Health

WINNIPEG — Five Manitobans, including a pastor who openly defied COVID-19 restrictions, have been convicted of repeatedly violating pandemic public health orders and are to learn their sentence Thursday.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal ruling that gender dysphoria is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act could help block conservative political efforts to restrict access to gender-affirming care, advocates and experts say.

BALTIMORE (AP) — A Texas man was sentenced to six months in federal prison Tuesday for threatening a Maryland doctor who has been a prominent advocate for COVID-19 vaccines, a federal prosecutor said.

The compound in psychedelic mushrooms helped heavy drinkers cut back or quit entirely in the most rigorous test of psilocybin for alcoholism. More research is needed to see if the effect lasts and whether it works in a larger study.

CALGARY — Ottawa has pledged $2.8 million in funding for organizations helping those who face barriers in learning about sexual and reproductive health.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pfizer's COVID-19 pill appears to provide little or no benefit for younger adults, while still reducing the risk of hospitalization and death for high-risk seniors, according to a large study published Wednesday.

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Central Newfoundland's health authority said Wednesday it is reviewing about 3,000 mammograms from the past three years for possible issues after officials discovered that some images had been analyzed using incorrect screens.

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia's government is considering private health-care options but remains committed to strengthening the public system, Premier Tim Houston said Wednesday.

MONTREAL — A bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, which targets both the original strain of the novel coronavirus and the Omicron variant, should be available for Quebecers in less than two weeks, public health director Dr. Luc Boileau said Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Officials in the Trump White House tried to pressure U.S.