In these times, I'm going to try to move away from politics and the goings on in the world. Let's try to bring some positive vibes.
Music is life, and right now I'm obsessed with this lady's voice!
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Important thing to note...
If this year ends with a loss in the stock market, that is yet another tax break for the rich! Yes, they can use stock market losses to lower the amount of taxes they have to pay...at the same time, your 401K takes a huge hit. Your retirement will wither to nothing, because you are NOT ALLOWED to withdraw from the funds until you separate from employment. You do not get to get a break from this, and you are helpless as you watch your money disappear.
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Oh the Irony! (Observation from an X-gener)
I've been seeing several "boomers" in my newsfeed posting this the last few days:
Now, while I sympathize with the fact that those over 60 are more at risk with the recent coronavirus, I see some irony with the particular people in my feed who have posted this. You see, these very people, not that long ago, had made posts AGAINST all of the Democratic plans to help make sure more Americans have health insurance! These are the same "over 60" people who I've seen argue over and over that if millennials want health insurance, they should simply get better jobs (which, many know, is not as easy as it sounds). BUT NOW, they are pleading with the younger generations to stop being so flippant about the coronavirus, because these "healthier" millennials may carry it and get them sick...and if they get sick, they may die!
Here is some truth, though. It isn't that millennials are really healthier...it may not even be that the virus is not affecting them. As a matter of fact, with so many under 60 having no insurance, or carrying insurance with such a high deductible that it is like not having insurance, it is very likely the number of "infected" is much higher in this country than anyone thinks! The thing is, because this virus in most younger people is pretty much like a flu, these folks aren't rushing to the doctor and getting tested...they can't afford it! Many of them may not even be able to afford taking off of work (and note that the GOP Senate yesterday refused to pass an emergency 14 day mandatory sick leave)! If they do take off work, instead of going to the doctor and being tested, they are downing NyQuil and binge-watching Netflix in bed until they feel alive again, because that is all they can afford to do. So, while I don't think the younger generations should take risks that will get the older generations sick, I do ask the "over 60" crowd to seriously consider your criticism of the younger with regards to health insurance, and realize that if we make it easier for them to stay healthy, that will help them to help keep you healthy!
Now, while I sympathize with the fact that those over 60 are more at risk with the recent coronavirus, I see some irony with the particular people in my feed who have posted this. You see, these very people, not that long ago, had made posts AGAINST all of the Democratic plans to help make sure more Americans have health insurance! These are the same "over 60" people who I've seen argue over and over that if millennials want health insurance, they should simply get better jobs (which, many know, is not as easy as it sounds). BUT NOW, they are pleading with the younger generations to stop being so flippant about the coronavirus, because these "healthier" millennials may carry it and get them sick...and if they get sick, they may die!
Here is some truth, though. It isn't that millennials are really healthier...it may not even be that the virus is not affecting them. As a matter of fact, with so many under 60 having no insurance, or carrying insurance with such a high deductible that it is like not having insurance, it is very likely the number of "infected" is much higher in this country than anyone thinks! The thing is, because this virus in most younger people is pretty much like a flu, these folks aren't rushing to the doctor and getting tested...they can't afford it! Many of them may not even be able to afford taking off of work (and note that the GOP Senate yesterday refused to pass an emergency 14 day mandatory sick leave)! If they do take off work, instead of going to the doctor and being tested, they are downing NyQuil and binge-watching Netflix in bed until they feel alive again, because that is all they can afford to do. So, while I don't think the younger generations should take risks that will get the older generations sick, I do ask the "over 60" crowd to seriously consider your criticism of the younger with regards to health insurance, and realize that if we make it easier for them to stay healthy, that will help them to help keep you healthy!
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Here is what I've gathered with relation to the coronavirus
Sifting through all of the stuff flying around the internet, I've been able to figure out that the coronavirus is really not any more serious than a chest cold...that we have all had at some point in our lives. The difference, NO ONE has developed an immunity, so it is likely that anyone who comes in contact with it will be ill...in most cases nothing severe, and something that will pass just like any cold or flu virus.
The issue is for people who already are in a position where their health is compromised, as is the case with the flu or any other cold virus, as well. These people can develop more serious conditions such as bronchitis or pneumonia. From someone who has asthma her whole life, I can understand this.
What I can't understand is the panic!!! What I also don't understand is the fear mongering by the media, making the coronavirus seem like something so deadly that if you get it, you WILL die! That is basically the message they are sending out! This is why everyone is freaking the fuck out! The best thing we can all do is basically what we should be doing all along. We should be taking care of our health...eating healthy, exercising, etc...keeping our bodies as able to fight viruses as it can be for our age. Getting older doesn't mean that you have to be frail and get sick easy. I know two people, as a matter of fact, who are knocking on the door of 80, and neither are slowed down in any way! One still goes to the gym every day, while the other goes on daily hikes. Both eat a healthy diet, and continue to live very productive lives!
We also need to be self aware. If we are ill, we should limit our presence in public. I know when I'm sick, you won't catch me dragging myself out! I may go to the doctor if I'm bad enough, and at worse, the drug store to pick up my prescriptions from said doctor visit. With the ability to get groceries and any thing else delivered, I don't have to leave the house for anything else until I'm well, and no longer contagious. I wash my hands, if I happen to cough or sneeze in public...typically just due to allergies...I cover my stuff up.
I also don't invade the personal space of others. Sick or not, there is NO reason to be right up on someone in a line or something where they feel crowded. It is common courtesy to allow people to have their personal space (something people obviously forget about). If you aren't my partner, you shouldn't be so close that you are touching me or I can feel you breathing on me.
Really, people need to calm the fuck down! Use some common sense. Remember, this thing hasn't even killed any children! Also, there have probably been thousands of more cases of this virus than have been reported, because they are only testing under certain conditions. It is likely that some had some very mild cold symptoms, dealt with it like any other cold or flu, and got over it without the world even knowing.
The issue is for people who already are in a position where their health is compromised, as is the case with the flu or any other cold virus, as well. These people can develop more serious conditions such as bronchitis or pneumonia. From someone who has asthma her whole life, I can understand this.
What I can't understand is the panic!!! What I also don't understand is the fear mongering by the media, making the coronavirus seem like something so deadly that if you get it, you WILL die! That is basically the message they are sending out! This is why everyone is freaking the fuck out! The best thing we can all do is basically what we should be doing all along. We should be taking care of our health...eating healthy, exercising, etc...keeping our bodies as able to fight viruses as it can be for our age. Getting older doesn't mean that you have to be frail and get sick easy. I know two people, as a matter of fact, who are knocking on the door of 80, and neither are slowed down in any way! One still goes to the gym every day, while the other goes on daily hikes. Both eat a healthy diet, and continue to live very productive lives!
We also need to be self aware. If we are ill, we should limit our presence in public. I know when I'm sick, you won't catch me dragging myself out! I may go to the doctor if I'm bad enough, and at worse, the drug store to pick up my prescriptions from said doctor visit. With the ability to get groceries and any thing else delivered, I don't have to leave the house for anything else until I'm well, and no longer contagious. I wash my hands, if I happen to cough or sneeze in public...typically just due to allergies...I cover my stuff up.
I also don't invade the personal space of others. Sick or not, there is NO reason to be right up on someone in a line or something where they feel crowded. It is common courtesy to allow people to have their personal space (something people obviously forget about). If you aren't my partner, you shouldn't be so close that you are touching me or I can feel you breathing on me.
Really, people need to calm the fuck down! Use some common sense. Remember, this thing hasn't even killed any children! Also, there have probably been thousands of more cases of this virus than have been reported, because they are only testing under certain conditions. It is likely that some had some very mild cold symptoms, dealt with it like any other cold or flu, and got over it without the world even knowing.
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Put it into perspective...
Folks are freaking out about the coronavirus here in the US. You can't buy toilet paper, hand sanitizer, masks, rubbing alcohol, etc., because people are hoarding like it is the apocalypse. Did it spread quickly in China where it originated? Yes, it did. BUT, you have to put things into perspective.
1. China is about the same land mass as the United States.
2. China's population is approximately 1.4 billion people, which is about 1.1 billion FEWER people than the United States has.
China is way more densely populated than the US is, making it very easy for a virus to spread. It is highly doubtful it would spread at the same rate here. Even so, the number of people ill in China is a drop in the bucket compared to the total population. No, I'm not minimizing those affected by the virus, just pointing out that an individual's risk of getting the virus is much less than all the fear reporting is making it seem. You are more likely to get in a car accident. We know what we have to do to minimize our risk.
1. Wash your hands regularly, using warm water and soap, preferably an antibacterial soap.
2. Avoid unnecessary touching of strangers an acquaintances. Minimize hand shaking and such.
3. Don't touch outside surfaces in stores and such more than necessary.
4. Don't touch your face without first washing your hands, especially if you had been outside of our home.
5. If you feel ill, STAY HOME, unless leaving your home to go to the doctor. If you have the ability to have things delivered to you, do so.
6. Cover your coughs and sneezes.
This is all basic well-care that I personally do every flu season. Even though I have my vaccine, there are strains it may not cover, and the flu is constantly evolving, so I take precautions.
Bottom line...quit freaking the hell out like this is the end of the world!
1. China is about the same land mass as the United States.
2. China's population is approximately 1.4 billion people, which is about 1.1 billion FEWER people than the United States has.
China is way more densely populated than the US is, making it very easy for a virus to spread. It is highly doubtful it would spread at the same rate here. Even so, the number of people ill in China is a drop in the bucket compared to the total population. No, I'm not minimizing those affected by the virus, just pointing out that an individual's risk of getting the virus is much less than all the fear reporting is making it seem. You are more likely to get in a car accident. We know what we have to do to minimize our risk.
1. Wash your hands regularly, using warm water and soap, preferably an antibacterial soap.
2. Avoid unnecessary touching of strangers an acquaintances. Minimize hand shaking and such.
3. Don't touch outside surfaces in stores and such more than necessary.
4. Don't touch your face without first washing your hands, especially if you had been outside of our home.
5. If you feel ill, STAY HOME, unless leaving your home to go to the doctor. If you have the ability to have things delivered to you, do so.
6. Cover your coughs and sneezes.
This is all basic well-care that I personally do every flu season. Even though I have my vaccine, there are strains it may not cover, and the flu is constantly evolving, so I take precautions.
Bottom line...quit freaking the hell out like this is the end of the world!
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