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Why Can’t I Wear Blue After Labor Day?
I have a few thoughts on the upcoming Labor Day weekend. It occurs to me that Labor Day often evokes images of blue-collar workers. On the other hand, I think in a broader view of the holiday, most of us can think of ourselves as working toward improving our society no matter whether our jobs…
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CDC Update Today on Covid-19 Variant BA.2.86
Today’s update by the CDC on the Covid-19 variant BA.2.86 is at this link. Highlights: “CDC’s current assessment is that the updated COVID-19 vaccine, which will be available in mid-September, will likely be effective at reducing severe disease and hospitalization. Immune responses generated from prior infection also help protect against severe outcomes of COVID-19. There…
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CDC ACIP to Discuss Covid-19 Vaccines on September 12, 2023
The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has a scheduled meeting on September 12, 2023 to discuss Covid-19 vaccines. The information about it is a bit difficult to find. It’s announced as a notice on the Federal Register. On the agenda: Matters To Be Considered: The agenda will include discussion of COVID–19 vaccines. Recommendation…
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Easy Read Flu Shot Guidance from CDC
There is an easy to read guide about the seasonal influenza shot for 2023-24 at this link.
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Official CDC Update on New Covid-19 Variant BA.2.86
I’ve been looking for official CDC news about the new Covid-19 variant, BA.2.86 and it looks like it was just posted on their website yesterday. Highlights: “Last week, a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 called BA.2.86 was detected in samples from people in Denmark and Israel. At least two cases have been identified in the United…
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Heat Joke Alert Again!
Here’s another heat joke. Q: How hot is it? A: It’s so hot, you don’t have to be a liar to set your pants on fire. All you have to do is step outside. It’s no joke, frankly. Heat index values could be in the 110-115 degree range. The Excessive Heating Warning has been extended…
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How the Metta Prayer and the Shower Juggle Are Alike
I’ve been practicing mindfulness meditation since 2014, when I became uncomfortably aware of how unpleasant I was becoming on the job and elsewhere. I called this “burnout.” The word still works as an explanation although it was and is sometimes still an excuse. I learned about the Lovingkindness meditation or the Metta Prayer during the…
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Excessive Heat Watch Starts August 20, 2023
The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Watch for many counties in Iowa starting August 20 through August 21. All next week will be marked by very hot temperatures, raising the risk for heat-related illness.
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Remembrance of Dr. William R. Yates MD
I was thinking about the Clinical Problems in Consultation Psychiatry (CPCP) learning sessions which was introduced to me by one of my first teachers in the University of Iowa Dept of Psychiatry, Dr. William R. (Bill) Yates. I had originally been thinking of posting one of my own CPCPs that I presented in 2015. It…
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Moderna Files for FDA Authorization of Updated Covid-19 Vaccine
The Moderna corporation announced in June 2023 that it filed for FDA authorization of its monovalent XBB. 1.5 vaccine. Pfizer also announced the same message in August. It’s on page 4 of the Pfizer Earnings Call.
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