Think the pandemic is fading? For the sake of seniors, think again

Plus, Unifor's investigation into Jerry Dias and the Ottawa's criminal justice reform bill [The Star] First Up [By Ashley Okwuosa] By Ashley Okwuosa Good morning. Here’s the latest on Omicron’s toll on Ontario seniors, Unifor’s investigation into its disgraced former president, and a bill that could see 250,000 drug possession records vanish.  DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Nathan Denette the fifth wave [Omicron has been deadly for Ontario seniors]( A University of Toronto analysis of COVID deaths shows Omicron has been more deadly for older Ontarians than the previous two waves combined. As one doctor told the Star, “I understand that at this point in the pandemic, people are very tired of hearing about COVID-19 and want to move on, but the sad reality is that COVID-19, including the Omicron variant, has caused a lot of deaths here in Ontario.” [Here’s how the narrative about COVID-19 is at odds with its impact on Ontario seniors](. - By the numbers: Since mid-December 2021, Omicron has been responsible for 3,771 deaths in people 60 and older — about 1,400 more deaths than were recorded during the previous two waves. - Now what? NACI reported last month that an MRNA vaccine booster provides about 60 per cent protection against Omicron — and that decreases over time. [Here’s who should be rolling up their sleeve for a fourth dose](. - Silver lining: Evusheld, a preventative COVID treatment for people with weakened immune systems, is now available in select Ontario hospitals following its May rollout. [Here’s what you need to know about it and who’s eligible]( Canadian Press/Carlos Osorio labour [Unifor will release its full investigation into former union president Jerry Dias]( Canada’s largest private sector union confirmed to the Star that it will release the full investigation into its former president Jerry Dias as soon as possible. According to an external report commissioned by the union earlier this year, Dias was allegedly given $50,000 by a rapid test supplier that he then promoted to Unifor employers. Dias then offered $25,000 to his assistant Chris MacDonald, who he passed over for endorsement in an upcoming race for union president. [Here’s what to expect from the investigation and how the union has fared in recent months](. - More: Dias didn’t participate in the investigation. He has since retired and entered a residential rehabilitation facility, citing a dependence on painkillers, sleeping pills and alcohol following a nerve issue. According to a psychiatric assessment, Dias was under “significant stress” after being forced to choose between two “close friends” to endorse as his successor. - ICYMI: MacDonald turned the money over to the union and filed an ethics complaint about Dias’s conduct. [Here’s a refresher on the whistleblower case](. - Why it matters: As the leader of Canada’s largest private sector union, Dias has been on the frontlines of Canada’s major labour issues. [Read more about Jerry Dias’ long and controversial career](. Bob Tymczyszyn/St. Catharines Standard crime [250,000 Canadians could have their drug possession records wiped]( The hundreds of thousands of Canadians with criminal records for possession could see them effectively vanish within two years of Bill C-5 becoming law. The federal government’s criminal justice reform bill cleared the House of Commons in June and will be studied by the Senate in the fall. The bill also aims to repeal mandatory minimum sentences for all drug offences and some firearm offences; expand the use of conditional sentences, such as house arrest; and require police and prosecutors to use their discretion to keep drug possession cases out of the courts. [Here’s what could change and who will be affected](. - By the numbers: It’s estimated that as many as 250,000 Canadians may have drug possession convictions stemming from cannabis possession alone. - Why it matters: [The bill is also an attempt to address the over-incarceration of Black and Indigenous people in prisons](. Indigenous adults make up about 30 per cent of the prison population, but just five per cent of the Canadian population. Black adults represent three per cent of the Canadian population but slightly more than seven per cent of federal offenders. WHAT ELSE This Toronto daycare doesn’t plan to offer $10-a-day child care — [instead, it’s raising its prices.]( Two people are dead and at least four injured, including a baby, [after two separate crashes in Peel Region](. [Fuel surcharges are leading to higher shipping costs for Canadian retailers]( with rates soaring as high as 40 per cent for some. [Parks Canada cancelled a $108-per-tent camping event in Montreal]( amid criticism from advocates for the city’s unhoused residents. [More witnesses are coming forward with new details about the Jan. 6 insurrection]( at the U.S. Capitol. Across the Maritimes, [calls are increasing for governments to tackle labour shortages in the health-care sector](. [Video footage was released of police killing Jayland Walker]( an unarmed Black man, following an attempted traffic stop in Akron, Ohio. [The Amazing Race Canada is back]( following COVID-19 delays in 2020. POV Andrew Francis Wallace/The Star [Doug Ford promoting his nephew to cabinet is a blatant case of political nepotism — it’s unfair and a misuse of authority.]( PREVIOUSLY... Kazuyoshi Ehara/The Star JULY 4, 2004: Thousands of fans pack the Danforth to celebrate their beloved Greece winning Euro 2004. In one of the biggest upsets in the sport’s history, Greece defeated Portugal 1-0 to win the European soccer championship.  Thanks for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_132737). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. [The Star]( If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. 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