Michelle Gamage
@michellegamage.bsky.social
Health reporter for TheTyee.ca. Covering local research, sex, toxic drugs, what your grandmother is up to, and all the different ways you can (but haven't yet) become dead in B.C.
Agree with and appreciate Rachel's summary here.
After almost three decades, Canada has lost its measles elimination status.
That means in 2025, this extremely contagious disease spread consistently in our country for the first time since 1998.
This was preventable, which makes it embarrassing -- in more ways than you might realize:
That means in 2025, this extremely contagious disease spread consistently in our country for the first time since 1998.
This was preventable, which makes it embarrassing -- in more ways than you might realize:
November 10, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Agree with and appreciate Rachel's summary here.
We might be in for a whopper of a flu season as the circulating strain changes from what's in the shot. Should you still get the shot and what protection it offers? Absolutely. But also wash your hands, stay home when sick, mask up and clean the air where you live/ work.
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
Canada could face ‘worst kind’ of flu season as experts warn evolving strain may be mismatch for vaccine | CBC News
With flu cases now rising in Canada, medical experts are bracing for a difficult influenza season linked to the global spread of an evolving H3N2 strain that could be a mismatch for this year’s vaccin...
www.cbc.ca
November 10, 2025 at 6:47 PM
We might be in for a whopper of a flu season as the circulating strain changes from what's in the shot. Should you still get the shot and what protection it offers? Absolutely. But also wash your hands, stay home when sick, mask up and clean the air where you live/ work.
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
Alberta's strategy to defund public education is based on bad science. "Like citing your roommate’s Substack as evidence you’re both geniuses."
www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/...
www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/...
The False Economy of Education Cuts
Why This Matters (Even If You Don’t Live There) A public education system is the scaffolding of any democracy. It’s where young citizens learn not only arithmetic and grammar, but curiosity, empathy, ...
www.mcgill.ca
November 10, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Alberta's strategy to defund public education is based on bad science. "Like citing your roommate’s Substack as evidence you’re both geniuses."
www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/...
www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/...
Big themes from this conference: pathogens don't care about borders. Not just political borders: borders between animals and humans, land and water, forests and cities. Disease will move between it all. We must protect all life to bolster againt this.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on trust, public-health experts say
Experts from around the world share lessons from the pandemic at a forum in Vancouver
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Big themes from this conference: pathogens don't care about borders. Not just political borders: borders between animals and humans, land and water, forests and cities. Disease will move between it all. We must protect all life to bolster againt this.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Infants can't be vaccinated because their immune systems are still developing and they won't get lasting immunity until about one year old. Kids get two shots: at 1 year and at 4 to 6 when they enter school. Getting both those vaccines provides incredible protection: close to 100 % immunity.
Canada is once again known internationally as a country with measles. I am heartbroken and scared for all of my friends who are going to be having kids in the next couple months because of the horrible and very real risk their infants now face.
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
Canada's measles-free status revoked, says Health Canada
The Pan American Health Organization has notified the Public Health Agency of Canada that Canada no longer holds measles elimination status, says Health Canada. The health agency says that while 'tran...
www.cbc.ca
November 10, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Infants can't be vaccinated because their immune systems are still developing and they won't get lasting immunity until about one year old. Kids get two shots: at 1 year and at 4 to 6 when they enter school. Getting both those vaccines provides incredible protection: close to 100 % immunity.
Canada is once again known internationally as a country with measles. I am heartbroken and scared for all of my friends who are going to be having kids in the next couple months because of the horrible and very real risk their infants now face.
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
Canada's measles-free status revoked, says Health Canada
The Pan American Health Organization has notified the Public Health Agency of Canada that Canada no longer holds measles elimination status, says Health Canada. The health agency says that while 'tran...
www.cbc.ca
November 10, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Canada is once again known internationally as a country with measles. I am heartbroken and scared for all of my friends who are going to be having kids in the next couple months because of the horrible and very real risk their infants now face.
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
Reposted by Michelle Gamage
"[E]veryone I know and love is dead."
"[F]rom April 2016 to March 2025 more than 53,800 Canadians were killed after overdosing on opioids."
"[T]hey wanted to save lives." "[A]fter about one year none of its compassion club members had died."
#BritishColumbia #Canada #Policing #Drugs #Courts
"[F]rom April 2016 to March 2025 more than 53,800 Canadians were killed after overdosing on opioids."
"[T]hey wanted to save lives." "[A]fter about one year none of its compassion club members had died."
#BritishColumbia #Canada #Policing #Drugs #Courts
DULF Founders Guilty of Drug Trafficking
Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum didn't have permission to sell tested drugs despite good intentions, court finds.
thetyee.ca
November 8, 2025 at 12:41 AM
"[E]veryone I know and love is dead."
"[F]rom April 2016 to March 2025 more than 53,800 Canadians were killed after overdosing on opioids."
"[T]hey wanted to save lives." "[A]fter about one year none of its compassion club members had died."
#BritishColumbia #Canada #Policing #Drugs #Courts
"[F]rom April 2016 to March 2025 more than 53,800 Canadians were killed after overdosing on opioids."
"[T]hey wanted to save lives." "[A]fter about one year none of its compassion club members had died."
#BritishColumbia #Canada #Policing #Drugs #Courts
Street drugs have killed more than 18,600 BCers. DULF worked with cops, health authorities, feds to try and source, test and sell drugs with a known purity and potency to reduce overdose deaths.
Their strategy was saving lives.
Today they were found guilty of trafficking.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Their strategy was saving lives.
Today they were found guilty of trafficking.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
DULF Founders Guilty of Drug Trafficking | The Tyee
Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum didn’t have permission to sell tested drugs despite good intentions, court finds.
thetyee.ca
November 8, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Street drugs have killed more than 18,600 BCers. DULF worked with cops, health authorities, feds to try and source, test and sell drugs with a known purity and potency to reduce overdose deaths.
Their strategy was saving lives.
Today they were found guilty of trafficking.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Their strategy was saving lives.
Today they were found guilty of trafficking.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Reposted by Michelle Gamage
same day dulf is convicted, northern health put out this warning
November 8, 2025 at 12:25 AM
same day dulf is convicted, northern health put out this warning
Not just a cop trained in investigation, but the cop in charge of the investigation against DULF.
This is a cop, trained in ‘investigation’ ⬇️ More excellent coverage of the DULF trial by @michellegamage.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Not just a cop trained in investigation, but the cop in charge of the investigation against DULF.
Reposted by Michelle Gamage
DULF is a humanist organization that has saved lives. They did what the government has failed to do & regulated the drugs people were already using. That same government is charging them with crimes for not sitting idly by & watching more people die preventable deaths from an unregulated drug supply
Founders of Vancouver’s Drug User Liberation Front Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalinin have just been found guilty of drug trafficking.
Justice Murray rules CDSA exemption didn’t include procurement & distribution.
“There is no doubt all of DULF’s actions were for one purpose.”
@pressprogress.ca
Justice Murray rules CDSA exemption didn’t include procurement & distribution.
“There is no doubt all of DULF’s actions were for one purpose.”
@pressprogress.ca
November 8, 2025 at 12:10 AM
DULF is a humanist organization that has saved lives. They did what the government has failed to do & regulated the drugs people were already using. That same government is charging them with crimes for not sitting idly by & watching more people die preventable deaths from an unregulated drug supply
More excellent reporting and context on the DULF trial from @brishti.bsky.social and @pressprogress.ca
Full article is up.
“There is no issue that the Crown has proven the essential elements of the offence of [possession for the purpose of trafficking],” Murray said. “However, this case is not that straightforward.”
Read more at @pressprogress.ca pressprogress.ca/founders-of-...
“There is no issue that the Crown has proven the essential elements of the offence of [possession for the purpose of trafficking],” Murray said. “However, this case is not that straightforward.”
Read more at @pressprogress.ca pressprogress.ca/founders-of-...
Founders of groundbreaking Vancouver compassion club found guilty of drug trafficking
Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum, who sold club members drugs they had tested for safety, plan to launch a constitutional challenge against Canada's drug laws on November 24.
pressprogress.ca
November 8, 2025 at 12:00 AM
More excellent reporting and context on the DULF trial from @brishti.bsky.social and @pressprogress.ca
Reposted by Michelle Gamage
From @michellegamage.bsky.social: Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum have been found guilty of drug trafficking, after they operated a compassion club in the midst of a deadly overdose crisis.
The conviction is suspended as their lawyers start a constitutional challenge. thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
The conviction is suspended as their lawyers start a constitutional challenge. thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
DULF Founders Guilty of Drug Trafficking | The Tyee
Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum didn’t have permission to sell tested drugs despite good intentions, court finds.
thetyee.ca
November 7, 2025 at 11:08 PM
From @michellegamage.bsky.social: Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum have been found guilty of drug trafficking, after they operated a compassion club in the midst of a deadly overdose crisis.
The conviction is suspended as their lawyers start a constitutional challenge. thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
The conviction is suspended as their lawyers start a constitutional challenge. thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
DULF co-founders Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum were found guilty of possession with the intent to traffic this morning for meth, heroin and cocaine.
My full story on @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
My full story on @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
DULF Founders Guilty of Drug Trafficking | The Tyee
Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum didn’t have permission to sell tested drugs despite good intentions, court finds.
thetyee.ca
November 7, 2025 at 11:01 PM
DULF co-founders Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum were found guilty of possession with the intent to traffic this morning for meth, heroin and cocaine.
My full story on @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
My full story on @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
DULF co-founders Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum were each found guilty of three counts of trafficking meth, heroin and cocaine this morning.
The pair are launching a constitutional challenge later this month of the CDSA and their convictions won't be entered until then. Story up shortly on @thetyee.ca
The pair are launching a constitutional challenge later this month of the CDSA and their convictions won't be entered until then. Story up shortly on @thetyee.ca
November 7, 2025 at 8:05 PM
DULF co-founders Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum were each found guilty of three counts of trafficking meth, heroin and cocaine this morning.
The pair are launching a constitutional challenge later this month of the CDSA and their convictions won't be entered until then. Story up shortly on @thetyee.ca
The pair are launching a constitutional challenge later this month of the CDSA and their convictions won't be entered until then. Story up shortly on @thetyee.ca
This is heartbreaking.
Fuck ICE.
Fuck hateful politics and policies.
Free Palestine.
Fuck weapons manufacturers.
Fuck the oligarchs that create hatred and fear and cruelty to enrich their unspeakable wealth.
This is all settler colonialism and capitalism.
Fuck ICE.
Fuck hateful politics and policies.
Free Palestine.
Fuck weapons manufacturers.
Fuck the oligarchs that create hatred and fear and cruelty to enrich their unspeakable wealth.
This is all settler colonialism and capitalism.
Devastating— “I’m afraid for my parents to leave the house. They treat us like dogs because of the color of our skin. I shouldn’t be scared, I should be focusing on school.”
A 16yo American living in fear of the Trump regime’s ICE goons terrorizing brown people pleads for help.
A 16yo American living in fear of the Trump regime’s ICE goons terrorizing brown people pleads for help.
November 7, 2025 at 12:39 AM
This is heartbreaking.
Fuck ICE.
Fuck hateful politics and policies.
Free Palestine.
Fuck weapons manufacturers.
Fuck the oligarchs that create hatred and fear and cruelty to enrich their unspeakable wealth.
This is all settler colonialism and capitalism.
Fuck ICE.
Fuck hateful politics and policies.
Free Palestine.
Fuck weapons manufacturers.
Fuck the oligarchs that create hatred and fear and cruelty to enrich their unspeakable wealth.
This is all settler colonialism and capitalism.
It's the start of cold and flu season which means RSV cases will also soon start spiking. A new study found half of all Canadians hospitalized for RSV are under six months old. Immunization options are approved but not readily available.
My latest for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
My latest for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Infants Bear the Brunt of RSV Hospitalizations, UBC Study Finds | The Tyee
Researchers say the province should do more to protect the very small and vulnerable.
thetyee.ca
November 7, 2025 at 12:35 AM
It's the start of cold and flu season which means RSV cases will also soon start spiking. A new study found half of all Canadians hospitalized for RSV are under six months old. Immunization options are approved but not readily available.
My latest for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
My latest for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Reposted by Michelle Gamage
Supreme Court of Canada's "ruling clarified that people who make a potentially life-saving call — along with the people who are overdosing and others at the scene — are protected from being arrested or charged for drug possession, even if police [..] see drugs."
#Canada #Courts #Drugs #Policing
#Canada #Courts #Drugs #Policing
The Supreme Court of Canada Wants You to Call 911 if Someone Is Overdosing
Police can't arrest a person for drug possession if they call for help and stick around, a new ruling finds.
thetyee.ca
November 6, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Reposted by Michelle Gamage
If someone is overdosing call 911.
The Supreme Court of Canada says saving a life is more important than policing small amounts of drugs, so you will be protected even if police show up and see you have, or have taken small amounts of drugs.
My latest for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
The Supreme Court of Canada says saving a life is more important than policing small amounts of drugs, so you will be protected even if police show up and see you have, or have taken small amounts of drugs.
My latest for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
The Supreme Court of Canada Wants You to Call 911 if Someone Is Overdosing | The Tyee
Police can’t arrest a person for drug possession if they call for help and stick around, a new ruling finds.
thetyee.ca
November 7, 2025 at 12:27 AM
If someone is overdosing call 911.
The Supreme Court of Canada says saving a life is more important than policing small amounts of drugs, so you will be protected even if police show up and see you have, or have taken small amounts of drugs.
My latest for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
The Supreme Court of Canada says saving a life is more important than policing small amounts of drugs, so you will be protected even if police show up and see you have, or have taken small amounts of drugs.
My latest for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Kids and teens eating cannabis edibles is a problem b/c weed hits them harder. This review article looked at 22,000 ER visits after kids were exposed to weed. Most kids were fine but around 7% of patients were admitted to the ICU for monitoring and less than 2% had seizures
bcmj.org/articles/pre...
bcmj.org/articles/pre...
Presentation of pediatric cannabis ingestion in the emergency department
Cannabis toxicity should be considered in any child who presents with altered mental status, irritability, or ataxia, as well as nonspecific presentations.
bcmj.org
November 3, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Kids and teens eating cannabis edibles is a problem b/c weed hits them harder. This review article looked at 22,000 ER visits after kids were exposed to weed. Most kids were fine but around 7% of patients were admitted to the ICU for monitoring and less than 2% had seizures
bcmj.org/articles/pre...
bcmj.org/articles/pre...
Big fan of videos of people yelling at ICE goons. Sorry, masked men who violate every right enshrined by law because the only law that matters is whateverthefuck illegal violence they feel like perpetrating that day.
Fuck ICE.
Thank you southern neighbours who share videos of people yelling at them.
Fuck ICE.
Thank you southern neighbours who share videos of people yelling at them.
Redditors alert fellow San Diegans of Border Patrol agents creeping around Grape Street Park this morning
Exceedingly proud of my neighbors for standing up to these creeps every time
Exceedingly proud of my neighbors for standing up to these creeps every time
November 3, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Big fan of videos of people yelling at ICE goons. Sorry, masked men who violate every right enshrined by law because the only law that matters is whateverthefuck illegal violence they feel like perpetrating that day.
Fuck ICE.
Thank you southern neighbours who share videos of people yelling at them.
Fuck ICE.
Thank you southern neighbours who share videos of people yelling at them.
I love my fatty and wet skeleton
Your BONES 🦴 are WET💧.
Sorry, I know that's a weird thing to tell someone, but it's:
A. True.
B. Important, for reasons.
Your bones are about 30% water by weight & an adult skeleton contains ~3.2 liters of water, a little less than a gallon.
Sorry, I know that's a weird thing to tell someone, but it's:
A. True.
B. Important, for reasons.
Your bones are about 30% water by weight & an adult skeleton contains ~3.2 liters of water, a little less than a gallon.
November 3, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I love my fatty and wet skeleton
Unregulated toxic drugs killed 158 BC-ers in Sept. More than 3/4 were male and more than 4/5 were poisoned by fentanyl and its analogues. Smoking isn't any safer than injecting: more than 2/3 of fatalities happened when people inhaled their drugs: BC Coroners Service
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
BC Coroners Service shares unregulated drug-toxicity data for September
According to preliminary data, 158 people died in September 2025 due to unregulated drug toxicity, as reported by the BC Coroners Service.
news.gov.bc.ca
November 3, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Unregulated toxic drugs killed 158 BC-ers in Sept. More than 3/4 were male and more than 4/5 were poisoned by fentanyl and its analogues. Smoking isn't any safer than injecting: more than 2/3 of fatalities happened when people inhaled their drugs: BC Coroners Service
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
Quarantine your buns! Heads up to Vancouver Islanders who have pet rabbits. Several wild rabbits have been killed by a virus. Test are being run to determine what killed them but the rabbits show symptoms of rabbit hemorrhagic disease. Buns can be vaccinated.
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
Island rabbit owners should take precautions following suspected cases of fatal virus
The Province is encouraging rabbit owners in the mid-Vancouver Island area to take extra care after several wild rabbits were found dead in Cedar, showing symptoms of rabbit hemorrhagic disease.
news.gov.bc.ca
October 31, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Quarantine your buns! Heads up to Vancouver Islanders who have pet rabbits. Several wild rabbits have been killed by a virus. Test are being run to determine what killed them but the rabbits show symptoms of rabbit hemorrhagic disease. Buns can be vaccinated.
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...