Okay kids, I know things seem scary. I know that governments calling for "social distancing" and "self-quarantine" give us the heebie-jeebies, but it's going to be okay. Humans aren't good at change, especially change forced upon us. We don't do well with authority, generally speaking.
So general truths:
Washing your hands with soap and water is the best way to battle the virus. I know, it seems too simple, but it's our best defense. Sing 'Twinkle Twinkle" or "Happy Birthday"...there's even an app to figure out how to use your favourite song to hit the required 20 seconds.
Social distancing works. It really does, but before it gets better, it will get worse. You'll hear about increases in hospitalizations and deaths, but staying apart will reduce "the curve" over the long haul. Don't despair. Being "in house" won't kill you, it might even be good for your relationships. It's better for the environment and your wallet.
We really need a time out. All the hatred, prejudice and malaise (thanks Rod for that particular word as a reminder) could use a reset.
Please keep in mind that this is a virus, no matter how nasty. It will come and it will go, (and come back again, heaven help us) but we will persevere.
You don't need to horde toilet paper (or really anything, for that matter)...you just don't. Even if there isn't any on the shelf right now, there will be more.This virus doesn't have symptoms that would require a lot of toilet paper.
Think of others, especially those that are living off of CPP and OAS or other government benefits. They get paid once a month (March 27th, this month) and may not have the financial resources to shop before then, nor run around trying to find a store that has something they need on their shelves.
Here's a handy-dandy interactive questionnaire to determine if you possibly have COVID-19: https://covid19.thrive.health/. For the love of God, don't wander over to the local emergency only call the 811 lines if you are actually sick. Some reports say it starts with the "sniffles" and progresses very rapidly into a sore throat and coughing. ("Rapid" meaning in under a day.)
It's going to get weird, things are going to feel completely abnormal, but it's going to be okay. Let's take care of each other. This is a huge social experiment where sacrifice of the individual (self-distancing, reduced income, change of lifestyle) comes at the greater good for the whole of humanity. We're good at this folks. We're good at working together. If we weren't we wouldn't be here. Give us a chance and just stay home. Mother Nature will thank you, your fellow humans will thank you and we will shine.
Don't forget to wash your hands and stay safe!
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
A Call to Action!
I've had enough. The world is getting crazy and priorities are getting all whacky and I've had enough. Money has become more important than people and it's not bloody right.
Today, I'm focused on the insurance industry. I can think of only TWO times that I've ever been glad to have taken out insurance/extended warranty. I might be luckier than most to have that. Outside of those two specific incidents, trying to process an insurance claim has been a headache. Even registering for insurance is becoming a huge hassle.(Don't even get me started on extended health insurance providers!)
So now, insurance companies are jacking up their rates or refusing to cover buildings that they've covered for years. Why? Because they failed to plan for bad years. When the going was good, their shareholders made out like bandits, but the companies never thought that it might not last. There was nothing purposefully put aside to protect against years when claims went up. These are industries that are based on risk and they failed to do the simplest thing to mitigate it. So now, we're on the hook for their oversight. Heaven forbid that the shareholders don't get their dividends. What does it matter that a loyal customer now has a major hurdle to overcome, be it a large premium increase or looking for another insurer.
This has far reaching consequences. Condo and apartment buildings are losing their coverage, which means that they aren't habitable, legally. Tenants must then be evicted and the pressure on communities in a housing crisis inflates to irreparable levels. Condo owners lose their investment and home. In many cities this is their only asset. You can't sell a condo or building that isn't insurable.
Worse yet, income from premiums goes down for the insurance companies and they have to make up for it somewhere...yup, your car/life/loan/pet insurance is next.
So, where is our government in all of this? How are they going to ensure that their citizens are protected from incompetence and greed?
This cannot stand. People are losing everything because insurance companies miscalculated payouts and it's not right. If we, as responsible people are expected to have at least 6 months wages saved up to prevent against catastrophe, this should also be an expectation of business. (Particularly those in the business of RISK management.) Call your MLA, call your municipal government and ask them what they're doing to help the 1,000s of people that are (or are going to be) affected by this.
Resources:
The Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
Links to Provincial and Territorial Regulators
Today, I'm focused on the insurance industry. I can think of only TWO times that I've ever been glad to have taken out insurance/extended warranty. I might be luckier than most to have that. Outside of those two specific incidents, trying to process an insurance claim has been a headache. Even registering for insurance is becoming a huge hassle.(Don't even get me started on extended health insurance providers!)
So now, insurance companies are jacking up their rates or refusing to cover buildings that they've covered for years. Why? Because they failed to plan for bad years. When the going was good, their shareholders made out like bandits, but the companies never thought that it might not last. There was nothing purposefully put aside to protect against years when claims went up. These are industries that are based on risk and they failed to do the simplest thing to mitigate it. So now, we're on the hook for their oversight. Heaven forbid that the shareholders don't get their dividends. What does it matter that a loyal customer now has a major hurdle to overcome, be it a large premium increase or looking for another insurer.
This has far reaching consequences. Condo and apartment buildings are losing their coverage, which means that they aren't habitable, legally. Tenants must then be evicted and the pressure on communities in a housing crisis inflates to irreparable levels. Condo owners lose their investment and home. In many cities this is their only asset. You can't sell a condo or building that isn't insurable.
Worse yet, income from premiums goes down for the insurance companies and they have to make up for it somewhere...yup, your car/life/loan/pet insurance is next.
So, where is our government in all of this? How are they going to ensure that their citizens are protected from incompetence and greed?
This cannot stand. People are losing everything because insurance companies miscalculated payouts and it's not right. If we, as responsible people are expected to have at least 6 months wages saved up to prevent against catastrophe, this should also be an expectation of business. (Particularly those in the business of RISK management.) Call your MLA, call your municipal government and ask them what they're doing to help the 1,000s of people that are (or are going to be) affected by this.
Resources:
The Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
Links to Provincial and Territorial Regulators
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