Pants
I just took Mmma to the veterinarian for her annual physical. Mmma is a border collie, blue healer, shepherd mix-a cow dog. The breed is known for their high level of intelligence and their tireless energy. As the dog reaches her 70th dog year birthday, she has slowed down a bit and become more easily agitated. Mmma was having no part of the blood drawing or the Dr as she pushing up as close to me and the wall as possible. The Vet suggested I give her anti anxiety medicine and reschedule the test for this week. Canine Trazadone is an anti anxiety medicine given to animals. I am anxious about a breakthrough COVID infection and how it might affect my grandchildren, friends, and others but will not be taking Canine Trazodone. I mentioned the recent increased use of animal medication by humans but the Vet suggested that there were some potential positive outcomes against COViD from human’s taking Ivermectin. I still trust my dog to this person but I kept my mask on in his presence.
Every recognized science based medical source from the American Medical Association to the American Pharmacists Association to the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration warn against taking this drug outside of a clinical trial. The drug is used as an anti parasitic in humans to treat head lice and other creepy worm creatures and their larvae. All that said, there were over 88,000 prescriptions for the drug in one week in August, up from a pre-pandemic average of 3600 per week. Not a big surprise, this increased usage have had a big impact on calls to the poison control groups reporting overdoses and adverse effects. It seems like hydroxychloroquine is back with a new name and the same basis in scientific data. What in the heck is wrong with all of these people who won’t vaccinate or wear a mask while embracing long shot remedies?
Jason Isbell was on the morning news being interviewed about his decision to require vaccinations, or proof of negative test to attend his concerts. Why would he take an action that he knows may cost him fans and some support, he said, “if you’re dead, you don’t have any freedoms at all.” There were no exceptions to the rule. During the interview Gayle King, the Anchor, got a clever and humorous response from Jason, “you know I have another rule at my concerts-you must wear pants”. He went on to add skirts. Point being, so many freedoms we sacrifice for the good of society, shoes in restaurants, no smoking in public places, seat beats are mandatory with car seats for children, and yes Pants are not optional at an Isbell concert. If all of this selfish, individual freedom mantra were not so frightening and deadly it could be funny.
Just when you think it can’t get much zanier or crazier, Texas delivers again. Appointing the citizens of the State to turn in anyone who may aid or abet a woman seeking an abortion. Even scarier the Supreme Court upheld the law on its merits. A facebook quote was called to my attention for its painful humor, “when do we start airlifting women and children out of Texas?” How does this travesty fit in the concern for the individual freedoms of each of us?
Thanks to each of you who wear a mask and have been vaccinated. Mike