Well that was short lived

 I want to write about everyday things; of frugality, gardening, family, et.  But NO!  I have to deal with all this craziness too!  Grrrr!

So in his infinite (ahem not )wisdom, our fearless leader has now drawn a line in the sand regarding a vaccine for a virus with a 99.5% survival rate.  He actually pointed an angry finger at unvaccinated individuals, claiming that the patience of the vaccinated is wearing thin.  He laid every case at the feet of those of US that haven't been and more than likely won't be vaccinated.  I find that very interesting coming from a group that claims to be following "The Science".  Their own golden child Anthony Fauci ( I won't dignify him with "Dr") claims that vaccinated individuals actually carry a higher viral load than those unvaccinated.  So really, all these cases can be laid at the feet of the vaccinated if one wants to be picky.  I could care less.  You want to be vaccinated, fine.  If I get Covid , I get it.  I would no more blame someone vaccinated or not with my coming down with Covid.  

Biden's speech set a dangerous precedent.  Not just because of the mandate.  That's bad enough.  But  Biden has put a target on every person chosing to not get this vaccination.  This is a target that could effect their life, job, etc.  

He.  Does.  Not.  Have.  The.  Power to mandate this.  To be honest, even if he did (which he doesn't) do you really want the brilliant mind that orchestrated the exit from Afghanistan, is protecting our border, and managing our economy to be making decisions about your body?  Cause I tell you, those decisions haven't instilled confidence.  Besides, he doesn't have to deal with the side effects long term of what that vaccine does to your body.  You do.  The drug companies are protected from liability as well, should you have an adverse reaction, and there have been adverse reactions.  Maybe if he removed the liability protection from the Pharmaceutical industry so they can be held liable.....

The party of "Science"  has created their own science it seems.  This is a science that says people who are vaccinated still have something to fear from the unvaccinated.  That doesn't hold true with vaccinations as a general rule.  That's the whole reason to be vaccinated!  So how is that?  When the vaccine first came out we were told that it was 95% effective and if you caught the virus it would weaken your symptoms to the point where you would maybe feel like you had a cold.  We were told, if you remember, that vaccinated people would only have a 5% chance of spreading the virus to others.  When the Delta variant emerged we  were told the vaccine covered the variant as well.  Sounds good doesn't it?  And can I ask, uh, isn't naturally acquired immunity a thing?

So as the Delta variant has spread and is now the most prominent variant, cases are rising; in fact there were more cases reported this labor day compared to last labor day (before the vaccine); we're told it's those nasty unvaccinated people.  We're so selfish!  What they aren't telling you is that it's both vaccinated and unvaccinated people getting Covid, being hospitalized from Covid, or even dying from Covid.  Remember what I stated in the beginning about Fauci saying the vaccinated have a higher viral load ( means they're more contagious).  Now they're calling for a third shot.  A call for a forth shot is coming.  If you go by what Israel is dealing with ( the most vaccinated country FYI), they're now calling for a forth shot.  So what the powers that be are requiring is a never ending routine of a shot every 6 months?  Can you say Hamster on a wheel?  Ummm..excuse me, does the vaccine even work?

I can wax philosophical about all things Covid, vaccine, and Biden, but it all boils down to this.  Is this still America or not?  Regardless if you're for this vaccine or not, vaccinated or not, Democrat. Republican, independent, etc; the speech Biden gave yesterday should've chilled you to the bone.  We either stand together. or that's it for the " great experiment".   We're supposed to be more than a shot, a mask, a political party.  We're Americans.  It should mean something.

I can't speak for everyone, but as it stands right now, they will have to hold me down and fight with me to force a jab into my arm, and they will need to do that every time for every shot they force me to take.  They wanna play?  I'll play.

We Interrupt this Program to Vent!

 I'm sorry, but GOOD GRIEF!

I've spent the past 8 months following current events while shaking my head, but now I'm MAD!  13 service men killed along with a good number of Afghan citizens who were mostly women and children.  I have no problem with pulling out of Afghanistan, but you don't pull out the military first leaving American citizens along with Afghan citizen who helped us behind.  You don't allow the Taliban to be in charge.  You don't give up Bagram Airbase in the dead of night with no notice and leave all of our equipment!  

I don't fault any Democrat that voted for our current President.  He was your parties nominee and so you hold your nose to vote.  I've done it in the General election.  I understand.  That fact that your party seemed to contort and twist this guy into the nominee much like they did Hilary is irrelevant ( Sorry Bernie).  It's all cool, you do you.

I don't fault independents that voted for our current President.  I don't think there were many of you, but those that did, I'm sure you had your reasons; probably not as well thought out as you like to think, but there ya go.

No, my problem lies with those Never Trumpers.  My problem is with the republicans who didn't like President Trump because he....tweeted too much or he didn't act like they wanted to him to act or speak like they wanted him to speak.  They didn't like the fact that he held grudges or fought back.  The man is from Queens for petes sake!  I get the feeling they don't go down without a fight.  

I remember the day after the inauguration, Senator Clyburn of South Carolina reflected, in an interview, on a conversation between Himself and former President George W Bush on Inauguration day.  He stated that President Bush relayed to him how he, Senator Clyburn, was the savior of America.  Why was he the savior?  Well because his endorsement of ole Joe put him over the top.  

At this moment, I could literally thrash every republican that voted for the man we currently have, rather than the man who prior to Covid had managed to:

Make us energy independent, lowered over all unemployment to 3.5 percent the lowest in 50 years, lowered black unemployment to the lowest ever recorded, unemployment for women lowest in 70 years, pulled 7 million off food stamps, negotiated the Abraham Accords, brought manufacturing back to the US, increased family incomes, etc.  The list in entirely too long, but we all felt his work.  

We knew!  We knew, and yet in some weird way, even though President Trump actually received, I think 11 million MORE votes than when he won in 2016; he somehow lost to Joe Biden.  

So who here really thinks Biden won more votes than ever in US history; even beating our first Black president Barak Obama?  Hmmm? 

So to all of the Never Trumpers out there that voted this guy into office I have a question:

How's that workin out for you?  

As far as I'm concerned, every Never Trumper, every person that played politics with the future of our country can just keep their mouth shut regarding the havoc Jo Biden has created, because you are just as culpable in my book; if not more so.   

I just hope we have time to right this ship, but I doubt it, and I know exactly who I blame.  

Not my America

 Sorry guys, while I'm working on some homesteady posts, there are too many things going on right now to not speak up.  This being my only outlet, It has to be here.  Sorry, or "your welcome" depending on how you look at this.  

The past week has shown some pretty scary things.  Things I never in my lifetime thought I would see in the United States.  I feel like I'm living in another country.  Founding Fathers?  What Founding fathers?  In actuality, the past 18 months have had some pretty scary things, and I'm not talking Covid.  Well except this:  In the name of "Public Health" the powers that be have managed to 

1}  Shut down the majority of small businesses.  Yet the large businesses, big business if you will, were allowed to be essential.  Yes, online stores, including mine, saw an up tic in business as people were shut down at home, but brick and mortar stores, restaurants, gyms, etc were closed, many of them never to open their doors again.  How convenient it is to move our economy to a digital platform.  Easier to control things that way I expect.  The powers that be say they aren't printing money so much as "digitizing" the currency.  I guess if our currency is blips on a computer screen, it won't matter what the number is.  Problem is, that hems consumers(citizens) in to the one form of transaction easiest to control.  It will allow every purchase to be tracked, buying patterns to be analyzed, etc.  Good stuff!  

2) Determine what workers can stay employed and what workers can't be employed.  The ultimate hand on the scale.  But hey we'll send you a check in the mail and all will be well.  

3)  Steal private property in the form of the moratorium against evictions.  Instead of just allowing renters to file for assistance and help who needed it; the government actually decided that private land owners couldn't collect rent from their tenants.  While I understand some tenants needed help, not all did.  Even the Supreme court ruled that the Moratorium was unconstitutional and said it had to expire.  Yet the CDC, an unelected body, has allowed it to continue with the current administrations blessing.  These private land owners are not Bill Gates or Warren Buffet.  Many times these are retirees that are using rents to have an income stream during retirement, or small investors.  Many of these owners have mortgages on these properties that still need to be paid.  They have no recourse if the tenants abuse the property, or can pay the rent and are choosing not to because they can't be evicted.  

4)  Determine who gathers, and when.  Church services are bad, protests are good.  At holidays we could gather together with members in our own household, but not too many.  So if you were someone who lived alone, well sucks for you.  I'm thankful we don't live in an apartment complex in New York!  I can only imagine what that was like.  YIKES.   

These were some of the many things that happened over the past 18 months, but not all.  What has me fuming, and concerned are the things happening now.  Every morning brings another stunner.  For example, this morning I read CNN had fired 3 employees who arrived at work unvaccinated.  PHI, Private Health information I guess is no longer a thing; nor is HIPPA or a Patient Bill of Rights.  Fired!  I hope they can find work somewhere that's a little more understanding, not just of their decision, but of basic biology and how vaccines actually function.  There are now, effective September, Vaccine Passports required in New York City.  Nurses, NURSES, and other healthcare workers are being told to get the shot or find another job.  These are people that have cared for Covid patients over the last 18 months, and they didn't have a vaccine when they did!  But now they're being told to take the shot or lose your job.  How many of them probably have natural immunity from already having Covid?  Nobody cares.  If it doesn't further the narrative and enable more control, they don't want to hear it.  We have no long term studies on these vaccines and what they may cause down the line, and yet people are clamoring for young children to get the shot.  Don't get me started on Masking and especially masking young children.  Why are people clamoring for children to get the shot, vaccine passports, firings for non compliance, etc?  Because of the never ending assault of fear mongering coming from the media, social media, and government.  Trust me they're all the same entity.  

SOME FACTS:

1) If you're vaccinated you're protected, and have nothing to worry about.  Well that's if the vaccine works, and if it doesn't, why are they pushing it?  Plus now they're looking at booster shots?

2)  Children rarely have a bad time with Covid, and aren't good carriers of the virus.  While there have been children that died, they all had severe comorbidities and died with covid, not because of it.  The number is very small, around 300 in the entire US.  If you're concerned about the minuet chance you may still get the virus from a child, see fact #1

3) Natural immunity is a real thing.  It is I promise.  In fact studies coming out of both Great Britain and Israel show that natural immunity is stronger, can last a lifetime, and be a better defense against Covid( and it's variants) than the vaccines.

4) The Delta Variant, while more contagious, isn't as lethal.  

5) You can't contain a virus as a general rule.  That's been my main objection to all of this craziness.  It will find a way.  But you really can't contain a virus with an open southern border where people from over 100 countries pour thru, unvaccinated, unmasked, and untested.  So when you're losing your job, your income, your rights "for the protection of others", remember that.  

We, as a country, are being divided; on purpose.  Divided into Liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican, Trump supporter (or terrorist depends on who you ask) or Trump Hater, Masked or unmasked, and vaccinated or unvaccinated.  It is believed that Liberal Democrat Trump haters wear their masks (sometimes 2 or 3) and are getting their vaccines.  Conservative Republican Trump supporters don't wear their mask or get a vaccine and go around blowing in old peoples faces.  Just saying.  

Why are we being divided?  Who has benefited from the last 18 months? Ask yourself these questions and really look at the past 18 months.  Is it Big Business, Big Government, Big Pharma, China?  I used to not consider myself a conspiracy theorist, but what do you do when there is so much material to work with?  You ask yourself these questions and look at the last 18 months closely with an objective but critical eye and tell me what you find.  

 

My Body My choice right?

 Or does that only pertain to my wanting to kill my unborn child?  

All the voices that chime in support of a woman's right to choose fall silent when the choice really does concern only her own body.  Cause you see, abortion isn't a choice she makes over her own body, but a choice over the body of the unborn child.  Making the choice to take( or not)vaccines or other medical treatments is a choice over ones own body, and in this case, includes both male and female individuals.  But now we're hearing about vaccine mandates, and mask mandates (again), even for those vaccinated.  In fact the current DOJ has declared that mandating vaccines is legal.  FYI, it isn't his job to declare that, more like the Supreme Court.  But I digress.  

And Ladies, insert the word "abortion" if you're prolife, and "pregnancy" if you're prochoice and see how that rubs you now.  I'll do it for you.

"It's legal to mandate ABORTIONS". How does that sound now for the pro-lifer out there that thinks the government should mandate masks or vaccines; especially vaccines

"It's legal to mandate all pregnancies be carried to term".  How does that sound now for the pro choicer out there who thinks it's fine for the government to mandate masks or vaccines; especially vaccines.  If it helps clarify any more, it's a white man that's saying this so....

IF YOU ARE VACCINATED, YOU HAVE LITTLE TO FEAR FROM AN UNVACCINATED PERSON.  According to the powers that be, your vaccination keeps you from getting, if you do get it at all, a bad version of Covid.  So if you want to "Follow the science", then leave the rest of us alone.  Unvaccinated people are at risk, not you.  

Something to know about us unvaccinated folks:

1)  No we do not think there is a micro chip imbedded in the vaccine.  

2)  Not all of us are conservative leaning.  We didn't get this idea from Republican leaders.  

3)  We do have a brain and think for ourselves.  

4)  We have concerns about vaccines that are

a) being used under emergency authorization

b) being given with no recourse for liability should something happen

c) Is only able to be under emergency use authorization because it was reported there were no treatments for this virus.   We couldn't hear about Ivermectin, Hydroxychloriquine, Regeneron, Zinc, and Vitamin D.  Interesting.

d)  A vaccine being pushed by a government that is also responsible for: Masks don't work to masks work.  Kids can't spread or get a major infection to kids 2 and older need to wear a mask.  6 ft separation to 13 ft to 3 ft to 6 ft again.  Once vaccinated you don't have to wear a mask, but then you do.  Lately it's get vaccinated and you don't have to wear a mask.  That turned to vaccinated people need to continue to wear a mask.  Walmart is okay to shop in, riot/protests are okay to be in, but church is off limits.  Essential workers have to go to work, wear a mask the whole time, but return home to your family in shut down, remove your mask, and go about your day.  Essential workers take your life in your hands to serve the community, but we're going to give extra money on top of unemployment to those unemployed; even when the job market is open again and they refuse to go back to work because they are getting paid more to stay home.  

Ya know all those kind of brilliant things that make us put our full faith and trust in our fearless leaders.

Why would we be resistant to a shot in the arm that can't be undone once done?  At least I know if I get Covid, it will either kill me , or immune me.  So will the vaccine I guess, but at least if I have to fight off Covid, it will be because my immune system did what it was supposed to do and not what it was orchestrated to do by people without the original creators manual.   Plus studies coming out of both Israel and the Cleveland clinic are saying naturally acquired immunity is more durable.  

It all boils down to this.  We have our reasons for not jumping on the vaccination bandwagon; for a virus, I might ad, with a 99% survival rate.  Reasons that are thoughtful, and educated. 

Over the past 18 months I've watched in awe as many of the things I learned being trained in the healthcare field, were ignored.  Common sense has flown the coop to be replaced by political expediency and fear.  People have willingly handed over their rights as citizens of what's supposed to be the free world.  How can I feel comfortable having a permanent procedure done to me and mine when attempts to share or obtain information, to make an informed decision, have been thwarted at every turn.  

To be honest, the more they push the  more I dig in.  

Back off and let us make our own decision.  We know the risks we face.  

Okay, just count to 10- 9,8

 7,6,5,4,3,2,1....

Okay.  Sooooo in it's infinite ( HA!) wisdom, the CDC (now politically motivated by whoever is in office) has come out to say that fully vaccinated people DON'T have to wear a mask outdoors.  Thanks Captain obvious! NO ONE NEEDS TO WEAR MASKS OUTDOORS!

First of all, having to take precautions when you have been vaccinated defeats the whole concept of vaccinations.  Doesn't it?  Remember the days gone by ( queue nostalgic music playing) when people went about their day living with the presence of nasty bugs around BECAUSE they had been vaccinated?  The irony is there are a lot of other bugs out there unbeknownst to them that have no vaccination available and yet people lived their life.  Do you know why we were able to function?  There is this wonderful little system we have in our complex body called an immune system.  Thank you Lord!  Many of us have come in contact with a germ or virus and our body was able to fight it off.  We may have gotten sick, but we got well and our immune system made a note of the virus and what to do if it got in again.  TOO COOL!  I'm all for that, but not too keen on Vaccines, personally.  Don't get me wrong, there are some vaccines I can see being necessary: Polio for one, but not all vaccines are necessary in my book.  The concept of a Vaccine is to give your body a "Heads up" with a weakened version of the virus through a shot instead of acquiring the virus naturally.  The thought being the virus is too dangerous to acquire naturally so a vaccine is the way to go.  The immune system beats it back, makes note, and is ready the next time.  So if that's the way you want to go, you do you.  Though personally I'd stay away from the MRNA vaccines.  See "the beginning of every zombie movie ever".

Also according to the CDC ( before they had to walk it back after a pow wow I expect), vaccinated people have a 95% chance of NOT getting sick from Covid OR spreading the virus.  Soooo yeah. 

NEWS FLASH!  Outdoors has never been the issue.  The CDC said long ago that masks aren't necessary outdoors.  Oh wait!  The initial reaction over a year ago was masks don't work at all and it's just to make people comfortable.  Thank you Dr Fauci for at least speaking truth in the beginning.  It was the last truthful thing you said, but hey, at least you started off well.  Don't get me started on his ridicules statement that even kids need to wear masks OUTDOORS! Ugh. 

MASKS ARE TO COVID WHAT A SCHOOL DESK IN THE 60'S WAS TO A NUCLEAR BOMB! 

Here are some rudimentary lessons on masks in general.  Our bodies were created to inhale O2 and exhale CO2.  CO2  is a WASTE product from our body.  Our body can't use it and DOESN'T WANT IT!  So we exhale it.  When you cover your mouth and nose, the two ways O2 can enter your body, you limit the flow of O2 into your body.  Oh I'm sure your lungs can work harder and pull it in, but it really would rather not.  Then when your lungs exhale the CO2, there isn't a force on the outside pulling it back thru the mask, and away from your next inhale.  So when you inhale again, you are inhaling the CO2 still stuck in your mask, along with whatever O2 your lungs can force thru the material of the mask.  You are inhaling your body waste over and over again.  Oh, and by the way, if you can smell something outside your mask, then your mask isn't doing it's job.  Ask yourself if this is worth it for a virus with a 99% chance of survival.

In addition, water vapor and warmth from your breath are what is plentiful in and on masks. Combine those two things: warmth and moisture, and you provide a perfect environment for bacteria and viruses to grow.  So when you are forcing what O2 you can thru the fibers of your mask, you're also sucking in any viruses or bacteria that have taken up residence there as well!  How special!  

Cross contamination is when germs are moved from one area to another.  More specifically, germs are moved from a contaminated area to a sterile/vulnerable area.   For instance when you adjust the mask you're wearing and then inadvertently touch your eyes, nose or mouth ( hmm like when pulling your mask down to eat).  When you keep your mask in your pocketbook, glove box, or floor of your car; then put it on and breathe deeply.  My favorite stupid commercial of all time right now is the one that has a mask on a lanyard around the neck.  So your mask sits on your chest accumulating germs inside and out and THEN you put it up?  Right.  Okay.

I don't mean to get on a tangent.  It just comes naturally in the presence of insanity.  The insanity of any differing opinion being silenced.  The insanity of claiming to follow science when all the things you're recommending doesn't follow science.  The insanity of allowing the media and our fearless leaders to tell you what to believe and how to live.  THINK!  READ!  CHECK THINGS OUT!  Don't blindly accept things, especially if they are coming out of the mouth of any politician, news agency, social media, or celebrity.

1.  If you're vaccinated, you should be good to go mask less, and do whatever you used to before all this craziness.  That being said, before you get vaccinated, ask yourself if it's worth vaccinating for a virus with a 99% survivability rate.

2.  If you choose to wear a mask:  Make sure the mask covers your nose and mouth at all times.  Wash your mask after every use (every use) and dry in a hot dryer.  Make sure the mask is 4 layers of 100% cotton.  If you're comfortable, breathing; it isn't protecting you.  The mask does not belong under your chin, around your neck, or holding your hair back in place of your sun glasses!  Wash your hands before applying the mask to your face.  DO NOT TOUCH YOUR MASK!  If you must touch it, wash your hands every time you do ( every time).  Remove your mask starting with the ears and pull it forward away from your face.  Immediately put it in the wash.  Immediately wash your hands.  Reapply another mask to wear when you're home around anyone else, because they're out in this too; getting supplies, or as an essential worker, etc.  Never be around anyone without a mask: whether at home or not.  It's the only way this insane concept has a chance over someone choosing to not wear a mask.  If you can't follow these steps, see point 3.  Note:  Viruses can't be contained, so, even with all this, plan accordingly.

3.  If you choose to not wear a mask, keep your distance from others when out.  Aside from that, breath deeply, enjoy your freedom, spend plenty of time in the sun, and eat well.  Note:  Viruses can't be contained, so stay healthy and strong to keep your immune system strong in order to fight if and when the time comes.  Good news is, while you may still get Covid or something else, chances are at least your life will be way better up to and after. 

As a general rule; wash your hands often, especially before you eat or drink.  Don't go out anywhere if you feel bad.  That should go without saying.  Keep your distance out in public especially if you see someone showing symptoms of any illness.  If your children are sick, they're still contagious even if you gave them something to bring their fever down, something to settle an upset stomach, or something that stopped diarrhea.  Medications control symptoms, they do not cure.

Good rule of thumb from my past experiences both as a daycare provider and a health care worker: 

24 hours with no fever, vomiting, diarrhea OR MEDS to control the aforementioned symptoms before being around other folks.  

Okay.  I'm calmer now.  In the words of the late Herman Cain "I'm not maaaad!  I'm just passionate!"

An Interesting Turn of Events!

 Good morning all!  I know I'm late in posting.  Things have been crazy busy here with spring approaching.  I will pose of gardening, baby chicks, etc in a later post, but wanted to share something that happened JUST NOW; this morning, at this moment!  

About 3 months ago I determined I was tired of all the junk on Facebook and opted to leave.  This was the day after the January 6th hullabaloo at the capital.  I had shared a statement by Sarah Palin simply asking for the media to do the research to find out who the rioters were before assuming.  Not all those gathered at the capital were rioting, just like not all those gathered at the George Floyd protests were rioting.  I would hope, regardless of ideology, we could agree on that one.  Anyway, Facebook took it down saying it was false, even though at no point in the statement did Sarah Palin make any claims.  She simply called for objective journalism.  That was the straw that broke the camels back for me and I left.  

I have stayed relatively quite online since then.  I try not to wax too political on my blog.  That being said, The things going on in this country are getting serious.  

This morning I felt I needed to sign up again for Facebook in order to speak out on things.  My opinion and a dollar would get me a cup of coffee at Mcdonalds, but I still wanted to express it.  I told my husband I was going to sign up again and speak my mind.  I told him I may end up in Facebook jail, and people probably shouldn't accept or request friend requests to me if they are easily riled, but I was going to do it.  I filled in all of the info, using my old user name, and DOB, but the email and password were changed.  I hit "sign up" and am immediately reading a statement that says my account has been disabled because my content didn't meet community standards.  

FYI, I closed my account months ago.  They give you 30 days to change your mind, and up until that deadline I still had the ability to sign back up.  I know, I checked.  So one of two things happened:

1)  Google/Facebook over heard hubby's and my conversation just now and blocked me from getting on because of what I might post.  That's my conspiracy theory

2)  More than likely, and just as scary, My past account was part of a conservative purge, even though I had never been disabled or lost access to my page at any time in the 10 years I had been on facebook.  I had some videos taken down, but for the most part never dinged.  I was, however, very open about my conservative views.  I was always respectful of differing opinions, willing to talk things out rather than use cheap shots.  I think my views, coupled with a record of having some of my things taken down (mostly covid related fyi), made me part of the "Great Purge".  

I say all of this to say, please pay attention to what is going on around you right now.  Rights are being eroded in the name of  Political Correctness, Diversity, and "public health".  The latest one is Mr Biden's executive orders on gun control, because it's a "public health crisis".  He also stated "no amendment is absolute".  Really?  In order to have an amendment added to the constitution, 2/3rds of both the House and Senate have to vote on it.  It is not signed into law by the president.  In fact he has nothing to do with the amendment process.  Instead the amendment is sent to all 50 states and 3/4ths of the 50 states have to ratify it.  That is 38 of the 50 states.  That seems pretty absolute.  It would take another amendment process to overturn it.  Legally.  But are we living in a time where the constitution doesn't hold the same authority?  That's the dividing line.  

So, tell me.  Which Amendment do you think we don't Really need anymore?  I'll wait.

Something important missing in February

 There are a lot of events in February; Black History Month, Valentines day, Presidents day, and even weather ( Yes I meant to spell it this way)or not spring will come early or not!  Whew!  That's a lot for the shortest month of the year.  

While I'm all for celebrating some of our Citizens, unending love, our forefathers, and warmer weather, I've noticed something missing that is also important.  In fact, in can be life and death important.

February is also Heart Disease awareness month.  Seems fitting, but sadly in the first 2 weeks of this full month, nary a peep I've heard. 

So since no one else will talk about it, I will.  

1)  Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women of all races and ethnicities.  Greater than even Breast cancer ladies.  So while you're concerned about "the girls", think about what's behind them too.

2)  1 in 4 Americans die each year from Heart Disease.  The CDC estimates that's 655,000 Americans.  Hmm greater than the fatalities of Covid in the US this past year.  Where's the outcry?  Maybe there should have been at least some focus on Heart Disease awareness after all.

3)  Someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds in the US.  The CDC estimates 805,000 people have a heart attack in the US each year.  Of these the CDC estimates approximately 600,000 of these are first attacks.  Here's the kicker; 1 in 5 of all attacks are silent.  The damage is done, but the person isn't aware. 

4)  Lets bring it a little closer to home.  If someone is Obese, has diabetes, has a bad diet, and/or has no physical activity; they are at risk for heart disease.  That means any or all of these.  You can be thin and still out of shape FYI.  Yes the chances are greater if you are obese, mainly because if you are it means you more than likely have more than one of these risk factors.  

5)  If your father had a heart attack before the age of 50, or your mother had a heart attack before the age of 65, then you have a family history.  That means you can have a genetic disposition to heart disease.  My father had his first attack at 50.  I had mine at the age of 51.  My kids now have a family history.  

6)  Many peoples first symptom of a heart attack is death.  

Have I scared you?  I'm not posting this to instill fear.  I'm posting this to educate.  We have cities in lock down; mandated or self imposed, wearing masks, losing jobs, etc, for a virus that has killed fewer people than heart disease.  The irony of this is some of the main things closed are gyms!  In some places people have no choice but to sit at home and eat.   That's their entertainment! Try exercising at home with kids.  Yea, not fun.

I'm waiting for the powers that be to focus on our maintaining good health, which in turn can help with surviving this current virus.  

Heart disease doesn't have a vaccine we can vie for.  You have to do the work.  Watch what you eat, move.  Don't smoke, Vape, Drink alcohol, Eat Junk, etc.  We don't have to become one of these statistics. In fact, better than that, we can change these and bring them down!  So what do you think?

CDC facts