This

Sad. Vaccines work. Politics should not be put before science.

Republicans' excess death rate spiked after COVID-19 vaccines arrived, a study says

The other day

I commented to my friend that his dog comes around on my right and sits for her food when I feed her, so I put it down on her left. He said of course, per etiquette you always serve from the left, so he taught the dog to do it.

Is this really the way to go, Houston?

HISD to eliminate librarians and convert libraries into disciplinary centers at NES schools

"I just couldn't imagine that it could happen so quickly. I don't understand why this current administration doesn't see the value of libraries and what they do for literacy and reading," Hall said. "Libraries are much more than just books. It's about helping match the reader to the right book at the right time. By talking to the student, you can find a direction to meet their needs."

Former library spaces at some schools will be converted into rooms where students who misbehave will be relocated to watch lessons virtually, work alone, or in groups with differentiated lessons. Books will remain on shelves and students will still be able to borrow books on a honor code system.

Fascinating

Largest Family Tree Constructed From Ancient DNA Reveals Neolithic Society Was Monogamous

Despicable

This young man died in June 2022 of severe heatstroke, while his supervisor insisted it must be drugs and asked for a drug test when medics arrived. His family, of course, was devastated. A recent bill was passed in Texas and signed by Gov. Greg Abbott that nullifies any ordinances that require companies to allow a water break every four hours. Let that sink in. San Antonio did not have such an ordinance at the time of his death but was considering it when the bill was passed. He died in temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit with at least 75% humidity. His internal body temperature was 109.8 degrees F. He was only 24 and had just started working there. I am so sorry for his family, as well as Joshua Espinoza, his friend who tried to save his life. I'm sure it's been hell. I hope the company and any others who deny such basic requirements are sued till they are bankrupt.

RIP Gabriel Infante

Texas worker accused of being on drugs was actually dying of heatstroke

I am a bit frustrated

I sent the following e-mail to Dexcom regarding my latest problem with their G7 continuous glucose monitor system that I have been trying to use for three months now. I'd already put a service ticket in; this was supplemental.  Let me preface that each time they have sent me a replacement sensor at no cost, and their customer service has been excellent over the years.  Maybe it's my skin. I don't know.  But I hope they can solve my problem.

I just wanted to let you know this seems to have been an actual sensor failure. It was inserted, paired, warmed up, and was stuck well on my skin, but it failed after two readings, about 15 minutes after the warmup was complete.  However, I did notice when I took it off that I'd apparently hit a capillary or something, as there was quite a bit of blood under the sensor.  This has happened one other time (it actually fountained through the little hole, but that one remained working). This is, I believe, the fifth sensor I have had to contact you about.  I'm having difficulty keeping them on even with the over-patches (and larger third-party bandage over-patches on top of that, even).  I use a skin-tac pad prior to inserting and keep the liquid form with me in case the over-patch begins to peel. I am showering less so I don't have issues. I have just joined the YMCA because of the warm water/therapy pool but have been afraid to get in it because these things refuse to stay on my skin. This has all been within my first three-month supply. I have tried four different types of over-patches in addition to just your own.  I initially had trouble with the G6 but nothing like this.  Is there anything else I can do? I have read all the FAQs and watched numerous Dexcom and YouTube videos. I'm really frustrated. I have had exactly one do what it is supposed to do as far as sticking/working.  I like the G7. I like the arm (although I did better on insertion by looking online for pictures of people my size wearing it; the diagrams are a little misleading if you have any flabby skin).  I like the shorter warmup and the grace period, and I believe the readings are more accurate.  But every time I change my sensor it's very frustrating. Most of the ones which have fallen off have done so within a couple of hours.  One made it to the next day and had to have the skin-tac liquid applied.  As I said, only one did well, and that was with a third-party over-patch. I am using my left arm, which is not dominant. The one time I tried the other it fell off immediately. I cannot begin to tell you how much frustration and anxiety this is producing.  I just want it to work. This one really looked like it was going to stay on well and then within a few minutes gave up the ghost. Any help you can give would be appreciated.

Elisabeth Eilir Rowan

 

So sad

If I had finished my history graduate studies (I couldn't due to crippling anxiety for the thesis/dissertation defences), this is what I would have wanted to be when I grew up, a codicologist. I'm so sorry to hear of her death. The mediaevalist world has lost a bright light who brought her enthusiasm for mediaeval manuscripts and increasing access through digital projects to many both in and out of the field.

https://www.medievalists.net/2023/07/johanna-green-passes-away

This is a great video for one of my favourite songs from my favourite Linkin Park album

It's 'Burning in the Skies' from A Thousand Suns. RIP Chester Bennington. It's hard to believe it's been six years since you died.

This is disturbing

Nebraska study finds billions of nanoplastics released when microwaving containers: Exposure to Particles from Baby Food Containers Kills up to 75% of CUltured Kidney Cells

Experiments have shown that microwaving plastic baby food containers available on the shelves of U.S. stores can release huge numbers of plastic particles — in some cases, more than 2 billion nanoplastics and 4 million microplastics for every square centimeter of container.

Though the health effects of consuming micro- and nanoplastics remain unclear, the Nebraska team further found that three-quarters of cultured embryonic kidney cells had died after two days of being introduced to those same particles. A 2022 report from the World Health Organization recommended limiting exposure to such particles.

A good article

How Jimmy Carter has changed the conversation around hospice