Tag Archive for comfort

A Mask that Cheats You of Money and Protection

June 15, 2020 Comments Off on A Mask that Cheats You of Money and Protection

Health professionals, including the CDC, are warning us about masks with exhale valves ( a certain type of N-95 mask) being sold as more comfortable and cooler. Don’t buy them. They don’t meet requirements of the CDC or some areas, because it’s questionable about how effective they are in stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Here’s the thing. Most valves don’t have a filter. That means that when you exhale, everything — including droplets — are pushed out through the valve and into your surroundings. In other words, theses masks, like most others used properly, give you a little protection from other people, they do NOT protect your friends, loved ones, acquaintances, or strangers you get near to. So you may be spreading the virus. (Remember: you may be symptom-free or have been infected but not know it.)

And that’s the point of masks — to protect others while they’re protecting us.

Save your money and keep fighting this virus!

Read more: A Certain Type of N95 Mask May Do More Harm Than Good.

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Cancel 2020 or Not

June 11, 2020 Comments Off on Cancel 2020 or Not

When I started reading this Thursday Thought offering, I thought the idea was crazy. The more I read, the more I grew in understanding, hope, and determination. No, it’s not at all a crazy idea.

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Comfort in Uncertainty

April 9, 2020 Comments Off on Comfort in Uncertainty

Feeling uncertain and nervous about life in general right now? You’re not alone in this. Today’s Thursday Thought quote offers comforting possibilities.

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Personal Note: Goodbye, Riley

January 28, 2019 Comments Off on Personal Note: Goodbye, Riley

This weekend my companion for 15 years passed away. Riley was a devoted companion who kept herding us, family and guests alike (she was a Border Collie). She helped me care for my husband, Frank, for a couple of years, watching that I did his infusions and medications right, nuzzled up to him as he struggled to breath, which made him smile, and comforted me these last two years without him.

Today I’m very lonely, having lost Riley and, with her, my last daily connection with my husband. Eventually, I will honor her by rescuing a dog that won’t replace her but will be a loving part of my life.

If you’re a dog-lover–or ever had a pet that was part of your family–you understand.

Frank and Riley

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Doing the Time for the Crime

June 25, 2018 2 comments

You did the crime, now do the time!  We’ve all heard this.  St. Paul probably heard it , too, ‘way back in Biblical days, when he was jailed for his faith, although most people today are “in” for unholy acts.  We call prisons “Correctional” and “Vocational” institutions.  We want people to learn their lesson, get out, and “sin no more.” Meanwhile, they’re hardened by a solitary, harsh life, made worse by friends and family who forget about them.

But basic humanity calls us to remember all members of our community, to support and embrace even people who have made terrible mistakes and have tried to turn their lives around.  You can help these people re-enter society as productive, law-abiding people simply by writing them, giving them a positive stake in the world they’ll be rejoining.  I can tell you where to find names.

A little afraid?  After research and years of writing prisoners, I’ve developed some simple guidelines to make writing a prisoner safe and comfortable for you.  Let me know and I’ll send you that information.

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Helmets do NOT Save Lives

June 15, 2015 Comments Off on Helmets do NOT Save Lives

It’s a lie that helmets save motorcyclists’ lives, despite the fact that wearing one is the law in many states.  Well, statistics show that solid, approved ones do.  However, many riders favor the “pretend” ones?  You know, the novelty ones that are not up to federal safety standards.  These are called “brain buckets” for obvious reasons or “loophole lids”  because, well, Officer, I AM wearing a helmet….  But they are cheaper, lighter, and more comfortable than approved helmets.  And the cops can’t readily spot the difference.

Finally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)  is working on the problem.  They are proposing rules to stop the flow of these dangerous helmets from overseas and the Internet and find ways to make it easier for cops to identify them out on the road.

Once  new regulations are approved and put into place (it will take two years), NHTSA estimates that 235-481 people will not die annually in states that have helmet laws if everyone who uses novelty helmets switch to approved helmets.  Even a small number makes a difference: if 5% – 10% novelty-users switch, 12 – 48 lives would be saved each year.

And that’s not mentioning all the people whose lives are traumatized because they were in an accident where the motorcyclist died because he thought he was being so smart.

 

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