Publication mail agreement no: 40063603 OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | SUMMER 2020 | ISSUE 115 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE TRAVEL Saint-Pierre and Miquelon FINANCE Corona Crash HEALTH Loneliness COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED SNOWBIRDING IN THE “NEW NORMAL”
Snowbirds have unique needs that we understand. Protect your home and auto with an insurance plan designed for your lifestyle. We’ll be with you all year long. Call us for a quote today 1-800.267.8000 Heading South this Winter? Endorsedby theCanadianSnowbirdAssociation. UnderwrittenbyRoyal&SunAlliance InsuranceCo. RSA isa registered tradenameofRoyal&SunAlliance InsuranceCompanyofCanada. “RSA”and theRSA logoare trademarksusedunder licence fromRSA InsuranceGroupplc
Editor’s Message CSANews© is published four times a year and is Copyright Summer 2020 by Medipac International Communications Inc., 180 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5. 416.441.7000. Subscription Price: $9.95 Canada; $20.00 U.S. and foreign. Single copy: $3.95. Prices include tax. Published by Medipac International Communications Inc. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and are not necessarily those of the CSA, Medipac International Communications Inc. or its affiliates, their Directors, Officers, or other employees or agents. Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No: 40063603. ISSN No: 1195-2393 John Hardy Barb & Ron Kroll Dr. Robert MacMillan David McPherson Andrew Moore-Crispin Dr. Susan Reicheld Rex Vogel Robert Wiersema Judith Adam Gabrielle Bauer Alexis Campbell Donna Carter Michael Coren Jennifer Cox Shari Darling James Dolan Karen Huestis Ron Steeves Garry McDonald Ted Popel Wendy Caban Bob Slack James Leroux Mike Legault John Foster James Carl Simpson Johanne Blain Michael MacKenzie Wallace Weylie President First Vice-President Second Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Past-President Director Director Director Director Director Executive Director Legal Counsel CSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Editor CSA Editor President Art Director Director of Operations Marketing & Events Specialist J. Ross Quigley Karen Huestis Christopher Davidge Peter Prusa Paula McGovern Fran Castricone SUMMER 2020 | ISSUE 115 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada. A Merv Magus Illustrator tumultuous travel season is now behind us and it is time to look forward to living our dreams, once again. Medipac was with you all the way last year and they will be doing the same again this year. COVID-19 medical claims WILL be covered by their Early Bird insurance programs and they would never cancel your policy in the middle of its term. Some small premium increases were obviously necessary, but purchasing through the Early Bird program will help to offset these with substantial discounts for loyal clients and for your claim-free years of travel. And, of course, the traditional 5% Early Bird discount still applies. The borders to the United States and most other countries are now open, or will be opening very soon, and we are free to travel again. My wife Pat and I have already booked our river cruise for next year and we are looking forward to our annual winter vacation to Florida in late November. We must all still be very careful of this nasty virus until it burns itself out, or until we find the magic bullet to kill it. Please wash your hands frequently, keep your distance from other people and wear a mask when in crowds. These are very minor things to do, in order to stay safe and happy and healthy. Have a wonderful summer. Sincerely, J. Ross Quigley Editor CSANews | SUMMER 2020 | 3
Table of Contents Features SUMMER 2020 | ISSUE 115 OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION 48 Loneliness Offsetting loneliness in yourself and others. by Dr. Robert MacMillan Health SPECIAL SECTION: snowbirding during a pandemic 34 The barrier effect by Gabrielle Bauer Get the straight facts on masks and gloves as protection against COVID-19. 36 Reducing COVID-19 risk by Dr. Susan Reicheld Can you reduce your COVID-19 risk by changing your health? 38 Fears of flying by John Hardy Travel with the new normal. 40 Know where to “go” by Alexis Campbell How to stay safe – and sanitized – on the road this fall. 44 Hotel changes by Donna Carter An concerted effort has made hotels cleaner and safer than ever before. . 46 Takeout during COVID-19 by Jennifer Cox What restaurants are doing, and what you should do, too. 47 Longevity by Jennifer Cox Keeping socially active while being socially distant. 51 Fitness by Jennifer Cox Equipment to add for your home workouts when you can’t go to the gym. 52 Golf by David McPherson Sing a tune to help remember social distancing measures. 54 CSA Online by Andrew Moore-Crispin Check your online sources before believing everything you hear about COVID-19. 4 | www.snowbirds.org
Saint-Pierre and Miquelon Until it’s safe to travel to Europe again, find French culture, cuisine and heritage only a 45-minute flight from Newfoundland. by Barb & Ron Kroll Table of Contents 18 24 Departments 56 Health Pulse 57 Book Review by Robert Wiersema 58 Gardening by Judith Adam 60 Food & Drink by Shari Darling 62 Fun & Games 63 Grins & Giggles 64 CSA Application 65 CSA Benefits 66 Fast Facts 3 Editor’s Message 6 Snowbird Alert 10 Bird Talk 12 President’s Message 13 Government Relations Report 14 Insurance by J. Ross Quigley 16 Opinion by Michael Coren 17 Lifestyle by Gabrielle Bauer Uncertain Times? The open road is waiting! by Rex Vogel Travel RV Lifestyle Finance 28 The 13 Critical Lessons of the CORONA-CRASH Taking stock of a (very) volatile year in the financial markets. by James Dolan CSANews | SUMMER 2020 | 5
SnowbirdAlert Snowbird Special Events We regret to announce that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all special events organized by the Canadian Snowbird Association and the Medipac Group of Companies have been cancelled until further notice. These include Snowbird Lifestyle Presentations, Snowbird Extravaganzas, Winter Information Meetings, Snowbird Seminars and CSA Director Presentations. We have also stopped our distribution of picnic placemats in order to support the global initiative of reducing organized events for large groups of people. We look forward to the time when we can congregate in fellowship and celebrate the Snowbird Lifestyle with our friends, colleagues and neighbours. How to manage your finances in emergency situations Emergency situations, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, can be very stressful. You may experience loss of income and face difficulties in making ends meet. But there are things that you can do to manage your finances and make things easier for you and your family. Here are three useful strategies to get you started. Have a budget. Having a budget is key for all circumstances, especially when you’re trying to manage through an emergency. It will help you assess whether you can keep up with your bills and maintain your current standard of living. If you need help, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s online budget planner is a great resource. Be proactive by seeking help. If you’re having trouble paying your daily expenses or foresee financial challenges in your future, you can get help. A good first step is to contact your financial institution. Discuss your situation with them. They may be able to defer the payments on some of your credit products, such as your mortgage. A financial professional, such as a licensed financial advisor or an accredited credit counsellor, can also help you develop a plan to deal with an emergency. Borrow responsibly. During any uncertain period, try to avoid increasing your debt as much as possible. But, if you must borrow, only borrow what you need and look for products with low interest rates and fees. Make sure that you compare all of your options and their fees, interest rates and repayment terms before choosing a credit product. Learn more about how you can maintain good financial health during challenging times, at canada.ca/money. www.newscanada.com Protecting yourself from fraud during COVID-19 Safeguarding against scams can be a challenge. This is especially true during difficult periods, such as the one which we are experiencing now. The COVID-19 pandemic is creating a lot of uncertainty and worry – the very things upon which fraudsters thrive. Scams can include phone calls, e-mails and texts that seem to be from financial institutions asking for personal or financial information. If you receive this kind of request, be cautious. Financial institutions will never ask for personal information, login credentials or account information by e-mail or text message. If you are suspicious about information which you receive related to your banking, contact the financial institution directly before taking any action. Here are a fewmore tips to help you be vigilant during this unprecedented time: ▶▶ Never click on links or attachments in unsolicited or suspicious e-mails. ▶▶ Never give out your personal or financial information by e-mail or text. ▶▶ When banking online, enter your financial institution’s website address in your browser yourself. ▶▶ Beware of questionable offers related to relief measures or quick fixes. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. In the unfortunate event that you do experience financial fraud, it’s important to inform your financial institution immediately. You should also report the incident to your local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling its toll-free line at 1-888-495-8501, or by completing an online report. Find more information about identity theft, types of fraud and other threats or scams at canada.ca/money. www.newscanada.com 6 | www.snowbirds.org
BirdTalk Dear Bird Talk, Loved the drop-dead gorgeous woman on the cover of the spring edition, but cannot understand how you would let her ride on a bike like that with bare feet. This is very dangerous. Can you please confirm that she made it through the photo shoot without losing any of her toes? P.S. Always enjoy your magazine. Ron Doering Ottawa, ON Ed.: And we always enjoy your letters, too. To reassure everyone, I would like to state that no toes or any other injuries were incurred in the manufacture of our cover. Dear Bird Talk, In addition to where we winter, we also have a U.S. rental property and have been filing 8840 and 1040-NR each year. The CPA charges $300 to file just the two 8840s. As it is fairly easy to complete, I would like to file themmyself, but does it have to be filed at the same time as the accountant files the 1040-NR, or can I send it in separately? I don’t think that the accountant will allowme to send her the 8840s I completed. Ester Leeson Port Rowan, ON Ed.: $300 is ridiculous – save your money and file them yourselves. The Form 8840 can be filed anytime up to June 15. Dear Bird Talk, Do I need to fill out the 8840 if I filed a U.S. income tax return? Randy James Winnipeg, MB Ed.: If you file a U.S. income tax return every year, it is not necessary to file the Form 8840. It is totally voluntary, in any event. I would personally file it though, as I think of it as a form of insurance to keep the government away. Dear Bird Talk, Question #28 − Did you have any income from U.S. sources? I own a Canadian small business (corporation) and it was paid by a U.S. company for my consulting in 2019. Should I answer ‘Yes’? Or did the small business have the revenue from a U.S. source, but my income was frommy Canadian small business (corporation)? Frank Entwistle Owen Sound, ON Ed.: You can truthfully say that you had no income from a U.S. source. It was income to your company. This is a very fine line and I would make sure that you had serious legal and accounting advice on “taking a job away from an American citizen.” This designation could get you barred from the U.S., so caution is warranted; or a green card, of course. Dear Bird Talk, Having just returned from six months in the U.S., I undertook to, once again, fill in Form 8840. This year, I note that the I.R.S. is seeking, in question #13, whether or not I filed tax returns for 2019, and that I had to provide verification. First of all, later in the form on Question #27, I stated that ALLMY INCOME came from Canadian sources. Second, I could find nowhere on the CRA website, under “My Account,” a section where I could copy a statement showing that my taxes had been paid in full for 2019. All I could find are the Notices of Assessment saying that I still owed taxes for 2016, 17, 18, & 2019. I think it is time that we, as Canadians wishing to SPEND and not EARNmoney in the states should not have to prove that we paid our Canadian taxes. This is going too far. Leigh Spicer Edmonton, AB Ed.: Just answer “Yes” to the question. They do ask for verification to be submitted and you could simply send the most recent statement (assessment) from the CRA as that verification. Or, you could send the first two pages of your tax return, as well. They will follow up if they want or need more, but I think that the chances of that happening are close to zero. When I first saw this cover, I immediately thought of my joyful childhood days, 60-odd years ago. We were as poor as church mice, but a few of our friends did have old bicycles and that is exactly how we rode them. Someone was sitting on the handlebars and often, someone else was sitting on the seat while you drove standing up. We had no thought of safety, were usually barefoot and, if we saw someone with a helmet on their head, we would probably think that it was an alien. Wonderful, carefree days without a worry in the world. But now, back to reality − our picture depicts dangerous behaviour, although we had no idea that it was dangerous way back then; the last thing that we want to do at CSANews is to promote dangerous behaviour. I was not really thinking when I chose this picture – I was remembering. We had more than a hundred e-mails to Bird Talk and many, many telephone calls chiding our choice of covers and we thank you for taking the time to bring it to our attention. I don’t want to get into any more trouble, but the phrase “poor as a church mouse” is more than 300 years old and was followed by, “…or an honest lawyer.” I laughed, but will definitely be in trouble with my lawyer friends. We also got many, many calls and e-mails thanking us for keeping our Medipac insurance in place and in full effect during the hectic March, April and May 2020 months of COVID-19. Again, we thank you for your strong support and complimentary comments. 10 | www.snowbirds.org
Dear Bird Talk, We were astonished when many of our snowbird friends had to end their vacations abruptly because their out-of-country medical insurance providers announced that they would not cover COVID-19 virus claims. It is unbelievable to me that any reputable insurer would do this. Their sudden announcement that policies would be cancelled in 10 days ruined the plans of many snowbirds and travellers and caused not only serious emotional stress, but financial losses as well. For years, we have recommended Medipac to our friends with complete confidence and perhaps now, the insurers who left their clients high and dry will see a dramatic decrease in their business. Thank you, Medipac, for honouring our policies! We never once doubted that you would do so. Carol Dover Kingsville, ON Ed.:We can end on a high note. Medipac policies for this and next year’s travel WILL cover COVID19, again. And annual policies left over from last year will also insure the COVID-19 problem. We are fixing our website now to reflect this. Make sure to purchase our Early Bird plan for best prices and best results, and purchasing online is by far the best way to do this as our staff is limited with all of the emergencies created by COVID-19 rules and regulations. BirdTalk Featuring the letters & concerns of our members SEND YOUR LETTERS TO Bird Talk, c/o CSANews 180 Lesmill Road Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5 or by e-mail: csawriteus@snowbirds.org Bird Talk Dear Bird Talk, We opened a bank account in Florida on January 2014, at Wells Fargo, to pay expenses for our Florida home. Wells Fargo closed our account this week, May 2020, without our knowledge, stating that we had not provided our social security number. Is this legal? Cheri Fotheringham Palmerston, ON Ed.: Legal – Yes; Ethical – No. U.S. banks are not like our Canadian banks and are probably 10 years behind when it comes to computer systems. This is simply a clerical “error” on someone not trained on a Canadian customer’s account. I would call the branch and ask for the manager and explain that you are a Canadian snowbird. They will reinstate your account and probably put in the first eight digits of your Canadian SIN to keep the computer happy. Dear Bird Talk, Will Medipac cover the cost of vaccination in the United States if a vaccine is approved for COVID-19 and available during the coverage period? I realize that this would not normally be considered an emergency medical expense, but these are not normal times and the cost would be considerably less than for medical treatment of an infection. Larry Mantle Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON Ed.: The immediate answer is “No,” as it is not medically necessary. But it is a very interesting question nonetheless. My guess is that the U.S. government may pay for it to save the stress on their medical systems. Depending on the cost and availability, Medipac may consider it as a one-time future benefit, as well. It is too early for those kinds of decisions, but we will keep this in mind when we redesign our programs. Dear Bird Talk, Many fellow snowbirds use Spectrum for telephone/internet/cable on a seasonal basis. Upon first inception, they were somewhat hard to deal with…especially over the phone. I must congratulate themon cleaning up their customer service. Upon early return this year, I tried in vain to check my account online. After numerous attempts using different methods, it was a no-go. I reluctantly made the phone call and, to my surprise, got great service. When questioned, the representative didn’t knowwhy I couldn’t log in. She passed me to tech support and he had to put me on hold to find out. Bottom line is that their website can’t be accessed outside of the U.S. This is a security protocol to prevent any foreign hacking or other interference. Hope that this information saves others from the frustration and waste of time which I experienced. Jim Pearson Calgary, AB Ed.: Thanks for the tip, Jim. It sounds like you just call for the information you need. We rarely get a complaint about Spectrum, and it resolves very quickly. We like them. CSANews | SUMMER 2020 | 11
President’s Message Karen Huestis CSA President With our shared border with the United States remaining closed to non-essential travel and despite the ongoing concerns presented by COVID-19, Canadians are slowly starting to travel again. Leisure travel within Canada is already on the upswing, as interprovincial barriers are increasingly scaled back. Domestic business trips are expected to increase as early as September, followed quickly by international leisure and business travel. It is our belief that our border with the United States will open again to leisure travel towards the end of the summer. WestJet announced on June 15 that it will allow operations to 45 destinations, including 39 in Canada, five in the U.S. and one in Mexico, which represents an increase of approximately 102 per cent more flights than in June. Air Canada is flying to 97 destinations this summer across Canada, in the U.S. and internationally. Despite the planned increase in air travel, there will be some significant adjustments in order to increase safety while travelling. A number of enhanced safety measures are already in place in airports across Canada. Measures already enacted include mandated face coverings (non-medical masks) for air travellers both in flight and in most airports, health screening questions at check-in and the use of hospital-grade disinfectant in all high-touch areas. The Government of Canada will also now require temperature checks for all passengers travelling to Canada, or travellers departing from Canadian airports for either international or domestic destinations. The government is taking a phased approach to implementing temperature screening and has indicated that the system will be fully functional by September 2020. If you are planning to drive to your winter homes or planning a trip this summer, your car is one of the safest places you can be, at least from an infection standpoint. Obviously, you have more control over the route which you take to your destination, who you share the car with, disinfectionmethods, where you stop and when you return. When planning a hotel stay, do your research on the internet before you depart. More and more hotels now allow you to check in online and use your phone as your electronic room key. Many U.S. hotels are following the American Hotel and Lodging Association’s Safe Stay guidelines. These guidelines include enhanced cleaning throughout the hotel, including guest rooms, meeting spaces and common areas. These hotels use cleaning products with a greater concentration of bacteria-killing ingredients and maintain strict social distancing practices. You can access more information about these new hotel industry safety guidelines at: www.ahla. com/SafeStay. Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to renew your CSAmembership. If you have yet to do so, please take a moment to renew by mailing us your renewal notice or visiting our website at www.snowbirds.org. You can also call the office in Toronto, which continues to operate remotely until Ontario emergency measures are lifted. Thanks, also, to everyone who made a donation to our Special Action Fund. Every dollar donated to the fund is held in a separate account and is used exclusively to fund our government advocacy efforts. We often find ourselves having to react quickly to emerging issues on the political front and that’s when the Special Action Fund is an invaluable resource. If you have yet to do so, please consider making a donation. No amount is too small and this fund really does play an integral role in allowing us to continue to advocate on your behalf. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Medipac and the Canadian Snowbird Association have been forced to cancel all of our fall and winter shows until further notice. Most jurisdictions still have strict guidelines in place that prevent large gatherings and the Centers for Disease Control states that these gatherings currently pose a higher risk for COVID-19 transmission. As always, we will be monitoring this situation closely and will keep you updated in a timely fashion. At the end of the day, the health and safety of our members is our number-one priority. For those travelling, the key to staying safe in our winter homes shouldn’t be that different from the protocols which we observe here in Canada: maintaining a two-metre distance from those whomwe don’t live with; wearing face coverings; avoiding touching your face, frequent hand washing; and disinfecting high-touch surfaces. Consistent observation of these protocols will increase the level of safety for both you and others wherever you may be. If you’re feeling anxious or have any questions about any of these new adjustments we are dealing with, please do not hesitate to contact us…we are here to help you navigate these waters. Bill and I wish you a safe and relaxing summer. 12 | www.snowbirds.org
As the provinces and territories gradually transition to opening parts of the economy which were shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most common questions that we are asked relates to when the restrictions at the Canada/U.S. border will be lifted for non-essential travel. As I write this report, Canada and the United States have jointly announced that they are extending the restriction on non-essential travel across our borders to July 21. The ban on non-essential travel covers the land border between Canada and the United States, as well as air, sea and rail travel into Canada. Non-essential travel by air and sea into the U.S. is still permitted at this time. Despite this allowance, it is important to keep in mind that the Government of Canada’s global travel advisory to avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada remains in place. Currently, travellers may find it difficult to obtain travel medical insurance which provides coverage for COVID-19. Travellers should also be mindful that the quarantine rules for individuals entering the United States and re-entering Canada are still in effect. On June 8, 2020, the Canadian Government amended its border restriction measures to exempt foreign nationals who are immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents (including spouses and common-law partners) from the prohibition on entry to Canada. These individuals must be entering Canada in order to be with an immediate family member for a period of at least 15 days. Further, these foreign nationals must not have COVID-19 or exhibit any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. All foreign nationals who have COVID-19 or exhibit any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 continue to remain prohibited from entering Canada. In order to support Canadian seniors impacted by COVID-19, the Canadian Government is providing a one-time payment to individuals who are eligible to receive the Old Age Security (OAS) pension or the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) in June 2020. Eligible seniors will not have to apply and payments will be issued during the week of July 6, 2020. The one-time payment for seniors will be paid into your bank account, if you are enrolled for direct deposit. If you are not enrolled for direct deposit, you will receive a cheque. If you only receive the Old Age Security pension, you will receive a single payment of $300. If you receive the Old Age Security pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement, you will receive a single payment of $500. If you receive the Allowance for the Survivor, you will receive a single payment of $500. The one-time payment for seniors is non-taxable. You will receive the full amount (no withholds). You will not receive a tax slip and you will not have to report this amount in your 2020 tax return. As you are aware, towards the end of 2019 the Canadian Snowbird Association launched a critical legal challenge against the Ontario government for terminating the Out-of-Country (OOC) Travellers Program on January 1, 2020. This program provided reimbursement to residents of Ontario who required emergency medical services while travelling outside of Canada. For those with insurance coverage, in the case of a claim, the insurance provider would collect the reimbursement on behalf of their client and apply 100% of the amount to the claim. While the reimbursements were minimal − up to C$400 per day in the case of emergency in-patient care − the right to coverage is enshrined in the portability section of theCanada Health Act. In fact, while rates vary by jurisdiction, every province and territory in Canada provides residents with reimbursement for out-ofcountry medical emergencies. While the association and our legal team continue to prepare for our legal challenge, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our court case has been rescheduled for August 25. We will provide members with a detailed update via e-mail once the Ontario Divisional Court considers the merits of our case. We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all of our members who have contributed to this initiative so far. We have received contributions to our Special Action Fund from across Canada, recognizing that this is a national issue, not just a provincial one. If the Ontario government goes unchallenged in their blatant violation of theCanada Health Act, other provinces and territories will follow suit and pursue similar cuts to coverage. The Canadian Snowbird Association is the only organization in Canada using litigation as a means to overturn the illegal termination of the Out-of-Country Travellers Program in the province. We remain hopeful that this program will be reinstated. Government Relations Report Ron Steeves First Vice-President CSANews | SUMMER 2020 | 13
INCLUDES COVERAGE FORCOVID-19 J. Ross Quigley CEO Medipac International Inc. Insurance COVID-19 is not the nightmare of the Revelations chapter in the bible. It’s like the flu, mind you a very serious flu. The media and other vested interests want us to tremble in fear, so that they can increase their viewership and sell more papers and ad space. What a farce. I want you to check out this website: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html I must say that even I was somewhat worried until I saw these real numbers from the CDC. However, on the same day, the U.S. government stated that there were 2.4 million cases. Then again, on the same day, a highly placed U.S. official stated that there were more than 20 million cases. At the age of 75, my chances of expiring from this scourge appeared to be quite high − especially as I take a high-blood pressure medication. As it turns out, that was mostly nonsense. Here are some real facts which I looked up last week, and I am fairly certain that you will be as surprised as I was: U.S. Population – 332,639,102 Covid-19 Total Cases 1,985,073 (as per the CDC) Age 75 and Older 215,319 10.84% of all COVID-19 cases Ages 65-74 185,942 9.36% of all COVID-19 cases Other Ages 1,583,812 So, just to be clear, these are the total numbers of cases, not deaths. This is a very small percentage of the U.S. population (which is where most of us take our winter travels) and an even smaller percentage as it applies to the snowbird population as a whole. We also know that many of the people in the older age groups who caught COVID-19 resided in nursing homes and seniors’ residences and, apparently, jails. So, I ask, “Why are the borders closed?” “Why are our businesses shut down?” “Why are we afraid to travel?” 14 | www.snowbirds.org
Insurance One of the excellent writers whom I follow for business information wrote: “Here is the reality of COVID-19. Ninety per cent of us will end up getting it, and there is not much that can be done about it. Better to get it over with sooner rather than later.” That actually made a lot of sense to me. If you get it, and most likely survive, hopefully you will never have to be afraid of COVID-19 again. In actuality, I believe that many of our staff had COVID-19 as they travelled in the United States earlier this year. There were many colds and coughs and some fevers among the staff, but none were serious enough to seek medical attention. My wife had a cough/fever for 15 days in February. I naturally caught it, but only had the cough part for five days. Were these symptoms of COVID-19? – probably. If you think back, perhaps many of you have had similar issues this past year. I am sure that, by now, you all know the answer to one of our most important questions. Are we going to be covered for COVID-19 when we travel this year? The answer is ABSOLUTELY, if you travel with Medipac. To my knowledge, Medipac was the only company that insured you for COVID-19 during last year’s travel season, following the government travel advisory. Some of the travel insurers created panic in our snowbird population and forced people to come home in mid-March, or be denied proper coverage. Medipac kept their promises and always will. Our Early Bird insurance package has probably already been received in your e-mail in-box and our full package is on its way. As an Early Bird buyer, you will not only get the COVID-19 coverage, you will also receive substantial premium discounts for this, and next year’s, travel. I recommend that you purchase early − as many of you already do. We are not really sure what other insurers will do this year about COVID-19 coverage, but we saw what they did last March. Medipac stands ready to assist you all. We expect that many people who usually purchase top-up benefits may wish to use Medipac for their entire trip. You will also notice some price increases for many of our plans. May I remind you of the Ontario government’s ridiculous cancellation of travel medical benefits, the U.S. increase in daily hospital rates of approximately 22% and, of course, the critical COVID-19 coverage. We are working very hard to keep our rates at reasonable levels and we hope to see you as our client this year. It just makes sense! CSANews | SUMMER 2020 | 15
Opinion with Michael Coren At the beginning of this year, in a dramatic and brave move demanded for decades, the Vatican finally opened its archives concerning Pope Pius XII and his policy toward the Nazis and their victims during the Second World War. The onset of coronavirus put a temporary hold on research but, once Rome’s libraries are reopened, the legions of historians will be back at work. That’s hardly surprising, because this issue has plagued the church for decades. In the very brief period before the coronavirus pandemic closed the Vatican archives, there were already reports of deeply troubling findings. German historians read documents seeming to prove that Pius was well aware of what was happening to Europe’s Jews very early, but was far too easily persuaded by his aides to dismiss the information and keep it from the U.S. government in particular. His office was also receiving reports from Catholic leaders and activists in Ukraine and Poland about massacres, but again did nothing. There is also evidence that the Vatican later tried to hide all of this so as to protect Pius’s reputation. Far more time is required to draw absolute conclusions, but the prognosis isn’t encouraging. Known by some critics as “Hitler’s Pope,” and by defenders as someone who detested fascism and saved numerous Jewish lives, Pius has been an acutely controversial figure since his death in 1958. Born Eugenio Pacelli in 1876 into an elite Italian family, he was elected Pope in 1939, in an era that demanded enormous courage in a religious leader. While Pius had no real affection for the Nazis, he was severely under-qualified to stand up to Hitlerism. He was also very much a product of his time and his faith: obsessively frightened of Communism and what he saw as its campaign against the Church, and − because he was unaware of who would triumph in the war − terrified of alienating Berlin. He probably wasn’t anti-Semitic as such, but did embrace what was then a theology that allowed room for animus against Jewish people. In his defence, before he became Pope, Cardinal Pacelli had drafted a papal encyclical that condemned Nazi racism. As Pope, he used Vatican money to ransom Jews from the Nazis, and also hid Jewish families in the papal palace of Castel Gandolfo. In 1945, Rabbi Herzog of Jerusalem thanked the pontiff, “for his life-saving efforts on behalf of the Jews during the occupation of Italy.” But that positive reputation began to change in 1963 with German playwright Rolf Hochhuth’s play “The Deputy.” It argued that Pius had supported fascism and ignored Jewish suffering. That, in turn, unleashed an entire wave of criticism. What can be said is that Pius was never specific about what was happening to the Jews and failed to address the involvement of Catholics in the death camps. If he had threatened excommunication to any Roman Catholic who participated in the arrest and murder of Jews it could have limited, even stopped, the entire horror. There would have been a terrifying response from the Nazis, but should someone who professes to be the direct successor of St. Peter, the Jewish fisherman who followed the Jewish Jesus, be concerned with that? The Dutch Carmelite friar and priest Titus Brandsma, for example, certainly wasn’t. He publicly opposed National Socialism during the war and was eventually murdered by the Nazis for his resistance. Many other Christians, with far less influence and protection than the Pope, did the same and some of them were similarly martyred. The King of Morocco, a Muslim, simply refused to obey the occupying Vichy French authorities, protected his Jewish subjects and saved their lives. Whatever revelations are produced by the archives will not only be significant in themselves, they will also inform, perhaps infect, the reputation of the contemporary church and to an extent, its relationship with the Jewish people. Much in that regard has, thank goodness, changed for the better since the Second Vatican Council of the early 1960s, but how Rome responds to all of this will be an estimable litmus test. When Pope Francis gave permission for the archives to be opened, he said, “The Church is not afraid of history.”We will see. History is as much a living companion as it is a distant ancestor, as the Catholic Church is likely to discover. The end of the virus will reveal all sorts of things we have forgotten, including the truth about Pope Pius XII. 16 | www.snowbirds.org
by Gabrielle Bauer Lifestyle YOUR BRAIN ON GOOD WEATHER This is the last article in a four-part series exploring how heading south improves health. Here, we explain what the snowbird life does to your mind and mood. It seems obvious, doesn’t it? Sun and warmth lift our spirits, while grey skies and glacial winds bring us down. We express this intuition when we turn up the heating before welcoming guests into our house − something which 40 per cent of us tend to do − and when we head outdoors on the first sunny day after a week of rain. As it happens, the science aligns perfectly with our gut feelings. In fact, the strongest support for the health benefits of good weather comes from studies of sun and mood. An Australian study that measured brain chemicals found that people had higher levels of serotonin (a neurotransmitter known to boost mood) on bright, sunny days than on cloudy ones. A possible explanation for this effect: sunlight cues special areas in the retina that trigger serotonin release. Another study found that people’s moods rise the most when the temperature changes dramatically − exactly what happens when you leave a snow-blown airport and land amid swaying palm trees. And if you lean toward pessimism, you’ll feel a greater lift from the weather change than if you’re the positive type to begin with. To reap the benefits of good weather on mood, you need to spend at least 30 minutes of the day outside − not difficult to do in the destinations favoured by snowbirds. Heading south also helps you shake off stress, because your body produces less of the stress hormone when you’re out and about in the sun. It’s no surprise that seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression linked to the time of year, usually strikes in the fall or winter. It’s not so much the cold as the lack of winter sun that triggers the condition. In addition to reducing levels of mood-lifting neurotransmitters, sun deprivation may throw the sleep-wake cycle out of whack, leaving you grumpier in the daytime hours. The further you live from the equator, whether it’s Timmins or Tierra del Fuego, the greater the chances of developing SAD. If you live in the Northern hemisphere and travel south for the winter, you bring yourself closer to the equator and farther away from SAD territory. Same goes for temperature: According to data from the World Values Survey, the further you veer from 18°C (65°F), the less satisfied you feel about life. When you head to the tropics during the cold months, you narrow this temperature gap. Another study identified 22°C (72°F) as the optimal temperature for mood − not far from Florida’s average high temperatures in January. This same study, which involved 1.7 million U.S. subjects, concluded that the weather can mould our very personality. Living in towns that boast the 22°C average, it would seem, makes people more agreeable, extroverted and emotionally stable. Mental health also includes mental performance, and research suggests that warmer weather keeps you more alert and less likely to forget things. In a University of Michigan study, researchers divided the 600 subjects into three groups: one group was assigned to spend time outdoors during warm and sunny days, another group to head out on inclement days, and a third group to stay inside. In addition to reporting a better mood, the first group outperformed the others on memory tests. It gets even better: the same study found that spending time in warm weather broadens people’s “cognitive style,” meaning that they become more open to new information and creative thoughts. Better mood, sharper memory, more creative juices…what’s not to like?While the coronavirus pandemic may put some of our migratory patterns on hold, we can look forward to better times and better moods as we start heading south again. CSANews | SUMMER 2020 | 17
Travel No, we’re not talking about Quebec or francophone Canada. Saint-Pierre andMiquelon are the last remnants of the French empire in North America.Their flag depicts theGrande Hermine, the ship on which Jacques Cartier landed in Saint-Pierre in 1536 and claimed the islands for France. The Portuguese discovered the islands in 1520. European fishermen followed, drawn by the abundant cod. For years, the islands were tossed back and forth like ping-pong balls between France and Britain. Dispelled to France six times, the residents always returned. The 1763 Treaty of Paris awarded Saint-Pierre and Miquelon to France as a token concession after giving the rest of Canada to Britain. Additional British occupations prevented France from permanently repopulating the islands until 1816. Our first stop was the Tourist Information Office in Saint-Pierre, where we picked up free brochures and guidebooks. Their maps showed us that the archipelago is comprised of three main islands and several uninhabited islets. Located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 20 kilometres south of Newfoundland and 4,300 kilometres west of Paris, the islands are accessible by air and sea. Air Saint-Pierre flights connect the island to Paris, Montreal, Halifax, Les-Iles-de-laMadeleine and St. John’s. (The flight from Newfoundland’s capital is only 45 minutes long.) A ferry transports passengers yearround, from Fortune, NL to Saint-Pierre in 55 minutes. It travels between Fortune and Miquelon from May to September. Pleasure boats and a few cruise ships also bring visitors. Saint-Pierre, the capital and smallest main island (26 square kilometres) has a population of 5,500. The islands of Miquelon and Langlade cover 200 square kilometres and have a population of 614. Dumbbellshaped, they are linked by a road-topped,12kilometre-long isthmus, locally known as “la dune.” SAINT-PIERRE and MIQUELON Until it’s safe to travel to Europe again, find French culture, cuisine and heritage only a 45-minute flight from Newfoundland Story and photos by Barb & Ron Kroll 18 | www.snowbirds.org
Travel Maritime heritage It’s impossible to think of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon without pondering their sea-faring past. Crab traps and coils of rope rest on docks beside fishing and pleasure boats. Vivid tangerine, sky-blue, lemon-yellow and limegreen paint – the colours of traditional fishing dories – brighten wooden homes. Notre-Dame des Ardilliers Church (named after the first priest who arrived inMiquelon after the signing of the Treaty of Paris) depicts dories in a beautiful stained-glass window. A model ship hangs over the lectern. As in Newfoundland, fishing declined after the Canadian government’s 1992 cod-fishing moratorium. Nowadays, 60% of the population works for the French government. Tourism and fishing comprise the rest of the economy. Generous subsidies from France support health care and education. “Students going to universities in Canada and France receive funding for accommodations. If they study in French universities, tuition is free. The government pays for flights back home for the summer holidays,” explained Anya, who was born in Saint-Pierre. As we looked at a sign pointing to the gendarmerie (police station) on Saint-Pierre, Anya explained that France sends three gendarmes to the islands on three-year postings. “It’s like a holiday for them. SaintPierre and Miquelon are so safe that they have nothing to do.” Fishing and pleasure boats in Miquelon’s harbour Boat parked by lime-green Miquelon home Model ship above lectern in Miquelon’s Notre-Dame des Ardilliers Church CSANews | SUMMER 2020 | 19
Travel French ambiance The French Tricouleur flag flies proudly in front of government buildings. On Saint-Pierre walking tours, guides point out French architectural details. Although the official language is French, many residents also speak English. Street signs and town squares, such as the waterfront Place du Général de Gaulle, honour local and French citizens and dignitaries. Boutiques sell French perfume, fashions, wines, cognacs and Champagne. The Euro is the official currency, but stores accept Canadian dollars, as well as Visa and Mastercard. ATMs accept credit cards, but not debit cards. There are no sales taxes, so you pay the displayed prices. Restaurants serve French specialties, including crêpes, duck terrine and seafood smothered in wine and cream sauces. As in France, most shops and businesses close between noon and 2 p.m. so that residents can enjoy leisurely lunches. Aromas of buttery croissants and freshly baked baguettes waft from boulangeries. Displays of decadent pastries lured us into pâtisseries and salons de thé (tea rooms). They were worth every calorie. French Tricolour flag in front of government building in Miquelon Sign for pâtisseries in a Salon de Thé Decadent pastries Buttery croissants 20 | www.snowbirds.org
Travel Shipwreck booty & other surprises To see the larger islands of MiquelonLanglade, we took a bus tour guided by Miquelon resident Roger Etcheberry. Showing us a sketch of some dories in a book, he explained: “Miquelon dories had cabins on top because fishermen needed shelter when they travelled three hours out to fish. Fishermen in Saint-Pierre didn’t require cabins because they fished closer to shore.” At the MiquelonMuseum, we viewedmodels of wooden dories with and without cabins. The museum also displays marine artifacts, including compasses and telescopes salvaged from the 600 to 700 shipwrecks around the islands. What’s the connection between Queen Victoria and Miquelon-Langlade’s shipwrecks? “After the wreck of a British warship in 1874, Queen Victoria offered to pay for a lighthouse to prevent future shipwrecks, but the French king decided to fund it himself,” said Roger. “The only casualty was the ship’s cook, who drowned when the rescue boat capsized before he reached the shore. He was buried in the Miquelon Cemetery.” Fog prevented us from seeing the lighthouse, but we later admired a beautiful glass engraving of a lighthouse on a door in the village of Miquelon, not far from the cemetery containing the grave of the ship’s cook. We made some surprising discoveries as we explored compact Saint-Pierre on foot. In the Arche Museum and Archives, we viewed the only guillotine ever used in North America. Its blade dropped once, in 1889, to execute a thief who had stabbed and dismembered his victim. Another unanticipated sight was the Cutty Sark house, built from recycled whisky crates after Prohibition. From 1920 to 1933, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon residents grew wealthy smuggling alcoholic contraband to rum-runners to quench thirsty North American throats. Miquelon Museum displays marine artifacts salvaged from shipwrecks Models of traditional fishing dories in Miquelon Museum Roger Etcheberry holds book with sketch of traditional fishing dories CSANews | SUMMER 2020 | 21
Travel Miquelon Coat of Arms The ancestors of most of the people buried in the cemetery came from the Basque Country, Brittany and Normandy. “My surname Etcheberry is Basque,” said Roger. We later noted a boat namedLa Bretagne in the harbour. The Coat of Arms of Miquelon displays fish in the sea and the flags of the three regions, as well as the Acadian flag, which features a yellow star set on the French Tricolour flag. Acadians settled in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon between 1763 and 1814. Outside Notre-Dame des Ardilliers Church, we viewed the Acadian flag and the Grand Dérangement monument commemorating Britain’s 1755 deportation of nearly 10,000 Acadians from Nova Scotia. The black-and-white bird onMiquelon’s Coat of Arms is a long-tailed duck, known locally as the kakawi. Along with fish, it sustained the first inhabitants. Roger, a self-taught naturalist, does annual bird counts on the islands. The unspoiled landscapes of Miquelon-Langlade are havens for birds and wildlife. “You can see thousands of ducks and shorebirds here,” said Roger. “From April to the fall, harbour and grey seals haul out on the sandbanks of the Grand Barachois, a saltwater lagoon on the south end of Miquelon.” Several hiking trails and guided eco-walks offer opportunities to birdwatch and view wildlife, including white-tailed deer. Many residents of Saint-Pierre spend their five weeks of paid vacation in summer homes onMiquelon-Langlade. They fish, walk along the beach and pick wild strawberries and bakeapples (cloudberries) to make delicious jams and tarts. Miquelon Coat of Arms with flags of the Basques, Bretons, Normands & Acadians as well as the fish and kakawi that sustained the first inhabitants Acadian flag and Grand Dérangement monument outside Miquelon’s Notre-Dame des Ardilliers Church Boat named La Bretagne 22 | www.snowbirds.org
Travel Meeting the locals A highlight of our trip to Saint-Pierre and Miquelon was chatting with the friendly residents and learning about their way of life. “I feel as if I’mhalf-French and half-Canadian,” divulged one woman. “We eat French food as well as Kraft Dinner. You won’t find that in France!” As we strolled through the village of Miquelon, past grazing sheep and horses and boats parked in backyards, we encountered a fisherman salting capelin. “I mix one handful of capelin with one handful of salt in the bucket. After I dry the salted fish on racks for two days, I smoke them,” he said. “They’re very delicious to eat.’’ He explained that fishing isn’t as good nowadays as it was when he started fishing at the age of 13. “There’s not much cod anymore, but we still harvest lobster, crab, scallops and halibut, as well as capelin.” Another great way to meet people is at local festivals, ranging from the July 14th Bastille Day to the Basque Festival in August. During the celebrations, you can learn about Basque ball games such as pelota, tap your feet to the lively local music and watch demonstrations of traditional folk dancing. Best of all, you don’t have to cross the Atlantic to do it. Resources For brochures, maps and more information, visit Tourism Saint-Pierre and Miquelon at www.spm-tourisme.fr/1/ Barb & Ron Kroll publish the trip-planning website www.KrollTravel.com Fisherman views salted capelin on rack Grazing sheep in Miquelon village Fiddlers and accordionist play lively music Traditional folk dancing CSANews | SUMMER 2020 | 23
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