ZOOMER SQUAD: A LOOK AHEAD TO THE THRONE SPEECH

Libby Znaimer is joined by Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine and Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP.

In the news: It’s Monday! Time for our Zoomer Squad, and a rare summer sitting of the legislature. The throne speech will be read tomorrow and it’s happening amid the staffing crisis in our hospitals, especially in emergency wards. On the lighter side, the National Post has a big takeout declaring that 80 is the new 60. The Zoomer Squad doesn't think of that age as terribly old.

PHARMACISTS WANT TO PRESCRIBE DRUGS SOONER

Libby Znaimer is joined by Justin Bates, CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association.

Can pharmacists help take the pressure off our overburdened health system? We know the answer is yes and the province is set to start allowing them to assess and prescribe medications for certain minor ailments beginning in January of 2023 including things like pink eye, urinary tract infections, and allergic rashes. Now pharmacists are calling on the government to expand the list of medications that can be prescribed and  to move the date up.

CANADA'S SEVERE BLOOD SHORTAGE AND MASK WEARING.

Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Barry Pakes, medical officer of health for York Region.

There aren’t many mask mandates left and the remaining one seem to be coming off. This morning we learned that schoolchildren won’t be required to mask up in the fall. And here’s a concerning thing: Canadian Blood Services removed its mask mandate last month which prompted a backlash that had a lot of donors canceling their appointments and we are now in the midst of a critical blood shortage.