News roundup for Fri, Aug 05, 2022

Carlotta SusannaStaff - August 4, 2022

In short: The US declared monkeypox a public health emergency. The source of the river Thames is almost dry. Coral cover on the Great Barrier Reef is
[See the full post at: News roundup for Fri, Aug 05, 2022]

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Wow, that lifeguard drone is cool!

 

I didn’t know that most of those vaccines wore off over time. It’s definitely been longer than most of those immunity duration times since I’ve gotten my childhood shots.

When I asked my doctor recently, they said I am all good and don’t need any more right now. But now I’m thinking that it might be good to order a titer blood test to check my immunity against some of those diseases I am more likely to get and see if I need a booster.

 

In 2019 I had a business trip to NYC around the same time as a measles outbreak in that area. I’d had the usual childhood MMR but thought this was a good time to make sure I was up-to-date. I went to an urgent care asking for the titre, and the doctor there recommended just getting the shot and not worrying about titre. I had my updated MMR before I left the office that day.

 

I think I got most of these vaccines since my schools required them and my parents thankfully aren’t anti-vax, but I might need a TDaP booster. Even though things like Tetanus are rare as hell (like, only double digit cases per year in the US I think?), it’s better to be safe than sorry. I don’t have a driver’s license, but maybe I could ask a family member to take me eventually.
Oh, and I might as well get one of those titer blood tests, as I never actually had one or even knew about it. I’ve been trying to find my childhood vax records, but I’ve had no luck getting them.

 

“I’ve been trying to find my childhood vax records, but I’ve had no luck getting them.”

I’m confident that my mom would have followed the recommended vaccine schedule, so I’m not worried about getting official records. But if you’re at all uncertain, yes there are blood tests to check your immunity levels to see if you still need those shots.

“Even though things like Tetanus are rare as hell (like, only double digit cases per year in the US I think?), it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

I’ve had two doctors tell me that I should just get the tetanus shot after a potential exposure,  such as a dirty cut. But I’m also certain that they would give me the shot if I insisted. My feeling is that it isn’t a big deal either way.

 

I think most doctors are willing to give you shots if you’re unsure and your insurance would fully cover the vaccine at the clinic.

I’m not completely sure about my chickenpox vaccine and an advice nurse recommended I get a titer test (I was born before 1995 and the records are messy, possibly the doctor didn’t know I hadn’t had a first dose). The doctor might decide to just give me the shot, though.

Getting more shots than necessary probably wouldn’t hurt you, I think.

 

For those without insurance (and even those with), many public health departments provide a variety of free vaccines.  Based on personal experience I think titers must be recommended for some, and “just give it to them” is fine for others. 

 

For kidnapping, throwing an epic fit (scream, cry, hit the attacker, etc.) is probably a good idea if you’re older than a toddler and the attacker isn’t threatening you with a knife or gun.

Know if you’re higher-risk: your appearance screams “gringo American with money,” you’re an attractive woman, or people would recognize you from TV or a newspaper. Even if you wouldn’t “pass as white” in the United States (whether you’re of European ancestry or not), lighter skin tones are more closely associated with having more economic resources in some countries because of socially endemic colorism or caste-ism.

Go with a trusted friend or family member if you’re doing anything that could increase your risk, like getting drinks or semi-isolated activities like hiking or urban exploration.

 

Great roundup!

I really liked the articles emphasizing family prepping.

Also, as a former schoolteacher, I could identify with the article on biggest risks for students and educators.

My son wants to be a farmer, but the barriers to doing so leave him frustrated. I forwarded the article on beginning farmers on to him.

This site is beginning to take up a lot of my time!