Albert Camus’ 1947 novel The Plague masterfully portrays the death and suffering that a fictional bubonic plague brings to the people of Oran, an Algerian city under French colonial rule. The events take place over many months, with protagonist Dr. Rieux working to both physically and psychologically help others suffering[Read More…]
Tag: covid-19
Students split over McGill’s ‘return to full in-person activities’ for Fall 2022 semester
After two years of pandemic-related closures and restrictions, Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Christopher Manfredi and Vice-Principal (Administration and Finance) Yves Beauchamp announced on Feb. 22 that the Fall 2022 semester will be held entirely in person. The statement came as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Quebec continue to decline and[Read More…]
Tribune Explains: The loosening of COVID-19 restrictions on campus
On Feb. 8, Premier François Legault announced the Quebec government’s plans to ease most pandemic measures in the province, with the exception of the vaccine passport and mask rules, by March 14. As the province reopens, McGill’s COVID-19 protocols will evolve accordingly. In university-wide emails sent out on Feb. 4[Read More…]
Staff and students face difficult trade-offs as they transition back to campus
Following 2.5 weeks of online classes spurred by the Omicron wave, the administration’s decision to transition back to campus for the remainder of the Winter 2022 term has stirred up both positive and negative reactions amongst staff and students. Many eating spaces on campus do not respect provincial health guidelines[Read More…]
Researchers pinpoint a gene variant that could provide increased protection against severe COVID-19
It is well known that a person’s genome can predispose them to certain diseases—but can also provide increased protection against other diseases. Geneticists have recently observed that a particular haplotype, a chunk of DNA that encodes several genes, is protective in nature against COVID-19 and results in a reduced risk[Read More…]
McGill’s COVID-19 response has been a shitshow from the start
As the COVID-19 pandemic nears its second anniversary, McGill’s response to the ongoing health crisis has been thoroughly disappointing and incompetent. It has gotten to the point where many students are taking matters into their own hands to protect themselves, their peers, and their loved ones. Undergraduates from the School[Read More…]
#McGillOnStrike gains momentum as Law Students Association votes to strike
The Social Work Student Association (SWSA) passed a motion to strike on Jan. 17 after McGill denied the faculty’s decision to continue online learning until Feb. 25. Since then, many other faculty student associations have followed suit, joining forces under the hashtag #McGillOnStrike to protest the timing of McGill’s reopening[Read More…]
Closing the curtain on political theatre
On Jan. 20, Quebec Premier François Legault held a press conference in which he made two statements: First, that citizens should “stand in solidarity” with hospital workers, and second that they should “stay prudent.” Combined with the shifting recovery plans in light of the Omicron variant, these remarks show that[Read More…]
Faculties rally to strike as McGill resumes in-person classes
Many McGill students entered the classroom for the first time this semester on Jan. 24. The majority of McGill courses—except Tier 1 activities—began online due to the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19 and a subsequent provincial lockdown. The university’s decision to require students and staff return[Read More…]
Students release open letter calling for hybrid learning and stricter campus safety measures
An open letter, written and published just hours after McGill’s Jan. 14 announcement that in-person learning would recommence on Jan. 24, has been circulating among the student body. The letter, titled “Open Letter to the McGill Administration – Return to in-person learning on January 24th,” denounces the administration’s decision to[Read More…]
