Tuesday 24 March 2020


LIVING THROUGH COVID-19 - PART 1

It’s hard to believe that only one week ago, Elva and I rode with Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club in Cape Coral, Florida. As we sat in front of The Bagel Factory, saying goodbye to our friends, American and Canadian, I wondered what lay ahead for all of us. How bad would it get? Would any of us come down with the virus? What would transpire in the twelve months before we saw one another again?

We spent the rest of Saint Patrick’s Day loading bicycles, suitcases, 2020 Christmas gifts, and other assorted odds and ends into the car. That evening, we strolled through downtown Fort Myers one last time, past closed bars, half-empty restaurants, and our beloved Starbucks, serving grab-and-go only. There were no chairs for us to sit outside. Early the next morning, we left Poinsettia Park and headed north on I-75.

I was ready for anything, traffic-wise and weather-wise, and really didn’t know what to expect as we began the 3,600-kilometer trek north. We’d booked a hotel near Savannah, Georgia, 800 kilometers from Fort Myers. Traffic was relatively light on I-75 and I-10 but started to bunch up when we reached I-95. Checking into our hotel around 5:30 we noticed that things had changed and, most importantly, that hotel employees were very mindful of their responsibility to keep us safe.

Around 2:00 the next morning, realizing we were both awake, Elva and I chose to hit the road and have a few hours of easy driving before the hordes arrived. We always take an alternative, and slightly longer, route to avoid the busy I-95. It takes us past Columbia, SC, Charlotte, NC, Roanoke, VA, and through Pennsylvania, staying away from Washington, New York, and Boston. Trusting the GPS, I made the mistake of taking I-78 toward Newark, NJ and, before realizing what I’d done, was heading straight for New York City at evening rush hour. Shit!

To our amazement, I-95, which runs through the heart of New York, was nearly empty. The last time we’d crossed the George Washington Bridge over the Hudson River, we’d waited over an hour at the toll plaza. As the photos show, there was one car ahead of us and very light traffic. Driving through New Rochelle, a Covid-19 hotspot, was eerie. Around 6:00 pm, we stopped at a market for something to eat—grab-and-go—and drove the short distance to our hotel in West Haven, CT. We’d logged 1,600 kilometers. Again, hotel staff were on high alert, surfaces were being disinfected, and we were told that breakfast would not be served because of the virus.
 

Up at 4:00 am, we grabbed our bagged breakfast and headed for Charlottetown; only 1,200 kilometers to go and the worst of the traffic behind us. I’d ignored all the foolish rumours about what would happen at the border crossing between Calais, ME and Saint Stephen, NB. After a fifteen-minute wait, we rolled up to the kiosk and were questioned in French by a very professional CBSA Agent, M. Sigouin. He asked us the usual questions about when we’d entered the US, where we’d stayed, and where we were going. He then asked us whether we had a fever or cough, gave us written instructions on self-isolation and wished us a safe journey home. After three hard days on the road, we were glad to be back.

We unpacked the car, being careful not to touch any surfaces in the building entry and corridor with our bare hands, and settled in for our first night of self-isolation. Prior to our arrival, I’d composed an email for our neighbours, advising them of our ETA and explaining that, if we went outdoors for a bit of fresh air, we’d come and go by our balcony since our apartment is at ground level. I asked that the message be forwarded to building management.

The next day, I received an email from a representative of the building’s owner, a publicly-traded real estate investment trust that owns hundreds of units on Prince Edward Island, telling me that we must stay in our apartment—no exceptions—and that we could not enter and exit our apartment via our balcony. This left me more than a little frustrated as I’d been told by Health PEI’s Covid-19 hotline that day that people self-isolating were permitted to go outside for a walk or bike ride to get some fresh air.

What to do? At 10:43 pm on Saturday, I emailed Dr. Heather Morrison, our Chief Health Officer, explaining our situation and asking her to clarify the guidelines around self-isolation for apartment dwellers and owners. To my utter amazement, she responded at 10:53! She explained that, yes, there was some confusion and that she would attempt to clarify.

On Monday, March 23, she did clarify things, reassuring Elva and I that we had the right to leave our apartment building through the corridor and entry, providing we took measures to avoid touching surfaces and respected social distancing guidelines.

Unfortunately, the media did not report this part of her remarks, leaving the impression that people in self-isolation should not go out. Anyone who doubts what I've said should watch and listen to Dr. Morrison’s March 23 press briefing and read the email she sent me (see below).

She also mentioned that, if it’s an option, apartment dwellers who live on the ground floor should come and go from their patio if possible. I asked building management if they would remove the short, fifteen-inch section of balcony railing shown in the photo (held in place by eight screws and four bolts) so that we could come and go by this route and thereby avoid the corridor and building entry. They refused. In email exchanges with the Provincial Fire Marshal and the City Fire Chief, I learned that they have no jurisdiction over such matters. This is what happens when concerns about liability trump common sense.


I emailed Dr. Morrison yesterday to thank her for clarifying the self-isolation guidelines for apartment dwellers and owners. I received her response at 12:35 am:

Hello Mr Arsenault,

Thank you for your follow-up email, and I was thinking about you when I was speaking today.  We have put together a draft information piece related to apartments, and if all goes well, it should be available on the website within the next day.  I mention it because it will hopefully help clarify some questions for others as well going forward.  Of course, the information continues to change very quickly, and if anything evolves in terms of new direction from us, we will let you know.

Take good care,
Heather

Dr. Morrison is an exemplary professional. She epitomizes the true public service vocation and is a credit to our province. She cares about people. We could not be better served. In Canada, our leaders, political and medical, seem to be singing from the same song sheet. I’m thankful for that. It's certainly not the case everywhere.

Elva goes for a walk every day. I went with her yesterday. We walked on the Confederation Trail out to the Charlottetown Mall and then to Joe Ghiz Park. Many people were out and about, all of them practicing adequate social distancing. When things warm up a bit, I’ll be on my bike. We’re both symptom-free and determined to stay that way.

We’re taking this emergency very seriously while trying to maintain a balance between social responsibility, our rights as individuals, and our own health and well-being. I’ve washed my hands more in the past week than I during the rest of my 66+ years! On our way back from Florida, we touched no surface without washing or disinfecting our hands, and used paper towels on door handles and gas pump handles. We’ll continue to follow the guidelines to the letter, recognizing that they may change at any time. If they do, we’ll comply.

Sunday 8 March 2020


CYCLING IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

“Cycling in Southwest Florida”. Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? A figure of speech that contains contradictory terms. Like “jumbo shrimp” or “Great Depression”. Google it and you’ll find lists of paved cycling paths or places to go off-road cycling. Nothing you’d expect for a cycling destination. It’s dead flat here and, were it not for gravity and old age, wind would pose the only challenge.

We’re sometimes asked by people here and back home in Canada: “Why Fort Myers?” We first spent time here in 2016, looking for a place to get away from notorious Prince Edward Island winters. Having secured accommodations for a trial month, I checked to see if there was any cycling activity in the area. I soon found my way to the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club (CRBC) website and noted that their ride calendar appeared to have something for both Elva and me.


In 2016, Elva was still a novice road rider while I’d ridden a paceline for years with several friends, calling ourselves the Over The Hill Gang. It was important to me that she find a group she could be comfortable riding with, at a pace she could sustain, and in a “no drop” ride. We were welcomed into the group from the first day here and we haven’t looked back.

Each group has a ride leader, an experienced cyclist who tries to keep the group together, maintain a steady pace and, most importantly, make sure everyone finishes the ride safe and sound. Being a ride leader is a big responsibility and it can be a rather thankless job on difficult days. Elva and I admire those who take on these roles and make riding more enjoyable for all of us.


This year, we’re spending three months in Southwest Florida. We’ve grown to appreciate Fort Myers more each year and it’s become our second home. Yes, it has its drawbacks traffic, more crime than we’re used to, the unfavourable exchange rate, scarcity of rental options — but these are far outweighed by the positives. We’ve made new friends here and enjoy the company of those we ride with three and four times a week. Elva and I spend time at the beach and, each year, we find new things to do by exploring the area. We attended our first spring training game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays at JetBlue Park. We spent time in the city of Immokalee, taking in the cattle drive and jamboree at Roberts Ranch, and free music concerts and a car show at the Seminole Casino.


We absolutely love downtown Fort Myers. Older buildings have been lovingly restored, much like they have in Charlottetown. There’s something going on every weekend: bike show, art show, car show, food festival, music festival, etc. Once or twice a week, we while away an early evening sitting outside Starbucks, enjoying a hot beverage and people-watching.


Back to cycling. The thing that impresses me most about CRBC riders is their zest for life. I’ve said this before: “Florida is not a place where people go to get old but a place they go to stay young!” I’m reminded of this when I ride with Pete, soon to be 84 and a very strong and capable rider. He came to Canada from Italy in 1956 and joined a cycling club in Windsor, Ontario. He raced there as a young man before moving to the US, and he now lives in Florida. I can only dream of being as fit as he is in my mid-eighties. My motto: “It’s easy to get old. It’s staying young that’s hard!”
Some I ride with have overcome major health issues: one is on his third artificial hip; several have battled cancer; one is recovering from major reconstructive surgery on his foot; others have heart conditions. Many of us carry scars from cycling accidents. I’m riding a new bike this year. Why? Because I was struck by a ¾-ton 4x4 in a roundabout last August. I wasn’t hurt badly and, because it was his fault, the other driver’s insurance company paid to replace my bike.


Some people think we’re crazy to ride on the road, especially in a closely-spaced group. My answer is simple: “If you aren’t comfortable, don’t do it!” You’re a danger to yourself and to others. Given the volume of traffic, we’ve generally found Florida drivers to be quite considerate of cyclists. We get the occasional “Get off the road!” but no more often than back home.


Three years ago, on her 65th birthday, Elva felt inspired to write of her Florida experience in these words. If anything, she feels them even more strongly today:


Et me voici!

Here I am
With my team, the Caloosa Riders
Maintaining their 18-mile speed
It’s stimulating and rewarding

I’m in a paceline
I’m focusing
It’s challenging
On the road
The group signals are helping

“Slowing; Stopping
Clear; Rolling
Walker up; Bikers up
Car back; Passing
Car right; Stopping
Car left; Slowing
Take the lane; Rolling”

Now I’m second in line
Right behind Keith’s back wheel
Keeping the pace, I’m watching,
For the signal will be coming

Here I am
To the front I go
It’s my turn to take a pull
My turn to yell out the signals
Will I be turning?

I gave my very best
To my right, five riders pass
“Good work! Great job! Good pull!
Thank you! Look at you go!”
At the end of the paceline now, I smile
Satisfied

2017 is off to a great start
On the designated bike lanes
Near Fort Myers
I’m more confident and I’m stronger

Here I am
Enjoying every ride

Et me voici
De nouveau sur mon vélo
Ce matin, Jean-Paul reste en avant
Moi à l’abris du vent

J’ai beaucoup appris ici
Et c’est plaisant
En ce 4 février étant avantagée
Je réussis 73 km à la vitesse désirée

Mais quelle belle façon de souligner
Qu’aujourd’hui je suis officiellement une aînée
Que je suis choyée!

Here a few shots of our favourite southern riders.

Sunday morning church group at Panera in Estero
With Vito Gallo, a guy from Toronto I've been riding with for five years.
Images from the Royal Palm Challenge on March 8. Elva rode 60 km with her group and I did 100 km. Thanks to all the volunteers!