New research has revealed that despite the supposedly sex-conducive atmosphere the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has produced — stay-at-home orders, few options for outdoor activities, physically distancing from people not in your bubble — Canadians are having less sex, not more. This is also being attributed to the enduring COVID-19 pandemic and the stress and anxiety that’s accompanied it.

This is a shame, really, because as the University of Toronto’s Yuliya Rackal writes today in The Conversation Canada, sex is a great alleviator of stress. Rackal points out that those who are more flexible in their approach have adapted “their sexual lives in creative ways are thriving despite the swirling pandemic storm.”

Also today:

Regards,

Nehal El-Hadi

Science + Technology Editor
Sex can improve a person’s psychological, mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. (Shutterstock)

Canadians are having less sex, not more, during the coronavirus pandemic

Yuliya Rackal, University of Toronto

Research has shown that healthy, consensual and enjoyable sex is a great way to improve coping abilities. But during the pandemic, when resilience is valuable, Canadians are having less sex, not more.
Those that were killed were targeted not only because of their race and gender but also their perceived work and immigration status. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

The Atlanta attacks were not just racist and misogynist, they painfully reflect the society we live in

Jamie Chai Yun Liew, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

In trying to make sense of the recent mass killing in Georgia, it's important to see that it was more than just violence against women and anti-Asian hate.
Although a product of the current cultural environment, QAnon also reproduces trends and dynamics from the earliest history of Christianity. (Shutterstock)

History repeats itself: From the New Testament to QAnon

Timothy Pettipiece, Carleton University

A revisionist reading of reality, in which social and political events are only understood by a chosen few, is the basis of the QAnon gospel.
Former Gov. Gen. Julie Payette invests Jeanette Corbiere Lavell, from Wikwemikong First Nation, Ont., as a Member of the Order of Canada outside Rideau Hall in Ottawa in September 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

The search for a new governor general is tough in a disparate nation like Canada

Thomas Klassen, York University, Canada

Canada's new governor general will have to fuse the British, French, American and Indigenous elements of Canada that together are the core of the country.
Recent layoffs at Bell Media Inc. and Huffington Post Canada have revealed the increasing precarity of journalism work. (Shutterstock)

Journalism jobs are precarious, financially insecure and require family support

Erin Reid, McMaster University; Farnaz Ghaedipour, McMaster University

A rise in contract and gig work in professional and creative fields is affecting steady employment. Research shows that to maintain a career in these fields, a worker needs to consider family.
Family members’ involvement in encouraging children’s reading and writing in everyday play and family life can make a difference to children’s literacy achievement. (Shutterstock)

To help children learn how to read in the pandemic, encourage writing messages as part of play

Shelley Stagg Peterson, University of Toronto

When children write out treasure hunt clues and shopping lists to play grocery store, they're learning to read and write.
When should the public be able to see what this camera captures? AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes

Police and civilians disagree on when body camera footage should be made public

Dan Bromberg, University of New Hampshire; Étienne Charbonneau, École nationale d'administration publique (ENAP)

Nonwhites were less willing to wait for an internal investigation to wrap up before seeing the footage.

La Conversation Canada
shutterstock. Shutterstock

Pour l'environnement, il faut réinventer l'industrie du transport aérien

Thierry Lefèvre, Université Laval

La réduction de l’empreinte carbone du secteur du transport aérien demandera une transformation du modèle d’affaire, de vision et une gouvernance diligente.

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