Think you need to isolate? Think again

Plus, OPP officers charged with manslaughter and Canada's shrinking economy [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on controversial new guidance on COVID-19 isolation, police charged in the shooting death of a baby, and the chances of a recession hitting Canada. DON’T MISS Graham Paine/Metroland pandemic guidance [Ontario is ending its five-day isolation guideline for COVID-19]( The province is under fire from doctors and epidemiologists after announcing it’s swapping its guidance for five-day isolation of those infected with COVID for a recommendation that people stay home just 24 hours after their fever is gone and other symptoms subside. As part of its “more permissive approach” ahead of a respiratory illness season, masking will be voluntary in schools. [Here’s why experts say the guidance “flies in the face of what’s happening.”]( - More: Chief medical officer Dr. Kieran Moore also gave information on first booster shots for children aged five to 11 and detailed the limitations to the 24-hour guidance. - Context: “We’ve got ERs closing, ICUs closing, nearly 1,400 people admitted in hospital right now with COVID-19 and we’re not even in respiratory season,” said a Liberal MPP who has worked as an emergency room physician. - ICYMI: The news comes as Doug Ford’s government [passed controversial legislation making it easier to push elderly patients out of hospitals and into nursing homes](. - On the home front: Is COVID spreading in your neighbourhood? [Check the Star’s wastewater map](. Canadian Press/Doug Ives police [OPP officers have been charged in the fatal shooting of a baby in Kawartha Lakes]( Three Ontario Provincial Police officers have been criminally charged with one count each of manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death in relation to the shooting of a baby in 2020. Eighteen-month old Jameson Shapiro was killed by a single gunshot wound — an incident that took place shortly after police were called about a father abducting his son. The Special Investigations Unit reported that police had shot the father and son, but no charges have been laid in relation to the father’s death. [Here’s a look at the controversy surrounding investigation](. - More: An OPP commissioner said in a statement that the service extends their “deepest sympathy” to the child’s family while saying they wouldn’t be commenting further on the case. Meanwhile, the president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association representing officers, said they are “fully supporting” the members. - The aftermath: The shooting has also spawned a lawsuit filed in court by a bystander. Canadian Press/Nathan Denette economy [Canada’s economy is starting to shrink — and that could mean a recession is looming]( After four consecutive quarters of growth, Canada saw a 0.1 per cent dip in its real gross domestic product (GDP). Some experts warn it’s an early sign of a recession, generally defined by economists as two consecutive quarters of negative GDP. One economist said the central bank’s next move will be a determining factor. [These are the industries taking a hit from higher interest rates and the ones that have remained strong](. - Context: Technically, the earliest the country could be in a recession is at the end of the year — if GDP growth is negative for both the third and fourth quarters of 2022. - Watch for: The Bank of Canada is expected to announce another supersized interest rate hike Sept. 7. If rates increase by 75 basis points and more hikes come in the fall, the country will likely head into a recession, one economist said. - Go deeper: [Here’s why rate hikes as a solution to inflation are an oversimplification of how the economy runs](. - What we know: [Here’s how home prices turned around in August](. WHAT ELSE Canadians are getting a 988 mental-health crisis line. [But who will be picking up the phone?]( Lisa LaFlamme’s dismissal is making international headlines. [Check out how the story is being told](. [Elizabeth May reveals the reasons behind her Green Party comeback]( — and why she’s sharing the spotlight. ... May isn’t the only one running. [This is who else is vying for the Green party leadership](. Hospitalized diners from a Markham restaurant ordered the same dish. [Here’s the latest](. [A 15-year-old Markham girl is missing]( after leaving home on foot at night. [Here’s how Canada can get the international students it needs]( for the jobs it has. Welcome to the alternate reality of those [hoping to become Alberta’s next premier](. Dozens of weekend GO buses are being cancelled as Toronto traffic mounts. [Take a look at the impact on commuters](. Western University’s student government has rejected a call to oppose the mask mandate. [Here’s what you need to know](. At $200K, this Mississauga mobile home is “one of a kind.” [But you still may not be able to afford it](. A report recommends warning labels for beer, wine and liquor. [Here’s what the industry fears](. ICYMI Richard Lautens/The Star [Beer sales are tanking. Now, Molson is investing millions into trying something different.]( CLOSE-UP Paige Taylor White/The Star EATON CENTRE: Fans waited in long lines Wednesday to check out a new BTS pop-up shop selling band merch like clothes and stationery supplies. [Take a look at the frenzy — and the scene inside the shop](. Thank you 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_142470). 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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