THE DEBATE OVER COVID-19 PASSPORTS

Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer this week. She is joined by Jan De Silva, CEO and President of the Toronto Region Board of Trade,  and Dr. Kerry Bowman, bioethicist at the University of Toronto.

In the news: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that the federal government will be working with the provinces to make sure that an internationally accepted proof of vaccination is implemented but will leave it up to each provincial government to decide on a domestic policy. The Toronto Region Board of Trade is calling on the government of Ontario to introduce COVID-19 vaccine passports for non-essential business activity. Meanwhile, Seneca College is making headlines with its requirement for all students and staff to be fully vaccinated before returning in the Fall. This is the first post-secondary institution in Canada to mandate such a policy. So, where do we go from here and what might be some of the ethical factors to consider in all of this.

ONTARIO MAKES CHANGES TO COVID-19 TESTING AT LTC HOMES

Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer this week. She is joined by Lisa Levin, CEO of AdvantAge Ontario.

Ontario is making changes to COVID-19 testing at long-term care homes: fully immunized and asymptomatic staff, caregivers and visitors will not have to be tested before entering nursing homes. This change will be implemented as part of the province’s stage three of reopening. Lisa weighs in on the latest.

DR. PETER JUNI JOINS FIGHT BACK 

Jane Brown is joined by Dr. Peter Jüni, Scientific Director of Ontario’s COVID-19 Science Advisory Table.

Dr. Jüni weighs in on the concern over the mixing of COVID-19 vaccine doses, COVID-19 vaccine passports within the context of businesses, schools and travel and whether the province’s reopening plans make sense given the current rates of vaccination.