Families are not happy with the Ford government’s last-minute decisions

March 2, 2022 Matias de Doviitis

Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, trying to dig Ontario out of problems with tiny shovel

The hope that many shared last year that things were returning to normalcy were suddenly taken away by the Omicron variant. Yet, the effect of the new COVID wave was amplified here in Doug Ford’s Ontario due to a lack of clear planning or competence. The wait-until-public-outcries-boils-over-to-make-a-decision strategy simply has not worked and has left families hanging in the lurch time and time again.

Leadership during the pandemic - how two black men played a critical role in vaccinating Humber River - Black Creek

February 24, 2022 Ivy Ngo

A COVID-19 vaccine clinic located in Yorkgate Mall, run by the Black Creek Community Health Centre. Photo credit: Ivy Ngo

The Downsview neighbourhood holds many leaders who educate, aid, and inspire residents in all sorts of ways. With Black History Month present, the Downsview Advocate would like to shed light on two Black heroes in the community, who continue to support the growth and knowledge in COVID-19 vaccinations, while living in a period of uncertainty and challenge.

National Caregiver Day in the Downsview community - our heroes

February 18, 2022 Miwako Chang

Lumacare staff. Photo credit: Lumacare marketing staff

Long-term care homes have been a focal point throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with caregivers at the center of it all. As we begin to explore the terrain of a post-pandemic society, it is more important than ever to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our caregivers on National Caregivers Day. In 2015, The Providers Association for Home Health & Hospice Agencies named every third Friday in February a day to celebrate the work of our caregivers. This year, National Caregiver Day falls on February 18.

Globally, we recognize World Cancer Day

February 4, 2022 Yasleen Multani

Every year there are millions of cancer cases and cancer-related deaths that occur worldwide. Cancer is a deadly and often uncontrollable disease, so cancer patients require a lot of medical attention and care. However, cancer is a vast disease that affects the human body in a multitude of ways, which is why not all aspects of cancer are known.

The Delta Variant And Returning To Schools

September 28, 2021 Muna Xassan

The Delta Variant is at least twice as contagious as previous strains.

As students go back to school in the fall many are worried about the delta variant, a variant that is twice as contagious as the previous strains. The delta variant is a highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 virus strain and what makes this virus strain more dangerous is how infectious it is and how fast it can spread. Data collected in countries with high case rates show that vaccinated people can carry as much virus in their nose as do unvaccinated people.

Black Creek Community Health Centre Vaccine Roll-out

August 6, 2021 Muna Xassan

Volunteering with Black Creek Community Health Centre at clinic. Photo credit: Muna Xassan

As Ontario enters phase 2, Black Creek Community Health Centre continues to strive to get everyone in the community vaccinated. Black Creek Community Health Centre has opened multiple pop-up clinics throughout the Humber-River Black Creek communities ensuring that Downsview residents get their vaccine.

Harvey’s RV is back and giving away free burgers at GTA pop-up vaccination clinics

June 25, 2021 Elizabeth Menjivar

Harvey’s RV. Photo credit: CNW Group/Harvey’s

As Ontario’s vaccine rollout continues to increase, more and more Canadians are getting vaccinated. In celebration of these amazing accomplishments, Harvey’s RV is getting back on the road and taking its hamburgers with them.

Mental Health During the Pandemic

June 23, 2021 Kavyaa Sukheja and Shemar Barnett

Coping during the pandemic. Photo credit: City of Toronto

COVID-19 revealed the admirable capacity of communities, organizations, and humanity to band together for a cause. However, behind the breastplates and shields of the forbearance, resilience, and willpower Downsview residents convey, lie wounds so deep that no mere virus or vaccination can hurt nor help.

June is Cancer Survivors Month

June 6, 2021 Kuwarjeet Singh Arora

On Sunday, June 6, 2021, this day marks the 34th annual National Cancer Survivors Day. People around the world will globally recognize cancer survivors while raising awareness of the continuing challenges that they have to face. Most importantly, they will celebrate their lives.

Block Boy: The Story of Jeremiah Ranger; Part Two: November 20, 2015

May 26, 2021 Pastor Bill Sunberg

November 20, 2015. You may remember that day because it was an eventful day in world news. Ten gunmen with grenades stormed a five-star Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali. They took 170 hostages. 27 people were killed.

News on that day was less tragic back home in Toronto. On that day, the Toronto Christmas Market officially opened for the season in the Distillery District. For the first time, they would charge an admission fee on weekends to help reduce the size of the crowds.