banner
LightNews
alannasmith.bsky.social
Alanna Smith
@alannasmith.bsky.social
3K followers 150 following 60 posts
National health reporter with The Globe and Mail. Based in Calgary. Formerly with the Canadian Press, Calgary Herald. DM for Signal/Whatsapp or email [email protected] 🔗: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/authors/alanna-smith/
www.theglobeandmail.com
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
alannasmith.bsky.social
Alanna Smith @alannasmith.bsky.social · 2d
Breaking the chain: Canada eliminated #measles decades ago, but it will lose that status on Oct. 27 – barring a "miracle" experts doubt will happen. Here’s how falling vaccine rates got us to this point and what happens after. @theglobeandmail.com
Canada is close to losing its measles elimination status. What happens then?
Experts blame waning vaccination rates and disinformation for outbreaks that have continued for nearly a full year
www.theglobeandmail.com
3 6
Reposted by Alanna Smith
mattscace.bsky.social
Matt Scace @mattscace.bsky.social · 5d
Pals, some news: I’m thrilled to be starting today at @theglobeandmail.com as a reporter in the Calgary bureau. I can’t wait to get to work and share important stories with this ultra-talented team. They set an enormously high bar and I couldn’t be more excited to start.
1 2 20
Reposted by Alanna Smith
sandrasmiley.bsky.social
Sandra Smiley (she/her) @sandrasmiley.bsky.social · 9d
What to know about the war in Sudan
via @geoffreyyork.bsky.social @theglobeandmail.com
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
The war in Sudan is the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis. Here’s how it started and the toll so far
The conflict is in its third year, with the latest ceasefire talks going nowhere. Meanwhile, aid is falling far short of what’s needed
www.theglobeandmail.com
1
Reposted by Alanna Smith
aljazeera.com
Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 9d
BREAKING: The Global Sumud Flotilla says one vessel, Marinette, is “still sailing strong.” Over the last 24 hours, 21 boats were confirmed intercepted and 20 presumably intercepted.

🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/qngd86
5 140 300
alannasmith.bsky.social
Alanna Smith @alannasmith.bsky.social · 9d
Breaking: A premature baby who contracted measles in utero has died in Alberta, the first death associated with the provincial outbreak that has grown to nearly 2,000 cases. #ableg @theglobeandmail.com
Alberta records first measles death since outbreak
Alberta has recorded nearly 2,000 cases, highest figure per capita of any province. This is second known death linked to the disease
www.theglobeandmail.com
3 9
alannasmith.bsky.social
Alanna Smith @alannasmith.bsky.social · 9d
One day after a central Alberta hospital alerted the provincial govt & senior health care leaders that it had implemented a strict masking policy to prevent the spread of measles, the facility-wide safety measure was discontinued, documents obtained by @theglobeandmail.com show. #ableg #cdnhealth
Alberta hospital’s mask mandate for measles ended a day after it alerted province, health officials
Internal e-mails show AHS staff fielded questions about mandate from province
www.theglobeandmail.com
19 28
Reposted by Alanna Smith
wencyleung.bsky.social
Wency Leung @wencyleung.bsky.social · 9d
In light of the encampment clearings at Dufferin Grove Park, it's worth revising this stellar piece by @brendoherty.bsky.social and Nick Kozak in @thelocal.to thelocal.to/toronto-enca...
Another Year, Another Encampment, Another Eviction | The Local
For years, unhoused people like Davit Sesisheili have gone from park to park, moving when the City evicts them. With new data, and reporting and photography that spans years, this is the most comprehe...
thelocal.to
6 12
Reposted by Alanna Smith
jantafrench.bsky.social
Janet French @jantafrench.bsky.social · 9d
The president of the ATA says teachers want the government to meet average class-size recommendations set by ACOL, which would require 5,000+ more teachers www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #AbEd #AbLeg
Alberta Teachers' Association wants more than 5,000 new teachers to meet class-size recommendations | CBC News
The president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association says its bargaining team asked the provincial government if it can fund class size recommendations established in 2003 following the province's last ...
www.cbc.ca
3 14 38
Reposted by Alanna Smith
canadahealthwatch.ca
Canada Healthwatch 🍁 @canadahealthwatch.ca · 9d
Alberta hospital's mask mandate for measles ended a day after it alerted province, health officials www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... @alannasmith.bsky.social

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
A dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. Alberta is at the centre of Canada's measles outbreak, having recorded nearly 2,000 cases, the highest figure per capita of any province.
1 11 17
alannasmith.bsky.social
Alanna Smith @alannasmith.bsky.social · 10d
From @joyscm.bsky.social: I’m fully vaccinated against measles, but I still became Ottawa’s fifth confirmed case this year. @theglobeandmail.com
I’m fully vaccinated against measles, but I still became Ottawa’s fifth confirmed case this year
We need to think more about how we view our own immunity not only for ourselves, but for our communities
www.theglobeandmail.com
1 1
Reposted by Alanna Smith
canadahealthwatch.ca
Canada Healthwatch 🍁 @canadahealthwatch.ca · 11d
Quebec's outgoing public-health director hopeful there will be enough free COVID shots to go around www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... @tuthanhha.bsky.social @alannasmith.bsky.social @theglobeandmail.com

More news → CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
Luc Boileau, Quebec's outgoing public-health director, told La Presse that while most of the province's free COVID-19 shots will go to high-risk groups, he expects 'tens of thousands of doses' will be still be available for the rest of the population.
2 5 8
Reposted by Alanna Smith
andreawoo.bsky.social
Andrea Woo @andreawoo.bsky.social · 17d
A shortage of OB-GYNs and other maternity care doctors in BC has meant some expectant patients have had to travel hundreds of kms to give birth. A deep dive on how we got here, and the story of one couple that was shuffled through four hospitals to give birth
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/briti...
OB/GYN shortage in B.C. threatens collapse in local maternity care
Understaffed hospitals send pregnant patients elsewhere, bringing stress during a vulnerable time
www.theglobeandmail.com
5 13
Reposted by Alanna Smith
carrietait.bsky.social
Carrie Tait @carrietait.bsky.social · 17d
SCOOP: A consultant advising Alberta Health Services on private surgical facilities simultaneously negotiated with AHS on behalf of a company vying to open such a clinic, according to a confidential report obtained by The Globe.

www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
Adviser on Alberta’s use of private clinics was also working for company vying for contract, confidential report says
Potential conflicts of interest outlined in document at centre of health procurement controversy
www.theglobeandmail.com
14 120 170
Reposted by Alanna Smith
theglobeandmail.com
The Globe and Mail @theglobeandmail.com · 22d
Moderna to roll out first made-in-Canada COVID-19 vaccines this fall
Facilities in Laval, Que., and Cambridge, Ont. producing U.S. drugmaker’s mRNA vaccines
www.theglobeandmail.com
5 54 160
alannasmith.bsky.social
Alanna Smith @alannasmith.bsky.social · 18d
It’s a scientific marvel, so why does the measles vaccine face apathy and anxiety? Check out this great explainer by @jenniferyang.bsky.social.
It’s a scientific marvel, so why does the measles vaccine face apathy and anxiety?
Since it was introduced in 1963, the vaccination has struggled for respect from many groups
www.theglobeandmail.com
1 7
Reposted by Alanna Smith
kkirkup.bsky.social
Kristy Kirkup @kkirkup.bsky.social · 18d
NEW:

Nova Scotia’s approach to sepsis treatment offers life-saving lessons, advocates say

www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-...
Nova Scotia’s approach to sepsis treatment offers life-saving lessons, advocates say
By the end of October, ER nurses throughout the province will be able to administer antibiotics and IV fluids to anyone suspected of having sepsis
www.theglobeandmail.com
1 4 7
alannasmith.bsky.social
Alanna Smith @alannasmith.bsky.social · 19d
Interest from U.S. doctors looking to work in Canada has spiked but few have made the move @theglobeandmail.com
Interest from U.S. doctors looking to work in Canada has spiked but few have made the move
Provinces are simplifying pathways for health care workers to come to Canada, but in reality it’s still a hard sell
www.theglobeandmail.com
1 6
Reposted by Alanna Smith
carrietait.bsky.social
Carrie Tait @carrietait.bsky.social · 21d
Incredible story on how measles hitched a ride from Thailand to rural New Brunswick, then spread through the Americas. Wowzers. www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl... By Nathan VanderKlippe
How the measles made its way back to Canada
The Globe travelled 40,000 kilometres to find the origin of the disease’s resurgence in North America
www.theglobeandmail.com
2 16 36
Reposted by Alanna Smith
theglobeandmail.com
The Globe and Mail @theglobeandmail.com · 21d
Behind my search for the source of the measles resurgence
Globe and Mail reporter Nathan VanderKlippe’s journey to trace today’s measles outbreaks sent him to New Brunswick, Texas and all the way to Thailand
www.theglobeandmail.com
3 4 9
Reposted by Alanna Smith
carrietait.bsky.social
Carrie Tait @carrietait.bsky.social · 23d
Fewer girls are playing sports after govt erected barriers for girls to play sports.
edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
Early dropoff in girls' school sports linked to new gender confirmation forms
Province's new requirements are already having impacts on girls' sports in junior high
edmontonjournal.com
78 680 2.1K
Reposted by Alanna Smith
picardonhealth.bsky.social
André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social · 23d
Quebec to scale back free #COVID19 shots this fall after Alberta limits eligibility. Free #vaccination will remain only for members of high-risk groups, by @tuthanhha.bsky.social @alannasmith.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... via @theglobeandmail.com
Quebec to scale back free COVID-19 shots this fall after Alberta limits eligibility
Seniors, health care workers, residents of remote regions and medically vulnerable patients will still qualify for the shot at no cost
www.theglobeandmail.com
4 5 7
Reposted by Alanna Smith
nytimes.com
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 23d
President Trump is conducting “the most punishing government crackdown against major American media institutions in modern times, using what seems like every tool at his disposal to eradicate reporting and commentary with which he disagrees,” our reporter writes in an analysis.
What Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension Says About the Trump Administration’s Crackdown Against Mainstream Media
ABC’s decision to “indefinitely” suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show illuminates the administration’s efficacy so far.
nyti.ms
51 90 230
alannasmith.bsky.social
Alanna Smith @alannasmith.bsky.social · 24d
Quebec has become the second Canadian province after Alberta that will no longer provide free vaccination against COVID-19 for all its population. With @tuthanhha.bsky.social.
Quebec to scale back free COVID-19 shots this fall after Alberta limits eligibility
Seniors, health care workers, residents of remote regions and medically vulnerable patients will still qualify for the shot at no cost
www.theglobeandmail.com
2 10 13
Reposted by Alanna Smith
jonnywakefield.bsky.social
Jonny Wakefield @jonnywakefield.bsky.social · Sep 9
SCOOP: Edmonton police have sent a letter to the provincial minister in charge of prosecutions objecting to a plea deal in the case of a woman charged with murdering an 8-year-old Indigenous girl.

Never seen anything like this before.

edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
In rare move, Edmonton police object to Crown accepting manslaughter plea in Indigenous girl's homicide
Edmonton police object to the Crown prosecution service's planned plea deal in the case of a mother charged with murdering her young daughter.
edmontonjournal.com
7 22 51
alannasmith.bsky.social
Alanna Smith @alannasmith.bsky.social · Sep 9
The former chair of an Alberta agency that conducts health care research says the province is failing to discharge and transfer hospital patients in a timely manner, increasing safety risks to those who require emergency care. #ableg #abpoli @theglobeandmail.com
Former chair of health research agency urges Alberta to transform patient care
Raj Sherman calls for ‘urgent reform’ in resignation letter
www.theglobeandmail.com
1 5 20