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wathe

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Posts posted by wathe

  1. 9 minutes ago, BronzeTurtle said:

    I think this is a way to go through life with a huge amount of anxiety that isn't terribly conducive to living normally. I gather this is the idea though: anyone could be wanting to kill you at any moment, and they are displaying possibly covert symbols to indicate such, and if you see any of the coded symbols you need to be on guard.

     

    This is a lived reality for people in targeted groups, though.  They have to be constantly alert and read the signs.  It's normal life.

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  2. 2 hours ago, Catwoman said:

    I agree.

    I mean, if it raises a red flag, that's fine, but to condemn a person you've never even talked to, and make horrible accusations that the man is a racist white nationalist based on nothing more than the fact that he had a mug with a particular image on it... I'm sorry, but I think that's wrong.

    And in this case, it was in a church Sunday school class where the people all seemed nice. It's a pretty safe environment to feel things out a little before passing judgment. 

    Safe for you.  But not safe for everyone, certainly not for those in targeted groups.  Ergo privilege.

    By engaging and probing, I risk putting myself and my family on his radar, and thus potentially endangering them.  I won't do that.

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  3. 9 minutes ago, Grace Hopper said:

    If it were me, I may have said something about the mug… with a genuinely curious (nonsuspicious) tone, “Interesting mug! This symbol looks familiar but I can’t place it.”

    His replies could run the gamut and be very telling:

    ”Oh I just think it looks neat.”

    ”I’m a real history buff! Loved studying early American history in college!”

    ”My buddy in our local militia group gave it to me.”

    For situations like this, simple conversation can be revelatory. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, but do pay attention to their words and actions. 
     

    I would be disappointed with the lack of diversity in the group. That can be a geographical more than political thing, depending on where you live. If you can find a more diverse group that will still have proximity to allow you to be involved in supportive relationships (the whole point of small groups, imo), imo that’s worth looking for.

    Agreeing with others, though, that the small group isn’t your larger issue. You should find a place where your kids feel valued. 

     

    For  those of you defending the Gadsden flag’s modern use, here’s a wiki link. Even for those who choose not to follow politics, imo, no matter what part of the political spectrum on which you fall, a rudimentary understanding of our current cultural moment is essential for a well educated mind. Sticking one’s head in the sand kinda removes the ability to engage in an authentic discussion of certain issues (again, no matter where you stand politically). 
     

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_flag

     

    And this is why allies are so important.  Someone who feels less threatened/personally endangered can engage.

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  4. 13 hours ago, Melissa in Australia said:

    Just saw a cardiologist 

    Aparently my heart pump was functioning at 50% last week on scans which is within normal

    Results from today's scan  heart pump functioning at 40%

    I need your shoulder to cry on

    Assuming you are referencing cardiac ejection fraction.  Cleveland clinic has a nice explainer on what is beng measured and what these numbers might mean.  Maybe you will find it helpful?

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  5. 46 minutes ago, Lady Florida. said:

    I'm just curious if anyone knows. Of course I can ask the doctor. Google is not being helpful.

    My PCP left our insurance and I had to find a new one. I have a new patient visit scheduled for next week and yesterday they called me with some last minute information. The receptionist said, "Now just to make sure you're aware, Dr. B does not prescribe antidepressants, anti anxiety medications, ADHD medications, or sleep aids." I jokingly said the only time I need anti anxiety meds is when I fly. She laughed and said actually that's fine. He just doesn't prescribe them as a regular medication. 

    I don't have ADHD and though I don't currently need any of the other meds that doesn't mean I never will. At first I thought he just doesn't want to deal with Schedule II drugs. Many doctors don't, and ds has had trouble finding one to prescribe his ADHD meds. But she didn't mention pain meds, many of which are Schedule II so it has me scratching my head.

    Anyone have any idea what his reasoning might be? I've never had a doctor's office tell me this up front before. I probably won't ask him since I don't need them, though I might mention my need for something when I travel by plane. Like I said, I'm just curious. It doesn't actually matter to me, at least not at this time. And if it ever becomes an issue I can always change doctors.

    I haven't read the whole thread.  Check this MD's license.  Sometimes Md's will have practice restrictions, that may include restrictions regarding prescribing certain meds, especially if MD has gotten into trouble for mis-prescribing in the past.

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  6. @Murphy101We had plenty of traditional Korean foods for breakfasts and suppers.  There were all the problems you've mentioned:  the jamboree had promised to cater to allergies and special diets, but they didn't do it very well.  The vegetarians were seriously lacking in protein options.  Allergen lists weren't provided or weren't accurate. Food delivery was shifted to just-in-time model last-minute, because there were problems with the subcamp refrigerated storage units  and they couldn't be used.  The Halal supplier delivered food up to 4 hours late for the 1st 2 days.    My kids were in a Halal patrol (food is ordered by patrol, so the whole patrol ate Halal even though not all members required it).  They ended up splitting meals with other patrols and then taking food meant for other units that hadn't arrived yet -- US and UK arrived a day late because of well-founded infrastructure concerns.  Lunches were weird collations of snack foods, very heavy on bakery products.

    @chocolate-chip chooky After evacuation, government completely took over organization of everything.  We were very very carefully handled - minders, medics and police followed us everywhere.        

    We saw a similar protest in Seoul in the days before the jamboree.  It was very, very orderly -- protesters seated in rows on a closed main road. Lots of police in high-vis traffic vests.  I didn't see any tactical or riot gear.

     

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  7. 8 hours ago, chocolate-chip chooky said:

    @wathe HEAPS of big-name groups in your Scout show! As in, really really big names. I'd drive from Brisbane to Sydney for many of those groups. Hardly any come to Australia, though, unfortunately.

    Did you enjoy it?

     

    @Jann in TX XG! Fabulous 😊

    Yes and no.  I was a unique event, and I was glad to have been there and had the experience.  But, once was enough.

    I spent most of the event managing stressed youth -- the concert was, as i'm sure you can imagine, an environment that was ill-suited for some of our neurodivergent youth.  Also a very heavy visible police presence (tactical with assault rifles), and airport-style security to enter.  All after a very stressful jamboree experience with heat emergency, heat-illness, serious infrastructure deficits, then evacuation, then government curated program/tours with police escort and minders, and a  busy day in Seoul in the rain etc; some of our youth were just done.  Our scheduled arrival time at the stadium was quite early; we were in our seats 4 hours before the show and not allowed to move around the stadium.  Dinner was a boxed meal consisting of 5 small plain dinner rolls, 2 individually wrapped plain croissants, a bag of doritos, a small shelf-stable tube of meat paste, a small bag of jerky that was too spicy for some, and a bottle of water.  Apparently  there were to be bananas, but these were removed because of safety (the peels might cause a slip and fall hazard!????  Jamborees run on rumours, but this one tracks, I think.) Lunches throughout the jamboree had all been similarly weirdly bakery heavy - sometimes cake/muffins, sometimes plain bread products -- I think there must have been a bakery sponsor.   

    I did get to see some of the back-stage area while escorting a youth to a secure quiet area.  But then was not allowed to return to my seat the same way; I had to exit and re-enter the stadium to return to my seat.

    The concert was very orderly:  orderly entry, orderly dismissal, good crown control.    Quite amazing, considering it was a rescheduled-at-the-last- minute affair. It was originally scheduled for Aug 6 on the Jamboree grounds.  Then that was cancelled, and the even rescheduled for Aug 11 in Jeonju.  Then venue changed to Seoul bc of typhoon and evacuation.  The organizers had 4 days' notice to pull it off.  We were also very fortunate to be in covered seats.  Those in field seats got quite wet wth the rain.

  8. Not K-con in LA, but rather K-POP Super Live in Seoul World Cup Stadium.  Apparently some of these acts are famous?  I know nothing about K-pop, but the youth in attendance were all pretty excited about the whole thing.  It was loud!!!!

     

    E05DBDD4-F8BB-45A9-80B5-01C167D0139D_1_105_c.thumb.jpeg.21011e2f26fdf0c2422496230005064b.jpeg595C9349-F335-456F-83D7-EA19F6B88E37_1_105_c.thumb.jpeg.3dce33897e0012bd94af98b1caaa8f30.jpeg49AD99B9-F46B-4DB1-9659-B36146413405_1_105_c.thumb.jpeg.083734b336d3fcdebb7b8b20caf09767.jpeg

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  9. 8 hours ago, bookbard said:

    I have seen such a wide variety of studies out there - a British one found a small increase, a Danish one found a decrease in dementia after shingles (acknowledged errors may be involved there), a Taiwanese one found a 5 fold increase, if the rash was on your face. I wonder if it is quite nuanced. However, getting the Shingles vaccine seems to be a no-brainer to me - if you can afford the $$.

    Yes.  And I think it's important to note that shingles vaccine preventing dementia, and shingles causing dementia are different things.  They are different research questions.  There may be more going on with the vaccine than simply suppressing clinical shingles cases, though that seems the most obvious.

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  10. 7 hours ago, kbutton said:

    I hope you feel better soon.

    Your experience sounds like one to record for posterity! I wonder if the BSA would like feedback specifically from someone with your background. Some people are heard better than others, and while they know things failed, they might craft better requirements with specific input.

    Each national scouting org will do detailed post-mortems.  BSA had members of all ranks including medical and management on scene.  Their decision to pull their youth out was based on facts and real-time observation.  They know.

    ETA: I will of course submit feedback to my own national org.  Plan, Do, Review is part of our program structure.  Review is baked in and expected.

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  11. Another strategy is to eat a few salty snacks throughout the day (salted nuts, roasted seaweed snacks, even chips) and drink plain water.  Broth with breakfast or dinner.  There isn't anything magic about electrolyte drinks; salts are salts, whether you eat them or drink them. There is a lot of marketing and hype.

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  12. 3 hours ago, ktgrok said:

    I was waiting to get bivalente booster until my mom was for sure coming home to maximize protection but given that a new one is coming in a month I’m waiting for that. From what I’ve read that is the best plan. Sigh. Going to try to get a flu shot this week, that timing should be fine, right? As far as spacing out? Or is that not a thing anymore? 

    Not a thing anymore.  The rational for spacing covid vax from other vax was to gather data on covid vax side effects and adverse reactions without confounder of other vax at the same time.  

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  13. My covid avoidance streak is finally over.  

    I succumbed last week --- thank you world scouts jamboree!  Given all the problems and hardships we faced at the jamboree  (flooding, heat emergency in a giant shadeless field, shocking lack of public health and public safety infrastructure, medical system overwhelm, emergency evacuation for typhoon) covid is just really just icing on the cake.

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  14. An elegant study that suggests a causal link between shingle vaccine and 20% relative risk reduction for dementia.  

    Association between shingle vaccine and reduced dementia risk data has been floating around for some time.  This latest study suggests causality --- a very big deal

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  15. We’ve been relocated to a lovely college dormitory. Beautiful modern air conditioned facility.  Our hosts have been exceedingly generous. They provided us with hygiene kits, pillows, blankets, hot meals, the works.  We are all so grateful.  

    The Jamboree organizers have arranged a “jamboree on the road “. Will all be bus to various local activities and will still have the opportunity to interact with scouts from around the world.

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  16. It’s me!  I’m on site right now

    The heat has been ferocious and the infrastructure poor.  The UK and US pulled out a few days ago due to infrastructure concerns.   The army and the red cross are here now.  It’s been quite an adventure so far. 

    The site is closing because of a typhoons that’s headed for us.  We are relocating to Seoul first thing tomorrow morning. 

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  17. 1 hour ago, Melissa in Australia said:

    I don't know the medical terminology. They were going to go down the mouth to the lung, but now want to do needle through chest into lung. Aparently it is less invasive 

    Needle through chest into lung = percutaneous lung biopsy.  Usually only need local anesthetic

    Though mouth or nose into lung = bronchoscopy.  Often requires procedural sedation.

     

    Edited to add link

     

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  18. 1 hour ago, lewelma said:

    I am actually more concerned about the deep seated racism in classics that is insidious. 

    This has been a big issue for us.  Racism and sexism both.  Especially when DC were younger.  Doubly wounding for racialized kids, I think.  And especially hard to navigate for classical homeschoolers.

    We avoided certain classics until they were older, and others we avoided altogether.   And then there was lots and lots of family discussion about racism,  sexism, white supremacy, and privilege.

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