COVID19 Archives - YFile

York-led study highlights heightened pandemic risk in city outskirts

ashleygc — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:24:01 +0000

�첥��Ƶ researchers say the COVID-19 pandemic exposed a major blind spot in public health and are urging policymakers to look beyond urban centres when planning for future outbreaks.

A new interdisciplinary paper co-authored by the director of �첥��Ƶ’s City Institute, Professor Harris Ali (Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies), and Professor Emeritus Roger Keil (), along with Creighton Connolly of The University of Hong Kong, shows how infectious diseases like COVID-19 hit communities on the edges of cities hardest.

Roger Keil

Harris Ali

Published in the journal City, the research “” explores how migrant workers, First Nations reserves and informal settlements faced increased risks during the pandemic.

The researchers set out to examine how living on the urban periphery – areas where infrastructure is often limited and marginalization is common – shapes the way infectious diseases spread. Their goal was to identify practical steps for building more inclusive and responsive urban governance that responds to those most at risk.

“We wanted to show that the urban periphery isn’t just a geographic edge – it’s a social and political space where vulnerability is concentrated,” says Keil. “Ignoring these areas means missing the real story of how pandemics unfold.”

The study draws on case studies from Canada and the Global South, including interviews and fieldwork in affected communities. It found that people living and working in peripheral areas were more exposed to infection and less protected by public health measures. Poor housing, overcrowding, limited access to health care and weak governance all played a role in the lack of support during COVID-19.

“During COVID-19, we saw how essential workers and marginalized groups were often left behind by policies designed for the urban core,” says Ali. “The pandemic exposed deep inequalities that have long existed but are rarely addressed.”

Outbreak responses often fail to consider the specific circumstances of people living in peripheral communities. For example: migrant workers in Canada faced cramped living conditions and inadequate quarantine options; First Nations reserves had to set up their own checkpoints to protect elders and vulnerable residents; and in informal settlements, grassroots networks became lifelines when formal support systems failed.

“Our work shows that local knowledge and community-led responses are vital,” says Ali. “Top-down approaches alone won’t work – especially in places where trust in government is low or infrastructure is missing.”

The authors argue that urban planning and public health need to move beyond a city-centre focus and include the unique challenges of peripheral communities in planning. That means investing in infrastructure, supporting self-governance and listening to those most affected.

“If we want fairer and more resilient cities, we need to rethink how the urban periphery governs itself,” says Keil. “We can’t afford to repeat the same mistakes.”

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York research highlights Canadian roots, global impact of IMAX theatre

alexhuls — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 18:38:13 +0000

A new research project led by Janine Marchessault, professor in �첥��Ƶ’s , is uncovering the little-known early history of IMAX – from its invention at Expo 67 to its transformation into a global cinematic phenomenon.

Funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, "IMAX: A Transnational History" is the first scholarly study to examine IMAX’s global expansion between 1970 and 1990 – formative decades that have received little critical attention.

Marchessault’s inspiration for the project began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she was reflecting on the state of cinema. “There was a sense a few years ago that the collective experience was over, that going to the cinema was over,” she says. But as theatres reopened, she noticed audiences returning in search of something bigger – both literally and figuratively. “You could see the shape that IMAX was going to have post-pandemic. It’s an immersive experience you cannot get in your living room.”

That renewed interest in large-scale cinema led her to dig deeper into IMAX’s origins. What she found, surprised her. “There was no history of IMAX,” she says. It was a gap Marchessault sought to fill. “It’s important to understand how this uniquely Canadian invention became a major contribution to the history of immersion in cinema.”

Originally conceived at Montreal’s Expo 67 by Canadian filmmakers Graeme Ferguson and Roman Kroitor, IMAX revolutionized the moving image through its 70mm film format and monumental screens – often the size of eight-storey buildings – that captured and projected images with unprecedented scale and resolution. Today, IMAX spans more than 1,500 theatres in 80 countries.

The Cinesphere at Ontario Place in Toronto, Canada was the world’s first permanent IMAX cinema

The Golden Snail IMAX cinema was opened in 1984 and is located at the theme park Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in Jakarta

Marchessault’s project explores how that international growth unfolded, leveraging a research team that includes York postdoctoral fellow Cameron Moneo, as well as Monika Kin Gagnon (Concordia University), Allison Whitney (Texas Tech University) and Jessica Mulvogue (St. Andrews University).

She and her research team are studying seven theatres chosen for their historical, technological and architectural significance, and for their place in national film cultures: Osaka, Japan; Toronto, Canada; San Diego, U.S.; Tijuana, Mexico; Bradford, U.K.; Jakarta, Indonesia; and Paris, France.

Each theatre serves as a case study for how IMAX spread across the world, but also how a Canadian technology was sold to other countries and adapted to local cultures and architectural traditions through the design of the venues and the movies they began to screen.

At the same time, the research project extends into several streams. Combining archival research, oral histories and creative practice, the project includes an artist-in-residence component led by filmmaker Oliver Husain, who is creating new works inspired by IMAX’s early innovations.

Professor Janine Marchessault

Artist-in-residence Oliver Husain

As part of this research, Marchessault and her collaborators – including the National Film Board of Canada, Ontario Place Corporation and IMAX in Los Angeles – are also restoring and digitizing early IMAX films such as Transitions and Labyrinth IV.

Labyrinth IV adapts the landmark on-site film project Labyrinth, created for Montreal’s Expo 67, which pioneered multi-screen projection and laid the conceptual foundation for IMAX’s immersive experience. Transitions, produced for Vancouver’s Expo 86, was the first 3D IMAX film, marking a technological milestone that fused massive scale with stereoscopic depth.

“What excites me most is returning these works to the theatres they were designed for,” says Marchessault. “Each cinema has its own architecture, acoustics and history – all of which shape how these films were meant to be experienced.”

One public extension of the research is the Outer Worlds Canadian Tour, launched this month by Marchessault and Christian Kroitor, grandson of IMAX co-founder Roman Kroitor. The tour presents five experimental films created by Canadian artists in 2018-19, marking the 50th anniversary of IMAX.

The program will screen in Edmonton at the TELUS World of Science on Oct. 9, before continuing in April 2026 with presentations in Victoria at the Royal BC Museum and in Sudbury at Science North, each followed by an artist and curator Q-and-A.

The project also sheds light on the overlooked contributions of women in IMAX’s formative years. “We’ve uncovered dozens of women who played crucial roles – as producers, event organizers, theatre designers, archivists and policymakers,” says Marchessault. “Their work has often been invisible, but it was essential to building the network that allowed IMAX to flourish.”

By making that invisible work visible – both the contributions of women and the early history of IMAX itself – Marchessault’s research reframes how this Canadian innovation is understood. What was once hidden in archives and overlooked in film history is now being restored, studied and shared, revealing how Canada’s creative and technological ingenuity helped shape global cinema.

With files from Alexandra Tucci

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York to mark pandemic anniversary with community-driven photo gallery

alexhuls — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 18:41:18 +0000

Disaster & Emergency Management (DEM) professors will help �첥��Ƶ mark the five-year anniversary of the World Health Organization's declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic with a community-driven event that will include an immersive photo gallery and workshop.

The event, titled "From Distanced to Connected: COVID-19 Five-Years On," has been organized by Professor Aaida Mamuji with support from Jack Rozdilsky and Ali Asgary, all professors within the DEM program at York. It has also been administratively sponsored by CIFAL-York.

Aaida Mamuji

The idea for the event draws in part from research conducted by Mamuji and her team over the last five years thanks to an almost $500,000 grant received in March 2020 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to explore the social impact of stigma during the pandemic.

“The need to just ‘take a step back’ and reflect on the pandemic was something our research participants alluded to in their responses to us,” says Mamuji. As the upcoming five-year anniversary approached, she felt it offered an important opportunity for York faculty, staff and students to come together.

“I don’t think there has been a moment since the start of the pandemic where we have been able to hypothetically ‘stop’ and reflect on this collective experience, and doing so on March 11 just makes so much sense,” she says. “We felt that it would be an ideal time to come together as a community to reflect on what we all experienced, and where we have all come since then.”

A cornerstone of the March 11 event will be a special photo gallery that calls for pictures to be submitted by community members. “We wanted to have people share pictures that will resonate with them locally and help them think about where they were in those moments; what they were doing or could not do; who they were with or couldn’t be with; to reflect on the whys of everything; and most importantly, how all of that experience led them to the present,” says Mamuji. “We want our audience to see themselves in the project; it’s about them.”

A selection of images from the upcoming "From Distanced to Connected: COVID-19 Five-Years On" photo gallery.

All interested in participating, including �첥��Ƶ students, faculty and staff, are asked to submit up to four photos per person that they feel align with two categories: “Challenges and Difficulties” and “Resilience and Moving Forward.” Entries are due by March 1 using the submission form.

Photos that are selected will be part of the gallery at the Victor Phillip Dadaleh Advanced Disaster, Emergency and Rapid Response Simulation (ADERSIM) Lab in the Schulich School of Business on March 11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. During that time, all visitors are welcome to drop in, view the submissions and vote for the photos they consider the most impactful. Three $250 gift cards will be awarded to the winners.

Following the gallery, there will be an evening workshop – held in the same space – on stigma-informed emergency management that will include presentations by community members, emergency management (EM) officials and first responders. The workshop will also offer training on reducing unconscious bias and trauma-informed care.

“Given [York’s] teaching and research focus in emergency management, we also wanted the general population to reflect on the impact of the pandemic on emergency managers and frontline workers tasked with managing the pandemic – some of whom are our neighbours and friends – in ways that we may not have thought of before,” says Mamuji. “We hope the training on trauma-informed care will make us a more compassionate moving forward.”

Those interested in attending are required to register.

“It is an opportunity to reflect on community resilience and the collective pain and strength that was observed. It is an opportunity to reflect on what could have been, in certain cases, and how we came to be in this moment. But most importantly, it is an opportunity to highlight the collective strength of our community and what we could do differently for the future,” she says.

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Reduce the spread of respiratory viruses this fall season

lmacadam — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 18:14:00 +0000

Each fall, the rates of respiratory viruses such as influenza and COVID-19 increase. To protect yourself and others, try the following the public health layers of protection:

Consider wearing a high-quality, well-fitting mask in crowded indoor public settings with poor ventilation, especially if you or people around you are at higher risk.
Wash or sanitize your hands often.
Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or a tissue.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Stay up-to-date with your vaccinations for the best protection against getting very sick.

Updated vaccines now available

As of Oct. 28, updated COVID-19 and flu shots are available at participating pharmacies, local public health units and primary care providers. It is safe and convenient to receive both vaccines at the same time.

Community members can visit the Shoppers Drug Mart at York Lanes on �첥��Ƶ's Keele Campus to receive their updated vaccines. This location is open every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (closed on holidays), with both walk-ins and scheduled appointments available to the public. OHIP is not required but mask-wearing is encouraged. To book an appointment, visit the .

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 for further direction and guidance. SCHW@yuoffice.yorku.ca remains available for students with questions with respiratory virus protocols, and SFCCM@yorku.ca remains available for employees. The hours of operation for these resources are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information regarding community health, visit the Communicable Diseases web page.

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Prevent respiratory viruses this spring

phalfert — Wed, 01 May 2024 17:40:56 +0000

Spring is in full swing and the weather is finally warming up, but it is important to remember that respiratory viruses are still around.

To protect yourself and others, experts recommend keeping the following public health guidance in mind:

consider wearing a mask in indoor public settings, especially in crowded and/or in poorly ventilated spaces;
keep a physical distance of six feet from others, when possible, especially indoors;
stay home if you are sick or have symptoms of illness, even if the symptoms are mild; and
stay up to date with your vaccinations, including COVID-19 boosters.

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 for further direction and guidance.

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 regarding community health, staff, faculty and instructors can visit yorku.ca/hr/communicable-disease, and students can visit .

Web page update: community members can now access up-to-date, relevant public health trends on York's Humans Resources and websites. Look for the heading "Public Health Updates" at the bottom of the Communicable Diseases pages.

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York campuses offer vaccine clinics throughout March

phalfert — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 17:29:19 +0000

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, �첥��Ƶ 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 for further direction and guidance before visiting a vaccination clinic.

For more information about upcoming vaccination clinics, staff and faculty can visit yorku.ca/hr/covid19 and students can visit .

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York campuses offer four vaccine clinics throughout February

phalfert — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 19:28:32 +0000

To help keep the community safe and combat the spread of these respiratory viruses, �첥��Ƶ 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.

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

For more information about upcoming vaccination clinics, staff and faculty can visit yorku.ca/hr/covid19 and students can visit .

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Prevent respiratory viruses with layers of protection

phalfert — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 20:34:09 +0000

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, �첥��Ƶ 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 for further direction and guidance before visiting a vaccination clinic.

For more information about upcoming vaccination clinics, staff and faculty can visit yorku.ca/hr/covid19 and students can visit .

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York campuses offer four vaccine clinics throughout January

phalfert — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 19:41:55 +0000

For those interested in getting vaccinated this winter, flu and COVID-19 vaccinations will be available on �첥��Ƶ’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.

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 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 .

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Keele Campus vaccine clinic on Dec. 19

phalfert — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 19:38:29 +0000

For those interested in getting vaccinated this winter, flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are being made available on �첥��Ƶ'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)

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 () 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 .

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