A COVID-19 update » Masks offer no protection to wearer Timothy Easling Senior Columnist t was another hard month for Canadians who have lost loved ones, but as more and more data becomes available, it has become clear that the general population is not in danger of dying or getting hospitalized. However, COVID-19 continues to be described as a risk to everyone by many outlets despite the fact that the vast majority of deaths are only those of advanced age and/or weakened states. There is also a segment of the population that seems to believe masks protect them from the disease; this appears to be false. The American CDC recently released a study that revealed over 70 percent of the patients who had contracted COVID-19 in its study always wore a mask—effectively suggesting the claim of protection for the wearer invalid. Getting to the data for the last few weeks, Canada saw 43,410 more cases since October 1 (until October 25) with 391 more deaths. Once again, the fatality figures were dominated by the most at-risk populations (elderly and already-sick/in long-term care). Of the 391 deaths, 377 (96.4 percent) were from the 60+ age bracket. The 50 to 59 age bracket suffered only 12 deaths and the 40 to 49 bracket had only 2 additional deaths. The only news better than the very low fatality figures for the previous two age brackets was the fact that there were zero deaths from October 1 until October 25 for the o to 39 age bracket—proving that COVID-19 is not a serious concern for those of good health and average age (or younger). What some have called an alarming rise in case numbers can also be traced back to the strong youth population. Of the 43,410 additional cases over the last month or so, 24,241 (55-8 percent of new cases) have been from the 0 to 39 age bracket—again, with zero deaths. The 40 to 49 age bracket’s two deaths came from 6,229 cases (14.3 percent) and the 50-59 age bracket’s 12 deaths were from 5,788 cases (13.3 percent). The 60+ bracket suffered 96.4 percent of the deaths despite only seeing 16.5 percent of the total new cases. The country’s hospitalization and ICU admittance stats were similarly skewed towards the older end of the demographic with 66.5 percent (1,049 people) of hospitalizations and 68.5 percent (581 people) of ICU admittances from the 60+ age bracket. (NOTE: The rest of this section’s percentages will relate to the total new cases for the age bracket—not the total number of cases.) Allowing for delays in reporting such stats, the o to 39 age bracket saw 161 people hospitalized and 185 Who let the dogs 1n? » Vancouver city council unanimously votes to prevent ‘no pets’ clauses Janis McMath Editor-in-Chief abandoned yearly due to these policies. The Port Moody city OVID-19 might've helped a controversial motion preventing landlords in refusing pets. The motion cites poor mental health from pandemic isolation, exaggerated difficulty in finding suitable housing due to COVID-19, and success of a similar motion in Ontario as reasons to end all “no pets” policies. It emphasizes that this pandemic has been particularly hard on “seniors, under housed individuals, and those who live alone.” The motion also cites the BC SPCA on these rules being the number one reason for pet abandonment; about 1,500 pets are ina similar motion. only” bylaws, landlords property rights. council also unanimously voted Similar to “no kids allowed” and “adult- reserve the right to refuse tenants with pets. Many cite property damage, noise levels, repair costs, and allergies as reasons to reject tenants with pets. In an interview with CBC, LandlordBC CEO David Hutniak brought up these points: “The issue at the end of the day is health and safety for our other tenants [...] and the additional cost we invariably incur with damage to our units.” He then brings up the need to think of the individual Have an idea for a story? Minews@theotherpress.ca FACE COVERINGS ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER Sprait isin nrevent the people admitted to the ICU for 0.7 percent and 0.8 percent of new cases respectively. The 40 to 49 age bracket observed 138 more hospitalizations and 66 more ICU admittances for 2.2 percent and 1 percent of new cases respectively. The 50 to 59 age bracket had 229 more hospitalizations and 34 ICU admittances for 4 percent and 0.6 percent of new cases respectively. British Columbia itself saw 3,173 more cases since October 1 but only had to endure losing 18 lives. As Canadians continue to press through COVID-19, it is important to keep the death totals in perspective. As per the Canadian Cancer Society, 617 people are diagnosed and ¢ Masks offer no protection to wearer ¢ Who let the dogs in? ¢ Online events quickly cementing themselves as the norm ..and more Photo by Billy Bui 228 people die of cancer every day. They estimate that there will be more than 225,000 new cases and more than 83,000 deaths in 2020. Cancer accounts for approximately 30 percent of all deaths in Canada. COVID-19, as awful as it is, has only seen a fraction of those deaths (9,726) while registering almost as many cases (201,582). The concern is especially relevant seeing as fears about COVID-19 and hospitals has caused a drastic drop in cancer screenings. The focus on COVID-19 has cost the population dearly—shifting attention from major medical issues that cannot be ignored such as these cancer screenings and surgeries. entra Studies have consistently | shown the | mental health benefits of owning dj a pet, buta 2018 survey from Angus Reid showed that 63 percent of people sided with the landlord’s right to turn away pet owners. The same poll showed the difference in opinion Photos by Billy Bui for homeowners and renters; on the landlord’s right to refuse, 70 percent of homeowners and 50 percent of renters sided with that right. The motion ends with the council asking the mayor to advocate to the province in changing the “no pets” clause and for staff to help restrain the rights of landlords in rejecting pet owners.