The Canadian Improv Games (CIG) is an education based format of improvisational theatre for Canadian high schools. To participate in the games, high school students form teams of up to 8 players and are required to pay a registration fee (if their school is not able to cover the cost). The teams compete in regional tournaments, organized and coordinated by regional Canadian Improv Games volunteers. Players perform improvised scenes, fuelled by suggestions provided by the audience. Each scene is judged based on a fixed rubric. The winning team from each region proceeds to the National Festival and Tournament held in Ottawa . The National Arts Centre is a major sponsor of the Canadian Improv Games. The National Arts Centre is the site of the National Festival and Ottawa Tournament. The Games were created by Jamie "Willie" Wyllie and Howard Jerome, based on a concept originally conceived by David Shepherd and Howard Jerome. David Shepherd was the producer of North America's first professional improvisational theater The Compass Players in Chicago, which, was the forerunner of the Second City.
78-557: There are three official formats of the Canadian Improv Games: National tournament, Junior tournament, & Online Wildcard. The National Tournament has run for over forty years and was developed with the input of hundreds of teachers and professional improvisers. The five events of the CIG challenge improvisers and their team to show a wide range of skills within a short period of time. The format also allows for
156-494: A strain of coronavirus known as "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2" ( SARS-CoV-2 ). COVID-19 is mainly transmitted when people breathe in air contaminated by droplets / aerosols and small airborne particles containing the virus. Infected people exhale those particles as they breathe, talk, cough, sneeze, or sing. Transmission is more likely the closer people are. However, infection can occur over longer distances, particularly indoors. The transmission of
234-419: A certain critical size, generally thought to be <100μm diameter, evaporate faster than they settle; due to that fact, they form respiratory aerosol particles that remain airborne for a long period of time over extensive distances. Infectivity can begin four to five days before the onset of symptoms. Infected people can spread the disease even if they are pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic . Most commonly,
312-409: A fully online tournament. In which there was three categories and three winners. A category for all junior teams, a category for senior teams who can meet safely in person, and a category for senior teams who can not meet safely online and have to do their scenes and work online, over zoom or google meet mainly. Each team will perform on at least one night of play in their regional tournament throughout
390-519: A genre but actually produce an example of that genre. A team performing a style event must tell the audience attributes of their specific style before play for sake of scoring. For example; in the style of "mime", players will not speak and all objects will be pantomimed. A handle (suggestion) is taken from the audience, as chosen by a referee. Suggestions may include occupations, relationships, non-geographical locations or objects. This event consists of one scene, from beginning to end, without narration. It
468-401: A given round. Each judge has a maximum of fifty-nine points available to award to each scene. Although there is no question that improvisation is an artistic and creative endeavour, judges also take into consideration an array of specific technical skills. These skills are making and accepting offers, advancing, listening, commitment, stakes, and staging. Judges can also awards points for skill of
546-422: A higher risk of developing severe symptoms. Some complications result in death. Some people continue to experience a range of effects ( long COVID ) for months or years after infection, and damage to organs has been observed. Multi-year studies are underway to further investigate the long-term effects of the disease. COVID‑19 transmission occurs when infectious particles are breathed in or come into contact with
624-515: A location from which to derive their characteristic(s)- i.e. a haunted house would be 'creepy'. Players should be careful, however that the Character Event does not become the "Character Trait" event. The purpose of this event is not to show forty-seven ways to be greedy. The purpose is to create a character; a character trait is only a small (but still prominent) part of that character. The improviser should have an idea of what that character
702-423: A range of effects, such as fatigue , for prolonged periods after an initial COVID-19 infection. This is the result of a condition called long COVID , which can be described as a range of persistent symptoms that continue for months or years. Long-term damage to organs has been observed after the onset of COVID-19. Multi-year studies are underway to further investigate the protracted effects of long COVID. Reducing
780-484: A scene can range from a first date or family trauma to the car not starting. The life event is not intended for broad laughter. Entertainment and humorous moments are generated from the reality of a situation or sincerity of an interaction. A common ask for in this event is "a crisis in a teenager's life." Dated versions of the Life Event stipulated "a pivotal moment in a teenager's life," as an obligatory ask-for. This
858-438: A small competition to see who gets to choose their prize first. For the 1995 season YTV (TV channel) did a broadcast showing all of the teams that made the finals. For the 2019 season Andrew Phung of Kim's Convenience fame, along with CBC Television made a mini documentary series on the canadian improv games national festival interviewing the five teams who made the finals, and the sixth place team who barely missed. At
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#1732779606020936-744: Is a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. It was first isolated from three people with pneumonia connected to the cluster of acute respiratory illness cases in Wuhan. All structural features of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus particle occur in related coronaviruses in nature, particularly in Rhinolophus sinicus (Chinese horseshoe bats). Outside the human body, the virus is destroyed by household soap which bursts its protective bubble . Hospital disinfectants, alcohols, heat, povidone-iodine , and ultraviolet -C (UV-C) irradiation are also effective disinfection methods for surfaces. SARS-CoV-2
1014-571: Is associated with COVID-19 and is reported in as many as 88% of symptomatic cases. Published data on the neuropathological changes related with COVID-19 have been limited and contentious, with neuropathological descriptions ranging from moderate to severe hemorrhagic and hypoxia phenotypes , thrombotic consequences, changes in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM-type), encephalitis and meningitis . Many COVID-19 patients with co-morbidities have hypoxia and have been in intensive care for varying lengths of time, confounding interpretation of
1092-433: Is available, guidelines and recommendations for hypertensive patients remain. The effect of the virus on ACE2 cell surfaces leads to leukocytic infiltration, increased blood vessel permeability, alveolar wall permeability, as well as decreased secretion of lung surfactants. These effects cause the majority of the respiratory symptoms. However, the aggravation of local inflammation causes a cytokine storm eventually leading to
1170-402: Is because pregnant women with COVID‑19 appear to be more likely to develop respiratory and obstetric complications that can lead to miscarriage , premature delivery and intrauterine growth restriction . Fungal infections such as aspergillosis , candidiasis , cryptococcosis and mucormycosis have been recorded in patients recovering from COVID‑19. COVID‑19 is caused by infection with
1248-522: Is closely related to the original SARS-CoV . It is thought to have an animal ( zoonotic ) origin. Genetic analysis has revealed that the coronavirus genetically clusters with the genus Betacoronavirus , in subgenus Sarbecovirus (lineage B) together with two bat-derived strains. It is 96% identical at the whole genome level to other bat coronavirus samples (BatCov RaTG13 ). The structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 include membrane glycoprotein (M), envelope protein (E), nucleocapsid protein (N), and
1326-426: Is like in all facets; not just a trait, but for example, what kind of friends that character has, what activities the character might enjoy, even a small sampling of some past experiences that character might have had. The character must be fully formed and plausible. (Can be wacky, and over the top, but they cannot be downright impossible to believe). A good Character scene is when other members are continuously endowing
1404-489: Is placed in a situation that would make them stand out. Anyone on the team can use a trait given by the audience, sometimes creating two characters on the same trait, or one on the original trait, and another on its antithesis. The team will usually ask for a character trait to use in their about-to-be-developed character(s) before they begin and some teams will even ask for other suggestions as well that they can use for inspiration, although teams may also ask for something like
1482-475: Is supplied by either a judge or referee. If a team has used the given suggestion previously, they are to do a different scene from the one they’ve done with the same suggestion. The events tend to blend into each other. Some examples: the character event is often told through segments like a theme event might be. Most events are usually told through developed characters. Any scene can show sincere and thought provoking moments, and even every event can be told through
1560-493: Is the best event. In the Story event, a team must perform "an original story in an improvised setting, including an aspect of narration." Forms of narration vary. Each improvised story must contain a beginning, middle, and end, not necessarily in that order. This is another event where the team will ask the audience for a suggestion or inspiration before they begin. It is of utmost importance that these three sections are obvious to
1638-595: Is the cause of the bud release and the formation of the viral envelope. The N and E protein are accessory proteins that interfere with the host's immune response. Human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) is the host factor that SARS-CoV-2 virus targets causing COVID‑19. Theoretically, the usage of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and ACE inhibitors upregulating ACE2 expression might increase morbidity with COVID‑19, though animal data suggest some potential protective effect of ARB; however no clinical studies have proven susceptibility or outcomes. Until further data
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#17327796060201716-469: Is the viral component that attaches to the host receptor via the ACE2 receptors. It includes two subunits: S1 and S2. Studies have shown that S1 domain induced IgG and IgA antibody levels at a much higher capacity. It is the focus spike proteins expression that are involved in many effective COVID‑19 vaccines. The M protein is the viral protein responsible for the transmembrane transport of nutrients. It
1794-436: Is used to specify the type of suggestion the team requires to fuel their scene. An ask-for can be a variety of things, ranging from, the title of a song, a non-geographical location, or simply an adjective. Scenes may last up to 4 minutes, and a whistle will be blown when the allotted time is up. The team is not penalized for the having the whistle blown, it simply means the end of the scene. However, they are not required to use
1872-401: Is very similar to Story. This style is not performed during Nationals however it is often seen at practice competitions such as Moncton's November tournament. Open is a popular event for junior competitions. Before every show begins, everyone must rise and place their right hand over their heart, and their left hand on a "G-rated body part" of someone next to them. A referee will begin reciting
1950-938: The Alpha variant (B.1.1.7, formerly called the UK variant), first found in London and Kent, the Beta variant (B.1.351, formerly called the South Africa variant), the Gamma variant (P.1, formerly called the Brazil variant), the Delta variant (B.1.617.2, formerly called the India variant), and the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529), which had spread to 57 countries as of 7 December. On December 19, 2023,
2028-671: The SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV outbreaks, and consistent with other pandemics in human history. Social and environmental factors including climate change , natural ecosystem destruction and wildlife trade increased the likelihood of such zoonotic spillover . The disease quickly spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic . The symptoms of COVID‑19 are variable but often include fever, fatigue, cough, breathing difficulties , loss of smell , and loss of taste . Symptoms may begin one to fourteen days after exposure to
2106-588: The Spanish flu , Middle East respiratory syndrome , and Zika virus . In January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended 2019-nCoV and 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease as interim names for the virus and disease per 2015 guidance and international guidelines against using geographical locations or groups of people in disease and virus names to prevent social stigma . The official names COVID‑19 and SARS-CoV-2 were issued by
2184-482: The small intestine . The virus can cause acute myocardial injury and chronic damage to the cardiovascular system . An acute cardiac injury was found in 12% of infected people admitted to the hospital in Wuhan, China, and is more frequent in severe disease. Rates of cardiovascular symptoms are high, owing to the systemic inflammatory response and immune system disorders during disease progression, but acute myocardial injuries may also be related to ACE2 receptors in
2262-710: The spike protein (S). The M protein of SARS-CoV-2 is about 98% similar to the M protein of bat SARS-CoV, maintains around 98% homology with pangolin SARS-CoV, and has 90% homology with the M protein of SARS-CoV; whereas, the similarity is only around 38% with the M protein of MERS-CoV . The many thousands of SARS-CoV-2 variants are grouped into either clades or lineages . The WHO, in collaboration with partners, expert networks, national authorities, institutions and researchers, have established nomenclature systems for naming and tracking SARS-CoV-2 genetic lineages by GISAID , Nextstrain and Pango . The expert group convened by
2340-612: The 2021 Canadian Screen Awards Andrew Phung won the award for best host, web program or series for his work on the CBC series. COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID-19 ) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 . The first known case was identified in Wuhan , China, in December 2019. Most scientists believe the SARS-CoV-2 virus entered into human populations through natural zoonosis , similar to
2418-548: The B.1 lineage. Several notable variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerged throughout 2020. Cluster 5 emerged among minks and mink farmers in Denmark . After strict quarantines and the slaughter of all the country's mink , the cluster was assessed to no longer be circulating among humans in Denmark as of 1 February 2021. As of December 2021 , there are five dominant variants of SARS-CoV-2 spreading among global populations:
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2496-542: The CNS, possibly within an infected white blood cell. Research conducted when Alpha was the dominant variant has suggested COVID-19 may cause brain damage. Later research showed that all variants studied (including Omicron) killed brain cells, but the exact cells killed varied by variant. It is unknown if such damage is temporary or permanent. Observed individuals infected with COVID-19 (most with mild cases) experienced an additional 0.2% to 2% of brain tissue lost in regions of
2574-562: The COVID-19 infection may have different symptoms, and their symptoms may change over time. Three common clusters of symptoms have been identified: a respiratory symptom cluster with cough, sputum , shortness of breath , and fever; a musculoskeletal symptom cluster with muscle and joint pain, headache, and fatigue; and a cluster of digestive symptoms with abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. In people without prior ear, nose, or throat disorders, loss of taste combined with loss of smell
2652-487: The Harold style). The connection to the theme may be literal or figurative. Style showcases the team's ability to portray a certain genre of media, usually from film, theater or television. Mime, cheesy horror film, slam poetry, Musical theater, Shakespearean play, and infomercial are examples of different styles that have been seen in performances. Teams may put a lot of research into the style. They are not meant to parody
2730-622: The National Tournament in Ottawa. Teams submit a video of their events taped in front of a live audience. Once submitted these are then sent to the Online Wildcard Judges and Adjudicators who will then send crucial feedback that will help the growth of the team and to select a winner. The Junior Tournament is similar to the National Tournament with a few exceptions. Its focus is on younger students, grades 7–10, and
2808-544: The Oath as the audience and players repeat it: Teams generally meet up about an hour before the show to warm-up altogether with the referees. The overall purpose of the games is to be a "loving competition", so a joint warm-up helps with this feeling of camaraderie, the referees tend to spread out the teams into groups of members of other teams as to build a friendly bond for the competition. French: C'est quoi dans la boite? Je ne sais pas! ; Russian: Что в коробке? "What's in
2886-475: The WHO declared that another distinctive variant, JN.1, had emerged as a "variant of interest". Though the WHO expected an increase in cases globally, particularly for countries entering winter, the overall global health risk was considered low. The SARS-CoV-2 virus can infect a wide range of cells and systems of the body. COVID‑19 is most known for affecting the upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, and throat) and
2964-759: The WHO on 11 February 2020 with COVID-19 being shorthand for "coronavirus disease 2019". The WHO additionally uses "the COVID‑19 virus" and "the virus responsible for COVID‑19" in public communications. The symptoms of COVID-19 are variable depending on the type of variant contracted, ranging from mild symptoms to a potentially fatal illness. Common symptoms include coughing , fever , loss of smell (anosmia) and taste (ageusia), with less common ones including headaches , nasal congestion and runny nose , muscle pain , sore throat , diarrhea , eye irritation , and toes swelling or turning purple, and in moderate to severe cases, breathing difficulties . People with
3042-551: The WHO recommended the labelling of variants using letters of the Greek alphabet , for example, Alpha , Beta , Delta , and Gamma , giving the justification that they "will be easier and more practical to discussed by non-scientific audiences". Nextstrain divides the variants into five clades (19A, 19B, 20A, 20B, and 20C), while GISAID divides them into seven (L, O, V, S, G, GH, and GR). The Pango tool groups variants into lineages , with many circulating lineages being classed under
3120-527: The audience (read: stalling). This is a great time to do What’s In The Box or other announcements. • A referee or judge reads out the scores. Each Regional tournament will offer a number of workshop and performance opportunities to teams throughout the year. The Season typically runs September to February, with registration starting in September, Workshops October & November and Exhibition rounds December & January. Regional Tournaments, depending on
3198-401: The audience, because it is those elements that define the scene as a story. The Character event does not have to be a scene but it usually ends up being one, as the main purpose for this event is to show how well the team can develop and use a character that they create usually based on audience suggestion. It is usually best when a character trait is blown out of proportion or if the character
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3276-409: The box" is a popular Improv fundraiser in which the hosts gather a variety of prizes, put them in a box, and sell off raffle tickets for various prices. Halfway through the show the officials will give a hint distantly related to the contents of the box when time comes the official will explain the clue usually in a run on sentence. As prizes are given out the teams are encouraged to say there are more as
3354-515: The brain connected to the sense of smell compared with uninfected individuals, and the overall effect on the brain was equivalent on average to at least one extra year of normal ageing; infected individuals also scored lower on several cognitive tests. All effects were more pronounced among older ages. The virus also affects gastrointestinal organs as ACE2 is abundantly expressed in the glandular cells of gastric , duodenal and rectal epithelium as well as endothelial cells and enterocytes of
3432-591: The brain found as complications leading to death in people infected with COVID‑19. Infection may initiate a chain of vasoconstrictive responses within the body, including pulmonary vasoconstriction – a possible mechanism in which oxygenation decreases during pneumonia. Furthermore, damage of arterioles and capillaries was found in brain tissue samples of people who died from COVID‑19. COVID‑19 may also cause substantial structural changes to blood cells , sometimes persisting for months after hospital discharge. A low level of blood lymphocytess may result from
3510-428: The brains of those who have died from COVID‑19, but these results need to be confirmed. While virus has been detected in cerebrospinal fluid of autopsies, the exact mechanism by which it invades the CNS remains unclear and may first involve invasion of peripheral nerves given the low levels of ACE2 in the brain. The virus may also enter the bloodstream from the lungs and cross the blood–brain barrier to gain access to
3588-472: The character and giving him/her chances to show off the character trait. In the Theme event, the teams are "given a theme which they must explore in one or more scenes." Theme is quite unique and different from the other games as unlike the other events where the inspiration and suggestion comes from the audience, theme suggestions can come in various ways and is usually given to the team by the host. However, if
3666-544: The chosen suggestion(s) are announced, the team has 15 seconds to huddle, and then the play begins. • Each scene has a four minute time limit, although teams can end the scene at any time during that time period. • Once the scene is done the team sits, and the referee calls out the next team and event. Repeat. • The judging panel is often introduced between rounds along with other relevant announcements and an intermission. • After all play has completed, judges go backstage to tally their scores, and referees/ volunteers spend time with
3744-409: The clear jelly liquid found in lung autopsies of people who died of COVID-19. One possibility addressed in medical research is that hyuralonic acid (HA) could be the leading factor for this observation of the clear jelly liquid found in the lungs, in what could be hyuralonic storm, in conjunction with cytokine storm . One common symptom, loss of smell, results from infection of the support cells of
3822-406: The data. Of people who show symptoms, 81% develop only mild to moderate symptoms (up to mild pneumonia ), while 14% develop severe symptoms ( dyspnea , hypoxia , or more than 50% lung involvement on imaging) that require hospitalization, and 5% of patients develop critical symptoms ( respiratory failure , septic shock , or multiorgan dysfunction ) requiring ICU admission. At least a third of
3900-448: The duration of the school year. The regional tournament is the competitive culmination of a season’s worth of training, practicing, rehearsing and performing. Many regions hold exhibition nights of play in addition to the competitive tournament. At regional and nationals a typical night of play goes like this: • Teams arrive early to warm up and provide the head referee with the events they will play that evening. • As show time approaches,
3978-533: The entire 4 minutes. Before performing a scene, the players may 'huddle' for up to 15 seconds to prepare and briefly discuss the upcoming scene. This also allows the opportunity for players to discuss the suggestion. Time calls from linespersons change and vary depending on location but one minute and thirty second time calls have been implemented in the 2008 season. Judges are Canadian Improv Games volunteers, often accredited with theatre and improv experience. They are responsible for watching and scoring each scene in
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#17327796060204056-405: The event, use of suggestion, interest, and risk. Most scenes incorporate the "five elements" which include, location, relationship and characters, conflict, raising of the stakes, and a resolution. Scenes are judged out of a maximum total of 59 points. In the 2021 season due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and it not being safe to continue on with the tournament in person the games were continued with
4134-721: The expression of ACE-2, thereby facilitating the SARS-Cov2 virus to enter cells and to replicate. A competition of negative feedback loops (via protective effects of interferon alpha) and positive feedback loops (via upregulation of ACE-2) is assumed to determine the fate of patients suffering from COVID-19. Additionally, people with COVID‑19 and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have classical serum biomarkers of CRS, including elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), D-dimer , and ferritin . Systemic inflammation results in vasodilation , allowing inflammatory lymphocytic and monocytic infiltration of
4212-428: The eyes, nose, or mouth. The risk is highest when people are in close proximity, but small airborne particles containing the virus can remain suspended in the air and travel over longer distances, particularly indoors. Transmission can also occur when people touch their eyes, nose or mouth after touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated by the virus. People remain contagious for up to 20 days and can spread
4290-525: The face. While drugs have been developed to inhibit the virus, the primary treatment is still symptomatic , managing the disease through supportive care , isolation , and experimental measures . During the initial outbreak in Wuhan , the virus and disease were commonly referred to as "coronavirus" and "Wuhan coronavirus", with the disease sometimes called "Wuhan pneumonia". In the past, many diseases have been named after geographical locations, such as
4368-523: The heart. ACE2 receptors are highly expressed in the heart and are involved in heart function. A high incidence of thrombosis and venous thromboembolism occurs in people transferred to intensive care units with COVID‑19 infections, and may be related to poor prognosis. Blood vessel dysfunction and clot formation (as suggested by high D-dimer levels caused by blood clots) may have a significant role in mortality, incidents of clots leading to pulmonary embolisms , and ischaemic events (strokes) within
4446-503: The host cell. Following viral entry, COVID‑19 infects the ciliated epithelium of the nasopharynx and upper airways. Autopsies of people who died of COVID‑19 have found diffuse alveolar damage , and lymphocyte-containing inflammatory infiltrates within the lung. From the CT scans of COVID-19 infected lungs, white patches were observed containing fluid known as ground-glass opacity (GGO) or simply ground glass. This tended to correlate with
4524-645: The improvisers to demonstrate and develop social and life skills such as listening, cooperation, teamwork, and being able to work under pressure. The top 18 teams from the Regions across Canada travel to Ottawa to compete one night, with the top 5 moving forward to the National Finals. The Online Wildcard is open to registered Canadian Improv Games student teams and offers an additional opportunity to receive feedback on their performances from CIG judges and trainers while also getting an extra chance to qualify for
4602-528: The infection, children may develop paediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome , which has symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease , which can be fatal. In very rare cases, acute encephalopathy can occur, and it can be considered in those who have been diagnosed with COVID‑19 and have an altered mental status. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , pregnant women are at increased risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID‑19. This
4680-508: The lens of a style, such as a life event in the style of absurdist media. Therefore while the judging is different based on what event it is, all of the events are fundamentally the same. In the Life event the team must present an improvised scene "honestly and sincerely." This may include "moments" in people's lives or merely a realistic representation of an unrealistic situation. Events in a life scene must be dealt with truthfully. The premise of
4758-454: The lower respiratory tract (windpipe and lungs). The lungs are the organs most affected by COVID‑19 because the virus accesses host cells via the receptor for the enzyme angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is most abundant on the surface of type II alveolar cells of the lungs. The virus uses a special surface glycoprotein called a " spike " to connect to the ACE2 receptor and enter
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#17327796060204836-409: The lung and the heart. In particular, pathogenic GM-CSF-secreting T cells were shown to correlate with the recruitment of inflammatory IL-6-secreting monocytes and severe lung pathology in people with COVID‑19. Lymphocytic infiltrates have also been reported at autopsy. Multiple viral and host factors affect the pathogenesis of the virus. The S-protein , otherwise known as the spike protein,
4914-447: The moment a person first becomes infected and the appearance of the first symptoms. The median delay for COVID-19 is four to five days possibly being infectious on 1–4 of those days. Most symptomatic people experience symptoms within two to seven days after exposure, and almost all will experience at least one symptom within 12 days. Most people recover from the acute phase of the disease. However, some people continue to experience
4992-504: The official prompts by saying "But wait..." prior to pulling out another object. The many mystery prizes within the box will be revealed and usually tied to a theme by the presenters as drawn out of the box. These prizes are often "silly" prizes such as odd books and bars of soap as well as Canadian Improv Games merchandise. Often a "real" prize will also be offered for selection (such as chocolates, CDs and gift cards), in which case two raffle winners are selected and often have to participate in
5070-480: The olfactory epithelium , with subsequent damage to the olfactory neurons . The involvement of both the central and peripheral nervous system in COVID‑19 has been reported in many medical publications. It is clear that many people with COVID-19 exhibit neurological or mental health issues . The virus is not detected in the central nervous system (CNS) of the majority of COVID-19 patients with neurological issues . However, SARS-CoV-2 has been detected at low levels in
5148-509: The option of maintaining 2 alternate players; it is recommended that teams have no less than five players. There are 5 events in the Canadian Improv Games, including: Life, Character, Style, Story and Theme (and open as opposed to life in junior tournaments). Teams must perform 4 of these 5 events, including mandatory Theme and Life scenes. During a night of play, the players will provide the audience with an ask-for. An ask-for
5226-488: The peak viral load in upper respiratory tract samples occurs close to the time of symptom onset and declines after the first week after symptoms begin. Current evidence suggests a duration of viral shedding and the period of infectiousness of up to ten days following symptom onset for people with mild to moderate COVID-19, and up to 20 days for persons with severe COVID-19, including immunocompromised people. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
5304-411: The people who are infected with the virus do not develop noticeable symptoms at any point in time. These asymptomatic carriers tend not to get tested and can still spread the disease. Other infected people will develop symptoms later (called "pre-symptomatic") or have very mild symptoms and can also spread the virus. As is common with infections, there is a delay, or incubation period , between
5382-589: The region will happen in January or February with the National Tournament taking place in April. Depending on how large a region is both geographically and team-wise there may be an introduction to Zones, winners of Zones move on to the Regional Tournaments semi-finals and finals round. If a team is provided a suggestion that they do not understand they are allowed to request a definition, which
5460-416: The respiratory tract, people with severe COVID‑19 have symptoms of systemic hyperinflammation. Clinical laboratory findings of elevated IL‑2 , IL‑6 , IL‑7 , as well as the following suggest an underlying immunopathology: Interferon alpha plays a complex, Janus-faced role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Although it promotes the elimination of virus-infected cells, it also upregulates
5538-859: The risk of long COVID includes staying up to date on the most recent COVID-19 vaccine, practicing good hygiene, maintaining clean indoor air, and physical distancing from people infected with a respiratory virus. Complications may include pneumonia , acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multi-organ failure , septic shock , and death. Cardiovascular complications may include heart failure, arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation ), heart inflammation , thrombosis , particularly venous thromboembolism , and endothelial cell injury and dysfunction. Approximately 20–30% of people who present with COVID‑19 have elevated liver enzymes , reflecting liver injury. Neurologic manifestations include seizure , stroke, encephalitis , and Guillain–Barré syndrome (which includes loss of motor functions ). Following
5616-480: The team lines up backstage. • Referees introduce themselves on stage, then the teams. • Head referee leads everyone in recitation of the Canadian Improv Games Oath. • Head referee announces which team will play and what event will be played. The order in which teams appear in each round is randomized ahead of time. • Teams solicit suggestions from the audience with the aid of the referees. • Once
5694-442: The team wishes, they are allowed to ask for another suggestion from the audience. For example, this could be a location in which to explore the theme in. Suggestions could be fortune cookie sayings, haiku or just a single word. Once given their theme suggestion teams must explore that theme in as many ways as possible. This may be done as one scene or as a series of vignettes (the overwhelmingly most popular approach, also known as
5772-516: The virus acting through ACE2-related entry into lymphocytes. Another common cause of death is complications related to the kidneys . Early reports show that up to 30% of hospitalised patients both in China and in New York have experienced some injury to their kidneys, including some persons with no previous kidney problems. Although SARS-CoV-2 has a tropism for ACE2-expressing epithelial cells of
5850-752: The virus even if they do not develop symptoms. Testing methods for COVID-19 to detect the virus's nucleic acid include real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‑PCR), transcription-mediated amplification , and reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT‑LAMP) from a nasopharyngeal swab . Several COVID-19 vaccines have been approved and distributed in various countries, many of which have initiated mass vaccination campaigns . Other preventive measures include physical or social distancing , quarantining , ventilation of indoor spaces, use of face masks or coverings in public, covering coughs and sneezes, hand washing , and keeping unwashed hands away from
5928-509: The virus is carried out through virus-laden fluid particles, or droplets, which are created in the respiratory tract, and they are expelled by the mouth and the nose. There are three types of transmission: "droplet" and "contact", which are associated with large droplets, and "airborne", which is associated with small droplets. If the droplets are above a certain critical size, they settle faster than they evaporate , and therefore they contaminate surfaces surrounding them. Droplets that are below
6006-464: The virus. At least a third of people who are infected do not develop noticeable symptoms . Of those who develop symptoms noticeable enough to be classified as patients, most (81%) develop mild to moderate symptoms (up to mild pneumonia ), while 14% develop severe symptoms ( dyspnea , hypoxia , or more than 50% lung involvement on imaging), and 5% develop critical symptoms ( respiratory failure , shock , or multiorgan dysfunction ). Older people are at
6084-472: Was created to help build strong leadership skills within younger students. This format also focuses younger improvisers on the basic scene structure with the addition of the Open Event. This additional format also allows for more stage time for younger players to gain confidence and performance experience in front of an audience. The teams consist of no more than eight performing members. Teams are given
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