Author

Brishti Basu

Brishti Basu is a reporter based in Victoria. She speaks English, Bengali, and Hindi. She is a generalist that primarily covers social issues and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as issues relevant to Victoria and Vancouver Island. Basu began her career in journalism as a reporter with Victoria Buzz in 2017, and has been published in places like VICE, The Tyee, National Geographic, BBC Future, and more. Her work so far covers a wide range of topics, from systematic racism to climate change, marine mammal welfare to culinary nomenclature, and beyond.

Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island tourism industry defends fall snowbird ads, attacks proposed travel ban

By Brishti Basu
Jan 16, 2021

Border closures and a search for warmer temperatures brought snowbirds flocking to the Island. But have travellers contributed to a surge in COVID-19?

COVID-19

You asked, he answered: our reader-driven Q&A with Richard Stanwick

By Brishti Basu
Jan 14, 2021

Vancouver Island's top doctor answers questions drawn up in consultation with Capital Daily readers

COVID-19

What we know (and don’t) about how COVID-19 affects racial minorities on Vancouver Island

By Brishti Basu
Jan 10, 2021

Experts say collecting race-based data could help drive better public health decisions, but that isn't happening

COVID-19

What will it take for Vancouver Island to achieve herd immunity?

By Brishti Basu
Dec 31, 2020

Vaccines are being rolled out, but the pace will need to dramatically increase to make a difference in everyday life

Homelessness

Central Park unhoused campers relocated for safety following harsh rain and snowfall

By Brishti Basu
Dec 22, 2020

With Central Park 'untenable' following frozen flood, some campers to be moved into parking lot at Royal Athletic Park

Homelessness

Victoria’s homeless community faces winter with unclear housing options

By Brishti Basu
Dec 17, 2020

With several uncertain proposals on offer, no one strategy is emerging to shelter people during the coldest months

Health

How an estranged Victoria family has come together to find Sean Hart

By Brishti Basu
Dec 16, 2020

Hart went missing 40 days ago today from a mental health facility in Saanich. No one has reported seeing him since, but his family has come together to make sure he's found

Overdose Crisis

Lifesaving drug test not available to users on Vancouver Island

By Brishti Basu
Dec 8, 2020

Fentanyl test strips are approved for use at home—but you can only get them in Vancouver and the BC Interior, baffling experts