Why are so many vaccinated people getting COVID-19 lately?

Why are so many vaccinated people getting COVID-19 lately?

A couple of factors are at play, starting with the emergence of the highly contagious omicron variant. Omicron is more likely to infect people, even if it doesn't make them very sick, and its surge coincided with the holiday travel season in many places.

People might mistakenly think the COVID-19 vaccines will completely block infection, but the shots are mainly designed to prevent severe illness, says Louis Mansky, a virus researcher at the University of Minnesota.

And the vaccines are still doing their job on that front, particularly for people who've gotten boosters.

COVID-19 in Manitoba: when to get a test, who needs to isolate and what's up with contact tracing

Manitoba officials have given conflicting information on what to do if you get sick or have an exposure to COVID-19.

Here’s a summary of the rules from staff at test sites, the latest instruction manual for public-health nurses and a recent statement from Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief public health officer.

I did a rapid test and it came back negative. What do I do now?

Those who get rapid tests from a government testing site are told to do three tests, one day apart. If all three tests come back negative, you can leave isolation if you had symptoms but no known COVID-19 exposure​, and those symptoms have cleared. 

Still have questions about kids and the COVID vaccine? We’ve got you covered

Pfizer vaccines for Canadians age 5-11 are rolling out. What to know about dosage, age rules, side effects and benefits.

Virtual town hall: Vaccine ethics with Dan Lett and Arthur Schafer

The Winnipeg Free Press is presenting Reopening MB, a four-part virtual town hall series that will answer questions about future plans in various sectors as we move slowly toward reopening the province.

The first discussion took place Wednesday on the topic of vaccine ethics, featuring professor Arthur Schafer, an ethicist specializing in bioethics, philosophy of law, social philosophy and political philosophy, and hosted by columnist Dan Lett. You can watch the replay below, or on the Winnipeg Free Press’s YouTube channel.

Three more events are planned in the Reopening MB town hall series, which take place on consecutive Wednesdays at noon.

The next discussion, on the recovery of the food and drink industry, will be hosted by arts reporters Eva Wasney and Ben Sigurdson on Sept. 15 at noon. The event is free but registration is required; get your free ticket here.

Can I take painkillers before or after a COVID-19 vaccine?

Can I take painkillers before or after a COVID-19 vaccine?

Don’t take them before a shot to try to prevent symptoms, but if your doctor agrees, it’s OK to use them afterward if needed.

The concern about painkillers is that they might curb the very immune system response that a vaccine aims to spur. Vaccines work by tricking the body into thinking it has a virus and mounting a defence against it. That may cause temporary arm soreness, fever, muscle aches or other symptoms of inflammation — signs the vaccine is doing its job.

Some research suggests that certain painkillers including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and other brands) might diminish the immune system's response. A study on mice suggests these drugs might lower production of antibodies, which block the virus from infecting cells.

A look at the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine confusion

Here’s a closer look at some of the questions raised by Canada's newest COVID-19 vaccine.

What’s open, what’s closed in Winnipeg during the coronavirus pandemic

A round-up of changes due to public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A look at Canada's COVID-19 travel restrictions

If you're looking to explore Canada this summer, you'll first have to navigate the fluctuating patchwork of travel restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus throughout the country.

Here's a look at some of the rules for each province and territory:

Newfoundland and Labrador

On July 3, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and P.E.I. eased inter-provincial travel restrictions within the region, creating a so-called ``Atlantic bubble.''

Listing of mask-makers ready to sew

The Free Press has created a new service to connect those looking for homemade face masks with those who are able to make them. Scroll down to see what's on offer and how to contact the mask-makers.

If you'd like to get on this list, send us an email to covidmasks@freepress.mb.ca and include such details as price, whether you are looking for donations, and contact information, or, if you're looking for supplies, what exactly you are in need of.

OFFERINGPleated cotton masks with ties (not elastic)

COVID-19 by the numbers in Manitoba and across Canada

The Winnipeg Free Press is tracking the number and results of COVID-19 testing in Manitoba, as reported by the provincial government. Compare Manitoba's status to other provinces.

Laid off? How to apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit

Uncertainty looms across the country as the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic pushes the economy toward a recession that some expect to be worse than the 2008 financial crisis.

With more than two in five households out of work, nearly every Canadian has taken a financial hit, and those who haven't are living in fear of the possibility that they soon might.

For young workers who've been laid off with little in the way of accumulated emergency savings to fall back on, things may feel scarier than they've ever been. The saving grace, says Shannon Lee Simmons, founder and certified financial planner at the New School of Finance in Toronto, is the newly announced Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

CERB offers a monthly $2,000 payment for a period of up to 16 weeks for those who wouldn't otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance. Though the regulations around who's eligible for EI are opaque, as a general rule, EI is designated for Canadians who've lost their job through no fault of their own (those who believe they might be but aren't sure are typically encouraged to apply anyway).

How social distancing works and what it means for you

Can my kids go on a play date? Is it OK if I visit the gym? In this time of coronavirus, once-easy questions have suddenly become complex.

Here are some questions and answers about the “social distancing” efforts to slow the epidemic.

WHAT IS SOCIAL DISTANCING?Social distancing are practices implemented by public health officials to keep contagious diseases from spreading.

The measures are aimed at trying to cut down the amount of virus spreading around, and ultimately protect those most vulnerable, including the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.