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York campuses offer vaccine clinics throughout March

A syringe with a vaccine bottle

Update: New information after publication of this article indicates the March 26 and 27 vaccine clinics have been cancelled. The article has been edited to reflect the change.

To help keep the community safe and combat the spread of these respiratory viruses, York University is offering vaccination clinics throughout the winter season at both its Keele and Glendon campuses. Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations will be available at the following two clinics during the month of March.

Glendon Campus clinic

  • Tuesday, March 12, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Centre of Excellence lobby.

Keele Campus clinic

  • Wednesday, March 13, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Central Square, Bear Pit.

OHIP is not required at these clinics and vaccines are free of charge. The clinics are walk-in; first come, first served. Free masks and rapid antigen test kits are also available while supplies last. And for those who are curious, yes, it is safe to get both the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines at the same time.

Anyone with new symptoms of illness, or who has recently tested positive for COVID-19, is encouraged to complete the Ontario Ministry of Health’s self-assessment tool for further direction and guidance before visiting a vaccination clinic.

For those with questions regarding respiratory virus protocols, students can contact SCHW@yuoffice.yorku.ca and employees can contact SFCCM@yorku.ca. The hours of operation for these resources are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information about upcoming vaccination clinics, staff and faculty can visit yorku.ca/hr/covid19 and students can visit students.yorku.ca/health/communicable-diseases/covid-19.

York campuses offer four vaccine clinics throughout February

A syringe with a vaccine bottle

To help keep the community safe and combat the spread of these respiratory viruses, York University is offering vaccination clinics throughout the winter season at both its Keele and Glendon campuses. Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations will be available at the following four clinics during the month of February.

Glendon Campus clinics

  • Tuesday, Feb. 13, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Centre of Excellence lobby.
  • Tuesday, Feb. 27, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Centre of Excellence lobby.

Keele Campus clinics

  • Wednesday, Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Central Square, Bear Pit.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Central Square, Bear Pit.

OHIP is not required at these clinics and vaccines are free of charge. The clinics are walk-in; first come, first served. Free masks and rapid antigen test kits are also available while supplies last. And for those who are curious, yes, it is safe to get both the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines at the same time.

Anyone with new symptoms of illness, or who has recently tested positive for COVID-19, is encouraged to complete the Ontario Ministry of Health’s self-assessment tool for further direction and guidance before visiting a vaccination clinic.

For those with questions regarding respiratory virus protocols, students can contact SCHW@yuoffice.yorku.ca and employees can contact SFCCM@yorku.ca. The hours of operation for these resources are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information about upcoming vaccination clinics, staff and faculty can visit yorku.ca/hr/covid19 and students can visit students.yorku.ca/health/communicable-diseases/covid-19.

Prevent respiratory viruses with layers of protection

Mother and child grocery shopping with masks on

As Canadians, bundling up in winter gear to shield ourselves from the harsh elements is second nature, but it can be easy to forget to take measures to keep ourselves healthy this season, as the spread of respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, RSV and the flu are on the rise.

Experts recommend using the following layers of protection for respiratory illness prevention:

  • consider wearing a mask in indoor public settings, especially if it is crowded and/or there is poor ventilation;
  • keep a physical distance from others when possible, especially indoors;
  • stay home if you are sick or have symptoms of illness, even if mild; and
  • stay up to date with your vaccinations, including COVID-19 boosters.

To help keep the community safe and combat the spread of these respiratory viruses, York University is offering vaccination clinics throughout the winter season at both its Keele and Glendon campuses, with both COVID-19 (Moderna and Pfizer) and flu shots available. OHIP is not required at these clinics and vaccines are free of charge. The clinics are walk-in; first come, first served. Free masks and rapid antigen test kits are also available while supplies last. And for those who are curious, yes, it is safe to get both the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines at the same time.

Anyone with new symptoms of illness, or who has recently tested positive for COVID-19, is encouraged to complete the Ontario Ministry of Health’s self-assessment tool for further direction and guidance before visiting a vaccination clinic.

For those with questions regarding respiratory virus protocols, students can contact SCHW@yuoffice.yorku.ca and employees can contact SFCCM@yorku.ca. The hours of operation for these resources are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information about upcoming vaccination clinics, staff and faculty can visit yorku.ca/hr/covid19 and students can visit students.yorku.ca/health/communicable-diseases/covid-19.

York campuses offer four vaccine clinics throughout January

A syringe with a vaccine bottle

For those interested in getting vaccinated this winter, flu and COVID-19 vaccinations will be available on York University’s Keele and Glendon campuses throughout the month of January.

Glendon Campus clinics

  • Tuesday, Jan. 16, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Centre of Excellence lobby.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 30, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Centre of Excellence lobby.

Keele Campus clinics

  • Wednesday, Jan. 17, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Central Square, Bear Pit.
  • Wednesday, Jan. 31, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., location to be determined.

It is safe to get both the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines at the same time, if eligible. Ontario Health Insurance Plan is not required and vaccines are free of charge. The clinic is walk-in; first come, first served. Free masks and rapid antigen test kits are available while supplies last.

Anyone with new symptoms of illness, or who has recently tested positive for COVID-19, is encouraged to complete the Ontario Ministry of Health’s self-assessment tool for further direction and guidance.

  • SCHW@yuoffice.yorku.ca remains available for students with questions regarding respiratory virus protocols.
  • SFCCM@yorku.ca remains available for employees with questions regarding respiratory virus protocols.
  • Hours of operation for these resources are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, staff and faculty can visit yorku.ca/hr/covid19. Students can find more information at students.yorku.ca/health/communicable-diseases/covid-19.

Keele Campus vaccine clinic on Dec. 19

A syringe with a vaccine bottle

For those interested in getting vaccinated this winter, flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are being made available on York University’s Keele Campus.

When: Tuesday, Dec. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Central Square, Bear Pit
Vaccines offered: Quadrivalent influenza (under 65 years of age) and COVID-19 (12 years and up)

It is safe to get both the COVID-19 and Influenza vaccine at the same time, if eligible. OHIP is not required. The clinic is walk-in; first come, first served. Free masks and rapid antigen test kits are available while supplies last.

Anyone who has any new symptoms of illness, or has tested positive for COVID-19, is encouraged to complete the Ministry of Health’s Provincial Screening Tool (ontario.ca/autoevaluation/) for further direction and guidance.

  • SCHW@yuoffice.yorku.ca remains available for students with questions regarding respiratory virus protocols.
  • SFCCM@yorku.ca remains available for employees with questions regarding respiratory virus protocols.
  • Hours of operation for these resources are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, staff and faculty can visit yorku.ca/hr/covid19.

Students can find more information at students.yorku.ca/health/communicable-diseases/covid-19.

COVID-19 and respiratory viruses: what to know on campus

Students wearing branded masks while socially distancing in the common

La version française suit la version anglaise. 

The risks for respiratory illness such as COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) increase as we move into fall and indoor spaces.

Here is an overview of current public health guidelines and available resources to make this transition safer for the York community.

If you are symptomatic or tested positive for COVID-19:

  • Toronto Public Health recommends you stay home if you are sick or have symptoms of illness, even if your symptoms are mild.
  • Anyone with new or worsening symptoms or who tests positive for COVID-19 should complete the provincial self-assessment and follow directions for self-isolation or self-monitoring.
  • Affected faculty, staff or instructors should inform their manager or associate dean of their absence and follow regular sick leave processes.

Close contact guidelines:

If you were a close contact of somebody with COVID-19, please review Toronto Public Health’s guidance page: COVID-19: What to Do if You Are a Close Contact.

Vaccination:

An updated COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by Health Canada. COVID-19 vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness, death and post-COVID-19 condition (“long COVID”).

Visit the Ontario Health COVID-19 Vaccination Portal to book a vaccination appointment. York will share information about vaccination clinics taking place at York University campuses in the coming weeks.

Health Canada recommends an updated COVID-19 vaccine dose for those who:

  • had their last COVID-19 vaccine dose over six months ago; or
  • last had COVID-19 six months ago (whichever happened later).

Rapid antigen tests:

York University has a limited supply of free rapid antigen test kits. Visit the community health website for more information.

Masking

York is a mask-friendly environment. You may wish to consider wearing a well-fitted, high-quality mask in crowded indoor public settings. York University has mask vending machines where Level 3 masks and N95 masks may be purchased.

Wearing a mask, keeping your distance where possible, practising hand hygiene, getting vaccinated and other public health measures can reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.

For more resources, visit the Community Health page for staff, faculty and instructors. For questions related to COVID-19 or other respiratory virus, email sfccm@yorku.ca.

Information for students is available on the Student Health page and questions can be emailed to schw@yorku.ca.

COVID-19 et les virus respiratoires : ce qu’il faut savoir

Le risque de maladies respiratoires comme la COVID-19, la grippe et le virus respiratoire syncytial (VRS) est en hausse avec l’arrivée de l’automne et le retour dans les bâtiments.

Voici un aperçu des lignes directrices actuelles en matière de santé publique ainsi que des ressources pour rendre cette transition plus sûre pour la communauté de York.

Si vous présentez des symptômes ou si vous avez obtenu un résultat positif au test de dépistage de la COVID-19 :

  • Le Bureau de santé publique de Toronto recommande aux personnes de rester à la maison si elles sont malades ou si elles ont des symptômes, même légers.
  • Toute personne présentant des symptômes nouveaux ou s’aggravant, ou dont le test de dépistage de COVID-19 était positif, doit remplir l’auto-évaluation provinciale et suivre les instructions relatives à l’auto-isolement ou à l’autosurveillance.
  • Les membres concernés du corps professoral, du personnel ou du corps enseignant doivent informer leur gestionnaire ou doyen(ne) associé(e) de leur absence et suivre les procédures habituelles en matière de congé de maladie.

Directives relatives aux contacts étroits :

Si vous avez été en contact étroit avec une personne ayant la COVID-19, veuillez consulter la page de conseils du Bureau de santé publique de Toronto : COVID-19 : What to Do if You Are a Close Contact.

Vaccination :

Un vaccin actualisé contre la COVID-19 a été approuvé par Santé Canada. La vaccination contre la COVID-19 réduit le risque de maladie grave, de décès et du syndrome post-COVID-19 (« COVID longue »).

Visitez le portail de vaccination contre la COVID-19 de Santé Ontario pour prendre un rendez-vous de vaccination. York communiquera des informations sur les cliniques de vaccination qui se tiendront sur les campus de l’Université York dans les semaines à venir.

Santé Canada recommande une mise à jour de la dose du vaccin contre la COVID-19 dans les cas suivants :

  • La dernière dose de vaccin COVID-19 a été administrée il y a plus de six mois; ou
  • Vous avez eu la COVID-19 il y a plus de six mois (la date la plus récente étant retenue).

Tests antigéniques rapides :

L’Université York dispose d’un nombre limité de trousses de tests antigéniques rapides gratuites. Visitez le site Web de la santé communautaire pour plus d’informations.

Port du masque

York encourage le port d’un masque. Vous pouvez envisager de porter un masque bien ajusté et de bonne qualité dans les lieux publics intérieurs très fréquentés. L’Université York a des distributeurs automatiques de masques où l’on peut acheter des masques de niveau 3 et des masques N95.

Le port d’un masque, le maintien d’une distance suffisante, l’hygiène des mains, la vaccination et d’autres mesures de santé publique peuvent réduire la propagation des virus respiratoires.

Pour plus de ressources, consultez la page Community Health destinée au personnel et aux corps professoral et enseignant. Pour toute question relative à la COVID-19 ou à d’autres virus respiratoires, envoyez un courriel à sfccm@yorku.ca.

Les informations destinées à la population étudiante se trouvent sur la page Santé étudiante. Les questions peuvent être envoyées par courriel à schw@yorku.ca.

Global crisis leadership research earns Article of the Year recognition

hospital employees wearing masks

A research publication co-authored by Schulich School of Business Professor Abi Sriharan was recently named Article of the Year by the Medical Care Research and Review, an influential, peer-reviewed journal that is central to health-care and medical research.

Abi Sriharan
Abi Sriharan

Produced in collaboration with co-authors from Canada, the U.K. and the U.S., the article, “Public Health and Health Sector Crisis Leadership During Pandemics,” examines global crisis leadership amidst pandemics, a topic underscored by the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research findings shed light on the political, structural and cultural dynamics that influence health-care policy decisions.

The authors observed that traditional leadership models often fall short in the dynamic environment of pandemics. The study calls for a paradigm shift in leadership training, to encompass both task- and people-oriented competencies to empower leaders to navigate unprecedented situations with transparency and efficiency.

“We are honoured to be recognized for redefining crisis leadership in the pandemic era,” said Sriharan. “This recognition by Medical Care Research and Review reaffirms the significance of our findings for health-care systems globally.”

Sriharan, an award-winning leadership scholar specializing in the health sector, joined Schulich earlier this year and currently serves as a senior scientist and research director at Schulich’s Krembil Centre for Health Management and Leadership.

Committed to supporting and nurturing thought leadership like Sriharan’s, Schulich recently launched the Master of Health Industry Administration program to equip future health-industry leaders with the skills and knowledge they need to effect meaningful change.

COVID-19 vaccine clinics scheduled for June

A photo with a black backgroud that features two vials of COVID-19 vaccine and a syringe

York University’s Health, Safety and Employee Well-Being will host a series of COVID-19 vaccination clinics for the York community.

Clinics will be hosted at both the Keele and Glendon Campuses, beginning June 14.

Keele Campus clinic

Wednesday, June 14

  • Location: Central Square, East Bear Pit
  • Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • How to access: walk-in only
  • Vaccines offered: COVID-19 Pfizer monovalent and bivalent, Moderna monovalent and bivalent

Mercredi 14 Juin

  • Emplacement : Central Square, East Bear Pit 
  • 10h00 à 14h00
  • Comment y accéder : Sans rendez-vous uniquement
  • Vaccins offerts : Vaccins Pfizer monovalent et bivalent contre la COVID-19, vaccins Moderna monovalent et bivalent contre la COVID-19

Glendon Campus clinic

Wednesday, June 28

  • Location: Lobby for the Centre of Excellence, Glendon
  • Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
  • How to access: walk-in only
  • Vaccines offered: COVID-19 Pfizer monovalent and bivalent, Moderna monovalent and bivalent

Mercredi 28 Juin

  • Emplacement : Lobby for the Centre of Excellence, Glendon
  • 10h00 à 14h00
  • Comment y accéder : Sans rendez-vous uniquement
  • Vaccins offerts : Vaccins Pfizer monovalent et bivalent contre la COVID-19, vaccins Moderna monovalent et bivalent contre la COVID-19

Research explores financial assistance for organizations during pandemic

Person using black calculator

New research by Schulich School of Business Professor Gregory Saxton, at York University, suggests that non-profit organizations were more likely to apply for U.S. government aid during pandemic lockdowns – and use that aid to maintain staffing levels – when those organizations had pre-existing, long-term financial obligations to donors.

Gregory Saxton closeup portrait
Gregory Saxton

To help small businesses cover payroll costs and keep employees on the job throughout the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, the U.S. federal government created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in April of 2020. The program issued almost 12 million loans worth nearly $800 billion, and these loans were forgivable if the business kept payroll at pre-pandemic levels.

The program had the potential to be especially beneficial to non-profit organizations; however, not all eligible non-profits participated and not all received loan forgiveness. Saxton’s research sought to shine light on why businesses decided to apply, and what motivated certain businesses to meet the requisites for loan forgiveness.

To examine what motivated non-profits’ participation in the program, Saxton, a professor of accounting, and his co-authors – Paul Wong, from the University of California-Davis; and Daniel Neely, at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee – analyzed data from over 100,000 non-profits that applied for PPP loans. The results of their study were recently published in Management Science in their article, “Nonprofit Organizations’ Financial Obligations and the Paycheck Protection Program.”

The authors found that only 38 per cent of eligible non-profit organizations participated in the PPP, substantially lower than for-profit businesses.

They also found that non-profits with long-term debt obligations and donor-restricted net assets were more likely to apply for and receive PPP loans. In effect, an organization’s financial obligations – such as debt or promises to donors to use resources in a specific manner – played an important role in determining PPP participation and the characteristics of the loans obtained. Notably, not only did pre-existing financial obligations make organizations more likely to participate in the program, but financial obligations led participating organizations to receive larger loans, relative to payroll costs, and increased the likelihood that their loans were ultimately forgiven.

This study furthers understanding of the PPP by examining the financial characteristics of participating businesses. At a practical level, the study informs policymakers in designing business-focused economic relief programs to maximize societal benefit during economic downturns.

Overall, the study suggests that the PPP played a crucial role in supporting both employment and critical services during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The PPP helped to keep non-profits afloat during a very difficult time,” Saxton said. “It’s clear that the program was particularly beneficial for non-profits with pre-existing financial obligations.”

York collaborates on international post-pandemic recovery research

A young woman dons a mask to protect against the novel coronavirus FEATURED image for York library story
A young woman dons a mask to protect against the novel coronavirus FEATURED image for York library story

York University Associate Professor Claudia Chaufan will collaborate with a group of interdisciplinary researchers to investigate post-pandemic recovery and best practices for future global emergencies with a grant from the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF).

Claudia Chaufan
Claudia Chaufan

The $500,000 award was announced as part of the Government of Canada’s NFRF’s 2022 Special Calls stream, which aims to support emerging research as needed.

Chaufan, from the Faculty of Health, is a co-principal investigator on an interdisciplinary team of six researchers from across Canada, along with: Claus Rinner, Toronto Metropolitan University (principal investigator); and co-investigators Candice Chow, McMasters University; J. Christian Rangel, University of Ottawa; Elaine Wiersma, Lakehead University; and Wang, Yiwen, University of Toronto. The project is led by Toronto Metropolitan University.

The project’s team consists of researchers from across the globe, including co-applicant Andrea Valente of York’s Faculty of Education, as well as Canadian experts in governance, healthcare, law, media and communications, and international collaborators from Jamaica, Western Europe, Israel, Kenya and Uganda who specialize in behavioural sciences, economics, epidemiology and philosophy.

The research aims to examine the social and economic inequities amplified by COVID-19 on an international scale. Together, the researchers will look at how social cohesion and inclusivity can be strengthened through community engagement in decision-making with respect to future emergencies. They will also explore how governments can improve communication and build trust with communities.

According to the research team, this research contributes to achieving four United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs): UN SDG 3 Good Health and Wellbeing, by assessing to what extent a holistic view of public health informed the pandemic response; UN SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities, by assessing the impact of pandemic responses on social and health equity; UN SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, by identifying vulnerable communities, even in high-income countries; and UN SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, by examining to what extent the policy development process was transparent and able to ensure inclusivity and accountability.

The team’s research methods will include case studies, critical document analysis, discourse analysis and visualization, as well as oral histories and creative work to investigate operational consideration of the social determinants of health and value-based governance.

The project’s findings will help inform future policy on disaster management.

For more, visit https://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/nfrf-fnfr/special/2022/award_recipients-titulaires_subvention-eng.aspx.