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Why? Why push Vaccines if more People Recover than die from COVID-19?

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BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“When somebody is naturally immune, like they got covered, they probably have better, like not better, but more antibodies against the virus.

When you actually get the virus, you’re going to start producing antibodies against, like, multiple pieces of virus – and not only just like the outside portion, like the inside portion, and the actual virus. So, your antibodies are probably better at that point than the vaccination.” Nick Karl (Scientist, Pfizer)

I’ve always been fascinated with the body’s incredible ability to heal and repair itself. When you cut yourself, for example, you get to witness the body’s healing process firsthand: the body clotting, the formation of a scab, then blood vessels bringing oxygen for healing, and finally the formation of new skin. It’s frankly amazing how the body can heal itself without any help from the outside.

What is important to know is that health is achieved when the body is able to protect itself against: imbalances, breakdowns, and foreign invaders. The human body has evolved powerful defense systems that help it maintain optimal physical, mental and emotional states.

I wanted to lead into this article with these facts, so that when I put an organization on blast, I am doing so fairly, transparently and honestly. If you can’t tell, this edition, I am calling out people who have bought into the COVID-19 rhetorica, and are now forcing their children, spouses, family members, friends and community to buy into the double-speak as well.

On Saturday, January 21st, 2023, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (EST), Lord Fury, Knia Singh, and I decided to visit “Our Community’s Health Matters: A Black Health Fair and Wellness Summit.” It was being held by Black Scientists from the Task Force on Vaccine Equity.

The Black Scientists’ Task Force on Vaccine Equity was created in December 2020 as part of the TO Supports: Targeted Equity Action Plan, as a response to data that continued to show that the highest rates of COVID-19 cases and vaccine hesitancy are among Black people of African and Caribbean origins.

The Task Force was created in partnership with the TAIBU Community Health Centre, to address Black community concerns and issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, testing and vaccines. The Task Force has also collaborated closely with the Black Physicians Association of Ontario (BPAO) to develop the vaccine equity strategy.

The Task Force, which includes many of Canada’s top Black scientists involved in key aspects of vaccine development and Black public health, will review the major concerns and issues around COVID-19 testing and levels of vaccine acceptance, and develop public health recommendations to effectively address Black community concerns. The Black Scientists’ Task Force on Vaccine Equity members include:

  • Dr. Akwatu Khenti
  • Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman
  • Trevor Aldridge
  • Dr. Upton Allen
  • Dr. David Burt
  • Celina Caesar-Chavannes
  • Francis Jeffers
  • Juannittah Kamera
  • Dr. Na-Koshie Lamptey
  • Dr. Onye Nnorom
  • Dr. Kwame McKenzie
  • Ashleigh Rae-Thomas
  • Dionne Sinclair
  • Dr. Candice Todd
  • Nicole Welch

Being part of the summit really cleared things up for me: the obvious gap between “what the CDC says” and “what we see, hear and read” has left space for our community to really think critically about what is happening around us, and to us. The summit was put together well: music, food, and a group of individuals working together to achieve their goal; it is not a goal that I agree with, but to each their own.

I have to say, I am disappointed with this task force group, and I am going to explain why. Throughout the summit, the push was to ensure that the community knew that vaccine security was our right, and that we need to make sure that every single person in the world knew about it. Oh, they did it up: panel after panel, lecture after lecture, the audience was bombarded with information concerning the vaccine, but it was a very one-sided discussion.

When Knia Singh went up to ask a few questions, he was berated by members of the audience. They jeered him and told him to pass the mic over to someone else. Interestingly enough, all of his questions were valid, but when doctors were asked, they spoke around the question, not answering directly. Let’s take a look at some of these questions:

  1. When the death rate for Covid cases is 1% is it justified to push an mRNA injection that does not stop contraction or transmission that has potentially serious side effects?
  2. When the death rate in the country is 0.1% and approximately 80% of those people are over 80 years old with comorbidities why are we spending so many resources on this when our Black community has overwhelming issues such as gun violence and systemic racism that affect our health daily to a significant degree.
  3. The disproportionate likelihood of dying based on race was existent long before COVID-19 why is the task force consistently using this a shield to justify promoting vaccination.?
  4. Why is there an emphasis on vaccination when natural immunity lasts longer and adjusts to any variant that emerges compared to the limitation of the mRNA injections that have to be re-engineered over time?
  5. Has anybody in Toronto between the ages of 0-12 died as a result of a COVID-19 infection?
  6. What is the annual budget that the Black Health Task Force receives from the city of Toronto?
  7. Why have our community leaders accepted positions that promote an injection that is early in its introductory stage and has not gone through extensive testing?
  8. Do you support the continuing silencing of voices that present an alternate view to the measures necessary to keep people safe during the Great Reset?
  9. Why is there such an extreme effort to promote injections rather than a healthy lifestyle and reduction of stress to maintain optimal health and resistance to COVID-19 infections?

Knia was only able to get through with a few questions before he was verbally attacked, and it dawned on me; our community is so brainwashed, they actually believe what is being parroted to them.

So, of course, I had to do some research and I would like anyone who is reading this article right now to share it with the board members at the Black Task Force. In order for them to really speak for the people in the Black community, they must understand both sides of a story.

According to a Senior Associate Scientist at Pfizer, people who have already been infected are considerably better protected, and most likely for a longer period of time, since there was a natural reaction in the body. Do you hear this; natural reaction? This cannot happen if you are pumped full of vaccinations.

Another scientist at Pfizer on the other hand, voiced displeasure with how they are “bred and taught” to claim that the vaccination is safer than naturally enhanced antibodies from infection.

“Honestly, we have too; we have to do so many seminars on this, like you have no idea. Like we have to sit there for hours and hours and listen. You cannot talk about this. It’s not in public.'”

A Senior Associate Scientist also expressed his dissatisfaction with his job at Pfizer.

“I still feel like I work for an evil corporation,” he said, adding that they are attempting “to keep track” of everyone who has been vaccinated versus the real number of individuals reported.

“Basically, our organization is run on COVID money now,” he continued. “It netted like over 15 billion last year.

“The vaccine may not protect everyone.”  Pfizer, January 27, 2023

For various reasons, governments around the world panicked in February and March of 2020 and concluded that only a severe lockdown, and vaccinations could isolate the virus and stop it from spreading. They quickly became aware of the failure and cost of this action and were faced with a choice: they could admit their terrible mistake or double down, continue with the policy, and hope that people wouldn’t figure out that they had been tricked.

The rush to apply an untested, unrecommended, and obviously costly policy tool to entire populations was undoubtedly fueled by two factors. First, many mistakenly thought that COVID-19 could be eradicated if everyone took the vaccination. Second, groups of applied mathematicians immediately called for lockdowns, and pharmaceutical companies and their apocalyptic predictions heavily influenced policymakers. Taken together, these factors caused public health officials and politicians to panic.

Wouldn’t you know it; the immediate massive death toll did not happen; indeed, after five waves it still had not happened.

People came to believe in “the absurd goal of ‘zero-COVID,’” despite suffering from government lockdown policies, and seeing friends and family get sick after taking their vaccine. As such, a fearful segment of citizens “supported the policies and actually helped enforce state regulations through social stigma and shaming of those who objected. This is exactly what happened to Knia on January 21st, 2023.

Within months of the initial panic several facts were clear: the models were wrong; COVID-19 could not be contained; the disease threatened only a particular segment of the population; those who died had four comorbidities on average. Also, this was the first time that lockdowns were enforced on healthy and non-symptomatic people.

Jordan Trishton Walker (Pfizer Director of Research and Development – Strategic Operations and mRNA Scientific Planning) was recently caught on tape making a statement that was very damning.

“Well, that is not what we say to the public, no. That’s why it was a thought that came up in a meeting and we were like: ‘Why do we not? It was like, we’re going to consider that with more discussions. Actually. We’re like: Wait a minute, people won’t like that.” 

What won’t people like?

Pfizer ultimately is thinking about mutating COVID? That’s right, it appears that Pfizer is internally discussing the possibility of mutating the COVID virus themselves, in order to tailor a vaccine to sell to the public. Why would they do this? I am not going to insult the reader’s intelligence by explaining.

Pfizer and the Government of Canada have responded to the hesitancy by saying this:

“Following the availability and use of the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccines, CDC’s Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD), a near real-time surveillance system, met the statistical criteria to prompt additional investigation into whether there was a safety concern for ischemic stroke in people ages 65 and older who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent.”

Safety concern you say? Let’s continue.

Rapid-response investigation of the signal in the VSD raised a question of whether people 65 and older who have received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent were more likely to have an ischemic stroke in the 21 days following vaccination compared with days 22-42 following vaccination.

This preliminary signal has not been identified with the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent. There also may be other confounding factors contributing to the signal identified in the VSD that merit further investigation. Furthermore, it is important to note that, to date, no other safety systems have shown a similar signal and multiple subsequent analyses have not validated this signal.”

Oh, so now there are other confounding factors, interesting.

The truth here matters. For one, if you are thinking that the boosters that are being offered are going to help keep you safe, it’s time to re-assess. Not everything that is parroted by the government is good for you, and when organizations like the Black Task Force enable the distribution of vaccines in our community, I wonder if they realize that this is all being recorded and documented. Do you really want to be known as an organization who is responsible for the ill health of your community?

Something to think about.

We, as humans are guaranteed certain things in life: stressors, taxes, bills and death are the first thoughts that pop to mind. It is not uncommon that many people find a hard time dealing with these daily life stressors, and at times will find themselves losing control over their lives. Simone Jennifer Smith’s great passion is using the gifts that have been given to her, to help educate her clients on how to live meaningful lives. The Hear to Help Team consists of powerfully motivated individuals, who like Simone, see that there is a need in this world; a need for real connection. As the founder and Director of Hear 2 Help, Simone leads a team that goes out into the community day to day, servicing families with their educational, legal and mental health needs.Her dedication shows in her Toronto Caribbean newspaper articles, and in her role as a host on the TCN TV Network.

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Urban Alliance on Race Relations celebrates and highlights Racial Justice Award recipients

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BY PAUL JUNOR

It has been almost 40 years since the Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR) has been at the forefront of: promoting tolerance, social justice, racial equity and fairness. Since it was formed in 1975, they have celebrated and recognized changemakers in the fight for racial justice in diverse sectors such as: health, labour, government, education, arts, media, environment, and justice.

On Saturday, December 7th, 2024, there was a great turnout at the 2024 Racial Justice Awards Night held at The Estate Banquet & Event Centre in Scarborough. In attendance were many community supporters, civic officials, long-time racial justice warriors, and individuals from diverse ethnic groups.

UARR is grateful for all the sponsors of the Racial Justice Awards Night Celebration. It notes in its email to its supporters on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024, the importance of its sponsors including:

  • United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) of Canada, UFCW, Local 175
  • The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 353
  • Unite Here! Local 75
  • Toronto & York Region Labour Council
  • Canadian Labour Congress
  • The Coalitions of Black Trade Union (CBTUL)

“Your sponsorship plays a vital role in shining a light on individuals and organizations driving equity, justice, and change in our communities. This celebration is more than an event, it’s a movement. Thanks to your support, we’re: honoring changemakers, amplifying unheard voices, and funding initiatives that break down systemic barriers.”

The categories and names of the awards and recipients were:

Racial Justice in Arts: Hannia Cheng

She is an artist and cultural worker who co-founded Unit 270, a DIY gallery and multi-purpose grassroots community hub in Chinatown Centre.

Racial Justice in Labour: Vanessa Story

She is the founder of the Black Youth York Region and co-founder of the York Communities for Public Education coalition.

Racial Justice in Education: Shannon Simpson

She is Senior Director of Indigenous Initiatives at the University of Toronto.

Racial Justice in Environment: Dr. Ingrid Waldron

She is a Professor and HOPE Chair in Peace and Health in the Global and Peace and Social Justice Program in the Faculty of Humanities at McMaster University.

Urban Alliance of Race Relations Agent of Change Award: Kirk Mark

He is the Equity, Diversity and Inclusive Consultant at KIRK Mark & Associates.

Racial Justice in Media: Amanda Parris

She is an award-winning writer, tv host and producer, and former host of CBC Arts Exhibitionist.

Racial Justice in Health: Camille Orridge

She is former CEO of the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (TCLHIN).

Racial Justice in Government: Amira Elghawaby

She is a journalist and human rights advocate who was appointed in January 2023 as Canada’s Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia.

Racial Justice in Justice: South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario (SALC0)

This legal clinic supports low-income South Asian people in Canada.

The funds raised from the Awards night will be going toward the work of the Diversity Youth Fellowship Program. This innovative and creative program is directly involved in enabling racialized youth to get paid experience working in municipal governments and at various public policy making organizations across Canada.

The performers at the event included: Katheen Zaragosa (a Filipino music performer), Rithika Jeristus & Maya Jeristus (Bharatanatyam dancers) and Yasmin Said (spoken word artist)

UARR is looking forward to its 50th anniversary celebrations in 2025 and shared five of its strategic priorities for the next 10 years including:

  • Employment and economic opportunity: The goal is to foster inclusive workspaces and economic opportunities.
  • Education: The goal is to promote racial equity in education and research.
  • Communication: The goal is to expand public awareness and reach to amplify our stories.
  • Community engagement and outreach: The goal is building community capacity and convening towards change.
  • Truth and reconciliation-relationship building and supporting calls to action. The goal is to strengthen our solidarity and action towards truth and reconciliation.

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What is it about those short videos that keep us captivated? Oh! Yes! Our short attention span

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BY KAHA GEDI

As our attention spans decrease, short form videos are becoming more popular. From TikTok, to YouTube Shorts, to Instagram Reels, these “snack sized” videos have positive qualities alongside the bad. Mainly we want to know what makes them so effective, and why are they becoming the go-to choice for both viewers and marketers? In this article, I will be discussing how these videos have received such popularity worldwide.

First, we need to understand what counts as and what is short-form content. According to blog.hubspot.com, “Short-form videos are videos that are less than 60 seconds long.” However, some marketers and content creators agree that short-form videos can be up to 3 minutes. “They are videos that deliver information in a ‘digestible’ format so that viewers can quickly watch and save content if they’re in a hurry or enjoy it.” Now, I’ll talk about the main reasons why these videos are so popular.

First, our attention spans have gone down exponentially. Dr Gloria Mark has written a book called “Attention Span,” and she says her research indicates people’s attention spans have been shrinking over the last 20 years. According to the same article Dr. Mark said that “Back in 2004, we found the average attention span on any screen to be two and a half minutes on average. Throughout the years, it became shorter. So, around 2012, we found it to be 75 seconds. Then in the last five, six years, we found it to average about 47 seconds.” So, it’s notable that our attention spans started out longer but then decreased over time.

Secondly, these videos have become cheaper and easier to make. Unlike long-form videos, which require extensive: planning, editing, and storytelling, short-form videos are simpler. To the point where they can even be shot on a smartphone. For example, DuoLingo, the app that helps learn new languages, went viral on TikTok a long time ago by posting funny, low-budget videos that resonate with millions. Like a video of a DuoLingo plus being: tossed down the stairs, sitting outside on a rainy day, or being soaked by the shower with the title “When you ignore my notifications.”

Lastly, they provide valuable information in a short amount of time, and they are easily accessible. According to a recent Adobe Survey, two in five Americans use TikTok as a search engine, and nearly one in 10 Gen Zeers are more likely to rely on TikTok than Google as a search engine. This isn’t always reliable for real news because anyone can claim to be an expert, and you wouldn’t know if they’re telling the truth. So, even though they give valuable information in a short time, they can also give misinformation or mislead you.

Short-form videos have changed how we watch and learn things. They fit our short attention spans, are easy to make, and share information quickly. Even though they’re fun and helpful, they can also spread false information or leave out important details. Even with these problems, short-form videos are here to stay, so we should use them in proportion, but also enjoy the benefits.

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Dr. Edward McInnis on the Importance of Preventive Care in Family Medicine

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Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Preventive care is a cornerstone of modern healthcare, emphasizing the importance of addressing potential health concerns before they escalate into severe conditions. By focusing on proactive measures such as regular screenings, vaccinations, and lifestyle counseling, preventive care offers individuals and communities the opportunity to achieve long-term wellness.

Below, Edward McInnis highlights the transformative potential of prevention in reducing healthcare disparities, alleviating systemic challenges, and ensuring that every individual has the tools and access needed to lead a healthier life.

Understanding Preventive Care in Family Medicine

Preventive care in family medicine focuses on proactive measures to maintain health and prevent illness before it occurs. This approach emphasizes regular health evaluations, screenings, and interventions that identify potential issues early, reducing the likelihood of severe complications. Preventive care fosters long-term well-being by addressing risk factors and promoting healthier lifestyles while minimizing the burden of chronic diseases.

The philosophy behind preventive care aligns with the idea that staying healthy is more effective and less costly than treating illnesses after they arise. Early detection of conditions such as hypertension or high cholesterol allows patients and physicians to manage these issues effectively, preventing them from escalating into more severe health problems. Beyond individual benefits, this care model contributes to healthier communities by reducing the overall demand for healthcare systems.

Benefits of Preventive Care for Individuals and Communities

Preventive care profoundly impacts individuals and the broader community by addressing potential health concerns before they evolve into severe conditions. Early detection through routine screenings can significantly lower the risk of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. This improves individual health outcomes and reduces the emotional and financial toll of managing advanced diseases.

Communities prioritizing preventive care experience a ripple effect of healthier populations and reduced strain on healthcare resources. When more people engage in regular check-ups and adopt healthier habits, the prevalence of preventable conditions drops, creating a collective benefit. Individuals who invest in their health through preventive measures often enjoy longer, more active lives, positively influencing families, workplaces, and society.

The economic advantages of preventive care are undeniable, as early intervention typically costs far less than treating advanced illnesses. Vaccination programs, such as those targeting seasonal flu or childhood diseases, can drastically curb outbreaks, saving lives and reducing medical expenses. These benefits demonstrate how preventive care is a cornerstone of sustainable and effective healthcare systems.

Core Preventive Services in Family Medicine

Family medicine emphasizes various preventive services designed to address health needs across all stages of life. Regular health screenings, such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks, are critical in identifying silent health risks. These assessments provide actionable insights that allow individuals to make timely adjustments to their lifestyles or begin treatment when necessary.

Vaccinations are another cornerstone of preventive care, protecting individuals and communities from infectious diseases. From childhood immunizations to seasonal flu shots, these interventions safeguard personal health and prevent the spread of illnesses within larger populations. Counseling services, including guidance on nutrition, exercise, and stress management, empower patients to take an active role in their long-term well-being.

The Role of Family Physicians in Prevention

Family physicians play a pivotal role in fostering preventive care through their ability to build lasting, trust-based relationships with patients. These relationships enable them to understand not just medical histories but also lifestyle factors, family dynamics, and social determinants of health. This comprehensive knowledge allows physicians to craft personalized preventive strategies that resonate with each patient’s unique circumstances, ensuring a more practical approach to maintaining health.

Beyond individual care, family physicians act as educators, equipping patients with the knowledge to make informed health decisions. Whether discussing the significance of regular screenings or addressing misconceptions about vaccines, their guidance helps patients take ownership of their health.

The continuity of care provided by family physicians also ensures that preventive measures are consistently monitored and adjusted as needed, fostering long-term well-being. Their ability to provide holistic and deeply personalized care sets the foundation for healthier patients and communities.

Challenges in Accessing Preventive Care

Despite its proven benefits, accessing preventive care remains challenging for many individuals and communities. Financial barriers, such as lack of insurance coverage or high out-of-pocket costs, often deter people from seeking preventive services. Additionally, limited awareness about the importance of early detection and health promotion means that some individuals may only prioritize preventive care once a health issue becomes severe.

Geographical disparities also play a significant role in limiting access. Rural and underserved areas frequently face shortages of healthcare providers, making it difficult for residents to receive consistent preventive services. In such regions, innovative approaches like mobile health clinics and telemedicine have emerged as solutions to bridge the gap. Expanding these efforts could help overcome logistical obstacles and ensure that preventive care reaches those most in need.

Cultural factors and mistrust of the healthcare system can further complicate access to preventive services. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes community engagement, culturally sensitive care, and efforts to build trust between healthcare providers and patients. Strengthening health literacy and facilitating dialogue between healthcare institutions and the communities they serve are also critical steps in overcoming these barriers.

Promoting and Advancing Preventive Care

Advancing preventive care depends on raising awareness and fostering a culture that values proactive health management. Educational campaigns, workplace wellness programs, and school-based health initiatives encourage people to adopt preventive practices. These efforts create an environment where individuals feel empowered to prioritize their well-being, leading to healthier lifestyles and earlier intervention.

The integration of technology is revolutionizing how preventive care is delivered. Wearable devices that track physical activity, heart rate, and sleep patterns provide individuals with real-time data about their health, prompting timely action when irregularities arise. Similarly, data analytics and predictive tools enable healthcare providers to identify at-risk populations and deliver targeted interventions, improving outcomes on a broader scale.

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