Zoomer Week In Review

For more than a year, Toronto City Councillor Jaye Robinson has been sidelined by a gruelling and lengthy treatment for a complicated case of breast cancer. She went through most of it at the height of the pandemic. Libby Znaimer talked with Jaye about her experience after she returned to her first council meeting this week. AND There’s no question that the pandemic has disrupted the spectrum of cancer care, delaying diagnoses and treatment for many patients, and halting some clinical trials. And although healthcare systems have been reorganizing to meet the challenge, it’s also made things much harder for the doctors provisioning care. Libby talked with Dr. Sharlene Gill, a BC Medical Oncologist, and President Elect of the Canadian Association of Medical Oncologists.

"What About Black Lives?" is the the new single from Dan Hill's first album in 11 years. It's been about 4 years since we talked to the award-winning singer-songwriter, as he took time out to deal with personal and mental health issues. It was a pleasure to chat with him again. AND This week there was great news about the promising results of two potential Covid-19 vaccines. The federal government has purchased millions of doses of both the Pfizer and the Moderna versions, which have yet to be approved. In addition to the logistics which have to be sorted out, there are big ethical questions to answer, about who will get vaccinated first. Libby talked with Dr. Alison Thompson, a university of Toronto bioethicist, who is advising the province. 

This week began with the good news that Pfizer and its partner, the German company, BioNTech, have a vaccine that is 90% effective, at least according to preliminary results. How good is that news and what will it take to vaccinate Canadians. Libby Znaimer reached Dr. Jillian Kohler, professor at the University of Toronto's Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. AND This year's Scotiabank Giller Prize winning book, "How To Pronounce Knife" is part of a long tradition of Canadian literature about the immigrant experience. Author Souvankham Thammavongsa was born in a refugee camp in Thailand and arrived with her parents at the age of one. Libby chatted with her after she won the $100,000 prize.

Either the 74-year old Donald Trump, or Joe Biden, who turns 78 on Nov. 20, will break the record for oldest president ever inaugurated. There have been questions about both their mental states, but both have come through grueling campaigns. Will this change society's view of aging? Libby Znaimer reached Brent Green, an American expert in demographics and generational marketing. AND This holiday giving season presents the perfect storm for frontline charities. The pandemic is causing a huge drop in donations along with a massive increase in demand. Charity intelligence is out with its annual top 100 ratings to help you make sure to get the biggest impact from the dollars we donate. Libby talked with managing director Kate Bahen.

What is Q'Anon? People around the world are asking that question now that this extreme American conspiracy theory keeps gaining followers and heading closer to the mainstream. It centres on the belief that the US is run by a Liberal cabal of child sex traffickers who can only be stopped by Donald Trump. Libby Znaimer talked with Josh Pasek, a University of Michigan professor and expert on political communication and misinformation. AND You probably know her from television. Veteran broadcaster Marci Ien is trading one microphone for another after winning the federal bi-election in Toronto Centre for the Liberals. She's the daughter of immigrants from Trinidad eager to bring her experience as a Black woman to the political scene. We chatted a few days after her victory.

Zoomers are a demographic that is key to success at the polls in America - as well as other countries including ours.  Even though younger generations have surpassed baby boomers in sheer numbers, an overwhelming proportion of the older generation votes. In 2016, they were regarded as the most pro-Trump demographic and they were instrumental to his victory. Where do they stand now? Libby Znaimer checked in with in Dr. Charles Zelden, a political science expert from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. AND She was Ontario's first female and openly gay premier. Kathleen Wynne led the Liberal party to regain a majority in 2014 only to suffer a crushing defeat in 2018. Libby talked with Kathleen Wynne about her career after she announced she won't be running again in 2022.

It's an unintended consequence of the pandemic's devastating toll in long-term care. A majority of Canadians are reevaluating their plans, hoping to avoid ever moving into nursing or retirement homes. That's the conclusion of a poll From The National Institute on Ageing at Ryerson University. Libby Znaimer reached executive Director Michael Nicin. AND It's the scourge of humanity, but war also drives massive change in society and technological innovation. Eminent Canadian historian Margaret MacMillan lays this out in sweeping detail in her latest book:"War: How conflict Shaped Us"'. Libby reached her in England.

Her election to lead the Green party of Canada marks a series of firsts. Annemie Paul is the first Black, Jewish woman to lead a federal party in this country. We had a chat to get to know her earlier this week. AND Here's something to be thankful for and lift our spirits in the midst of the pandemic. Fall colours are at their peak and it's easy to enjoy the majestic reds and glorious golds safely. Libby Znaimer reached Sarah MacMichael of Ontario parks.

As we head into the second wave of the coronavirus, it's instructive to remember that Canada went through this a hundred years ago. The death toll was staggering - pegged at between 50 and 100 million worldwide. But many, like Edward G.R. Ardagh of Toronto, survived and he wrote his experiences down in his diary for us to be able to read today. Some of his symptoms are eerily similar to today, as was the rush to try unproven remedies. But we've come a long way, starting with our ability to get a handle on the numbers. Libby Znaimer spoke with historian Neil Orford. AND Love fresh Ontario produce? Or did you grow way more than your family can eat in the backyard garden and want to preserve it for year-round access? Preserving food has been handed down from generations and it's making a comeback. From canning, to pickling, preserves to jellies. Collette Murphy owns seed company Urban Harvest and she's been preserving food for half a century. No matter the reason, nostalgia, saving money or if you want to eat

It's more fallout from the pandemic. At a time when the need is greater than ever, Canadians are giving less to charity. According to the Angus Reid Institute, 37% of donors who have to given to at least one charity in the last two years have decreased their donations because of COVID-19. It adds up to a loss of hundreds of millions of dollars for the country's 86,000 charities. Libby reached Angus Reid's Research Director Dave Korzinski. AND On Friday, the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg became the first woman to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol - after her body lay in repose at the Supreme Court earlier in the week. It culminated a distinguished career full of firsts, giving the public a chance to pay respects as the national outpouring of grief continued unabated since her death from pancreatic cancer on September 18th. It also deepened partisan divisions as Republicans moved to name a replacement before the November election. We'd like to revisit the 2018 interview with Julie Cohen a

VisionTV has a new documentary called "Blasphemy." And if you think it's an outdated concept, you'd be mistaken. Blasphemy laws are still on the books in about a quarter of the world's countries with devastating results. And not all blasphemy relates to conventional religion. Libby talked with filmmaker Martin Himel. AND The idea has been around for decades and it spawned two major experiments over the years. Now there is speculation that a guaranteed basic minimum income is on the Liberal government's agenda amid reports that it was a major topic at this week's cabinet retreat. Sheila Regehr is chairperson of the Basic Income Canada Network.

COVID-19 has hit Canadians and their families hard, none harder than those in long-term care and assisted living facilities. In B.C., older residents and their family members are being asked to take part in a survey examining their experiences. Seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie told Libby Znaimer why she feels it's important to gather such information. AND Late last year the airline industry forecast a 4-percent increase in global travel demand for 2020 with post-tax profits for North American carriers of $16.5 billion American. This summer the International Air Transport Association is predicting that 2020 will go down as the worst financial performance in the history of commercial aviation. In light of COVID-19, will Zoomers, who love to travel, be so eager to return to the skies? To discuss, Bob Komsic reached John Gradek, who, before becoming a lecturer and coordinator of the Global Aviation Leadership Program at McGill University, held senior management jobs with Air Canada and CP Rail.

There will be a confidence vote when parliament resumes later this month and that means the government may fall. Would we be ready for a pandemic election? In addition to an exponential increase in mailed in ballots, we'd need bigger polling places for social distancing, more workers and even single use pencils. Libby reached Natasha Gauthier of Elections Canada. AND The woman behind the song "I Am Woman", Helen Reddy, became an icon of the feminist movement. She sold 25 million albums and was the first Australian to win a Grammy in 1973. Her story parallels the trajectory of the push for women's liberation. This month, a movie about her life is being released digitally and on demand. Libby reached director Unjoo Moon in Australia.

Next week a new book will mark the 40th anniversary of Terry Fox's iconic Marathon of Hope with 40 letters from 40 contributors ranging from Margaret Atwood to Bobby Orr. Terry's younger brother Darrell Fox edited Forever Terry: A Legacy in Letters,and Libby reached him in Vancouver. AND The newly launched Institute for Pandemics at the University of Toronto has a very ambitious mandate to help the world prepare better, and recover faster from crises like the coronavirus. Libby reached the Dean, Steini Brown.

It's being called a new era in the treatment of Alzheimer's, a disabling and deadly disease of the brain that affects up to 50 million around the world, with 10 million new cases each year. Current approved treatments do not slow its progression but Dr. Sharon Cohen, director of the Toronto Memory Program, says that could soon change. AND As children prepare to return to school, the children aren't the only ones who are nervous. So are their parents, and grandparents, and/or caregivers. Six-time award winning author and spokesperson on parenting, and now grandparenting, Kathy Buckworth sat down with Bob Komsic.

For years, it was a source of irritation for millions of loyal Air Canada customers collecting Aeroplan points. Now the airline is revamping its loyalty program to make it easier to book seats. It’s part of an effort to boost membership while the global travel industry is devastated by COVID-19. Libby speaks with columnist and consumer advocate Ellen Roseman. AND There’s a new medical clinic in the Lawrence and Dufferin area of Toronto, but it’s not being run by the doctors who work there. It’s a pilot clinic opened by Shoppers Drug Mart - one of three test clinics planned for the GTA this year. The company says their model will make it easier and more convenient for patients to get primary care. Libby reached Theresa Firestone, senior vice president of health and wellness at Shoppers Drug Mart, which is owned by Loblaw Companies.

There are new guidelines for both treating and defining obesity. The focus is on whether a person’s body fat impairs their health, rather than on their weight and size. Libby talked with the lead author, Dr. Sean Wharton-medical director of the Wharton Medical Clinic, a weight management clinic in Burlington. AND The loneliness of the pandemic has made us crave companionship of the canine variety. And if you are an aspiring pet parent, you’re going to have to wait and pay a pretty price. Libby reached Richard Paquette, a director with the Canadian Kennel Club in Ontario

(3:58) This week the province released details of the the independent commission to look into the devastating impact on COVID-19 on our LTC sector, which saw 80% of the deaths from the coronavirus. It will be led by Associate Chief Justice Frank Marrocco who was lead counsel for the province in the Walkerton inquiry and lead prosecutor in the Bre-X securities prosecution. At the same time the province has responded to the Gallese Commission on the Wetlaufer murders, released a year ago - recommending a minimum four hours of care a day per resident. Which brings us to the question: what more do we have to learn before we can fix LTC? Libby Znaimer got a contrary view from Doris Grinspun CEO of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario. AND (11:53) The cover is adorned with the iconic cartoon of Former Prime minister John Diefenbaker as Marie Antoinette. It's probably the best known work by Duncan MacPherson, a monumental figure in Canadian cartooning. There's a new book on his life and work by another m

(3:38) Over a million Canadians use medical Cannabis to treat everything from nausea to chronic pain. But there is a lack of rigorous, clinical evidence demonstrating its efficacy for specific conditions. That's why the university health network is launching a new clinical trial in partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart to help doctors prescribe the right medicine for the right patient at the right dose. The Medical Cannabis Real-World Evidence study will track the outcomes of 2000 patients using verified and validated medical cannabis products. Libby talked with trial lead, Dr. Hance Clarke, Director of Pain Services, Toronto General Hospital. AND (9:46) If the restrictions of COVID-19 have you hankering for a more bucolic setting, you're not alone. Being cooped up and working from home has led to a boom in cottage country as city dwellers look to escape. Libby reached Catharine Inniss, a realtor with Johnston and Daniel Rushbrooke Realty.

There's more to being healthy than staying physically fit. Mental health is just as important, but a lot of the time gets buried beneath the stigma that surrounds it. Unfortunately those long held, negative beliefs have led to nearly two-thirds of the world's population refusing to seek help. Dr. Murali Rao is a geriatric expert and psychiatrist from Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago. He's also written "50+ (Plus) And Healthy: What You Need To Know About Mental Health and Healthy Aging -- for You and Your Loved Ones". AND The Ford government is launching a pilot project with North York General Hospital to give vulnerable or alternate level-of-care patients priority access to a long-term care bed to help reduce waitlists and hopefully end hallway healthcare. ALC patients are those who no longer need to be in hospital but remain … because their status prevents them from going home and there's no space in long-term care. Dr. Joshua Tepper is President and CEO of North York General.