FROLITICKS

Satirical commentary on Canadian and American current political issues

Jun 4

While Thousands Protest Racism, Who’s Protesting Against Ageism?

by bcurry

While one can certainly empathize with the protesters over the recent murder of a black man by police and continuing racism in America, there is another large group of people who deserve an equal amount of empathy in this day and age. They are our seniors, and their numbers are growing.  Recent statistics in Canada show that the older cohort – the baby boomers and gen-Xers – represent nearly 45 percent of Canada’s population, or 16,753,198 people.  By 2030, Statistics Canada estimates it will be 46.5 percent, or 19,461,400 people.  The stats are somewhat similar in the U.S.  In the not too distant future, one out of four Canadians will be over the age of 65.  Yet, discrimination against seniors continues because of “ageism”.

In 2,011, a disturbing survey in the United Kingdom of adults who were over 18 revealed that two out of five young people aged between 18 and 24 believed that there were not enough jobs for older people to continue working. Fourteen percent felt that older people should retire to make way for young blood.  Even more shocking, seven out of ten young people did not consider older relatives to be an important part of the family, while ten percent considered it a chore to go and see them.  Researchers often refer to such attitudes as ageism and rightly so.

For years, North Americans have been warehousing the majority of their elderly citizens. Seniors have been ushered away from families and communities into retirement and so-called long-term care residences.  Unfortunately, many of these residences were built in the early seventies when the idea was to accommodate as many residents as possible into one facility, regardless of conditions resulting in overcrowding.  Today, the pandemic has illustrated how such warehousing unfortunately has often led to deaths representing more than eighty percent of COVID-19 related deaths in the general population.  Politicians are now raving that the numbers are inexcusable and horrific, especially for those thousands housed in long-term care.  Where were they years ago when several studies outlined ongoing problems with staff shortages, inadequate resident care and government standards, and lack of affordable accommodation and health care?

More and more seniors are being forced to continue working because of living near the poverty line and a lack of retirement savings. However, many employers continue to discriminate against the hiring of seniors for indefensible reasons, despite all the experience and skills such persons can bring to a job.  This again is a form of overt ageism.  Maybe it’s time that we have a real national ‘Grey Pride’ movement.  Sometimes the elderly have difficulties in speaking for themselves.  Maybe the time has come for all citizens to force governments to address the serious issues surrounding ageism in society.  The time for lip service is long gone, the time for action is now.  After all, the reality is that we have ageing populations, whether we believe it or not.

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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!

Canada Coronavirus COVID-19 US

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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.

Uncategorized

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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.

Canada Coronavirus COVID-19 US

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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.

Canada Coronavirus COVID-19 US

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Apr 29

Is electronic coronavirus tracing the straw that broke the back of individual privacy

by bcurry

We have now learned that Australia and several Scandinavian countries have introduced coronavirus tracing apps for peoples’ smart phones and mobile devices. The apps are apparently designed to help medical workers and state governments trace close contacts of COVID-19 patients. Although in countries like Australia downloading the tracking app is not mandatory, there is still the concern that the state and authorities could potentially employ such apps for other purposes. What does such tracing mean for the privacy of individuals and in turn for individual rights? Where is the concept of individual responsibility in all of this — particularly where up to now most people have voluntarily complied with self-isolation and “physical distancing” measures.

Human nature, being what it is, self-preservation is a normal condition for survival. For example, in today’s society, earning a living and providing for one’s family is a major and real preoccupation. Until now, the health authorities in democracies have relied on each individual to monitor their health for any signs of possible COVID-19 symptoms. If sick, individuals are then asked to self-isolate. However, there is an issue with testing where even those who may have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic have not been given priority for testing, except where essential services are involved. As a result, many asymptomatic COVID-19 cases go undetected and would defeat the ultimate purpose of coronavirus tracing. What does one do in the case of “negative-positives”?

In order for tracking to be effective, almost everyone would first need to be tested — an apparent impossibility under the concern circumstances and lack of testing capability and reliability. Once the economy is allowed to open up, people will want to either continue working or return to employment.  Hence the need for self-preservation superseding the needs of the community.  No amount of tracing will be useful in this case.  People in these cases will be reluctant to get tested, even if testing were available.  As we’ve seen in the U.S., some people are willing to risk their health and that of others in order to open up the economy and return to their livelihoods.

Then there are those who have no mobile devices to download such apps. What does one do in those cases — wear an electronic ankle brace like a criminal under house arrest or confined to a specified area.  This would represent the ultimate Big Brother approach!  Hello 1984.  Up to now, the majority of citizens have agreed to business and government closures.  In some instances, our civil rights and liberties have been affected in order to support of community health and safety.  How far are we willing to go in relinquishing our civil rights and notably the right to individual privacy?  Given that this is an imperfect system, how do we ensure that the state does not overstep the use of electronic tracking?  Do uncertain benefits really outweigh the possible costs to our freedom?

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Apr 25

In reopening the economy, the labour market will look a whole lot different

by bcurry

As parts of the U.S. and Canada begin to plan for the reopening of their economies, so to speak, one has to expect that longer term changes to the labour market will occur. The shut-downs because of COVID-19 primarily hit certain sectors, especially those in retail, tourism and services comprised mainly of small and medium sized businesses.  As of the beginning of April, more than 7.1 million unique applicants have filed for the $2,000 monthly benefit under the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). In the U.S. at least 26 million Americans, or 15 percent of the workforce, have applied for unemployment benefits in the past five weeks, effectively erasing all job gains made since the 2008-09 recession. By the end of this month, unemployment rates in both countries will be getting close to double digit figures.

The hardest hit workers are women, part-timers and those in low paying jobs. Many full-time employees have had their hours cut back.  At first, it was the private sector that took the brunt of the job cuts, but now one is seeing similar cuts in the public sector because of the shut-down of various government run services and the loss of tax revenues from both unemployed citizens and closed businesses.  Despite the availability of government financial assistance, both the unemployed and businesses will find it difficult to function as usual even in the event of the reopening of various economic activities.  For many, it may be too late.  Bankruptcies will continue to climb as the closures continue.  In addition, not all sectors will recover at the same rate, or at the same time.

As long as the threat of the coronavirus continues, with some experts predicting continuing waves in the fall, many consumers will be hesitant to frequent restaurants, retail outlets, hair salons, etc., etc. Consumption represents about seventy percent of the gross domestic product.  With many consumers in financial difficulty, they will also be hesitant to begin spending right away.  Then there is the impact of e-commerce on the retail and service sectors.  The use of on-line services by consumers has almost doubled since the outbreak began.  In addition, there has been a change in what we would define as “essential services”.  Suddenly, delivery people and grocery store clerks have been deemed to be essential in order to keep vital services going.  Some have suggested that people joining the essential workforce, because they have been displaced out of their current industries, might choose to remain in those jobs, at least in the near term.

It is anticipated that over the coming year, those manufacturing companies who converted to producing personal protective equipment, sanitizers, ventilators, etc., will continue to do so. There is a lot of uncertainty about COVID-19 and the degree of so-called “herd immunity” that might develop among those who have recovered from the virus.  With no vaccine foreseen in the next year, a return to normal economic activity will have to be cautious with many restrictions remaining in place for businesses and consumers.  The need to protect those who are employed in essential services will continue for months to come.  Moreover, what we might see coming out of this crisis is a very different labour market at least in the short-term.

Canada Coronavirus COVID-19 US

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Apr 21

The Debate Has Begun About How To Open Up The Country

by bcurry

It’s been over five weeks since Canada and the U.S. began their business, school and other closures and the cancellations of multiple activities, including sporting events, concerts, festivals, etc., etc. By limiting the exposure of citizens to COVID-19 in the community, the authorities had hoped to “flatten the curve” as it pertains to new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and mortality rates.  In Canada, we now have about 37,000 confirmed cases and almost 1,700 deaths. In the U.S., there are over 2,400,000 confirmed cases and over 42,000 deaths to date. In both countries, health authorities note that the peak has yet to be reached, although there appears to be some affected areas that have begun to plateau in their daily numbers.

National governments, states/provinces and cities have begun to plan for the possible phased-in opening up of their economies. However, before doing so, health authorities are warning that adequate testing for the virus must be in place, physical distancing restrictions maintained and on-going health surveillance of those who have had the virus and survived.  Some have suggested that electronic tracing methods should be implemented to alert individuals who may have come into contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID-19.  This of course raises privacy issues for people who could then be remotely tracked by such technologies.

In addition, a phased-in approach would mean that certain types of businesses and activities would be initially reopened because of the low probability of disease spread. The ability of businesses to control their environment and provide for worker and customer protection and safety would be one key ingredient in determining which would open first, although often in a limited manner.  Many variables and conditions would have to be met in order to minimize the danger to both customers and workers.  This will not happen over night and will require careful and thorough planning on the part of the authorities and business operators.

There is little doubt that as the shutdown has had a devastating impact on the economy and individual’s livelihoods. However, one cannot merely reopen everything at once and various priorities have to be met to avoid a second wave of COVID-19 in the population.  Scientists and researchers need more time to assess issues related to peoples’ immunity, potential effective treatments and eventually a possible vaccine.  Simply protesting the current shut-down and risking one’s life will not change the realities of the situation.  If one goes too quickly, one risks exacerbating the health impact of the disease and overloading the health care systems.  How many more deaths are we willing to risk by moving too fast?  In the interim, for the sake of the community and our loved ones, we can all help by staying home and being safe.

Coronavirus COVID-19

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