A single death is a tragedy. The Media calls it a PANDEMIC
The Russians Are Coming… The Russians Are Coming: A comedy movie released in 1966 had a theme of a Soviet sub that that ran aground in New England after its Captain tried to get a glimpse of America. Residents of the harbor town panicked when they concluded it was the beginning of an invasion. Each year some 40,000 people in America die from the flu. Not any particular kind of flu, just the flu. 40,000. That is more than 100 deaths per day from the ordinary old everyday flu and all its cousins. ABC, NBC, and CBS do not lead off with stories about flu deaths. CNN, Fox and the other cable news channels don’t give it 24-hour coverage. We are not bombarded in the newspapers with people wearing masks and racing to return home from the land of tacos and tamales, and there is no talk in Congress about closing our borders. Flights are not cancelled and vice presidents do not appear on magazine TV shows saying that he advises his family members not to travel by plane, rail, subway, or in a car whose other occupants are strangers. Yet every day some 100 people die from the effects of the flu in the USA. Over 100 every day, 40,000 per year over and over.
What a difference a strain makes: The recent panic to hit the airwaves, ink print, and other media might be considered the remake of that movie renamed, “The Swine-flu is Coming, The Swine-flu is Coming.” To date there have been 111 cases of Swine-flu. That is just the number of SUSPECTED cases. Deaths in the US from swine flu? One. A 23 month-toddler who suffered from other illnesses was flown to a hospital in Houston and perished. Thus far, the score for the year is: All flu deaths this year to date: 12,000. Swine flu deaths this year to date: One. Although the regular flu “pandemic” possibility has resulted in zero precautions suggested by pundits or the World Health Organization, the following precautions have been taken for Swine flu:
Lock up your women and children – your menfolk too: More than 300 schools, most of which have had no symptoms have been closed for fear of contagion according to the US Education Department. The closed schools in 11 states provided sick-day vacations to more than 172,000 students. The number of students sent home exceeds the entire student population of Dallas or Detroit school districts. Initial reports of the Swine flu came from Mexico where there had been some 168 deaths attributed to the new strain – but none reported in the past 10 days. Thus anything Mexican-related has caused panic. In a suburban Detroit school district a student who had been to Mexico on spring break came down with flu symptoms. The entire school closed in a panic. Test results showed it was not Swine flu.
Better Safe than Sorry, Or Silly: Some other (over) reactions to the media blitz included: College Board Tests (SAT and AP) were cancelled at dozens of locations, a high school near Syracuse was closed for cleaning and disinfecting because one student reported flu-like symptoms, Slippery Rock University refused to allow 22 students to participate in regular graduation ceremonies because they had vacationed in Mexico, even though none had flu symptoms, University of Michigan suspended all travel to Mexico and urged students already there to return immediately, University of Delaware cancelled all baseball and softball road games. The Education Department strongly urges school closings when there is a confirmed or suspected case of a parent or sibling of a student and further urges unaffected schools and child-care facilities to “begin to prepare for the possibility” of closures. Could they be desperately seeking Susan – as in Swine flu Susan, cousin of Typhoid Mary?
Serious Impact of Swine Flu: The most recent comparison of the Swine-flu panic is with the outbreak of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in 2003 which resulted in 8,000 deaths in 29 countries. The economic impact in Asia was $ 18 billion including $ 15 billion in tourism. Tourist centers in the U.S., including Las Vegas, already hard hit by the economic crisis, fear a similar loss. If the Swine flu becomes pandemic, Vancouver, which will host the 2010 Olympics is concerned about what course of action they might take. Swine flu, officially named Flu H1N1 by the CDC (Center for Disease Control), is being cited by the WHO (World Health Organization) as possibly becoming a pandemic. Italy, Poland, Venezuela, and China have advised their citizens not to travel to the U.S. for fear of the illness.
Epidemic... Pandemic... huh?: Epidemic is defined as “a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease; many people are infected at the same time.” Pandemic is defined as an “epidemic over a wide geographical area.” Several countries around the world are reacting in an even more panicked mode than the U.S. China worked aggressively to track down people who may have been near a sick Mexican tourist, sealing 305 people inside a Hong Kong hotel where he stayed and hospitalizing 15 fellow passengers. The man developed a fever after arriving in the Chinese territory and was isolated in stable condition Saturday. No evidence of Swine flu was reported. In Mexico there have been no reported deaths from the Swine flu in several days and health officials there suggest the worst might be over.
Silly season of the Swine flu: Politicians and pundits have wasted little time spinning the Swine flu media blitz into opportunities to promote their cause. A congressman suggested that the infant who died from Swine flu (the only victim thus far in the U.S.) might have been an illegal immigrant. She wasn’t, but the very attempt to use this tragedy for political gain is despicable. A right-wing radio talk show host reportedly suggested that the president has spread the Swine flu as he recently returned from a trip to Mexico. The president had no flu symptoms. At this point it is too early to determine if the action surrounding the Swine flu was an overreaction and “Much Ado About Nothing,” or if sensible precautions were taken. But at this point the score in the U.S. remains: Death from flu this year 12,000. Deaths from Swine flu this year: 1.
A little blogging music Maestro... From Iron Maiden, “Fear of the Dark.”
Dr. Forgot
http://drforgot.com
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
To Your Health
Today’s post is the 330th Olio entry. The title of this blog, Olio, was selected because it is defined as, “A collection of various artistic or literary works or musical pieces; a miscellany.”
I’ve invited a guest blogger and fellow Clairton High School alumnus to contribute. Read and enjoy.
I was asked if I’d like to write a “guest” blog, and at first I refused because I didn’t think I had anything interesting to say. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that what began as a career choice five years ago has become a passion, and I feel the need to share it.
Our health today is in crisis. We spend over $2 trillion a year on medical care, which represents one-sixth of the U.S. economy. This money is spent almost exclusively on treating the symptoms of illness. It has very little to do with preventing illnesses or with making people feel stronger or healthier. Studies show that 90% of pharmaceutical sales are for maintenance drugs which people will take the rest of their lives, and only 10% is for drugs that will cure a disease.
SOME FACTS:
1. In 1980, 15 percent of the U.S. population was obese; in 2000, it rose to 27 percent, and today it is over 34 percent. Add to that the 33 percent who are overweight and you find that approximately two-thirds of all Americans need to lose weight. Moreover, overweight and obesity are symptoms of poor nutrition. Typically, someone who is obese is vitamin-deficient and suffers from fatigue and arthritis or other ailments that all stem from improper nutrition. Our food industry, which represents about one trillion dollars annually, exacerbates the problem by catering to the “lowest common denominator” of poor nutrition.
2. As a result of the obesity epidemic, 18 million Americans have diabetes. Sixty-five percent of people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke, and the medical costs alone to treat diabetes now exceed $100 billion a year. By 2010 diabetes is expected to exceed both heart disease and cancer as the leading cause of death through its many complications. From 2005 to 2007, the prevalence of diabetes increased 13.5 percent and if current trends continue, it is predicted that one in three Americans will develop the disease in his or her lifetime.
3. Anyone with a fasting blood glucose level between 100 and 125 milligrams is classified as pre-diabetic, which means their blood sugar is high enough to significantly increase their risk of developing diabetes. 57 million people in the U.S. have pre-diabetes and most of these people will develop type 2 diabetes.
4. Approximately 47 million Americans have metabolic syndrome, which is a combination of symptoms that includes at least three of the following: high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglycerides, abnormal cholesterol levels and excess body weight (especially abdominal fat). Many have no idea they have it. Having metabolic syndrome increases the risk of developing heart disease by more than 30 percent and diabetes by nearly 50 percent in both men and women. Metabolic syndrome appears up to 10 years before the onset of heart disease, diabetes or related conditions.
5. For the first time in two centuries, children in America are predicted to have shorter life expectancies than their parents. This is due to the rapid rise in childhood obesity which, if left unchecked, could shorten life spans by as much as five years.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF THIS EPIDEMIC?
1. Increased consumption of more energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods with high levels of sugar and saturated fats.
2. Reduced physical activity.
WHAT ARE THE ANSWERS?
1. Lose weight. Weight is often the mothership of many health issues. Losing just 5-10 percent of your weight improves blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and cholesterol, putting a major dent in metabolic syndrome factors and helping you lose the dangerous “apple” shape formed by belly fat accumulation. To get weight loss started, reduce portion size of foods to decrease calories you consume and exercise at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
2. Lower blood pressure. Weight loss gives you a jump on that goal along with a diet low in salt and saturated fats. Up your intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish and nuts, as well.
3. Improve cholesterol. Replace saturated fats with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
4. Lower blood sugar. Elevated blood sugar can wreak silent havoc on your body for years before the damage becomes apparent — or you’re diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. To lower blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity, exercise regularly and lose weight. And add more whole grains, nuts, and legumes such as beans or peas to improve blood sugar levels.
So, how does all of this tie in with my career choice? Five years ago I began taking a nutritional product that has greatly improved my health. At the age of 59, I do not take any medications and that is the way I intend to live the rest of my life. As soon as I realized this was a company of integrity with a heart, I joined the business and started helping others improve not only their health, but also their financial situation. Our goal is to “nourish our world” and through a foundation that is funded totally by our associates, we are feeding 42,000 undernourished children a day around the world with our products. For many of these children, this is the only nutrition they will receive and they are seeing fantastic changes in their health. Our products bridge the gap between what our bodies need and what we are receiving (or not receiving) from our food.
We’ve spent years calling doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies the health industry, when in reality these businesses are truly the sickness industry. The wellness industry is products and services that promote wellness rather than respond to illness—this includes nutritional supplements, super foods and juices, personal trainers and “alternative care,” such as chiropractic. I am proud to be associated with a company that is at the forefront of the wellness industry.
Jill Hogan Urso
Clairton High School Class of 1968
jillurso@verizon.net
I’ve invited a guest blogger and fellow Clairton High School alumnus to contribute. Read and enjoy.
I was asked if I’d like to write a “guest” blog, and at first I refused because I didn’t think I had anything interesting to say. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that what began as a career choice five years ago has become a passion, and I feel the need to share it.
Our health today is in crisis. We spend over $2 trillion a year on medical care, which represents one-sixth of the U.S. economy. This money is spent almost exclusively on treating the symptoms of illness. It has very little to do with preventing illnesses or with making people feel stronger or healthier. Studies show that 90% of pharmaceutical sales are for maintenance drugs which people will take the rest of their lives, and only 10% is for drugs that will cure a disease.
SOME FACTS:
1. In 1980, 15 percent of the U.S. population was obese; in 2000, it rose to 27 percent, and today it is over 34 percent. Add to that the 33 percent who are overweight and you find that approximately two-thirds of all Americans need to lose weight. Moreover, overweight and obesity are symptoms of poor nutrition. Typically, someone who is obese is vitamin-deficient and suffers from fatigue and arthritis or other ailments that all stem from improper nutrition. Our food industry, which represents about one trillion dollars annually, exacerbates the problem by catering to the “lowest common denominator” of poor nutrition.
2. As a result of the obesity epidemic, 18 million Americans have diabetes. Sixty-five percent of people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke, and the medical costs alone to treat diabetes now exceed $100 billion a year. By 2010 diabetes is expected to exceed both heart disease and cancer as the leading cause of death through its many complications. From 2005 to 2007, the prevalence of diabetes increased 13.5 percent and if current trends continue, it is predicted that one in three Americans will develop the disease in his or her lifetime.
3. Anyone with a fasting blood glucose level between 100 and 125 milligrams is classified as pre-diabetic, which means their blood sugar is high enough to significantly increase their risk of developing diabetes. 57 million people in the U.S. have pre-diabetes and most of these people will develop type 2 diabetes.
4. Approximately 47 million Americans have metabolic syndrome, which is a combination of symptoms that includes at least three of the following: high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglycerides, abnormal cholesterol levels and excess body weight (especially abdominal fat). Many have no idea they have it. Having metabolic syndrome increases the risk of developing heart disease by more than 30 percent and diabetes by nearly 50 percent in both men and women. Metabolic syndrome appears up to 10 years before the onset of heart disease, diabetes or related conditions.
5. For the first time in two centuries, children in America are predicted to have shorter life expectancies than their parents. This is due to the rapid rise in childhood obesity which, if left unchecked, could shorten life spans by as much as five years.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF THIS EPIDEMIC?
1. Increased consumption of more energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods with high levels of sugar and saturated fats.
2. Reduced physical activity.
WHAT ARE THE ANSWERS?
1. Lose weight. Weight is often the mothership of many health issues. Losing just 5-10 percent of your weight improves blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and cholesterol, putting a major dent in metabolic syndrome factors and helping you lose the dangerous “apple” shape formed by belly fat accumulation. To get weight loss started, reduce portion size of foods to decrease calories you consume and exercise at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
2. Lower blood pressure. Weight loss gives you a jump on that goal along with a diet low in salt and saturated fats. Up your intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish and nuts, as well.
3. Improve cholesterol. Replace saturated fats with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
4. Lower blood sugar. Elevated blood sugar can wreak silent havoc on your body for years before the damage becomes apparent — or you’re diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. To lower blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity, exercise regularly and lose weight. And add more whole grains, nuts, and legumes such as beans or peas to improve blood sugar levels.
So, how does all of this tie in with my career choice? Five years ago I began taking a nutritional product that has greatly improved my health. At the age of 59, I do not take any medications and that is the way I intend to live the rest of my life. As soon as I realized this was a company of integrity with a heart, I joined the business and started helping others improve not only their health, but also their financial situation. Our goal is to “nourish our world” and through a foundation that is funded totally by our associates, we are feeding 42,000 undernourished children a day around the world with our products. For many of these children, this is the only nutrition they will receive and they are seeing fantastic changes in their health. Our products bridge the gap between what our bodies need and what we are receiving (or not receiving) from our food.
We’ve spent years calling doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies the health industry, when in reality these businesses are truly the sickness industry. The wellness industry is products and services that promote wellness rather than respond to illness—this includes nutritional supplements, super foods and juices, personal trainers and “alternative care,” such as chiropractic. I am proud to be associated with a company that is at the forefront of the wellness industry.
Jill Hogan Urso
Clairton High School Class of 1968
jillurso@verizon.net
Monday, August 18, 2008
Monday, Monday
Give me Liberty or a Jelly Donut
Helps build strong bodies several ways: One of the staples of life in the 1950s and 1960s was a two-parent family that had dinner together. My how society has changed. Breakfast on the run in the car with a Starbucks triple mocha latte grande and a giant slice of New York coffee cake. No hands on the wheel. Lunch is a tube steak (uh, that’s a hot dog for you rookies) from the gut wagon that stops outside your place of employment. Dinner? Grilled chicken and rice, but you’re eating alone. The kids grabbed a burger and fries on their way to meet their buds. What dummies! No, really. Research shows that kids who eat sit down family meals at least once per day have higher grade point averages, are better adjusted, and are less likely to experiment with drugs. Bon apetite.
FOX News – Fair, Balanced, and made up: Last night Mrs. Dr. Forgot was watching Fox News. The story was about a dam breach and flood in the Grand Canyon. BREAKING NEWS! A high speed chase in upstate New York. Speeds in excess of 130 mph. The driver was identified as CNN anchor Anderson Cooper. Mrs. Dr. Forgot replayed the clip and sure enough that was the story. There is no verification. No news media, not even Fox has posted the story anywhere. The story must have been a hoax. Since the tag line “All the News That’s Fit to Print” is already taken, perhaps Fox News can run theirs as “We Outrage the Tabloids.”
Tag on your car and I’ll follow you anywhere: Each winter Olympics the story goes around about Picabo (pronounced Peek-a-boo) Street. She was injured in a ski accident but the hospital patched her up good as new. As a thank you, goes the story, she paid for an entire new emergency unit, which was named Picabo ICU. Cops in Fairfax VA must have heard the story and gotten the bright idea to attach a GPS (global positioning system) to cars of suspected bad guys. They tagged a GPS to the bumper of a van owned by a convicted rapist after 11 rapes were reported in his neighborhood. Result: GPS worked, rapist caught, lawyer objected because it was done without first getting a warrant. The left side of my brain says we need to be cautious about compromising our rights to privacy especially in view of the abuses by the current administration. The right side of me says, “One more bad guy off the streets.” ‘Tiz a puzzlement.
Nonsense and Sensibility: Don’t think we’ve forgotten that this is the political silly season. Democrats take the lead on this one. Since John Edwards got outed regarding his affair with his videographer (wait until we see THOSE sex tapes) he will be a persona non grata at the Demo convention in Denver. No speakers with a sordid sex history for these Demos. The Edwards the speech slot instead will be given to Bill Clinton! Off to the right you have Mitt Romney. Is it just me or does he look like the picture that comes in the frame? There is also some discussion that Mitt might have been the model on the “Just For Men” hair products. Mitt would balance the Republican ticket. None of his five sons served in the military but John McCain has served longer than any five candidates’ kids combined. Senator McCain also announced his economic plan to wipe out the deficit – he’ll put it all on his wife’s gold card.
Just when you thought the worst was over: Ah, things have been starting to look up on the economic front. Gas prices hit a three month low, stock markets were up more than down last week, T. Boone Pickens was getting windy in a good way. Perhaps the current administration is not as bad as the opposition had portrayed them. Or not. Well, oil slumped again down another dollar per barrel. But economists suggests that is just the “normaling out” of a market that had been fueled (pun intended) by speculators. Fuel is precarious and can be impacted by so many disasters including the storm in Florida. Oil’s loss has been the bond market’s gain but as the price of oil seems to be settling experts are predicting a dive in the bond market. Hershey stock is down ten percent as the price of chocolate increases the outlook is bittersweet. At least there is plenty of hot air to keep T. Boone’s windmills turning.
Won’t you take a ride in my beautiful balloon: Many of us can remember a time in the not too distant past when flying was a first class operation. We used to get dressed up just to board the plane. Food was served on cloth napkins and real silverware and silver salt and pepper shakers were the rule in First Class. A menu gave you several choices of cuisine. Even coach had warm meals decent legroom. My how times have changed. Off came the jackets and ties in favor of jeans, shorts, and tee shirts. Low fare airlines became the Greyhound of the sky. Then it got worse. Food disappeared. Charges were added to everything from free water to pillows and blankets. Delays, sultry cabin attendants, rude passengers, and barroom brawl boarding procedures replaced the once regal way of travel. Brace yourself. It’s going to get worse. Fewer flights, higher fares, reduced service, and fewer employees are all strategies airlines are using to keep profitable. How about this for a strategy? Improve service and legroom and raise prices so that only those who can afford it will fly. Passengers will probably dress up and be treated royally. Déjà vu!
A little blogging music Maestro... Frank Sinatra crooning, “Fly Me to the Moon.”
Dr. Forgot
See me also at http://vegasbuzznews.com/
Helps build strong bodies several ways: One of the staples of life in the 1950s and 1960s was a two-parent family that had dinner together. My how society has changed. Breakfast on the run in the car with a Starbucks triple mocha latte grande and a giant slice of New York coffee cake. No hands on the wheel. Lunch is a tube steak (uh, that’s a hot dog for you rookies) from the gut wagon that stops outside your place of employment. Dinner? Grilled chicken and rice, but you’re eating alone. The kids grabbed a burger and fries on their way to meet their buds. What dummies! No, really. Research shows that kids who eat sit down family meals at least once per day have higher grade point averages, are better adjusted, and are less likely to experiment with drugs. Bon apetite.
FOX News – Fair, Balanced, and made up: Last night Mrs. Dr. Forgot was watching Fox News. The story was about a dam breach and flood in the Grand Canyon. BREAKING NEWS! A high speed chase in upstate New York. Speeds in excess of 130 mph. The driver was identified as CNN anchor Anderson Cooper. Mrs. Dr. Forgot replayed the clip and sure enough that was the story. There is no verification. No news media, not even Fox has posted the story anywhere. The story must have been a hoax. Since the tag line “All the News That’s Fit to Print” is already taken, perhaps Fox News can run theirs as “We Outrage the Tabloids.”
Tag on your car and I’ll follow you anywhere: Each winter Olympics the story goes around about Picabo (pronounced Peek-a-boo) Street. She was injured in a ski accident but the hospital patched her up good as new. As a thank you, goes the story, she paid for an entire new emergency unit, which was named Picabo ICU. Cops in Fairfax VA must have heard the story and gotten the bright idea to attach a GPS (global positioning system) to cars of suspected bad guys. They tagged a GPS to the bumper of a van owned by a convicted rapist after 11 rapes were reported in his neighborhood. Result: GPS worked, rapist caught, lawyer objected because it was done without first getting a warrant. The left side of my brain says we need to be cautious about compromising our rights to privacy especially in view of the abuses by the current administration. The right side of me says, “One more bad guy off the streets.” ‘Tiz a puzzlement.
Nonsense and Sensibility: Don’t think we’ve forgotten that this is the political silly season. Democrats take the lead on this one. Since John Edwards got outed regarding his affair with his videographer (wait until we see THOSE sex tapes) he will be a persona non grata at the Demo convention in Denver. No speakers with a sordid sex history for these Demos. The Edwards the speech slot instead will be given to Bill Clinton! Off to the right you have Mitt Romney. Is it just me or does he look like the picture that comes in the frame? There is also some discussion that Mitt might have been the model on the “Just For Men” hair products. Mitt would balance the Republican ticket. None of his five sons served in the military but John McCain has served longer than any five candidates’ kids combined. Senator McCain also announced his economic plan to wipe out the deficit – he’ll put it all on his wife’s gold card.
Just when you thought the worst was over: Ah, things have been starting to look up on the economic front. Gas prices hit a three month low, stock markets were up more than down last week, T. Boone Pickens was getting windy in a good way. Perhaps the current administration is not as bad as the opposition had portrayed them. Or not. Well, oil slumped again down another dollar per barrel. But economists suggests that is just the “normaling out” of a market that had been fueled (pun intended) by speculators. Fuel is precarious and can be impacted by so many disasters including the storm in Florida. Oil’s loss has been the bond market’s gain but as the price of oil seems to be settling experts are predicting a dive in the bond market. Hershey stock is down ten percent as the price of chocolate increases the outlook is bittersweet. At least there is plenty of hot air to keep T. Boone’s windmills turning.
Won’t you take a ride in my beautiful balloon: Many of us can remember a time in the not too distant past when flying was a first class operation. We used to get dressed up just to board the plane. Food was served on cloth napkins and real silverware and silver salt and pepper shakers were the rule in First Class. A menu gave you several choices of cuisine. Even coach had warm meals decent legroom. My how times have changed. Off came the jackets and ties in favor of jeans, shorts, and tee shirts. Low fare airlines became the Greyhound of the sky. Then it got worse. Food disappeared. Charges were added to everything from free water to pillows and blankets. Delays, sultry cabin attendants, rude passengers, and barroom brawl boarding procedures replaced the once regal way of travel. Brace yourself. It’s going to get worse. Fewer flights, higher fares, reduced service, and fewer employees are all strategies airlines are using to keep profitable. How about this for a strategy? Improve service and legroom and raise prices so that only those who can afford it will fly. Passengers will probably dress up and be treated royally. Déjà vu!
A little blogging music Maestro... Frank Sinatra crooning, “Fly Me to the Moon.”
Dr. Forgot
See me also at http://vegasbuzznews.com/
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Nostalgia Isn't What it Used To Be
Chickens - We eat them before they are born and after they’re dead.
Son of a Depression era Baby: I’ve reached that point in life when I’ve become a person “of a certain age.” I grew up in an ethnic home in which English was the primary but not the only language spoken. Three of my grandparents spoke little or no English and only one taught herself to speak “broken English.” My parents constantly reminded us that they were Depression Babies and therefore could make a week’s worth of meals from a single chicken.
Jokes were clean but the air was dirty: Growing up in Pittsburgh during the 1950s we did not realize how polluted the air was. When a new house was build or an older one re-roofed, the color of the shingles only lasted for a few months. After that all shingles were black. If we drove past the steel mills at a time when a particular process was underway, residue called “quencher” filled the air so thickly that headlights were turned on and windshield wipers were necessary to see. The accompanying acrid odor burned our lungs so we tried to hold our breath as long as possible.
Immigrants were considered less than the rest: Perhaps issues of immigration were not as pronounced as today because there was no email to send hate (only snail mail and the occasional chain letter), no cable news to fill the airways, (“Goodnight David, Goodnight Chet”), and most of the immigrants had come through Ellis Island and were therefore documented. But still discrimination existed. Banks would not loan to immigrants so groups of ethnics frequently got together, pooled their money, and loaned within the community.
No OSHA, FDA or other warnings: By today’s standards we lived unhealthy and risky lives. Nearly half the population smoked and all the chemicals in the air could not have been healthy. We had no warning labels per se, only our mother’s warning that “If you don’t stop that you’ll break your neck.” Nobody seemed to break their neck, although during the spring of my senior year in high school Mickey Hrvacic went swimming in the river and drowned.
So how did they live so long? My father died a couple of years ago at age 87. My mother, who could still bend at the waist and touch her toes well into her eighties passed away in her 91st year. My parents’ doctor, who was about 5 years their senior, continued his practice even after my mother died. A neighbor, Delphina, finally moved out of her home and into a limited care facility at age 98. Our next door neighbor, Mamie, is fit and spry and pushing 90. So go figure. Without the government looking out for our best interests, and by all of today’s standards, that generation, who almost never took pills, lived long, active, and healthy lives.
A little blogging music Maestro… How about the Jewish folk song, “La Chiam; To Life!”
BTW: We will be away from the computer this week. Please stop by and read some of the old blogs. Leave comments of what you’d like to read more of or see eliminated. See you around the corner.
Dr. Forgot
Son of a Depression era Baby: I’ve reached that point in life when I’ve become a person “of a certain age.” I grew up in an ethnic home in which English was the primary but not the only language spoken. Three of my grandparents spoke little or no English and only one taught herself to speak “broken English.” My parents constantly reminded us that they were Depression Babies and therefore could make a week’s worth of meals from a single chicken.
Jokes were clean but the air was dirty: Growing up in Pittsburgh during the 1950s we did not realize how polluted the air was. When a new house was build or an older one re-roofed, the color of the shingles only lasted for a few months. After that all shingles were black. If we drove past the steel mills at a time when a particular process was underway, residue called “quencher” filled the air so thickly that headlights were turned on and windshield wipers were necessary to see. The accompanying acrid odor burned our lungs so we tried to hold our breath as long as possible.
Immigrants were considered less than the rest: Perhaps issues of immigration were not as pronounced as today because there was no email to send hate (only snail mail and the occasional chain letter), no cable news to fill the airways, (“Goodnight David, Goodnight Chet”), and most of the immigrants had come through Ellis Island and were therefore documented. But still discrimination existed. Banks would not loan to immigrants so groups of ethnics frequently got together, pooled their money, and loaned within the community.
No OSHA, FDA or other warnings: By today’s standards we lived unhealthy and risky lives. Nearly half the population smoked and all the chemicals in the air could not have been healthy. We had no warning labels per se, only our mother’s warning that “If you don’t stop that you’ll break your neck.” Nobody seemed to break their neck, although during the spring of my senior year in high school Mickey Hrvacic went swimming in the river and drowned.
So how did they live so long? My father died a couple of years ago at age 87. My mother, who could still bend at the waist and touch her toes well into her eighties passed away in her 91st year. My parents’ doctor, who was about 5 years their senior, continued his practice even after my mother died. A neighbor, Delphina, finally moved out of her home and into a limited care facility at age 98. Our next door neighbor, Mamie, is fit and spry and pushing 90. So go figure. Without the government looking out for our best interests, and by all of today’s standards, that generation, who almost never took pills, lived long, active, and healthy lives.
A little blogging music Maestro… How about the Jewish folk song, “La Chiam; To Life!”
BTW: We will be away from the computer this week. Please stop by and read some of the old blogs. Leave comments of what you’d like to read more of or see eliminated. See you around the corner.
Dr. Forgot
Monday, March 3, 2008
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
WHAT A WACKY WEEK!
Why lovers never say “Goodbye” My goodness. A fellow can’t even leave his hometown for a week without the entire Valley of the Dollars going to Hell in a hand basket. We got out of town for a few days to visit the land of fruits and nuts on the left coast. Since a little 6.0 earthquake hit the state of Nevada a week earlier we wanted to see the coast before the Big One puts Las Vegas landowners in possession of beachfront property. While our back was turned things went even more nutty than usual.
Hospitals and clinics: The CEO of the only local public hospital in Las Vegas was indicted on felony theft and official misconduct charges. The CEO was charged with giving no-bid contracts to cronies in Chicago. No bid contracts??? Who does he think he is, Halliburton? The CEO’s alleged comments included one to the deputy DA that he was “…not interested in abiding by the law,” and to his boss that she “did not have the authority to fire him.” Give the man an A for Arrogance.
GIGO: Garbage in, garbage out: Seems like a local health clinic decided to cut costs by reusing syringes. Single use vials were used over and over, exposing patients to potential risks of hepatitis B, C, and the AIDS virus. Up to 40,000 patients were considered to be at risk. In this writer’s mind, the doctors who called for reuse of the vials to distribute anesthetic prior to colonoscopies should be given the procedure – without anesthesia.
Ricin Krispies for breakfast? You remember ricin. The white powder that caused such a stir around Capitol Hill when it showed up in the mailroom. Well, the same stuff showed up at a local motel whilst we were gone. Seems like some loser from Utah was doing something other than a school science project in his rented room. Nobody is sure exactly what happened or how but the guy is on his deathbed in a hospital, his cousin’s house in Utah is being combed by HAZMAT, and the perennial reporter’s questions, “Who, what, when, where, and why” are being asked.
Pussycats fly from LAX to Pure sans taxes: Pussycat Dolls Lounge in Vegas is a hangout for the young hip crowd. Ditto LAX which is neither short for laxative nor and airport lounge. Both joints are swanky and located in major Strip hotels. The management group that operates the two has a third club called Pure. It is that club that drew another three-letter acronym – IRS. No, not the name of another hip club but the guys that Governor Huckabee wants to abolish. Vegas has always operated by crossing one’s palm for a favor. The IRS wants a piece of the palm crossing.
Trouble in Paradise: Another story that broke while we lay soaking up the rays on a California beach was about the Guv himself. This is the same guy who was accused of making a pass at a gal during his election campaign. No known connection but sources close to the mansion say that the first lady might fly the gilded coop. And that was the week that was.
A little blogging music Maestro… “If You Go Away,” by Karen Carpenter.
Dr. Forgot
Why lovers never say “Goodbye” My goodness. A fellow can’t even leave his hometown for a week without the entire Valley of the Dollars going to Hell in a hand basket. We got out of town for a few days to visit the land of fruits and nuts on the left coast. Since a little 6.0 earthquake hit the state of Nevada a week earlier we wanted to see the coast before the Big One puts Las Vegas landowners in possession of beachfront property. While our back was turned things went even more nutty than usual.
Hospitals and clinics: The CEO of the only local public hospital in Las Vegas was indicted on felony theft and official misconduct charges. The CEO was charged with giving no-bid contracts to cronies in Chicago. No bid contracts??? Who does he think he is, Halliburton? The CEO’s alleged comments included one to the deputy DA that he was “…not interested in abiding by the law,” and to his boss that she “did not have the authority to fire him.” Give the man an A for Arrogance.
GIGO: Garbage in, garbage out: Seems like a local health clinic decided to cut costs by reusing syringes. Single use vials were used over and over, exposing patients to potential risks of hepatitis B, C, and the AIDS virus. Up to 40,000 patients were considered to be at risk. In this writer’s mind, the doctors who called for reuse of the vials to distribute anesthetic prior to colonoscopies should be given the procedure – without anesthesia.
Ricin Krispies for breakfast? You remember ricin. The white powder that caused such a stir around Capitol Hill when it showed up in the mailroom. Well, the same stuff showed up at a local motel whilst we were gone. Seems like some loser from Utah was doing something other than a school science project in his rented room. Nobody is sure exactly what happened or how but the guy is on his deathbed in a hospital, his cousin’s house in Utah is being combed by HAZMAT, and the perennial reporter’s questions, “Who, what, when, where, and why” are being asked.
Pussycats fly from LAX to Pure sans taxes: Pussycat Dolls Lounge in Vegas is a hangout for the young hip crowd. Ditto LAX which is neither short for laxative nor and airport lounge. Both joints are swanky and located in major Strip hotels. The management group that operates the two has a third club called Pure. It is that club that drew another three-letter acronym – IRS. No, not the name of another hip club but the guys that Governor Huckabee wants to abolish. Vegas has always operated by crossing one’s palm for a favor. The IRS wants a piece of the palm crossing.
Trouble in Paradise: Another story that broke while we lay soaking up the rays on a California beach was about the Guv himself. This is the same guy who was accused of making a pass at a gal during his election campaign. No known connection but sources close to the mansion say that the first lady might fly the gilded coop. And that was the week that was.
A little blogging music Maestro… “If You Go Away,” by Karen Carpenter.
Dr. Forgot
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