What do we want when it comes to a "monster movie"? Do you focus on spectacle and let your creatures speak for themselves? Or should the human element be the driving force and move the monsters to the background? They're important questions that film makers have been trying to nail down for the past 30 years. Kong: Skull Island spends the majority of its run time pondering these very questions and ends up trying to please too many groups in the process.
Kong himself has always been the king beast that studios have wanted to wrangle. Never staying longer than 2 pictures under one banner, the rights have gone from RKO to Toho to Paramount to DLG to Universal, before finding itself now in the hands of Warner Bros.
Skull Island begins in rather strong form, with a rousing prologue in 1944 that feels as if it belongs to some forgotten adventure serial. Planes fall from the sky crashing onto sandy beaches. The survivors make their way through a lush jungle, continuing until they reach a cliff to showdown. They're interrupted by the first of many shots of Kong. Thankfully he is shrouded mostly in shadow, his size felt nevertheless as he dwarfs the puny humans. Unfortunately, though there are points where it dips its toe back in, the picture never fully embraces the pulpy nature that kicks things off.
After a quick credits sequence that recalls 2014's Godzilla brings us to 1973 in Washington DC, we meet Bill Randa (John Goodman) and Houston Brooks (Corey Hawkins). They've come to the Capitol in hopes of securing funding for an expedition to an uncharted island, before their company, MONARCH, declares bankruptcy. Randa is initially rebuffed, mostly due to past efforts concerning wild goose chases for mythological creatures and locations.
Wanting to get to Skull Island as soon as possible, a scant few scenes assemble the rather sizable crew that joins the MONARCH group. There's a tracker/guide, Jack Conrad (Tom Hiddleston), introduced in a bar fight that seems to give him almost superhero-like reflexes. A photojournalist, Mason (Brie Larson) who is passing up a chance for the cover of LIFE magazine (remember this is 1973). An Army squad, lead by Col. Packard (Samuel L. Jackson), given the opportunity for one last mission before heading home from Vietnam. Rounding out the group is a gaggle of scientists, whose voyage Randa is tagging along for.
Once on the island, things immediately go sideways. Turns out Brooks was sought out by MONARCH due to a "hollow earth" paper he wrote. To test his theories, seismic bombs are dropped, obliterating wildlife in the process. This in return calls out Kong to deal with the squadron of helicopters and leads to the film's most visceral and stunning set-piece.
With the squad's numbers decimated thanks to Kong, the vast majority of the movie sees the survivors race against the clock to an extraction zone.
Here, in the midst of chaos, on an island surrounded by perpetual storm, the tone changes abruptly, with the introduction of a new character: Hank Marlow (John C. Reilly). As played by Reilly, Marlow is a manic man unstuck in time. The majority of his life has been with the villagers of Skull Island, who speak nary a word. They're also some of the few characters who see an improvement here, far from the shrieking and savage portrayals of decades past. Marlow's dual nature of comic relief and exposition dump help to shine a light on the film's constant push and pull. It wants to be movie that cribs from Vietnam, exposing a message of environmental conservation, yet also be able to senselessly kill everything that appears on screen, as long as it's undercut by a joke.
Having such a talented cast at their disposal, it would be easy to imagine most any director bringing out the best in everyone. Here though, it falls flat, as most are trying simply to do the most with what's available. Goodman is engaging, but one-note. Hawkins plays "nerd" in name only. The squad of soldiers have the most minor of personalities, existing only to sacrifice themselves, or cry out in anguish when their comrades are doing the sacrificing. Larson is certainly no damsel in distress, given a character that feels strong and determined, yet essentially nonexistent (save for a "hero shot" that arrives out of left field). Her relationship with Kong gets scaled back, coming off more as a tender momentary exchange, than outright infatuation.
Which brings us to Jackson's Col. Packard; the antagonist of the film, who sees himself as the ostensible hero, Packard is the key to how audiences will connect with what they see on screen. Packard's first appearance has him wondering what the point of Vietnam was all about, if the USA is withdrawing so suddenly. He is looking for one more mission to redeem himself before he goes home. The mission he finds himself on is voluntary, putting the lives of his men in harms way. When death does come, he's never forced to answer for his part in things. He knows a battle with Kong may seem impossible, but that it must be seen through, specially after his last go round "We didn't lose the war, we abandoned it". Like a cross between Don Quixote and Col. Kurtz, he lunges headfirst into battle, entirely sure that his way, is the only way to get things done.
The humans though, are usually mere window dressing, when it comes to the tale of a giant primate. Kong never disappointed ends up as a testament not only to the current level of animation, but also the advancements made in motion capture. Terry Notary, and to a smaller extent Toby Kebbell, deserve special recognition concerning bringing Kong to life. Accompanying the Primate King are a cacophony of bugs, monsters and beasties that inhabit Skull island. None of them last very long, which is a shame, for each instance that they appear or are introduced, the proceedings liven up.
Perhaps the best, but most curious comparison comes in the form of another "summer blockbuster" released oddly early in the year: The Great Wall. One movie has already lost tens of millions of dollars, while the other is primed to sit upon the box office throne for a few weeks. Both films are marred by the same problems though, in that they struggle to make the human characters more compelling than the monsters that dwell in the background. They also have trouble juggling consistent tone, alternating almost scene by scene. Surprisingly, while Skull Island supplies a more sumptuous visual feast, it's The Great Wall that features better monsters. There we see the inner workings of their mindset and the hierarchy of said creatures, where they exist only as cannon fodder in the other. It may be something small, but speaks to lack of thought that exists in the larger blockbusters.
All this circles back though to the main underlying and essential question: "what do we want in a monster movie?" Is it enough simply to be thrilled by the site of Kong as he plows quickly through other creatures? Should fluff and padding be stripped from such movies in favor of pure spectacle over substance? It's easy to turn off your mind when watching a film, but to do so with the regularity that most tentpole films is to inspire lazy film making. This isn't necessarily to say that all blockbusters fall into this trap Kong: Skull Island is the most recent inclusion. While a bright easy watch, filled with grand effects, it's also a film held back by a lackluster script. Kong should be free to reign supreme, pure and simple, not cower or cater to the whims of little people.
Brie LarsonCorey HawkinsJohn C. ReillyJohn GoodmanJordan Vogt-RobertsSamuel L. JacksonShea WhighamToby KebbellTom HiddlestonWill Brittain.


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Lock in a great price for Henry's – rated 9.3 by recent guests!
Everything was really clean, and we had anything we needed!
The room had real character - the original brick wall and (non-working) fireplace, the oak beams in the ceiling, and an overall very cozy feeling. The location can't be beat. The Handle Bar Cafe next door serves a fantastic breakfast.
Except for the ceiling fans, it was very clean. It was a fantastic location. Good floor plan. Nice towels, fridge, cafetiere, kettle.
Fabulous location . Walking distance to everything. Quiet street. Lovely rooms - nice modern decor.
Large and clean room, excellent bathroom and cleaning service, useful kitchenette, lots of light, awesome neighborhood.
The location is fantastic, very very central to loads of museums, galleries, and more importantly pubs! I had a few questions, and these were answered very swiftly by Rupert, who also allowed us to have a late check out, which was great as it gave us a bit more time to explore Oxford. Loved the fact it had a safe, so I could lock up my laptop and camera when we went out in the evening.
We like just about everything. Room is better than photo. Bed is comfortable. Bathroom very clean. Wifi i is good. Highly recommended, we'd like to stay there again.
Ideally located in Oxford. Steps away from many historic sites, restaurants, pubs and the main hustle bustle of city life. The room was very, very quiet, clean and modern. We couldn't have asked for a better place to stay. Would definitely stay there again.
Convenience to everything I needed. Comfortable bed.
Very nice location and a comfortable space in which to both sleep and work. Everything done with style.
Located within the historic city center of Oxford, Henry's is nestled amid the scenic university colleges and a 10-minute walk from Oxford rail station. Many cafés, restaurants, tourist information points and shops can be found in the local area.
Each room comes with period features, an private bathroom and a flat-screen TV. Free WiFi is also available.
The Bodleian Library is just a 5-minute walk from Henry's and punting can be enjoyed on the nearby River Thames or River Cherwell.
뀐 Located in the real heart of Oxford, this property has an excellent location score of 9.9!
When would you like to stay at Henry's?
This room has a contemporary style with period features.
House Rules Henry's takes special requests – add in the next step!
Henry's accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.
Henry's accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.
The accommodations is unstaffed - it has staff accessible by telephone at a remote site.
The property may request a scanned photo ID before arrival, which should be either a passport or driving license.
Please note that check-in and key collection take place at: 26 St Michael's Street, Oxford OX1 2EB.
Please inform Henry's of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
This was a great place. Way better than I imagined. Loved it and would stay again. Recommended to others too.
The shampoo is bad quality.
The location was excellent with easy and secure access. Lovely room set up and facilities. Great to be able to come and go whilst exploring the city. An added bonus was the proximity to the bicycle shop!
The accommodation was really well renovated to a high standard and full of character. Very cosy and relaxing and within the heart of the city.
There was nothing to dislike about henry's. Emails were prompt and information was clear. The place itself is very hard to fault.
Everything was beautifully kept. It's a little gem in the centre of oxford! Very much a home from home.
The bed in room 1 seems to be lacking a full mattress with just a base and a topper Otherwise spot on place.
Henry's is a delightful place very central and easy to find.
Great location, fabulous clean and tidy room. The room is up two flights of stairs and is private, great value for money. Central location meant we could easily explore oxford.
Coat hooks by the door would be a welcome addition. The light in the fridge stays on all night.
Comfortable convenient studio/room. Quiet at night.
This was little more than a serviced apartment, so no breakfast despite Henry's staff advising me breakfast would be served. There were also a worrying couple of e-mails and texts received at 2am that advised there was, all of a sudden, a problem with payment and I had a certain number of hours to resolve within despite the booking being made a month beforehand which I felt somewhat put out by. The bed was also a little small and the view from the window was of a courtyard festooned with industrial bins.
The location was excellent with it being a very short walk to the main thoroughfares of Oxford.
Great location in the city center. Reconstruction has kept the spirit of the place.


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Тодор Николов Паница (, , Болгария — , , Австрия) — македонский революционер болгарского происхождения.

Биография

Тодор появился на свет в недавно освобождённой Болгарии, в городе Оряхово на берегу Дуная, 2 июля 1879 года. Его отец — Никола Паница, торговец из Велико-Тырнова. Мать — Митанка Пелтекова, учительница изд Свиштова. Рано осиротев, Тодор Паница переехал во Варну к дяде, взявшему над ним опеку. В гимназии одноклассником Тодора стал Михаил Даев — сын богатых родителей из Балчика. По окончании Варненской гимназии, Даев вернулся в родной город и организовал там социалистический кружок.

В 1902 году Тодор Паница включился в освободительно-антитурецкую деятельность ВМОРО. В 1903 году он был бойцом в чете (партизанском отряде) Николы Пушкарова, участвовал в Ильинденском восстании. Потом вступил в чету, которую возглавлял его друг Михаил Даев.

В 1907 году Тодор Паница познакомился в селе Калапот с учительницей Екатериной Измирлиевой и обвенчался с нею 17 мая 1907 года. Посажённым отцом Паницы стал его командир Михаил Даев. В то время свадьба четника противоречила уставу ВМОРО — и это весьма усложнило ситуацию в чете Даева…

Вскоре же Тодор Паница, хоть и не вполне добровольно, принял участие в заговоре Яне Санданского против правого крыла ВМОРО. Санданский оказал давление на Паницу, потребовал, чтобы тот искупил свой брак политическим убийством. По заданию Санданского, Тодор Паница 28 ноября 1907 года убил заграничных представителей Организации в Софии — поручика Бориса Сарафова и Ивана Гарванова. Коренным расхождением между правым и левым крыльями ВМОРО был вопрос о сотрудничестве с Болгарской державой. Левые были резко против. Сарафов, Гарванов и Христо Матов выступали за сотрудничество, без чего представлялось невозможным даже физическое выживание македонского народа.

Борис Сарафов входит в число величайших македонских героев времён турецкого ига, он стоял в одном ряду с некоронованным королём Карпошем… Болгарский историк и лингвист Любомир Милетич по поводу убийства Сарафова и Гарванова писал:

Ибо Иван Гарванов был уроженцем болгарской Старой Загоры — таким же македонским революционером болгарского происхождения, как и сам Тодор Паница.

Вскоре Санданский был приговорен к смерти на Кюстендильском конгрессе ВМОРО в 1908 году. Тогда же был поставлен вопрос и о примерном наказании Паницы.

Тем временем, вместе с Санданским, Паница принял участие в Младотурецкой революции 1908 года, после которой был амнистирован и жил в городе Драма.

Затем он участвовал в Балканских войнах (1912—1913) и в Первой мировой войне, в которой был ранен и за проявленный героизм награждён крестом за храбрость. В 1918 году Паница предложил свои услуги правительству левых земледельцев Александра Стамболийского в его борьбе с правым крылом ВМРО. На базе левого крыла ВМРО Паница сформировал в Неврокопском округе т. н. Македонскую федеративную организацию.

Убийство Паницы
Тодор Паница был убит по решению ЦК ВМРО Мельпоменой Крничевой 8 мая 1925 года в Бургтеатре (Вена).

Источники
 МЕНЧА КЪРНИЧЕВА — «ЗАЩО УБИХ ТОДОР ПАНИЦА ?», ИЗДАНИЕ НА ВМРО -СМД, София, 1993

Члены Внутренней македонско-одринской революционной организации
Революционеры Болгарии
Революционеры Северной Македонии
Персоналии по алфавиту
Участники Первой мировой войны (Болгария)
Убитые в Австрии

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Race & Health
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ALL KHN INVESTIGATIONS
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Where It Hurts
KHN Morning Briefing
Tuesday, Jan 17 2023
Kaiser Health News Original Stories 2
Will Your Smartphone Be the Next Doctor's Office?
Rural Seniors Benefit From Pandemic-Driven Remote Fitness Boom
Political Cartoon: 'Conjunctivitis?'
Health Law 1
ACA Enrollment Breaks Record At Nearly 16 Million
Veterans' Health Care 1
To Combat Suicides, All Veterans Can Now Get Free Emergency Care
Covid-19 Crisis 2
Airplane Wastewater Screening Among Tools Used To Keep Up With Variants
Maternal Death Risks Increase With Covid Infection During Pregnancy: Study
Vaccines and Covid Treatments 2
CDC Reviewing Safety Of Pfizer Bivalent Booster For Seniors; Still Recommends Shot
Key Player In Covid Vaccine Rollout Leaving Biden Administration
Medicaid Expansion Gains Momentum In Wyoming
Florida Alerts Pharmacies That Dispensing Abortion Pills Is Illegal
Health Industry 1
'Shkreli Awards' List 'Profiteering' Health Care Outlets
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Lifestyle and Health 1
Eating Just One Serving Of Fish Could Endanger Your Health, Study Suggests
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State Watch 1
Legal Spotlight Falls On Connecticut Nursing Home Provider
Global Watch 1
Experts: Climate Change Is Leading To More Malaria Infections
Editorials And Opinions 1
Viewpoints: Gene Editing Could End Malaria, But Should It?; We Need To Revamp Breast Cancer Testing
From Kaiser Health News - Latest Stories:
Kaiser Health News Original Stories
Entrepreneurs see smartphones as an opportunity to meet patients where they are. But many app-based diagnostic tools still need clinical validation to get buy-in from health care providers. (Hannah Norman, 1/31 )
When the pandemic began, senior service agencies hustled to rework health classes to include virtual options for older adults. Now that isolation has ended, virtual classes remain. For seniors in rural areas, those classes have broadened access to supervised physical activity. (Christina Saint Louis, 1/31 )
Kaiser Health News provides a fresh take on health policy developments with "Political Cartoon: 'Conjunctivitis?'" by Bob and Tom Thaves.
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Summaries Of The News:
Just before enrollment on the healthcare.gov exchange closed nearly 16 million had signed up. Final numbers are expected soon, and some state exchanges like in California and New York are still open.
NPR: More People Than Ever Buy Insurance On Healthcare.Gov
The Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplaces just hit a record: Nearly 16 million people signed up for the insurance also known as Obamacare. That is about a million more people than signed up for ACA health insurance last year, and enrollment was still open on Healthcare.gov and in most state marketplaces through this past Sunday. (Simmons-Duffin, 1/13)
CNN: Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Ended Sunday Amid Record Sign-Ups
A few states that run their own exchanges, including California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island, as well as the District of Columbia, are allowing residents to enroll as late as January 31. (Luhby, 1/13)
On uninsured rates —
CNBC: U.S. Uninsured Rate Fell During Covid Pandemic, Medicaid, Obamacare Coverage Grew
The number of people in the U.S. without health insurance declined during the Covid-19 pandemic even as millions of people lost coverage through their employers due to layoffs. The uninsured rate in the U.S. for people under age 65 dropped from 11% in 2019 to 10.5% in 2021, according to a report released Friday by the Health and Human Services Department. (Kimball, 1/13)
Fierce Healthcare: HHS: Uninsured Rates Decline For Younger Americans
More Americans in key demographics that have been historically uninsured saw coverage gains from 2019 through 2021, a new federal report finds. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a report Friday detailing gains in coverage from 2019 through 2021. Officials attributed a decline in the uninsured rate from 11.1% in 2019 to 10.5% in 2021 due to expansions in Medicaid and other gains via the Affordable Care Act's (ACA's) marketplace. (King, 1/13)
From the states —
Capitol Beat News Service: Georgia Affordable Care Act Enrollment Soars
A record number of Georgians – over 846,000 – signed up for health insurance for 2023 under the Affordable Care Act during the latest open enrollment period, which ended on Sunday. That's about 8% of the state's population, and at least 145,000 more than signed up for the program last year. (Grapevine, 1/16)
Montana Free Press: How An Obamacare Remnant Survives And Prospers In Montana
As health-insurance cooperatives created by "Obamacare" collapsed like dominoes in the mid-2010s, the Montana co-op faced its own multimillion-dollar chasm, created by an obscure political deal in Washington, D.C. But the Helena-based Mountain Health Co-op scratched out a $15 million loan to stay afloat — and this month hit its highest customer numbers ever, as one of just three Obamacare-created co-ops still alive nationwide. (Dennison, 1/16)
Veterans' Health Care
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that U.S. military veterans who are in "acute suicidal crisis" are eligible for free emergency mental health services at a VA facility or through private practice starting today. It's estimated that 18 million people are covered by the new policy and they do not have to be enrolled in the VA system.
NBC News: Starting Tuesday, All U.S. Military Veterans In Suicidal Crisis Will Be Eligible For Free Care At Any VA Or Private Facility
Beginning Tuesday, U.S. military veterans who find themselves in suicidal crisis will be eligible for free emergency medical care at any Department of Veterans Affairs facility or any private facility. Unlike for most other medical benefits, veterans do not have to be enrolled in the VA system to be eligible. More than 18 million veterans in the U.S. could be eligible. (Kube, 1/13)
Axios: Veterans Eligible For Free Emergency Suicide Care Starting Jan. 17
Any U.S. military veteran in "acute suicidal crisis" will be able to access emergency health care at any facility for free starting next week, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced Friday. (Chen, 1/13)
The Washington Post: Study Finds Insufficient Mental Health Care Access For Many In Military
Military members and their families have unique mental health needs. But a study shows that up to 35 percent of military recipients don't have access to adequate psychiatric care despite government insurance that covers such services. Published in JAMA Network Open, the study looked at 39,487 U.S. Zip codes with at least one beneficiary of Tricare, the Defense Department health-care program that covers uniformed service members, retirees and their families. Researchers combined data from a variety of federal sources with community information. (Blakemore, 1/16)
If you are in need of help —
Dial 9-8-8 for 24/7 support from the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It's free and confidential.
In other news about the military —
Military Times: An Army Family Doctor Now Leads The Defense Health Agency
The system that delivers health care for more than 9 million service members, retirees and their family members has a new director: Army Maj. Gen. Telita Crosland. She becomes the Defense Health Agency's fourth director in its nearly 10 years of existence, and the first African American in that position. (Jowers, 1/11)
Health.Mil: Military Pharmacists Face Unique Challenges While Deployed
Tasked with having to know about hundreds of types of drugs and their interactions, equipment, and much more, pharmacists are vital in keeping warfighters healthy and ensuring that the U.S. military maintains a medically ready force. For deployed pharmacists, they face unique challenges, as they don't work in a traditional brick and mortar setting. Rather, deployed pharmacists can be on a ship in the middle of the ocean, or in a makeshift building in the Middle East or Africa. The deployed pharmacy workforce may have to take care of warfighters in abnormal situations or locations. (Hammer, 1/12)
Roll Call: Congress Barely Dents Scourge Of Hunger In Military
A recently enacted income supplement for low-ranking U.S. troops, put in place primarily to alleviate food insecurity in the ranks, will help less than 1 percent of the estimated scores of thousands of hungry U.S. military families, according to Pentagon figures. That statistic, which has not been previously reported, suggests Congress has a lot more work to do to ensure servicemembers who put their lives on the line for their country don't also have to sacrifice food for themselves and their families, experts and some lawmakers said. (Donnelly, 1/13)
Efforts to scan for potential new covid variants include bio surveillance for international passengers at U.S. airports — including airplane bathroom waste. Meanwhile, CIDRAP covers a relevant statistic: nearly 1 in 4 screened air passengers from China were covid positive.
Politico: Airplane Lavatories Deliver New Hope For The CDC's Variant Hunt
As Covid-19 cases explode in China and new viral threats loom, the Biden administration is ramping up surveillance of biological samples from international passengers arriving at U.S. airports to scan for new virus variants and other hazards to Americans' health. (Mahr, 1/16)
NPR: U.S. Airport Screening For COVID Variants Expanded
It's early morning at Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C.,and Ana Valdez is already hard at work at one of the international gates. "Hello everybody. Welcome," she shouts with a big smile as arriving travelers flood through two large swinging doors. "Do you like to help the CDC to find new variants for COVID?" Valdez works for a year-old program that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently expanded to try to spot new variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, coming into the country. The most recent expansion was prompted by China's abrupt decision to abandon its zero-COVID policy. (Stein, 1/14)
CIDRAP: Almost A Fourth Of Air Passengers Screened From China Had COVID-19, Report Reveals
Italian officials who screened 556 airline passengers from two Chinese provinces in late December found that almost a quarter of them tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, with one flight having 42% of passengers infected, according to a report yesterday in Eurosurveillance. (Wappes, 1/13)
In related news from China —
Bloomberg: China Finds No New Covid Variants But Mutation Threat Lingers
China has yet to detect any dangerous Covid mutations in the six weeks since the virus was unleashed on the country's 1.4 billion people after the abandonment of the rigid curbs that held the pathogen largely at bay. (Fay Cortez, 1/13)
Reuters: In China, Doctors Say They Are Discouraged From Citing COVID On Death Certificates
During a busy shift at the height of Beijing's COVID wave, a physician at a private hospital saw a printed notice in the emergency department: doctors should "try not to" write COVID-induced respiratory failure on death certificates. Instead, if the deceased had an underlying disease, that should be named as the main cause of death, according to the notice, a copy of which was seen by Reuters. (Pollard and Tham, 1/17)
Reuters: In China, No Easy Way To Get Pfizer's COVID Drug Paxlovid
Chinese authorities have acknowledged that supplies of Paxlovid are still insufficient to meet demand, even as Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said last week that thousands of courses of the treatment were shipped to the country last year and in the past couple of weeks millions more were shipped. (Yu and Pollard, 1/15)
The Washington Post: China's Population Shrinks For First Time In 60 Years
China's population shrank last year for the first time since the immediate aftermath of a devastating famine in the Mao era, in a clear sign that the country is facing a looming demographic crisis worsened by decades of coercive policy that limited most families to a single child. (Shepherd, 1/17)
New research identifies other dangers that covid can cause for patients who are pregnant, including a greater risk of being admitted to an intensive care unit and developing pneumonia. The chances of preterm birth and other severe outcomes are also higher for newborns.
The Washington Post: Covid During Pregnancy Increases Risk Of Maternal Death
Pregnant people infected with the coronavirus have a seven times higher risk of dying compared with pregnant individuals who are not infected, a finding that arrives amid renewed calls for vaccination of those who are expecting a baby. Researchers, whose findings were published Monday in the journal BMJ Global Health, pooled patient data from more than 13,000 pregnant individuals included in 12 studies from 12 countries, including the United States. Along with a higher death rate, infected pregnant people had a greater risk of being admitted to an intensive care unit, needing a ventilator or developing pneumonia if they have a coronavirus infection. (Malhi, 1/16)
The Hill: Meta-Study Highlights COVID Dangers During Pregnancy
A new scientific review published Monday found that a COVID-19 infection at any time during a pregnancy increases the risk of maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidities and adverse newborn outcomes. (Sforza, 1/16)
In other covid research —
The Wall Street Journal: Exercise Helps Blunt The Effects Of Covid-19, Study Suggests
People who exercise regularly had lower rates of hospitalization and death from Covid-19 in a study published recently in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. ... This latest study goes a step further and suggests that even people whose age or health conditions make them higher-risk have better outcomes if they are regular exercisers. (Janin, 1/16)
More on the spread of covid —
Fox News: Omicron Subvariant XBB.1.5 Possibly More Likely To Infect Those Who Are Vaccinated, Officials Say
"Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 now accounts for 73% of all sequenced COVID-19 cases in NYC," the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene tweeted on Friday. "XBB.1.5 is the most transmissible form of COVID-19 that we know of to date and may be more likely to infect people who have been vaccinated or already had COVID-19." (Musto, 1/14)
Axios: WHO Questions Severity Of XBB.1.5 COVID Subvariant As U.S. Cases Rise
The Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 is still gaining ground within the United States, accounting for at least 43% of sequenced cases from the last week, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Scribner, 1/14)
The Atlantic: Let's Call XBB.1.5 The 'Kraken' Coronavirus Subvariant
A new subvariant of SARS-CoV-2 is rapidly taking over in the U.S.—the most transmissible that has ever been detected. It's called XBB.1.5, in reference to its status as a hybrid of two prior strains of Omicron, BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75. It's also called "Kraken." Not by everyone, though. The nickname Kraken was ginned up by an informal group of scientists on Twitter and has caught on at some—but only some—major news outlets. (Engber, 1/13)
ABC News: Several Celebrities Test Positive For COVID After Golden Globes
In the wake of the Golden Globes last week, several celebrities said they have tested positive for COVID-19. At least four stars, including Jamie Lee Curtis and Michelle Pfeiffer, revealed they contracted the virus following the awards show. (Kekatos, 1/16)
San Francisco Chronicle: Virus Spread Among Animals "Much Wider Than Previously Thought"
The coronavirus has been detected in nearly 400 domestic pets, including cats and dogs, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It has also been detected in captive zoo animals such as tigers, lions, gorillas, snow leopards, and otters. But experts say transmission among wild species is also common, even though federal officials have so far only detected the virus that causes COVID-19 in three so far —mink, mule deer, and white-tailed deer. (Vaziri, 1/13)
On long covid —
San Francisco Chronicle: COVID In California: Study Finds 'Lifelong Disabilities' From Long COVID
A significant proportion of individuals with long COVID may face lifelong disabilities, according to a comprehensive review of studies of the little-understood post-infection condition published Friday by researchers at Scripps and the Patient-Led Research Collaborative. (Vaziri, 1/13)
The Washington Post: For Long Covid Fatigue, A Strategy Called "Pacing" Helps, But At A Cost
What is it like to live with the chronic fatigue of long covid? It feels like dragging your body through wet cement, says Judy Schaefer, 58, a once avid hiker who lives in Seattle. It's knowing that simple tasks, like showering or cooking dinner, will be exhausting, says Alyssa Minor, 36, a physiotherapist in Calgary. It's trying to exercise and instead, landing in the ER, says Harry Leeming, 31, of London. (Morris, 1/16)
On the "tripledemic" —
Los Angeles Times: 'Tripledemic' Has These LAUSD Parents Seeking Mask Mandate
At the first sign of a sniffle or stormy weather ahead Lourdes Lopez keeps her 10-year-old daughter, Alison, home from school. Alison has Down syndrome and is more vulnerable to illness. A cold can be a major hardship, Lopez said, not only for her daughter but her entire family living in an overcrowded apartment in South Los Angeles. (Reyes-Velarde and Blume, 1/16)
CIDRAP: US Flu Activity Declines Further
Flu activity continues in the United States, but markers continue to decline across most of the country, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today in its weekly update, which covers the week ending Jan 7. The percentage of outpatient visits for flulike illness dropped from 5.4% to 4% last week. Twenty-three jurisdictions reported high (21) or very high (2) flu activity, another indicator of clinic visits for flu, down from 39 in the previous reporting week. Sites still reporting very high flu activity include New York City and New Mexico. (Schnirring, 1/13)
Reuters: Walgreens Removes Purchase Limits On Children's Fever Medicines
Pharmacy chain Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. said on Monday it has removed online-only purchase limits for its over-the-counter pediatric fever-reducing products, as supply conditions improve. (1/16)
Vaccines and Covid Treatments
The CDC said Friday that its Vaccine Safety Datalink surveillance system detected a preliminary safety signal for stroke in people ages 65 and older, which led to the investigation. None of the agency's other monitoring programs have identified any concerns, which leads the CDC to say that it's "very unlikely." No other covid vaccines have been flagged.
CNBC: CDC Says It's 'Very Unlikely' Pfizer Booster Carries Stroke Risk For Seniors After Launching Review
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday said it is "very unlikely" the Pfizer omicron booster carries a risk of stroke for seniors after it launched an investigation into a preliminary safety concern detected by one of its monitoring systems. (Kimball, 1/13)
Fox News: CDC Identifies Possible 'Safety Concern' For Certain People Receiving COVID Vaccines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that a preliminary COVID-19 vaccine "safety signal" has been identified and is investigating whether the Bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine creates an increased risk of ischemic stroke in people 65 and older. In the Friday statement, the CDC said that the preliminary signal hasn't been identified with the Bivalent Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (Sabes, 1/13)
Bloomberg: Pfizer Bivalent Vaccine Linked To Strokes On Preliminary Data
The potential risk with Pfizer's vaccine was not seen in other safety databases, nor was it seen with Moderna Inc.'s Covid vaccine, the officials said in a statement on the Food and Drug Administration's website. The early finding still needs more investigation, and recommendations for the vaccine have not been changed, the statement said. (Langreth and Rutherford, 1/13)
In related news about vaccines and covid treatments —
FiercePharma: Martha Stewart Stars In A 'Kill COVID-19' Spot For Pfizer
Pfizer's new COVID-19 booster ad starring Martha Stewart is both rather odd and strangely compelling to watch in a definitive departure from its previous conservative vaccine commercials. The 30-second spot, "Unwelcome Guest," features Stewart in her beautifully perfect kitchen calmly sharpening a massive Samurai sword. (Coey, 1/13)
CIDRAP: Trial Finds That Fluvoxamine Doesn't Speed COVID Recovery
The antidepressant fluvoxamine doesn't shorten the duration of COVID-19 symptoms in mildly to moderately ill adults, according to a randomized clinical trial (RCT) published yesterday in JAMA. (Van Beusekom, 1/13)
CIDRAP: Convalescent Plasma May Cut Risk Of Death In Immune-Impaired COVID Patients
A Mayo Clinic–led meta-analysis suggests that transfusion of COVID-19 convalescent plasma improves survival in hospitalized, infected patients who have impaired immune systems. The antibody-rich plasma, donated by COVID-19 survivors, may help prevent the reinfections to which these high-risk patients are susceptible, the researchers said. The study was published yesterday in JAMA Network Open. (Van Beusekom, 1/13)
The departure of Dr. David Kessler, the covid chief science officer, marks the unofficial end of Operation Warp Speed, the federal government's unprecedented response to the pandemic.
Axios: The Symbolic End Of Operation Warp Speed
The departure of COVID chief science officer David Kessler, announced Friday by the White House, marks the unofficial end of the "Operation Warp Speed" era and the extraordinary all-of-government response to the pandemic. (Owens, 1/14)
The New York Times: David Kessler, Leader Of Biden's Covid Vaccine Effort, Is Stepping Down
Dr. David A. Kessler, who for the past two years has been the behind-the-scenes force driving a vast federal effort to develop and distribute coronavirus vaccines and treatments, is leaving the Biden administration — another sign that the pandemic is no longer front and center for the White House. As chief science officer for the administration's Covid-19 response, Dr. Kessler, 71, has operated largely unseen by the public. But his work — on issues like setting up mass vaccination sites, pushing for the development of antiviral medicines and distributing reformulated booster shots — has affected the lives of millions of Americans. (Stolberg, 1/13)
Stat: Biden Covid Adviser Kessler To Exit As Pandemic Response Winds Down
David Kessler, the D.C. veteran who guided government dispatches of millions of Covid-19 vaccines and treatments, is exiting the Biden administration this month. (Owermohle, 1/13)
It's the only state in the Mountain West that has not yet expanded the nation's public health insurance program for people who have low income. Also: Doulas in Michigan criticize the state's new Medicaid policy; Medicare advisers warn of higher drug prices; and more.
Wyoming Public Radio: Medicaid Expansion Back On The Table In 2023
Medicaid expansion has become a perennial issue in Wyoming. But advocates are hoping that this year is the last legislative session they'll have to push for a bill that expands Medicaid. (Victor, 1/16)
Wyoming Public Radio: Medicaid Postpartum Extension Narrowly Passes Committee
A bill that extends medicaid coverage to qualifying pregnant women for 12 months postpartum narrowly made it out of committee. The House Labor, Health and Social Services committee members heard hours of testimony in favor of the extension. During the pandemic, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allowed states to extend postpartum care, and Wyoming participated as well so qualifying women had complete medical coverage for a year after they gave birth. This bill would extend that care until 2027. (Kudelska, 1/13)
More on Medicaid coverage in Mississippi, Georgia, and Michigan —
AP: Mississippi Bill Filings: Medicaid, Initiatives, Elections
Here's a look at some of the general bills: HOSPITALS — Multiple bills seek to help financially struggling hospitals by creating grant programs or tax credits. MEDICAID — Multiple bills seek expansion of Medicaid to people who work low-wage jobs that don't provide private health insurance. A 2010 federal health care law allowed expansion, and Mississippi is among 11 states that have not taken the option. Other bills -- including House Bill 426, which has bipartisan support -- would allow extension of Medicaid coverage from 60 days to one year after a woman has given birth. (Pettus, 1/16)
WABE: State Lawmakers To Consider Full Medicaid Expansion During The Legislative Session
State Democratic lawmakers are making full Medicaid expansion a top priority this legislative session. Expanding Medicaid is a move the governor has long resisted, and it's not included in his proposed $32 billion budget. Gov. Brian Kemp's proposal calls for $52 million to fund the implementation of his Georgia Pathways plan, a limited expansion of Medicaid that would cover around 50,000 people if they meet work or volunteer requirements. (Mador, 1/13)
Detroit Free Press: Doulas: New Medicaid Policy Supports Their Work, But Not Them
Women and infants' health advocates around Michigan are celebrating a new policy that will allow pregnant people covered by Medicaid to pay for the services of a doula. The policy, enacted Jan. 1, puts Michigan on the list of just a handful of states that cover doula services, which have been shown to improve birth outcomes and decrease health and racial disparities. (Brookland, 1/16)
On Medicare costs —
The New York Times: Medicare Begins To Rein In Drug Costs For Older Americans
Steve Lubin spent a lot last year on insulin to control his Type 2 diabetes. A retired nurse in Philadelphia, Mr. Lubin relies on Medicare for health coverage, including a Part D plan to cover drug expenses. Yet his out-of-pocket costs kept mounting, including a deductible of $480, monthly supplies of two forms of insulin, and higher prices once he entered the "coverage gap." His total insulin tab in 2022: $1,582. (Span, 1/14)
Stat: Medicare Advisers Warn Of Higher Drug Prices, Despite Negotiation
Despite the pharmaceutical industry's loud complaints to the contrary, the new law directing Medicare to negotiate drug prices may increase prices for some new drugs, congressional Medicare advisers said Friday. (Wilkerson, 1/13)
Axios: Debt Ceiling Fight Looms Over Medicare, Medicaid
House Republicans don't have much of a path to get major health care changes passed with a Democratic Senate and president, with one possible exception: the debt ceiling fight. (Sullivan, 1/13)
The state's Agency for Healthcare Administration sent a letter to health care providers reminding them despite the FDA's move to broaden abortion pill access to pharmacies, Florida state law bans it. In Idaho Sen. Scott Herndon, a Republican, wants to tighten that state's already-strict abortion ban.
Sun-Sentinel: Florida Agency Warns Pharmacists Not To Dispense Abortion Pills
With pharmacies in some states preparing to dispense abortion pills, Florida's Agency for Healthcare Administration sent a letter Thursday to all state healthcare providers warning them that do so in Florida is illegal. (Goodman, 1/15)
Idaho Statesman: New Idaho Lawmaker Floats Bills On Abortion, Gender Identity
A new bill would change Idaho's criminal abortion statute to define the procedure as "intentionally" killing a "living embryo or fetus." The change seeks to clarify that Idaho's near-total abortion ban does not apply to pregnancies in which the fetus has already died, said the bill sponsor, Sen. Scott Herndon, R-Sagle. Those parameters include ectopic pregnancies, when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, if the fetus has died. (Suppe, 1/16)
Politico: 'The Most Important Election Nobody's Ever Heard Of'
Control of the Wisconsin state Supreme Court is on the ballot this spring, and the contest could decide the fate of abortion rights, redistricting and more in the critical swing state. Should a more liberal-leaning jurist win the job in the April election, it would flip the balance of the state's highest court for at least two years. There are significant policy outcomes hanging on the result. The court chose the state's political maps for the decade after the Democratic governor and Republican Legislature deadlocked, and it's likely to hear a case challenging Wisconsin's 19th-century law banning almost all abortions in the near future. Wisconsin's Supreme Court also decided major cases on election laws and voting rights before and after the 2020 presidential election. (Montellaro and Messerly, 1/16)
More on reproductive rights —
Houston Chronicle: Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Named Whip Of The Pro-Choice Caucus
U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston, who also represents part of Fort Bend County, has been named Whip of the Pro-Choice Caucus. The caucus is "a coalition of Members in the U.S. House of Representatives who are working to preserve, protect, and advance policies that ensure reproductive autonomy," Fletcher said in a statement Friday. (Goodman, 1/13)
Anchorage Daily News: FDA Decision Could Increase Access To Abortion Pills Across Alaska
"It definitely has the potential to expand abortion access in Alaska," said Rose O'Hara-Jolley, director with Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates of Alaska. "Given the complexity with the health care system, it's not something that's going to happen right away. But this is another very important piece of the puzzle in expanding abortion access across the state." (Berman, 1/16)
AP: Bill Would Force Period Tracking Apps To Follow Privacy Laws
When the Supreme Court last June stripped away constitutional protections for abortion, concerns grew over the use of period tracking apps because they aren't protected by federal privacy laws. Privacy experts have said they fear pregnancies could be surveilled and the data shared with police or sold to vigilantes. Some Washington state lawmakers want to change that and have introduced a bill related to how consumer data is shared, KUOW reported. (1/16)
San Francisco Chronicle: UC Health Doctors Want Stronger Protections In Contracts With Faith-Based Hospitals
As the University of California's health system renews contracts with hundreds of outside hospitals and clinics — many with religious affiliations — some of its doctors and faculty want stronger language to ensure that physicians can perform the treatments they deem appropriate, including abortions for women or hysterectomies for transgender patients. University of California Health is in the middle of a two-year process to renew contracts with affiliate hospitals and clinics that help the university deliver care in underserved parts of the state. (Sciacca, 1/15)
The awards are named after former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli. Meanwhile, preventable medication-related harm, injuries, or infections hit 22.7% of hospital patients in the U.S. according to a new study. In other news, health care outlets have shown they plan to hike prices this year.
USA Today: 2022 'Shkreli Awards' Rank Worst Health Care 'Profiteering' Cases
The Lown Institute, a health care policy think tank, each year ranks the 10 worst instances of "profiteering and dysfunction" in the health-care industry. It calls its rankings the "Shkreli Awards," named after the former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli, who rose to notoriety in 2015 when he raised the price of a life-saving medication by roughly 4,000%. Shkreli was nicknamed "Pharma Bro" by the public. He was convicted of securities fraud in 2017, and was released last year. (Mayorquin, 1/14)
Modern Healthcare: NEJM Study: 22.7% Of Hospital Patients Experience Adverse Event
Almost one quarter of hospital patients in the U.S. experience an adverse event such as medication-related harm, a pressure injury or infection during their care, according to a new study. The research, which looked at a random sample of 2,809 admissions from 11 Massachusetts hospitals in 2018, found that out of the adverse events, 22.7% were deemed preventable, and 32.3% were classified as serious, life-threatening, or fatal. The study was published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. (Devereaux, 1/13)
In other health care industry news —
Stat: Hospitals Gear Up To Expand Market Power, Raise Prices In 2023
More than a dozen of the country's large not-for-profit hospital systems descended on this year's J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference with a subtle but clear message for bankers and municipal investors: Higher costs in 2022 slowed them down, but they are adamant about increasing revenue by expanding their footprints and hiking prices. (Herman, 1/17)
Becker's Hospital Review: Health Systems Integrate Automated Medication Instructions Into Epic, Meditech EHRs
Health systems in Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are using artificial intelligence to automatically transcribe medical instructions into their Epic and Meditech EHRs. The health systems employing the SmartRenewal software from health IT company DrFirst include Butler (Pa.) Health System and Gainesville-based Northeast Georgia Health System, a company spokesperson told Becker's. (Bruce, 1/13)
Axios: Hospital Obstetrics On Chopping Block As Facilities Pare Costs
Hospitals trying to shed unprofitable business lines are increasingly scaling back or halting maternity services, adding new stresses to the reproductive care landscape. (Dreher, 1/17)
Becker's Hospital Review: After Preliminary Denial, Hospital Where Nurse Called 911 Gains Full Accreditation
Silverdale, Wash.-based St. Michael Medical Center — which gained media attention after a nurse called 911 from its overcrowded, short-staffed emergency department — has been accredited by The Joint Commission after a preliminary denial. (1/13)
Los Angeles Times: Routine-Care Needs Pack MLK Emergency Department
In the emergency department at MLK Community Hospital, masked patients lay in wheeled stretchers lining the hallways. Others slumped in chairs where nurses attended to them. Amid the crush of people on a recent day in December, only the sickest or most severely injured got one of the 29 rooms. (Alpert Reyes, 1/15)
The Washington Post: Why Nurses Are Striking And Quitting In Droves
This flu season, Benny Matthew — a nurse at the Montefiore Medical Center emergency room in the Bronx — has often been responsible for 15 to 20 patients at a time. By 3 p.m. most days, the emergency room is often exploding with patients, Matthew said. Hospital gurneys stand inches apart. When beds run out, patients squeeze into tightly packed chairs. When the chairs run out, patients must stand. Wait times to see a doctor can be up to six hours. At the same time, the hospital is advertising more than 700 nursing positions. (Gurley, 1/14)
Media outlets report on how a system to detect tumor DNA in post-surgery colon cancer patients can help decide who would benefit from chemotherapy. In other news, the shortage of prescription ADHD medications is ongoing, and the implications of the FDA's lifted rule on animal testing for drugs.
ABC News: Blood Test Could Help Predict Which Patients With Colon Cancer Need Chemotherapy After Surgery: Study
A blood test under study may soon be able to help many patients with colon cancer decide whether they need chemotherapy after surgery, or if they can safely skip it. The results, which oncologists described as promising, were published in the journal Nature Medicine. (Nasser, 1/16)
Stat: Liquid Biopsy May Be Better Way To Decide Who Gets Chemo
They're far too small to be seen by even the most sophisticated medical imaging device. But bits of tumor DNA adrift in a patient's blood are an important bellwether for whether cancer will return — and, as a new study shows, can predict which treatments are likely to work. (Wosen, 1/16)
In other pharmaceutical news —
Stat: Patients Scramble For Care Amid Online Prescribing Crackdown
Catherine was getting nervous about her ADHD prescription. In 2022, the 29-year-old New Yorker had started using Done, a direct-to-consumer telehealth company that treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The medication her provider had prescribed, a stimulant called Vyvanse, was helping her manage distraction so severe that she frequently had car accidents. (Palmer, 1/17)
USA Today: FDA Rule Lifted On Animal Testing For Drugs; Substitutes Not Ready
For generations people have associated the terms "lab rat" and "guinea pig" with scientific research. Animal testing remains a standard and has been required for drug approval. Just before Christmas, though, Congress ended the requirement that all new drugs must be tested in two species – usually mice and a "higher order" mammal like rabbits or primates – before being tried in people. (Weintraub, 1/15)
The Hill reports that this study is the first to connect U.S. fish consumption to blood levels of "forever chemicals." Also: alcohol-related liver disease, PTSD treatments, zombie fungus, and more.
The Hill: Study Suggests US Freshwater Fish Highly Contaminated With 'Forever Chemicals'
Eating just one serving of freshwater fish each year could have the same effect as drinking water heavily polluted with "forever chemicals" for an entire month, a new study finds. The equivalent month-long amount of water would be contaminated at levels 2,400 times greater than what's recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) drinking water health advisories, according to the study, published Tuesday in Environmental Research. (Udasin, 1/17)
In other health and wellness news —
CNN: Enjoying Nature May Lessen Need For Some Medications, Study Finds
Going for a walk in a park or along a lake or a tree-lined space may reduce the need for medication for anxiety, asthma, depression, high blood pressure or insomnia, a new study found. (LaMotte, 1/16)
CBS News: Alcohol-Related Liver Disease Rising Among Young People
Jessica Dueñas was leading a double life. Named Kentucky's teacher of the year in 2019, she had also developed a heavy drinking problem. "The day that I won my award, I was in withdrawals," she said. "I could not wait to go home so that I could drink." (Chen, 1/16)
CBS News: MDMA-Assisted Therapy For PTSD Shows Promising Results
Devastated by post-traumatic stress disorder, Jonathan Lubecky tried to take his own life in 2006. "I put a loaded nine-millimeter to my temple, and I pulled the trigger," he said. "That was the first suicide attempt that I had. I've had a total of five." (Lapook, 1/13)
The Boston Globe: He Collapsed From Cardiac Arrest. The Next Four Minutes Would Determine If He Would Live
Massachusetts doesn't track statewide cardiac arrest survival rates, but some municipalities do, and their data shows that survival varies widely. In Boston, 11.2 percent of people who experienced a cardiac arrest in 2021 survived, but in Worcester, one recent study found those rates were between 3 and 4 percent. (Bartlett, 1/14)
KHN: Rural Seniors Benefit From Pandemic-Driven Remote Fitness Boom
Eight women, all 73 or older, paced the fellowship hall at Malmo Evangelical Free Church to a rendition of Daniel O'Donnell's "Rivers of Babylon" as they warmed up for an hourlong fitness class. The women, who live near or on the eastern shore of Mille Lacs Lake, had a variety of reasons for showing up despite fresh snow and slippery roads. One came to reduce the effects of osteoporosis; another, to maintain mobility after a stroke. (Saint Louis, 1/17)
KHN: Will Your Smartphone Be The Next Doctor's Office?
The same devices used to take selfies and type out tweets are being repurposed and commercialized for quick access to information needed for monitoring a patient's health. A fingertip pressed against a phone's camera lens can measure a heart rate. The microphone, kept by the bedside, can screen for sleep apnea. Even the speaker is being tapped, to monitor breathing using sonar technology. In the best of this new world, the data is conveyed remotely to a medical professional for the convenience and comfort of the patient or, in some cases, to support a clinician without the need for costly hardware. (Norman, 1/17)
Also —
The Washington Post: 'The Last Of Us' Zombie Fungus Is Real, And It's Found In Health Supplements
The zombie apocalypse depicted in the popular video game series and newly adapted HBO series "The Last of Us" derives from a mutation to a type of fungus called cordyceps. Surprise! Cordyceps is real, and some 600 variations of it can be found around the world, primarily in Southeast Asia. (Hume, 1/15)
Stat reports that "rapidly accelerating" cases of endocarditis have happened since the pandemic began, reminding us it's one of the lesser-known side effects of the opioid epidemic. "Tranq" found in San Diego, high fatal overdose rates in Rhode Island, and more are also in the news.
Stat: The Addiction Crisis Is Causing A Spike In Endocarditis Cases. Hospitals Are Struggling To Respond
Increased injection drug use has led to a spike in cases of the life-threatening heart condition endocarditis, with cases rapidly accelerating since the onset of Covid-19. The increased case count is one of the lesser-known side effects of the deadly addiction epidemic. (Facher, 1/17)
More on the illegal drug epidemic —
AP: Fentanyl Fuels Record Homeless Deaths In Seattle Area
A record 310 homeless people died in the Seattle area last year, highlighting the region's struggle to house the thousands of people living on its streets. The 310 deaths in King County surpassed the previous record of 195 homeless deaths set in 2018, the Seattle Times reported, and marked a 65% jump over 2021. (1/17)
San Diego Union-Tribune: Dangerous Mix Of Fentanyl And Animal Tranquilizer Detected In Few Seizures In San Diego
The medication xylazine is used to sedate horses and cattle. But when mixed with opioids and injected by humans, it can cause people to black out for hours and leave festering wounds that can result in amputations. The withdrawal symptoms are said to be worse than those from heroin or methadone. When the animal sedative is cut into fentanyl and heroin and sold on the street, it's commonly referred to as "tranq" or "tranq dope." (Riggins, 1/16)
San Francisco Chronicle: She Failed To Save Daughter From Fentanyl. Year Later, She Remains Stuck In SF
Dealers clustered at Seventh and Mission streets, openly selling drugs. At their feet, people smoked fentanyl off tinfoil while others nodded off. Tents dotted the sidewalks. Piles of food scraps, trash and feces filled the gutter. Pedestrians, including a woman pushing a baby in a stroller, nearly swerved into traffic on Seventh Street to get past. Laurie Steves, 57, stood amid the commerce and the chaos, waiting. (Knight, 1/14)
The Boston Globe: Fatal R.I. Overdoses Remained High In 2022. Here's What Two Organizations Want To Do About It
It's too soon to say whether 2022 will be the deadliest year on record for accidental drug overdoses in Rhode Island. Determining causes of death takes time, and the data lags by months. But the early picture does not look good. For nearly every month in 2022 for which there is full data — January to June — the number of people who fatally overdosed in Rhode Island is higher than the same month of 2021. Only February was lower, and only slightly. (Amaral, 1/13)
AP: 2nd Colorado Library Closes Due To Meth Contamination
For the second time in a month, a Colorado library has closed its doors to clean up methamphetamine contamination. Officials in the Denver suburb of Englewood shut down the city library last week within a couple of hours of getting test results Wednesday showing that the contamination in the facility's restrooms exceeded state thresholds, city spokesman Chris Harguth said. (Slevin and Peipert, 1/17)
Athena Health Care Systems is one of the biggest long-term care providers in Connecticut, according to the CT Mirror, but "consistent complaints" about conditions in its homes have led to lawsuits and fines. Also: children's care in Illinois and Arizona, and stories from Texas and Minnesota.
The CT Mirror: Athena Nursing Homes Pressured By Lawsuits, Fines, Complaints
Athena Health Care Systems, one of the biggest long-term care providers in Connecticut, has come under the scrutiny of officials in three New England states after receiving consistent complaints about conditions in its nursing homes. (Altimari and Carlesso, 1/15)
Billings Gazette: Nursing Homes Plead For Financial Help As Closures, Staffing Shortages Endanger Care
After Carol Dietrich suffered a concussion in a fall and then spinal fractures from lifting too much, her husband had to face that he was unable to take care of her at his age. Rudi and Carol spent down her assets on assisted living until she qualified for Medicaid to receive long-term care in a nursing home. Near enough for Rudi to walk for regular visits. (Jones, 1/16)
On children's care in Illinois and Arizona —
Illinois Answers Project: Feds To Investigate Centene Contract For Failing Foster Kids
In response to an Illinois Answers Project investigation, federal authorities are probing the massive Illinois contract that provides health care to 36,700 foster children. Insurance powerhouse Centene Corp. often failed to deliver basic medical care from dental visits to immunizations, the nonprofit newsroom reported in November. Some foster parents waited months for critical medical appointments for the abused and neglected youth in their care. (Jackson and Hinton, 1/13)
AP: Arizona Dad Seeking Answers After Son Dies In State Care
Richard Blodgett, a single father, was jailed on a drug charge when a worker from Arizona's child welfare agency delivered the news: His son was brain dead and on life support — just days after being taken into state custody. ... A medical examiner listed Jakob's death in late December as natural with complications from diabetes, a condition he was diagnosed with as a toddler. Specifically, Type 1 diabetes, which means his body was unable to produce enough insulin to survive. Blodgett said he suspects the Arizona Department of Child Safety failed in its duty to protect his son, either by not monitoring his blood sugar levels or not ensuring that Jakob had enough insulin to prevent a serious, life-threatening complication known as ketoacidosis. (Fonseca, 1/16)
In other news from Minnesota and Texas —
MPR News: 'Cannot Learn While We Are Leaking': Bill Seeks Free Period Products At School
Minnesota lawmakers are trying once again to require school districts to provide free menstrual products to students. Last year, led by an initiative from Minnesota students, House Democrats introduced a similar bill. Advocates say access to the products would help keep students from having to miss class when they can't afford products. (Shockman and Stroozas, 1/13)
Dallas Morning News: DPS Opens Applications For More Medical Cannabis Dispensaries In Texas
The Texas Department of Public Safety is opening an application process to potentially add more medical cannabis dispensaries, the agency announced in a news release Monday. Only three dispensaries have been licensed in Texas in the past three years. The application process to add more dispensaries under the Compassionate Use Program opened Monday and will run until April 28, the agency said. (Torres, 1/16)
Global Watch
Floods in Pakistan, cyclones in Mozambique, and other climate change-influenced events have driven malaria infections up, reports say, as well as changing where mosquitoes flourish. Also in the news: Ebola Sudan and Marburg virus vaccines; children left behind by a push to treat HIV, and more.
Reuters: Davos 2023: Climate Change Leads To More Malaria, Tuberculosis Up In A Recession
Climate change is increasing malaria infections, the executive director of the world's biggest health fund said in Davos on Monday. Huge surges in malaria infections followed recent floods in Pakistan and cyclones in Mozambique in 2021, said Peter Sands, the executive director of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. (de Kretser, 1/16)
In other global news —
CIDRAP: BARDA Funds Development, Production Of Ebola Sudan And Marburg Vaccines
The Sabin Vaccine Institute announced yesterday that it has been awarded a multiyear contract from the US government to advance the development and production of vaccine candidates for the Ebola Sudan and Marburg viruses. Under the agreement, the US Department of Health and Human Services' Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) will initially invest approximately $35 million to produce up to 100,000 doses of Sabin's Ebola Sudan virus vaccine (ChAd3-SUDV). (Dall, 1/13)
The New York Times: Global Push To Treat H.I.V. Leaves Children Behind
The stories the mothers tell when they gather at the Awendo Health Centre in western Kenya are a catalog of small failures, missed opportunities and devastating consequences. What unites the two dozen or so women who meet periodically, on wooden benches in a bare clinic room or under a tree in the courtyard, is their children: All have H.I.V. It has been two decades since efforts to prevent the transmission of H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS, from mother to child during pregnancy and birth began in earnest in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet some 130,000 babies are still becoming infected each year because of logistical problems, such as drug shortages, and more pernicious ones, such as the stigma that makes women afraid to seek tests or treatment. (Nolen, 1/17)
ABC News: Mexico Imposes One Of World's Strictest Anti-Smoking Laws
One of the World's strictest anti-tobacco laws has been imposed in Mexico, setting in force a total ban on smoking in public places, including hotels, beaches and parks. The new law, which is part of the country's General Law for Tobacco Control reform, came into force on Sunday. It will also see the total ban on the promotion, advertising and sponsorship of tobacco products. The sale and use of e-cigarettes and vapes are also due to face new restrictions. (Ogao, 1/16)
Bloomberg: Drugmakers Eli Lilly, AbbVie Leave UK Medicine-Pricing Agreement
Drugmakers Eli Lilly & Co. and AbbVie Inc. have pulled out of a voluntary drug-pricing agreement with the UK in a blow to the country's attempts to control costs for medicines. Opposition is rising amid the industry against the country's attempt to control prices, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry said Monday. (Pham, 1/16)
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Scientific American: Gene Drives Could Fight Malaria And Other Global Killers But Might Have Unintended Consequences
Every year more than 600,000 people die from mosquito-transmitted malaria, most of them children under age five. Some insects that are disease vectors, such as mosquitoes, are currently expanding their range around the world, bringing new threats. Genetic engineering can fix this by permanently altering insect genes through what is known as a gene drive. (Matthew Cobb, 1/13)
USA Today: We Treat, Prevent Breast Cancer As One-Size-Fits-All. That Must Change
I lost my mother to breast cancer when I was 13, and she was only 40. At age 19, I felt the first of many lumps in my breasts. A few years and a handful of biopsies later, I learned that I had a precancerous condition, called atypical hyperplasia, which indicates a strong risk of breast cancer. (Alyssa Cotler, 1/15)
The Atlantic: The Surprising Reason For The Decline In Cancer Mortality
America finally got some good news in the all-important category of keeping its citizens alive. Since the early 1990s, the U.S. cancer-mortality rate has fallen by one-third, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society. (Derek Thompson, 1/15)
Modern Healthcare: Healthcare Needs A Streamlined Approach To The Consumer Experience
As we enter 2023 with a "tripledemic" of RSV, COVID-19 and influenza—on top of continued margin pressures, a recessionary climate, high inflation and labor shortages—the healthcare industry is facing a tough environment. (Dr. Mark Davis, 1/16)
The Star Tribune: On Health Care Front Lines, We Are Not OK
I am a hospital doctor and medical staff leader, and have worked extensively over the past two years with critical care experts and others in trying to provide appropriate medical care for Minnesotans. We are worried. (Tom Klemond, 1/16)
The Mercury News: Students' Backpacks Are Too Heavy And Why It Matters
As a ninth-grader, I know firsthand the burden of carrying a heavy backpack. Mine weighs close to 20 pounds, the same weight as a large watermelon. Upon returning to in-person classes after COVID-19 shutdowns, I noticed that the skin under my backpack straps was red and my back ached. (Naomi Burakovsky, 1/13)
Stat: Melding Clinical Decision Support Software With The AI Bill Of Rights
The Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights the White House recently published didn't come a moment too soon for the health care industry. The number of health care-related artificial intelligence models on the market has increased steadily over the past decade, with the health care AI market expected to grow from $7 billion today to $67 billion in 2027. (Christine Swisher and Gabriel Seidman, 1/17)
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iPad Pro with Mini LED display could arrive in March: What we know
Only the 12.9-inch model is said to be getting a screen upgrade
(Image credit: Laptop Mag)
Apple's upcoming iPad Pro with mini LED display has been the subject of constant rumor but one detail we've yet to pin down is the tablet's launch date. Sure, "early 2021" has been thrown around but we've heard nothing more specific.
That is, until now. The Japanese Mac blog MacOtakara (with an assist from Google Translate) says Apple plans to launch the next 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models in March. The blog sites "Chinese suppliers" as its source, but as always, one should take this rumor with a healthy dose of skepticism.
iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 2020) review
Which iPad should I buy? We compared them all
Best tablets of 2021
If the report is accurate, there are a few other details we can glean about the upcoming tablets. For one, MacOtakara says the iPad Pro 12.9 will have the same design but that there will be fewer speaker holes on the side.
The tablet will be slightly thicker (another 0.5mm) to accommodate the new display, and while the rear camera bump will remain, the actual lens won't protrude as it does on the current models.
One interesting tidbit is that Mini LED panels may only be an option on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro; the 11-inch version will supposedly remain the same size (suggesting it will stick with LED).
While this is all unofficial information, it does align with numerous other reports about the iPad Pro. Late last year Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo amended his previous estimates of the tablet arriving in 2020, indicating that the first mini LED products wouldn't arrive until Q1 of 2021.
Jeff Pu of GF Securities agrees, stating that the 12.9-inch iPad Pro will be the first mini LED product from Apple when it arrives in Q1 of 2021.
For those who are unfamiliar, Mini LED is a new screen backlighting technology that is visually similar to an OLED display, but offers increased brightness and higher contrast ratio while still remaining power efficient.
If it lives up to the hype, Mini LED could be a smart middle-ground between LED and OLED, providing a much better image than the former while avoiding the risk of burn-in associated with the latter.
Today's best Apple iPad Air (2020) deals
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The Elkay EZH2O® Bottle Filling Station delivers a clean quick water bottle fill and enhances sustainability by minimizing our dependency on disposable plastic bottles. Complete water station including the bottle filling station and refrigerated fountain. Bottle Filler features sanitary no-touch sensor activation with automatic 20-second shut-off timer.
Shipping Dimensions L: 28-1/4" W: 68-3/4" H: 46"
Bottle Filling Station Dimensions L: 39-1/2" W: 18" H: 40-13/16"


You have just converted seventy-eight pesos to omani rial according to the recent foreign exchange rate 0.02018646. For seventy-eight pesos you get today 1 rial 57 baisa. If there is going to be any change in the exchange rate of $ to rial, recalculation of the amount will be done automatically when the page is refreshed. If you need to know how much is 78 pesos to a currency of any country in the world – use an online converter, which has 96 currency pairs available.


Here at Loretto Nursery we have our very own qualified Nursery Chef who creates nutritionally balanced 4 week rolling menus. Our menus are designed to give your little one the very best start in life. We make this possible by supplying our children with home cooked nutritional food, bursting with fresh fruit and vegetables and all the essential ingredients necessary for healthy physical and mental development. Whenever possible we source our food locally and organically, including seasonal vegetables and fruit into our menus. Our children have a choice of milk or water to drink throughout the day.
Our children have opportunities to excel as nursery gardeners with their very own vegetable patch.
We are happy to cater for a whole range of dietary/ religious/ cultural requirements. Please speak to our Nursery Chef for more information.
We do not add additional salt or sugar to any of the food we provide. Where possible we purchase products with reduced salt and lower sugar, ensuring that your child's salt and sugar intake complies with national guidelines.
Our staff are trained in First Aid and our Nursery Chef is experienced in catering to allergies. You are more than welcome to meet with our Chef to discuss your requirements.


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Cabárceno es una localidad del municipio de Penagos (Cantabria, España). En el año 2008 contaba con una población de 178 habitantes (INE). La localidad se encuentra situada a 145 metros de altitud sobre el nivel del mar, y a 2,5 kilómetros de distancia de la capital municipal, Penagos. Destaca de la localidad el Parque de la naturaleza de Cabárceno.

Localidades de Penagos


Fresh off the release of Our Love, Caribou's Dan Snaith shared a two-hour BBC Essential Mix. In the process, he shared several exclusives, including new tracks under his Daphni alias ("Carry On" and "Tin"), plus songs from Chaz Bundick's Les Sins ("Past" and "Call"), Boddika & Joy Orbison ("Untitled"), Anthony Naples ("Miles"), and Pearson Sound ("Rubber Tree"). Listen here.
The mix also features music by Daft Punk, James Brown, Lil Wayne, Marvin Gaye, the Zombies, and many others.
Read our "5-10-15-20" interview with Snaith and our "Rising" with Anthony Naples.


After seeing Skylar's end-of-the-week show at art camp, I took her out for ice cream. Then we stopped briefly at Bookman's, where I scanned the shelves of two dollar VHS tapes and found a two-cassette Charlie Chaplin set, John Woo's The Killers and Grease, which she has been asking to see again since she was exposed to it last summer at art camp. I'd never seen it. Indeed, I knew shockingly little about it, other than that it has been praised by many people and features John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
I was cooking dinner while she watched it tonight, but watched enough to reinforce the lesson of the last few weeks' discussions of what is and isn't "age-appropriate" for her, inspired by her reaction to certain pieces in the Arizona Biennial: she's far less troubled by sexual content than the depiction of violence. While she may not have understood most of the innuendoes in the film, she definitely grasps the fact that Sandy transforms herself in order to be more enticing for Danny. And she picked up on a lot of other plot details concerning romance. But none of it bothered her greatly because, despite the surprising grit of the film's secondary characters -- frequently, Travolta and Newton-John seem to be starring in a different, less realistic picture -- the narrative lacks a meaningful antagonist.
Still, I don't think I would have let her watch it if I'd known everything the film contains. Because she'd already seen it multiple times last summer, I felt less guilty than I otherwise might have. That doesn't mean I didn't have pangs of conscience, though. After spending so much time talking about her right to not see things she's too young for, in light of the trauma caused by the "bunny painting," I feel like a bit of a hypocrite. The funny thing is that Skylar told me loves Grease because, "it's about high school and that interests me." I wonder where that came from. When I was her age, I told my mother I never wanted to be a teenager. And her mother managed to skip almost all of high school. Hmmm. Maybe I just answered my own question!


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Insomniac's Electric Mile Tickets
Concerts near
Find tickets to Insomniac's Electric Mile on Sunday January 24 at 6:00 pm at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA
Insomniac's Electric Mile
No tickets·Santa Anita Park·Arcadia, CA
Find tickets to Insomniac's Electric Mile on Monday January 25 at 5:45 pm at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA
Mon · 5:45pm
Find tickets to Insomniac's Electric Mile on Tuesday January 26 at 5:45 pm at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA
Find tickets to Insomniac's Electric Mile on Wednesday January 27 at 5:45 pm at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA
Find tickets to Insomniac's Electric Mile on Thursday January 28 at 6:00 pm at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA
Find tickets to Insomniac's Electric Mile on Friday January 29 at 5:45 pm at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA
Find tickets to Insomniac's Electric Mile on Saturday January 30 at 5:45 pm at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA
Find tickets to Insomniac's Electric Mile on Monday February 1 at 6:30 pm at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA
Find tickets to Insomniac's Electric Mile on Tuesday February 2 at 6:30 pm at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA
Find tickets to Insomniac's Electric Mile on Wednesday February 3 at 6:30 pm at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA
Find tickets to Insomniac's Electric Mile on Thursday February 4 at 5:45 pm at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA
Insomniac's Electric Mile Tour Dates
See below for a list of Insomniac's Electric Mile tour dates and locations. For all available tickets and to find shows in your city, scroll to the listings at the top of this page.
Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA
Portland Concerts
Detroit Concerts
Tampa Concerts


This guide on racist extremism in imperative and jap Europe is the results of a distinct collaborative examine undertaking of specialists from the 10 new and destiny post-communist european member states. All chapters are written to a standard framework, making it more uncomplicated to check person nations and comprise sections on: racist extremist firms (political events, enterprises, and subcultures the family and overseas criminal framework contributors and kinds of racist extremist incidents nation and civic responses to the risk.
During this gripping social heritage of South Africa, award profitable journalist Mark Gevisser follows the kin of former South African President Thabo Mbeki to make experience of the legacy of liberation fight and understand the future of the rustic lower than Jacob Zuma. With extraordinary entry to Mbeki and Zuma to boot as key ANC brass, Gevisser offers an intimate but obtainable account of South Africa's earlier, current and destiny.
This variation of Elie Kedourie's Nationalism brings again into print one of many vintage texts of our instances. With nice attractiveness and lucidity, the writer strains the philosophical foundations of the nationalist doctrine, the stipulations which gave upward thrust to it, and the political effects of its unfold in Europe and in other places during the last centuries.
In the course of the 19th and 20th centuries, ethnonationalism has left its indelible mark on Europe and each different continent. the newest occasions within the Balkans, in valuable and jap Europe, and within the former Soviet Union unequivocally testify to the facility and impression of ethnonationalism on the finish of the second one millennium.
The Soviet leadership also saw the shelling as unnecessarily provocative, and suggested they might not back the Chinese if the incident led to a war with the United States. The probe having served its purpose, Mao defused the crisis, sending 'the conciliatory 'Message to the Compatriots in Taiwan' (in the name of his defence minister Peng Dehuai) on 6 October and cutting back the shelling. Tensions and hard bargaining between China and the USSR were never absent, but the rivalry was temporarily subordinated to meet the more immediate challenges posed by the capitalist camp.
Controlling Tibet is important to the PRC's national security for several reasons. First, Tibet provides a buffer region between China and India, and adds strategic depth in case of a Russian invasion (Tibet comprises 13 per cent of the PRC's territory). By the same token, if China did not occupy it, Tibetan territory might serve as a site for another foreign power's military bases. Second, Tibet is a source of natural resources, for which Chinese demand is especially great as it pushes for developed nation status.
Exporting Revolution in the 1960s China's renewed interest in promoting 'armed struggle' abroad paralleled the replacement of the politically moderate defence minister Peng Dehuai by radical leftist Lin Biao in 1958. The goal was to weaken the capitalist bloc by taking away the colonies it exploited to maintain its prosperity. In principle, China would supply arms, money, and training to rebel groups in developing countries whose governments participated in the global capitalist system. In practice, immediate Chinese political interests proved a stronger consideration than the promotion of worldwide socialist revolution, although there was considerable overlap between the two sets of objectives.


This is event is SOLD OUT. We will be back in June for a Fathers weekend family rave. Tickets on sale now..
NEWS: We are pleased to announce that this event is part of the Camp Bestival Tour this year! At the event will be a Superheroes vs Heroes photobooth and by uploading a photo to social media, you will be in with a chance to win one of THREE family passes to the Camp Bestival festival in July this year.
Big Fish Little Fish have been putting on award winning events (Winner of Best Family Event, Family Festival Awards 2014-18, Time Out '101 Things to do with Kids in London) since 2013.


Manual Therapy By Emmanuelle offers a gentle, hands-on holistic therapy solution to chronic pain and body conditions. Emmanuelle's therapy helps improve whole-body health by treating body structural imbalances due to physical and emotional traumas accumulated throughout life's journey.
Her goal is to help you be free of pain associated with chronic suffering, including migraines, TMJ syndrome, fibromyalgia, acid reflux or recurring back pain.
What sets Emmanuelle's practice apart from most common bodywork practices is her ability to customize each session. Her unique assessment techniques as well as her ability to choose and combine therapies, including craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation, neural manipulation, visceral vascular manipulation, and myofascial release ensure the best outcome possible for each session. Her focus is placed on the entire body to pinpoint the source of the pain(s) in order to create long-lasting results.
Emmanuelle was introduced to these holistic modalities when seeking a remedy to her first passion and career in skydiving. During this time, she experienced her fair share of traumas which, ultimately, left her incapacitated and unable to live the life she knew. Her lower back injuries limited her so much that she was unable to bend down without fear of excruciating pain. After receiving visceral manipulation therapy and releasing her coccyx which was pulling on her entire central nervous system, she was immediately able to bend down without pain. After a few more sessions focusing on releasing fascial tension in her abdomen, her pain had diminished from a constant 8 to a 2. Next, she received four Craniosacral therapy sessions which completely healed her SI joint pain. Within a few short months, her excruciating, debilitating pain was a distant memory, at last!
Emmanuelle's first-hand experience as a patient combined with her impressive education and experience in the field of holistic therapy allows her to find the root of your pain. While she always recommends being seen by a physician and getting the necessary tests to have a full picture of what is and what isn't Emmanuelle's philosophy is to first work with natural, holistic modalities before beginning a more intensive western approach to pain and conditions.


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Welcome to Elite Dental Assisting School
Dr. Melina Morrison opened Elite Dental Assisting School in Forney, TX, because she has a passion for teaching and a drive to make a difference in all areas of dentistry. Elite differentiates itself from other schools by providing students with the opportunity to receive hands-on instruction. Our students have been invited to extern at over 30 different dental offices to further enhance their education.
I opened Elite Dental Assisting School because I have such a passion for teaching and I really want to make a difference in all areas of dentistry. So we decided to open Elite Dental Assisting School. We have a classroom here where we teach 20 students three times a year in the evening so it's flexible for them. The favorite thing that I have, and what makes this really unique versus other dental assisting schools, is because I own Forney Family Dentistry as well as Elite, then I'm able to do hands-on treatment with them. Students can't truly learn on a typodont or a mannequin because neither one of them have a gag reflex or a tongue that's fighting or excess saliva. So it's really important to me that the students get hands-on experience. So in the evening, we're able to do that, where the students get in a chair. They have Julie, the instructor, standing behind them to help them so that they don't feel like they're out hanging on by themselves. It also allows me time because it's very laid back where I can teach. "Okay. You just handed me this instrument. Why?" Or, "If you handed it to me this way, it would be better. This is what that restorative material is used for." It's really important to me that the students not only know how to do it, but they also understand the reason behind it. They also are allowed to come into Forney Family Dentistry and extern here, which is also very unique. They don't have to go and find their own extern office. If they choose to go somewhere else, we are very blessed to be able to have over 30 offices that invite our students into also help teach them. If you are looking for a high-quality, family-oriented dental practice, please give us a call today.
Dr. Melina Morrison
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