The New Reality

Tonight: New evidence is emerging that the coronavirus could lead to debilitating neurological symptoms – even in those who only had mild COVID-19 illness. We speak with scientists searching for answers. Also, months after the horrific 13-hour mass shooting that left 22 people dead, the people of Portapique, N.S. are traumatized, struggling to find peace – and some residents tell us they can’t stay.

As the world continues to fight COVID-19, there's a different global health crisis that has been pushed into the background. Antimicrobial resistance, or AMR, is projected to claim 10 million lives every year by 2050. In this week’s episode of The New Reality, Candace Daniel explains how superbugs were already on the rise and why experts believe the pandemic has made the situation worse. Plus, gamers are skilled at saving fictional worlds from virtual bad guys, but some players are now using their platform and skills in a real-world battle: helping scientists fight COVID-19. And as John Hua discovered, there are two Canadians at the centre of it all.

Turning on the tap and getting clean, fresh drinking water is something most of us take for granted. Yet, it is still a dream for people in dozens of First Nations communities across this country. A year-long joint investigation by a consortium of universities and media organizations including Global News, APTN News, and the Institute for Investigative Journalism reveals allegations of flawed and incomplete work being done as well as a lack of federal oversight as part of the problem.

The detention and secretive trials of the two Michaels in China have made international headlines, but there are more than 100 Canadians being held there. On this episode of The New Reality, Jeff Semple speaks to the wife of Huseyin Celil, who was imprisoned more than 15 years ago after speaking out on behalf of the Uyghur Muslim minority and examines China’s use of so-called ‘hostage diplomacy’. And, death is never easy to talk about and, during the pandemic, it's been especially difficult without the ability to gather with friends and family for comfort. Enter Tom Morton, who is a funeral celebrant. He helps mourners confront the loss of loved ones in a positive way, to celebrate life, rather than try to avoid death. Dawna Friesen talked to Tom from his home in the Shetland Islands.

Warning: Disturbing Content. The consequences of the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan could be most serious for one particular group: women. On this week’s episode of The New Reality, Mike Armstrong speaks to Afghan women - some who managed to escape, and some who were left behind -- who demonstrated extraordinary courage speaking out about their lives, and their future. Plus, now that the Taliban are back in control of Afghanistan, the rest of the world has a decision to make. Do we engage with them? Is diplomacy even possible? Dawna Friesen talks with Omar Samad, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Ottawa from 2004 to 2009, about the future of his country and Canada’s role in it.

Blockchain is the technology that underpins Bitcoin, but its potential goes far beyond cryptocurrency. Despite the ever-growing carbon footprint of mining bitcoins, it's possible that blockchain could even help tackle climate change. It could also change the way we live in many other ways. Redmond Shannon reports for The New Reality. Poetry is having a moment in Canada. There is a surge of young poets, many of whom represent minority communities, who are writing about their deeply personal experiences. It’s an art form that is especially suited to speaking to the moment, at a time of uncertainty and high anxiety, like during a pandemic. Robin Gill reports for The New Reality.