I lived in Canada for 7 years this past decade. Other than my accent, people thought I was Canadian, I never mentioned I was American and was usually embarrassed if someone who knew pointed it out. Not because I'm embarrassed to be an American, but because Canadians had such a negative view. They were always talking sh*t about Americans if they didn't think any were around. It wasn't just a little light teasing either, many of them genuinely look down on Americans and feel superior. It made me understand a little bit of how someone must feel around racists when they are of color, except I was able to blend in.

Canada is definitely a nice place to live if you have loads of money. Everyone I knew had a pretty good job. I was not able to secure a financial future there and moved back to the US, where my dollar goes farther and I can afford a home. There's a ton of nationalist pride in Canada, and I don't begrudge them for it. I know a lot more about the country and its people but I'm glad I haven't visited during the pandemic. I'd hate to be harassed on the road while I have my kid in the car, that's unforgivable.

The US is Canada's biggest trading partner. Why jeopardize that over a virus the experts have been wrong about at every turn? Seems silly.