Our work has been motivated by a desire to hold the government accountable and improve the lives of Nova Scotians. We've been fighting for healthier spaces & better public health strategies as part of the battle against authoritarianism.
PoPNS
Protect Our Province Nova Scotia (PoPNS) is a community care initiative focused on reducing COVID transmission through evidence-based mitigation methods.
www.popns.org
February 21, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Our work has been motivated by a desire to hold the government accountable and improve the lives of Nova Scotians. We've been fighting for healthier spaces & better public health strategies as part of the battle against authoritarianism.
You can now borrow PC-fan air purifiers in Halifax!
Clean Air Library HRM is a collaboration between @mask4mask_queers_hfx and PoPNS that lends free air purifiers to community members hosting events.
Clean Air Library HRM is a collaboration between @mask4mask_queers_hfx and PoPNS that lends free air purifiers to community members hosting events.
PoPNS - Clean Air Library HRM
Clean Air Library HRM is a collaboration between PoPNS and Mask 4 Mask Queers Halifax that lends free air purifiers to community members hosting events. Whether you’re planning a small get-together or...
sites.google.com
April 3, 2025 at 11:53 AM
You can now borrow PC-fan air purifiers in Halifax!
Clean Air Library HRM is a collaboration between @mask4mask_queers_hfx and PoPNS that lends free air purifiers to community members hosting events.
Clean Air Library HRM is a collaboration between @mask4mask_queers_hfx and PoPNS that lends free air purifiers to community members hosting events.
For a second season, PoPNS will be hosting informal Covid-safer kids' soccer practices in the Halifax area!
This is open to any skill level.
If you're interested in learning more, please email shiralurie@gmail.com
This is open to any skill level.
If you're interested in learning more, please email shiralurie@gmail.com
July 12, 2025 at 12:32 PM
For a second season, PoPNS will be hosting informal Covid-safer kids' soccer practices in the Halifax area!
This is open to any skill level.
If you're interested in learning more, please email shiralurie@gmail.com
This is open to any skill level.
If you're interested in learning more, please email shiralurie@gmail.com
Please read our statement on the PoPNS homepage:
PoPNS
Protect Our Province Nova Scotia (PoPNS) is a community care initiative focused on reducing COVID transmission through evidence-based mitigation methods.
www.popns.org
February 24, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Please read our statement on the PoPNS homepage:
PoPNS members are distributing free N95 respirators on Spring Garden Road in Halifax. We're at the entrance to the Public Gardens right now! @popns.bsky.social
May 16, 2026 at 5:19 PM
PoPNS members are distributing free N95 respirators on Spring Garden Road in Halifax. We're at the entrance to the Public Gardens right now! @popns.bsky.social
Hey Halifax people who host shows, markets, parties, etc. - want to make your events safer and more accessible? You can now borrow air purifiers for free! Info and booking form here: www.popns.org/community-ca...
April 16, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Hey Halifax people who host shows, markets, parties, etc. - want to make your events safer and more accessible? You can now borrow air purifiers for free! Info and booking form here: www.popns.org/community-ca...
Last September's rapid test/mask giveaway on Spring Garden Road feat. @sujo.bsky.social and @publicpubics.bsky.social and other dedicated PoPNS members.
March 15, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Last September's rapid test/mask giveaway on Spring Garden Road feat. @sujo.bsky.social and @publicpubics.bsky.social and other dedicated PoPNS members.
This will result in more effective infection control!
If you're looking for respirator masks, you can reach out to PoPNS or Mask Bloc HFX, or pick-up at:
▫️Venus Envy
▫️Cape & Cowl Comics
▫️HFX Community Fridge
▫️Dartmouth Community Fridge
▫️Cole Harbour Community Fridge
If you're looking for respirator masks, you can reach out to PoPNS or Mask Bloc HFX, or pick-up at:
▫️Venus Envy
▫️Cape & Cowl Comics
▫️HFX Community Fridge
▫️Dartmouth Community Fridge
▫️Cole Harbour Community Fridge
Effective December 18, Nova Scotia Health is requiring everyone to wear a mask in their facilities. 👏👏👏
Please protect yourselves and others during this season of illness by wearing a mask, staying home when sick, getting vaccinated, and increasing ventilation & filtration.
Please protect yourselves and others during this season of illness by wearing a mask, staying home when sick, getting vaccinated, and increasing ventilation & filtration.
December 17, 2025 at 4:30 PM
This will result in more effective infection control!
If you're looking for respirator masks, you can reach out to PoPNS or Mask Bloc HFX, or pick-up at:
▫️Venus Envy
▫️Cape & Cowl Comics
▫️HFX Community Fridge
▫️Dartmouth Community Fridge
▫️Cole Harbour Community Fridge
If you're looking for respirator masks, you can reach out to PoPNS or Mask Bloc HFX, or pick-up at:
▫️Venus Envy
▫️Cape & Cowl Comics
▫️HFX Community Fridge
▫️Dartmouth Community Fridge
▫️Cole Harbour Community Fridge
If you've ever wondered who makes up PoPNS, we're a collection of volunteers with a variety of backgrounds. Some of us teach in the public school system & in universities. Some of us are parents. Some have backgrounds in health, law, public policy, science, and planning.
June 22, 2024 at 3:01 PM
If you've ever wondered who makes up PoPNS, we're a collection of volunteers with a variety of backgrounds. Some of us teach in the public school system & in universities. Some of us are parents. Some have backgrounds in health, law, public policy, science, and planning.
Huge shout out to the Clean Air Library HFX for loaning us air purifiers for TriCon!
We are doing what we can to provide a healthy space, incl providing masks & air purifiers, but reminder that the biggest help is to get your vaccines & stay home if you feel unwell!
www.popns.org/community-ca...
We are doing what we can to provide a healthy space, incl providing masks & air purifiers, but reminder that the biggest help is to get your vaccines & stay home if you feel unwell!
www.popns.org/community-ca...
PoPNS - Clean Air Library HRM
Clean Air Library HRM is a collaboration between PoPNS and Mask 4 Mask Queers Halifax that lends free air purifiers to community members hosting events. Whether you’re planning a small get-together or...
www.popns.org
May 2, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Huge shout out to the Clean Air Library HFX for loaning us air purifiers for TriCon!
We are doing what we can to provide a healthy space, incl providing masks & air purifiers, but reminder that the biggest help is to get your vaccines & stay home if you feel unwell!
www.popns.org/community-ca...
We are doing what we can to provide a healthy space, incl providing masks & air purifiers, but reminder that the biggest help is to get your vaccines & stay home if you feel unwell!
www.popns.org/community-ca...
the unfriendly reminder i get every time i try it on a real cab that iidx still to this day unceremoniously boots you off your credit if you dare fail a track is a good case for why popns continued to be my game of choice
September 16, 2026 at 11:10 AM
the unfriendly reminder i get every time i try it on a real cab that iidx still to this day unceremoniously boots you off your credit if you dare fail a track is a good case for why popns continued to be my game of choice
NEW PAPER: We discovered some v old but v detailed kelp data in MBA archive (Mary Parke's surveys from the 1940s!! 🤯🤯) and resurveyed some 80 years later. Found that Laminaria hyperborea popns in SW England in decline, likely to due warming.... onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
June 9, 2025 at 12:09 PM
NEW PAPER: We discovered some v old but v detailed kelp data in MBA archive (Mary Parke's surveys from the 1940s!! 🤯🤯) and resurveyed some 80 years later. Found that Laminaria hyperborea popns in SW England in decline, likely to due warming.... onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Sigh...
Advocacy group expresses concerns about Nova Scotia Health chatbot
reported by @dentremy.bsky.social
Advocacy group expresses concerns about Nova Scotia Health chatbot
reported by @dentremy.bsky.social
Advocacy group expresses concerns about Nova Scotia Health chatbot - Halifax Examiner
Protect Our Province Nova Scotia (PoPNS) said members are concerned about use of artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver health information, propensity for large language model (LLM) chatbots to “hall...
www.halifaxexaminer.ca
February 24, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Sigh...
Advocacy group expresses concerns about Nova Scotia Health chatbot
reported by @dentremy.bsky.social
Advocacy group expresses concerns about Nova Scotia Health chatbot
reported by @dentremy.bsky.social
Just a reminder, the Clean Air Library HRM lends free air purifiers to community members hosting events. Let us help you make your gatherings safer and more accessible.
Fill out the form to borrow an air purifier for your event!
www.popns.org/community-ca...
Fill out the form to borrow an air purifier for your event!
www.popns.org/community-ca...
PoPNS - Clean Air Library HRM
Clean Air Library HRM is a collaboration between PoPNS and Mask 4 Mask Queers Halifax that lends free air purifiers to community members hosting events. Whether you’re planning a small get-together or...
www.popns.org
May 6, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Just a reminder, the Clean Air Library HRM lends free air purifiers to community members hosting events. Let us help you make your gatherings safer and more accessible.
Fill out the form to borrow an air purifier for your event!
www.popns.org/community-ca...
Fill out the form to borrow an air purifier for your event!
www.popns.org/community-ca...
I like that idea. Every time we (PoPNS) do giveaways on that corner I am distracted by the constant pedestrian-vehicle conflict.
October 1, 2025 at 5:59 PM
I like that idea. Every time we (PoPNS) do giveaways on that corner I am distracted by the constant pedestrian-vehicle conflict.
And many health professionals cautioned that it was a bad idea, but Houston did it anyway and a lot of people died, and many ended up with on-going health issues from Covid infections.
PoPNS 2022 year in review.pdf
drive.google.com
February 21, 2025 at 12:51 PM
And many health professionals cautioned that it was a bad idea, but Houston did it anyway and a lot of people died, and many ended up with on-going health issues from Covid infections.
Are you in #nspoli? Do you have friends in NS? POPNS does amazing work! Mask bloc, op eds, mutual aid, advocacy - with an election in NS now is the perfect time to reach out to POPNS if you would like to help advocate for clean air, paid sick days, vaccine access, long COVID care, Paxlovid, etc!
If you've ever wondered who makes up PoPNS, we're a collection of volunteers with a variety of backgrounds. Some of us teach in the public school system & in universities. Some of us are parents. Some have backgrounds in health, law, public policy, science, and planning.
November 17, 2024 at 10:21 PM
Are you in #nspoli? Do you have friends in NS? POPNS does amazing work! Mask bloc, op eds, mutual aid, advocacy - with an election in NS now is the perfect time to reach out to POPNS if you would like to help advocate for clean air, paid sick days, vaccine access, long COVID care, Paxlovid, etc!
Halifax: Tomorrow should be a lovely day to get some free tools that keep yourself and others from getting sick during summer outings/travel!
PoPNS is giving out some of the comfier n95s that you can find.
PoPNS is giving out some of the comfier n95s that you can find.
Tomorrow, May 16, we'll be giving away masks!
Come see us at 2:00 pm in front of the Halifax Public Gardens' main gate and replenish your stock!
Come see us at 2:00 pm in front of the Halifax Public Gardens' main gate and replenish your stock!
May 15, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Halifax: Tomorrow should be a lovely day to get some free tools that keep yourself and others from getting sick during summer outings/travel!
PoPNS is giving out some of the comfier n95s that you can find.
PoPNS is giving out some of the comfier n95s that you can find.
In detail: Hegseth scaled back requirements in May '25, starting w/ reservists and National Guard, then incoming recruits. Flu shots exert max effects for 6-8 months, then fade. In fully vaxxed popns the residual is usually enough to cover the year. But w/ lots of ppl on base unvaxxed for >1 yr....
June 19, 2026 at 4:05 PM
In detail: Hegseth scaled back requirements in May '25, starting w/ reservists and National Guard, then incoming recruits. Flu shots exert max effects for 6-8 months, then fade. In fully vaxxed popns the residual is usually enough to cover the year. But w/ lots of ppl on base unvaxxed for >1 yr....
Interestingly, the bat populations in Europe were always much lower than in NAm and nobody knew why. Now we think that a white-nose syndrome-like disease swept through their bat popns a few centuries ago and what we are seeing is a slow, continual recovery of European bat popns.
October 2, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Interestingly, the bat populations in Europe were always much lower than in NAm and nobody knew why. Now we think that a white-nose syndrome-like disease swept through their bat popns a few centuries ago and what we are seeing is a slow, continual recovery of European bat popns.
Kids deserve healthy, accessible schools. Workers are entitled to safe workplaces. Covid infection should not be the price of seeking health care in Nova Scotia. If you agree, please sign this excellent letter from PoPNS to provincial leadership. It only takes a minute!! #Halifax
It's time to hold NS public health accountable for failing to effectively communicate to Nova Scotians that Covid is airborne. We need to enact strategies that reduce airborne transmission!
Use this link to send a letter to your NS elected officials:
win.newmode.net/protectourpr...
Use this link to send a letter to your NS elected officials:
win.newmode.net/protectourpr...
New/Mode Embedded Action
win.newmode.net
November 9, 2023 at 10:32 PM
Kids deserve healthy, accessible schools. Workers are entitled to safe workplaces. Covid infection should not be the price of seeking health care in Nova Scotia. If you agree, please sign this excellent letter from PoPNS to provincial leadership. It only takes a minute!! #Halifax
We've thought a lot about Covid's effects on schools. Any of our previous op-eds can be read on our website and, unfortunately, they're as relevant now as when they were first published: www.popns.org/advocacy/in-...
PoPNS - In the media
In the media
Op-eds
Susan Joudrey (23 October 2025). "Still waiting for clean air in N.S. schools". Halifax Examiner.
Martha Walls (6 August 2024). "Survey reveals Nova Scotians concerned about removi...
www.popns.org
April 17, 2026 at 7:11 PM
We've thought a lot about Covid's effects on schools. Any of our previous op-eds can be read on our website and, unfortunately, they're as relevant now as when they were first published: www.popns.org/advocacy/in-...
Advocacy group expresses concerns about Nova Scotia Health chatbot
By @dentremy.bsky.social
By @dentremy.bsky.social
Advocacy group expresses concerns about Nova Scotia Health chatbot - Halifax Examiner
Protect Our Province Nova Scotia (PoPNS) said members are concerned about use of artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver health information, propensity for large language model (LLM) chatbots to “hall...
www.halifaxexaminer.ca
February 24, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Advocacy group expresses concerns about Nova Scotia Health chatbot
By @dentremy.bsky.social
By @dentremy.bsky.social
In the past year, PoPNS, as a group of volunteers, has focussed more on action than advocacy. We're still engaged in advocacy work like letter & phone campaigns, FOIPOP requests, and op-ed writing. 🧵
January 3, 2024 at 3:21 PM
In the past year, PoPNS, as a group of volunteers, has focussed more on action than advocacy. We're still engaged in advocacy work like letter & phone campaigns, FOIPOP requests, and op-ed writing. 🧵
PoPNS will be hosting informal covid-safer kids soccer practices in the Halifax area. If you're interested in learning more, please email shiralurie@gmail.com
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August 5, 2024 at 3:13 PM
PoPNS will be hosting informal covid-safer kids soccer practices in the Halifax area. If you're interested in learning more, please email shiralurie@gmail.com
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