The U.S. vaccine rollout may be bumpy, but it’s the envy of our neighbors to the north.
“Meanwhile in Canada” is trending on social media as Canadians lament their wobbly vaccination program. More than 30% of Americans have received at least one vaccine dose compared to about 12% of Canadians, according to public health statistics from both nations.
“The good news for Americans has prompted a slew of jealousy, and criticism from Canadians asking why our provinces are so far behind,” the Toronto Star writes.
Conservative Canadian parliament member Michelle Rempel Garner took note on Twitter of the U.S. push to open up vaccination appointments to all adults. She also noted that the Oakland Zoo plans on vaccinating some of its most at-risk animals this summer.
“Most Americans aged 16 and over will have access to a vaccine in the next week or two,” she tweeted. “In Canada, that milestone is far away. In fact, these zoo animals in the United States might have access to a vaccine before many Canadian adults will.”
Social media users were quick to point out that on one recent day the U.S. administered about 4 millions shots while Canada performed about 72,000 jabs.
“Meanwhile in Canada we are pondering vaccine approval with same rigger as a paint color for your living room,” one frustrated Canadian tweeted. Another offered that “Meanwhile in Canada we’re stuck waiting for American vaccines because our integrated economies mean we don’t have the facilities to make them.”
Also in the news:
►A Mississippi health care official encouraged people over 65 as well as those 16 and older with preexisting conditions to refrain from in-person Easter Sunday church services if they have not been vaccinated.
►On Easter 2020, in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses temporarily shuttered and others decided to close to give employees a day off. While more stores will be open than on Thanksgiving and Christmas, several major retailers will be closed, including Costco, Sam’s Club and Target.
►Italy entered a three-day nationwide coronavirus lockdown Saturday to deter Easter travel and get-togethers even as the country’s variant-fueled spike in new infections began to wane.
►COVID-19 vaccines may reduce transmission, experts say, but vaccinated Americans still need to wear masks in public. Here’s why.
📈 Today’s numbers: The U.S. has more than 30.6 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 554,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global totals: More than 130 million cases and 2.8 million deaths. At least 204 million vaccine doses have been distributed in the U.S. and 158 million have been administered, according to the CDC.
📘 What we’re reading: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can resume travel at low risk to themselves, but the agency is still not recommending travel given rising case counts.
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