Friday, February 21, 2025

Barred Owl


photos of Barred Owl by Ken Rachlis, used with permssion


 

23 comments:

  1. Congress is acquiescing, the Courts are taking too long, and meanwhile all our data is already stolen and on backup drives.

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    1. Sometimes the old-fashioned ways are the most effective. Tar and feathers, for example.
      -----Alan

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  3. Trump’s Firing Frenzy Hits the GOP Where It Hurts [Click] Well, where it ought to hurt. “It turns out that military veterans are disproportionately represented among the DOGE cuts, because they disproportionately work in federal jobs. Two-thirds of veterans voted for Trump in 2024.” The entire original article strikes me as worth a read.
    ——Alan

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    1. It occurs to me that veterans who are still working would be relatively young; no Viet Nam veterans, for example.
      ----Alan

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  4. Trump administration’s mass firings could leave federal government with ‘monumental’ bill, say experts [Click] “Lawyer says ‘astounding’ purge will cost government, after workers with positive reviews cut due to ‘poor performance’” I suppose not many will be able to prove that after their personnel files are destroyed. But maybe I am unreasonably skeptical.
    ——Alan

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    1. I sincerely hope so. It would make a mockery of all this "efficiency" and show it's true mettle.

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    2. Mettle or nettle? [He ducks!]
      ----Alan

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  5. {listener}

    HEADS UP!

    Got a call just now from our pharmacy, saying they won’t give us the shots yet after all. We are 10 days short of 6 months. The person even tried to talk us out of doing it at all, saying yearly is enough. You’d think the CDC’s recommendation would count for something.

    “ACIP✨ voted (15 to zero) to recommend a second dose of 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine for persons aged ≥65 years. For adults aged ≥65 years, the recommended interval of the second dose is 6 months but can be as early as 2 months or later than 6 months after the first dose of 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine.”

    “✨The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a committee of non-federal experts that advises the US government on vaccine use and disease control. Established in 1964 by the Surgeon General, the ACIP's role is to provide guidance on the most effective use of vaccines to control communicable diseases in the civilian population. The ACIP is made up of 15 voting members with expertise in areas like vaccinology, pediatrics, and public health.”

    Called my doc’s office…

    My doctor said it’s totally fine and called my pharmacy.
    In fact, the pharmacy website where I made the appt asks if I’ve had the vaccine in the past 2 months.
    Annnnd…
    Doc’s office called me back. The pharmacy says that CVS has put a “hard stop” on Covid vaccines until 6 months. Hmmm.

    Doc suggested I try a different pharmacy brand, and let her know how it turns out.

    STAY TUNED!

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    1. I looked up my vaccination record with the state department of health---really smooth. I'm not due for Covid booster yet, but overdue for RSV, pneumococcus, and DTP boosters according to the records they have. Sent an inquiry to our primary care MD.
      ----Alan

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    2. I search for info on RSV boosters and found none. AFAIK the clinical trial on booster efectiveness is still ongoing. )I was part of the original vaccine clinical trial.)

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    3. I got the RSV vaccine last year, so I think it has completed the trial just fine. My understanding is that one needs to get it every other year, so I didn't need it this year.

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    4. Where did you see "every other year"? The initial trial (in which I participated) has been completed, but the one I know of to see if a booster helps is ongoing.

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    5. I stand corrected! Alan and W. A., your posts made me go hunting up all my vaccinations and updating my list! RSV is just the once (hurrah!). I'm caught up on EVERYTHING now!! Wow!! I've had RSV, both of the Pnuemonia vaccines, 2 Shingrix doses, and the DTP booster Tdap. If one has had Tdap, does that count as the 10 year Tetanus shot, or is that something different? And! I've had a total of ten (10!) Covid vaccines/boosters!

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    6. Plus a flu shot each year, always in October. Next up for me is probably another bone density scan and the usual mammogram.
      (You guys are so lucky you don't need mammograms! But I guess that's easier than a prostate exam, so...okay.)

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  6. {listener}:

    Walgreens said ⭐️YES!⭐️

    We got our 2024-2025 Covid vaccine on 08/31/24. For folks 65+ the CDC recommends a second shot in 6 months…minimum of *2 months*.
    CVS cancelled our appt at the last second, despite a call of affirmation from my doctor. They said they have a “hard stop” on the vaccine unless it’s been a full 6 months. (We were 9 days shy of 6 months.)

    Walgreen’s, by contrast, welcomed us warmly, without an appt, and we got the vaccine today. (Pfizer)
    Moved all our prescriptions to Walgreens while we were there. 👍

    Side Note of interest:
    Recently, I had to move my one prescription from CVS to Walgreens because the brand I need is made in Ontario, Canada and CVS’ supplier had dropped that maker. Walgreens was able to get it. So all this leaves me wondering if CVS is towing the no Canada, yay RFK line.

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    1. {listener}

      Plus, my doc’s office was so nice and supportive! They called CVS immediately, commended me for having the Advisory info in hand for them, and added, “You’re just trying to stay healthy!” 💙

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    2. All's well that ends well.
      ----Alan

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  7. Econ Lessons video: How Ukraine Can Outlast Russia Economically [Click] Makes reference to Adam Smith’s example of pin manufacture, which is discussed in more detail here. [Click] Even if the details don’t quite line up, the basic concept holds; Marx used a similar example of a chair-maker in analyzing the evolution of capitalist enterprises.
    —Alan

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    1. This is, of course, unless DT throws our money at Russia.

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  8. I'm surprised no one commented on the photos out front. I am mesmerised by them!!

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    1. I misread the first one as "barned owl."
      ----Alan

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