With the discussions of vaccination checks in businesses across Canada, some restaurants throughout the country are implementing their own COVID-19 related protocols to consider the safety and health of customers and staff.
Also in the news this week, an 85-year-old woman in Calgary's Bridgeland neighbourhood captures the heart of the community by spreading joy throughout the duration of the pandemic, a Nunavut-based TikToker is using the platform to raise awareness about food insecurity in Northern Canada, and a Saskatchewan community garden program ramps up production to support those in need.
Restaurants begin their own COVID-19 vaccination checks
There have been many considerations and actions taken into account over the duration of the pandemic with how restaurants handle safety measures for both staff and customers. With the recent discussions surrounding vaccination checks, restaurants have begun to implement in-house COVID-19 protocols.
Though this hasn’t been an overly common occurrence in Canada, restaurants in cities throughout the country such as Edmonton’s Fleisch Delikatessen and Winnipeg’s Academy Hospitality group are following their own protocols and precautions, such as requiring proof of vaccination or requiring patrons to wear a mask when leaving their table.
Read more on The Globe and Mail.
Bridgeland community recognizes 85-year-old who waves from street corner
Helen Jusic, an 85-year-old woman within Calgary’s Bridgeland community, grabbed the attention and stole the hearts of her neighbours and fans around the world, which has since made her Bridgeland’s own celebrity.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Jusic wanted to bring a sense of joy and lift spirits within the community by waving at passersby, blowing them kisses and wishing them a good day. A local design firm along with local businesses and the ward councillor held a party and ceremony to surprise Jusic with a new recliner for her to have on the corner of the four way stop where she goes everyday.
Read more on CBC News.
Raising awareness about Northern food insecurity through TikTok
Kyra Flaherty, who is based out of Nunavut, is using her platform on TikTok with over 20,000 followers to bring awareness to food insecurity in Northern Canada. With the increased popularity of the short-form video app over the duration of COVID-19, Kyra is using the app as a way to educate her audience on freight costs of the transportation of food to the North–especially fruits and vegetables–which makes it difficult to access healthy food in sufficient quantities.
With a positive response from users online, some people have begun sending Kyra and her community food that she is able to spread throughout her community.
Read more on CTV News.
The heat of Alberta summer complicates production for Alberta beekeepers
With the record-breaking heat within Alberta this summer, bee colonies are beginning to shrink as their major food source of nectar has become scarce because of the stress of the heat on plants.
With the lack of nutrients, an increase in mites due to the heat and risk of rise in cost due to rain, hailstorms or a drought, the beekeepers continue to balance concern about production over the course of this last season.
Read more on CTV News.
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation’s “Food Forest” brings knowledge and connections throughout community
The Food Forest program on Muskeg Lake Cree Nation is working to create a space that allows for connections and spreading knowledge about Indigenous traditions within the community.
The self-sustained garden about 100 kilometres north of Saskatoon brings community members together to harvest from the garden, but is also aiming to maximize food production and bring food security, including providing produce to community food delivery programs such as Meals on Wheels.
Read more on CBC News.
