Will I get to stitch today???

Having lived in both places, people on the East Coast ARE more polite, people on the West Coast are more self-centered.

On the East Coast, people were always offering to help with my luggage, even when I was managing just fine. In California, they walk right past me struggling ... unless they have an East Coast accent!

I was on the college debate team. We had filled up the trophy case in the academic building and were working on the trophy case in the athletic department (which otherwise would have contained absolutely nothing -- our football team couldn't have beaten the residents of the senior citizens complex).

We inquired why the "hasn't won a game in years" football team couldn't be disbanded and their funding given to us, so we could go to even more tournaments, and were told that the football team actually made money, between selling tickets and selling refreshments.

So don't be quite so fast to dismiss football -- especially in Texas, where it's the state religion -- as a waste of money.

They can and they do. Ask snipped-for-privacy@NeedleDelights.com.

Obviously, you were not raised by my mother!

For each child, put liquid soap (which in Mom's day meant dish detergent) on a wet washcloth. Put washcloth in Ziploc bag. Hand out washcloths on a regular basis. If you're going to be out most of the day, carry two washcloths per child.

Even that wasn't a good enough excuse for one of my employers. They sincerely felt that the only acceptable reason to miss worth was your own demise. As a result, the whole office had the flu the whole winter.

When my grandmother was in poor health, we had it, simply so the family could reach me in time to say goodbye. The day after she died, we cancelled it, because there was nothing that couldn't wait till I got off the phone.

When my parents reach that stage, I'll sign up for it again. Then again, I now have a pay as you go cell phone for emergencies, so I guess I no longer need call waiting.

I think there's a lot of variation. While they've been slow to get on board, at least around here it does seem like it's getting significantly more difficult to get antibiotics unless there's real evidence of a bacterial infection. Parents don't like it, but slowly but surely pediatricians seem to be deciding it's worth it to take a stand, even when faced with parents who are pushy or desperate to do something other than wait it out.

Best wishes, Ericka

That is not really a practical situation for a classroom. Diaper bag, yes; classroom full of kids, not so much.

Best wishes, Ericka

The latest hand sanitizer info we got from our state EMS office, per OSHA, was for adults, staying away from the anti-bacs, and using the chloro something active ingredient. For kids = staying with the alcohol based gels for sanitizer and not the anti-bacs. The Anti-bac overuse does run into the issues with antibiotics. So, many docs are trying to restrict/reserve the prescribing of anti-biotics to help all of us with the situation.

Indeed, we did all probably get dirty and eat plenty of yuck - but with modern life have come more strains of yucky germs and honestly, having a small thing of gel hand sanitizer for kids to use doesn't seem like a big hardship. Plus, you're still supposed to wash your hands as soon as you can.

The best thing most can do for helping their hand wash - the friction you generate by actively rubbing your hands together, especially between the fingers - will actually kill many, many bacteria. They don't survive that heat - truly. So, soap and water to get the muck, and rub your hands together vigorously when rinsing - which my microbiology prof made us actually prove in lab.

Ellice

It's not the everyday germs that are the issue. What has become more of an issue has to do with the earlier age at which children are in close contact with other children, and often in situations before their own immunities have developed versus those that carry over from the parents.

We still get plenty of "dirt" - so to speak.

Ellice

Ah, but you're in Texas, which is all about high school football - as you no doubt know. FWIW, $2M isn't anywhere near the cost of a stadium for a major university. Not even just 1 order of magnitude off. It's not really that much for a stadium - assuming it will do football, track, etc. That's what a pretty basic stadium would cost - though it's certainly more elaborate than bleachers without lights.

Ellice

Interestingly enough, according to OSHA the past 2 years, the infection rate for just "passed on" for lack of explaining further - has actually been lower in hospitals, and the highest rate is just community acquired. Contrary to what most people believe. Evidently all of the improved health-care facility policies must be working. Surprising answer, so to speak.

Ellice

"Lucille" wrote

ummmm, I work a seven hour shift. On the same premises as a Starbucks. Only judges have that kind of bladder control.

Dawne

Sell tickets? You are joking, right? I think if they can pay all this money for football, certainly people like Cheryl who pan out thousands of dollars for rink time, etc should be compensated for. We should have a national education system. In NY there is the NYS Board of Education. Down here they teach to the test. It's a disgrace.

Umm, it shouldn't be a parent's decision. Unless they have their own prescription pads. Most of the primary care docs I know, can't speak for pediatricians, have all kinds of announcement, info sheets in the office, posted in exam rooms, etc - stating the policy about antibiotic use, asking patients to understand and help them minimize their use.

It is a sad thing, but a state that exists - maybe worse in urban areas that are so predominantly 2 income - either by necessity or culture. I can remember my DM getting a friend to sit with me when I had tonsilitis and high fever - but she had to go to work. Often nowadays, that extra person to step in may not be there.

Ellice

Y'know, that's why people carry baby-wipes in their cars, purses, etc. And they're not very expensive, and you don't have to remember to bring them in, and wash them (forgetting them in the car or wherever being a problem).

Ellice

I know this to be true because my Internist is also a board certified pediatrician. In the exam rooms he has posted from the NIH about the over use of antiibiotics and their effects on the super infections. I forget what they are called...it's like a three letter thing. Do you know what I'm talking about?

I wonder, also, if it has to do with a drop in breast feeding babies. I've noticed more women are breast feeding again which is a good thing. I can only imagine how hard on the mom that must be, but it is so good for the child and potential allergies, etc.

Okay, so I exaggerated a bit. However, I would not mind one bit if school supplies were paid for first. Teachers down here make 28 thousand to start. Actually, on that salary, if you don't have a lot of debt and high car payments, one can easily afford to buy a house, even have iti build new.

Still, for a teacher to spend any oer his/her money to buy crayons, pencils, whatever; while a stadium is being built is just not acceptable. Teachers also don't need a Masters degree down here. Up in NY in order for tenure you must get your Masters within five years after hire. On the other hand, the pay is three times what it is in TX, but still not relatively speaking. 60 thousand is not great on Long Island. I have no idea how people live up there. I've probably mentioned it before, but my mom pays 11 thousand dollars real estate tax annually and she quailfies for the STAR program which is designed to help seniors. If she didn't have that, her taxes would be way over

I'm going to bed. I'm too wound up today. May you all have a peaceful night or in Trish's case, day.