Is Bieber Fever an infectious disease?

Canadian pop superstar, Justin Bieber

Watch out for the “Bieber Fever”. It is more infectious than the measles, according to a new study.

Using mathematical models, researchers at the University of Ottawa found that “Bieber Fever” (when fans become hysterical over Canadian pop star/teen heartthrob Justin Bieber) is the most contagious disease of our time. Symptoms include uncontrollable crying and/or screaming, excessive purchasing of memorabilia, and distraction from every day life.

So, is urgent action needed to combat this disease? No, not really.

The researchers were using the pop star’s phenomenal growth in popularity as a stand-in to see how an actual infectious disease spreads around the world. For example: one of the researchers met some elementary students in Canada, and some master’s level students in Africa, and all of them had heard of Justin Bieber.

During health pandemics (such as SARS in Toronto in 2003), the Canadian Red Cross works with public health authorities to help vulnerable people. As well, the Red Cross helps communities to be prepared for any possible health emergencies.

Check out this video by the IFRC to see how you can protect yourself and your loved ones during a real health pandemic.

Are you a water safety star? Take our quiz!

June 3-9 is National Water Safety Week and we’re encouraging Canadians to stay safe around water this summer.

When it comes to water safety, show us that you know your stuff!  Take our mini-quiz below and provide your answers in the comments section.  We’ll post the answers to the quiz on the blog at the end of the week.

Answer True or False

1. You don’t have to wear a lifejacket while out on the water.  Having one close-by is good enough.
2. People only drown in deep water.
3. Adults should always supervise their kids when swimming or playing in and around water.
4. It’s ok to swim alone.
5. You should avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming or boating.
6. Backyard pools should be fenced on four sides  (not including the house with a door access) and have self-closing, self-locking latches.
7. Many, perhaps most, in-ground home pools are unsafe for diving even if they are fitted with a diving board.
8. It can take several minutes for someone to drown.
9. Every pool owner should have an action plan including adult supervision, an emergency signal, safety equipment and emergency procedures.
10. It’s never too late to learn how to swim.

Red Cross responds when Bieber Fever strikes Norway

Photo credit: Norwegian Red Cross

Red Crossers are ready to respond to any emergency. This was definitely the case in Norway last week, when Canadian pop star, Justin Bieber announced he was having a surprise concert in Oslo. 

The result was pandemonium in the city; a mad rush of thousands of fans left almost 80 people injured. Norwegian Red Cross volunteers were on the scene providing first aid to those who were hurt. They also gave out water to fans that had become dehydrated while waiting to see Bieber perform. 

You can see more photos of the Norwegian Red Cross in action on their Facebook page.

And if you are unfamiliar with Justin Bieber’s music, here’s his latest music video.

Images from the Thunder Bay floods

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The Canadian Red Cross is on the ground in Thunder Bay, helping to provide support and comfort to people affected by severe flooding that has affected approximately 1,500 homes. Working closely with community officials, Red Cross volunteers are going door-to-door to meet with families in those homes to determine what help they need.

Red Cross volunteers are also operating two shelters in the community. As well, an information post has been set up in the most heavily impacted part of the city, where people can receive information and assistance. So far, the post has been visited by hundreds of residents seeking help.

Approximately 84 trained Red Cross volunteers from across Canada are currently working on this response effort.

These photographs, by photographer and Red Cross volunteer, Johan Hallberg-Campbell, give a glimpse into how this disaster has impacted this Northern Ontario community and what the Red Cross is doing to help.

The Red Cross is currently accepting donations in support of relief efforts. For more info, or to make a donation online, click here.

Red Cross responding to floods in Thunder Bay

The last several days, Canadian Red Cross volunteers have been on the ground responding to massive floods in Thunder Bay, ON. Heavy rains and a sewage back-up caused the flooding, which forced the municipality to declare a State of Emergency earlier this week. 

 Volunteers are providing comfort and care to those impacted by this disaster – including providing shelter and clean-up kits. In addition to local volunteers, Red Cross volunteers from southern Ontario and Western Canada have been deployed to Thunder Bay to assist. More Red Cross volunteers from across Canada are ready and on stand-by to head to Thunder Bay, if needed.

Red Cross volunteers, including Dave Elniski from Lethbridge, Alberta, are proud to be helping Thunder Bay residents affected by flooding.

The Red Cross is currently accepting donations in support of relief efforts. For more info, or to make a donation online click here.

Keep cool with these cool hats!

With temperatures soaring here in Southern Ontario (it’s expected to feel like 39C in Toronto today), everyone is trying to figure out how to beat the heat.

The Red Cross recommends that people drink lots of water and take breaks in order to stay cool – and also wear a hat while outside for protection from the sun. With this in mind, we searched for some hats to help us get through this blast of summer heat. And we found these ones that can help make you cool – literally.

Fan hat – this hat not only keeps the sun off your face, but fans you at the same time. The fan is powered by solar energy, so it can keep going all day long.

Water bottle hat – it’s important to stay hydrated when it’s hot outside. This DYI (do it yourself) project, makes it easy for you to take a sip of water whenever needed.

Umbrella hat – in hot, humid weather, rain is always a possibility. With this hat, you are protected from any sun or rain that might come your way!

 

 

Insulated evaporative cooling hat – Yes, that’s a long name for a hat. But, for those who want to be more understated with their headwear, this hat can apparently keep your head up to 30 per cent cooler than the temperature outside.  Just run it under a faucet, and let the sun draw heat away from your head by slowly evaporating the water. It also has a waterproof lining to keep your head dry. Thank you science!

For more tips on how to stay safe in the heat, click here.

Photo of the Day: Imagine No More Bullies

Yesterday in Toronto, the Canadian Red Cross held an event on the important and very timely topic of bullying prevention. The event’s special host was Anne-Marie Mediwake, Co-Anchor of CBC News Toronto at 5.

During the event, a panel of experts discussed how communities can make no more bullies a reality – including what the Red Cross is doing. For 28 years, in communities across Canada and around the world, the Canadian Red Cross has been helping to break the cycle of hurt through its various RespectED programs. The programs promote healthier relationships and safer communities through education and partnerships.

In the above image (from left to right) are: Coordinator, First Nation, Métis & Inuit Programs / RespectED Master Trainer with the Canadian Red Cross, Terrelyn Fearn; event host from CBC News, Anne-Marie Mediwake;  PREVNet Scientific Co-Director, Dr. Wendy Craig; Red Cross Director-General Violence & Abuse Prevention, Leslie Dunning; Director of the Canadian Red Cross RespectED Violence & Abuse prevention program, Judi Fairholm; and Provincial Director-General of the Canadian Red Cross, Ron Kelusky.

Zombie apocalypse focus of new emergency preparedness campaign in BC

If your hometown suddenly turned into a scene from Night of the Living Dead, how would you survive?

The British Columbia government believes if you are prepared for a fictional zombie attack, then you are prepared for any real disaster that might come your way – which is why it is using zombies as a fun way to teach its residents about emergency preparedness. 

It recently launched a website including preparedness tips, emergency related photos, YouTube videos and a guest blog based on a fake zombie attack in BC.

This isn’t the first time that zombies have been used as an emergency preparedness education tool. Last year, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention blogged about zombies and emergency preparedness as a way to encourage Americans to prepare for hurricane season.

Disasters can happen when you least expect them. Every year, the Canadian Red Cross responds to thousands of disasters across Canada – from house fires and floods to hurricanes and tornadoes (no zombie attacks yet!). The best way for families to be prepared is to learn their local risks, make a plan and build an emergency kit. By all of us using our braaaaaiiinnnss and being prepared, we can be ready for anything that Mother Nature throws our way. 

Have a safe week and watch out for zombies!

Three cheers for our Community Support Workers!

May 19 is Personal Support Worker Day in Ontario. The Canadian Red Cross is the largest non-profit provider of Personal Support and Homemaking Services in the province. Red Cross CSWs provided more than 4 million hours of care to more than 29,000 clients in Ontario last year.

Because of the care and support of CSWs, so many people facing injury or illness are able to continue living independently in their own homes with comfort and dignity. Here are just three of our thousands of CSWs across Ontario who make a difference in their communities.

Sandra Burke – When she was a kid, Sandra dreamed of being a nurse. So, years later, when looking to re-enter the workforce after caring for her kids, an ad looking for Red Cross CSWs caught her eye. She fell in love with being a CSW and helping families, and 18 years later, she’s still at it in St. Catharines, ON.

What Sandra loves most about her job is the human interaction – in particular, hearing stories from her clients’ lives. For her, every day at work is like stepping into a page from a history book.

Andy Elliott – Andy found his calling at the tender age of 11; unfortunately it was due to a personal tragedy. He became the main caregiver of his sister, after a house fire left her severely injured.  It was because of this that he realized he had a gift for helping others. Years later when deciding on a future career, he naturally chose the healthcare industry and received his Personal Support Worker (PSW) designation.

Last year, Andy was a finalist for the PSW of the Year Award from the Personal Support Network of Ontario (PSNO). He was one of three finalists chosen out of 15,000 PSWs from across Ontario.

Janet Osborne - For the past 18 years, Janet has worked with the Canadian Red Cross as a Community Support Worker (CSW).  She currently lives in Kingston, ON.

She always goes the extra mile, providing compassionate care and support to her clients – even during their final moments. She once held one of her client’s hands as they passed away. Memories such as this motivate and inspire Janet to do her work.

Thank you to all our CSWs!

These boots are made for singing in the rain

As a Red Crosser, I believe in having the right clothes for the occasion.

And by occasion, I don’t mean which event you’re going to. I am talking about the weather.

In Canada, the weather can be very unpredictable. During this time of year, you could have blue, sunny skies one minute and a downpour of rain the next.

It’s important to be ready for anything Mother Nature might send our way – from snow and sleet to heat waves and thunderstorms. Having the right clothes for the elements can help keep you safe. And the good news is that disaster wear doesn’t always have to be boring!

Case in point: these rubber boots I found while recently browsing Pinterest. They are a very fun. And most importantly, they will keep your feet dry.  Added bonus: they also have a ruler on the side so you can measure the amount of water you’re walking in – perfect for splashing in puddles or responding to a flood.

What are your thoughts?

People can avoid fashion disasters, but real disasters, such as severe storms and floods, can happen anywhere and anytime. The Red Cross recommends that Canadians prepare themselves by learning their local risks, making a plan and building an emergency preparedness kit.

Find out more about how to prepare your family for an emergency at www.redcross.ca/ready.