Is it ethical to use an experimental treatment for patients with the Ebola virus?

In the wake of one of the most feared epidemics in recent memory, a controversy has been brewing as to whether the administration of untested antivirals is ethical. My vote is an unwavering yes!

In 2010, KGH made a bold move: the hospital eliminated visiting hours, allowing patients’ loved ones to be at their bedsides at any hour of the day. Though this trend had taken off in the United States, few hospitals in Canada had taken the leap.

Since then, 20 other Canadian hospitals and healthcare facilities have followed suit, and many other institutions easing restrictions on visiting hours.

My friends Ron and Edda Laxer were visiting in Kingston this weekend. Ron and Edda are both very fit, and Ron is increasingly finding ways to stay in shape. He introduced me to a product called ‘Fitbit’, which is a small device worn on your wrist to track your activity: your steps, your calories burned and much more. It communicates through Bluetooth with any smart-like device; an iPhone, an iPad or equivalent.

After a long few months, I am on vacation! I am leaving the dean’s office in the capable hands of my Executive Vice Dean, Iain Young, and I’m taking off. Our plans are to chill out and relax in Kingston for a week. Then Cheryl, I and our youngest son Gabe are off to London, England. We are going to attend Gabe’s graduation ceremony from his Master’s degree in political science at the University of Essex. He is planning on attending Queen Mary University of London law school next year, so Cheryl and I will be assisting him in finding a place to live in London.