So Alberta’s big announcement is that if you’ve been diagnosed with COVID, you no longer have to quarantine or self-isolate. Also, there will not be any testing for non-severe cases. Protests are already underway against this action, with many doctors calling it reckless or irresponsible.
Supporters suggest that even though we’re seeing a rise in cases that is faster than anything we saw in the past having the vaccines means that a rise in cases will not cause problems in hospitals or ICU’s and often come coupled with cries of “It’s time to move forward!”
Of course these statements are made without any evidence yet. The rise in cases is too new to see if it comes from those who are vaccinated (in which case, the supporters are correct that we should see little increase in hospital or ICU use), or if it’s coming primarily from those who haven’t been vaccinated, in which case the hospitalizations, ICU use, and, of course, death, will likely follow close to the same pattern as every other wave has. However, since I don’t think most people would get themselves tested if they weren’t feeling sick, and the vaccinated now generally don’t feel sick from COVID, I’m concerned we’re on the latter path.
Still, the province has decreed as it will. People will just have to do as best they can, and hopefully I’m very, very wrong.
Meanwhile, this issue of The Voice Magazine has a bunch of stuff for everyone. Starting off with our feature interview with student Brittany Lee Acton. A psychology student who found a surprise in an indigenous studies course being her favourite to date. Also, if you’re in the middle of taking your university courses and coming to the conclusion this just isn’t for you, have you considered trade school? Alek Golijanin takes a look at what might be a better option for some people, especially if what they’re primarily pursuing is a bigger pay-cheque. Also this week Xine Xu tells us about her first experience with the Calgary Stampede, and Jeff Shermack takes a look at the predictions made by science fiction in the past and which ones have come true—or not.
Plus recipies, advice, a discussion of the labels within autism, and, if you’ve been having trouble getting your resarch ready for the graduate student research conference, well they’ve decided to extend the deadline, so you’ve still got a chance to win some money while boosting your academic street-cred at the same time.
And of course events, scholarships, and other thoughtful ruminations on the nature of being an AU Student all available in this week’s issue. Enjoy the read!