With the winter travel period ntic back, the federal government has issued an online alert to seniors, advising them to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The message could have little effect on Snow Birds’ determination to escape the Canadian winter.
“I do not like winter. I hate it. I hate it passionately,” said Steve MacDonald, 77, of Oakville, Ont. He had already booked December 3 flights to Florida for himself and his wife, so they could spend the winter at their rental condo in Key Largo.
“Below there, [I’ll] Swimming outside and taking in some sun, getting some vitamin D and cheap rum. “
He stays in good company. The Canadian Snowbird Association estimates that 30 percent of the more than 110,000 members will travel to the United States sunbelt this winter – despite an increase in COVID-19 cases in the country and the closure of traffic that does not require the Canada-US land border.
Snowbirds Still flying to the US And transport their cars. The Canadian government is asking seniors to think twice before leaving the country because their age is likely to make them seriously ill from COVID-19.
“If you are an older traveler, you may have immunity or have chronic medical conditions such as arrears that could put you at risk,” the government said. Its an online alert targeting seniors.
“By choosing to stay at home in Canada, you can help protect yourself, your family and those at risk in our communities.”
Global Affairs Canada posted a warning on its web page for “old travelers” on October 1 – a day later CBC News published an article Canadian snowbirds are heading south despite the epidemic.
Since the outbreak began in March, Global Affairs has been advising all Canadians To avoid unnecessary travel Abroad. It said the government may have limited capacity to help people who leave Canada and then face problems.
Snowbird McDonald’s has never seen a government warning about traveling seniors, and when he learned of it from CBC News this week, he did not reprimand.
He and his wife are in good health and plan to take all necessary precautions while in Florida, including sticking to their gated community.
“We keep doing what we do here. You go out with some people and party and you don’t have people for dinner,” McDonald said. “It’s very safe for me to get there safely because I’m here.”
If something goes wrong, he said he has the extra protection of COVID-19 medical insurance. Insurance providers were recently re-employed Coverage after stopping it for several months during an epidemic.
‘Inequality Bucking’
In September, travel insurance broker Martin Firestone Told CBC News Less than 10 percent of his 1,000 snowbird clients are heading south. But now, a third of people are packing their bags.
“They face inequalities, they basically say, ‘I’m going to go there, I’ll be fine.’
See | Despite the pandemic, some Canadian Snow Birds are heading south:
The COVID-19 pandemic is not stopping some Canadian snowbirds from going to the US this winter, but they are not all ready to take the risk for warmer weather. 2:07
Firestone said that currently going abroad poses a risk of overloading hospitals in the US with COVID-19 patients.
He said the government should make seniors aware of the dangers, but said online posting would not have a big impact.
Firestone told TravelSecure in Toronto, “This is a very small number of seniors, I’m sure, checking it out.”
CBC News asked Global Affairs whether it was planning an advertising campaign; It did not respond.
Not reprimanded?
Snowbirds who are aware of government advice may also choose to ignore it, believing that the benefits of moving south this winter outweigh the risks.
Despite a warning posted by CBC News Snowbird Sandy Munro for traveling seniors, he is still bent on going to his condo in Naples, Fla., In February. He said he would go quickly, but there were family commitments to keep him in Canada for the next two months.
“I can only take it for the winter,” said Munro, 69, of Aurora in Camel.
He argues that he is really safe in Florida because he suffers from lung lung disorder, which is exacerbated in cold weather.
“As long as I was in my small gated community – Kovid-conscious – then I think my longevity would be increased by spending the winter there,” he said.
However, Munro agreed that if he contracted COVID-19, he would be drowning in a serious case due to lung lung condition.
He still hasn’t stopped Snowbird from saying he will take his chances to enjoy the warm and active winter.
“I’m 69. I can still do things like golf, tennis, pickle ball,” Munro said. “I don’t know how long I can do that, so I’m going to hold on to it.”
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