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EVENT MEDICAL MEDIA SCAN – March 2022 EDITION 

FOREWORD

Friday Mar 11, 2022 marks the 2nd anniversary of the WHO declaring COVID-19 to be a pandemic. Over 445 million people around the world were infected so far  and almost 6 million people died from COVID.

Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Ontario has or will begin removing their vaccine certification system, while British Columbia’s system remains for the time being. Some countries around the world including France, Israel and Czech Republic have also similarly dropped or in the processing of disbanding their certification system. Australia also opened its border to non-citizen travelling into its borders for the first time in almost 2 years.

When it comes to mass gathering, the pandemic event season of 2022 is gearing up for the return of many beloved events. Beyond the obvious question of how to keep the events COVID-free, there are lingering questions on the safety of mass gathering after the Astroworld Festival disaster. The DJ Mag article, fresh off the press, on this topic may be  of interest to you.

Mass Gathering

After Astroworld, what is being done to stop crowd crushes from happening again?
https://djmag.com/features/after-astroworld-what-being-done-stop-crowd-crushes-happening-again

Ramping Up Festival Safety, Post-Astroworld: Concert Pros Consider Measures to Avert Future Disasters
https://variety.com/2022/music/news/concert-safety-festivals-pollstar-live-1235181788/

[The Lancet] Association between two mass-gathering outdoor events and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections during the fifth wave of COVID-19 in north-east Spain: A population-based control-matched analysis

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(22)00030-8/fulltext

COVID Webinars – Free

Building COVID-19 vaccine confidence before, during and after pregnancy
Date: Thursday, Mar 17
Time: 1530-1630 EDT
Host: Public Health Agency of Canada
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/building-covid-19-vaccine-confidence-before-during-and-after-pregnancy-registration-267881931067

Q&A with BC and Quebec Experts on the Clinical Management of COVID-19
Date: Tuesday, Mar 29
Time: 1700-1800 PDT
Host: UBC Faculty of Medicine
https://ubccpd.ca/learn/learning-activities/course?eventtemplate=279-covid19-update-qa-with-bc-and-quebec-experts-on-the-clinical-management-of-covid19

Expert Q&A with Public Health, Primary Care, Vaccine, Epidemiology, and Lab Specialists
Date: Wednesday, April 6
Time: 1830-2000 PDT
Host: UBC Faculty of Medicine
https://ubccpd.ca/learn/learning-activities/course?eventtemplate=267-covid19-update-expert-qa-with-public-health-primary-care-vaccine-epidemiology-and-lab-specialists

Modeling and Forecasting of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Date: Tuesday, April 12
Time: 1200-1330 EDT
Host: Mayo Clinic
https://mc-meet.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2nner5-kSl-QIy1JW-RSdA

Personal Development – Free

Harm Reduction Training – Free
Addiction Care and Treatment Online Course
Host: UBC Faculty of Medicine
https://ubccpd.ca/learn/learning-activities/course?eventtemplate=6

Photo Credits

PixaBay

Photo by Mat Napo on Unsplash

EVENT MEDICAL MEDIA SCAN – February 2022 EDITION

Foreword

The end of January/early February came with many governments around the world making changes to their COVID management strategy. On one end of the spectrum, Denmark, Norway and Sweden lifted almost all restrictions. Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba have begun rolling back restrictions. On the other end, Australia, British Columbia and Hong Kong are increasing or tightening measures. A cull of selected hamsters in Hong Kong was implemented after  animal-to-human transmission was theorized.

As the focus on COVID continues on for almost 2 years – what are the other impacts to the health care system?  Have other infectious diseases like STIs been on the backburner for too long? What about those with PASC (Post-acute Sequelae of COVID-19) or “Long COVID” or mental health? A few research articles dig into those issues.

We know young people are still dying from drug overdoses in music festivals. Drug testing, medical support teams and a safe spaces are among the strategies. What about sexual harm reduction? We end this edition looking at a harm reduction initiative in Australia that is aimed at event organizers.

COVID Webinar

What recent evidence do we have that omicron is evading immunity and what are the implications?
Host: The World Health Organization
Date: Monday, Feb 14 0700 EST
https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2022/02/14/default-calendar/save-the-date—what-recent-evidence-do-we-have-that-omicron-is-evading-immunity-and-what-are-the-implications

COVID Research

Interested in learning more about COVID research/decision making? COVID Evidence Network publish a bi-weekly spotlight on Canadian and global researches
https://www.mcmasterforum.org/networks/covid-end/resources-specific-to-canada

COVID and Health Impacts

Heart-disease risk soars after COVID — even with a mild case
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00403-0

Impact of COVID-19 on Infectious Diseases and Public Health
https://asm.org/Articles/2022/February/Impact-of-COVID-19-on-Infectious-Diseases-and-Publ

Risk of persistent and new clinical sequelae among adults aged 65 years and older during the post-acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection: retrospective cohort study
https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj-2021-068414

Physical and mental health 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection (long COVID) among adolescents in England (CLoCk): a national matched cohort study
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(22)00022-0/fulltext

Mass Gathering

The Penington Institute (Australia) released a Sexual Health and Safety Toolkit for Music Festival Organizers.

There are also fact sheets on their website to promote various aspect of harm reduction in a mass gathering context.

Photo Credits

Pixabay

EVENT MEDICAL MEDIA SCAN – JANUARY 2022 EDITION

FOREWORDS

Happy New Year! As we move into the 22nd month of the pandemic, we continue to hear misinformation floating online and offline about COVID.  This month we profile 4 websites dedicated to the fact checking/recording of various COVID medical and social claims. The COVID19Misinfo website has a social media scan portal that you may find interesting.

Separately, the US CDC recently published a study demonstrating the effectiveness of vaccination against hospitalization and death. Would this help convince the population to get their booster shot (or in Israel’s case, their 4th shot)?

Finally, we noted criminal laws in the New Zealand were amended to allow for legal drug checking. It appears there is already early success in preventing unintended substances from being ingested at music festival. Interestingly, The University of Victoria on Vancouver Island, BC also launched its drug checking service (albeit by mail). Could the drug checking service in Canada be expanded as a result of these new services? 

COVID MISINFORMATION

COVID-19 Misinformation
https://covid19misinfo.org

CoronaVirusFacts/DatosCoronaVirus Alliance Database
https://www.poynter.org/ifcn-covid-19-misinformation/

COVID RESEARCH

[BMJ] A living WHO guideline on drugs for covid-19

https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3379

[US CDC]  Risk Factors for Severe COVID-19 Outcomes Among Persons Aged ≥18 Years Who Completed a Primary COVID-19 Vaccination Series — 465 Health Care Facilities, United States, December 2020–October 2021

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7101a4.htm?s_cid=mm7101a4_x

HARM REDUCTION

Vancouver Islanders can now have opioids, other drugs lab-checked by mail
https://www.sookenewsmirror.com/news/vancouver-islanders-can-now-have-opioids-other-drugs-lab-checked-by-mail/

‘We’re making harm reduction cool’: overdose reversal Narcan becomes a rave essential
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/dec/31/us-overdose-antidote-narcan-rave-essential

CREDITS

Cover Image: PIXABAY

Photo by Michal Matlon on Unsplash

Photo by Colin Davis on Unsplash

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Photo by NEXT Distro on Unsplash

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash 

Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash

Photo by Emily Morter on Unsplash

Image from Pixabay

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Event Medical Media Scan – December 2021 Edition

Foreword

As 2021will soon enter into the history books, we firstly wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2022! We look forward to meeting with all of you in person again soon!

COVID continues to dominate the headline. Canada’s first locally made COVID vaccine (Medicago’s plant-based virus-like particle vaccine) appears ready for debut. Canada was also chosen to be one of the three manufacturing sites for Merck’s Molnupiravir,  an oral anti-viral drugs that may be effective against COVID. As usual, we have some webinar and resources you may find interesting.

New Zealand became the first jurisdiction in the world to fully legalize drug testing, and Germany is contemplating the same upon the new government being sworn into office. Should Canada do the same?

On the issue of mass gathering and harm reduction, an Australian survey study indicated some festival goers chose to ingest quantity of drugs earlier or in larger doses, fearful of police and legal action. What are the strategies to mitigate the risks? 

Separately, a US news organization conducted an investigative piece on sexual assaults at a particular music festival. What can be done to make the events safer for everyone?

COVID webinars

COVID-19 Vaccine for Pediatric Use in Canada

Date: Monday, December 13, 2021 1200-1315 EST

Host: National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba

https://nccid.ca/webcast/covid-19-vaccine-for-pediatric-use-in-canada/

Expert Q&A with Public Health, Primary Care, Vaccine, Epidemiology, and Lab Specialists

Date: Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Host: Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia

https://ubccpd.ca/learn/learning-activities/course?eventtemplate=238-covid19-update-expert-qa-with-public-health-primary-care-vaccine-epidemiology-and-lab-specialists

COVID CLINICAL RESOURCES

[Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table] Clinical Practice Guideline Summary: Recommended Drugs and Biologics in Adult Patients with COVID-19
https://covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/clinical-practice-guideline-summary-recommended-drugs-and-biologics-in-adult-patients-with-covid-19-version-5-0/

Six different COVID-19 boosters induce variable immune response
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/936564

MASS GATHERING

The Traffic Light Coalition agrees to the legalisation of cannabis products as outlined in the new Coalition Agreement
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=04cc4dc7-87c9-4ed4-82fd-1e125cca6d47

‘A sexual predator’s paradise.’ Investigation of Faster Horses music festival uncovers 30 reported sexual assaults
https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2021/11/a-sexual-predators-paradise-investigation-of-faster-horses-music-festival-uncovers-30-reported-sexual-assaults.html

Image Credit

Adobe Stock Images

Event Medical Media Scan – November 2021 Edition

FOREWORD

A mass casualty tragedy unfolded in Houston, Texas last Friday at the Astroworld Festival, with at least 8 deaths and score of injured music festival patrons. While much of it remains under investigation, it is a reminder how a lively entertainment night can turn into a disaster in mere minutes. Our thoughts are with those affected by the tragedy. What is crowd crush? And what could be done for safety?  You will also find an article from the German publisher DW reflecting on the safety of music festivals in general. 

Music festival and drug use are not uncommon. New Zealand allows for legal drug checking, while Ireland is increasing its funding for harm reduction. We have 3 different articles that you might find interesting looking at the issue.

We have also located a number of interesting webinars on COVID that may be of interest to you. What is herd immunity you may ask?

We hope the links will spark some curiosity and engage for more learning opportunities in the future.

Upcoming Webinars – COVID

How to Have Effective Conversations about COVID-19 Vaccines and Pregnancy and Fertility
Date: November 18, 2021
Time: 1230 PST
Host: California Department of Health Care Services
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2363343487846354189

Children’s Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Strategies for Parent and Child Wellbeing
Date: November 23, 2021
Time: 1300 MST
Host: Alberta Health Services
http://community.hmhc.ca/sessions/files/2021-10-21-17-00-53-Nov-23-Covid.pdf

COVID-19 and the Laboratory
Date: November 30, 2021
Time: 1200 MST
Host: Montana State University
https://msuextension.org/wellness/vaccine_outreach/mtexperts.html

Behind the Scenes of the Development of a COVID-19 Vaccine Suitable for Global Access
Date: December 8, 2021
Time: 1100 EST
Host: Technology Networks
https://go.technologynetworks.com/developement-covid19-vaccine

Burnout & Boundaries during Covid
Date: December 13, 2021
Time: 1030 MST
Host: Alberta Health Services
http://community.hmhc.ca/sessions/files/2021-10-21-16-49-59-Dec-13-Burnout-and-Barriers.pdf

Recorded Webinars – COVID

Expanding our understanding of post COVID-19 condition web series: Rehabilitation Care
Host: The World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2021/10/06/default-calendar/expanding-our-understanding-of-post-covid-19-condition-web-series-rehabilitation-care

Imagining the future: conversations on the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious threats
Host: WHO Information Network for Epidemics
https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2021/10/28/default-calendar/webinar-3-the-global-trends-that-are-shaping-our-world-(2-2)

mass Gathering

[Deutsche Welle] Are music festivals safe?

https://www.dw.com/en/are-music-festivals-safe/a-59742481

[The University of Dublin] Drug use at music festivals: reducing harm and protecting health and well-being

https://www.tcd.ie/news_events/articles/festival-drug-use-reducing-harm-and-protecting-health-and-well-being/

[Radio New Zealand] New govt funding for drug checkers at events after soaring demand

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/454179/new-govt-funding-for-drug-checkers-at-events-after-soaring-demand

[The Guardian UK] Glastonbury: drug traces from on-site urination could harm rare eels

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/sep/28/glastonbury-drug-traces-from-on-site-urination-could-harm-rare-eels

Image Credit

Adobe Stock Images

Event Medical Media Scan – October 2021 Edition

Foreword

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Canada has, according to Our World in Data, rebound to the 5th place as the most fully vaccinated population around the world, and 7th place for population with at least one dose of vaccine. Canada’s positivity rate is beginning to shift downward for the first time in months.

As various jurisdiction opens up for activities, we see outbreaks at some music festivals, while others are mildly impacted or completely spared. What are the key differences between these mass gathering? What can we learn from their planning? 

We gathered a number of upcoming webinars that may be of interest to you – check it out!

Research/Journal Articles

[US CDC] COVID-19 Science Update, published weekly

https://www.cdc.gov/library/covid19/scienceupdates.html?Sort=Date%3A%3Adesc

[Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine] Update to post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection: Caring for the ‘long-haulers’
https://www.ccjm.org/content/early/2021/09/30/ccjm.88a.21010-up?cct=2319

[NEJM] In Gratitude for mRNA Vaccines
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcibr2111445

[Lancet] Study points to safety of simultaneous flu and COVID-19 vaccines
https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/study-points-to-safety-of-simultaneous-flu-and-covid-19-vaccines

Webinars

Mayo Clinic COVID-19 Webinar Series
Date: October 12 1200EDT/0900PDT
Topic: Delta Variant and Vaccines
https://ce.mayo.edu/internal-medicine/content/mayo-clinic-covid-19-webinar-series

Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health COVID Webinar
Date: October 13 1300EDT/1000PDT
Topic: The Implications of Long COVID
https://covid.cadth.ca/events/

British Medical Journal covid-19 webinars
Date: November 11 TBC
Topic: Population or herd immunity
https://www.bmj.com/covid-19-webinars

UBC COVID-19 Webinar
Date: November 16 1830PDT/2130EDT
Topic: Expert Q&A with Public Health, Primary Care, Vaccine, Epidemiology, and Lab Specialists
https://ubccpd.ca/learn/learning-activities/course?eventtemplate=210-covid19-update-expert-qa-with-public-health-primary-care-vaccine-epidemiology-and-lab-specialists

BCCDC 2021 One Health and Zoonoses Symposium
Date: November 24 0800PDT/1100EDT
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-professionals/education-development/2021-one-health-and-zoonoses-symposium

Mass Gatherings

One Month After Escapade Music Festival, Organizers Celebrate Zero COVID-19 Cases
https://edm.com/events/escapade-music-festival-organizers-celebrate-zero-covid-19-cases

The true story of how India partied through Covid-19
https://djmag.com/longreads/true-story-how-india-partied-through-covid-19

Federal court rules insurers don’t have to pay out more than $1bn in Covid claims from businesses
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/oct/08/federal-court-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-pay-out-1bn-in-covid-claims-from-businesses

UK government’s £800 million insurance scheme only covers events impacted by lockdown or new Covid-19 restrictions
https://ra.co/news/76108

Photo Credits

Event Medical Media Scan – September 2021 Edition

FOREWORD

As COVID-19 enters into its 18th month pandemic status, Canada has hit a plateau in vaccination rates. According to Our World in Data, 67.4% of Canadians are fully vaccinated, which ranks us the 10th in the world (but still the 1st place among G7/G20 countries).

Do you know anyone who might be hesitant in getting the COVID vaccine? Check out the vaccine hesitancy guide for guidance. We also have linked a number of webinars and podcasts that may be of interest to you.

The spread of COVID has led to re-scheduled events being cancelled again (Ironman Canada, GranFondo) while others like the Escapade Music Festival continues in full swing.  We look back at a few events that led to outbreaks around the world. Stay safe everyone!

PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES

Vaccine hesitancy guide for health professionals
https://www.vhguide.ca

Psychosocial Disaster Learning Series: Information for Health Professionals
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/Page17072.aspx

[Elsevier] COVID-19 Anxiety Screening Tool
https://elsevier.logicnets.net

COVID-19 rule breakers characterized by extraversion, amorality and uninformed information-gathering strategies
https://www.psypost.org/2021/08/covid-19-rule-breakers-characterized-by-extraversion-amorality-and-uninformed-information-gathering-strategies-61727

WEBINARS AND PODCASTS

[Mayo Clinic] COVID-19 webinar: SARS-CoV-2 variants: Delta and beyond
https://medprofvideos.mayoclinic.org/videos/covid-19-webinar-sars-cov-2-variants-delta-and-beyond

[JAMA Network] Immunosuppression, Chronic COVID-19, and SARS-CoV-2 Variants
https://edhub.ama-assn.org/jn-learning/video-player/18634679

[Canon Medical Systems] Post-COVID Conditions Webinar
https://eu.medical.canon/events_calendar/webinars/post-covid-conditions-webinar

[Royal College of General Practitioners] Long COVID Podcast
https://audioboom.com/posts/7909868-long-covid

[University of Washington] Preparing for a Post-COVID Future — Implications for Protecting the Health of Seniors
Date: Monday, October 18
https://www.washington.edu/coronavirus/lectures/

MASS GATHERING

‘This is a public health issue’: can Covid-era music festivals ever be safe?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/14/outdoor-music-festivals-covid-coronavirus

Canada’s hard-hit arts sector debates vaccine passports for events, venues
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/article-arts-organizations-mull-over-the-idea-of-vaccine-passports-for/

[UK] Boardmasters festival: New Delta strain believed to have emerged among 53,000 revellers at Cornwall event
https://inews.co.uk/news/health/boardmasters-festival-new-delta-strain-cornwall-event-1172393

[Spain] Over 2,000 people test positive for COVID-19 following music festivals in Catalonia
https://djmag.com/news/over-2000-people-test-positive-covid-19-following-music-festivals-catalonia

Photo Credit

Adobe Stock Images

Event Medical Media Scan – August 2021 Edition

FOREWORD

Canada became the most COVID-19 vaccinated country (relative to the size of the population) on July 27, according to Our World in Data. While COVID may seem to have began its slow retreat into the history books, we are also reminded there are plenty of jurisdictions in the world where COVID cases are rising. 

Mass gatherings from the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics to music festival in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom to Euro 2020 to the Calgary Stampede have seen COVID spreads among the attendees. 

We have seen events pivot to hosting on site vaccine clinics to encourage increased vaccination rate. However, we also see events continued to be postponed or cancelled. How should the event industry cope with the ever changing risks of hosting large gatherings in pandemic times?

In this edition, we included a link to New England Journal of Medicine’s COVID treatment simulator – give it a try! You might learn something new for your clinical practice.

COVID Resources

Outbreak.info COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology and genomic data
https://outbreak.info

[NEJM] Covid-19 Rx: Treatment Simulations
https://covid19rx.nejm.org/landing/index.html

COVID Research

[The British Medical Journal] Long covid—mechanisms, risk factors, and management
https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1648

[The Lancet] Characterizing long COVID in an international cohort: 7 months of symptoms and their impact
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(21)00299-6/fulltext

A blood marker predicts who gets ‘breakthrough’ COVID
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02096-3

Mass Gathering

Belgium Launches “Covid Safe Ticket” Program for Live Events
https://edm.com/industry/belgium-covid-safe-ticket-program

How Safe Is a Big Fest Like Lollapalooza During the Covid Era?
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lollapalooza-covid-safety-1200549/

CDC study shows three-fourths of people infected in Massachusetts coronavirus outbreak were vaccinated but few required hospitalization
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/07/30/provincetown-covid-outbreak-vaccinated/

PHOTO CREDIT

Adobe Stock Images

Event Medical Media Scan – July 2021 Edition

FOREWORDS

According to Our World In Data, Canada currently ranks first in population receiving their first dose, and 4th in fully vaccinated around the world. 

Our Alberta team is back on the first mass gathering since COVID was declared a pandemic at The Badlands Music Festival. Boots and Hearts Music Festival in Ontario also announced they are back, followed by FVDED in the Park in BC and Ironman Canada. With all these events planning their return, it would certainly seem COVID-free world is in sight. 

As a result, this edition of EMMS shifts focus to various Post-COVID resources.

COVID WEBINARS

BC ECHO for Post-COVID-19 Recovery

Host: Provincial Health Services Authority

http://www.phsa.ca/health-professionals/education-development/bc-echo-for-post-covid-19-recovery

Rehabilitation after COVID-19– Allied Health Provider Education Series
Date: Every Tuesday 1130 MDT
Host: Alberta Health Services
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/ppih/if-ppih-covid-19-rehab-after-covid-education-series.pdf

CDC/IDSA COVID-19 Clinician Call Registration
Date: Every other Saturday 1500 EDT
Host: Infectious Diseases Society of America
https://societycentral.zoom.us/webinar/register/3915918840180/WN_LrLBu-22RDGUMIz0jpse3w

COVID GUIDELINES

Evaluating and Caring for Patients with Post-COVID Conditions: Interim Guidance
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-care/post-covid-index.html

Post-COVID Hub (Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation)
https://www.post-covid.org.uk/for-professionals/

COVID-19: Clinical Guidance for Primary Care Providers
https://tools.cep.health/tool/covid-19/

Mass Gatherings

Prior to COVID, the City of Edmonton passed its Electronic Dance Music Event Bylaw (Bylaw 19166). The research report that led to the development of the bylaw was published on the City’s website:

https://www.edmonton.ca/sites/default/files/public-files/documents/PDF/EDME-ResearchFindingsJuly2018-February2020.pdf

The research confirms on-site medical team is an asset, and a safe/chill space for harm reduction is necessary. In fact, harm reduction is a mandatory component for future EDMs in the City.

Study Shows How to Safely Hold an Indoor Mass Gathering
https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/92825

Only 28 positive COVID-19 cases after pilot entertainment events involving 58,000 people
https://www.nme.com/news/music/only-28-positive-covid-19-cases-after-pilot-entertainment-events-involving-58000-people-2978547

How music festivals have bounced back despite the COVID-19 pandemic
https://mixdownmag.com.au/features/how-music-festivals-have-bounced-back-despite-the-covid-19-pandemic/

PHOTO CREDITS

Adobe Stock Images

Event Medical Media Scan – June 2021 Edition

Foreword

As we enter into the 16th month of the COVID pandemic, we are fortunate to have scientists, clinicians and public health officials continue to work around the clock to come up with ways to end the pandemic. As usual, we have some clinical resources and webinars that may be of interest to you.

As the reopening plans of various Canadian jurisdictions are announced, this edition of EMMS look at a familiar topic – harm reduction. As music festivals slowly plan their come back, are we potentially expecting more casualties as a result? At least one article argue so.

We have also picked two articles that looks at the distinct reasons why events are not being hosted beyond the general uncertainty about the feasibility of hosting a mass gathering as others refuse to cancel  or come up with ways to ensure the vaccinated can resume the normal pre-COVID activities

We hope with this post finds you well. Stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

COVID Resources

COVID-19 Guidelines Dashboard
https://opencriticalcare.org/covid-dashboard/

Webinars – Recording

COVID-19 in the Third Wave and the Maternal-Neonatal Population: Neonatal Care and Considerations
Host: Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health
https://www.pcmch.on.ca/news-events/covid-19-in-the-third-wave-and-the-maternal-neonatal-population-a-pcmch-webinar-series/

Webinar COVID Talks for Docs: COVID Evidence Update
Host: Alberta Medical Association
https://albertadoctors.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUtdOqpqDIvE9UF3QHJW7UtpG0WQoB2Nv6c

COVID-19 Webinar: Vaccine Update – Pregnant Women, Children & Variants
Host: American College of Medical Toxicology
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__Jph4rgwRzuQ_Y2RhGZs6w

COVID-19 Update: Expert Q&A with Public Health, Vaccine, Epidemiology, and Lab Specialists
Host: University of British Columbia
https://ubccpd.ca/course/covid19-webinar-june-23-2021

Webinars – Upcoming

Harm Reduction

As some countries emerge from the COVID pandemic; the idea of hosting mass gatherings are once again one the horizon. New Zealand has made drug checking legal, and research indicates they help to prevent unnecessary injuries and deaths. The articles below explores further on this topic.

An Urgent Call for Harm Reduction in EDM: How to Keep You and the Rave Alive Post-Pandemic
https://edm.com/industry/urgent-call-for-harm-reduction-music-festivals-post-pandemic

Drug checking service influences future behavior, follow-up survey reveals
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-05-drug-future-behavior-follow-up-survey.html

Just Months Into a Yearlong Pilot, New Zealand Legalizes Drug-Checking
https://filtermag.org/new-zealand-drug-checking-festivals/

Festivals face spike in drug deaths from lower tolerance of illegal substances due to Covid, MPs warn
https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/festivals-spike-drug-deaths-lower-tolerance-illegal-substances-covid-mps-warn-1024775

Mass Gathering

The good news? Controlled mass gathering is feasible to still keep patrons COVID-safe.

The hosting of mass gatherings goes beyond the speaker/talents. Volunteers and staff play a large role in the successful hosting of an event. Can the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics continue despite the growing case counts in Japan? 

In the UK, the issue isn’t about human resources or talents. The issue is a more fundamental nature of events: insurance. Hosting a mass gathering without the necessary insurance is a recipe for disaster. As skittish insurance underwriters continue to figure out the fall out from COVID, the ability to obtain insurance for events are slim to none, forcing many events to cancel for the 2nd time in a row.

Nurse Shortage Is Latest Obstacle for Tokyo Olympic Games
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2021/05/04/612575.htm

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