Jennifer Heighton Profile picture
Passionate BC teacher, activist. #COVIDisAirborne so ventilate, filtrate, mask up! Physics major. Co-Founder @Protect_BC @SafeSchoolsBC M: @jheighton3@zeroes.ca
Aug 12, 2023 10 tweets 4 min read
🧵
“I feel like we are in a worse position b/c of complacency…the pandemic has been downplayed this whole past year. And not enough has been explained to people about the long-term harm from previous COVID infections.”@jheighton3

@Protect_BC in the news:
vancouversun.com/news/local-new… 2/ Public health officials have learned “zero lessons” since the 6 child deaths & overcrowded EDs last winter, @DrFiliatrault said. “This virus needs you to be 2 steps ahead.” B.C.’s PH officials “are going to be reactive again.”

(In comparison, New Zealand gov’t has it right:)
May 6, 2023 18 tweets 11 min read
🧵:
It gets exhausting, listening to BC Public Health get it wrong, again & again, putting people’s lives at risk.

Latest example, Dr. Patricia Daly, @VCHhealthcare on @bctoday show.

She’s wrong, as scientists at @JohnSnowProject prove. “C19 like the cold or flu” - NO!

More… 2/ For a good start to how Dr. Daly, @VCHhealthcare, is wrong in her statements, see this thread. It has the source recording of her interview, too.

I’ll follow w/ proof from @JohnSnowProject.

@SKGandhiMD breaks down the main errors w/ the interview…⬇️
Apr 28, 2023 5 tweets 5 min read
“All human lives have value. We don’t want pity, we demand our human rights. No one is disposable, no one should be sacrificed.” @sylvia_a_fuller

Exactly. @KasariGovender said so, too - so @adriandix, WILL YOU LISTEN? You are violating human rights by removing mask protections. 2/ @DrKarinaZeidler: “I work as a family doctor…what I see is, ppl who are struggling just to be able to STAY ALIVE. They’re losing their housing, they’re losing their support, their community; they are isolated & alone.” #LongCovid

Do better, @adriandix. Quit minimizing & ACT.
Apr 28, 2023 9 tweets 7 min read
🧵:
Time to make some noise, Greater Vancouver! Come out to show @adriandix @bcndp that universal mask protections *must* be returned to healthcare settings.

Protect HCW & patients. #CovidIsNotOver, & 2-way masking is the most effective way to lower transmission.

Article: 2/ LTC homes suddenly getting vaccinated this week, with no notice given, shows that @CDCofBC is aware that C19 is still a threat. Of course, because XBB.1.5 plus XBB.1.16 are circulating.

In which case, @bcndp should #BringBackMasks too.

Protect those at risk! Vax not enough.
Mar 27, 2023 8 tweets 7 min read
🧵
It’s obvious that #COVIDisAirborne (& many other viruses too like colds, flu, RSV), yet @CDCofBC @bcndp refuse to admit it & take immediate action. Upgrading 6% #bced schools per year doesn’t cut it.

@Dave_Eby The longer you wait, the more “flat earth” out-of-touch you’ll be. 2/ Illinois just passed legislation to put 60,000 HEPA purifiers in classrooms.

This SUPPLEMENTS mechanical ventilation by filtering air, providing additional air changes *on top* of what the HVAC system provides.

(Contrast w/ @bcndp, who erroneously think mech v is enough.)
Mar 18, 2023 5 tweets 3 min read
I’m wondering when the class action lawsuits can begin for every Canadian who developed #LongCovid, considering public health KNEW about it from @GovCanHealth, starting July ‘20 & building through ‘21, yet told no one.

People’s “personal risk assessments” are based on lies.
🧵⬇️ 2/ Of particular note in a lawsuit should be public health’s decision to promote “it’s mild”, related to initial acute infection period, while staying mum about a significant risk of #LongCovid afterwards.

And removing mask protections in 2022, stating “personal choice”.
Jan 20, 2023 4 tweets 3 min read
🧵:
@BogochIsaac Understand the context behind the backlash:
-hospitals overwhelmed yet PH refuses to mandate masks
-vulnerable expected to isolate for??? years?

You said, “we’re not going to mask our way out of the pandemic”.

Perfection shouldn’t be the enemy of action. 2/ @BogochIsaac You also said, masks are “not going to eliminate the impact of COVID, that’s why we kept having waves despite mask mandates.”

Think about it. Kids in schools. Crowded workplaces. Mass transit. Did your words help or hinder those spaces?

Needed this instead:
Dec 27, 2022 24 tweets 16 min read
To @keithbaldrey,
Actually, COVID-aware *are* in step w/ science; it’s “if we have to live w/ this virus, let’s be smart about it instead of #LetItRip nonsense.”

Let’s look at the science, shall we? And about public opinion…let’s look at that too.

A thread 🧵…

@GlobalBC 2/ First, who are these people you deride as “COVID zero”? Many have good reason to seek out info to keep ourselves & others safe:
- front line workers
- caring professions (schools, LTC, hospitals)
- immunocompromised or live w/ someone who is
- have #LongCovid
- have empathy
Dec 8, 2022 5 tweets 4 min read
🧵:
Key debunking:
Experts @fitterhappierAJ & @FurnessColin explain COVID-19 immune dysregulation, including why that theory is attacked.

Part 1:
In our immune systems, what are T-cells, and how does COVID-19 cause immune dysregulation?

Immunologist @fitterhappierAJ answers: Part 2: Why the attacks on "COVID-19 immune dysregulation", despite evidence showing it is probably playing out now w/ more severe outbreaks of a variety of pathogens?

What forces are at play? Is it the fact that "herd immunity" would be dead as a theory?
@fitterhappierAJ :
Dec 6, 2022 4 tweets 3 min read
🧵:
Thank you @SoniaFurstenau & @SKGandhiMD for having your own press conference after the appalling @bcndp presser that had no real changes.

You’re right: the paediatric crisis in BC means more courage is needed. And that’s what WASN’T delivered by BC’s gov’t.
#BringBackMasks 2/ The Q is, how did our “leaders” let it get to the point where a simple health tool like masks is viewed as a “blunt tool” or “heavy handed” or a “stringent measure”?

All teachers know: words matter. If explained well, it becomes matter-of-fact, common sense.

No controversy.
Oct 2, 2022 5 tweets 3 min read
I’m wondering when influential proponents of 1-way masking like @j_g_allen will admit they were wrong & advocate to #BringBackMasks?

So much harm is being done, right NOW, due to their “focused protection/personal choice” strategy failures.

Universal masking keeps society open. 2/ For anyone wondering about @j_g_allen & his influential push to one-way masking policies, read his @washingtonpost article from Dec/2021.

That article had major traction among policy-makers, as Allen built up a substantial following by then w/ his work on Healthy Buildings.
Sep 23, 2022 6 tweets 6 min read
Short 🧵:

Science-following #bced activists are right more than @CDCofBC, many times.

We predicted:
✅delta wave during BC’s “Hug Day” summer
✅removing mask protections during BA.2/5 would result in massive infection
✅schools are community hubs & need protections

Unlike ⬇️ 2/ Now @CDCofBC claims mass infection is good for you because it gives “robust hybrid immunity”. Not proven.

They conveniently ignore #LongCovid, ⬆️heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, seizures.

And reinfections. @CDCofBC minimizing is ❌

Thread on reinfection risks, with links:
Sep 20, 2022 20 tweets 16 min read
Thread 🧵:
A tale of 2 🇨🇦airports & flights, Vancouver (YVR) & Calgary (YYC), using a CO2 monitor to measure air quality.

@yvrairport @FlyYYC

Here’s a handy graphic for reference: (H/T @zerocovidthai) Infographic picture. Title:... 2/ @yvrairport requires masks in the terminal, unless eating or drinking. Large signs are posted by entry doors to remind people of this rule.

The vast majority of people are complying. (Proves that universal masking policies DO WORK & “personal choice” ones don’t).

@bcndp? Photo shows a large sign.  ...
Jul 4, 2022 6 tweets 3 min read
Tale of 2 restaurants:
Cactus Club Café & Earl’s Restaurant, Station Square, Burnaby, BC.

Right beside each other, newly-built restaurants, both busy.

#bcpoli #COVIDisAirborne

A thread: 🧵 Infographic picture. Title: Safer indoor air for workplaces. 2/
Station Square, Burnaby:
Cactus Club - has glass floor-ceiling walls that open. Except they were closed. Outside temp 20C. Non-chalant “no” when asked if they would open walls, even partially. CO2 levels 850-880 ppm.

Patio area was closed, too, so indoors was it.😬

Grade: C- Photo shows interior of Cactus Club Cafe, Station Square, Bu
May 1, 2022 16 tweets 19 min read
Let’s talk about union advocacy & politics.

How much does the government party-in-power affect unions? Turns out, a lot.
Case in point, Ontario Fed of Labour vs. BC Fed of Labour, on #COVID19. @OFLabour @bcfed

Worker safety ought to be forefront. Let’s see…

A thread🧵
#bcpoli 2/ Ontario Fed of Labour has researched & advocated for #COVIDisAirborne policies for workers for 2 years now.

Check out their website. Posted in early June, 2021!

“Follow the science. Enforce the law. Protect workers.”
First words? #COVIDisAirborne!!

ofl.ca/the-science-is…
Oct 2, 2021 17 tweets 14 min read
1/ Thoughts on the emergency #bced COVID-19 briefing, called by #DrBonnieHenry & @JM_Whiteside on Oct. 1, 2021, after 3 major districts mandated masks for K-Gr. 3…

…A thread. 🧵 2/ First, K-12 masks were mandated for #bced.

So, *now* #DrHenry & @JM_Whiteside say “we need to keep younger children from getting infected until they are vaccinated”?!

You are only realizing this NOW? With #delta dominant?

Parents & teachers knew, even before this chart. ⬇️
Oct 1, 2021 8 tweets 5 min read
There are many problems with @CDCofBC testing & data collection for #Covid19BC. Especially for #bced.

A thread: 1/ Exposures listed on Health Authority websites don’t match reality. Many listings are missing cases or aren’t listed at all.

Example 1:
Sep 3, 2021 19 tweets 13 min read
Let’s talk about ventilation for #bced schools. And @bcndp funding for it.

Ontario vs. BC, a case study.

@JM_Whiteside @jjhorgan @selinarobinson:
Are you going to let a Conservative gov’t show you up as misers? Or will @bcndp at least match their efforts? Read on.

A thread: First, planning.

Ontario’s Ministry of Education has a *13 page* ventilation document, complete with funding, expectations & checklists.

@bcndp Maybe use this as a guide? ⬇️

efis.fma.csc.gov.on.ca/faab/Memos/B20…
Aug 22, 2021 18 tweets 13 min read
1/ To @JM_Whiteside:
You are in a highly-charged position right now.
What to do about #bced schools?
- delta v 📈
- K-Gr.6 kids unvaxxed
- crowded classrms

On one hand, you have parents clamouring for more safety. On the other, “back-to-normal”.

Let’s talk about balance.

🧵⬇️: 2/ “Balance” is the term that seems to persist in @bcndp’s pandemic response. It hasn’t gone well so far. Multiple waves, highly preventable, w/ premature openings & late masking being a common theme.

But do we “balance” our approach to other harmful health hazards?
Jul 1, 2021 29 tweets 23 min read
BC authorities are trying to rewrite history by claiming that BC schools were magically safe during the #COVID19 pandemic year.

There are a lot of holes in their claims.

Here to set the record straight-a thread for #bced, class of 20-21.
@JM_Whiteside @jjhorgan @DrBonnieHenry July 29, 2020. @bcndp @DrBonnieHenry reveal the 5-stage reopening plan for #bced. Surprise! Stage 2 has been revamped to include a FULL return to classes; no 50% capacity for G.8-12 as previously planned. Cohort model, no masks, limited online options. @bctf not consulted.
May 10, 2021 13 tweets 6 min read
What if @bcndp @CDCofBC are approaching this pandemic all wrong?

Drs Henry & Gustafson say fear of “stigma” is the reason for not releasing data.

Boom. There it is. The underlying driving force behind many #Covid19BC decisions.

But does it have to be this way?

A thread:
1/
Attaching stigma to an illness is a social construct. That means we have control over whether we do that or not.

There are many illnesses, even communicable ones, that have no stigma attached. Flu, colds, chicken pox, measles.

No one is “at fault” for catching/spreading.
2/