skategal

I despised him long before he decided to enter politics, certainly nothing he's done since that decision has made me change my mind. I find it hilarious that he has so much disdain for what he views as "low class" people. I can't personally think of too many people I would consider "lower class" than he is. Guess it depends on what one's definition of "class" is.

Favorite moment was this morning when he and his wife boarded the helicopter leaving the Whitehouse for the last time. Now I wait to see him and hopefully his moronic older sons and son in law end up in jail. Thankfully his youngest son has been kept out of the limelight, hopefully he hasn't been tainted by the Trump name but time will tell I suppose. By the time he's an adult, he may choose to change his name and make his own way in the world as the Trump name by then may be akin to Hitler or ????

I think that we will be in a position sooner than September to be able to say that we have more than enough vaccine available in the pipeline to ensure everyone in Canada can get vaccinated. Not saying we will be close to having everyone vaccinated but I'm hopeful that by early summer we can start allocating some committed supply to other countries. Once some of the other manufacturers come online and we understand their production capacity we should be there. Part of our delay is the ability to keep it organized so we target the most vulnerable first then gradually move down the line. Also, right now our capability to administer the vaccine is limited somewhat by the requirements of storage etc. If we can improve that, we can increase who can give the shots, then speed up how fast we can roll it out. I'm proud of the fact that we over ordered specifically to be able to redirect supply to poorer countries. So very Canadian!

In terms of donating excess vaccine to other countries, I think when we're at the point where product exceeds demand, we can then allocate the excess to other countries. We may not have completed our own vaccinations by that time, but as an example, if we have orders for 10M doses and we only require 5M to vaccinate our remaining population, then rather than wait for that 5 M to be administered, use the excess 5M for some other country, ideally one that aligns with our values. I expect with the volume that we have ordered and the numbers of manufacturers that we have ordered from we will be in the position sooner than later.

Surprised to see this thread - holy crap, goaltending can only take us so far. If we take undisciplined penalties, PK that can't clear the puck, can't capitalize on PP, can't score 5v5 and can't keep the play in the offensive zone, I'm not sure what goalie is going to look good night after night. It's a team game, and our goalies are not sieves. They can only do so much. The rest of the team needs to get their act together in front of them. It will come, it's early in the season.

LOL! Took the words right out of my mouth. NHL hockey is primarily white guys, some of whom go into broadcasting when they are done. So yeh, I think my comment stands. Sorry if I offended you, it's not meant to, but for women, people of colour it's tough to break into an industry when the history is caucasian males. That's why it was a cause for celebration when Hanamaryan Singh called his first game in english last week.

To each their own I guess, I enjoy Campbell - like her analysis of the game and the plays as she identifies things that a lot of fans may not recognize in watching unless they have played the game at a very high level. Plus, she's a woman so I guess I'm cheering for her in this male dominated industry and recognizing how much harder her road is than the average white guy.

This one made me burst out laughing!

Only caught the 3rd period, loved the announcers, lots of fun to listen to. Always liked Debrusk and the new guy, what a great thing for the South Asian community. He reminds me a bit of soccer announcers...so excited. Makes it fun. Understand Hughson will not travel so might only be doing Canucks home games? Probably the HNIC Saturday night ones? I didn't know he still lived in Van but saw that on Twitter this AM. I am guessing that John and John will still get some games but probably with the condensed schedule maybe only the weekday ones, and not sure about their travel either? This season is so weird.

But shouldn't Dr. Henry be out in the street dragging people to testing centers? /s

I don't see this as a lot different than any other business being open. They are being careful to not put the general public at risk, probably moreso than most retail/restaurant environments. They are providing employment for suppliers, sports broadcasters, providing entertainment for millions of fans across North America and beyond. I can think of other things that are open that probably provide a greater risk to the public.

I tip my cap once again to GMJB and the Canucks management. It would appear that our team is stronger and more skilled than last season once again. I've seen growth and improvement year over year for a few seasons now. For all the angst, hand wringing and teeth knashing that occurs in the media, on CDC and probably anywhere more than one Canuck fan communicates, it would seem that they know what they are doing and they have a plan. Cap issues - appear to be dealt with. Defense - improved. Forwards - improved. Goaltending - maybe slight decline or holding steady. Should be an entertaining season - buckle up everyone!

In fairness I think Vintage added more to the original post that not everyone may have seen before posting their reply.

This made me snort my coffee! First level trolling!

https://vancouversun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/patrick-johnston-a-grab-bag-of-2020-21-canucks-cap-considerations Total article is longer and covers a number of players, thought this piece was particularly interesting. I was struck by how many factors come into play in cap management. Rathbone’s bonuses Because he’s on an entry-level contract, Jack Rathbone could earn up to $850,000 in Schedule A bonuses this season. Because of how the salary cap rules work, if the Canucks want to use him at all this season, there’s a strong case for him being on the NHL roster on day one, even if the plan is for him to first get some AHL action when that league starts. (The current plan is for the AHL to start in February.) If he’s on the Canucks’ roster when the season starts and the Canucks are at the salary cap limit, his bonuses will be counted as part of a “bonus cushion,” which is an allowance for players with performance bonuses in the contracts — basically entry level players like Rathbone, Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes, or players who sign contracts when they’re over the age of 35 — to actually exceed the salary cap limit by up to seven per cent in aggregate. If the Canucks do start the season at the limit, nearly the totality of their performance bonuses due to any player on the NHL roster on day one won’t be calculated as part of their regular cap hit. That will be a calculation for another day, with a penalty likely applied to the 2021-22 season. (That’s unlikely, since it’s certain that they’ll start the season with a salary structure built to shunt as much of Micheal Ferland’s $3.5 million cap hit on to the long term injured reserve exemption list as possible.) If Rathbone starts the season on the NHL roster, his cap hit will be $925,000. If he were to start in the minors on day one, though, his potential performance bonuses wouldn’t be counted towards the bonus cushion and his cap hit would be considered nearly $1.5 million, the potential average annual value of his contract if he were to hit on his maximum bonuses both this season and the next. Confused yet? The long and short answer is it does seem almost certain that Rathbone will spend day one on the Canucks’ NHL roster. Whether he stays for day two seems much less likely. And, yes, like DiPietro, he could conceivably be loaned to a Canadian AHL squad, though there are fewer gaps to fill on rival bluelines compared to the two obvious above-mentioned goalie holes. So if Rathbone does start on the NHL roster to start the season but Brogan Rafferty and Jalen Chatfield do not, don’t be alarmed, there’s a good chance it’s all about keeping his cap hit manageable for a future recall, nothing more than that.

I wonder if there will be St Louis coaching staff there as well as their prospects? I would think they would want some say on development and not rely solely on Canucks coaching?

Sandwiches, don't forget describing your sandwiches, always a good way to make friends.

I miss Tanny and Stech...and Marky.

A reminder that I'm getting older when people I watched as a kid are now passing away. He always seemed like a decent guy, was well liked by players. I hope he had a peaceful passing.

Interesting that Canadian snowbirds in Florida are able to get vaccinated. I'm torn, happy that they are getting vaccinated, but think it's unfair that they are getting in line ahead of front line workers and Florida residents. Process makes no sense to me....but lately that isn't unusual. Like a ‘rock concert’: Coronavirus vaccines a hot ticket for Canadian snowbirds (msn.com) Getting a coronavirus vaccine these days is tougher than booking a ticket for a popular rock concert. “The rush for these spaces is just like a Rolling Stones concert," said George Wolff, a 71-year-old Canadian who lives in the U.S. state of Florida. Wolff and his wife Gigi Guthrie drove 60 miles outside of their home county in Tampa Bay to get the highly-coveted Moderna vaccine last Thursday. “Boy, it feels like a weight’s been lifted from our shoulders, even though we're only on the first dose,” Wolff, the now retired journalist, told Global News. His wife Guthrie, 73, booked the appointment online after checking several county websites for any openings. They were able to get a slot at a drive-thru vaccination site in Pasco County at about an hour and a half’s drive from their house in St. Petersburg. “It’s certainly worth it because the peace of mind and our spirits have been so elevated that we're ready for the second one when it comes,” she told Global News. However, their experience was much smoother than it has been for many others, who had to camp out overnight waiting for hours in long queues to get the shot. With the second-largest elderly population in the country, Florida is prioritizing people aged 65 and above, who began receiving the coronavirus vaccines last week. “Anyone who can prove they are 65 years of age and older is eligible to receive a vaccine at no cost in Florida,” a spokesperson at the Florida Department of Health told Global News on Monday. It is one of the few U.S. states that has started rolling out vaccines to people beyond the key groups of front-line health-care workers and long-term care homes. And no proof of residency or citizenship seems to be required, which means Canadian snowbirds and other older seasonal visitors are also able to get vaccinated. Meanwhile, in Canada, vaccines are currently being given out to only those seniors living in long-term care facilities. As of Jan. 3, Florida had vaccinated a total of 255,808 people, including 74,242 seniors aged 65 and above, according to the latest data from the state’s health department. In contrast, Canada’s largest province of Ontario had administered 42,419 doses until Monday. While some places require an advance booking online or over the phone, others, like in Lee County in southwest Florida, offered free vaccines on a first-come first-serve basis, leading seniors to flock to the vaccination sites. Snowbirds Perry Cohen and wife Rose, who flew down to Deerfield Beach, Fla., from Toronto at the beginning of December, were set to get the Moderna vaccine on Tuesday. After several unsuccessful attempts with the Broward County website doing down, the couple were finally able to book an appointment online through their community on Friday. They are among the first at their gated community for seniors to be getting inoculated at the premises. “Well, I figure our timing is good. When we left we had no idea that we can get the vaccine here, but we wanted to come down for the climate, the safety, we're able to exercise, we're able to get out,” Cohen, 74, told Global News. “It's a great way to start the New Year and we're anxious to get it.” Article goes on to talk about risks if reactions etc, insurance blah blah.

I guess I'm more cynical than you are.....I won't be surprised at all to hear that some private health care clinic (Copeman?) might get access to vaccine and "arrange" for their extremely well off clientele to obtain vaccinations long before they might otherwise. Money can accomplish almost anything.

Not a big surprise I guess, seeing lots of allegations of people (US at this time) paying to jump the queue for vaccinations. Hoping that our medical system will prevent this, at least for the first few months when the focus should be on the oldest, the front line workers, the most immune compromised.

I'm sure most drug companies turn a profit overall once they are established. Don't think they stay in business long if they don't. They generally have a stable of drugs they have under development/developed and in the market, some probably more profitable than others. I don't know how long their patents stand before anyone else can begin to manufacture clone drugs? I know that R&D is expensive, I suspect in the case of the vaccine development to fight COVID 19 there was a LOT of money from a number of countries pushed towards the research with a lot of different companies. Several organizations and individuals also contributed money. Bill Gates foundation, Dolly Parton to name a couple.

I hope Larry King pulls through, that would totally be a case of beating the odds given his age and all the health issues he has dealt with over the past decade. Is that a national number? Or a form of pessimism that helps feel better when it's not met? If we have 9000 cases provincially over 3 days we're in serious trouble given our average was around 600 +/- per day depending on testing levels. I'm hoping that we are under 700 cases average, and that during next week we are on average around 600 cases per day. That would continue to be manageable and not a huge spike resulting from the holidays. I saw something this morning that was troubling, it showed the death rates for people living in LTC diagnosed with COVID. BC sadly was the worst. Not sure of the efficacy of the data but I thought earlier in the year we were so much better than ON and QC, and the changes made to scheduling were supposed to protect our seniors in LTC.

I'm grateful that our health care system is so far standing up to the increased numbers of COVID cases, I'd love to ask these anti=maskers if they are willing to forgo any treatment for any health issue for the balance of the pandemic. I know it's so wrong of me and completely uncharitable to be even slightly hopeful that someone like MD gets COVID and has to be hospitalized - would be interesting to see his take. His livelihood would likely be ruined if he were to get a serious case as he probably couldn't sing any longer - or at least for quite some time. I'm beyond fed up with people who think their personal situation warrants flaunting the guidelines and regulations that the rest of us are doing our best to live by. For politicians, be upfront about it. Any other line of work, if you are in a situation where you want to/have to violate your employer's rules, you generally need to plead your case beforehand and seek special permission. Otherwise termination is generally the outcome. Why should they be different? And if you lie/sneak around to hide the fact you are knowingly breaking the rules, the termination is generally swift and merciless. As it should be.