People between the ages of 40 and 54 are now allowed to apply for an appointment to get the AstraZeneca COVID vaccine. And as of this morning, I am booked for my shot.

In the midst of the largest transmission of Coronavirus in Nova Scotia, Premier Iain Rankin is being criticized for the cancellation of the Women's World Hockey Championship. I'm sorry Cassie Campbell-Pascall, no apology is necessary.

It's going to take hard work to get our case count back down to where it was before the third wave. And with the military and others volunteering to help with testing, maybe we should ask the non-believers to step up.

We could hit a daily count of 200 positive cases a day before the public health circuit breakers start to make a difference. The variants are more contagious and the vaccines are going to help, but we need to focus on our circle to get things under control.

Our third wave hasn't crested yet and more restrictions are likely as public health officials try and keep Coronavirus from spreading any further. And in spite of anti-lock down protests and pandemic fatigue, most Nova Scotians are more than happy to follow the rules.

Once again we are facing dramatic actions by public health to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Stopping the negativity from spreading is much bigger challenge.

There are stories of variants of concern, community spread and asymptomatic testing in the news today. And the front line in the fight against COVID-19 is moving from the hospitals into our neighbourhoods.

Almost three decades after the police officers who beat Rodney King were acquitted of using excessive force, a jury convicted former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin of killing George Floyd. And we can give credit to the unblinking eye of cameras for helping the rest of us see what's been happening to some members of some communities.

While the Federal Government introduced its first budget since being elected in 2019, the Nova Scotia budget passed on the final day of the Spring Sitting. Let's talk about who has the power in an election budget.

One year later and families are still grieving and processing the loss of their loved ones. And there is a great opportunity for empathy and compassion as the healing happens.