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Manitoba lifts most remaining COVID restrictions U of M mask, vaccine policies continue NEWS
Dimitar Tomovski, staff
members across the university community
Manitoba has eliminated most COVID-19-related restrictions and health orders, with masks no longer required in public settings other than health care facilities.
indicating that they’re pleased that the university is continuing with its approach regardless of what the
However, the University of Manitoba is continuing its mask and vaccine mandate until at least the end of the 2022 winter term.
province has decided to do” — Mark Torchia, vice-provost (teaching and learning) include providing Manitobans access to KN95 masks, PCR and rapid tests and information on how to know when one is eligible for COVID-19 treatment in a time-sensitive manner.
Vice-provost (teaching and learning) Mark Torchia said he hopes this sends a message that the university feels strongly about supporting its community’s health and safety. “The university’s […] position is to continue to support the health and safety of the university community and we’re doing that by […] continuing the vaccination mandate and the masking mandate […] regardless of what the province has decided to change from a mandate to a recommendation,” said Torchia. “I can tell you, we’ve received many positive responses from members across the university community indicating that they’re pleased that the university is continuing with its approach regardless of what the province has decided to do.” Uzoma Asagwara, NDP MLA for Union Station, said the provincial
“We’ve received many positive responses from
photo / Mohammad Arsalan Saeed / staff
government’s decision to drop mask and vaccine mandates was done to appease the anti-COVID restriction convoy and noted there was no modelling data provided to support the decision to drop mask and vaccine mandates at that time. “I think Manitobans would have felt much more secure in the decision to drop the mandates if that decision was also announced with not only the information to substantiate that decision, but also with the government taking measures to make sure that Manitobans have what they need to protect themselves.”
“The government really missed a huge opportunity to provide the public with important information and also the tools they need to continue to keep themselves safe as we’re still in this pandemic,” they said. In a statement, Health Minister Audrey Gordon thanked health-care workers and ordinary Manitobans and said their “commitment, compassion and hard work” made lifting restrictions possible. “This path forward will be different for all of us, whether we choose to wear masks or not, or how and when we connect with family and friends,” the statement read.
Asagwara said some of these measures
“Let’s be patient, thoughtful and kind to each other as we navigate this new normal together.” Asagwara said they think the university’s continuation of mask and vaccine mandates reflects the independence that universities have as well as their right to exercise decision-making freely. “Where institutions like universities make the decision to keep mask protocols in place, to me that shows that they are doing what they can to keep people as healthy as possible,” Asagwara said. “I certainly respect and appreciate that they’re doing what they need.”
news@themanitoban.com
Five Days for the Homeless campaign returns to U of M Greater focus on virtual events due to COVID-19 NEWS
Dimitar Tomovski, staff Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY)’s 5 Days for the Homeless campaign will take place from March 21 to 25. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s focus will be on virtual events and fundraising initiatives. “We want to help address the complexity of youth homelessness,” said Amin Montazeri, the public relations director for the campaign. This is the 15th year that the U of M has taken part in the 5 Days for the Homeless events. “Basically, the Asper [school of business] has been a partner with RaY [for] more than a dozen years now,” said Montazeri. “The partnership allows for students to engage and gain insight in youth homelessness.” One goal of the initiative is to bring awareness to RaY and the
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resources it offers through community engagement between students and volunteers as well as through the support of sponsors and corporate relations. “The premise and […] mission statement is basically providing shelter, providing resources for growth and development and […] a safe haven for youth that are facing trauma or abuse [or] circumstances that push them to the fringes,” said Montazeri. In addition to food and shelter, RaY also aids people in developing skills, resumé building and establishing an address for people to be reached at when pursuing a career or higher education. “RaY acts as that kind of bridge in […] allowing youth to develop themselves,” Montazeri said. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the campaign was usually able to raise a substantial amount of money. In previous years, the focus of the campaign would involve a group of U
of M students spending the “5 Days” living outside. “Much of the donations came during the week of the 5 Days when we were sleeping outside, interacting with people and […] it really helped in that aspect of relaying the stories that we heard from RaY patrons to the students passing by.” Although the COVID-19 pandemic has made it more difficult to raise the same levels of donations, with the vaccine rollout, Montazeri anticipates this year will not be as difficult as 2021. There has been more of a push for its promotion through some in-person activities this year, including a pool tournament as well as a trivia night at Across the Board Game Café. From March 20 to 25, there will be booths promoting 5 Days for the Homeless on campus. Montazeri said those who visit the booths will “get to engage and talk with committee members and the 5 Days committee this year, past sleepers and current volunteers.” The funds raised will be used for educational purposes.
photo / Mohammad Arsalan Saeed / staff
“There’s an education stream [as well as] skills and fundamental workshops will help youth from whatever age they might be in different categories from sustainability to cooking to resumé workshops to [the] kinds of skills that would help them in the professional field,” Montazeri said. For more information and to donate to the cause, individuals can visit 5daysum.ca. Information can also be found on the campaign’s Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages.
news@themanitoban.com
