Winter Holidays

45% prepared to ditch social distancing at holiday gatherings: poll

Almost half of Canadians plan to abandon social distancing during holiday gatherings and hug, kiss and shake hands with friends and family, a new poll shows.
Ontario students to take home 5 rapid COVID tests over winter break

Ontario students will be sent home for the December break with five rapid antigen COVID-19 tests each as part of the province's plan to ramp up testing over the holidays.
A place by the sea

This week's reader photo: Blue skies, the sea and a perfect little Maritime village.
Blue Hawaii!

This week's reader photo has us feeling wistful for winter vacations on ocean beaches. Don't forget to submit yours!
Pharmacies must put corporate interests aside to give flu shots

The flu shot starts to work two weeks after you get it, and its effectiveness wears off after a couple of months. Most influenza comes in Dec. and on. Yet pharmacies seem to be promoting folks to get flu shots in October.
Polio: When vaccines and re-emergence were just as daunting

Americans tell personal stories from polio outbreaks in the 1940s and 1950s and remember the relief when a vaccine was developed.
Quiz: Test your 'weekend warrior' injury IQ

“Weekend warriors” engage in demanding sporting activities on weekends despite minimal physical activity during the week— and frequently end up in physicians’ offices with injuries.
Doctors Nova Scotia celebrate medical residents with local meal kits

Taking the scenic route