John Hopkins Hospital – An estate meltdown

This comes from an outstanding book  THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS BY REBECCA SKLOOT.  She tells the story of how a poor Southern tobacco farmer who worked the same land as her slave ancestors  had her cells taken without her knowledge and they became one  of  the most important tools in medicine   Henrietta has been dead for more than 60 years and if you could pile all her cells on a scale they would weigh more than 50 million tons as much as 100 Empire State Buildings.  Her family received nothing for any of this and in the process there were many  labs and others who benefited  financially from these cells.  

Now to the role of  JOHN HOPKINS HOSPITAL often referred to with respect if not reverence.  I will quote from the author’s book

“John Hopkins was born on a tobacco plantation where his father freed his slaves nearly 60 years before emancipation.  Hopkins made millions working  as a banker and grocer and selling his own brand of whiskey.  He never married and had no children.   In 1873 shortly before his death  he donated $7 million to start a medical school and charity hospital.  He outlined his wishes to the 12 men he had chosen as trustees.  It was to help those who could not get medical care without regard to sex, age, or color, who require surgical or medical treatment.  The poor of all races who are stricken down by any casualty shall be received into the hospital without charge.  He also set aside $2 million worth of property and $20 thousand in cash each years for helping black children.  His trustees created one of the top medical schools in the U.S whose public wards provided millions of dollars in free care to the poor, many of them black.

The history of John Hopkins Hospital certainly is not pristine when it comes to black patients.   Researchers used blood samples from more than 7000 neighbourhood children   most from poor black  families.  They were looking for a genetic predisposition to criminal behaviour. No consent was given.  Results were released to state and juvenile courts.  Confidentiality of   doctor –  patient relationships were breached. Researchers used black children for lead poisoning knowingly exposing them to lead.  At other times there were stories of  John Hopkins abducting black children and using them for experimentation.”

There are many other stories in the book describing  a  serious breakdown of the instructions provided by their benefactor Mr John Hopkins

This is not the first estate that has seriously strayed  from a benefactor’s instructions.  And it will not be the last.  WHO MINDS  THE STORE?   OFTEN  NOBODY!

Had this book,  with its 10 years of extensive research,  not been written, this story would have remained  hidden.

Winter? Arizona – Florida – Mexico or Jamaica?

Most of the people I know funnel down to Florida for the winter.  The  State is familiar.  It has a long history of Canadians seeking winter relief  throughout the State.  English is spoken.   It is also flat and the weather is unpredictable.

Some go to Arizona.   It is dry and the weather is more predictable.  The State has a nice native Indian history.  They speak english.  The geography is not all flat – It is interesting.  The State is also increasingly lawless with most residents now carrying guns.

Mexico    Some go here for the different  culture.   It is a country full of interesting places.   English is the second language.  Being understood is not a problem.  There is more value for one’s currency in Mexico.  The climate varies from the high mountains to the seaside.  For people in their retirement  years there are places where they can live while they are healthy and when things take a change for the worse they can move over to the other side of the valley, continue to live,  and receive medical and nursing attention.  They just move within the same community.  One has to be aware of security.

Jamaica   The weather here is always warm soft and  predictable for these winter months.   This is because it is closer to the equator and the country  is surrounded by warm blue waters.   Montego Bay was the first place where the jet set spent their winters starting in  the late 50’s.   Doctor’s Cave beach has very fine sand  and is as inviting these days as it was years ago.  The island is full of interesting places.  The geography is  pleasant on the eyes.  English is spoken.   One has to take care with regard to security and almost all tourist facilities have security in place.   Just east of Montego Bay towards Ocho Rios a docking facility is being completed that will be able to accept the world’s largest passenger ships.  Close by a convention facility is nearing  completion.  It  it very large.  There will be facilities there for more than 10,000 people.  The convention centre and the dock  is the first and the largest in the Caribbean.    Most convention cities in Canada and the U.S cannot accommodate this many people.  Our currency has value in Jamaica.    They have the same  long British  history with Canadians

For those who are planning on a winter place  renting rather than buying likely makes more sense.   I know of very few who are trying to buy in Florida and I know of many who have been trying to sell in that  State.   The same holds true in all these places.   Unless you have lots of capital, you seek ownership, are prepared for the regulations and you do not mind having to wait for a buyer when that time comes renting makes more sense.  You can walk away each year.