Why athletes prioritising their mental health should be celebrated, not shunned

A study in Qatar estimates that previous COVID-19 infection imparts 56% protection against future symptomatic infection caused by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, down from about 90% for other SARS-CoV-2 strains.The study, published yesterday in the New England Journal of Medici

COVID-19 update since Sunday, the Saskatchewan government reported 5,401 provincial PCR confirmed cases and 22 new deaths between Jan. 30 and Feb.

Super Bowl this weekend. The DHS said in a bulletin sent to local and state law enforcement agencies that it has received reports that truckers are planning to "potentially block roads in major metropolitan cities" in a protest against vaccine mandates and other issues. DHS said the convoy could begin in Southern California as early as this weekend, possibly disrupting traffic around the Super Bowl, and reach Washington in March in time for the State of the Union, according to a copy of Tuesday’s bulletin obtained by The Associated Press. It said that the protest could be disruptive and tie up traffic but that there have been no calls for violence. Meanwhile, the truck blockade by Canadians protesting the country’s COVID-19 restrictions is tightening the screws on the auto industry, forcing Ford, General Motors and other car companies to shut down plants or otherwise reduce production on both sides of the U.S.

Middlesex-London Health Unit said Thursday that anyone who visits any of its vaccine clinics will be able to choose between the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.However, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada for children aged five to 11 years old. COVID-19 vaccine and booster tracker: How many Canadians are vaccinated? The MLHU’s decision impacts all of the health unit’s mass vaccination clinics, as well as the pop-up vaccination clinics hosted by the Middlesex-London Paramedic Service and the Community Hub COVID-19 vaccination clinics in schools.Since late December, the MLHU had been prioritizing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people age 29 and under and providing the Moderna vaccine to clients 30 and over, citing limited supply of the Pfizer vaccine.The health unit is hoping the ability to choose will help increase vaccine availability and uptake, noting that only 51.9 per cent of eligible residents aged 18 and older had received a third dose as of Jan.

PHILADELPHIA - Investigators with the Philadelphia Police Department are offering a $20,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in a homicide from January. According to police, the department is working to identify the people responsible for the death of an 18-year-old woman on Jan. 13, 2022.

CULPEPER, Va. - President Joe Biden on Thursday touted how his "Build Back Better" policies would limit the cost of prescription drugs and make life more affordable for U.S. families during an appearance in Virginia.Biden’s visit to the town of Culpeper, Virginia, came on the heels of the release of the U.S.

Boris Johnson ending Covid isolation rules is a "distraction" from the PM's lockdown party scandal, said Professor Devi Sridhar who is a member of the Scottish Government Covid-19 Advisory Group.

2022 Academy Awards are just over a month away and while the night is sure to be unforgettable with surprises and snubs, one thing will not be in the cards: covid-19 vaccinations.Hollywood’s biggest night won’t require COVID-19 vaccinations proof for anyone attending the event.The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, according to The Hollywood Reporter, is only asking for attendees to show a negative PCR test or a negative rapid antigen test on the day of the ceremony. Nominees, presenters and stars will gather on March 27 at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theater to celebrate the best and brightest in film.This year’s SAG Awards and Critics Choice Awards, on the other hand, will both require vaccinations.A rep for the SAG Awards (to be held on Feb.

The Queen is being monitored despite not showing any COVID-19 symptoms after her son Prince Charles contracted the virus for a second time Thursday.

Middlesex-London Health Unit reported seven deaths and 115 COVID-19 cases on Thursday, compared with three deaths and 189 cases last Thursday.The deaths involved three men and four women ranging in age from their 60s to 90s. Three were associated with long-term care.LHSC, meanwhile, is caring for 91 inpatients with COVID-19, 22 of whom are in adult critical care.As noted, LHSC is caring for 91 COVID-19 inpatients, with 22 inpatients in adult critical care.

NEW CASTLE, Del. - Delaware State Police is investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that took place on Wednesday evening. According to police, the incident happened near Frenchtown Road in the area of Quigley Boulevard around 5:58 p.m. A 21-year-old woman, who has not yet been identified, was walking on the right shoulder of eastbound Rt. 273.

DARBY TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Briarcliffe Fire Company has been shut down for at least the next 30 days as Delaware County officials investigate the alleged use of racial slurs on a recent virtual meeting. The fire company, located in Darby Township will not be receiving fire calls during the suspension. The suspension comes after a Jan. 27 virtual meeting between township fire companies and commissioners about a potential consolidation. According to a letter from the Goodwill Fire Company obtained by FOX 29, following the end of the meeting, a group of people remained on the call. The letter says there was then a group of people that could be heard discussing the meeting using foul language, and identifies those involved in the conversation as members of the Briarcliffe Fire Company. The conversation, which lasted an hour and 45 minutes, allegedly included racial slurs when discussing members of other fire companies and township residents.One of the Briarcliffe Fire Company members was also accused of making a joke about, Fanta Bility, a young girl who was killed in a shooting in Sharon Hill last fall.Derogatory and otherwise offensive comments were also allegedly made about other township officials.Township officials say the incident is under investigation, and that a criminal referral is expected to be made to the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office. MORE HEADLINES:In their letter, the Goodwill Fire Company Board of directors expressed their concern for the fire companies and safety of the community. "This is not appropriate and does not belong in the township," the letter read. Darby Township officials are scheduled to speak on the issue at 2 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly agreed to a trade that would send Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for James Harden. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that backup center Andre Drummond will also be heading to Brooklyn as part of the deal, and the 76ers will receive Paul Millsap as part of the deal. Wojnarowski reports that the picks Philadelphia is sending to Brooklyn include an unprotected 2022 first-round pick and a protected 2027 first-round pick.Harden and Simmons have dominated trade deadline headlines in recent weeks as the disgruntled Simmons had yet to suit up for the 76ers this season. Meanwhile the Nets were caught up in the rumor mill as they faced a risk of potentially losing Harden to free agency after the season and losing him for nothing. With Thursday's trade, the Sixers pick up a former league MVP in Harden to pair with MVP candidate Joel Embiid.

Stormont's Minister for Health has said he needs to talk to other ministers before decisions can be taken about further relaxation of Northern Ireland's Covid-19 restrictions.

trucker convoy in Ottawa are spilling over onto new fronts Thursday, with police reporting “a concerted effort to flood” 911 lines, protesters mobilizing at the local airport and hackers taking aim at city council.Earlier in the day, city officials had warned of traffic disruptions at the city’s international airport as the trucker convoy encamped across the city enters its 14th day, and some members appeared to be encircling the airport.That now appears to have ended, but it remains unclear whether the group will move to a different site or return to the airport.Ottawa police had told Global News they are “aware” of the convoy’s presence at the airport and shortly after, issued a tweet warning of attempts to target emergency lines.“We are aware of a concerted effort to flood our 911 and non-emergency policing reporting line. This endangers lives and is completely unacceptable,” the police service said.“It is a crime to unnecessarily call 911 or our non-emergency number (613-236-1222).

Beth Potter, president of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Dr. Dominik Mertz, division director of infectious diseases at McMaster University, and Dr.

New rules on international travel in Scotland will come into effect from tomorrow as the country continues to emerge from the worst of the Omicron Covid wave.

Queen Elizabeth II met with Prince Charles before he tested positive for COVID-19 and is now being closely monitored, a royal source tells ET. On Thursday, Clarence House announced that Charles — who is vaccinated and boosted — tested positive for COVID-19 that morning and is now self-isolating. Our source tells ET that 95-year-old Elizabeth and 73-year-old Charles met on Tuesday after she returned from Sandringham.

The Queen's health is reportedly being "monitored" after she met with her eldest son Prince Charles recently, as he has been confirmed to test positive with COVID-19 on Thursday, February 10. While the 95 year old monarch has seen the first in line to the throne recently, Buckingham Palace have reportedly refused to confirm or deny whether she is currently testing positive for the virus.The palace source did confirm that the Queen is yet to display any symptoms, however.

Free COVID rapid antigen tests now available at Ontario grocery stores, pharmacies at one-box limit Singing and the playing of wind instruments have also not been permitted but the source says they will now be allowed with some health measures in place.The changes are expected to come weeks after students headed back to classes in-person, following a two-week pandemic shutdown in January.Schools have been closed and reopened repeatedly in Ontario during the pandemic and extracurriculars have been paused as a COVID-19 precaution at various points.

Gordon Ramsay's daughter Holly Ramsay has shared some life advice from her dad to her followers on social media.

At least 2M Quebecers infected during fifth wave of COVID-19 pandemic Quebec provided 27,360 tests in screening facilities on Tuesday, the most recent day for which that information is available.Meanwhile, the results of 74,459 rapid tests have been declared by Quebecers on the government’s new website to date. Of those, 57,743 were positive results.The immunization campaign doled out another 31,779 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in the last 24 hours.

As Ottawa police take action on defiant and highly determined protesters, officers’ concerns are rising for the well-being of children who were brought along to the convoy’s occupation. Abigail Bimman spoke to some of the children’s parents on why they brought them there.

Charli XCX is getting candid about her mental health.

The Queen isn't displaying any symptoms of coronavirus despite recently meeting with the Prince of Wales, a Palace source said.

third Covid-19 vaccine dose for all adults will be taken based on the scientific need, said the central government on Thursday. 

PHILADELPHIA - Former Eagles long snapper and magician Jon Dorenbos is now being called a hero after saving a woman’s life in January. He joined Alex Holley and Mike Jerrick on Good Day Philadelphia to discuss the incident. Ana and Akira Nakao were working at their restaurant, VegiLicious, in Huntington Beach, California on Jan.

SPRING, Texas - Hundreds of fans gathered to welcome home American gymnast Simone Biles in her home town of Spring, Texas on Aug. 5.In a video taken by Christopher Gunter, Biles and fellow Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles were greeted by a crowd lined up in a parade as the pair of Olympians drove into the Houston suburb where Biles and Chiles both live and train.Biles was sitting on top of a convertible waving to the crowd and shouting, "Thank you! Love you guys!" with Chiles greeting fans behind her. RELATED: Simone Biles reveals she was dealing with family tragedy while at Tokyo OlympicsBiles headlined this year’s Olympics after claiming five gold medals during the 2020 Rio Olympic Games.

TOKYO - Simone Biles revealed Tuesday she was dealing with a family tragedy amid trying to get her mental health in order on the global stage of the Tokyo Olympics.Biles, after winning the bronze medal in the balance beam event, told reporters those watching Olympians from home don’t know what they’re going through."At the end of the day, people don't understand what we are going through," Biles said, via Olympics.com. "Two days ago, I woke up and my aunt unexpectedly passed, and it wasn't any easier being here at the Olympic Games."RELATED: American star Simone Biles to return for balance beam finalsThe death of her aunt was put on top of the mental gymnastics she was going through.

Simone Biles‘ Olympic journey may not be over just yet. While mental health struggles caused the 24-year-old gymnast to sit out of most of the Tokyo Olympics, aside from the balance beam final where she won bronze, Simone said she is “keeping the door open” to possibly compete in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. “I think I have to relish and take this Olympics in and kind of recognize what I’ve done with my career,” she told Today‘s Hoda Kotb on Aug. 4. “Because after 2016, I didn’t get to do that,” the superstar athlete added.

Two Olympic gymnasts, Canada’s Ellie Black and America’s Simone Biles, have made big comebacks on the balance beam at the Tokyo Games.

Global News Europe Bureau Chief Crystal Goomansingh rounds up your latest Olympic headlines, including Simone Biles making her return to the beam after stepping away from the games to focus on her mental health.

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 03: Simone Biles of Team United States competes in the Women's Balance Beam Final on day eleven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on August 03, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) NEW YORK - Simone Biles delivered during the women's balance beam final and finished with a bronze medal.A week after taking herself out of several competitions to focus on her mental health, the six-time Olympic medalist drilled a slightly altered routine on Tuesday.Biles, using a routine that ended with a double-pike dismount -- no twisting required -- posted a score of 14.000.

Everyone knows comedian and Loose Women panellist Judi Love as a straight talker. She'll tell you exactly what she thinks, but do it in a way that may well make you laughas well as think! And in her latest OK! column - available only to OK! VIPs - the star shares her feelings about various matters that have struck a chord, including the story of legendary US gymnast Simone Biles, and her participation in the delayed Tokyo Olympic Games.

Simone Biles is back to the Tokyo Olympics. The gymnast will return to compete during the balance beam final on Tuesday after withdrawing to focus on her mental health.“We are so excited to confirm that you will see two U.S.

Simone Biles of the United States looks on during the artistic gymnastics women's team final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, July 27, 2021. (Photo by Cao Can/Xinhua via Getty Images) TOKYO - Simone Biles is returning to competition in Tokyo.The 2016 Olympic champion will compete in the balance beam finals on Tuesday, a little over a week after stepping away from the meet to focus on her mental health."We are so excited to confirm that you will see two U.S.

Good in the ‘Wood?Earlier this week, we saw P!nk stand up for the Norwegian beach handball team’s choice to wear shorts instead of the required bikini bottoms, offering to pay their fine (which the European Handball Federation decided to donate anyway to a “major international sports foundation which supports equality for women and girls in sports”).On July 27th, reports started popping up about Simone Biles deciding to pull out from the Tokyo Olympic Games.The USA Gymnastics Twitter account confirmed the news in a statement, stating that Simone Biles has withdrawn from both the individual and all-team all-around competitions at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics “in order to focus on her mental health.”After further medical evaluation, Simone Biles

showbiz gossip straight to your inbox with the Daily Star's FREE newsletterLoose Women's Denise Welch has taken a swipe at Piers Morgan for his recent comments regarding American gymnast Simone Biles and her mental health.Earlier this week, the Former GMB presenter shared his brutal opinions on the 24-year-old sports star and claimed she was using her mental health as an "excuse" for "poor performance" after she withdrew from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.But Piers' frank opinions did not sit well with Denise, 63, which lead her to air her thoughts on the presenter.Sharing a screenshot of Pier's post on her Instagram, Denise captioned the pic: "Unbelievable.

Piers Morgan has found himself under fire once again after publicly criticizing Simone Biles.

TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 27: Simone Biles of Team United States looks on during the Women's Team Final on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.(Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images) TOKYO (AP) — Simone Biles will not defend her Olympic title.The American gymnastics superstar withdrew from Thursday’s all-around competition to focus on her mental well-being.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Simone Biles withdrew from Olympics gymnastics final to protect team, selfUSA Gymnastics said in a statement on Wednesday that the 24-year-old is opting to not compete.

SEWARD, Alaska - Lydia Jacoby took home gold in the women’s 100-meter breaststroke at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, and her victory was celebrated more than 3,000 miles away in her hometown of Seward, Alaska. The 17-year-old swimmer upset the reigning champion and 2016 Rio gold medalist U.S. swimmer Lily King to cement herself as the first Alaskan-born swimmer to compete in the Olympics and claim gold.RELATED: Simone Biles withdrew from Olympics gymnastics final to protect team, selfJacoby inched ahead of King and South Africa’s Tatjana Schoenmaker in the final 50 meters to finish first in 1 minute and 4.95 seconds.

announced Tuesday that she was withdrawing from the team competition following a “stunning breakdown” at the 2020 Olympic Games, citing mental health issues — and not an injury — that were exacerbated by the pressure to be “head star” at the Tokyo Games.After her unexpected departure, the USA women’s gymnastics team ended up taking home the silver medal without 24-year-old Biles, a four-time Olympic gold medalist.After a fraught performance at Tokyo prelims on Monday, Biles already seemed to be hinting at a struggle.