One of the effects of COVID, is the ubiquity of evidence-based policy. Aside from coronavirus cranks, most accept that public health directives rest on science. However, evidence can be a cudgel when used to promote a specific policy and limit discussion under the assertion that “the science is settled.” This seems to have happened with Biden’s proposing to raise the Federal … [Read more...] about Some problems with “evidence based” policy
Vaccine plan in peril as third wave looms
A week before New Year’s Eve, I started to receive promotional material from restaurants, my gym and arts groups, gushing about how 2021 will be different. Life will be good again, and 2020 will be but a dream. That was then; this is now. The vaccine rollout has gone poorly, in Manitoba and elsewhere in North America. Compared to the U.K. and especially Israel, Canada’s … [Read more...] about Vaccine plan in peril as third wave looms
Economic principles apply to the pandemic
Two weeks before Christmas, as a gift I needed to wrap and send a wooden kit for my nephew. Of course, the kit did not include the required glue … that was customer-supplied. No worries, I thought, I would just pick some up at the supermarket on my next grocery run; after all, it had a small home-improvement section and I recalled seeing glue there. Read the fill article … [Read more...] about Economic principles apply to the pandemic
The moral hazard of public health measures
Ten years ago, I purchased as SUV, with “state-of-the-art” all wheel drive, at least according to the sales person, who stated “you will not need snow tires with this baby!” And indeed, the traction was impressive. But after the first snow, I took a corner too fast and slammed into the curb bending the wheel and ruining the tire. Chagrined, I had the wheel repaired and … [Read more...] about The moral hazard of public health measures
Living with COVID requires choices
In early April, we had about 100 active cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba, and the city was a ghost town. Today, we have more than 350 active cases and Kenaston Boulevard is a traffic jam. What gives? The push to open in the economy in Manitoba and elsewhere in spite of “upticks” in COVID-19 cases reflects the belief that a tradeoff exists between health and economics. According … [Read more...] about Living with COVID requires choices
Virtual care will revolutionize Canadian health care
The forced adoption of virtual health care caused by the pandemic has most observers extolling the value of patient-provider consultations via real-time streaming platforms. Not many seem to recognize several other trends that will disrupt Canadian health care. Combined with telehealth, wearable diagnostics, artificial intelligence-enabled decisions, cloud storage, and … [Read more...] about Virtual care will revolutionize Canadian health care
Canada needs a pandemic DEW Line
Public health experts and politicians are suggesting that we can see a point when pandemic-related restrictions could relax. But any relaxation must be careful and measured, quickly reversible if COVID-19 reappears. Everyone maintains that wide-scale testing is a key to controlling the reopening of the economy. Read the full article … [Read more...] about Canada needs a pandemic DEW Line
Has COVID-19 mandated a Basic Income
The rapid fraying of the economy due to COVID-19, with unemployment rates projected to reach 25 percent and higher, has prompted heightened interest in universal basic income (UBI). Prior to the pandemic, despite a decline in poverty and a slight reduction in measures of inequality, the drum beats for a basic income were growing stronger. Canada’s business sector promoted … [Read more...] about Has COVID-19 mandated a Basic Income
We need a Covid DEW Line
Public health experts and politicians are suggesting that we can see a point when restrictions could relax. But any relaxation must be careful and measured, quickly reversible if COVID reappears. Everyone maintains that wide scale testing is a key to controlling the reopening of the economy. Most of the proposed approaches, such advocated by Harvard … [Read more...] about We need a Covid DEW Line
Will a successful Covid-19 vaccine reduce vaccine hesitancy?
Part of me wants to believe that Covid-19 is scaring the pants off everyone. But some family members are anti-vaxxers (the pejorative term for vaccine hesitancy) and I see their attitude to the present virus, I am less hopeful. My medical friends are certain a vaccine will emerge in the next 18 months, and for good reason. There is a full court press by … [Read more...] about Will a successful Covid-19 vaccine reduce vaccine hesitancy?
