Many rumors surrounded Former President Donald Trump as he left office. One of those rumors was that Trump was planning on quitting the Republican Party to start his own party. Between the beliefs like the election was stolen and the riot at the capitol was started by Trump, it is hard to know what to believe when it comes to the Former President. One journalist/ author claims Trump backed out of the plan to start his own party because the RNC threatened to retaliate against him if he did. In the same book, they claim Trump wanted to leave in order to punish the GOP in some way. What does Trump have to say about these claims?
RNC Threatens Retaliation Against Trump
The RNC threatened to retaliate against Trump, costing him millions of dollars, according to the book “Betrayal: The Final Act of the Trump Show” by ABC News Chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl. If Trump formed his own political party, the RNC threatened they would stop paying legal bills from challenging election results, as well as give his large email list to Republican candidates for free. Trump made money renting out the list, estimated to be worth $100 million, to other Republican Leaders. Trump changed his mind five days after the threat was made, according to Karl’s book. He also claimed RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel called Trump to “wish him farewell.” Karl describes the call, which Trump’s son was also on, as “very unpleasant.”
“Donald Trump was in no mood for small talk or nostalgic goodbyes,” Karl wrote. “He got right to the point. He told her he was leaving the Republican Party and would be creating his own political party. The president’s son Donald Trump Jr. was also on the phone. The younger Trump had been relentlessly denigrating the RNC for being insufficiently loyal to Trump. In fact, at the Jan. 6 rally before the Capitol riot, the younger Trump all but declared that the old Republican Party didn’t exist anymore.” After Trump told McDaniel he was “done” with the RNC, she implored him to stay, saying if he didn’t “we will lose forever,” Karl writes. “Exactly,” Trump reportedly said. “You lose forever without me.” A source who claimed to have witnessed the conversation between Trump and McDaniel said Trump spoke as if destroying the party was punishment for the mistreatment from Republican leaders. Karl recently said on “Good Morning America,” “Trump didn’t care if the move destroyed the party that brought him to the White House.”
Did Trump Really Want to Leave the GOP
The day before Trump left office, The Wall Street Journal reported he told several aides and others associates that he wanted to start a new party called the “Patriot Party,” but he backed away from it days later. On Jan. 25, the Trump campaign filed a notice with the Federal Election Commission saying “Patriot Party” groups that had popped up were not authorized by Trump or his campaign. “It’s a totally made up and fabricated story, it’s fake news,” Trump said in a statement provided to The Hill. “Jonathan Karl is a third-rate reporter working for ABC Non-News,” the former president added. McDaniel also denied the story. “This is false, I have never threatened President Trump with anything,” McDaniel said. “He and I have a great relationship. We have worked tirelessly together to elect Republicans up and down the ballot, and will continue to do so.”
Despite rumors of mistreatment and borderline blackmail Trump is allegedly on the receiving end of, support for the former president has grown recently in the GOP. An October Pew poll found 67% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents believe Trump should remain a major national political figure, up from 57% in January. With support for Trump increasing, could we see Trump run for office again at some point? The Former President’s daughter-in-law, Lara, is believed to be running for senate and his son, Donald Trump Jr. is believed by many political strategists to be running in the 2024 presidential election. Would you ever consider re-electing Donald Trump, or voting for his children? People say Donald Trump wanted to leave the GOP and start his own party, a plan thwarted by the RNC. The former president says that is fake news… What do you say?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Mars is the tiny planet that is Earth’s neighbor and the fourth planet from the sun. Sometimes called the Red Planet, Mars is named for the Roman god of war. The planet’s two moons were named Phobos and Deimos after the sons of Mars and Venus. Civilizations have always contributed Mars to war and battle, even the names of the moons mean “Fear” and “Terror.” Due to having a larger orbit and slower rotation than Earth, Mars has a longer day than earth by just an hour and 37 minutes. However, one year on Mars is 687 Earth days, roughly the length of two Earth years. According to NASA, if you weigh 100lbs on Earth then you would only weigh 38 lbs on Mars. All of this is due to the Gravity of the Red planet and how Mars is formed.
What is Mars Made of?
Like Earth, Mars has an atmosphere, crust, mantle, and a core. The rocky layers are similar in composition. In fact, all of the rocks and all of the minerals that have been identified on Mars so far are also found on Earth. Mars Rovers and spectrometers on orbiting spacecraft have indicated Mars’ surface is composed of things like basalts and is high in sulfur, chlorine, and other volatile elements. Mars has soils consisting almost entirely of sulfates or silica. Many of the rocks appear to have been affected by warm volcanic fluids or weathered as a result of warm surface conditions. Minerals such as clays are common throughout Mars’ cratered terrain. According to Britannica, there are indications that surface conditions changed dramatically around 3.7 billion years ago. Prior to that time, warm and wet conditions were believed to be common and resulted in extensive rock alteration; after that time such conditions were rare, and rock alteration was minor. Mars’ atmosphere is 96% carbon dioxide, which means humans can’t breathe without support. None of these conditions have stopped humans all over the world from planning missions to Mars.
The Future of Mars Exploration
Both NASA and SpaceX have expressed their plan to put the human race on Mars sooner rather than later. Other countries are also interested in Mars and sent their own versions of rovers there. In 2020 the US Mars 2020 Rover, ExoMars rover from the European Space Agency, the United Arab Emirates Hope Orbiter, a Japanese orbiter, a Chinese rover and the SpaceX Dragon capsule were all launched to Mars. NASA says they are “planning to send humans to Mars sometime in the future. Preparations are being made, primarily through our robotic exploration in collaboration with the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) and the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD).” SpaceX’s website says they’re going to “Mars and beyond: the road to making the human race multiplanetary.” On their website SpaceX also answers the question: Why Mars? They give a number of reasons from the ability to grow plants by compressing the atmosphere to the cold temperatures not being an issue because we have the ability to warm the atmosphere. According to SpaceX, it takes 6 months to get to Mars but they believe their Starship Rocket could eventually get the human race there.
What Issues Could Humans Face on Mars?
One issue that is not easy to predict is the health of the Mars crew. Spending large amounts of time in space could have major effects on the body. The circulatory systems could be affected, and bones could demineralize. The Mars crew could also experience psychological issues during the several hundred days in a confined space. According to Britannica radiation could also be significant, particularly if solar storms occurred during the trip. How will the crew study Mars? Mars should not be contaminated before the potential for pre-existing life has been assessed. Robotic spacecraft sent to Mars have rigorous cleanliness requirements, parts that touch the surface are sterilized to minimize the possibility of interfering with the possible indigenous life. Another concern is back contamination. International protocols require that materials returned from Mars be quarantined until they have been proved to be safe. The astronauts may similarly have to be quarantined.
The idea of indigenous life on Mars and humans going to Mars has always sparked an interest for people. The human race will always be fascinated by Mars until we have the chance to see it ourselves. Do you think humans could thrive on Mars despite the conditions which aren’t exactly ideal? Do you think the human race should be on the road to possibly colonize mars? Did you know Mars had two moons? Find out about Asteroids, Stars, and Blackholes on the next installment of Five Minute Planetarium.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Back in September the Whitehouse issued a vaccine mandate saying all federal contractors must be vaccinated by December 8, 2021. Will hundreds of Federal workers be able to get vaccinated by then? Are they willing to get vaccinated? Will Federal Contractors be forced to terminate workers who aren’t vaccinated by then? That deadline rapidly approaches, but is it actually an attainable goal? Many Republicans do not think so. Some Republicans are concerned the intelligence community will be forced to terminate hundreds of workers by enforcing the vaccine mandate. “It’s not a train wreck that’s coming years from now. It’s within a few weeks,” said Representative Chris Stewart during a House Intelligence Committee hearing, according to FoxNews. Could he be correct in his assumptions? Are federally contracted companies like the CIA preparing to terminate hundreds of workers?
Will the CIA be Terminating Hundreds of Workers?
Representative Darin LaHood asked CIA Director William Burns: “Is the agency prepared to terminate hundreds, if not thousands, of CIA employees, case officers and intelligence professionals if the vaccine is not abided by?” Burns said the agency has a 97% vaccination rate but he might have to terminate hundreds of workers. “We’ll follow the process that’s been laid out under the law but potentially it could come to that,” Burns said. LaHood suggested the intelligence community should not implement the vaccine mandate until the Supreme Court issued a decision. Both Burns and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines noted that they didn’t anticipate the vaccine mandate affecting their agencies. “I look at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and it’s actually – the numbers are quite small in terms of ones that have indicated that they are not vaccinated,” she said. The numbers are small for those agencies. What about the agencies whose numbers are in the thousands?
What Other Contractors Will be Terminating Hundreds of Workers?
Federal Contractors have told hundreds of workers they risk losing their jobs if they do not comply with the vaccine mandate. Raytheon Technologies’ Chief Executive, Greg Hayes, warned the U.S. aerospace and defense firm could lose ‘several thousand’ workers as it prepares to comply with the vaccine mandate. A group representing FedEx Corp, United Parcel Service Inc, and other cargo carriers told the White House it would be virtually impossible to have all of their workers comply with the vaccine mandate by the deadline. Republican Senator Roger Wicker urged Biden to abandon the plan, saying “we cannot afford to gut our transportation network of tens and perhaps hundreds of thousands of essential, good-paying jobs.” What happens if these Federally Contracted workers do not comply with the vaccine mandate? Will hundreds of workers who are highly skilled and paid be terminated? What effect would that have on our economy?
According to Reuters, Some airlines and industry-watchers initially feared an exodus of unvaccinated airline or government employees involved in travel just before the Christmas season. Southwest Airlines Chief Executive Gary Kelly said last week: “We want our employees to know that nobody is going to lose their job on December 9 if we’re not perfectly in compliance.” The White House says federal contractors have significant flexibility in enforcing the vaccine mandate and will not be required to terminate hundreds of workers. Federal Contractors will be given time for education, counseling and other measures before they face the possibility of termination. What happens if workers go through education and counseling, but still do not wish to get the vaccine? Will the vaccine mandate eventually lead to mass termination of hundreds of federally contracted workers in the beginning of 2022? Do you think the government should force contractors to comply with the vaccine mandate?
The Earth is a complex sphere flying through space, which is life sustaining. Our planet has so many different places that sustain all kinds of life. If our individual solar system is any indication, that doesn’t have a very high chance of happening often. Earth completes one rotation every 23.9 hours and takes 365.25 days to complete one trip around the Sun. To keep our calendars consistent with our orbit around the Sun, every four years we have a leap year, adding a day in February. Earth’s axis is tilted 23.4 degrees causing our cycle of seasons. One hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, and the other is tilted away. The one tilted toward the Sun will have summer, the other will experience winter. Six months later, the situation will reverse. During spring and fall begin, both hemispheres receive roughly equal amounts of heat from the Sun. What lies beneath the weather and things we see? How are we able to breathe? How does our only natural satellite affect everything?
What is Earth Made of?
Earth is the biggest of the terrestrial planets and the fifth largest planet overall. Earth’s core is made of nickel and iron and temperatures can reach 9,800 degrees F. The Mantle is Earth’s thickest layer and is a mixture of molten rock containing iron, magnesium, aluminum, oxygen and other minerals. The rocky surface layer of Earth’s crust is mainly covered with water. Earth’s crust runs around 19 miles deep on average on land.
Earth’s atmosphere is nitrogen, oxygen, and small amounts of other elements. The atmosphere also contains water vapor, along with traces of dust particles, pollen, plant grains and other solid particles. The Earth is an average distance of 93 million miles, or one astronomical unit, from the sun. It takes around eight minutes for light from the Sun to reach the Earth. The highest temperature ever recorded on Earth’s crust was 136 degree F in the Libyan desert. The coldest temperature was -126 degrees F at Vostok Station in Antarctica. Even though Earth is the only habitable place in our solar system, that hasn’t stopped humans from wanting to leave and explore our only natural satellite.
What is Earth’s only Natural Satellite?
Earth’s only natural satellite is simply called “the Moon” because people didn’t know other moons existed until Galileo Galilei discovered four moons orbiting Jupiter in 1610. Earth is the only planet that has a single moon. Our Moon is the fifth largest moon in our solar system. Some moons are bits of rock that were captured by a planet’s gravity, but our Moon is likely the result of a collision billions of years ago. Scientists speculate when Earth was a young planet, a large chunk of rock smashed into it. The resulting chunks clumped together and formed our Moon. Our Moon is the brightest object in the night sky. The moon is extremely important because it stabilizes our planet, making our climate more predictable. The Moon is an average of 238,855 miles away from Earth.
The Earth and Moon’s rotations are so in sync we only see one side of the Moon. Humans didn’t see the far side of the Moon until a Soviet spacecraft flew past in 1959. Twenty-four humans have traveled from the Earth to the Moon. Twelve had the privilege of walking on its surface, the last in 1972. NASA currently has three robotic spacecraft exploring the Moon. In the near future, NASA hopes to set up a permanent base on the Moon. This base will hopefully be a step towards humans exploring Mars. Some believe Mars could have possibly once had life. Find out what we know about Mars on the next installment of Five Minute Planetarium: Mars.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
If you are looking for things to do in Colorado for Halloween, look no further. This spooky season is seeing many events planned across the state. There is something for every walk of life in this list. Be safe while driving to Halloween festivities. Here are things to do in Colorado for Halloween:
Colorado Springs
Spook-Out Shoot-Out
Colorado Springs is hosting the annual Spook-Out Shoot-Out. The Spook-Out Shoot-Out event features haunted mini golf, trick or treating, carnival games, a costume contest, hayrides and plenty more. So put on your best costume and head to Colorado Springs to embrace Halloween this October 22nd – 24th and 29th – 30th, 2021.
Boo at the Zoo
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is hosting a family-friendly event called Boo at the Zoo. Kids and parents can dress in costume and trick-or-treat while exploring the zoo. You’ll get a chance to view the animals, especially the nocturnal ones, while you enjoy events and festivities to celebrate the Halloween holiday. The zoo will hold festivities October 23rd – 24th and 29th – 31st, 2021.
Denver
Elitch Gardens Fright Fest
Elitch Gardens theme park is a fun outing every month of the year. During weekend nights in October, Elitch Gardens turns into a freaky experience for those 12 and older. Elitch Gardens Fright Fest is a fully immersive haunted house. During the day, younger children can Trick or Treat and other fun Halloween festivities.
Terminal Bar Carving & Cocktails
If you are looking for things to do in Colorado for Halloween that are geared towards adults, look no further. From 3-6 p.m on October 24,2021, Terminal bar will be hosting Carving and cocktails. The event costs $35, which includes a pumpkin, carving necessities and a spooky seasonal cocktail. Registration required before the event. Terminal bar will be having other events in the surrounding days, such as Howl-A-Ween Yappy Hour on October 27. This event will include a pet costume contest. Check their website for more information.
Haunted Field of Screams
The largest haunted attraction in the state, Haunted Field of Screams is a tradition for Colorado haunted house fans. Spanning 40 acres, Haunted Field of Screams: A Ride to the Riverdale Gates of Hell is a thrilling indoor/outdoor experience. The attraction runs through October 31 and is conveniently located just 15 minutes from downtown Denver.
Victorian Horrors
Literary fans looking for a Halloween experience should come to the Molly Brown House this October. The Molly Brown House is already known as a historic home that could quite possibly be haunted. The Victorian Terrors tour features authors like Poe, Lovecraft and Wells; you’ll hear of terrifying tales as you make your way through the mansion. Tickets are required and cost $18-$20, you can buy them at mollybrown.org
Aurora
Young Frankenstein
Aurora’s Vintage Theatre will be showing Young Frakenstein, starring Gene Wilder every weekend through October 31. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Come enjoy this Halloween classic before enjoying the local nightlife.
Littleton
Corn Maze
Chatfield Farms will be hosting a Corn Maze every weekend in October from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.. This family friendly event is affordable with tickets under $20 and children under 2 being free.
Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns
Hudson Gardens will be hosting a Halloween display. A magnificent glow of 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins and larger-than-life pumpkins displays will get your whole family in the Halloween spirit. This display will be up until October 31.
Canon City
Boo at the Bridge
Boo at the Bridge is a Halloween event that occurs at the Royal Gorge Bridge. Games, entertainment, and treats, ensure this Canon City Halloween event will be fun and family-friendly. Many locals say Boo at the Bridge enhances the Royal Gorge experience, so come in your costume for this one-day event October 23, 2021.
There are so many different things to do in Colorado for Halloween. No matter what you prefer there is an event for everyone. Always remember to practice safe driving and never to drive under the influence. Halloween is a fun time and should be celebrated safely.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Within a few weeks of starting our Thanksgiving shopping trips to the grocery store, and in a little over a month before we start our Christmas shopping, a high school in California is ensuring that our shelves at the stores that we shop at are completely stocked.
A Great Need
With many bare shelves at the grocery stores across the country, the truck driver industry is facing a driver shortage. Industry experts say that the average truck driver is 54 years old, but with the shortage of drivers, that is now changing.
Here To Help
Patterson High School in Patterson, California is one of the first non-vocational high schools in the country to offer a truck driving training program for students. The elective course, which is open to high school seniors is a part of the school’s Career Technical Education Program, which is geared toward helping students learn workplace skills through hands on training.
A Proven Leader
The program is led by instructor Dave Dein.
Many of the students who are enrolled in the program have never considered truck driving as a career. This program shines a new light on truck driving jobs, and it helps promote truck driving jobs to youth.
Life Skills
The Truck Driving Training program also helps guide students through the basics of the trucking industry and trucking safety, it also teaches the regulations of getting a commercial driver’s license and it equips students to deal with real world scenarios that truck drivers face while on the road.
Personal Story
Dave Dein the instructor for the course is a part time trucker himself. Mr. Dein has been proudly delivering our favorite products and freight nationwide since 1988. Ever since earning his Master’s Degree in education, he still drives on the weekends and part time.
On The Decline
As of 2021, The Trucking Industry is short 68,000 drivers that are needed on the road as 25% of current truck drivers have reached retirement age, or are close to retirement.
Quick Fix
Hiring high school graduates to drive trucks might be a help to the truck driver shortage. In the current training session at Patterson High School, students undergo 180 hours of classroom training along with 30 hours of lab sessions outside of the classroom as they gain experience in trucking. Those students who would like to pursue a career as a truck driver once they are 18 years old, must undergo further training. Current Truck drivers must be at least 21 years of age to haul goods across state lines.
The Right Time
For Some Students enrolled in the program, it’s a good way for them to receive their Commercial Driver’s License before their Graduation. A true Pathway to drive them to success on the road of life, wherever they may go.
Written by: Gary Taylor
As the snow descends and we see winter in Colorado for the first time this season the biggest question stands: how do I prepare myself for the cold weather? Here are a few things you can do to prepare your car and yourself for an outing in the coming winter weather. Winter in Colorado can be brutal and scary but with the right preparation you can live and travel comfortably without finding yourself dangerously caught in the snow.
Is my Vehicle Ready for Winter in Colorado?
You should ask your trusted mechanic to give you the proper advice for winterizing your personal vehicle, but here are a few things they will likely recommend. Make sure your fluids are the ones designed for winter weather if necessary. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, everyone MUST have some type of snow tire in order to be safe during winter in Colorado. This rule, called the active traction law, went into effect last August. According to the active traction law, during winter in Colorado you must drive a 4-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicle, as well as have snow/mud tires and/or snow chains. It is a good idea for ALL vehicles on the road to have a set of snow chains, just in case a passenger vehicle chain law is put in motion. This means everyone driving on the highway must have chains on their vehicles and is enacted during bad winter storms. You never know when one of these bad winter storms could hit and you end up stranded.
To prepare for winter in Colorado you should keep an emergency kit in your car. An ideal kit would have tire chains, abrasive material such as sand or kitty litter, and a small shovel to help you get out of snow or mud. A flashlight with extra batteries as well as ice scraper, rags, and paper towels. Another item that isn’t thought of, but a good idea to include, are elbow length rubber gloves to cover thinner winter gloves and keep your hands dry while working in the snow. Flares or other warning devices are good things to have as well as booster/jumper cables and a first aid kit. Have blankets or extra jackets, hats and gloves for you and your passengers just in case. It is also a good idea to have snacks and water for you and passengers, even the four legged kind, in case you are stuck for a while. Lastly, keep your phone charged before you hit the road and have either a car charger or portable charger with you. Drive safe, buckle up, stay in when you can. However, when you just can’t resist hiking in the beauty that can also be winter in Colorado, make sure you do it safely.
Winter hiking in Colorado
One of the most important things to remember while hiking during winter in Colorado is LAYER, LAYER, LAYER. This is important as the saying represents the three layers you should have. The goal is to have enough to stay warm but not enough to sweat profusely under your clothes, making you cold in the long run. Your base layer should be something moisture wicking, but warm, such as thermals. The middle layer should be something heavier such as flannels or fleece. Then an outer layer of warm winter coat and pants or rain gear. Boots should always be waterproof, with layers of warm socks. It is also a good idea to carry sunglasses, hats, and facemasks. When you go hiking you should always carry some type of Navigation or map, Headlamp with extra batteries, Sun protection, First aid, Knife, Fire (matches, lighter, firestarter), Shelter, Extra food, Extra water, Extra clothes. You never know when conditions could worsen and you could end up stranded during winter in Colorado. Always check the forecast of where you want to go and it is essential to take a class about avalanche safety before heading out. Avalanches can be extremely dangerous and you should be well informed or with an experienced group before going to places where one could be a possibility.
Before you go back country skiing, snowboarding, or even hiking during winter in Colorado you should look into getting a “COSAR” card also known as a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue Card. The costs of these cards go towards any cost teams incur during rescue missions, which you could wind up being thankful for later. It is important to leave a detailed itinerary with someone at home. This person should understand their role to report any known emergent circumstances, serious injuries, medical episodes, or failure to communicate after the planned timeline of your trip.
They should have the following information:
Number of persons involved as well as the Name, age, and gender of each person. Phone numbers for each person and their Physical descriptions, including clothing and equipment. Details and timeline from the itinerary and Last known location of the lost party. Last known Location of the lost party’s vehicle and the Vehicle description as well as license plate number. They should also know how much experience the group has.
Before you set off to enjoy winter in Colorado, you should make sure your car and the people with you are ready and prepared. Animals should have snow boots and thermal gear just like people in order to ensure their safety. Winter in Colorado can be fun and beautiful but in a moment things can turn dangerous. Be aware of the dangers in nature such as weather, terrain, and predators. It is important to be informed and prepared for whatever might lay ahead in order to enjoy Colorado’s beauty safely.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
The price of bitcoin has once again reached an all time high, with the cryptocurrency shooting above $57,000. This brings bitcoin to a five-month high, October being up 32 percent. Bitcoin has surpassed the value of many US tech companies. This recent surge could be due to many things such as being able to invest small amounts in bitcoin on Cashapp leading to wider availability. Countries in South America are starting to recognize bitcoin as a form of currency, which could have helped this surge. In the past weeks a mysterious investor, or group of investors, who placed an order to buy $1.6 billion worth of bitcoin, were a part of the surging price. It has been a good few months for bitcoin prices, but not everyone agrees bitcoin is worth anything.
Is Bitcoin Worthless?
The CEO of America’s largest bank, JPmorgan, has not changed his very vocal opinion of bitcoin. “I personally think that bitcoin is worthless,” Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan, said during the Institute of International Finance’s membership meeting. Dimon has been an outspoken critic of digital currency, calling it a “terrible store of value” which is “going nowhere” and “will not survive.” Dimon has also accused the cryptocurrency of being “a fraud” and “fool’s gold with no intrinsic value.” Dimon cautioned that “it’s going to be regulated, whether you like it or not.” None of the CEO’s opinions have stopped JPmorgan’s customers from having major interest in bitcoin, so the bank will go where the customers go, even if Dimon thinks they’re “stupid” for buying bitcoin. “Our clients are adults. They disagree. If they want to have access to buy or sell bitcoin, we can’t custody it—but we can give them legitimate, as clean as possible access,” Dimon said. A few on Wall Street share Dimon’s doubts of the cryptocurrency such as Berkshire Hathaway CEO, Warren Buffett, and vice chairman, Charlie Munger.
Bitcoin Supporters
The market value of bitcoin is so high many believe one more price surge could push it above silver. Analysts and investors, such as MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor, believe the world’s most valuable cryptocurrency will one day “flip” gold, due to its inbuilt scarcity. That would put the price of a single bitcoin at around half a million dollars. Miami Mayor Frances Suarez is a strong advocate for cryptocurrency. The Miami Mayor said Bitcoin is “definitely not worthless,” pointing out the cryptocurrency has “gone up significantly since we last talked about it.” The Miami Mayor went on to explain that bitcoin support has been seen around the world in places like South America, Central America and Africa. A crypto analyst and CEO of on-chain data firm CryptoQuant, speculates that traders may be investing in large numbers ahead of possible approval by the US Securities and Exchange Commission of a “futures-based bitcoin exchange-traded fund.” The White House is also considering an executive order to direct a range of federal agencies to study cryptos and recommend regulatory changes. This would prolong the surge in bitcoin’s value, especially since US approval of a bitcoin exchange system could convince other countries to follow.
Bitcoin has quickly gained popularity and worth since it was at $300 a bitcoin in 2013. Will the cryptocurrency snowball continue to roll and grow? With more and more countries backing bitcoin, could the cryptocurrency surpass the value of gold? Some say bitcoin is the best investment you could make right now. Since you can now invest small amounts through apps like Cashapp, it certainly is one of the easiest investments to make. Do you believe bitcoin will continue to grow and be a good investment?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
You have probably seen a few of these in your community, although they are very small, they are continuing to make a big difference in many people’s lives.
An Open Door
Just recently, tiny homes have become a way to combat homelessness across the Country. The basic tiny home is 64 square feet. It features a bed, an air conditioner, clothing racks, and a door that locks.
Helping Hands
Currently, in Hollywood, California, The Chandler Boulevard Bridge Home Village currently provides transitional housing in tiny homes to help combat homelessness. Tiny home villages like The Chandler help the homeless by placing them inside of protected fenced off communities as they try to get back on their feet again. At Chandler, case workers can offer residents much needed help for anything ranging from drug addiction, alcohol abuse, and mental health issues. They also assist residents in navigating the complexities of job applications, health insurance, and more.
Rules and Regulations
Even though the name sounds good, The Chandler along with most tiny home communities focused on helping the homeless have rules. The top of the list is No weapons, or drugs allowed on campus, and paraphernalia must be checked at a locker outside.
Other Help
Hope Of The Valley, another tiny home community says that residents are allowed to live in their homes for free and can stay, as long as they are on a pathway to permanent housing, which usually takes three to six months.
Growing Trend
In the city of Los Angeles, there are currently more than 41,000 homeless people according to the last count by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
Counting The Cost
A company located in Everett, Washington called Pallet, which builds tiny homes for homelessness and temporary housing also but homes for The Chandler Village. The company estimates the cost of each tiny home to be $5,495. Pallet reports that it has helped build 44 tiny home communities most of which are located on the West Coast, with 13 more projects in the works.
Hope Of The Valley plans to house more than 900 people by November.
Bright Futures
Even though these tiny home communities are in existence today through the creative thinking and brilliant minds of many people of all walks of life coming together to share their gifts and talents with everyone around them, these tiny homes are truly making a big difference, one person at a time.
Written by: Gary Taylor
Venus is the second planet from the Sun and one of earth’s neighbors. No planet approaches closer to Earth than Venus. The planet is always roughly in the same direction in the sky as the Sun and can be seen in the hours near sunrise or sunset. Venus along with Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn were the few planets known in ancient times. Venus was known in ancient Greece by two different names Phosphorus when it appeared as a morning star, and Hesperus when it appeared as an evening star. The modern name comes from the Roman goddess of love and beauty. The ancient Greeks equivalent referred to the planet as Aphrodite. Venus has been called Earth’s twin.
Long Hot Days on Venus
Venus orbits in a nearly perfect circle. One year on Venus is 225 Earth days. One day on Venus is longer than one year: One day is roughly 243 Earth days.This is the slowest rotation of any planet. At the equator, Venus is rotating at about 6.5 kilometers in an hour, or 4 miles in an hour. Venus doesn’t have any moons or ring systems and its magnetosphere is weak due to its slow rotation. Venus may be called Earth’s twin but from Earth it can be seen in cycles of waxing and waning, like the Moon but on a slower timeframe.
Why is Venus called Earth’s Twin?
If we could slice Venus and Earth in half and place them side by side, they would look pretty similar. Each planet has an iron core, hot-rock mantle, and rocky exterior crust. Even though Venus has a similar-sized iron core, the planet does not have its own magnetic field. Instead, Venus has a magnetic field created by the interaction of the Sun and the planet’s outer atmosphere.The similarities in their masses, and sizes, along with their relative locations in the solar system leave some astronomers to believe the planets could have started out much the same way. Early observations of the planet revealed a perpetual veil of clouds, leading to belief Venus was a warm, wet world, similar to Earth during its prehistoric age. Venus has mountains, valleys, and tens of thousands of volcanoes. The highest mountain on Venus is called Maxwell Montes and stands 20,000 feet high.
Could Venus Sustain Life?
Atmospheric pressure on Venus is believed to be similar to the deep sea on Earth. Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system. The average surface temperature is hot enough to melt lead. Venus does not tilt on its axis so there is no seasonal variation. The dense atmosphere of around 96.5 percent carbon dioxide traps heat and causes a greenhouse effect. The current conditions would not be conducive to life as we know it. However, that has not stopped us from visiting.
Venus is one the most “visited” places of the solar system, many spacecraft explored venus. Scientists wonder if the conditions of Venus could teach important lessons about the cause of environmental change on Earth. Venus and earth could have started so similar, which leads to the question: what will Earth be like millions of years from now? Could Venus give us those answers? Venus is not one of the only things people on Earth have visited often. What about things we can see from earth, and the moon that orbits us? Find out in the next installment of Five minute Planetarium.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun. Mercury was named after the messenger of the Roman Gods. Mercury is also known as “quicksilver,” both nicknames are derived from the swift and unusual orbit around the sun. According to NASA, Craters and features on Mercury are named after deceased artists, musicians, or authors, including children’s author Dr. Seuss and dance pioneer Alvin Ailey.
How Fast is Mercury?
Mercury orbits the Sun every 88 Earth days. However, Mercury itself rotates slowly on its axis. Mercury spins nearly perfectly upright and so it does not experience seasons as many other planets do. On Mercury, one full day-night cycle takes over two Mercury years, or roughly 176 Earth days. The non-circular orbit leads Mercury between 47 million and 69.8 million kilometers from the sun. The egg-shaped orbit creates conditions during the sunrise which makes the sun rise briefly, set, and rise again to start the very long day. The same thing happens in reverse at sunset. Sunlight takes 3.2 minutes to travel from the Sun to Mercury.
What is Mercury made of?
Mercury is a rocky planet with a huge iron core. The core takes up 75% of the planet’s diameter. Iron makes up about 70% of Mercury’s total weight making Mercury the most iron-rich planet in the Solar System. On top of the core is a rocky shell which is about 550 kilometers thick. The planet has been shaped by crater-creating impact, lava flow, and tectonic plate activity. Mercury is only about one-third the size of the Earth. Scientists theorize that Mercury’s magnetic field is due to its iron core or solar winds. Even though Mercury is closest to the Sun, the average temperature on its surface is much less than Venus. (Find out how hot Venus can get in our next installment of Five Minute Planetarium: Venus) Mercury doesn’t get as hot because the atmosphere is very thin and is composed of helium and sodium. The side facing the sun reaches 430 deg C, the other side can get as cold as -180 deg C. Mercury may have ice at its north and south poles inside deep craters, but only in regions in permanent shadows where it could be cold enough to ice despite the high temperatures on other parts of the planet.
Potential for Life
Instead of an atmosphere, Mercury possesses a thin exosphere made up of particles that chip off the surface by the solar wind and striking meteoroids. Mercury’s exosphere is composed mostly of oxygen, sodium, hydrogen, helium, and potassium. The particles would not be breathable; the atmosphere would likely cause abrasions all over the skin… not to mention the heat of mercury causing major burns. Though Mercury’s magnetic field at the surface has just 1% the strength of Earth’s, it interacts with the magnetic field of the solar wind to sometimes create intense magnetic tornadoes that funnel the fast, hot solar wind plasma down to the surface of the planet… imagine a flaming hot tornado. All of this means, Mercury’s environment is not conducive to life as we know it. The temperatures and solar radiation that characterize this planet are too extreme for organisms to adapt.
Mercury may not be the biggest or hottest planet, but it is the fastest. Mercury will continue to orbit until the sun begins to die and swells, then the small planet will be sucked into the fire ball. That won’t happen for millions of years. For now, the quicksilver planet will fly above our heads and in our solar system… the majestic Milky Way.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Have you ever wondered what is above our heads, even farther than the blue sky, clouds, and ozone layer? There are so many wonders that hang in the universe light years above our heads. Our solar system is known as the Milky Way. The Milky Way is full of planets, asteroids, and stars. In this series we will look at what things are found in the solar system, as well as what they’re made of and what happens on the planets. For this first installment we will look at the center of the solar system… the sun.
What is the Sun?
According to NASA, the sun is a star… a yellow dwarf star to be exact. Hot glowing gases formed together in a ball and are giving our solar system life. There are billions of stars like our sun scattered across the universe. The Sun is the largest object in our solar system. The sun makes up roughly 99.8% of the system’s mass. One year on the sun is equivalent to 230 million Earth years. The sun is roughly 864,000 miles from Earth, or 26,000 lightyears, and 109 times the size. Think of it this way… if the sun was your bedroom door, then the earth would be a coin.
What is the Sun Made of?
“The sun is terrifying and gorgeous, and it’s also the best physics laboratory in our solar system,” Sabrina Savage, project scientist for NASA’s Hinode at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, said in a statement. The sun is made of hydrogen and helium. The surface temperature of the sun is 10,000 degrees fahrenheit. The sun’s core temperature is around 27 million degrees Fahrenheit. The sun constantly turns hydrogen to helium inside it’s core, which creates the light and warmth we receive on Earth. “A star the size of our sun requires about 50 million years to mature from beginning to adulthood,” says NASA. “Our sun will stay in this mature phase for approximately 10 billion years.” Several billion years from now, the hydrogen inside of the sun will run out due to all of it being turned to helium. When that happens, the sun won’t be hot enough to burn, so the sun will go through the end phases stars go through. (which we will cover in the fourth segment of six Minute Planetarium: asteroids, comets, and stars).
What do Solar Storms Affect?
Solar storms are eruptions of mass and energy from the sun’s surface. Flares, prominences, sunspots, and coronal mass ejections are common solar activity. Sometimes these particles make it all the way to the Earth by flowing along the Sun’s magnetic field into space. When the material collides with the Earth’s magnetic field, it can dump particles into our atmosphere to cause the Aurora Borealis. The same ‘charged’ particles can produce magnetic fields, which can modify the Earth’s magnetic field and affect compass readings. The changing magnetic fields can produce electrical surges in our power grids leading to black outs.
The sun gives life to our planet and our solar system. Without the sun, the solar system would be lifeless and humans would not exist. It is important we know about the things that hang above our reach. If you would like to know what else lies to infinity and beyond, see our next installment of Five Minute Planetarium: Mercury.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
R. Kelly has been found guilty of sex trafficking. A mixture of relief and disbelief greeted the guilty verdict. Kelly, was once one of the biggest selling R&B singers but is now convicted on all nine counts after 25 years of using his fame and wealth to lure underage girls for sex. “We hope this verdict brings some sense of justice to the brave survivors who came forward,” tweeted the MuteRKelly campaign that was founded by two Black women in 2017 to try to get Kelly’s music off the airwaves.
Surviving R. Kelly
Producers of the 2019 documentary “Surviving R. Kelly” had similar sentiments. The documentary tells the stories of victims who survived R. Kellys abuse. “We commend the survivors for their bravery in speaking out and sharing their stories. Regardless of what the verdict is, they have opened up important conversations on sexual abuse that needed to happen,” Lifetime and the documentary producers said in a statement. Kelly, 54, was dropped by his record company shortly after the Lifetime documentary was aired. Musicians who had collaborated with R. Kelly, including Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and Chance the Rapper, issued apologies or asked for those recordings to be taken down from streaming services.
R. Kelly Loses Airtime
Kelly’s music disappeared from radio waves but is still available on some streaming platforms. Data from music tracking service MRC showed streams of R. Kelly’s music remained between 2017 and 2021, at about five to six million a week. Billboard reported last month that Kelly was trying to sell the rights to his back catalog but had yet to find a buyer… good luck with that. Merck Mercuriadis, whose Hipgnosis Songs Fund has recently bought the rights to songs by Paul Simon and Bob Dylan, said he was not interested in R. Kelly’s catalog. “We have no interest in the R Kelly catalog. There is a strong principle here of supporting the feelings and beliefs of our songwriting community – both women and men – that is more important than economic opportunity,” Mercuriadis said in a statement.
We stand with the women who were abused by R. Kelly. We hope the survivors will be able to get the help they need as well as be able to live their lives as close to normal as possible. This is a day of justice and we hope the survivors feel the same way.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
The southern United States is known for many things such as fried foods, religion, and crops. In the recent past southern states such as Texas have been in the media for things like outlawing abortion and the border crises. Most southern states are conservative and christian. Christianity can be seen practiced in the south in many forms. Some denominations prefer to practice quietly, sitting in pews on Sunday and Wednesday then going out for lunch and dinner after. Others prefer to shout and dance, speak in tongues, or other extreme forms of the religion. Fried foods such as chicken are a Sunday tradition for most church goers, no matter their religion. The south is home to many things but today we will be focusing on the two main “belts” of the south: the bible belt and the stroke belt. Are these two things related?
The Bible Belt
The term “Bible Belt” was first used by Journalist H.L. Mencken in 1924. The Bible belt includes states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. Two cities are known as the Buckle of the Bible Belt: Abilene, Texas, the location of three Christian universities, and Nashville, Tennessee, which has multiple Christian schools and over 700 churches. The states in the bible belt have the highest church attendance of the whole United states. Christians are held to a higher standard than most due to the nature of their religion. Christians do their best to live a life free of wrongdoing. Could this effort to be “christ-like” lead to excess stress? Over the years christianity has been broken into different denominations. Some more extreme versions of christianity come from pentecostal holiness, catholics, and evangelicals. These denominations practice things such as speaking in tongues, and exorcism.
Holiness churches are known for church-goers running up and down the aisles speaking in tongues. Catholics practice exorcisms when deemed necessary. Evangelicals believe in faith healing. All of these examples can be extremely stressful and taxing on the human body. Stress can manifest in many ways and is one of the top causes of heart attack and strokes. Could the stress of extreme religion… or even just trying too hard to be perfect relate to the spike in stroke and heart attacks we see in the south?
The Stroke Belt
States in the Stroke Belt include Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana and Virginia. Some researchers believe that greater-than-average rates of obesity, cigarette smoking and high blood pressure account for the increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease in the Stroke Belt. Many people attribute the increased health complications with diet or things such as smoking and drinking, but many southerners center their lives around their religion. This could mean the main stressor for southern people could come from their religious practices in some way. What effect does the stress of many things including extreme religious practices have on your body?
According to Mayo Clinic, “stress symptoms can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and your behavior. Being able to recognize common stress symptoms can help you manage them. Stress that’s left unchecked can contribute to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.” Is the most religious part of the United States also the most stressed? Many people assume the diet and lifestyle of southern people is to blame. Do we have southern comfort foods to soothe the stresses of southern life? Do you think religion could be a major cause of stress for southern people?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has used a number of state-owned vehicles to line up for miles as a barricade along the border. Governor Abbott insisted Texas was taking “unprecedented steps,” to find a way to fix the ongoing border crisis. Abbott has had national attention in recent weeks for his signing of abortion restrictions. Governor Abbott has also been vocal in his criticism of the Biden administration. “The Texas Department of Public Safety stepped up,” he said, adding “if President Joe Biden followed a judge’s order to reimplement the Trump-era “remain in Mexico” protocols, there wouldn’t be chaos in Del Rio. Because the Biden administration has been promoting and allowing open border policies, it has been the state of Texas that had to step up,” Abbott said Tuesday during a Del Rio news conference with local officials, including Del Rio Mayor Bruno Lozano.
Governor Abbott has been a longtime supporter of building a border wall in Texas. He has attempted to gain approval from private landowners to construct a wall. In recent days, Governor Abbott has directed hundreds of state Department of Public Safety vehicles to create a “steel wall” to block illegal immigrants from entering Texas. The “steel wall” of cars is only one of the most recent examples of how severe the immigration crisis is unfolding in Del Rio, Texas. “We put hundreds of Texas Department of Public Safety cars and created a steel wall of DPS vehicles that prevented anybody from crossing that dam that you’ve seen people walk across,” Governor Abbott told Fox News in an interview. Abbott added the cars prevented people from “walking into the state of Texas.”
The move from the Texas governor comes during the most recent development in the immigration crisis as mostly Haitian nationals are attempting to make their way to the southern border of the U.S. after political turmoil and a natural disaster has shaken their home country. The migrants have created a makeshift camp at the border under a bridge near Del Rio, Texas. The immigration crisis has been getting worse over the past few months. This will not be the last wave of people to attempt to come into the country illegally. What is the Biden administration going to do about it? What will the leaders of this country do to solve this ongoing issue?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Heart attacks and strokes are one of the most common health issues. According to heart.org heart disease is the top cause of death in America. You are at a high risk for a stroke or heart attack if you have high blood pressure/ cholesterol, diabetes, are exposed to smoking, and have an unhealthy diet. When a heart attack happens, the coronary arteries become blocked and blood flow is unable to reach the heart properly. There are two different kinds of strokes, ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes occur when an artery that brings blood to your brain is blocked or clogged. There are two types of ischemic strokes: thrombotic and embolic. Thrombotic strokes occur when the clot is formed in an artery that already has plaque build up. Embolic strokes occur when the clot is formed in another part of the body (most often the heart) and moves towards the brain. A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by an artery in the brain leaking or bursting due to high blood pressure or other issues, such as aneurysms. Both heart attacks and strokes can affect men and women at any age, though they are more common as you get older. Do you know what signs to look for and when to see your doctor or call 911?
Men’s Heart Attack Symptoms
The most common symptoms for a heart attack in men is chest pain. The pain will often start as mild discomfort or there will be a sudden onset of severe symptoms. The sudden onset is not as common as the slow beginning. The chest will feel “full” or like it is being squeezed. Some people mistake this for heartburn. The feeling may last for several minutes or come and go. The blood not flowing properly could lead to pain in other areas of the body such as the upper part of the stomach, jaw or neck, one (usually left) or both arms, and possibly even your teeth. Shortness of breath may also occur along with cold sweats. If you have a majority of these symptoms call 911 and/or your doctor immediately.
Women’s Heart Attack Symptoms
As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain. However, women are more likely than men to experience symptoms such as cold sweats, shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain. Women are more likely to only experience a feeling of heartburn and much milder symptoms. Women may feel an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of their chest. The pain could last more than a few minutes, or go away and come back. Pain or discomfort could be present in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. Shortness of breath could come with or without chest pain. If you believe you are having a heart attack don’t just take an aspirin and hope for the best, call 911 and/or your doctor immediately.
Stroke Symptoms
There are no stroke symptoms unique to men or women. The exact symptoms vary depending on which area of the brain is affected. Strokes often affect only the left or only the right side of the brain. Strokes can cause the inability to speak or understand speech, a strained expression, inability to move or feel a part of the body, and confusion. People can have sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden paralysis, weakness, or numbness, most likely on one side of the body. Some people throw up or feel the urge to be sick. Fatigue or trouble breathing, sudden and severe headache with no known cause, sudden dizziness, trouble walking, or loss of balance or coordination are also major stroke symptoms. If you or someone you encounter are experiencing these symptoms call 911 immediately.
Acting F.A.S.T.
The CDC says acting F.A.S.T. can save a stroke patient’s life. The stroke treatments that are available only work if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within 3 hours of the first symptoms. If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do the following test:
Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase such as “the dog chased the cat around the tree.” Is the speech slurred or strange?
Time: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.
If you believe you or a loved one are having a stroke or a heart attack call 911 or make your way to the nearest emergency room. Note what time symptoms start and be sure to tell the 911 operator and emergency responders so they can tell the doctor. If you are alone and have to call 911 for yourself, try to unlock your door or be waiting on the porch for emergency responders in case you lose consciousness between the time you call and they arrive. This will also help you make it to the hospital as quickly as possible. Many people wait too long before seeking medical attention which can be detrimental to their life and health. Don’t take yourself for granted, recognize the symptoms and get the help you need.
As of January 2019, there were an estimated 16.9 million cancer survivors in the United States, according to Cancer.gov. They project the number of cancer survivors to increase to 22.2 million by 2030. Over 40% of confirmed cancer cases come after the patient has found something not quite right in a self exam. Oncology Health workers say “it is really important to be aware of changes in the way you bleed and bruise. Are you creating scabs properly when you get cut? Are you suddenly bruising often or bruises won’t go away? Be aware of major changes in your bowel movements. You should see your doctor about anything out of the ordinary sooner rather than later and be very aware of your body.” It is important people dont wait months before they see a doctor about a change in their health. If you wait too long, something that could have spread to other places and/or become borderline untreatable. Have you ever done a self examination for cancer? Below are some helpful hints on how to do a few different types of exams on yourself. You should see your doctor to confirm and understand what is normal for you and what is not. Asking your doctor questions can be uncomfortable, but they are there to help you and guide you in your journey of health. Confirm with your doctor the following self exams are right for you. These exams are meant to help you recognize any changes in your body that could be concerning, not diagnose you. Here are oral, breast, and skin exams you can do at home.
Oral/Mouth Cancer Self Exam
If you drink, smoke, or are sexually active you are at risk for mouth cancer. Mouth cancer has some of the highest mortality rates because it often goes unnoticed, until it has spread. Open your mouth in front of a mirror and familiarize yourself with what your normal mouth looks and feels like. Look for any new sores or swelling around the chin and neck using light pressure and the pads of your fingers. Then, with clean hands, use your thumb and forefinger to pinch and apply light pressure on your lips and cheeks. Look for lumps or bumps that are not mirrored on the other side. You should check for changes each month. Call your doctor or dentist about any irregular bumps, lumps, and lesions that won’t heal after 3 weeks.
Men’s Breast Cancer Exam
Most men find it easier to do portions of the self exam in the shower with soap on their chest in order to keep from pulling or irritating their skin or hair. Raise the left arm above your head and rest your left hand on the back of your neck. Use three fingers from your right hand to examine the texture of the left side of the chest. Start at the outer edge of the chest and use the pads of your fingers to make small circles. Use this technique to go in a larger circular pattern around the left side of the chest until you get to the nipple. check for lumps and irregularities in the skin. Squeeze the nipple and look for any signs of discharge or retraction of the nipple. Repeat this process on the other side with the right hand on the back of the neck. Then, use a large mirror to look at the whole chest to look for any overall changes in symmetry or skin markings. 80% of lumps found in male breasts are benign, which means they are not cancerous. However, a doctor is the only one who can determine that.
Women’s Breast Cancer Exam
Same as the men’s self-exam, most women find it easier to do portions of the self-exam in the shower with soap on their chest to keep from irritating the skin. Raise the left arm above your head and rest your left hand on the back of your neck. Use three fingers from your right hand to examine the texture of the left side of the chest. Start at the outer edge of the chest and use the pads of your fingers to make small circles. Work in a circular pattern around the breast until you reach the nipple, check for lumps and skin changes. Squeeze the nipple and look for any signs of irregular discharge or retraction. Repeat this process on the other side. Once you do both sides, use a large mirror to look at the whole chest to look for any overall changes in symmetry or skin markings. In addition to this, When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast gently covering the entire breast area and armpit. Any new lumps found should be examined by a doctor and women should have regular mammograms in order to check for smaller tumors.
Skin Cancer Self Exam
Skin cancer comes in many different forms, growths, moles or birthmarks that increase in size, and sores that won’t go away. Examine your skin in the mirror as close as possible. If needed, document what different areas look like for future reference. If you know what your normal skin looks like, it will be easier to notice when new markings pop up or existing ones get bigger. Having your partner examine your back could also help you notice anything new you can not see. Ask your doctor if wearing sunscreen as well as not excessively using tanning beds and sunbathing could reduce your risk of skin cancer. Have your doctor or dermatologist look at any new growths, moles, or open wounds that will not heal after 3 weeks.
The National Cancer Institute suggests taking one day a month to check yourself head to toe for changes in your body. It shouldn’t take you any longer to check yourself than your favorite TV show. The time it takes could potentially give you so much more time in the long-run. Ask your doctor about any other exams you could at home, or major bodily changes you should be aware of. The number of cancer survivors rises every year. Eventually the doctors of the world will cure cancer but until then, catching it early is the key to treatment, self-examination is the first step.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Dating is hard enough at the best of times. Throw in nationwide social distancing, a highly contagious virus, rapid decline in mental health for young adults, and the slow decrease in use of the top 15 major dating apps before the pandemic, one would think dating would take a backseat to other things. However, many dating sites have completely turned the rules for online dating around. Online dating over video chat doesn’t come with the physical expectation that dating in the physical world does. Is online dating over video here to stay as a new staple in life? How could that affect dating in the future and how relationships are formed? What effect could running all new relationships through the warped filter of the internet have on people as they enter the dating pool? So many new dating sites are out, and a huge number of them have become so specialized that finding a match should be easier than ever… right?
Specialized Online-Dating
Whether you want to meet someone in the local LGBTQ community or a traditonal style relationship across the globe there seems to be a specialized dating site for everyone. Sites like Geolocation allow you to meet people “across the pond,” then Taimi has become the biggest newest site for the LGBTQ community. Men and women in uniform have many sites made just for them, from police officers to military. Baby boomers are even included in this new online dating boom with sites like SilverSingles and many others. There are even online dating sites for everyone from farmers to professional clowns. Maybe you just really love a good man in a mullet… that’s an option on MulletPassions, which is not to be confused with sites for the non-mullet wearers with mullet personas such as WesternDate. Vegans and vegetarians as well as gluten-free singles have their own sites which they can find match with similar dietary needs. There is even a site for those who believe they are vampires to find their undead soulmate. All of these sites have popped up before and during the pandemic. Does joining a specialty site based on your interests increase your chance of finding a good match? The data still remains to be seen on that. The new increase of traffic to the online dating world makes it seem that it should be easier than ever before to find a new match.
The Online-Dating Boom
Before the pandemic, dating in major cities could be expensive. Video chats and Online dating are saving singles hundreds of dollars. Many dating sites such as MeetMe, Taimi, Hinge, and PlentyOfFish have come out with new features to accommodate this, such as “LIVE” in order to meet people over live video broadcasting. Bumble was ahead of the game, offering video calls beginning in 2019. Video chatting over Bumble rose 93% in the week after Trump declared a national emergency, the company said. Dating.com reported that online dating was up 82% on a global scale, beginning in March of 2020. Tinder saw the length of conversations rise by up to 30%. A dating app for the stars and elite called Inner Circle saw messages rise over 100%.
Could these statistics lead to a post-pandemic wedding boom? Those results remain to be seen as we are still under mandates in many places here in 2021. Some singles are skeptical about how long they can keep a virtual relationship and make it work. Advancements in vaccines and new mandates have opened the possibility of having limited in-person encounters, but a majority of singles say they still would rather meet someone online. How often do online relationships actually work out? What affects will all the time of isolation have on those who choose to get married after the pandemic? The burden of isolation will be seen in the ability to form relationships and mental health for the next years to come. How long will it take our society as a whole to heal from the toll of the pandemic?
Does Online-Dating Work?
Studies conducted by dating websites and relationship professionals conclude finding a partner online is about one-third of the same chance you have to meet someone in person. The chances of converting online dating to a long-term relationship or marriage is less than 10%. This leads us to the biggest question: why are success rates so low if the possibility of matches is so high? Relationship experts say the massive volume of people on these sites can cause people to not pay much attention to profiles that don’t immediately catch their eye and become “swipe happy.” If a majority of users become “swipe happy” and generate less matches this could lead to feelings of rejection and loneliness. These feelings send people back to the online dating sites and the cycle continues. This version of dating turns it almost into a game of here’s my resume, hire me for the job, but the job has millions of candidates and a lazy HR person. This can be detrimental to how relationships are formed because not only are you mostly choosing matches based on filtered images and carefully thought out bios, which may or may not accurately represent the person. Meeting someone online can cause the brain to release dopamine and make them believe they are so happy and in love with this person they have never met. Dopamine is needed to make healthy love connections but so are many other things you can only get by being face-to-face. Non-verbal cues are essential for determining if someone is right for you.
When you meet someone at school, work, or an event you have many non-verbal cues which determine important things about a person and forming a relationship. Physical non-verbal cues, such as eye contact, hand gestures, and body language that don’t match up with words spoken can raise important red flags that indicate relationship failure in the future. Without this ability to see how someone acts when they speak, we have to only trust their carefully thought out words, which is hard to do through a screen. The chemical oxytocin is extremely important for forming a healthy love connection and is only activated by the touch of someone else. The way someone smells, as in the natural pheromones that help determine true attraction and genetic compatibility, is unable to be determined through a screen. Our bodies are hardwired to require meeting someone face to face in order to form healthy love connections. Could not having initial non-verbal cues due to online-dating be one of the main reasons relationships formed over an online platform don’t seem to pan out? Has COVID changed the courtship process forever?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Colorado Residents could start getting COVID booster shots as early as next week if federal health officials approve the applications. 67% of Coloradans are currently fully vaccinated. The rate rises significantly in the older populations, 83% over 65 have had or are waiting for their final doses. The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still need to review the boosters before approval. Governor Jared Polis believes two employees who recently left the FDA have “blood on their hands” for delaying third shots. He also made complaints against federal health officials for their pace in authorizing vaccinations for children ages 5 to 11. “At the very least, the FDA should get out of the way and allow people to make the choice to protect themselves,” Polis said. Many officials feel the same way Polis does. How important are COVID boosters now that cases are trending down?
COVID Cases Decline in Colorado
Dr. Dhruv Khullar, assistant professor of health policy and economics at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, said none of the current studies make a good case for booster shots. He said getting everyone their first dose is more important than a booster. “There’s no slam-dunk case that most of the population needs a booster at this time,” he said. Current vaccines do not protect you from getting COVID but are protection against hospitalization and death, though their effectiveness against the delta variant remains to be seen and studied by officials. COVID vaccines are not like traditional vaccines, they are made to lessen symptoms rather than prevent illness. That being said, a majority of Colorado’s population has received vaccinations and COVID cases dropped last week for the first time since June. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recorded only 11,132 new cases across the state last week.
Sedgwick and San Juan counties have less than 50 cases per 100,000 people. Once a county reaches 50 cases per 100,000 people, the CDC recommends that everyone wear masks in public indoor spaces. Even though case numbers have dropped, hospitalizations are rising, with 914 confirmed COVID cases and over 80 possible cases. This is the highest number of hospitalizations since 1,000 patients were confirmed to have COVID in January. If cases continue to decline, hospitalizations will follow soon after, according to Talia Quandelacy, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the Colorado School of Public Health. “There does seem to be a decline in cases, at least for now,” she said. “We’ll have to see in a few days.” Every Colorado county has at least one vaccine provider, whether that’s a hospital, retail pharmacy or outpatient clinic. Would vaccinations and booster shots help hospitalizations decline?
Who will be First to Receive Boosters?
The White House is currently promoting boosters with the idea that they will be approved this month, if both the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agree. When the FDA and CDC decide boosters are needed, nursing home residents will be the first to receive them. Next, people who have the Pfizer shot will be boostered; a majority of nursing home residents received the Pfizer. “This is a moment where similar leadership is needed by the Biden administration to make sure that the FDA does not succeed in using ivory tower circular reasoning to further delay the life-saving booster,” Polis said. The Colorado National Guard and top medical providers are working to schedule vaccination and booster clinics, according to Lt. Col. Jamie Pieper. Officials say it is possible some people may have difficulty finding a booster in the first days and weeks they’re offered.
The Pfizer booster is closer to being approved than the others. Studies are still attempting to determine if people who received the Johnson & Johnson shot would benefit from a second dose. The FDA has asked Pfizer and Moderna to add a larger number of children to their study in order to detect rare side effects. Pfizer is expected to hand in their study results by the end of September. Officials are “very, very hopeful” that vaccinations for children 5- 11 years old will be reality by December. No matter your age, Colorado officials are making sure all the citizens of the centennial state are able to be safely vaccinated and boostered if they choose. Are boosters actually necessary? The answer seems to be unclear for now… only time will tell. Have you been vaccinated? If so, do you believe you need a booster?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
As the days of fall grow shorter and shorter, a great way to fill some extra time during the day is definitely a great way to give back, and by giving back, it’s ok great way to shine a spotlight on some true Heroes of America’s past.
Write it down
Volunteer online writers are needed to help write about World War II soldiers. It’s a great platform for individuals to join nationwide. From the west coast to the east coast, you can sign up now to write about true heroes in your home town. The website to sign up is www.storiesbehindthestars.org. With more than 4,000 fallen heroes, there is definitely one that you can write about.
In The Beginning
The Stories Behind The Stars Project started in December of 2016, as the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor approached.
Memberships Included
By becoming a writer for Stories Behind The Stars, you will have free Access to Ancestry and Newspaper websites as well as other platforms to use for help in researching these heroes who sacrificed so much to give back to the country that they dearly loved.
Giving Back
If you have never served our country, becoming a writer/researcher with Stories Behind The Stars is a Great way to serve. Not only do you have an opportunity to serve others, but, you will have an opportunity to keep the memories of these heroes alive.
Yes You Can
Anyone can volunteer to write for Stories Behind The Stars, whether you are a doctor, lawyer, sanitation worker, teacher, or a student in school, you can be a writer! It’s easy to do, you will receive free online tutorials, you can even attend an online zoom meeting and training session to help you make these stories come to life.
As you research these true WWII heroes, and write down their stories. In your hearts and in the quietness of the breeze, you might even be able to hear the voices of these WWII heroes saying Thank You for allowing them to live on through the story that you wrote about them.
Written by: Gary Taylor
Eric Cowie, head zookeeper from the Greater Wynnewood Animal Park featured in Netflix series “Tiger King,” was found dead this week. The long haired 53-year-old big cat lover was found in a Brooklyn home, according to police sources. No foul play was suspected, sources indicated he likely died of natural causes but an autopsy will still be required. It’s not clear if Cowie had moved to Brooklyn, or was just visiting a friend. The Oklahoma native was discovered in the bedroom of the home on E. 55th St. near Remsen Ave. in East Flatbush.
Cowie was open about his struggles with alcohol but denied rumors of a drug addiction. Police say no drugs were found in the residence. Cowie made the statement in response to the many questions and comments from fans regarding his missing teeth. “No, I don’t do meth, I never have, I like sleeping too much. I used to have a drinking problem and now I do not,” Cowie told interviewer Joel McHale in a final episode of the Tiger King. The Netflix series that documented Cowie and the rest of Joe Exotic’s crew debuted in March 2020 and had more than 34 million viewers in its first 10 days, according to Nielsen ratings.
Cowie testified at Joe Exotic’s trial for killing tigers at the Greater Wynnewood Animal Park in Oklahoma. Cowie worked at the facility for five years after finding the job listing on Craigslist. Joe Exotic, who is actually Joseph Maldonado-Passage, was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison. During the trial, Cowie testified that he “knew cats were getting shot” in 2017 when five tigers were killed by Joe Exotic in one day. Joe Exotic was not only convicted of killing tigers but also for attempting to hire someone to kill a rival big cat owner. This adds some mystery to Cowie’s death and makes us wonder what will come back in the autopsy. Did Cowie actually die of natural causes? Time will tell…
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Featuring Joe Jaquint & Jason Walker
Featuring Joe Jaquint & Jason Walker
Labor Day weekend is quickly approaching! Despite COVID, Colorado has a whole bunch of end of summer activities to choose from. From water parks to the kick-off of college football games, the beloved mountainous state will be absolutely booming with activities for all ages. Remember to take precautions when you and your children are subjected to the last rays of summer sun. Heat exhaustion and dehydration can still occur despite Colorado already showing signs of the highly anticipated fall season. We will be dripping with orange pumpkins and nutmeg in what seems like no time at all. Until then, enjoy these Labor Day festivities across the centennial state. There is always your traditional hiking which could be great, when done safely, for a labor day weekend activity. After you see all of our labor day ideas check out our list of top 10 hiking places in Colorado if you want hiking recommendations!
Lakes and Water Parks
Splish splash, here comes the end of summer. After you finish your hike, take a break at one of these Labor Day celebrations which all focus on cooling you down. For one of the places on this list, this end of summer weekend means their doors are closing for the season.
Summer’s End Celebration – Avon
The inaugural Summer’s End celebration will be held this Labor Day weekend. The event will start with Lakeside Cinema Friday evening. Then we will enjoy the Avon Art Festival on Saturday morning and through the rest of the weekend. There will be sand volleyball, paddleboat rentals and beach activities. The Summer’s End Celebration will finish out Monday with a free performance by Los Lobos at 6 p.m. Their website says, “Remember your reusable water bottle – Plastic-Free Event! Fostering a culture of environmentalism, waste mitigation and energy conservation which minimizes the negative impacts to our collective environment and community for the long term is of utmost importance to the Town.” There will still be canned beverage products for sale.
Water World – Federal Heights
This is the final weekend of 2021 to visit Water World. Water World is one of America’s largest water parks. The last three days of operation for 2021 are Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting. Water World features many attractions including huge thrill rides. Outside food and drinks can be brought in making it perfect for picnics, plus parking is free. Enjoy the last water-filled weekend of 2021.
Labor Day Fairs and Festivals
If water parks or hiking aren’t your thing, maybe you would enjoy a fair or festival! Imagine the laughter and joyous conversation in the air mixing with the smells of great food. The sound of live music pulls you over to the stage then you and whoever you’re with dance to the musicians song. What better way is there to spend an afternoon?
A Taste of Colorado & Cherry Creek Arts Festival – Denver
Originally dubbed the Festival of Mountain and Plain, the historic A Taste of Colorado festival has brought Coloradans together since 1895. The local-favorite Labor Day weekend festival is back with a new downtown sprawling format. The 38th A Taste of Colorado will be held September 4 through the 6 across downtown Denver. This year’s event will be the biggest it has ever been, featuring three stages where attendees can listen to music from a variety of local and regional musicians. Downtown restaurants will have special menus for the festival, and local vendors will be selling art and goods along the 16th Street Mall. Their website says, “The festival will be an authentic and spirited union of sights, sounds, tastes, and color as we celebrate together. The Downtown Denver Partnership is thrilled to be bringing back Taste of Colorado in 2021 because it’s more than a festival, it’s in our nature.”
CherryArts and the Denver Chalk Art Festival have joined forces this year forming the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. The Cherry Creek Arts Festival will be held at Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center in the northwest parking lot near University Boulevard and 1st Avenue from Saturday through Monday. The festival will have 220 artists, 100 chalk artists,16 performing artists, a creation station for children, delicious food, and lovely interactive experiences. “We’ve been waiting to hit the Denver streets again since June of 2019. Watching the joy this craft brings to attendees, and the camaraderie of the artist community coming together, has been sorely missed,” said Michel Rieger, Denver Chalk Art Festival artist director. “Collaborating with CherryArts is a perfect match. We look forward to bringing Denver’s most colorful event back through the long-standing tradition of the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.”
Colorado State Fair – Pueblo
The largest summer event in Colorado, the Colorado State Fair, will be holding its second week this Labor Day weekend. The fair has a carnival, 4-H exhibits, agricultural competitions, tractor pulls, live music performances, rodeos, Major League Eating and entrancing food options. The Colorado State Fair runs through Monday, Sept. 6. Find the event you want to attend most at ColoradoStateFair.com.
Beer Gardens, Hot Air Balloons and Car Shows
Visit a delicious Beer Garden, see breathtaking sights of hot air balloons in the sky, or show off your vintage ride at a car show. One of the events in this category even has horse-drawn carriage rides. What could be more romantic for the one you want to impress? These options are great for couples and families who want something a little more laid back.
Windsor Harvest Festival – Windsor
Windsor Harvest Festival is back for its 99th year with a theme of “Big Ol’ Block Party.” The festival runs from Saturday to Monday with live music, cruise-in car show, horse-drawn carriage rides, beer garden, movie screening in the park and so many more. Balloon launches are planned for Saturday and Sunday at Eastman Park. The best growers will show off their garden in the annual Garden Show and Veggie Art. The Windsor Harvest Festival Parade will be on Monday. This festival is perfect for families who want to attend events every day of the Labor Day weekend. There will be a large number of activities just for kids!
Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off – colorado springs
Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off runs Saturday to Monday. This option is perfect for those planning a Friday night get-together at home and want to get out for the rest of the weekend. The event is free. Every morning will start with a mass hot air balloon lift off of over 70 balloons. It will be a beautiful site to see while you eat breakfast and drinks from local vendors. There will be all kinds of demonstrations during the day such as skydiving, and wakeboarding exhibitions. You will enjoy paddle boarding and live entertainment. The Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off will take place at Memorial Park.
College Football
Does your family prefer tailgates and jerseys over fair food and water parks? Well, you’re in luck because college football is back in Colorado! We can already feel the energetic anticipation in the stands. Who will win? Who will lose? The eruption of cheers has a way of breathing life into almost anyone. Which game will you find yourself enjoying?
BOULDER
The University of Colorado Buffaloes and University of Northern Colorado Bears kick off the 2021 season with a game Friday night. You can get tickets at CUBuffs.com or at the CU ticket office.
FORT COLLINS
The Colorado State Rams begin their season Friday night at Canvas Stadium. The Rams host the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in a “Green Out” game that will be broadcast on FS1.
DURANGO
High noon Saturday is when the Fort Lewis Skyhawks will start their football season. Fort Lewis hosts New Mexico Highlands University at 12 p.m. at Durango’s Ray Dennison Memorial Field.
ALAMOSA
The Adams State Grizzlies welcome Western New Mexico University to Rex Stadium this weekend, at 5 p.m. Saturday in Alamosa.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Colorado is famous for many things but recently it is the Moose who have been making headlines. This season has seen many dangerous encounters between humans and moose already. Moose can be very dangerous especially during mating season. Male moose are called bulls and females are called cows. Both cows and bulls can be dangerous and aggressive towards humans for different reasons. Moose are huge, weighing between 800 and 1,200 pounds. They can stand up to 6 feet tall, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Moose have been known to take over haystacks or feedyards and attack any human or livestock who comes near. Even if you aren’t trying to take their food, doing something as simple as going for a walk can lead to disaster when moose are around. Make sure to take proper precautions when encountering a moose.
Moose Attacks
79 year old Janne Schultz from Glenwood Springs told a news outlet about her experience being attacked by a moose saying, “I was hit by a moose, and he did not like me.” While walking her dog on Friday the 13th in a rural area just south of Glenwood Springs, Schultz saw the cow with her calves and waited for them to pass. Once she thought the moose had moved on she continued walking. Suddenly she was attacked out of nowhere. “I thought it was a human being at first. I said oh god there’s bad people up here too. Then I saw it was the moose,” Schultz recalled to the reporter. Eventually the moose ran off and Schultz was flown to a Denver hospital with a few broken ribs and collarbone. Her scapula was shattered and she had fractured vertebrae in her neck. A few days later a New Mexico man was running on a trail in Winter Park, Colorado with his two dogs when they encountered a bull moose. The dogs were off-leash ahead of their owner when they suddenly turned around and ran away, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said. “He stopped and saw the moose at 50 feet,” District Wildlife Manager Serena Rocksund said in a news release. “At that point, the dogs ran past him and left the scene.” The man reported seeing the bull as it charged toward him. The moose left him with only minor injuries. “He’s very lucky that his only injury is a hoof print-shaped laceration on the back of his head,” Rocksund said. Both him and Schultz were lucky to get away with their lives. Moose attacks are becoming more of an issue in Colorado. So, what can you do to reduce your risk of being attacked by a moose?
When Moose Attack
“We’ve had some increased reports of human-moose conflicts near Grand Lake since the East Troublesome Fire,” Area Wildlife Manager Jeromy Huntington said in a news release. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, moose are protective animals and will defend their young and home at all costs. Moose have very few natural enemies and do not fear humans. They often will approach humans or houses. That is why it is a good idea to know what different moose behavior means. Signs of moose aggression include laid back ears, raised hairs on the neck, and licking of the snout. Moose have been known to be more aggressive around dogs. Colorado Parks and Wildlife knows of at least 15 moose conflicts since 2013 where people have been severely injured. Dogs were involved in almost all of those conflicts, wildlife officials said. If a moose displays aggressive behavior or begins to run at you, run as fast as you can and try to put a large object between you such as a boulder, car or tree. If at all possible, climb on something taller than the moose, such as a tree. Remember getting a “closer look” or “better shot with the camera” could lead to a life threatening situation when it comes to dealing with Moose. Colorado Parks and Wildlife say they are liable for damage to crops, forage and fences caused by moose. If moose are causing damage, contact your local officer immediately.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
As our children go back to daycare and school in person we have to be extremely vigilant over their hygiene and health. The Delta variant of COVID is known to affect children more than other variants have in the pandemic. There is another illness that has been around even longer than COVID but this year has spiked along with the Delta variant. RSV has spiked this summer way before the usual rise in cases of late fall/ early spring. Symptoms between RSV and COVID can seem similar but Dr. Parth Bhatt says it’s easy for your doctor to test and tell them apart. “We have the specific testing for them, and we can know for sure whether it is COVID or RSV.” The CDC says, “Due to this increased activity, CDC encourages broader testing for RSV among patients presenting with acute respiratory illness who test negative for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.”
What is RSV?
RSV or Respiratory Syncytial Virus has seen cases spike in the recent months all over the United states. RSV affects the nose, throat, and lungs. When infected, adults only show cold-like symptoms and are generally better in a week or two. “It looks a lot like a regular cold but it tends to have more severe symptoms,” Dr. Laura Stage said. “Really runny, snotty nose, and it causes kids to have difficulty breathing and difficulty keeping their oxygen levels up.” RSV can be extremely dangerous for infants and young children but can infect them easily. Dr. Bhatt said “babies especially under three months of age are at high risk, children who were born premature, all babies less than six months of age they may be at a higher risk of getting RSV and higher risk for hospitalization.” He also says children who have a history of a chronic lung disease, allergies, and eczema could also be at higher risk of contracting RSV. “If your child is breathing fast, your child’s nostrils are flaring and if your child is wheezing, their lips are turning blue, I would call your doctor immediately and seek care,” warned Dr. Bhatt. According to the CDC, “RSV can be associated with severe disease in young children and older adults. Each year in the United States, RSV leads to on average approximately 58,000 hospitalizations with 100-500 deaths among children younger than 5 years old and 177,000 hospitalizations with 14,000 deaths among adults aged 65 years or older.”
Why is RSV Spiking Early?
“We really didn’t see RSV all of last year. Starting in April, it completely disappeared and really did not appear until fairly recently,” said Dr. Camille Sabella. “Right now, it seems to be peaking in July and August, which is really very unusual for this virus.” In July doctors and nurses at IU Health Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis reported treating up to five cases a day. “In July, we started seeing some cases pop up and we were like, ‘That’s kind of unusual.’ And from there it just kind of exploded,” said Dr. Laura Stage. Spikes in RSV were first seen in mostly southern states like Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Arkansas, Louisiana, and New Mexico. Now, many cases of RSV are being seen in most of the other states as well. The number of cases went down during quarantine but when regulations were relaxed RSV spiked. The CDC has warned, “Due to reduced circulation of RSV during the winter months of 2020- 2021, older infants and toddlers might now be at increased risk of severe RSV-associated illness since they have likely not had typical levels of exposure to RSV during the past 15 months.” RSV spreads through contact, so teaching your child good washing and hygiene habits is important. RSV can live for a long time on objects in your home such as toys and counters. Due to these conditions, RSV can spread through schools and daycare quickly. This is why you should not send your children to daycare or school sick; workers and faculty shouldnt report to work with children if they are feeling sick. The CDC sent out an advisory saying, “This health advisory also serves as a reminder to healthcare personnel, childcare providers, and staff of long-term care facilities to avoid reporting to work while acutely ill – even if they test negative for SARS-CoV-2.” What will the spike in RSV mean for the health of children across America? Will the number of RSV cases continue to grow into the next pandemic?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Health care workers were among the first people to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Still, a large number are refusing to get it. A recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey found “29 percent of health workers are vaccine hesitant.” Many people who are vaccine hesitant worry about the effect politics had on making the vaccine and that it is not yet approved by the FDA. Various people in power continue to tell the public to be vaccinated but their staff aren’t vaccinated. They say things like “everyone has to be protected,” and “unvaccinated people are the reason for the recent surge.” If these are the case, why aren’t your employees required to be vaccinated? During a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing Senator Richard Burr asked a panel of public health leaders how many of their workers had been vaccinated. Dr. Faucci and FDA official Dr. Marks say around half of the people on each of their respective staff are vaccinated. The director of the CDC only said employees are encouraged to get vaccinated.
Workers Required to Have the Vaccine
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced people employed by medical facilities would be required to be vaccinated. This made them the first federal agency to make vaccines mandatory, but not the last.The federal government employs an estimated 10 million people. This includes the main government, federal-civilian workforce, contract workers, and grant workers. These people have been told they must get the vaccine by Biden’s administration. Biden even asked the Department of Defense to make the vaccine part of the mandatory shots required for the military, which they did. The president also has asked school districts to hold clinics to vaccinate the children and young adults before the new school year. More and more people are finding themselves required to get a vaccine but the CDC still says to wear a mask indoors, why? The vaccine doesn’t keep you from getting or spreading COVID. What is the point of the vaccine if it doesn’t actually work? A vaccinated White House official, as well as a vaccinated aide for House Speaker Pelosi, tested positive for COVID after attending the same event. Our leaders want us to be vaccinated but half of them won’t get it themselves because it doesn’t work. There are so many cases of people catching and spreading COVID after being vaccinated.
White House Leaders Don’t Have to be Vaccinated
Many people have worried about the Biden administration not telling the whole truth about COVID cases in and around the Whitehouse. “According to an agreement we made during the transition, we committed we would release information proactively,” Psaki said. She added later they would “continue to abide by that commitment.” The biggest question the people have is why do some jobs and schools make it mandatory for us to be vaccinated to be employed or attend but our leaders aren’t held to the same standard? Press secretary Jen Psaki said every White House official has been offered a COVID vaccine but it was not required. “No, we have not mandated it,” Psaki said. Psaki did not say how many White House officials have been vaccinated. Officials hope FDA approval will make people more comfortable with getting the vaccine. Would FDA approval mean more people find themselve required to have the vaccine? These hypotheticals could be reality sooner than later.
The New York Times says the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine could receive full approval from the FDA. Many employers have feared lawsuits when it comes to requiring the vaccine but FDA approval could mean they become confident in pushing the requirements. Google, Netflix, and many other companies have announced that employees must be vaccinated. What happens when smaller and smaller companies require the vaccination and you have to have it in order to be employed?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Oregon Governor Kate Brown privately signed a bill which ends the need for high school students to prove proficiency in math and reading before graduation. Brown did not have a public signing or press release when passing Senate Bill 744 in July. The bill was not added into the state’s legislative database until more than two weeks after being passed. The staffer who was supposed to update the database was experiencing medical issues and the database had technical issues during the 15 day period, according to the Secretary of the Senate’s office. Though, a handful of bills the governor signed into law in July around the same time were updated in the legislative database the same day she signed them and email notifications were sent out immediately to people who signed up to track the bills. Those bills included creating a training program for childcare and preschool providers aimed at reducing suspensions and expulsions of very young children. Why weren’t the new graduation requirements also made public in a timely fashion? This is not the first time amid the pandemic Oregon has made changes to education requirements. Students no longer had to test on a freshman to sophomore level due to Brown’s Stay Home, Save Lives order. Now students don’t have to really learn anything since the standards have been basically erased for the next few classes. What is the purpose of public education if the schools are not teaching the public?
What do Democrats say?
Democrats were mostly in favor of SB 744’s because they believe the current standards are flawed. “SB 744 gives us an opportunity to review our graduation requirements and make sure our assessments can truly assess all students’ learning,” said Charles Boyle, a spokesman for the governor. “In the meantime, it gives Oregon students and the education community a chance to regroup after a year and a half of disruption caused by the pandemic.” The bill suspends the need for test scores or grades for three years. Supporters believe the current standards present an unfair challenge for students who do not test well. Boyle said the new standards for graduation would “aid Oregon’s students of color.” I honestly do not see how no longer caring if students truly get an education is an effective way to aid any students. There are plenty of ways to improve the way we test and make it individual to learning and testing styles without removing the need for, what will essentially be an entire highschool graduating class start to finish, to actually learn and retain knowledge. “The testing that we’ve been doing in the past doesn’t tell us what we want to know,” according to Senator Lew Frederick. “We have been relying on tests that have been, frankly, very flawed and relying too much on them so that we aren’t really helping the students, teachers or the community.” Supporters of SB 744 said the state needed to remove current standards so lawmakers could evaluate what policies and standards to update. New graduation standards are due to the Legislature and Oregon Board of Education by September 2022. Oregon currently does not use any particular test score as a requirement for a diploma. The Department of Education says “students will need to successfully complete the credit requirements, demonstrate proficiency in the Essential Skills, and meet the personalized learning requirements.” So during this transition period what would be considered “proficiency in the essential skills?” Especially since the requirements to be at a freshman to sophomore level are no longer in play, what is being considered as proficient?
What do Republicans say?
Republicans have worried about SB 744 lowering academic standards. “I worry that by adopting this bill, we’re giving up on our kids,” House Republican Leader Christine Drazan said on June 14. The bill had some bipartisan support with a small number of republicans voting in favor of passage. Many republicans are angry over SB 744. Most of the courses that teach children to master their skill level of math and reading have been discontinued since the skills requirement was paused during the pandemic. Now lawmakers are killing the requirement entirely. Republicans have come out against SB 744 and claim that it lowers “expectations for our kids.” Oregon education officials have made it clear they won’t “impose” new graduation requirements on students already in high school. New requirements would not take effect until the class of 2027. That means as many as five classes of future adults in America could graduate from a public highschool without needing to actually learn math and writing. Many of the democrats who support SB 744 claim to dislike graduation requirements because of standardized tests. This seems odd for Oregon, since students had the option to demonstrate their ability to use English and do math with five different tests. Students could also complete a classroom project judged by their teachers. How will we know if the children in the transition learned anything? Having the perfect teachers will be so important in this new environment for students to actually learn, even then will teachers be able to help every single student? How can Democrats ensure every single student in the transition will get a quality education?
Many teachers have recently left the field and countless others across the country have considered it due to the way the education system is currently structured. No one disagrees that there are changes to be made in order to have successful students and teachers. The question is, why is it okay to possibly leave up to five classes behind in order to fix the issues? No child in America should be subject to a disservice like that. Teachers used to tell me coming through school, knowledge is power, and they were right.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
Due to the 70% uptick in COVID cases last month, the CDC has issued new public health guidance concerning masks. Now, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Fauci are “urging” people, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated to wear masks. This comes in sharp contrast to the recent policies of reopening and trying to get back to normal. Two states in particular Biden has an eye on forcing to conform to the new policies are Texas and Florida. In both states, the governors have signed laws prohibiting mask mandates. These laws essentially mean that fully vaccinated people cannot be forced to wear a mask.
Biden is currently trying to get rid of the mask mandate ban that DeSantis (FL) and Abbott (TX) have signed. He is currently unsure of whether he has the power to do so. He is unsure about a lot of things. Considering that federal law supersedes state law, it may be possible, unfortunately.
Personally, I see the ban on mask mandates as a sign of progress. The vaccine has been around. In Texas about 45% of the population is fully vaccinated and 49.7% are fully vaccinated in Florida, though, generally, everyone who wanted to get the vaccine has had ample opportunity to do so by now. It seems ridiculous to require people who have been vaccinated to wear masks. In part, it takes the incentive to get the vaccine away. It also acts as a symbol. When will COVID end? When will all the restrictions go away? Are there new restrictions coming?
There is also a psychological toll that the mask evokes. People, as I have noticed since the ban on mask mandates, are less afraid of others. More and more go out and people are friendlier to each other. It is not the mask itself that can cause so much discomfort as the constant feeling of fear that it brings. Saying you need to wear a mask even if vaccinated is like saying, “Sorry, your vaccine didn’t work.”
“Red Herring”
Forbes calls it a “red herring – a distraction from the far more relevant question of how to end the pandemic.”
The uptick in cases is largely due to the delta variant, which the current vaccine appears to protect against. Yale Medicine claims that “vaccination is the best protection against delta.” The Kaiser Family Foundation also claims that “more than 9 in 10 COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have occurred among people who are unvaccinated or not yet fully vaccinated.”
The real way to win the game of COVID is for a herd immunity to be established or to let the last transmissible remnants of the virus die. The latter may be very difficult to achieve, if not somewhat impossible. There is hope, though. Ebola came and went in this country. No one hears about it anymore.
Obama’s 60th Birthday Bash
Either way, the people at the top do not really believe in the mask mandate. At Obama’s 60th birthday party, no masks were required. There were about 300-350 people, many of whom were celebrities. It took place at Martha’s Vineyard, which is a COVID hotspot. In hotspots, the CDC requires masks (even if vaccinated), people not to have large gatherings, and everyone to socially distance. Fauci never said anything against Obama’s party.
It is quite a display of hypocrisy. Fauci, on the other hand, warned about the “superspreader event” that might take place due to a motorcycle rally in Sturgis, SD. He heavily implied that this was a MAGA crowd, though it was just a motorcycle rally, not inherently partisan.
“A Sophisticated, Vaccinated Crowd”
Then on Monday, a New York Times reporter went on CNN and quoted a Vineyard resident as saying the Obamas were fine because they invited “a sophisticated, vaccinated crowd.”
So basically, an outdoor motorcycle event is worse than an indoor party where no one was wearing a mask. It is fine if one group of people does something but not another. Republicans are portrayed by Democratic elites as ignorant, uneducated people who are all against being vaccinated and wearing masks, while Democrats are all cautious, sophisticated people who vaccinate, wear masks, and socially distance. No one really even knows who was or was not vaccinated in Obama’s party. The elites get to stay at the top and do whatever they want.
But overall, why should Obama and his guests get to party without masks on when now even vaccinated people are forced to wear masks? Why is Obama a hero?
Written by: Miranda Smith
Former Olympic athlete and U.S. Air Force veteran, Eli Bremer, has announced he is launching a Republican Senate campaign in Colorado for the 2022 midterm elections. Bremer, 43, graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and served 14 years as an officer. Bremer was on active duty in the U.S. Air Force for seven years then transitioned to the Air Force Reserve in September 2007 before transitioning back to Air Force Active Reserve in March 2008. Also in March 2008, Bremer was selected as a regional finalist for the prestigious White House Fellows Program for 2008-2009. He went on to represent the U.S. in modern pentathlon in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He also serves on a congressional committee studying reforms to the U.S. Olympic system. Bremer has never run for public office but was the El Paso County GOP chairman from 2011-2013. His father was a county commissioner. His uncle, Paul Bremer, was a presidential envoy to Iraq. A lifelong Republican, Bremer supported and worked on Trump’s successful 2016 campaign for the White House. Bremer, who lives in Colorado Springs with his wife and 6-year-old son, said he “had the chance to travel the globe, and that gave me a profound appreciation for what we have here in America.”
What Does Bremer Say About Running?
“Having twice worn the uniform of our nation, in the military and in the Olympics, I am concerned that the country I have represented is being sold out by self-interested politicians,” Bremer said in a statement. Bremer said “as the next U.S. Senator from Colorado, I will work for pragmatic solutions that positively impact Colorado and America. I’m watching right now as our nation is sort of falling apart and saying, ‘I can’t sit on the sidelines anymore,’” Bremer took aim at current Governor Michael Bennet, saying “in 12 years, he has authored one piece of legislation that has been signed into law. One.” Michael Bennet was Denver public schools superintendent when he was appointed to the Senate in 2009. He narrowly won a full six-year term in 2010 and was reelected in 2016 by nearly six points. Bremer predicted that “people here are living every day seeing the consequence of failed Democratic policies and there will be a backlash, and running a good campaign with a candidate who brings commonsense traditional Colorado values to the table, we have a chance to do something special and win that Senate seat.” While Colorado has been leaning left in recent years, Republicans hope to turn that around with the 2022 midterm elections. They currently see Colorado just behind Arizona, Georgia, New Hampshire and Nevada, the GOP’s top four states that can make or break elections.
Eli Bremer kicked off his campaign with an online ad holding a sign of Bennet’s face with the words “MISSING” and “HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN.” Bremer claims Bennet “spends more time at cocktail parties in D.C.” or “talking with voters in New Hampshire” than in Colorado. This is not the first time Bremer has come for part of the Democratic party. “We’re already seeing high inflation, that’s being caused by the single-party (Democratic) control in Washington, D.C.,” Bremer said in an interview. “They’re pumping trillions of dollars of liquidity into the system through deficit spending and that’s very dangerous.” Bremer was asked whether he’d support the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package Democrats are currently pushing. He noted that “we do need to invest in broadband across America, we do need to invest in roads and bridges” but added “I’m deeply concerned about the massive amount of money that we’re pumping into the economy.” He is not the only Republican to raise questions about the bill and the spending, which will come with it. Will these be the types of issues Bremer will tackle if he is voted in as Senator? Will Bremer be able to finally sway Colorado back to the right side of the line?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
