Project Northern Lights

The summer heat may get to the best of us, and can oftentimes feel overwhelming, but we can incorporate easy daily routines to combat it. Here are some of our tips on how to cool down and avoid heat exhaustion. Write down some of you favourite ways to cool down in the comments!

June 14th is World Blood Donor Day! There are millions of people in need of blood transfusions every day, and they could use your help. If you are able to, consider donating to your local blood donation service to help in the world-wide need for blood.

For more information, visit blood.ca or your local blood donation service's website.

The Ontario government has reported the lowest amount of COVID-19 related ICU cases within the past six months on Saturday, May 28th. They report a total of 144 cases, only 9 more than the last lowest count of COVID-positive ICU cases on November 28th. To find out more visit https://bit.ly/3McdPGF.

World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5th to encourage worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment. This year, the World Environment Day conference is hosted in Sweden with the slogan “Only One Earth”, focusing on living sustainably and in harmony with nature. To learn more, visit http://ow.ly/kmBm50JpS16

Did You Know - Mask Optional Canada

As mask mandates relax and we try to return to "normal", it can be difficult to determine when a mask needs to be worn. Before you consider wearing a mask or not, here are a few things to remember:
- Masks work even if you're the only one wearing them.
- A well-fitting KN95 or N95 mask offers the best protection in an environment where many people may be unmasked.

However, the general recommendations from public health agencies are to "wear masks in indoor public spaces, especially those at higher risk of having severe outcomes from COVID-19", meaning that even in mask optional places like malls, it's still recommended for everyone to wear a mask indoors.

There are places that still require masks, including "health-care settings and other indoor spaces with vulnerable populations,... [and] public transit".

If you are considering not wearing a mask, just consider how long you will be staying in a room and how crowded it will be. The longer you stay and the more people there are, the higher the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

To learn more about the state of COVID-19 in your community, visit http://ow.ly/MOUX50JiPTo. For more information on mask optional Canada, visit http://ow.ly/IkzH50JiPTn

This post is for all the students going through a tough time during exam season. Exams can be very stressful but it is important to remember to take care of your mental and physical health when studying. Taking a walk (by yourself or with friends), remembering to eat, doing a nightly self-care routine -like skin care- before bed, and taking breaks from all types of screens are some ways you can de-stress. Feel free to type in ways YOU de-stress in the comments!

📣A new COVID-19 Omicron variant dubbed "BA.2.20" has been recently discovered in Ontario. Although not much data is available yet, here's what we do know and you should know about the variant!💙

To find more information on this new variant, please visit: https://bit.ly/3PB7IPb
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Join Project Northern Light's newsletter today to receive news and updates from the PNL team. Sign up with your email address through this link: https://bit.ly/3rD3Dj4.

As the allergy season begins to take its course in the coming weeks, let's take a look on how you can differentiate allergies apart from COVID-19.🌷Understanding the differences between each respective case and their symptoms will allow you to protect your safety and the safety of others better.💙

To find more information on this topic, please visit: https://mayocl.in/3MbtxSW
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It's Earth Day!

April 22 is a day to celebrate the environment and raise awareness about environmental damage and pollution. It's a day to reflect on what we can do to help our environment thrive and how we can help mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Maybe you want to start volunteering to clean up your neighborhood, or even start a school garden. There are so many things you can do to help our environment, even during the pandemic!

If you're looking for ideas of things you can do, visit https://earthday.ca/suggestions-of-activities/

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A recent Public Health Ontario report indicates an increase in COVID-19 cases, test positive rates, and hospitalizations after March 21, which coincides with the government's decision to end mask mandates in most indoor settings. Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health advises reintroducing certain steps to minimize the rise in cases. For more info, visit http://ow.ly/sMAq50ILaQv

As of April 7th, Ontarians 60 years old and older, along with Indigenous residents and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 years and older, can apply for an appointment to get their 2nd booster shot. A fourth shot is especially recommended for those between 70-79, and anyone who may experience severe affects from COVID-19. For those eligible, you may book your appointment through the Ontario vaccine portal. For more information visit https://bit.ly/3DOw8iC.

Today, April 7th, marks the annual celebration of . World Health Day 2022 will focus global attention on urgent actions needed to keep humans and the planet healthy, dealing with the pandemic, pollution and increasing diseases like cancer, asthma, heart disease. The WHO states that this year's goal is to foster a movement focused on well-being. Learn more at http://ow.ly/pvvZ50Izjkg!

Did You Know? - Canada's Sixth Wave Edition

Recently, with loosened p***c health restrictions and the rise of the more contagious BA.2 variant of Omicron, cases and hospitalizations have started to increase once again. There has been a particular resurgence in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. In several of these provinces, cases have risen almost 50% compared to the previous week; in Ontario, there was a 20% increase in hospitalizations.

Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases expert at the Toronto General Hospital, said that they anticipate a further increase in cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Dr. Gerald Evans, an infectious disease specialist at Queen's University, says that the number of hospitalizations shouldn't be as high as previous waves since the BA.2 variant of Omicron "produces a milder disease in the vaccinated population". Despite this positive outlook, Evans says that Canada is "facing a bit of a critical staffing issue right now in health care... [and we] don't have a full staffing at the moment, and that's going to continue to be a challenge".

So even with loosening restrictions, if you are eligible to but have not yet been vaccinated or recived booster shots, consider getting vaccinated. Continue to social distance and wear masks where possible, to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the coming weeks. Please visit http://ow.ly/E9kY50IyW9f for more details.

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To mark the end of Women's History Month we're shouting out some amazing female activists! Their causes range broadly from providing better access to education to women to protecting the Amazon Rainforest. To find out more about these activists visit https://bit.ly/35cAtiG.

📣LAST day for you to sign up for our Rocket League tournament and your shot at our prizes valued at $200+!🔥 Sign up now and get your engines started for tomorrow!🏁

To sign up and learn more, visit the link in our bio💙

THIS TOURNAMENT IS IN NO WAY SPONSORED, ENDORSED, OR ADMINISTERED BY, OR OTHERWISE ASSOCIATED WITH, PSYONIX LLC. THE INFORMATION PLAYERS PROVIDE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS TOURNAMENT IS BEING PROVIDED TO TOURNAMENT ORGANIZER AND NOT TO PSYONIX LLC.
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📣2 days left until our Rocket League tournament! Who’s ready to win?!🏆 Don’t forget to sign up today before it’s too late, there's no entry fee😉

To sign up and learn more, visit the link in our bio💙

THIS TOURNAMENT IS IN NO WAY SPONSORED, ENDORSED, OR ADMINISTERED BY, OR OTHERWISE ASSOCIATED WITH, PSYONIX LLC. THE INFORMATION PLAYERS PROVIDE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS TOURNAMENT IS BEING PROVIDED TO TOURNAMENT ORGANIZER AND NOT TO PSYONIX LLC.
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Autumn Peltier is a world-renowned water-rights advocate, leading global youth environmental activist, and a powerful voice in the fight for climate justice. Follow Autumn Peltier to learn more about her work and mission.

📣Only 3 days left until our PNL Games Rocket League tournament begins and your shot at our prizes valued at $200+ !🤯Sign up today - it’s free!🏎️

To sign up and learn more, visit the link in our bio💙

THIS TOURNAMENT IS IN NO WAY SPONSORED, ENDORSED, OR ADMINISTERED BY, OR OTHERWISE ASSOCIATED WITH, PSYONIX LLC. THE INFORMATION PLAYERS PROVIDE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS TOURNAMENT IS BEING PROVIDED TO TOURNAMENT ORGANIZER AND NOT TO PSYONIX LLC.
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International Women's Day is dedicated towards celebrating and recognizing women's and girls' social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. It is also a day where we raise awareness about the inequality women face and what needs to be done to reverse it. This year's theme is advancing gender equality in the context of the climate crisis and disaster risk reduction. Women are increasingly being recognized as more vulnerable to climate change impacts than men as they make up most of the world's lower class and rely more on natural resources. At the same time, women have shown great leadership and participation in taking action against climate change through sustainability initiatives around the world. Their efforts results in more effective climate action. Continuing to examine the opportunities, as well as the constraints, to empower women and girls to be equal players in decision-making related to climate change and sustainability is essential for sustainable development and greater gender equality. This International Women’s Day, let’s claim “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”. To learn more visit https://bit.ly/3IKVXly

Did you Know? - Canada's Relaxed COVID-19 Border Measures Edition

Starting Monday February 28, 2022, fully vaccinated travelers no longer need to provide proof of a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test within 72 hours before arrival into Canada. Instead, only fully vaccinated travelers randomly selected to take an "on-arrival" test may provide evidence of a negative antigen test administered by a health care worker taken the day before arrival. These antigen tests are cheaper and have a quicker turnaround time than PCR tests.

Additionally, fully vaccinated travelers do not need to quarantine while waiting for test results, and unvaccinated children under 12 no longer have specific restrictions if they are traveling with fully vaccinated parents/guardians. This includes no longer needing to quarantine for 14 days, so children under 12 can now go to school, camp, daycare, and other gatherings immediately after arriving to Canada.

However, some restrictions remain, including all restrictions for unvaccinated travelers aged 12 and older. For more information, visit the government of Canada's website, or visit http://ow.ly/xS2K50IaNBa.

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Stephen Lecce, the Ontario Minister of Education, says the government is investing more money to further develop online learning infrastructure and hire more temporary staff.

The provincial government requires all school boards to provide a full remote learning option for the 2022-23 school year. The Ford government says they want to give parents one more year to choose where their kids attend classes given the evolving nature of the pandemic, while the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario believe it's time to fully return to in-person school.

The government’s 2022-23 school-year budget and ‘Learning Recovery Action Plan’ plans to help students dealing with learning loss due to the pandemic. The plan includes $26.1-billion in Grants for Student Needs (GSN) funding and $500-million in PPF funding. Some key investments include $15-million toward summer support programs, $11-million for de-streaming implementation support and $25-million for reading intervention support. An additional $1.4-million will be allocated to expand year-round online tutoring supports and mental well-being promotion will increase by $10 million. For more information visit: https://bit.ly/35s9orq

COVID BA.2 Variant Alert: With restrictions lifting, experts say it’s hard to predict how BA.2 will unfold. However, it is possible that provinces could see an extended fifth wave in the coming weeks.

Who doesn't love prizes?!🥳 The team that comes in first place in our Rocket League tournament will be awarded a prize item for each member of the team from the above. All podium teams (first, second, and third place) will receive a PNL Face Mask as well.🏆

📣Remember, there is no entry fee so feel free to give it a shot! To sign up and learn more, visit the link in our bio.

THIS TOURNAMENT IS IN NO WAY SPONSORED, ENDORSED, OR ADMINISTERED BY, OR OTHERWISE ASSOCIATED WITH, PSYONIX LLC. THE INFORMATION PLAYERS PROVIDE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS TOURNAMENT IS BEING PROVIDED TO TOURNAMENT ORGANIZER AND NOT TO PSYONIX LLC.
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During the pandemic, some blood donation centres have been closed to help slow the spread of COVID-19. But the need for blood and plasma donations remains. If you are looking for ways to support your community as the pandemic continues, consider donating blood or plasma to the Canadian Blood Services.

Please visit https://www.blood.ca/en for more information about the Canadian Blood Services, and if you are considering donating, ensure you meet the COVID-19 health requirements listed in addition to the usual blood donation requirements.

A huge shoutout to our partner Youth Culture for supporting PNL! Youth Culture Inc. is an agent of change consulting and media company specializing in bringing communities together by engaging and empowering underrepresented youth in highly interactive and meaningful experiences. Check them out here: http://ow.ly/Js3a50HZtZb

Did You Know? - Easing of COVID-19 Vaccine Restrictions Edition

It was recently announced in mid-February by the Ontario government that the COVID-19 vaccine passport system will be ending on March 1, 2022. However, this does not affect the current mask, face covering and social distancing mandates which will remain in place.

The easing of restrictions includes lifting proof of vaccination requirements for all settings. Businesses may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination.

Additionally, other restrictions on in-person gatherings were lifted or modified starting February 17, including:
- Social gatherings limited to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
- Organized events limited to 50 people indoors and no limit outdoors
- Capacity limits removed if a location opts-in to use proof of vaccination
- Many other capacity limits increased to 50% usual seating capacity

Starting February 18, booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have also been expanded to youth aged 12 - 17 years old.

For more details, visit http://ow.ly/Fw5S50HZaKe, or the Government of Ontario's website.

Sign up is now open for our first PNL Games event, a 3v3 Rocket League Tournament!🏆Admission is free so what are you waiting for? It's time to hit the gas and win some fun prizes with friends!🏁🏎️
Click the link in our bio to sign up and learn more about this event!

The tournament will take place from March 13th to 20th, 2022.

THIS TOURNAMENT IS IN NO WAY SPONSORED, ENDORSED, OR ADMINISTERED BY, OR OTHERWISE ASSOCIATED WITH, PSYONIX LLC. THE INFORMATION PLAYERS PROVIDE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS TOURNAMENT IS BEING PROVIDED TO TOURNAMENT ORGANIZER AND NOT TO PSYONIX LLC.
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