 8:01 am
Hanley seems to be enjoying his authority under the Emergency Measures Act a bit too much. Suggesting that mandatory masking for flu season is needed is an example of why the doctor and premier need to be put in check. Absolute power corrupts absolutely and the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Up 20 Down 49
BnR on May 29, 2021 at 6:42 am
Mathew wrote: “How can you think democracy even exists when you're forced to do something against your will...”
Do you even read what you write? We just HAD AN ELECTION!
Democracy doesn’t mean you like the results, or who you voted for gets in. Democracy is messy and it takes work. It takes compromise. Forced to do something against my will? Wearing a seatbelt? Not being able to fly a jet airliner? I mean, I want to fly a passenger jet with no training, why can’t I?
You Libertarian dreamers really need to snap out of it and get back to a reality of a civil society where everyone works towards a common good.
Up 70 Down 8
John on May 28, 2021 at 10:28 pm
At first glance I kinda thought I was reading something out of Mien Kampf. A sort of satirical play that one could have a chuckle over. Then as I reread this passage:
"As of Tuesday, Yukoners and British Columbia residents who can prove their vaccination status can come into the territory without having to self-isolate for 14 days.
Travellers will need to agree to have the government search their health records as they pertain to vaccines, Silver said.
If they don’t agree to sign the waiver for the search, they will be obligated to serve the two-week isolation period."
So let's put the cards face up on the table. If I don't sign a waiver to give you, the government, access to my health records I will face "house arrest" for 14 days ! You may call it quarantine but in the real world it is a forced house arrest. All of this because I refuse to give you access to my private information. Holy crap, this is straight out of the book on fascism. "I hold the power to determine how you will be treated if you do not follow my orders." Are you bloody serious ? You are going to invade my privacy when all you have to do is ask to see my COVID-19 Immunization Record that was given to me by your government.
Regardless - this is a clear violation of my Charter rights. If I leave and come back I will be sure to tell the 'gestapo' at the airport to go to hell. You will then be forced to put me under "house arrest" at which time I shall file a charter violation with the courts. In doing this you will not hold me to ransom with all your money because my parallel step will be to launch a "go fund me" drive on social media. The funds will be used to fight you ba.....ds in court. I will also be sure to work with every media organization nationally and internationally to expose this transgression of my rights.
If you want a fight, you may have just picked the wrong dude.
Up 74 Down 9
JC on May 28, 2021 at 10:06 pm
I have lived in Yukon for nearly 25 years. Whitehorse is not the same vibrant city it once was. These restrictions and border closures are wiping out the soul of the city, the souls of many. I was downtown today. It looks sad..it feels sad. People look sad. I could feel the sadness. The little park where they used to have lunchtime signers (Arts in the Park) is dirty, needs paint, full of garbage. The city is filled with graffiti. I saw a friend of mine at one of the stores...I haven't seen in over a year..he's been isolating by himself...I almost didn't recognize him..he looked fragile..tired...his anxiety was bad. Hanley, stop this! People are suffering. I don't recognize this place anymore. It is not my home anymore. I want it back.
Up 31 Down 9
JohnW on May 28, 2021 at 8:44 pm
New U.S. legislation allows cruise ships to bypass Canadian ports on the way to Alaska. What is the Yukon Left-Coalition Government going to do about that potential economic windfall?
https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/b-c-urged-to-push-for-alaska-cruise-solution-new-u-s-law-allows-ships-to-bypass-victoria-1.24323559
Up 54 Down 12
NickyB on May 28, 2021 at 8:39 pm
There is no medical science basis for wearing masks to reduce the spread of viral infections. Science proves that masks stop virons like chain link fence stops mosquitos.
The only reason to wear masks is to signal virtuous compliance.
To justify mandatory masks the CMO might as well be claiming that masks stopped human bite injuries so the hospital was not overwhelmed.
Up 46 Down 7
Salt on May 28, 2021 at 7:02 pm
Where is the cost/benefit study on masking and quarantine? Barely masked tyranny is here and it won’t relent of its own accord.
Up 59 Down 6
bonanzajoe on May 28, 2021 at 4:56 pm
And to think, we have another 31/2 years of having to put up with these Marxists. I have to shudder at the thought.
Up 48 Down 12
bonanzajoe on May 28, 2021 at 4:53 pm
There are no new cases of covid to report, simply because the flu season is over. Has anyone noticed, that there were far less flu cases since the covid plandemic scam came on stream?
And masking is not healthy. It has been proven since, that masks are a health hazard. Covering one's face for lengths of time, creates lung problems as well as other health problems. Children especially should not be wearing them. Also, there is Graphene in masks that people breath back into their lungs which cause lung problems. Graphene can be dangerous to health - google it up. Many of the masks have graphene and - here it comes - made in China. Graphene has a connection with rare earth minerals and China has apparently the most mined. The box that I purchased from a large store in Whitehorse says it is made in China, but surprisingly, doesn't tell what is in it. Hmmmmmm! Maybe Justin Trudeau, Canada's Ambassador to his favourite country could tell us.
Up 33 Down 7
Not BC on May 28, 2021 at 4:27 pm
So, only BC and Yukoners can enter without having to isolate? How unfair is that. Other jurisdictions have very low cases and no cases, so.....???
Proof of vaccine administered doses do come with a name and pertinent info and that should be allowable, to matching your drivers license or passport. Looks like a legal challenge needs to be done here.
Up 119 Down 13
Skeptical on May 28, 2021 at 3:39 pm
"He said the performance of mandatory masking was successful enough that they would contemplate at least its continuing periodic usage for combating... other diseases, such as influenza."
Yeah no. Not happening.
Up 121 Down 17
Matthew on May 28, 2021 at 3:13 pm
"He said the performance of mandatory masking was successful enough that they would contemplate at least its continuing periodic usage for combating both the virus and for other diseases, such as influenza."
Oh heck no! If you're scared or sick, wear a mask. Healthy people should not be subject to these rules from a dictator. How can you think democracy even exists when you're forced to do something against your will.. seriously though, think about that with NO political affiliation..