The “D” Factor

Our readers were very excited when we announced that Medipac would insure medical expenses arising from COVID-19 when travelling both inside and outside of Canada. We are very aware of the federal government’s travel warning that you should only travel if it is “essential” travel but we felt that, being a snowbird, it is essential to visit your homes in the United States, and elsewhere, during the winter months. So, Medipac does insure COVID-19.

It is not necessary to revisit the huge health benefits of travelling to warmer, and/or drier climates during the winter months. We also feel that we are just as safe, if not more so, when at our winter homes. Several of our staff spent many of the COVID-19 months of February, March, April and part of May, earlier this year, in the southern United States. Perhaps we were lucky, but COVID-19 was really not a factor. But we were very, very careful.

We do not want anyone to get a false sense of security just because they have insurance for COVID-19. This is still a very serious and dangerous disease. We recommend that you always wear a mask when you are out in public. Social distancing of at least six feet is optimal and washing your hands regularly is a necessity.

We have a box of gloves (nitrile preferably) and masks at each of our doors to the outside world and you should, too. Taking these with you, when you go out, should become as automatic as picking up your sunglasses and your car keys. We believe that the N95 and the KN95 masks are the best to use, and this has been borne out by some clinical trials. Some of the cloth masks can be very ineffective, depending on the material used, and a little research may help you decide what mask to wear. And don’t cheat! A mask should cover your mouth and your nose. Help others and help yourselves, too.

And now for the “D” Factor…it has been clinically proven that most of the serious cases of COVID-19 were found to have a vitamin D deficiency. This means that there was not enough vitamin D in their bodies. This is not a medical science fact, yet, but I believe that it will be soon. Vitamin D appears to have a very beneficial effect in protecting you from the COVID-19 virus. Dr. Bob MacMillan has been preaching about the importance of vitamin D in his articles in this magazine for years. And we always instinctively knew that he was right. Now we have another very strong reason to protect ourselves with that simple vitamin.

The recommended amounts to take vary all over the place, but it appears that 1,200 to 2,000 mg per day is a proper dosage. D3 is the recommended version and lots of sun (within reason) as well as fish oils, etc. will prove very helpful, too. I would talk to your doctor and see what he or she recommends; perhaps a little internet research will also help with your decision. I was particularly impressed by a Joe Rogan sequence on YouTube about vitamin D. Perhaps you should watch it, too.

Stay safe; travel safe; and socially distance are today’s watchwords. Pay attention.