#just as you don’t protect yourself from the flu by denying the flu exists but by washing hands and wearing a mask and staying home when sick

[headofocs-inklesspen]

Accidentally went on a rant to a coworker last night that started as being knives in the utensils drawer at work and somewhere along the line unlocked and turned into the core of my issues with the fascist right in this country (america) and why it was never about “protecting children” and always about using the phrase “protecting children” as both a dog whistle and cover up so people not in their circle would hear it and not delve deeper into the true intentions of the hateful legislature being passed more and more across the country

[bexterbex]

A Soul to Mend His Own | Ch. 18

Warning, if it hasn’t been obvious in the movies there is Nazi symbolism within the First Order. I will expand on this much more throughout the story. If this is something that bothers you, please just exit the story. The author does not condone any Nazi ideals, this is just for fictional uses only.

A Kylo Ren x Modern! Reader in a soulmate au with some canon divergence. —————————————SLOWBURN————————————–

He is already the Supreme leader, searching the universe to find you, his Empress. Your name on his wrist has been the only constant in his life, while you have doubts about his existence and his acceptance of you. He isn’t in the database and why did the name Kylo Ren cover Ben Solo?

MASTERLIST

Chapter 18: Before the Committee

You woke up early to your alarm. Pausing before getting up you relived the events of the last two days. It was a whirlwind, and you wondered if it was always going to be like this. Shaking your head you got out of bed and ready for the day. You wore one of your work ‘uniforms’ as you deemed them more appropriate for the meetings you had ahead of yourself today. You also decided that you should put on some light makeup, as to make a good impression that you took good care in self-grooming.

When you were finished getting ready you grabbed your phone and started to head out of your room. You noticed that Kylo was not in his room, you entered the living room and Lieutenant Mitaka was there once again.

“Good morning m’lady,” said the lieutenant.

“Good morning lieutenant have you eaten this morning,” you ask while walking to the dining room.

“Yes, ma’am,” replied the short man.

“Well can I order you a cup of coffee or tea? And I am assuming you have been assigned to me again this morning,” you asked.

“I have been assigned to be your personal assistant of sorts, by the Supreme Leader. And a cup of tea would be most appreciated,” you could see relief cross his face. You reminded yourself that the Kylo that you see is not the Supreme Leader everyone else deals with.

You ordered from your phone for the first time. Unlike Kylo’s data pad there seemed to be a long list of Earth foods, and there seemed to be a list of your favorite foods in the favorites tab. How Kylo was able to do this you didn’t know, but you were too nervous to ask him.

The droid arrived in a matter of three minutes before you were really able to ask the Lieutenant anything. But you enjoyed your breakfast and the Mitaka thanked you for the tea.

“I know I have to be at the Health Committee by around 10. I know I need to arrange for transport. If I could I would like materials sent to me on my phone, about what the First Order’s current health policies are,” as you were saying this Mitaka was typing on his data pad.

“I will have everything sent to you. I can arrange for transport at 0800 hours this morning. I have been informed that the Finalizer’s chief medical officer would like to meet with you before the meeting. He would like you to debrief him on what you and the Supreme Leader have discussed on the subject,” said the lieutenant. You received a notification on your phone informing you that the First Order health regulations documents have been delivered.

You thanked the lieutenant and saw that the time was only 7 AM. You walked into your room and took out your work tote. You pulled out a notebook and pen and walked back to the living room. You started to make notes on what you were reading.

Several manuals, the biggest being 'Field Hygiene and Sanitation.’ This seemed very obvious to you. The purpose of the command, which person is responsible for what in terms of their own health. The individual is first and foremost responsible for their own health, then their immediate commander, then the medical/dental officer, then upper chains of command.

The manual went over personal cleanliness, care of the mouth and teeth, care of the feet, food, and drink, exercise, rest and recreation, protection against the elements, protection against disease-carrying insects, avoidance of the sources of disease, special protective measures, cultivation of a healthy mind, and finally rules for avoiding illness in the field. Many of these things could be translated into civilian life and so you made proper notes on this.

You glanced at the time seeing it was 7:45 by the time you were done making these notes. You decided that you should brainstorm some marketing tactics for this health regime. You made a more encompassing list that you previously stated the day before; Posters, pamphlets, video, radio, press releases, and large advertisements.

“Ma’am we should head to the hangar to depart for your meeting,” said the lieutenant.

You nodded and packed up your things. You followed the lieutenant to the hangar to which you saw the command shuttle and Commander Pyre once more.

“Everything is ready for your departure my lady,” said the gold plated commander.

You climbed aboard the ship and everyone strapped in for take-off.

“Tell me commander, am I to expect you to escort me every time I leave the ship,” you ask.

“Yes, ma’am unless Captain Phasma or the Supreme Leader is here. I have been put in charge of your immediate safety otherwise. General Pryde will meet us with the  Finalizer’s  chief medical officer. Pryde is also in charge of your safety and your movements,” responded the commander.

You thanked him and thought about what he said, that General Pryde was in charge of your movements. Why did you need to be watched or guarded so heavily? You shook that thought from your head as you received a ding from your phone.

There was a notification from the First Order messaging center. You opened it seeing a message from Kylo, ‘Good morning. I will be in strategic meetings all morning but I would like to join you for a late lunch.’

You responded, ‘Good morning to you too. That sounds perfect, I have no idea how long the Health Committee meeting will go, but I will notify you when we are done or at recess.’

The ship landed and you were greeted by the gray-haired general and an equally gray-haired medical officer.

“Hello, my lady. My name is Dr. Crale Koroban I am the chief medical officer aboard the Finalizer.  You and I will be working together on the Health Committee as assigned by the Supreme Leader,” said the medical officer. He bowed slightly when introducing himself with his hands resigned behind his back.

“Hello, Dr. Koroban. I was informed that you were wanting to meet with me before the official committee meeting. Why is this,” you ask. You were now all moving into the White House to a conference room similar to the one you were in yesterday.

“Yes. You have some background and first-hand knowledge as to the health and hygiene of your planet. I was also informed that you were quite frank when you recalled the health of many of the countries. It is this honesty that I need before we meet with the health officials from your planet. The First Order cannot afford a large unhealthy population on your planet,” said the doctor.

“What would you like to know,” you ask. The general had taken a seat on the other side of the table, whereas the doctor sat near you as did the lieutenant with the commander guarding the door.

“I know that many of your third world countries do not have access to proper hygiene facilities let alone water. They have no way of properly cleaning themselves nor do they have proper health care, this is not my initial concern. They are easier to rectify. Your ‘first world’ countries, on the other hand, seem reluctant to want to improve their hygiene and health as they view themselves to be clean and healthy when in fact they are not,” responded the doctor. “What I would like to know is what you know and have observed as a ‘first world’ citizen on the health practices of your class. It is obvious that civilians have not been keeping things up to standard and we need to rectify this.”

You thought for a few moments about what the doctor said, “Like you said, we believe we are clean when in fact we are not. It is sad when the Center for Disease Control needs to remind us constantly during flu season or during any disease outbreak that we need to wash our hands, avoid touching our face and to not share food and drink with others. Many adults fail to wash their hands after using the restroom, but they always make sure to scold children if they forget. One of the officers gave a really accurate statistic about it and honestly, it didn’t shock me. We also don’t tend to stay home when we are sick, like we are supposed to because we tend to be workaholics. During outbreaks, people fear things but don’t really change their habits.”

The doctor nodded to you and was taking notes on the data pad you didn’t notice he had until now. “Reminding people is part of their job, but I see your point. Personal hygiene is step number one in preventing the spread of disease.”

“I also know there has been a rise in people against vaccinations, they fear side effects that have been disproven by medical professionals. There are also people seeking out home remedies for things that can only be cured or treated by a doctor. I am not talking about the occasional headache or stomachache, I am talking about skin rashes, diseases, and even cancer. Not that I am opposed to being prescribed rest, fluids and a healthy diet but there are some things only a medical professional can effectively treat. In third world countries, people will walk for miles to receive medicine, vaccines, and the ability to clean themselves, but in ‘first world’ countries we seem to deny these things as a privilege. It can be very frustrating.”

This time the doctor took more time taking notes and seemed to think a bit more before responding, “I agree with you. Your planet seems to have shifting parallels when it comes to health and hygiene. Your input on this is very valuable to me. We will be meeting with the others soon, but tell me who the three officials you have chosen are.”

You did not remember choosing anyone, you had simply mentioned that it may be best to include someone from the CDC, the WHO, and the Surgeon General. This may be what the doctor is asking.

“While I never directly chose anyone I merely suggested that we have some of the most respected health officials in the room,” you said.

At this point the lieutenant spoke up, “we have the director of the CDC and the director from the WHO coming along with the Surgeon General.”

“Explain to me why you chose the CDC and the WHO,” asked the doctor.

“The CDC is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention here in the U.S. they help set medical standards and are a resource many people trust. The WHO or the World Health Organization does the same thing but worldwide. The Surgeon General is one of the top public health officials in the world. They are chosen by the president of the united states and have significant experience in public health programs. I chose these three because they care for health and not for maintaining public appearances as to how clean we really are. They would like for the world to have high standards and health practices, unlike the politicians who like to refuse the truth about how unhygienic we really are.”

The doctor nodded at this response and seemed to be in deep thought for a moment. “If these are people whom your world trusts than it is of utmost importance that we get them to agree to First Order health practices. Dr. Xero Dabrini will be assisting me in this committee along with a handful of other First Order doctors and nurses. I hope to look to you for help with any mediation that may need to happen between us and these health officials. Note that the First Order wants healthy and hygienic citizens. We want to be able to provide the health care necessary for this to happen.”

You nodded and agreed with the doctor. The First Order is a military. They need healthy soldiers and citizens. You knew Kylo was counting on you to assist the doctor in this committee and you did not want to disappoint him you were ready for this meeting. The first meeting that you would handle on your own, helping him with the First Order.

A/N: Note that this is a PSA from the Author: WASH YOUR HANDS, AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE, STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK, AND GET PLENTY OF REST AND FLUIDS. The COVID-19 is going around and the next few chapters will be centered around health. In my worldbuilding propaganda, there will be useful hygiene and health tips. Heed them if you would like, and stay safe from the virus and listen to the CDC and the WHO.

A PSA from your lovely Author.

[hanybanani]

𝑀𝓎 𝒹𝒶𝒾𝓁𝓎 𝒹𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓅𝒽𝒾𝓁𝑜𝓈𝑜𝓅𝒽𝓎

First of all, what is philosophy and how does it help us? Philosophy is the study of existence and reality, it helps us develop our critical thinking and makes our lives easier in terms of making better decisions and choices in life. 

Have you ever wondered how to make good choices in life?  Of course,  you would want to keep heading into the direction you want and not fall into a spiral of stress and despair. Now, as teenagers, even adults, many of us wondered about our lives, like what is our purpose, some people think they don’t have a purpose. What is success and how will you achieve it, what is good and what is bad, or how should we treat one another, ect. 

Philosophy gives us ethics. It involves “systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior". Growing up, we often face choices, there are times when we are indecisive in life and you realize you are responsible as you set an example.

 Philosophy  in Greek means “the love of wisdom” or “the pursuit of wisdom”, and I think making mistakes can be turned into a valuable lesson to a person. Why do I think this? Well, as Albert Einstein said, “ Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new”. My philosophy in making mistakes is that it teaches us to clarify what we really want, it is a fundamental part for every understanding, advancement, and development. The correct exists because of the fault and this is what makes us human. Men is prone to error and develops, but that depends on how one responds to the error. 

Philosophy has been around since the 6th century, without it, everything we have now wouldn’t exist. We wouldn’t have freedom to have our own opinion, values, nor have equality. It helps us approach into making policies, make rational suggestions into shaping society to become better. Philosophy helps students acquire a knowledge of those ideas and its origins. Philosophy also influence teaching, and even leadership. 

Science and philosophy are pretty similar when it comes to finding out what is reality. The difference is that science is all about the natural phenomena and philosophy is understanding the nature of man and our existence. I personally think that philosophy can lead to innovation, giving fantastical inspiration to create new ideas for creating innovative solutions. 

The Noble Eight-fold Path

I’m not Buddhist but reading the Eight-fold Path helps to become calmer and be more at peace knowing what to do in times of distress, if you want to follow the Eight Fold Path  It’s a good thing to remember that it’s important to be ethical in word and in deed, and thought. To be kind to others, and being positive as much as possible and be respectful and moral person. Remembering those will surely help you to be peaceful in your mind and to everyone around you and will not let you suffer as a bitter person. Having peace within oneself makes you have the right understanding, the right intent, the right speech, right mindfulness, concentration, following all of these creates a harmony in oneself. I have learned that when you’re compassionate towards others and treat them right, you get a reward too, and it also feels good to do something good to others and they will be kind to you as well. 

Treating others the right way is good for the mental health and well being, it can reduce the stress and improve our mood and also self-esteem and of course, it makes us happy. Doing good deeds does not need much time or costs money like when listening to your friends without judgement and focus on what they need.  

Ecocentric  model  and  evaluate  personal  views  and attitudes toward nature

The environment that God has given us is truly beautiful, the air we breathe, the land we walk on and the plants and animals that live among humans are made carefully. All lives are equal to existence and ecocentrism is a pathway to  a sustainable living. Man is made to dominate the Earth and take care of it. Ecocentrism is the reason why we value the environment we live in. Life relies on geological processes and has been worldview and many countries speak about folklore. An ecocentric view holds the planet’s ecology and ecosystems, the the lives of humans, animals, the creatures the lives in the depths of the sea and all life forms. I think that we should continue to take care of our surroundings for the future generation, to look at the world with love of nature, will give the children of the future a wonderful Earth that they could still live on. With all the buidings that are being built, the trees that are being cut and the amount of garbage that is being thrown to the ocean should be reduced and think about the other living things that will suffer from the greediness of mankind. 

We should reduce, reuse, recycle to save that dying animals and reduce the pollution in the air that we breathe for the sake of the children and the children of their children. We must protect and value the things that were made to sustain life even if they cannot be used by humans as resources. 

Marcos Batas Militar

How can reason be translated into action?

An individual’s speech makes sense based on logic and facts and can be turned into action when the individual starts to act upon his visions logically and comfortably 

If there were no intellect, there would be no will. Explain.

You cannot accomplish anything without intelligence or without any practical plan, thus there is no will if you do not know how to make ends meet. 

What is a social contract and how is it reflected in the EDSA Revolution?

An agreement from the members of society. The law is reflected in the people by making an agreement.

Was freedom denied during the Martial Law? Was there free choice within the Filipino people? 

People could not go outside their houses and speak about the government or they will get killed. There was no freedom for the people who denied the Martial Law  and there was no free choice. 

How do you think this is similar and/or different from the colonization of the Philippines from the hands of the Spanish, American, and Japanese?

The Spanish people colonized the Philippines under military and religious supremacy while the Philippines is an instrument for WWII for the Japanese. America desires for opportunities that will benefit their own country and to have power over the islands from other countries, it is somehow similar to the Marcos martial law where the authority or people with access to firearms disregards the safety and needs of the people for their own benefit. 

How do you think this is similar and/or different from today’s events in the Philippines?

The events regarding for covid-19 are similar but different as people are required to stay home for their own health but similar to martial law as the media sensualize the virus to which it makes people afraid and scared, but according to a doctor in Europe, covid-19 is just like any other flu. 

My mother likes listening to classic music and because of my mother, I know about Andrea Bocelli. His music is comforting and his voice is beautiful. Andrea Bocelli is a knows as a great music artist that inspires many people around the globe. When he was still in his mother’s womb, the doctor advised his parents to abort him because him might have a disability, his mother, however opposed the advice the doctor gave and gave birth to him and when he was born he did have many issues with his sight and was diagnosed with congenital glauoma. As a young boy, Bocelli had a passion for music even with his disability, it did not stop him from playing the piano and other instruments and to be a great singer and won countless awards. He is a good model for young kids with disabilities to never stop hoping and dream big.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆　　 ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆　　 ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ

 25-year life plan. 

Firsly, I want to develop my skills in arts and be able to try out and learn digital drawing since it looks super cool and fun to do and be able to do animations because I wanted to do that as a kid. When it comes to career, I want to get a good job in  software technology and be able to create applications and games  that would help many people in their daily lives and also have fun. But before I achieve all that, education is important.My plan is to get to graduate college, I want to expand my knowledge in computer programming.

I want to be able to contribute to my family, and support them with their needs, and show them love as much as possible so I guess having a decent stable job would allow me to be helpful to the family. My financial plan would be saving as much to start a business  and  also giving to charity. In life, you can’t always just be working and working, sometimes looking after yourself is more important as well, being healthy and to excercise more and eat healthy food in order to achieve your goals. Working hard and looking after yourself can take you to places and for pleasure, I would like to do my bucket list like to be able to travel and see places, to be part of an organization helping citizens and the environment, giving to charity and to meet new people and learn from them. I think this is most people’s common life plan, its a dream and a plan, but don’t call it a dream, call it a plan, make it a goal and thrive big.  

[zombageddon]

CORDUROY LOGGING AND LUMBER CO. SALEM, OREGON

9 DAYS BEFORE THE END OF THE WORLD

“The city of Portland, Oregon has officially been placed under quarantine,” declared the KGW 9 reporter, Shandra Jimenez. “The Center for Disease Control has not yet announced what exact virus is plaguing the city, but they are fast at work trying to contain its spread.”

Dan felt his heart stop at the announcement. There weren’t many things that could faze “Manly Dan” Corduroy, but hearing that his only daughter was now officially trapped in a city that was infected with an unknown virus was more than enough to do the job. Wendy was a tough girl, and he didn’t usually have to worry for her much, but there was no real way to protect yourself against an unknown disease.

“The CDC is working with the National Guard to gather up groups of citizens who have yet to be infected, once cleared by CDC officials those citizens will be relocated until further notice,” continued the reporter, “As you can see behind me the process is slow but sure, and so far 52 civilians have been cleared to leave the city. For those of you within the quarantine, remain indoors until instructed otherwise. Remain calm, and rest assured that help is on the way.”

“Daddy? Is Wendy gonna be okay?” Dan turned towards his youngest son, Gus, with a sigh.

“Of course she will,” Dan said, “She’s a Corduroy. She knows how to take care of herself.”

Gus smiled, then turned back to his Lincoln Logs. Dan felt a pang of guilt for lying to the boy, but he didn’t want to scare the kid with the truth. The last thing he needed was a panicking six year old. He’d lost his wife to cancer five years ago, and he knew Gus didn’t remember his mother, but Wendy meant a lot to him. To all of his boys, really. He wasn’t going to let them believe that they could lose her.

He just hoped that she would be evacuated soon.

4 DAYS BEFORE THE END OF THE WORLD

“This is Karen Entity of KGW 9, coming to you live from outside the Portland Quarantine, where we have just received word that efforts to evacuate the uninfected from the city have been halted.”

Dan gripped his coffee mug so tightly that he heard the handle start to crack. He quickly set down the mug, focusing on the reporter’s botox smile as she went over the CDC’s official statement with the lead anchor, Shandra Jimenez.

“As of yet the CDC has not given an explanation for the sudden stop, nor have they made any statements about when efforts may restart,” said Linda, “But officials would like to remind everyone to stay indoors and-”

The woman was cut off by screaming, and suddenly the people around her were running off in panic.

“Linda? What’s happening?” Shandra asked, trying to catch the other woman’s attention without raising her voice to a shout.

“Hey! Turn that camera off!” someone off screen was shouting at the cameraman, and suddenly the camera was pointed at the ground.

“Excuse you! We’re on live TV! What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Linda? What’s happening?” Shandra asked, but she was ignored, and suddenly the live feed was replaced by the technical difficulties symbol. The screen shifted, leaving Shandra and her co-anchor sitting in stunned silence.

The two reporters looked to each other, then James cleared his throat. “We’ve lost contact with our live team for the time being, but our staff is hard at work trying to re-establish contact.”

“From what we can gather, the trouble you saw was stirred up by a group of concerned citizens who were protesting the halt of the evacuation efforts,” Shandra said, very clearly reading off of a teleprompter. “We’ll be sharing updates with you as we get them, but in the meantime here’s Maurice with the weather.”

“Dad? What’s going on in Portland?” Marcus was standing the doorway, Kevin and Gus peaking around the corner behind him. “Wendy’s gonna be okay, right?”

Dan sighed, waving his boys over too him. The three crowded around the couch, ignoring the man who was nervously babbling about the heat wave that was coming their way.

“I don’t know what’s going on exactly. Portland is currently under quarantine,” Dan said.

“What’s a quarantine?” Kevin asked.

“A quarantine means that the government cut the city off from the rest of the world,” Marcus supplied, “and that everyone in the city is sick.”

“Wendy’s sick?” Gus seemed distraught, and Dan quickly pulled the boy into a hug.

“No, no, she’s not sick. She’s a good girl, she woulda stayed indoors like the people on the news said. But a lot of other people in the city are sick, so the government is keeping everyone in one place so that the sickness doesn’t spread,” Dan explained.

“What about the panicking people on the news?” Kevin asked. “Is somebody gonna hurt Wendy?”

“No, that was going on outside the quarantine,” Dan said. “Those were people who had loved ones inside, who were upset about the evacuation being stopped. Wendy wouldn’t have been anywhere near them, and they’re not trying to hurt anyone.”

“Then why were people screaming?” Gus asked. “They looked really scared.”

Dan didn’t know. He couldn’t tell his son that though, and he couldn’t admit that he wasn’t so sure that the news was correct about protesters being the cause of the screaming. Luckily he was saved from answering by the return of the news anchors, this time accompanied by a breaking news alert.

“We’ve just received a feed from our live team,” Shandra said, “This footage will answer a lot of the questions you may have about what’s going on in Portland, but it’s the sort of thing that you need to see to believe. Before we show this footage, we must warn you that it’s rather graphic, and it may not be appropriate for any younger viewers.”

“Gus, Kevin, I want you to wait in the hall-”

“No! I wanna see! I wanna know what’s happening too!” Dan looked into the defiant eyes of his six year old, then sighed. There wasn’t time for this argument, and Kevin was giving him a similarly stubborn look. Dan sighed again, then nodded his consent, and they all focused on the TV again as the footage changed.

They were now watching a very shaky camera, and they could hear a woman panting heavily. “This is Karen Entity, and I’m about to die. If this footage doesn’t get aired, it’s fairly likely that everyone is going to join me in that fate.”

The camera swung around, and they were treated to a view of the carnage behind the reporter. People were running and screaming, and attacking each other without reason. There were soldiers firing into the crowds, but they kept coming.

“I don’t know what’s caused it, but whatever this disease is, it sure as hell isn’t some new brand on the flu,” Linda said, “The infected seem to be impervious to bullets, and they’ve been tearing apart everyone they can get ahold of.”

The camera swung around again, and Dan realized that the shaking was because the reporter was running. “Oh god, this is insane. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say these things were zombies.”

She flipped the camera back around, and zoomed in on a body that’d been severed at the waist. It should have been a corpse, but the man was still pulling himself along the ground, slowly dragging himself towards the soldiers that were being slowly overrun. Suddenly Karen screamed, and the camera fell to the ground. They could hear the struggle going on between Karen and...Dan wasn’t sure what she was struggling against, but they couldn’t see anything. Suddenly a perfectly manicured hand appeared in the camera’s line of sight, the nails digging into the ground as Karen dragged herself into the frame.

“Oh god,” she whispered, blood was matted in her hair and there was a large wound on her shoulder. “We’re all going to die.”

She dropped to the ground, her eyes fluttering shut, her expression caught between the smile that seemed frozen on her face and the horror she had truly felt. Dan thought that would be the end of it, but the station didn’t switch back to their news room. Instead, Karen’s eyes opened. They were glazed over though, a white film covering the amber completely. She growled at the camera, then stood and ran off, leaving the camera with nothing but a soundtrack of screams.

The footage cut out, but the newsroom was only a slight improvement over the previous footage. Both of the anchors seemed paler, and neither seemed to know what to say. Shandra glanced over to the right, to the teleprompter that the audience couldn’t see. She frowned at whatever was written there, then turned towards the camera again.

“If you’re able, please join us in a moment of silence to honor Karen Entity. It’s thanks to her bravery that we were able to get footage of the incident, and it is thanks to her that we now have the opportunity to get ahead of this...virus.”

Gus looked like he was going to say something, but Dan shook his head, putting a finger to his lips. They waited in silence for a moment, until Shandra spoke again, her voice steadier than it was before. “In Karen’s final broadcast, there’s one word that stands out from the rest, one I’m sure you noticed. Zombies. Crazy as that may sound, I fear it may be the most accurate description of the infected that we can give you right now.

“I don’t have facts to give you, or sources to cite. My teleprompter is telling me to reassure you that nothing’s wrong, that zombies don’t exist, to deny that the footage you just saw was real. But I can’t do that, not when one of my coworkers just died making sure that you got to see that footage. The government wants us to keep quiet about this new information, they don’t want you to panic, or worse, throw caution to the wind because of how silly the threat of zombies sounds. I pray that you don’t,” Shandra took a deep breath before continuing, “The government will continue to deny this outbreak, and continue to hide information, until we force them to be honest with us. I can’t do that alone, but if you spread this information and demand more, we’ll get it.”

Shandra’s attention seemed drawn to something behind her, and she sighed, “Our camera is about to be shut off, but we’ll be back. For now, this is Shandra Jimenez, signing off.”

The newsroom cut out, and the station went to commercial.

Dan felt cold all over, and his boys looked fearful. But he finally knew what he needed to do, he just needed to make sure his boys were safe first.

THE END OF THE WORLD

“Boys! Stay close to me!” Dan shouted, ushering his boys away from the crowds. People were running and screaming, the entire camp had erupted into chaos. Gus was crying, and Dan picked him up as he ran by, holding him tight in one hand and swinging his ax with the other. Kevin and Marcus were hot on his tail, keeping close as Dan cleared a path through the crowds.

“Uncle Dan! Over here!” Dan looked over to see his nephew, Garrett, waving to him from his old RV. Dan turned and started heading for him, taking care to make sure Marcus and Kevin didn’t fall behind. He passed Gus to his cousin, then ushered Marcus and Kevin into the RV.

“Have you seen Bella and Hunter?” Garrett asked, twisting his wedding ring nervously, “I thought they were right behind me, but we got separated.”

“Where’d you last see ‘em?” Dan asked.

“We were in the old living quarters, trying to get help on the radio,” Garrett answered.

“Stay with the boys, I’ll see if I can find ‘em,” Dan said, “Keep the motor running, and if you need to leave, promise me you’ll get them outta here.”

“I promise,” Garrett said, stepping back into the RV. Dan slammed the door shut, then bolted over to the old living quarters. They’d closed the building up after they built a newer, bigger cabin for the workers, but Garrett had kept using the office inside because it was quieter.

Dan arrived at the old cabin to find a small horde of undead blocking the door. He adjusted his grip on his axe, then started clearing a path. It didn’t take long, the zombies may have had numbers and no fear, but they weren’t very smart. Dan burst through the door, and found Bella and Hunter poised to strike on the other side. They relaxed when they saw him though.

“You okay?” Bella asked.

“Right as rain,” Dan said, “Come on, we need to get out of here.”

“Not without Garrett,” Hunter said firmly.

“He’s waiting in the RV with the boys,” Dan said, “We need to hurry.”

Hunter nodded, and Dan led the way back to the RV. Garrett had the engine ready, and as soon as they got to the door it swung open. They piled in, and Garrett started driving the moment Bella slammed the door shut.

“Dad!” Dan was promptly tackle hugged by three small bodies, but it was Kevin who was speaking. “Thank goodness you’re alright.”

Dan smiled. “I’ll always be alright.”

The RV made a sharp turn, and Dan swayed slightly. “Alright, sit down you three. We’re in a moving vehicle, and that means you need to sit down and buckle up.”

The boys groaned, but they did as instructed, and Dan turned to face the others. “We got a destination in mind?”

“North, for a start,” Garrett said, “Wendy’s in Portland, right? We could try and get her out”

Dan felt a pang. Wendy was in Portland, but Dan wasn’t entirely sure where in Portland. He’d never had the best sense of direction, and the few times he’d visited Wendy she’d done most of the navigating. Not to mention the city was something of a death trap right now, it’d been completely overrun and even though the quarantine had been abandoned the blockades were still up. Even if they weren’t, Dan couldn’t bring his boys there, it was just too dangerous.

“She is, but I can’t ask you all to help me get her out, and I won’t put my boys in danger too,” Dan said, then turned to Hunter and Bella. “We should head for Canada. You two have family up there, right?”

Bella nodded, “Our dad’s got a logging camp up in B.C. If we can get there before the zombies do we could fortify it, make sure we don’t get a repeat of what happened here in Salem.”

“Then we head there,” Dan said.

“You sure?” Garrett asked, “Portland’s not outta the way, it’d be an easy stop to make.”

“Even if I knew exactly where she was, we’re not armed well enough to get in and out safely. We’ve got what, three axes between us?”

“Fair enough,” Bella said. “Have we got anything tucked away in the RV?”

“No,” Garrett said, “And I know that because I just unpacked it from our last camping trip. We don’t even really have food.”

“I knew we shoulda started keeping canned good in here,” Hunter said. “We’ll have to stop somewhere and get food. And more weapons for the four of us, we’ll need to be armed to the teeth if we’re gonna make it into Portland later.”

Dan startled, “You all don’t have to come with me. It’ll be dangerous.”

“Nonsense,” Hunter said, “Wendy’s family. Hell, she’s the whole reason Garrett and I met! We’re not gonna leave her behind.”

Dan smiled, then nodded. “Alright. To Canada, then back down to Portland to find Wendy.”

He only hoped that she’d still be there when they got back.

[brajeshupadhyay]

In Norway, Gymgoers Avoid Infections as Virus Recedes

Like many countries, Norway ordered all gyms to close in March to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But unlike any other nation, Norway also funded a rigorous study to determine whether the closings were really necessary.

It is apparently the first and only randomized trial to test whether people who work out at gyms with modest restrictions are at greater risk of infection from the coronavirus than those who do not. The tentative answer after two weeks: no.

So this week, responding to the study it funded, Norway reopened all of its gyms, with the same safeguards in place that were used in the study.

Is there hope for gymgoers in other parts of the world?

“I personally think this is generalizable, with one caveat,” said Dr. Michael Bretthauer, a cancer screening expert at the University of Oslo who led the study with Dr. Mette Kalager. “There may be places where there is a lot of Covid, or where people are less inclined to follow restrictions.”

Norway is bringing its epidemic under control, and the number of new infections has fallen. But the incidence of the infection in Oslo, where the study was conducted, resembles that in such cities as Boston, Oklahoma City and Trenton, N.J.

The trial, begun on May 22, included five gyms in Oslo with 3,764 members, ages 18 to 64, who did not have underlying medical conditions. Half of the members — 1,896 people — were invited to go back to their gyms and work out.

They were required to wash their hands and to maintain social distancing: three feet apart for floor exercises, and six feet apart in high-intensity classes. The subjects could use the lockers, but not the saunas or the showers. They were not asked to wear masks.

Another 1,868 gym members served as a comparison group; they were not permitted to return to their gyms.

During the two weeks of the study, 79.5 percent of the members invited to use their gyms went at least once, while 38.4 percent went more than six times. Some were overjoyed to restart their routines.

Goril Bjerkan, a 53-year-old economist who lives in Baerum, just outside Oslo, went to the gym three to four times a week during the study, using the treadmill, taking classes and doing strength training.

“It was fantastic to get back to the gym again after almost 11 weeks of closure,” she said. “I suspect it was more risky to visit the shopping center than to visit the gym.”

Heide Tjom, a 57-year-old architect who bicycles into Oslo, leapt at the opportunity to return to the gym four times a week, where she works with a personal trainer and takes group cardio classes.

“Keeping fit is very important to me,” Ms. Tjom said. “I feel it is important to my existence.”

Over the study period, there were 207 new coronavirus cases in Oslo. Study participants and gym staff members were tested for the infection on June 8. (Antibody tests of participants are now being conducted.)

Dr. Bretthauer and Dr. Kalager also examined Norway’s extensive electronic health records database for outpatient visits and hospitalizations among the participants.

The results? The researchers found only one coronavirus case, in a person who had not used the gym before he was tested; it was traced to his workplace. Some participants visited hospitals, but for diseases other than Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.

There was no difference in hospital visits between the groups, and there were no outpatient visits or hospitalizations because of the coronavirus. The findings were posted online on Thursday, but had not been peer-reviewed nor published.

Some experts felt the results demonstrated that returning to the gym was relatively safe — but only in places where there were few infections.

Updated June 24, 2020

Is it harder to exercise while wearing a mask?

A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.

I’ve heard about a treatment called dexamethasone. Does it work?

The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.

What is pandemic paid leave?

The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.

Does asymptomatic transmission of Covid-19 happen?

So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.

What’s the risk of catching coronavirus from a surface?

Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.

How does blood type influence coronavirus?

A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.

How many people have lost their jobs due to coronavirus in the U.S.?

The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.

How can I protect myself while flying?

If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)

What should I do if I feel sick?

If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.

“This shows us that low-prevalence environments are safe for gyms and probably just about everything else,” said Dr. Gordon Guyatt, a professor of medicine at McMaster University in Canada. “It is very unlikely you will get infected.”

“If you were in a different environment where there is a substantially higher prevalence, we don’t know what will happen,” he added.

But Jon Zelner, an epidemiologist at the University of Michigan, did not find the study to be fully convincing: “These findings don’t tell me that going to the gym isn’t riskier than not going to the gym, even in Oslo,” he said.

A larger study is needed in places with a relatively low prevalence to determine whether the virus is more easily transmitted in gyms, Dr. Zelner added. Alternatively, a study with fewer people, but in a community with a high prevalence of infection, could answer the question.

Such a study may raise ethical concerns, since it may not be safe to send people to gyms in high-prevalence communities — “kind of a Catch-22,” Dr. Zelner said.

Still, how low does risk have to be before it is acceptable to reopen gyms and fitness centers?

Dr. Guyatt said the risks of infection in a community where the prevalence is low are outweighed by the advantages to society.

“You can’t stay locked down forever,” he said. “We are never going to be completely free of this thing. And in a low-prevalence environment, the risk is low wherever you go — gyms or grocery stores or even restaurants.”

Now, Dr. Bretthauer and Dr. Kalager want to see whether the social-distancing measures they used in the study were necessary.

They hope to randomly assign 150 gyms to operate without restrictions or to maintain those in place now, then compare infection rates among gymgoers. The study is only in its planning stages.

The post In Norway, Gymgoers Avoid Infections as Virus Recedes appeared first on Sansaar Times.

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[ladystylestores]

EU May Ban Travel from US as it Reopens Borders, Citing Coronavirus Failures

BRUSSELS — European Union countries rushing to revive their economies and reopen their borders after months of coronavirus restrictions are prepared to block Americans from entering because the United States has failed to control the scourge, according to draft lists of acceptable travelers seen by The New York Times.

That prospect, which would lump American visitors in with Russians and Brazilians as unwelcome, is a stinging blow to American prestige in the world and a repudiation of President Trump’s handling of the virus in the United States, which has more than 2.3 million cases and upward of 120,000 deaths, more than any other country.

European nations are currently haggling over two potential lists of acceptable visitors based on how countries are faring with the coronavirus pandemic. Both include China, as well as developing nations like Uganda, Cuba and Vietnam.

Travelers from the United States and the rest of the world have been excluded from visiting the European Union — with few exceptions mostly for repatriations or “essential travel” —- since mid-March. But a final decision on reopening the borders is expected early next week, before the bloc reopens on July 1.

A prohibition of Americans by Brussels partly reflects the shifting pattern of the pandemic. In March, when Europe was the epicenter, Mr. Trump infuriated European leaders when he banned citizens from most European Union countries from traveling to America. Mr. Trump justified the move as necessary to protect the United States, which at the time had roughly 1,100 coronavirus cases and 38 deaths.

In late May and early June, Mr. Trump said Europe was “making progress” and hinted that some restrictions would be lifted soon, but nothing has happened since then. Today, Europe has largely curbed the outbreak, even as the United States, the worst-afflicted, has seen more infection surges just in the past week.

Prohibiting American travelers from entering the European Union would have significant economic, cultural and geopolitical ramifications. Millions of American tourists visit Europe every summer. Business travel is common, given the huge economic ties between the United States and the E.U.

The draft lists were shared with the Times by an official involved in the talks and confirmed by another official involved in the talks. Two additional European Union officials confirmed the content of the lists as well the details of the negotiations to shape and finalize them. All of the officials gave the information on condition of anonymity because the issue is politically delicate.

The forging of a common list of outsiders who can enter the bloc is part of an effort by the European Union to fully reopen internal borders among its 27 member states. Free travel and trade among members is a core principle of the bloc — one that has been badly disrupted during the pandemic.

Since the outbreak, the bloc has succumbed to piecemeal national policies that have resulted in an incoherent patchwork of open and closed borders.

Some internal borders have practically remained closed while others have opened. Some member states that desperately need tourists have rushed ahead to accept non-E.U. visitors and pledged to test them on arrival. Others have tried to create closed travel zones between certain countries, called “bubbles” or “corridors.”

Putting these safe lists together highlights the fraught, messy task of removing pandemic-related measures and unifying the bloc’s approach. But the imperatives of restoring the internal harmony of the E.U. and slowly opening up to the world are paramount, even if it threatens rifts with close allies including the United States, which appears bound to be excluded, at least initially.

President Trump, as well as his Russian and Brazilian counterparts, Vladimir V. Putin and Jair Bolsonaro, has followed what critics call a comparable path in their pandemic response that leaves all three countries in a similarly bad spot: they were dismissive at the outset of the crisis, slow to respond to scientific advice and saw a boom of domestic cases as other parts of the world, notably in Europe and Asia, were slowly managing to get their outbreaks under control.

Countries on the E.U. draft lists have been selected as safe based on a combination of epidemiological criteria. The benchmark is the E.U. average number of new infections — over the past 14 days — per 100,000 people, which is currently 16 for the bloc. The comparable number for the United States is 107, while Brazil’s is 190 and Russia’s is 80, according to a Times database.

Once diplomats agree on a final list, it will be presented as a recommendation early next week before July 1. The E.U. can’t force members to adopt it, but European officials warn that failure of any of the 27 members to stick to it could lead to the reintroduction of borders within the bloc.

The reason this exercise is additionally complex for Europe is that, if internal borders are open but member states don’t honor the same rules, visitors from nonapproved nations could land in one European country, and then jump onward to other E.U. nations undetected.

European officials said the list would be revised every two weeks to reflect new realities around the world as nations see the virus ebb and flow.

The process of agreeing on it has been challenging, with diplomats from all European member states hunkering down for multiple hourslong meetings for the past few weeks.

As of Tuesday, the officials and diplomats were poring over two versions of the safe list under debate, and were scheduled to meet again on Wednesday to continue sparring over the details.

One list contains 47 countries and includes only those nations with an infection rate lower than the E.U. average. The other longer list has 54 countries and also includes those nations with slightly worse case rates than the E.U. average, going up to 20 new cases per 100,000 people.

The existing restrictions on nonessential travel to all 27 member states plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein were introduced on March 16 and extended twice until July 1, in a bid to contain the virus as the continent entered a three-month long confinement.

“Discussions are happening very intensively,” to reach consensus in time for July 1, said Adalbert Jahnz, a spokesman for the European Commission, the bloc’s executive branch. He called the process “frankly, a full-time job.”

Updated June 22, 2020

Is it harder to exercise while wearing a mask?

A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.

I’ve heard about a treatment called dexamethasone. Does it work?

The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.

What is pandemic paid leave?

The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.

Does asymptomatic transmission of Covid-19 happen?

So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.

What’s the risk of catching coronavirus from a surface?

Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.

How does blood type influence coronavirus?

A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.

How many people have lost their jobs due to coronavirus in the U.S.?

The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.

My state is reopening. Is it safe to go out?

States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.

How can I protect myself while flying?

If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)

What should I do if I feel sick?

If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.

The E.U. agency for infectious diseases, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, warned negotiators that the case numbers were so dependent on the level of truthfulness and testing in each country, that it was hard to vouch for them, officials taking part in the talks said.

China, for example, has been accused of withholding information and manipulating the numbers of infections released to the public. In parts of the developing world, case numbers are very low, but it’s hard to determine whether they paint an accurate picture given limited testing.

And in the United States, comments made by President Trump at a rally in Tulsa over the weekend highlighted how easy it is to manipulate a country’s case numbers, as he suggested that domestic testing was too broad.

“When you do testing to that extent, you’re gonna find more people you’re gonna find more cases. So I said to my people slow the testing down, please,” Mr. Trump told supporters.

European embassies around the world could be enlisted to help verify or opine on the data provided that would inform the final list, negotiators said, another indication that the list could end up being quite short if European diplomats at embassies said reported numbers were unreliable.

Many European Union countries are desperate to reopen their borders to visitors from outside the region to salvage tourism and boost airlines’ revenue while keeping their own borders open to each other. Some have already started accepting visitors from outside the bloc.

At the other extreme, a few European nations including Denmark are not prepared to allow any external visitors from non-E.U. countries, and are likely to continue with this policy after July 1.

Germany, France and many other E.U. nations want non-European travelers to be allowed, but are also worried about individual countries tweaking the safe list or admitting travelers from excluded countries, officials said.

Monika Pronczuk contributed reporting from Brussels, and Albert Sun from New York.

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[weeklyhumorist]

C’EST TOXIQUE (For The Man Who Isn’t Afraid Of A Few Non-Existent Side Effects)

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C’EST TOXIQUE (For The Man Who Isn’t Afraid Of A Few Non-Existent Side Effects) was originally published on Weekly Humorist

[fitnesswomenshealth-blog]

Should your health insurance get cheaper the more you walk and run?

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Should your health insurance get cheaper the more you walk and run?

Repeated flyer factors for every day ways, discounted premiums for meeting health and fitness objectives, film tickets for breaking a sweat – these are some of the incentives getting available by overall health insurers as they consider to incentivise healthier conduct and endorse wearables amongst their clients.

The argument goes that we are going to get much healthier, though insurers will pay out fewer.

But on the other hand, critics warn, we may perhaps be building a dystopia the place disadvantaged teams (who are inclined to have higher costs of health issues) can not pay for to pay out for protection, even though businesses listen to our coronary heart prices and observe our slumber styles.

Which need to be something to be avoided.

“For centuries, the coverage model has mainly furnished economic protection for family members after demise, without having boosting the incredibly quality it hinges on: lifetime,” Marrian Harrison, CEO of US coverage big John Hancock said in a statement this week.

The corporation was announcing it would now only promote existence insurance policy designs where consumers have the alternative of paying considerably less on rates by training on a regular basis.

If you didn’t want to don a wearable, you’d successfully be having to pay a lot more for everyday living insurance plan.

It claims end users of its “conduct improve system”, known as Vitality, are living 13-21 yrs more time than the relaxation of the inhabitants and crank out lower hospitalisation expenses.

We are very pleased to turn out to be the only US daily life insurance coverage organization to totally embrace behavioural-centered wellness and leave the old way of accomplishing business powering. – Marrian Harrison

John Hancock ‘Vitality’ lifestyle insurance coverage advertisement.

‘Behavioural-based wellness’

Aside from John Hancock, this 7 days noticed a further advancement in the emerging alliance of large info, wearables and insurers: Fitbit has released an application that processes details from wearables and other health care gadgets and makes it accessible to medical professionals and insurers.

The initially consumers occur from health insurance policy provider Humana, which already gives its customers with Fitbit gadgets.

A number of other examples of the intersection of wearables and insurance plan:

United Health care buyers can generate up to US$4 a day (virtually $1500 a calendar year) in healthcare credits if they meet up with 3 every day physical fitness ambitions: walk 6 sets of 500 ways, finishing every set in just seven minutes acquire 3,000 actions in a single 30-minute time period and take a whole of 10,000 methods in the day.

Coverage company Oscar will give customers up to $240 a 12 months in Amazon vouchers if they meet up with the firm’s each day fitness targets.

The insurer Vitality benefits prospects who share wearables info with movie tickets and far more wearables.

In 2015, Goal announced it would be giving Fitbits its 335,000 staff members, as element of an effort and hard work to lower healthcare expenses.

And, of course, this is also happening in Australia:

Qantas Wellbeing Insurance plan, (which is underwritten by NIB) delivers up to 12 regular flyer points for 30 minutes of managing or a whopping 20 factors for 45 minutes of swimming (a one-way Sydney to Melbourne flight in Economy is about 8,000 points).

MLC delivers a 5 for every cent price reduction to customers who fulfill their annual step goal (the weekly goal is 37,500 methods).

AIA present go vouchers, shopping present cards, day spa discounts, and less expensive flights to consumers who keep track of their workout routines.

A screenshot from the Qantas website.

Could you diagnose flu by way of ways for each working day?

In February, the wellness analytics company Vivametrica unveiled a white paper on predicting a person’s mortality chance utilizing measures for each working day.

It identified it worked – ways for each working day is a “effective predictor”.

“Insurers interested in adopting a wearables software should start with a pilot to assess customer adoption charges and to comprehend the bodily exercise characteristics of their shoppers,” the paper advised.

“The pilot serves as a baseline investigation to guidance a far more complete consumer engagement or chance assessment method.”

And mortality is not the only detail measures per working day may perhaps be ready to predict.

In 2016, it was documented there have been extra than 20 trials underway employing Fitbits to identifying alerts of unique diseases in health info. An elevated resting heart charge, furthermore a sudden reduce in the quantity of steps the human being can take for each day, could signal the existence of the flu virus.

If an coverage organization experienced access to this details, it could mail a information to the individual and guide a doctor’s appointment.

This seems probably pretty useful, but think about the point this similar technologies could be utilized to discriminate against persons with pre-current problems.

This is where by it receives a little bit dystopian

Coronary heart ailment and diabetes, for case in point, are more prevalent between reduced socio-financial teams. Supplying rewards to the healthiest would proficiently discriminate versus the lousy and vulnerable – everyone other than the ‘white, nervous and well’.

Gurus say it would be analogous to environment charges of auto insurance policies relying on the suburb wherever you reside and the price of crime.

Suneel Jethani, a lecturer at University of Melbourne’s School of Society and Communication, who has just lately submitted a PhD on wearables and big data, advised Hack the plan of nutritious lively life was currently being employed to offer a hidden commercial agenda.

You get more affordable rates, but the organization gets the info. And we really don’t know how this knowledge is being utilized, simply because the algorithms are secured by business IP.

“Insurance policies rates are formed by variables that can be utilised to forecast mortality,” Suneel said.

“These consist of demographic matters like age, gender, or smoking position together with things like BMI, blood force, cholesterol, drug, and alcohol use, relatives history, diabetic issues, and cardiovascular health.”

“These ‘indicators’ of wellness are extremely contingent on socioeconomic components and when predictive styles are constructed on this kind of info they can come to be biased. The biases in the predictive designs can have implications for specified populations and groups.”

Lawful obstacles to discrimination

Insurance plan providers in Australia cannot discriminate on the basis of wellbeing. This safety is made to assure men and women with a historical past of overall health troubles do not spend a considerably greater top quality.

Nonetheless, insurers can use wellness knowledge to incentivise conduct.

And this is exactly where it gets tricky.

Paying out benefits to prospects who work out much more may – at some place – not be so diverse from advertising them less costly coverage.

In the US, below the Cost-effective Care Act (Obamacare), insurers are not equipped to deny insurance coverage on the foundation of pre-current ailments. But there are moves to repeal Obamacare, and, if that transpires, insurers may possibly appear to wearable equipment for proof they could use to refuse to fork out for patient’s wellness treatment.

John Hancock is not denying existence insurance policies to people today who could die shortly, but it would be in a good placement to do this if the legislation was adjusted.

‘Free your exercise knowledge from yourself’

Wellness insurers have often experimented with to master as a lot as doable about their consumers, to minimise chance. They have also accomplished their ideal to nudge prospects in the direction of healthier conduct. The far more clients that stay healthier for more time, the fewer the insurers fork out out.

What’s unparalleled is the possible for mass surveillance and social engineering, behaviour monitoring and structural discrimination.

“Persons are likely to develop particular patterns of behaviour,” Suneel claimed.

“They may prevent scenarios that make ‘bad data’ or believe about what a person may do if they definitely want to clock that 10,000 steps in a day.”

“It gets to 11:30pm and they are only at 8,000 … bounce up and down on the place? choose the canine for a wander?”

Responding to these developments, an artwork project called Unfit Bits supplies goods for tricking your wearable into believing that you have engaged in bodily exercise. The Desktop Stepper Smoker’s Edition is a pendulum from which you can hang your exercise tracker and allow it sign-up actions.

A guide facts procedures for hacking your health trackers, this sort of as utilizing bicycle wheels and electrical drills to simulate exercising.

“Totally free your exercise details from oneself,” the guidebook declares.

With these very simple approaches utilizing daily products from your house, we display you how to spoof your going for walks facts so that you way too can qualify for the very best discount rates.

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[favouriteworstnightmarexo-blog]

Happily Ever After..

Every woman you meet will have grown up dreaming of romance, of a life where they are cherished, worshiped and taken care of, shrouded in unconditional love and affection, and protected from the growing harshness of the world. Sadly I can't deny that even I fell into that trap, for a short while at least. My childhood had been difficult to tell a long story short. I'd flitted from one foster family to the next, becoming a victim and succumbing to the abuse of spoilt, vindictive siblings and the degrading wandering hands of an uncle who knew nothing of boundaries or personal space. Everyday of my childhood incurred one torment after the next, my pale, smooth skin marred even now by the tell tale scars that remained to remind me of the frightened little girl that had spent every day of her adolescence fighting to survive and preying for a better existence; A happy ending. My foster siblings would always tease and ridicule me, relentlessly informing me that a happy ending was not what I deserved. "No one wants you" they would whisper behind the backs of 'our' parents, "no one loves you. Everybody hates you" they would hiss as they pinned my helpless, fragile body beneath them and took to inflicting cuts and bruises they knew would make my eyes water. Naturally such words would cause an abundance of self doubt but, while their sticks and their stones could break my bones, their words could never hurt me. I remained defiant and stalwart, never once allowing myself to believe that I wasn't deserving of the happiness I'd read about in books or cooed over when watching films. All I had to do was bide my time and wait until I was at an age at which I was sure I could take care of myself and then I ran. I ran as far as I possibly could and, at the meagre age of 16. I started a new life, adopted new identities, and danced on a knife edge with the law. I struggled through, doing what I had to survive and ensure that my past never reared its ugly head and obstructed my future. Some multiple years later it seemed that my struggles had paid off, with life granting me the greatest gift of all; motherhood. Although her conception had been altogether unconventional and the circumstances regrettable, the little cherub that was my darling Clara had brought a sense of happiness and pride into my life that I'd never imagined possible. She gave my life purpose, and made the saddening, difficult days just that much easier to bare while reminding me how to smile when it had become a concept all too unfamiliar. In her I saw a chance at redemption; a chance to prove all the people in my past life wrong. For a while it worked, and our perfect little family of three thrived on love and happiness. Clara was my life, my world. Every waking moment was spent ensuring her safety and happiness. For a while our trio became invincible. That is until Clara's cough gradually grew worse. At first I'd thought it was just a sniffle, a bought of the notorious common cold passed on from one of her class mates. All she'd need was sleep, cuddles, and flu medicine. Right? But the weeks and, gradually, the months dragged on and Clara became no better. We tried every flu drug known to man, but her cough was persistent and relentless. Her skin becoming paler and her body becoming weaker. Spurred on by the quickness of her deterioration, I took her to the hospital and hoped they could give us some peace of mind by confirming that it was a rough spell of pneumonia or something common like that. Instead, my world was shattered. "I'm very sorry, but your daughter has Pleuropulmonary Blastoma...." the doctor had said. At that point I'd been glued to my chair, desperately biting back tears as I caught a glimpse of Clara gleefully chatting to one of the nurses about the small collection of My Little Ponies she was cradling in her arms. They were her favourite. She'd always wanted a horse of her own, and together with my Bestfriend she would joke that she could have 10 horses if I were to marry a rich man. She was young, but spritely and full of intellect. Top of her class, in fact. She was funny and bouncy, with her whole life ahead of her. Or at least that's what I thought. Instead of contemplating my daughter's first heartbreak, which college she would go to and which wedding dress she would choose, I was instead contemplating how long I had left to spend with my little cherub before her life was snuffed out before it had even begun. The doctors soon confirmed that we didn't have long. What's worse, they also confirmed that there was little that could be done to prevent the cancerous tumours spreading throughout her weakening little body. That I couldn't believe, in my denial and desperation to protect and save my little girl. How could it be possible in this day and age that there were few drugs that could cure and allow my baby to stay with me? My own research soon quashed all hopefulness I'd had that the doctors had been mistaken. There were no drugs or cures proven to eradicate this threat to my daughter's life since PBB was so uncommon at such a young age. There were however ongoing clinical trials of drugs that doctors hoped would have effect in the future, but such trials were as of yet inconclusive and cost vast amounts of money. Money I didn't have. "One hundred thousand dollars. I'll pay you one hundred thousand dollars if you stay here -for a month- and let me have you however I please" impatiently reiterated the gruff tones of the bulky, scarred and yet altogether alluring figure currently cornering me. To say that this was an odd turn of events would be an understatement, though somehow in my bones I'd always known that my best friend's suggestion of visiting the illegal fight club that was Obsidian would end in tears. 'It'll be a good night out' she said, 'it'll take your mind off of everything for a while'. Of course, she had reason to be here with the fact that her boyfriend was partial to a little fisty cuffs, but me? I should be at home comforting my sick daughter. I should be by her side, rubbing a soothing palm across her back as her body becomes strained with cough after cough. Instead, I'm bargaining over my body and freedom with the man responsible for this god forsaken, sinful club. He was persistent and relentless like a dog with a bone. The more I declined his offer, the more persuasive he tried to become with the increase in sum. Naturally at first I'd wanted to scream and shout, to throw all manner of objects at him in retaliation to him treating me like a common whore. A prostitute. Was he honestly self centred enough to believe that I would jump into bed with him -a total (somewhat psychotic) stranger- for money? Once more my lips parted to spit back yet further repetitions of my rejection, my body quaking with anger and insult as my knuckles whiten at my sides.. and then I remember that my life is not my own anymore. It's Clara's too. My life only matters because of a little girl that I promised the world to, a little girl that needs my help now more than ever. A little girl who's life needs saving, and I'm the only one that can do so. Suddenly this mans offer doesn't seem so bad in perspective as my brain rapidly calculates the amount of trial drugs his obscene offer could buy, the amount of months maybe even years of life that I could give back to Clara, and the amount of milestones that we could enjoy together. Milestones that I never thought I would witness. Hell, I would sell my soul to the devil if it meant that my little girl could live. "I'll need half upfront. £50,000 first and you'll have yourself a deal." I whisper, flicking my gaze from the widening eyes of my buyer as I square my jaw and bite back tears. Maybe there aren’t any happily ever afters, or white knights who ride in on valiant steeds to save the day. Maybe, in real life, Prince Charming isn’t always perfect – he’s just as flawed as everyone else in the tale. And that princess, alone in her tower? She’s not perfect either. Birds don’t braid her hair every morning, she can’t serenade wild forest creatures into servitude, and she doesn’t even own a ball gown. But she’s also smart enough to know not to accept poisoned apples from strangers, or prick her finger on deadly spindles. She doesn’t wait around for a prince to charge in and slay the dragon. Maybe she saves herself and in the end, rides off into her own goddamned sunset.

[brajeshupadhyay]

Like many countries, Norway ordered all gyms to close in March to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But unlike any other nation, Norway also funded a rigorous study to determine whether the closings were really necessary. It is apparently the first and only randomized trial to test whether people who work out at gyms with modest restrictions are at greater risk of infection from the coronavirus than those who do not. The tentative answer after two weeks: no. So this week, responding to the study it funded, Norway reopened all of its gyms, with the same safeguards in place that were used in the study. Is there hope for gymgoers in other parts of the world? “I personally think this is generalizable, with one caveat,” said Dr. Michael Bretthauer, a cancer screening expert at the University of Oslo who led the study with Dr. Mette Kalager. “There may be places where there is a lot of Covid, or where people are less inclined to follow restrictions.” Norway is bringing its epidemic under control, and the number of new infections has fallen. But the incidence of the infection in Oslo, where the study was conducted, resembles that in such cities as Boston, Oklahoma City and Trenton, N.J. The trial, begun on May 22, included five gyms in Oslo with 3,764 members, ages 18 to 64, who did not have underlying medical conditions. Half of the members — 1,896 people — were invited to go back to their gyms and work out. They were required to wash their hands and to maintain social distancing: three feet apart for floor exercises, and six feet apart in high-intensity classes. The subjects could use the lockers, but not the saunas or the showers. They were not asked to wear masks. Another 1,868 gym members served as a comparison group; they were not permitted to return to their gyms. During the two weeks of the study, 79.5 percent of the members invited to use their gyms went at least once, while 38.4 percent went more than six times. Some were overjoyed to restart their routines. Goril Bjerkan, a 53-year-old economist who lives in Baerum, just outside Oslo, went to the gym three to four times a week during the study, using the treadmill, taking classes and doing strength training. “It was fantastic to get back to the gym again after almost 11 weeks of closure,” she said. “I suspect it was more risky to visit the shopping center than to visit the gym.” Heide Tjom, a 57-year-old architect who bicycles into Oslo, leapt at the opportunity to return to the gym four times a week, where she works with a personal trainer and takes group cardio classes. “Keeping fit is very important to me,” Ms. Tjom said. “I feel it is important to my existence.” Over the study period, there were 207 new coronavirus cases in Oslo. Study participants and gym staff members were tested for the infection on June 8. (Antibody tests of participants are now being conducted.) Dr. Bretthauer and Dr. Kalager also examined Norway’s extensive electronic health records database for outpatient visits and hospitalizations among the participants. The results? The researchers found only one coronavirus case, in a person who had not used the gym before he was tested; it was traced to his workplace. Some participants visited hospitals, but for diseases other than Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. There was no difference in hospital visits between the groups, and there were no outpatient visits or hospitalizations because of the coronavirus. The findings were posted online on Thursday, but had not been peer-reviewed nor published. Some experts felt the results demonstrated that returning to the gym was relatively safe — but only in places where there were few infections. Updated June 24, 2020 Is it harder to exercise while wearing a mask? A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. I’ve heard about a treatment called dexamethasone. Does it work? The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. What is pandemic paid leave? The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. Does asymptomatic transmission of Covid-19 happen? So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. What’s the risk of catching coronavirus from a surface? Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. How does blood type influence coronavirus? A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. How many people have lost their jobs due to coronavirus in the U.S.? The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. What are the symptoms of coronavirus? Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. How can I protect myself while flying? If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) What should I do if I feel sick? If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. “This shows us that low-prevalence environments are safe for gyms and probably just about everything else,” said Dr. Gordon Guyatt, a professor of medicine at McMaster University in Canada. “It is very unlikely you will get infected.” “If you were in a different environment where there is a substantially higher prevalence, we don’t know what will happen,” he added. But Jon Zelner, an epidemiologist at the University of Michigan, did not find the study to be fully convincing: “These findings don’t tell me that going to the gym isn’t riskier than not going to the gym, even in Oslo,” he said. A larger study is needed in places with a relatively low prevalence to determine whether the virus is more easily transmitted in gyms, Dr. Zelner added. Alternatively, a study with fewer people, but in a community with a high prevalence of infection, could answer the question. Such a study may raise ethical concerns, since it may not be safe to send people to gyms in high-prevalence communities — “kind of a Catch-22,” Dr. Zelner said. Still, how low does risk have to be before it is acceptable to reopen gyms and fitness centers? Dr. Guyatt said the risks of infection in a community where the prevalence is low are outweighed by the advantages to society. “You can’t stay locked down forever,” he said. “We are never going to be completely free of this thing. And in a low-prevalence environment, the risk is low wherever you go — gyms or grocery stores or even restaurants.” Now, Dr. Bretthauer and Dr. Kalager want to see whether the social-distancing measures they used in the study were necessary. They hope to randomly assign 150 gyms to operate without restrictions or to maintain those in place now, then compare infection rates among gymgoers. The study is only in its planning stages. The post In Norway, Gymgoers Avoid Infections as Virus Recedes appeared first on Sansaar Times.

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