COVID is like driving

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Tuesday August 02, 2022 · 10:52 AM PDT

2022/08/02 · 10:52

Driving is dangerous. Each day, roughly 90 people die in the US from car accidents. Many more are injured, some with life-changing injuries.

But, each day we get in our cars, pretty much without thought to the risk. If you live in a big city, you accept rush hour traffic on multi-lane highways. If you live in a hilly, rural area, you deal with windy roads and steep drop-offs. Most of us fasten seat-belts ( = masking and vaccines). Manufacturers have improved safety ( = ventilation). Perhaps you are extra cautious in rain or snow storms but, we assume that a car accident won’t happen to US.

It seems like people’s behavior around Covid is similar. Everyone going about their lives with little attention paid to the risk. Covid is no longer dominating the news, testing is way down, so perhaps most are not aware that about 300-400 people die each day from Covid. Many more have long-covid with impacts lasting weeks to years. But, the acceptance/denial of risk is there. And, those of us who are still trying to avoid exposure as much as possible, are seen as nervous Nellies. I don’t drive drunk in a blizzard and I don’t go to large indoor events. I wear my mask. I wear my seat belt. It’s not crazy to want my last 20-30 years to be as pain free as possible.

NC voter ID blocked for 2020

turtle4

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Friday December 27, 2019 · 7:55 AM PST

2019/12/27 · 07:55

Federal judge has blocked voter ID requirements

www.wral.com/...

How do we help WV teachers?

turtle4

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Saturday March 03, 2018 · 6:28 PM PST

2018/03/03 · 18:28

How do we help the WV teachers? Does anyone know? We sent pizza to the Wisconsin act 10 protests. I would like to do more than cheer them at home.

ShelterBox for Syrian refugees

turtle4

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Friday November 20, 2015 · 9:02 AM PST

2015/11/20 · 09:02

I am disgusted, disillusioned, discouraged and embarrassed by the xenophobic hysteria on display by our “leaders” regarding the Syrian refugee crisis. In an attempt to turn that anger into action rather than depression, I made a donation to ShelterBox to support their work.

According to their website, “ShelterBox has been working in Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq Kurdistan to help the millions of Syrian's who have had to leave their country since the conflict began four years ago. Recently, ShelterBox began working in Greece to provide the basic human right of shelter to these refugees as they seek asylum and safety.”

ending "partner" benefits

turtle4

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Tuesday June 30, 2015 · 11:11 AM PDT

2015/06/30 · 11:11

That was quick, my HR department just sent out this memo:

The court’s ruling now provides same-sex couples the same legal access to benefit coverage and tax filing status as married opposite-sex couples. Because the rights and legal status of marriage were not available to same-sex couples previously, XXXXX has for the last 20 years extended access to benefit coverage to same-sex couples.
The removal of the limitations for same-sex marriage provides a more equitable environment and offers the same rights and benefits available to opposite-sex couples. As a result, effective Jan. 1, 2016, all newly hired faculty and staff, regardless of sexual orientation, must be legally married to cover a partner or partner’s child for benefits or applicable policies, including:

Medical, dental, & vision benefits
Reimbursement accounts
Financial Protection (such as personal casualty coverage)
Educational assistance, including the Children’s Tuition Grant program
Retirement plans
Survivor benefits
And policies such as FMLA, Sick Leave, Bereavement Leave

Current faculty and staff members will be grandfathered under the provisions of the Same-Sex Spousal Equivalency policy since they have already qualified for dependent coverage under the existing policy. However, registered same-sex couples will still not be able to take advantage of the federal and state tax savings for payment of these benefits unless legally married or able to claim one’s partner as a dependent as defined by the IRS and the tax code. Employees should consult a tax advisor if they have any questions regarding personal situations.

I live in NC, a state with no employment or housing protections. It'll be a big decision for some folks.

Prevent Fracking in NC

turtle4

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Wednesday June 27, 2012 · 6:47 AM PDT

2012/06/27 · 06:47

Governor Perdue only has until Sunday to decide whether fracking will come to North Carolina. We need to turn up the pressure!

Call Gov Perdue’s office (800) 662-7952, or (919) 733-2391. Simply leave a message before it is too late by stating you name and urge her to veto the Fracking Bill S820. Alternatively, you can email her a quick 1-sentence e-mail (state the town you live in and urge her to veto the bill) to governor.office@nc.gov.

RALLY
Date: Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Time: 6:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Location: 200 North Blount St., Raleigh, NC (In front of the Governor's Mansion)
Parking: There is plenty of free street parking surrounding the location. Parking is also available at the public parking deck located on corner of Wilmington St. & Morgan St.

BRING YOUR SIGNS AND DRUMS!!!

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