News blues
The U.S. authorized its first update to COVID-19 vaccines, booster doses that target today’s most common omicron strain. Shots could begin within days.Read more >>
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Until now, COVID-19 vaccines have targeted the original coronavirus strain, even as wildly different mutants emerged. The new U.S. boosters are combination, or “bivalent,” shots. They contain half that original vaccine recipe and half protection against the newest omicron versions, called BA.4 and BA.5, that are considered the most contagious yet.
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Older adults, immunocompromised and the very young are paying the price for the mask-less freedom of many.
While much of US society has breathed a collective sigh of relief at no longer having to wear a mask in public, that freedom has placed people who are immunocompromised at risk, such as medical director of the infectious disease program at University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Dr Jeannina Smith’s patients. Nor are they the only ones. Older adults, the very young and those with long Covid are at greater risk too. So while for many Americans the pandemic increasingly feels over, for others – often the most vulnerable – it rages on.Read more >>
As Smith puts it, “What troubles me as an infectious disease specialist with an interest in public health is the abandonment of the idea that public health exists to protect the most vulnerable.”
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On war and culture warHighly recommended article, “Is it Fascism? Is it Socialism? Words mean things” >>
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The Lincoln Project:
Tough on crime (0:57 mins)
Last week in the Republican Party - August 30, 2022 (2:20 mins)
Tough on crime (0:57 mins)
Last week in the Republican Party - August 30, 2022 (2:20 mins)
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Labor Day - September 5 - is summer's official end.This year, September will be the hardest month Mary may ever experience as she begins chemotherapy.
Tomorrow, September 1, she attends a pre-chemo class to learn about the process and what she might expect and experience. I'll attend that class with her.
September 9 she accepts an injection of a large dose of Vitamin B, to boost her system in preparation for her first dose of chemo on September 15. After that, it's anohter dose every three weeks for four doses.
I'll be with her every step of the gruelling way.
July last year, I spent 14 days on my boat in the Sacramento Delta in quarantine for Covid after returning from South Africa. (Read post “Launching”) During that time, temperatures reached 111 degrees Fahrenheit.
This week, temperatures around California will reach similar heights.
Luckily, the inner bay, my neck of the woods, will hover around the low 80s.
September 9 she accepts an injection of a large dose of Vitamin B, to boost her system in preparation for her first dose of chemo on September 15. After that, it's anohter dose every three weeks for four doses.
I'll be with her every step of the gruelling way.
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Preparing for ultra-hot weather here in California. July last year, I spent 14 days on my boat in the Sacramento Delta in quarantine for Covid after returning from South Africa. (Read post “Launching”) During that time, temperatures reached 111 degrees Fahrenheit.
This week, temperatures around California will reach similar heights.
Luckily, the inner bay, my neck of the woods, will hover around the low 80s.
Sigh of relief.
Evan as the temperatures soar in California, Kwa Zulu Natal experiences low overnight temperatures, down to freezing in some areas.
The seasons are changing, too.
SF Bay Area:
Sunrise: 6:39am
Sunset: 7:39pm
KZN, South Africa:
Sunrise: 6:15am
Sunset: 5:44pm
Evan as the temperatures soar in California, Kwa Zulu Natal experiences low overnight temperatures, down to freezing in some areas.
The seasons are changing, too.
SF Bay Area:
Sunrise: 6:39am
Sunset: 7:39pm
KZN, South Africa:
Sunrise: 6:15am
Sunset: 5:44pm
