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HEALTH

Is the pandemic to blame for Switzerland’s spate of avalanche deaths?

The death of an Irishman and a British national has brought the number of people killed in avalanches in Switzerland this winter to 14 - almost a record toll for the last two decades. But is the impact of the pandemic behind the high number of fatalities?

Is the pandemic to blame for Switzerland's spate of avalanche deaths?
Avalanche warning boards are on display at a closed area in the small resort of Zinal, Swiss Alps in 2018. Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

As of Tuesday afternoon, January 19th, 14 people have died as a result of avalanche accidents in Switzerland, including six over the past weekend alone. 

This is well above the average yearly figure of eight people. 

The number also is higher than the fatality count from any winter over the past two decades, other than 2014-15 where 18 people died as a result of avalanches. 

On Monday, a 29-year-old Irishman who lived in Valais died, along with a 38-year-old British man in Verbier in separate incidents. 

The Irish man was involved in an accident near Siviez and was later airlifted to Sion, where he succumbed to his injuries. 

On Sunday, 19-year-old Swiss died after an accident near Rochers de Naye. 

Three people died on Saturday in three separate avalanches in the cantons of Graubünden, Obwalden and Schwyz. 

Is coronavirus to blame? 

The pandemic has cut mobility and brought tourism almost to a standstill, but some experts have argued that lockdowns and other coronavirus measures have contributed to the higher than usual death rate. 

As reported in Switzerland’s Neue Zürcher Zeitung, the one commonality between all of the fatal accidents is that they happened ‘off piste’, i.e. not on the secured slopes where the vast majority of skiers ski. 

With many concerned about the potential for contracting the virus – and with ski resorts experiencing record popularity – the idea of going off piste has become more attractive. 

READ MORE: Large crowds on Swiss ski slopes spark concern over coronavirus spread 

But with Switzerland experiencing significant snowfall in recent weeks, the risk of avalanches has grown. 

On Saturday, January 16th, the SLF Avalanche Bulletin carried the warning of a “very dangerous avalanche situation away from secured slopes”. 

The SLF Avalanche Bulletin can be found here. 

The central and eastern Alps had an avalanche warning of four, which includes a caution that “individual winter sports enthusiasts could very easily trigger avalanches”, reports the NZZ.  

“The particularly dangerous conditions of this winter, with relatively little snow at the beginning and now extreme amounts of precipitation in some areas within a short period of time partially explain the sad result.”

Pierre Mathey, Managing Director of the Swiss Mountain Guide Association, said the lockdown also contributed to the fatality risk due to cabin fever. 

With people feeling more “locked in”, Mathey said they are more likely to want to go outdoors whenever it is allowed. 

Mathey also said that the avalanche warnings probably fell on deaf ears due largely to the bombardment of warnings and rules most people have experienced since the pandemic first broke out in March. 

“Unfortunately, you must assume that the warnings appear a little duller,” he told the NZZ

Would closing the slopes stop the deaths? 

While the coronavirus pandemic may be partially to blame for the higher than average fatality rates, experts have warned that simply closing the slopes is unlikely to make a difference. 

In fact, it could lead to a higher than average fatality rate, with people more likely to go off piste. 

Mathey said closing the slopes would force skiers to go into “open nature”. 

“It (closing the slopes) would be a programmed catastrophe,” Mathey said. 

 

 

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HEALTH

How can a foreign resident apply for Swiss disability insurance?

This particular benefit is part of the compulsory social insurance scheme for all persons living in Switzerland — including foreign citizens.

How can a foreign resident apply for Swiss disability insurance?

Disability insurance (DI), also known in Switzerland as ‘invalidity’ insurance, may sound as though you have to be physically handicapped in order to be eligible to receive this benefit.

But that is not so.

It is intended to replace lost income if you can’t work for long periods of time due to health problems — whatever the type of your ailment.

According to a government brochure on this subject, “the law defines invalidity as a total or partial incapacity to work or inability to perform previous tasks. The reason for the invalidity must be an impairment of physical, mental or psychological health that cannot be overcome with medical treatment and reintegration measures. Possible causes of the health impairment are a congenital infirmity, an illness, an occupational disease or an accident.” 

Are foreigners eligible for this insurance?

Everyone working Switzerland, regardless of the nationality, is insured for DI when they pay their compulsory social security contributions.

Note, however, that you will be entitled to draw full amounts (read more about this below) only if you contribute into the social security scheme from the time you turn 21 without any gaps.

You will receive these payouts for as long as you remain in Switzerland

However, if you move away, there will be some differences  based on whether you come from the EU / EFTA states (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), or a third country.

Nationals of  EU / EFTA have the same DI rights as Swiss citizens — they will continue to receive the benefits even if they move back.

But if you come from elsewhere, benefits may be limited once you return to your country of origin, if that country doesn’t have a social security agreement with Switzerland.

How can you apply for these benefits?

In order to receive the DI, you will first need to complete an application form for IV/AI benefits (form available in German, French and Italian).

You will have to provide various documents, including medical certificates and other relevant paperwork detailed in the form that will allow authorities to determine whether you are eligible to receive disability  in the first place and, if so, how much (see below).

It is in your interest to register as soon as possible.

If you wait too long, your benefits may be reduced.

How much can you expect to receive?

These payments are intended to cover your essential needs, so don’t expect huge amounts.

The benefits are determined by two factors: your average salary before you become disabled, as well as the degree of your disability, which will be determined by health professionals designated by your social security office.

Logically, the more (and longer) you earned and contributed into the system, the more you will receive.

Generally speaking, the lowest possible full DI pension is currently 1,225 Swiss francs per month.

The highest is 2,450 francs per month — if  you earned 86,040 francs or more per year and you have paid uninterrupted contributions from age 21.

What if these amounts are not enough for you to live on?

In this case you could receive supplemental benefits at a level considered adequate to maintain a reasonable standard of living.

Whether or not you are eligible for these benefits depends on your combined income and your personal wealth. You can only receive supplemental benefits as long as you live in Switzerland, though — unlike the basic DI, they are not transferable abroad.

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