New USA travel announcement

[wdwmom3]

What additional supports are being provided in Canada to small businesses? I am incredibly curious because my SIL is a small business owner in Ontario and is woefully concerned about her viability during the extended lock down. I haven't heard of any stimulus payments being issued to Canadian taxpayers, either.....we here in the US have received two.

And what do you base your comment on the strength of your health care system? Opinion? Media reports? I know our state took their health care system VERY seriously when the pandemic hit, going as far as securing two multi-million dollar sites to serve as Covid care centers in the event that hospitals reached capacity. That never happened.....one site treated a total of 8 patients before being shuttered months before the lease was up, the other saw no patients at all. I live in a metro urban area, and none of our local hospitals have reached capacity and several condensed their covid units to specific locations so the unused, under-utilized facilities could serve other medical issues. I follow my local hometown Ontario hospital on Facebook (and know 3 nurses personally who work there) and based on their posts and reports, they are struggling far more than we are here. I don't doubt that some areas like New York City and parts of California may be facing the issues you are describing, but this is absolutely not the case throughout the entire USA as you suggest, despite what the media would like you to believe.

You know. You seem to enjoy putting Canada down. I guess you are in the right place . Anyways since you asked. Canadian businesses can apply for a wage subsidy so they can be reimbursed for up to 75% of the wages they pay while they are closed. This included wages the owners receive. They have access to various grants and government backed loans. They have recently changed the rent subsidies for companies to make it easier. The provincial government in Ontario has announced grants to small businesses as well. I believe there are other programs for businesses to get help with property taxes.

Also we don’t send cheques to everyone. Because not everyone needs cheques. Why give money to people who aren’t being impacted financially? Instead they have made it very easy to apply for benefits if you can’t work for any covid related reason. They also gave anyone receiving a gst credit (lower income people) a bonus payment in the spring, gave extra money to parents. The Ontario government has given families money for help with the costs of their kids being home from school. Seniors received some extra money as did people with disabilities. Some provinces also have other programs.

I wasn’t saying our health system is better, I won’t get into that debate with you because clearly you have your own opinions. But Canadians as a whole tend to take what is happening in our health system more seriously. Meaning we hear hospitals are getting full, more Canadians will actually listen to that and realize we have to do our part to keep our buts home and do what’s needed (including closing things) to slow the spread to stop the hospitals from being overwhelmed. More people in the US seem to not care if hospitals are filling up.

 

[wdwmom3]

If the Government of Canada will pay me back and refund me for me trip, I'd happily cancel. We purchased our DVC points and booked this pre-pandemic. We've already been told we will not get our money back. Easier said than done to just cancel, as the Prime Minster has stated he wants us to do.

My only hope now is we will be able to possibly trade those purchased points to RCI?! I've recently read Disney has some sort of partnership with them. I don't even want to go anymore, as much as I love the idea of it.

It's funny and ironic to see Trudeau post that all while I see Atlantis Paradise Island commercials all over the TV telling us to come back and travel....!

This is where you could have bought travel insurance for your trip. There are lots of people out money. It’s not the government’s responsibility to cover you when you didn’t insure your trip. You know the risk when rent DVC points.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

You know. You seem to enjoy putting Canada down. I guess you are in the right place .

I find it ironic that you are so quick to accuse me of bad-mouthing my country when you are repeatedly putting down the USA and posters who live there. As a citizen of one country and a resident of the other, it is painful to read some of the inaccuracies that are posted here. You are welcome to your opinion, but there is a huge difference between opinion and fact.

I am not "putting down" Canada. Canada, like all countries, isn't perfect and has room for improvement. Yes, the same can be said about the USA (and I'm sure every other country in the world, but so far I've only lived in those 2 so I won't pretend to be an expert on the rest when I have no personal experience there).

 

[wdwmom3]

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/canada-united-states-closing-travel-loophole/index.html

 

[wdwmom3]

Lol. Ignorance. I highly doubt over a year ago, anyone would have expected North America and most of the world to shut down. But that's not even the point.

Plus we're being TOLD....suggested, not to travel. They, the Government is telling me not to go. So yes, I think you are wrong and they are held responsible. Nothing says we can't. There are just measures in place to make it more of an inconvenience. So insurance is going to cover that? I doubt it. Direct me to one insurance company that says they will cover you for this.

Technically not going is still a choice.

Anyway the plan now, unless things change, is to hopefully transfer to RCI and book a future vacation that way.

What do you mean ignorance? Whenever you book something that is non refundable it’s smart to get travel insurance if you aren’t prepared to lose the money. I’ve had to use it before for other reasons, so have other people I’ve known.

 

[damo]

Ignorance. Don't post things like this and act so high and mighty. I highly doubt over a year ago, anyone would have expected North America and most of the world to shut down. But that's not even the point.

Plus we're being TOLD....suggested, not to travel. They, the Government is telling me not to go. So yes, I think you are wrong and they are held responsible. Nothing says we can't. There are just measures in place to make it more of an inconvenience. So insurance is going to cover that? I doubt it. Direct me to one insurance company that says they will cover you for this.

Technically not going is still a choice.

Anyway the plan now, unless things change, is to hopefully transfer to RCI and book a future vacation that way.

We own RCI and if you book a trip you can also purchase insurance that allows you to cancel at any time for any reason and get your points back. We usually purchase it if we are booking a trip well in advance. It's called Points Protection. It can be added to the trip anytime before check-in and doesn't need to be purchased when you book your vacation. Maybe DVC is offering something similar now?

Also with RCI, you can pay to extend the time period for your points. I've had to do that a few times. Maybe DVC does something similar?

 

[Sue M]

We own RCI and if you book a trip you can also purchase insurance that allows you to cancel at any time for any reason and get your points back. We usually purchase it if we are booking a trip well in advance. It's called Points Protection. It can be added to the trip anytime before check-in and doesn't need to be purchased when you book your vacation. Maybe DVC is offering something similar now?

Also with RCI, you can pay to extend the time period for your points. I've had to do that a few times. Maybe DVC does something similar?

I always get trip interruption/cancelation insurance. When I travel during Hurricane season especially. If I ever decided to rent DVC points I would too, no brainer.

 

[Sue M]

Looks like our August WDW trip, rescheduled from last Aug is going to have to be rescheduled once again to 2022. I haven’t booked my Air yet, so I have time to wait and see. But I’m not optimistic about it happening.
Glad I had my Universal trip in Dec!

 

[suse66]

Not on here no. But other places, I've gotten bombarded with comments about how I'm a horrible person. What really kills me tho, is that where I live no one wears a mask even tho it's mandated. Like, literally, I went to the chiropractor today and I was the only person there, including the staff, wearing a mask. No one wants to get the vaccine because "I'm not gonna be a guinea pig" and then they call me selfish. I'm incredibly frustrated today, and apparently it's making me snippy. I apologize. I'm just over all of this.

I am sorry to hear you are experiencing this. Kudos to you for trying to do the right thing even when others around you are ignoring CDC guidelines.

If the Government of Canada will pay me back and refund me for me trip, I'd happily cancel. We purchased our DVC points and booked this pre-pandemic. We've already been told we will not get our money back. Easier said than done to just cancel, as the Prime Minster has stated he wants us to do.

Sounds like you are in a really tough situation. Are you a DVC owner or did you rent points? If you are a DVC owner you would have the option to move points to RCI and you should call member services to discuss this. If you rented points without insurance, you may be able to contact the owner/company you rented from and see if there is any way the trip dates could be moved. I hope things work out for you.

 

[White Cat]

I find it ironic that you are so quick to accuse me of bad-mouthing my country when you are repeatedly putting down the USA and posters who live there. As a citizen of one country and a resident of the other, it is painful to read some of the inaccuracies that are posted here. You are welcome to your opinion, but there is a huge difference between opinion and fact.

I am not "putting down" Canada. Canada, like all countries, isn't perfect and has room for improvement. Yes, the same can be said about the USA (and I'm sure every other country in the world, but so far I've only lived in those 2 so I won't pretend to be an expert on the rest when I have no personal experience there).

I agree. I too am a citizen of one and a resident of another and go back and forth often for many years. I have homes in both countries, cars in both countries and holding in both countries. It’s humerous to read these threads and what is said and what people believe to be true and don’t know what they are talking about.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

.
Glad I had my Universal trip in Dec!

Whoa! You are a brave soul posting this here! lol

 

[Sue M]

Whoa! You are a brave soul posting this here! lol

Meh, if people want to flame me about it, so be it. But most people on this thread knew my plans even before I went. So no secret.
When I went late Nov/Dec we didn’t have the current travel rules and only had the 14 day quarantine at home. Now with current regulations and new virus mutations I’m not going anywhere.

 

[damo]

I agree. I too am a citizen of one and a resident of another and go back and forth often for many years. I have homes in both countries, cars in both countries and holding in both countries. It’s numerous to read these threads and what is said and what people believe to be true and don’t know what they are talking about.

We're the same situation but most of the time what I see here is pretty accurate. The statistics are all out there for anyone to read. The situation where our residence is in the US is terrible and way worse than my situation in Ontario. There are many more cases(5 times as many), many more deaths(3 times as many) and a lot less testing in a population much smaller than mine here in Ontario. I live in a red zone area here in Ontario, so that doesn't say much for my county in the US.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We're the same situation but most of the time what I see here is pretty accurate. The statistics are all out there for anyone to read. The situation where our residence is in the US is terrible and way worse than my situation in Ontario. There are many more cases, many more deaths and a lot less testing in a population much smaller than mine here in Ontario.

I think that's the point a few of us have been trying to make. You can't paint the entire USA with the same broad brush, and the same can be true for the different regions of Canada. Our state has less people than in Ontario but WAY more testing. We have had more cases up until now, but we are also more densely populated (meaning the spread can be very different). Our cases are currently LESS than Ontario and our restrictions, which started sooner, are slowly being lifted.

Our state has suffered, but other states (like NY and California) have had it far, far worse. To compare our region with those areas would be unfair and unproductive. Just like comparing Ontario with Newfoundland would be equally unbalanced.

While the statistics are "out there", the CDC shows completely different numbers for our state than our state government does, due to a controversial "vital records review" process. So you can manipulate the "data" based on who you choose to believe, and what agenda you're trying to support.

 

[damo]

I think that's the point a few of us have been trying to make. You can't paint the entire USA with the same broad brush, and the same can be true for the different regions of Canada. Our state has less people than in Ontario but WAY more testing. We have had more cases up until now, but we are also more densely populated (meaning the spread can be very different). Our cases are currently LESS than Ontario and our restrictions, which started sooner, are slowly being lifted.

Our state has suffered, but other states (like NY and California) have had it far, far worse. To compare our region with those areas would be unfair and unproductive. Just like comparing Ontario with Newfoundland would be equally unbalanced.

While the statistics are "out there", the CDC shows completely different numbers for our state than our state government does, due to a controversial "vital records review" process. So you can manipulate the "data" based on who you choose to believe, and what agenda you're trying to support.

When you say your cases are lower than Ontario, do you mean your new cases per 100,000 or your active cases per 100,000 or your total cases per 100,000?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

When you say your cases are lower than Ontario, do you mean your new cases per 100,000 or your active cases per 100,000 or your total cases per 100,000?

New cases per day.

 

[damo]

New cases per day.

Is that per 100,000 or just total since the populations are different? It's such a good feeling when you see the rates going down.

I'm sure your vaccination rates are much better. Ours are getting off to a slow start for sure. And it doesn't help that Pfizer isn't delivering anywhere near what they promised. That is definitely a problem when your country doesn't produce its own vaccines.

My area has only been shut down for 4 weeks. The numbers are definitely improving, so I hope we aren't shut down for long. I'm glad to hear that you guys are gradually opening up. There are lots of places that are closed that I don't think really have any impact at all.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Is that per 100,000 or just total since the populations are different? And deaths per day?

I'm sure your vaccination rates are much better. Ours are getting off to a slow start for sure. And it doesn't help that Pfizer isn't delivering anywhere near what they promised.

My area has only been shut down for 4 weeks. The numbers are definitely improving, so I hope we aren't shut down for long. I'm glad to hear that you guys are gradually opening up. There are lots of places that are closed that I don't think really have any impact at all.

Our positivity rate is below 7%, whereas Ontario is 9.1 (the most current I could find). Our 7 day rolling average is currently at 1791, which is much lower than the most current Canada number that I could source. I assume that Canadian rolling average would be fairly indicative of the Ontario number as its the most populus province and the Toronto region has been hit exceptionally hard..

We have been under this second major shutdown since mid November. We had a lengthy one in the spring as well. We are just now gaining back a few freedoms like bowling and movie theaters, but there are major restrictions for all of those businesses even though they are technically open. We have a long way to go, but we are seeing some small glimpses of hope.

I am profoundly sad that the vaccinations are rolling out so much slower than we were promised (in both countries). My mom's health has taken a very grave turn over the past week, and I am slowly having to come to terms with the reality that, barring a miracle, I will most likely not get a chance to see her before she passes away. I cannot even describe what that feeling is like. I would gladly trade my Florida vacations for the next 10 years if I could just be with her right now. The current travel restrictions imposed by both countries combined with our responsibilities here in the US (and a unique set of family circumstances back home) mean those restrictions essentially make it impossible for us to travel. The effects of Covid cut much deeper than just the obvious. I've heard the argument far too many times over the past few months that a person's mental health is less important than the risk of catching Covid, but let me tell you, this is a special kind of hell that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

I pray for all of us right now. Stay safe, @damo.

 

[wdwmom3]

Our positivity rate is below 7%, whereas Ontario is 9.1 (the most current I could find). Our 7 day rolling average is currently at 1791, which is much lower than the most current Canada number that I could source. I assume that Canadian rolling average would be fairly indicative of the Ontario number as its the most populus province and the Toronto region has been hit exceptionally hard..

We have been under this second major shutdown since mid November. We had a lengthy one in the spring as well. We are just now gaining back a few freedoms like bowling and movie theaters, but there are major restrictions for all of those businesses even though they are technically open. We have a long way to go, but we are seeing some small glimpses of hope.

I am profoundly sad that the vaccinations are rolling out so much slower than we were promised (in both countries). My mom's health has taken a very grave turn over the past week, and I am slowly having to come to terms with the reality that, barring a miracle, I will most likely not get a chance to see her before she passes away. I cannot even describe what that feeling is like. I would gladly trade my Florida vacations for the next 10 years if I could just be with her right now. The current travel restrictions imposed by both countries combined with our responsibilities here in the US (and a unique set of family circumstances back home) mean those restrictions essentially make it impossible for us to travel. The effects of Covid cut much deeper than just the obvious. I've heard the argument far too many times over the past few months that a person's mental health is less important than the risk of catching Covid, but let me tell you, this is a special kind of hell that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

I pray for all of us right now. Stay safe, @damo.

Our positivity rate is now 4.2%. It didn’t take long to find that.

https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-...cases-of-covid-19-another-50-deaths-1.5279973

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Our positivity rate is now 4.2%. It didn’t take long to find that.

https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-...cases-of-covid-19-another-50-deaths-1.5279973

Well, I stand corrected. Unlike some folks here, I don't mind admitting when I'm out of date on something. I don't have some sort of agenda to further. I participate in these discussions because I was raised to appreciate different perspectives.

As for the length of time it took you to find that latest update, congratulations. You win! I took a cursory look for numbers before I called to see if my mom was well enough to talk for a few minutes. Sounds like my life might be a little more complicated right now than yours is. Consider yourself very fortunate.

Glad to see Ontario headed in the right direction finally. The longer the virus is an issue, the longer it will be before I can see my loved ones, and the longer their lives are negatively impacted by the lockdown.