If I weren’t so aggravated at the constant sniff-sniff-sniff of runny noses around here, I’d probably be more appreciative.

Marvel at it some time for me, will you?  Behold the unrelenting assault that Mother Nature wreaks upon our young, to ensure that only the hardiest survive.

Inside the last three weeks, both kids have gotten a head cold; the little one got a subsequent ear infection and then the flu.  Now both of them again have gotten another new head cold.  It’s possible it’s a biphasic virus but I doubt it; the symptoms are different from the last cold. 

Granted, I can do little to ease their misery except ply them with OTC cold meds and NSAIDs; keeping them hydrated and ensuring lots of rest is probably the most effective approach.  I can’t help think about mothers in times past who had nothing to give to their children save for herbal tonics (which may or may not have been helpful/toxic).  What did they do for a child with an ear infection, one that I would now receive antibiotics to treat?  Did many adults suffer from deafness because of untreated childhood infections?

Worse, mothers of decades past really had little information about the nature of illness.  Within my reach is the Mayo Clinic book on family health, a book on pediatric medications, several books about child rearing, and the wealth of the internet.  I can look up nearly anything on viruses, kids’ health and infection control.  I can make an informed decision about my kids’ health without relying solely on our family physician to advise and treat them.

Here’s to Nature, in all her harsh, cruel beauty.  And here’s to us, grown tougher and smarter under the blessings of illnesses.

9:10:47 PM    comment []

Number of Mass Layoffs Rose Sharply in January
2,400 Employers Let Go 50 or More

Lucky duckies in these states, yes?

“California, the most populous state, had the most mass layoffs, 576, according to the BLS data. This was followed by 194 in New York, 171 in Michigan and 167 in Pennsylvania. In Virginia, 24 employers laid off 50 or more workers, affecting 3,061 jobs. In Maryland, 19 employers did so, with 2,009 jobs lost. No mass layoffs occurred in the District.”

They must be looking forward eagerly to all those jobs in sunny Florida, working for the tourist industry or maybe in healthcare working as aides!  Or no, maybe they’ll be transferring to the “durable goods” sector, making Special Sauce!

Maybe we should call a few of these newly lucky duckies, ask them if they think they’re just wishing this economy would be bad so that we could have a change in Administration come November.

What do you think these 239,454 people would say?  Do you think they’d be happy if the economy turned around NOW?

7:18:27 AM    comment []