how the surge in Ontario's COVID-19 cases is impacting hospitals.

ZOOMER SQUAD

Bob Komsic is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. He is joined by David Cravit, Vice President of Zoomer Media and Chief Membership Officer at CARP, Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine and Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP. Plenty to talk about today--including the announcements being made by Premier Doug Ford just before the show with many predicting more restrictions coming back into place.

SCHOOL UNCERTAINTY ONCE AGAIN

Late last week, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kieran Moore announced schools would delay their opening by two days. The province said this was so that thousands more HEPA filter units could be distributed and so they could distribute N95 masks to teachers. Critics argue the province had a whole winter break to prepare for any situation, especially when you consider the Omicron variant was identified well before Christmas. The latest news is that schools will no longer be sharing any information on cases. Bob will speak with NDP Education critic Marit Stiles about the situation.

Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

The Sunday edition of the Best Fight Back, from the week that was, with Jane Brown

Interviews with:

- Dr. Peter Juni, scientific director of Ontario's COVID-19 Advisory Table, discussing Omicron, Boosters, and looking ahead

- The Strategy Panel with Karen Stintz, John Capobianco, and Charles Sousa look back on the challenging year for government leaders

- Dr. Vivian Stamatopolous and Dr. Samir Sinha react to the latest restrictions facing Long Term Care facilities

- And the best calls of the week!

The Saturday edition of the Best Fight Back, from the week that was, with Jane Brown

Interviews with:

- The Zoomer Squad with Peter Muggeridge, Bill VanGorder, and Darrel Bricker on looking back on the government's responses to Long Term Care during the second year of the pandemic

- Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director of the Canadian Taxpayer Federation, with his Naughty & Nice List for 2021

- Dr. Tim Sly with the latest update on Omicron in Ontario

- Dr. Anne Wilson discusses mental health at the end of a tough year

- And the best calls of the week!

Welcome to the Best of Free For All Friday, from the year that was, the second year of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Thank you for taking the time on Fridays during the past year to call Fight Back with Libby Znaimer and voice your opinion on the news stories that interest you. As the vast majority of us got double vaccinated against the virus and started to get our 3rd shot boosters toward the end of the year and as we get set to ring in a new year, 2022, we here on the Fight Back team are looking back during this special Free For All Friday to feature the very BEST calls of the year!

THE YEAR THAT WAS FOR LTC & NEW VISITOR RESTRICTIONS

Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined, first, by Dr. Vivian Stamatopoulos, a professor at Ontario Tech University who specializes in family caregiving and is an advocate for those in long-term care facilities followed by Dr. Samir Sinha who is Director of Geriatrics at Mount Sinai and the University Health Network Hospitals in Toronto. They'll talk about 2021 in long term care homes as well as the new restrictions going in place at homes around the province.

MAKING NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS AMID AN INTENSIFYING PANDEMIC

Despite all the doom and gloom of the latest COVID-19 variant sweeping the globe, there's still a new year around the corner and the possibility of better days ahead. Jane is joined by Dr. Keith Dobson, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Calgary. They'll discuss making resolutions once again in the middle of a pandemic.

Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Peter Jüni, Scientific Director of Ontario's COVID-19 Science Advisory Table.

Dr. Jüni answers listener questions about Omicron, the physical symptoms associated with it, booster shots and what you need to know about rapid testing. Today, Ontario is reporting 10,436 new COVID-19 cases and two additional deaths.

Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

STRATEGY PANEL: HOW DID OUR TOP POLITICIANS PERFORM THIS YEAR?

Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Karen Stintz, CEO of Variety Village, John Capobianco, Senior Vice President & Senior Partner, Fleishman Hillard HighRoad,  and Charles Sousa, the former Minister of Finance for Ontario and MPP for Mississauga South.

It's report card day today as we reflect on the performance of our top politicians during the past year, namely: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor John Tory.

TAKING CARE OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH THIS TIME OF YEAR

Jane Brown is joined by Dr. Anne Wilson, Professor in the Psychology Department at Wilfrid Laurier University.

A new study by Maru Public Opinion reveals that 49 percent of Canadian respondents are frustrated, and 41 percent are anxious while 39 percent report feeling fortunate, 35 percent are hopeful and 35 percent are grateful during the last stretch of 2021 as we deal with a surge in COVID-19 cases and spread of Omicron. So, with this in mind, we ask our listeners how they are feeling right now and Dr. Anne Wilson provides useful tips and tools to help us take care of our minds as we navigate the public health crisis for over two years now.

BLADDER CANCER SURVIVOR SHARES HER STORY

Jane Brown is joined by Angela Pelletier,  a Bladder Cancer Survivor.

Bladder Cancer is the 5th most common form of Cancer in Canada. Roughly 12,000 Canadians are diagnosed with the deadly disease every year. Angela shares her personal journey of facing bladder cancer and her survival.

Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Zoomer Squad & the physical symptoms of Omicron.

The Sunday edition of the Best Fight Back, from the week that was, with Jane Brown

Interviews with:

- The Zoomer Squad on changing and cancelling plans for the holidays amid the Omicron variant

- Dr. Timothy Sly, James Rilett, and Court Desautels discuss how Omicron is affecting restaurants during the holiday season

- The Strategy Panel break down the Ford government's response and Ontario's booster and testing plan

- Marion Cooper and Dr. Steve Joordens on how to look after your mental health during the holidays

- And the best calls of the week!