FROLITICKS

Satirical commentary on Canadian and American current political issues

May 24

Even Young Adults can Become Seriously Ill from COVID-19

by bcurry

With the Memorial weekend in the U.S. and summer-like weather in Canada, we have witnessed hundreds of people gathering in parks and on beaches to celebrate the lowering of restrictions in many outdoor recreational areas. The problem is that they are not adhering to physical distancing measures in many cases. It would appear that the vast majority of the people are young adults who appear to believe that they are less vulnerable to this highly contagious disease. The typical infected person infects nearly three others, according to researchers at Imperial College London, one of the world’s highest rates. The experts also have additional news for you: young adults aren’t completely invulnerable or invincible for that matter. While statistically the biggest concern is still with persons over sixty who have underlying health issues, the evidence has shown that adult males between twenty and fifty can experience serious health issues from COVID-19. Some even have to be hospitalized and can end up on ventilators where the survival rate is very low.

In developing countries with more poverty and fewer resources, younger people who might have survived elsewhere are instead dying. It has been reported that in Brazil, 15 percent of deaths have been people under 50 — a rate more than 10 times greater than in Italy or Spain. In Mexico, the trend is even more stark. Nearly one-fourth of the dead have been between 25 and 49. In India, officials reported this month that nearly half of the dead were younger than 60. For the poor and marginalized groups, health care services are limited if not unavailable. In addition, similar to developed countries, the population is experiencing a surge in the rates of diabetes, obesity and hypertension. Once again, in these countries, treatment for many such illnesses is lacking.

With the reopening of the economy and recreational facilities, young North Americans must understand the risks involved with not adhering to social distancing. Large gatherings of people in close proximity to one another cannot and should not be tolerated or condoned.  Such behaviour is disrespectful to both the community and frontline personnel risking their lives every day in the war against COVID-19.  We owe it to these brave people to do our fair share by following all the measures that health authorities have mandated and recommended.  Unlike in developing countries, we are fortunate to have half decent health care systems.  The stringent controls that states, provinces and municipalities put in place appear to be working.  However, recent indications in certain states and provinces have shown a surge in the rates of confirmed cases.  Failure to respect social distancing more than likely will lead to an increase in cases in the coming weeks, and possibly further COVID-related deaths.

There is no excuse for the selfish and irrational behaviour among young adults witnessed this past weekend. We can only hope that people, especially young adults, will realize this and adjust their behaviour accordingly in the future as even more freedoms are restored.  Otherwise, the authorities will have to once again take more draconic measures to counteract such troubling attitudes and the subsequent inappropriate actions.  After all, regrettably we are coming up to 100,000 coronavirus-related deaths in the U.S. and 7,000 deaths in Canada by the end of May. Think about it!

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May 19

U.S. and Canadian Health Officials Knew in January 2020 about Possible Pandemic

by bcurry

Let’s face it, early on health officials were aware of potential issues regarding the major outbreak in China of a new virus, especially after their experiences with SARS and H1N1. Blaming Chinese authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) for withholding information is simply looking for an escape goat.  In a very short period of time, the WHO went from declaring an epidemic to a potential global pandemic.  Unfortunately, many governments, including the U.S. and Canada, reacted somewhat slowly. It took time before flights to and from Asia and Europe were cancelled and borders closed to non-citizens. Apparently, there were pandemic-preparedness plans in place, but authorities were ill equipped to implement them or simply ignored them.  Essential stockpiles of personal protective equipment (PPE) were either inadequate or expired. Ventilators were in short supply.  Lockdown measures took time to implement.

In order to protect the health care system from becoming overloaded, most governments finally ordered economic and institutional shutdowns. They had no choice but to contain the coronavirus, especially as so-called hot spots emerged.  However, in the case of the U.S., President Donald Trump began talking privately as early as mid-March about reopening the nation, despite the swiftly rising number of coronavirus cases and against the advice of health professionals. The administration’s top health authorities had warned that in the absence of any viable medical treatment and adequate testing, sustained and economically painful restrictions on daily life were the only way to beat the virus.  In some situations, this remains the case.

The authorities have had several examples in other countries of the effectiveness of certain lockdown measures, such as in Taiwan and South Korea. Given the success to date of these examples, there is little excuse for U.S. and Canadian authorities not to continue to follow the appropriate health and safety measures, including physical distancing. It’s all very nice and well to suggest that business closures are detrimental to our liberties and freedoms, but the fact is that the health and safety of entire societies are at risk.  We have already seen the potential for second waves of the virus in several countries, suggesting that a careful and gradual reopening of certain economic activities is called for.  The health authorities and researchers know this.  You’d think that the politicians would listen to expert advice and implement measures accordingly.  People’s actual lives are at stake!

It doesn’t help anyone to blame others for our current status or for past mistakes. Optimistically, once we have this pandemic under control there will be plenty of time to review what happened prior to and during the pandemic.  Hopefully, the goal of any independent domestic and international reviews will have an aim of ensuring that future pandemics will be better dealt with.  They should not be to simply assess and issue blame for political expediencies.  After all, there is plenty of blame to go around!

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May 14

With Reopening the Economy, There Will be a Second Wave of COVID-19 Outbreaks

by bcurry

As many parts of the world, including Canada and the United States, explore ways to ease restrictions aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19, some countries that had already opened up are closing down again after renewed spikes in infections. According to recent reports, countries such as Germany, Lebanon, Iran and South Korea are reimposing certain restrictions such as shutdowns because of new outbreaks of the coronavirus in some areas.  Once people are allowed to frequent shopping and recreation areas, there is always the danger of increased exposure to virus contamination resulting in community outbreaks.

It has even been reported that in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the pandemic first emerged, authorities ordered the testing of its 11 million inhabitants after a cluster of six new infections emerged, five weeks after the city had apparently rid itself of the disease. Although it is understandable that certain Canadian provinces and American states are anxious to reopen parts of their economies, experts increasingly believe that the coronavirus will be around for months if not years.  With increased human activity, second and third waves are bound to occur.  Even an eventual vaccine or the growing emergence of temporary immunity may not be sufficient to prevent such outcomes.

This is why the original shutdowns were essential to prevent the immediate impact on the health care system in terms of treating those with COVID-19 health issues and reducing the number of related deaths. Our slow reopening of the economy and continuation of containment measures is designed to allow health care workers and front-line authorities to deal with outbreaks over the longer-term.  Wherever future hot spots do occur in communities, there is little doubt that restrictions, including lockdowns and social distancing rules, will most likely have to be reimposed. That is if common sense prevails!

Everyone wants to avoid future massive outbreaks like those that happened in New York City, Los Angeles County, Montreal (Quebec) and Washington State. Unfortunately, in some cases the situation has become increasingly politicized instead of remaining one viewed in a health and safety terms.  Leaders need to base their decisions on reliable data and science-based projections.  By failing to do so, we will be right back to square one and will have lost all of the valuable gains that were won by the initial measures aimed at limiting coronavirus transmission within the community.

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May 11

Children’s Mental Health is Still a Major Concern During the Pandemic Shutdown

by bcurry

Among the first institutions to be shutdown as the result of the pandemic were our schools. All of a sudden, our children had their normal routines turned upside down.  Back in March, I blogged about the risk to kids’ mental health: Mental Health Of Children Is Still A Major Concern During Pandemic Shutdown 05 20.doc. For two months now, children have been kept home from school, trying to learn online, being entertained and worried about the financial and health risks to their parents. Fear and isolation can be major contributors to mental illness. A recent survey (May 2020) by the Angus Reid Institute in Canada showed that children (aged 10 to 17) are starting to display certain concerning attitudes and behaviors when it comes to staying at home. Believe it or not, not only are they bored but many are ready to go back to school, if only to see their friends in person. Realistically, in most provinces and states, the current school year is unfortunately finished.

There is only so much TV/streaming media content and playing video games that kids can take! Texting and telephoning friends and spending time on social media was O.K. at the start, but kids would now rather meet up with their friends and teachers face-to-face. There is little doubt that an increasing degree of boredom and stress is setting in. Online learning is not what it was hoped to be, and is certainly no substitute for classroom instruction and one-on-one expert assistance.

Then there are the parents. For those working from home, it’s difficult and stressful times, especially when caring for toddlers. They are finding that working and home schooling can be very demanding. For those parents who are unemployed, just paying the bills has become a major issue. Kids pick up on their parents’ anxieties. Thankfully, although children are less vulnerable to serious virus-related health issues, the household tension is worse if parents or other household members do become sick with the virus. Just complying with all the additional precautions that must be taken can be a major stressor for kids. After all, it’s not their fault that they can be significant transmitters of the disease.

One cannot envy parenting under these challenging circumstances. Trying to implement a fairly normal and balanced routine in the household is not easy for adults. Imagine what it’s like for kids? Hopefully as more and more facilities are slowly and cautiously opened, families will be able to expand their activities beyond their homes. Exercise and getting outdoors are keys to maintaining one’s mental and physical health. This is especially true for our children.

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May 6

Due to the economy lockdown, some are actually saving money

by bcurry

While many people are being hurt financially, especially those unemployed or underemployed because of the current economy shutdown in many non-essential industry sectors, others who have continued to be employed and paid their regular wages are actually saving money. This includes those persons who are still comfortably working and bringing in the same income as they did in pre-pandemic times, but who have seen their expenses forcibly slashed. For example, some workers are working from home and thus saving on the cost of commuting to and from work.

With many businesses still closed, we are saving money by not eating in restaurants and going to bars, theatres and gyms. Although some food such as meats will cost more in the short term, we are saving by cooking more at home and making our provisions go further than usual.  Households in some regions are getting a further break by having electricity rates temporarily calculated based on off-peak times.  Travel and vacations have been put on hold, again reducing major expenditures.

The U.S. has already seen its savings rate rise, with the Bureau of Economic Analysis reporting that it surged from eight percent in February to 13.1 percent in March — the highest level since 1981. What are those fortunate enough to put aside monies doing or planning to do with their new found savings?  Some possibilities are:

  • bolstering their investment portfolios
  • building up emergency funds
  • building up down payment funds faster than they initially intended so that they can purchase a first home
  • paying down credit debt, including student loan debt, which was at record levels prior to the pandemic
  • paying down more quickly the principal on mortgage payments
  • putting more money into retirement funds
  • setting up education savings plans for children
  • etc. , etc.

The next real question to emerge is whether and how all these savings will be used once the planned reopening of non-essential businesses occurs? Will people play catch-up in terms of foregone expenditures?  How long will it take for people to be comfortable enough to restart spending on such things as eating out, entertainment, travel and accumulated vacation time?  How will the housing market be affected in light of the current slow real-estate conditions?  Will consumer spending, normally representing seventy percent of Gross Domestic Product, pick up quickly or slowly with the economy’s reopening?  Will this take weeks or months?  There is little doubt that those financially vulnerable during temporary work interruptions, despite receiving government transfers, will not be able to help revive the economy in the short-term. Indeed, much will depend on whether they will have future employment and whether their employers will still be in business.  There are many questions and few answers.  In these uncertain times, only time will tell.

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May 3

A Little Light-Hearted Look At Social Distancing During The Pandemic

by bcurry

As a retiree, but as one who could have worked from home, I’ve experienced what millions are going through as a result of social distancing due to COVID-19. There is a whole industry that has evolved to keep people entertained, active and creative while sheltering in place.  Imagine what it would have been like without the Internet, cable television and on-line shopping!  We have developed a number of important new social behaviours which among others include:

  • No more hand shaking. Instead one can touch elbows or simply bow like the Japanese do.
  • When welcoming relatives or friends, absolutely no kissing on the cheeks two or three times depending on your culture. Instead, one can blow a kiss, but not too hard so as not to spread germs.
  • No more hugs. Make a hugging motion with your upper torso at an appropriate distance of two meters or six feet when in the S.
  • To show affection, one can use sign language in the form of a heart shaped two-handed manoeuvre.
  • Sharing a milkshake using two straws is definitely out of the question.
  • Speak in a low monotone voice and avoid shouting so as to limit spraying others, or as our Prime Minister referred to as “speaking moistly”.
  • Wear the latest fashion styles in face masks, but nothing too scary in order to differentiate between you and bank robbers.
  • For those of us who have hair, consider going with your new hair style à la mode de prehistoric humans. How about a man bun? Otherwise, find a right-sized bowl to work with.
  • Carry a small can of sanitizer spray to immediately clean paper currency upon receipt from vendors.
  • Find a new hobby, like carving historical figures out of paper cups or potatoes. In the case of food shortages keep the potatoes handy.
  • Keep your pet dog well away, perhaps several more meters, from other people walking their dogs. Normal interaction among dog owners and their dogs is particularly forbidden. I never knew that there were so many dog owners in our neighbourhood!  Where’d they all come from?
  • When encountering a situation of “road rage” while driving, keep your car windows shut and use hand signals where appropriate.
  • Continue to physically exercise in order to help maintain your mental health. By this I do not mean improving elbow and arm conditioning while drinking alcoholic beverages.
  • Do not sanitize food that has arrived via home delivery from local eateries. This will not help to improve the quality of the meal and may negatively affect one’s taste buds.
  • Under the current circumstances, patience has truly become a virtue. Certain shut-downs and restrictions will continue for some time. Remove all calendars from the household.

These are just a few of the tips that I have to offer during these tough times of social distancing. Just remember, there are always others who are in even more challenging situations.  Those of us who can help, should do so by donating to or volunteering at food banks, shelters and health care facilities.  A lot of people, including those on the front-lines, are working every day so that the rest of us can stay at home and be safe.  As the English would say, keep a stiff upper lip. Keep on smiling.

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