Income only matters in that people with mental illness, drug addiction and so on have better access to treatment and, if arrested, aren't relegated to the public defender's office. (No disrespect to PDs, but they're grossly overworked and aren't able to give the same attention as a private attorney would... which is a whole 'nother conversation about how lack of funding for public defenders feeds into certain inequities of the justice system). Money provides options. Options for treatment. Options for employment post-treatment. Options for private mental health care. Options for education. That's pretty much it. It's not about "moral luck" as much as it is being able to afford to play the game.

None, only because you're vaccinated (so it's very unlikely to be Covid) and the vulnerable household member (90 yo) is also vaccinated.

More or less. Honestly, I'm going to step away from the conversation now. My point in hopping on this thread was to show one example of why someone might choose to delay or decline the vaccine for non-crunchy, non-conspiracy theory reasons.

There is no long-term safety data, because the vaccines haven't been around long-term (yet). Which was my point. There is more data on what effect Covid is likely to have on me, which suggests that my risk of complications or death is incredibly low. That's how I made my decision. Next spring, when more LTSD on the vaccine is available, I can re-evaluate my decision. I don't particularly care what other people think of my decision, but I admit it does get tiresome having to defend it.

I don't know if it is or isn't. I guess that's basically my point. I'm also at very, very low risk of covid complications (much less death) so I have the luxury of taking a wait and see approach. I certainly recognize that not everyone is that lucky.

I'm not particularly crunchy nor am I an anti-vaxxer or conspiracy theorist. I don't think the vaccines are part of a nefarious plot. I am pro-informed consent and pro-medical freedom and privacy. All that to say, given the lack of long term safety data of any of the Covid vaccines, I'm choosing to delay getting it for now. I'll revisit the issue in a year, do another risk/benefit evaluation and may decide to get it then (or not). This doesn't make me stupid or selfish or unpatriotic. It just means that I've considered the information and come to a different conclusion than some people.

I am really, really excited to read this book. Thanks so much for suggesting it 🙂

I'm reading the sample at amazon and that looks like a good one to go through slowly and debate/discuss. Thank you for suggesting it.

This is for 16 yo DD. She's thinking about going to public school next fall (sigh) and I know that CRT is woven into coursework in her high school. I want her to be well-prepared and have her own understanding of race and civil rights before (if) she goes, so she can better evaluate what she hears. Ideally part will be a reading list that addresses historical issues, not just of black people but of other religious and ethnic groups who have experienced marginalization and discrimination in the U.S. Easier books written in modern English (middle school, maybe early high school reading level) are probably best. She has ADHD so this affects her reading speed and comprehension. So far, my list is short: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas and Warriors Don't Cry. I could really use some inspiration for books, activities, research projects and videos that might be useful. Also, a teen-friendly summary of what critical race theory is, so she can examine it and form her own opinions. Also, is anyone aware of politically neutral resources about current issues? Seems like everything I find shows a clear, sharp bias in one direction or another. I recognize this can be an emotional subject for many of us. Please keep your replies polite and non-political. I don't want this thread deleted or closed. Thanks for understanding 🙂

For reading, you can use large-print books and audiobooks. Good luck! FWIW, my 17 yo has convergence insufficiency and was helped by a combination of VT and prism glasses (basically rx readers). She's reading at/near grade level now. She still doesn't like it, but she can do it.

Maybe a fidget blanket?

Since he likes physics, maybe he could do a self-directed deep dive into a biophysics topic that interests him.

Somehow I missed this before I replied. Just practice the areas he's weak in. "Teach to the test." Saxon books have many lessons of review at the beginning. This will work in his favor. If you shore up his specific weak areas prior to starting, he should be fine. I do think a subscription to Nicole the Math Lady would be helpful once he starts school so he has that as a ready resource in case he has questions.

If the school uses Saxon, use that program to catch him up. Since he's a bright kid with no LDs, it's pretty easy to accelerate Saxon (do every other problem set, for example). He can use Nicole the Math Lady's teaching videos and then you can work with him a couple times a week to check in and offer whatever extra help he needs.

Forgive me if some of this has already been mentioned, but I don't have time to read the whole thread right now. I have ADHD and started medication last fall. Right now given his age and diagnosis it's not realistic to expect him to work independently. He's showing you he is literally unable to do it. Maybe pare things down to the most essential subjects and then break those down into small steps. Stretch a day's work over a week if he needs it. Slow progress is still progress. Things that have helped me (in addition to medication): Body doubling, breaking things down into itty bitty steps, and no distractions or interruptions. Lemme explain what it feels like to have an ADHD brain. Think back to when you've had to dress a toddler who was in a particularly silly, wiggly mood. Instead of taking just a few minutes, it takes 20 minutes but hey, you're finally almost done! You walk across the room to grab his shoes and... seriously!?... he just wiggled out of his shirt! And just then a loved one walks into the room and is super judgmental ("You're not even finished getting him dressed?! It's been 20 minutes!")That's what it feels like to try to get my ADHD brain (sans meds) to accomplish anything. It's frustrating. It's overwhelming. And I often didn't even bother trying because I knew (or thought I knew) how things would turn out. (Screw you, brain. Just run around naked.)