Swine Flu Parties
People are starting to buzz about having swine flu parties. This means if someone comes down with the virus now while it’s still in it’s mild stage, other people want to expose their children to it so that when it hits heavier in the fall, theses kids will have some resistance to it. Experts say this is not a good idea because this virus is still unpredictable and there is still much to be studied about the way it behaves and will behave later on.
The World Health Organization says there have been 311 deaths from 70,000 infections from 13 countries.
I have heard conflicting reports that say people who are in good health are less at risk of death than people who are very young, very old, and with previous medical conditions. Other reports say most who have died have been between the ages of about 5 to 25. I can’t verify those ages but that age group should be among the strongest and the healthiest, I would imagine.
Acetaminophen
The FDA convened an expert panel who has decided to more heavily regulate acetaminophen which is the active ingredient in Tylenol. They voted 17 to 20 to take this action because 100 people die every year from liver damage and failure. They say that some people who overdose may be unaware that other products they take may contain acetaminophen.
What ever changes they make will not go into effect for months and fear not, it will not be taken off the shelves. Those who are against this change point out that 80% of those who intenionally overdose are actually trying to commit suicide. There was also talk of selling it in one dose packages under their recommended dosages.
Fire Works Safety Tips
My fireworks safety tip is to attend a professional show and leave the lighting to the experts. Kids under 15 in 2007, were the highest age group to show up at the ER, and this is repeated every year. Most injuries were burns followed by bruises and cuts.
I knew a young man who was 18 and was working as a mechanic. On a previous fourth of July he was lighting fireworks and lost three fingers on his right hand, and two on his left. His dream of making a living as a mechanic ended that night.
Not only do people get hurt, but cars and buildings are accidently set on fire, resulting in millions of dollars in damage across the country. About 20 years ago I saw a group of people in the alley lighting fireworks. They were trying to be careful, but despite their best efferts, one of the things they lit shot across the ground and went under a garage door. An hour later the garage was engulfed in flames and the homeowner lost her car, a motorcycle, and the structure itself. This is not an isolated story, it happens somewhere every fourth.
It’s nice to have a private show, but the risk of injury and loss of property is just not worth it, not to mention that it’s illegal in many states. Go to a show and see great fireworks!
Twins, The New Accessory for Celebs
A few years ago the numbers of twins in the USA numbered about 32 in 1000 live births. I don’t have any family members, friends, or even neighbors that have twins. So please forgive me when I hear of another celeb who is having or has just had twins.
The latest is Sarah Jessica Parker, and she has a surrogate have them for her and Matthew B.
My biggest wonder is why isn’t anyone else asking how come so many twins amongst the Hollywood stars? I know this is not natural and I wonder how they are having the twins Not three or more which is what you’d expect from those having fertility treatments, and if the doctors are only implanting two, they are really accurate.
Have as many as you can take care. Have them by any method you have available. I would if I could afford it and couldn’t have kids naturally. All I ask is that you be honest and maybe help promote the medical procedure that got you this way. Your opinions?
Heat Sense
Just a word about heat sense. We’re now in the season where we are going to experience some very hot and humid days. Try to observe these common sense tips to survive the hot days of summer.
- If you don’t have to be outside stay indoors
- drink plenty of liquids, the best is cool water
- wear loose, light, and light colored clothing
- short hair cuts, and hairdo’s that keep your hair away from your face will feel more comfortable especially if it’s off your face and neck, this allows more air contact to evaporate the sweat from your skin and will feel cooler
- If you are outside try to stay in shade and avoid direct sunlight for more than a couple of minutes
- don’t think your pets don’t feel the heat also, do not lock them in hot places for more than a few minutes and leave them plenty of water and circulating fresh air
- if you don’t have access to air conditioning, a washcloth wet with cool water or a spray bottle and a fan with cool you off.
- remember that we still have to worry about West Nile from mosquitos so guard yourself and your family against the pests.
Raw Cookie Dough Contamination
Two people have gotten sick in New Hampshire from eating Nestle Cookie Dough. So far it concerns the Toll House Refrigerated Raw Cookie Dough and the fact that it might be contaminated with E. coli.
Cooking the cookie dough will kill the E. coli, however New Hampshire officials say that if you have this in your home you should just throw it out. They are concerned that the bacteria could be consumed or spread just by the handling of it with your hands and on the surfaces in your kitchen.
After a quickie goverment investigation, they found that there is good reason to think that the illnesses of 65 people in 29 states is linked to the raw cookie dough.
I think a good home policy for all of us is “When in doubt, throw it out”.
Cat Killer
A teen has been arrested and charged with killing 19 cats. This sicko, if he is the one that is responsible, hacked to pieces these poor innocent animals. I’m sure that if he is found guilty, one of his sentences may be some kind of therapy , but I’m here to tell you I believe that no amount of therapy is going to make me ever feel safe with him walking the streets free, ever.
This is a defective human being with no empathy, no mercy, no feelings but his own, and no soul, and none of those things can ever be put into him. If he ever walks free and we all know he will, he will be a serial killer and a very brutal and dangerous one. He crossed a line that can never be uncrossed.
Pandemic
By now you all must have heard that the swine flu has been now rated a pandemic by WHO, the World Health Organization. By their rating system, it’s now at a 6 which is a world wide pandemic.
Just so everyone understands and doesn’t panic over this new rating. It has more to do with with the spread of the disease, than with the severity of it. As far as I’m concerned, the numbers are still low, but the fact that they are found all over the world is a concern with governments and the medical world.
Just keep washing those hands and keep them away from your face till they have been thoughly cleaned. I also happened to catch this tip from a popular doctors show. They suggested that when you sneeze or cough you do it into the crook of your elbow, rather than your hands. Of course it’s not correct to do that if you want to be proper, however it makes a lot of sense because you don’t touch things with the inside of your elbow.
Bedside Advocates
I was flipping channels and stopped at this small cable show. I don’t know the name of it, but I know that it’s hosted by a woman in her 80’s. Her name is Suzanne, and her show is about senior issues.
Today near the end of the show, she had an elderly gentleman as her guest. He talked about a small organization he started called Bedside Advocates. As I listened to him talk, I couldn’t help but think that I wish I had them for my parents before they died. I was excited however that this man is looking to expand this service into something large enough to go national.
The purpose of this all volunteer organization, is to have someone like a retired doctor, nurse, or lay person who has full knowledge and experience with different illnesses, pair with a sick person as an advocate. The advantage over having them involved is that they know what questions to ask, what alternate care might be available, and can act as go between the doctors and the families.
The cost for such a service with this small group is free and composed of volunteers. I think this has great potenial and is badly needed. Although most doctors I’ve met up with are very caring, the truth is that when they have patients who are elderly, the attitude is that they are old and will die soon anyway, so I don’t think they are as concerned with saving lives as they would be with younger people.