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Anti-lockdown rally happening on Lake St, featuring with disinformation about vaccines, masks, and the virus. Among the speakers is West Lincoln Mayor David Byslma. No masks. No social distancing. No enforcement by @NRPublicHealth or @NiagRegPolice follow @bill_standard for more.
Also in attendance are a couple of local figures that have recently drawn some controversy and disgraced former @NiagaraRegion councillor Any Petrowksi (see above photo)
Meanwhile, Niagara saw its second 3rd wave #COVID19 death yesterday, hospitalizations are up to 21, and active cases are approaching 1,000.
Niagara COVID-19 Infection curve https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/5387482/ Visualised with @f_l_o_u_r_i_s_h
Niagara COVID-19 Infection curve https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/5387482/ Visualised with @f_l_o_u_r_i_s_h
There are a number of anti-vaxx signs present, including a few that falsely claims that getting the #COVID19 vaccines result in more #COVID19 infections. This is entirely false. The opposite is true.
While local deaths have started to rise again, they flattened out for several weeks.Why? Even though, despite what some mayors claimed, the local infection was never low, the LTC residents aged 80+ were vaccinated. The result? Vastly few deaths from that demographic.
Also worth noting here is that the variants, which are in Niagara (B.1.1.7 is confirmed) is upwards of 40% more infectious and causes more serious illness in younger people. It also transmits easier outdoors. (outdoors is safer than indoors still)
This protest started at the sight of the local salon closed by @NRPublicHealth for failing to follow #COVID19 protocols and the march is going to a second salon ticketed and closed by regional bylaw officers. https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2021/02/26/chrome-salon-shuttered-by-public-health-orders-to-combat-covid-19-spread.html
For those asking me who Andy Petrowski is:
Petrowski's greatest hits collection https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2017/05/31/petrowski-s-greatest-hits-collection.html via @StCatStandard
Petrowski's greatest hits collection https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2017/05/31/petrowski-s-greatest-hits-collection.html via @StCatStandard
Roads appear to be closed along the march by @NiagRegPolice to allow it to continue. No word on any enforcement. Under provincial #COVID19 orders, the limit on outdoor gatherings is five people and @fordnation and @celliottability promised enforcement as the infection rate rises.
Who is spreading the virus currently? Well, the same demographic you see in these photos. Who is getting sick and ending up in hospital now? Same demographic:
Niagara COVID-19 Active cases by age https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/5641174/ Visualised with @f_l_o_u_r_i_s_h
Niagara COVID-19 Active cases by age https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/5641174/ Visualised with @f_l_o_u_r_i_s_h
Bylsma appears to be only prominent political figure at the protest. He is an open support of local anti-mask groups, has pushed disinformation about the pandemic (along with @jimdiodati wants vit. C and toques included @NRPublicHealth messaging). https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2020/11/23/bylsma-cites-ineffective-mom-advice-to-fight-covid-19.html
He is also a member of @randyhillier's evangelically sponsored anti-lockdown group, and Bylsma recently declared that not enough Canadians have died from #COVID19 for this to be an actual pandemic.
For the record, at least 23, 281 Canadians with #COVID19 have died. Locally, at least 379 people with the virus has died.
COVID-19 in Niagara: deaths over time https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/4841001/ Visualised with @f_l_o_u_r_i_s_h
COVID-19 in Niagara: deaths over time https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/4841001/ Visualised with @f_l_o_u_r_i_s_h
For those who have forgotten just how bad the 2nd wave was for Niagara:
Niagara’s darkest of winters takes its toll https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2021/03/20/niagaras-darkest-of-winters-takes-its-toll.html via @StCatStandard
Niagara’s darkest of winters takes its toll https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2021/03/20/niagaras-darkest-of-winters-takes-its-toll.html via @StCatStandard
This fella seems nice.
FYI @niagarahealth is one of the hospitals currently taking #COVID19 patients from other regions. But its own patient case count rises, its ability to do that will be reduced or end entirely.
https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ts/news/gta/2021/04/10/pretty-scary-scenarios-as-covid-hit-icus-to-begin-measures-including-forced-transfers-training-doctors-to-be-critical-care-nurses.html via @StCatStandard
https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ts/news/gta/2021/04/10/pretty-scary-scenarios-as-covid-hit-icus-to-begin-measures-including-forced-transfers-training-doctors-to-be-critical-care-nurses.html via @StCatStandard
