Today’s features on Tantramar Report:

Green Resilience in Tantramar

We’ve all seen how the disruption of the pandemic has reached into nearly all aspects of our lives, from how we seek entertainment to how we make our livelihoods. And we’ve seen how the upheaval has affected the most vulnerable in society the most.

The same pattern is poised to repeat itself with regard to the other global emergency we’re facing: the effects of climate change. A group of people in the Tantramar Region tried to address that topic head on recently, in a discussion about Green Resilience, addressing climate impacts and their corresponding threats to income security.

Local environmental consultant Margaret Tusz-King organized the community conversation. On today’s Tantramar Report, David Gordon Koch speaks with Tusz-King about what she heard at the Tantramar Green Resilience conversation, and also with conversation participant and new Sackville resident Saly Davis, who points out that climate anxiety can be even worse for people of colour and immigrants who are already dealing with racism and bias.

Which mask is best?

Rules and recommendations around mask use have been evolving throughout the pandemic, and the Omicron wave, with its incredible transmissibility, is bringing yet another set of changes.

Recently Mount Allison instructed its students, staff, and faculty to stop using their cloth masks, in favour of medical grade surgical masks or N95 or KN95 respirators. Education minister Dominic Cardy said that as part of the province’s return to school plan, a supply of medical-grade masks has been secured for teachers and school staff, and students are being asked to wear three-layer masks to school when they return.

Dr. Catherine Clase is a nephrologist, epidemiologist and professor at McMaster University. In the pandemic, she joined McMaster’s Centre of Excellence in Protective Equipment and Materials where she works on community education around cloth masks, and developing better cloth masks. Tantramar Report called her up to get her advice on what masks we should be wearing.

Also on Tantramar Report:

New owner for the Wood Block

The Wood Block building on Bridge Street in Sackville has sold. The deal closed late last Thursday, when John Ernst took over ownership of the historic building. The Wood Block is currently home to Ducky’s Pub, Fener’s Place, Aida’s Cafe, Song’s, and the Fog Forest Gallery, as well as a number of apartments.

The new owner John Ernst is the son of Terra Beata boss David Ernst, the owner of Sackville’s beloved Cube on Crescent Street. CHMA has reached out to John Ernst to find out his plans for the heritage building, which was once home to the Imperial Theatre and the Sackville Music Hall.

Mt. A self-reported active cases now at 21

Mount Allison released its weekly update on Tuesday, and says there are now 21 self-reported active positive COVID-19 cases amongst the Mount Allison University community. Nine of the cases are in students in residence, and 12 are in students, faculty, or staff living off-campus. Since last week, an additional 24 new cases have been self-reported to the school, for a total of 62 cases since Jan. 3. That number includes self-reported cases from individuals who are not presently on campus or in Sackville.

Mount Allison has also extended its timeline to go back to in-person classes by one week, with a new target of Monday, Feb. 7.

Mass booster clinic for under 30 crowd Saturday

Sackville will host another vaccination clinic this Saturday, geared specifically to help those under 30 get their booster shots. People 29 and under are being given the Pfizer vaccine exclusively, due to increased risk for that age group with the Moderna vaccine. Local pharmacist Charles Beaver says he hopes about 600 young people can get their booster shot through the clinic, happening on Saturday at the Mount Allison Athletic Centre. People must register in advance at thecornerdrugstore.ca

And, finally, some upcoming events:

A Mount A researcher is teaming up with the New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity to look into ways to improve working conditions for care workers here in New Brunswick. CHMA heard from Dr. Rachelle Pascoe-Deslauriers and Johanne Perron on Monday’s show, and today is the launch of their new project, featuring a panel discussion and keynote talking about how people value care work in New Brunswick and internationally. To register, follow this link.

Today at 4 p.m. the Mount Allison Music department presents an online Colloquium Musicum: Fearful Murmurs – Sonic Responses to the Ottoman Other. Dr. Linda Pearse explores the ringing of bells to ward off Turkish spirits, the performance of sacred motets, and the singing of secular songs – popular tunes with anti-Turkish texts. The talk is free and online. Email music@mta.ca for information.

And tonight at 7:30 p.m., the Mount A Faculty of Arts Speakers Series presents author Aimee Wall in conversation with translator Geneviève Robichaud. The Giller nominated author will read from her novel, We, Jane, which Robichaud is translating into French. The two writers will talk about the novel and the craft of translation. People can register for the free, online event on Eventbrite.

Listen to the Tantramar Report below: