Couch 75

Oh, I didn't mean that all people working with this are in it for the money. Definitely not. Sorry if I made it seem that way! Not even all companies are in it for the money. However, a lot of companies are and that's the problem. I understand that companies want to invest in something that is profitable, of course, but when that stands in the way of important things like this it becomes a problem (in my opinion). Do you know what I mean?

May I ask what you're working with? I'm curious. This might be a stupid question but do you reckon there's anything an undergrad like myself can do to help? I can't let this go. This whole antibiotic resistance thing.

A long night for me, somehow I'm still out.

Had a late night but a pretty good night, I just hope I can get some sleep now.

This is one of the many things that genuinely scare me, in what is happening to the environment. A close relative of mine works at the water protection agency; antibiotics are not that much of a problem in Swedish waters so far, but she has a lot of international contacts and she's told me that in some countries, antibiotics are dumped in the water, ending up in the ground water, with obvious consequences. Some people are even advised to flush unused medication down the toilet. (Granted, that way it has to pass through filters and chemical purification, so its better than throwing it into the river, but everything is not caught by the filters.) And only recently I read about a doctor who had prescribed antibiotics against a virus infection, without even meeting the patient... he was warned, of course, but the number of doctors who do that is probably frighteningly high. (Some people simply should not be doctors.) And finally, in some countries they give antibiotics to animals as a routine proceedure. All these things mean that very soon, bacterial infections may no longer be treatable with antibiotics, and even more people will die from fairly uncomplicated infections. Not to mention all the species of animals that will suffer or become extinct.

Sorry, I know that you know all this, neutrino, but I had to rant.

Yep. There are a lot of things that contribute to bacteria getting resistant.

I think it's crazy that in a lot of countries they give antibiotics to livestock simply because it promotes growth (yet another thing that's done to earn more money). In Sweden that was forbidden in 1986 and in the EU it was forbidden in 2006, if I'm not mistaken. I think it's still legal in the US (and in a lot of other countries).

In a lot of countries (probably in most countries) you don't need a prescription to buy antibiotics, which definitely contributes to the problem since people tend to buy it even if it's not absolutely necessary. I've also understood that it isn't really common knowledge that viral infections can't be treated by antibiotics. I honestly thought most people knew that and for a doctor (the one you mentioned) to not know about it is quite absurd (if not preposterous).

No need to apologize! I'm glad to see someone else is reacting.

I hope I'm not offending anyone by posting all of this. I really don't mean to accuse anyone of anything. This is just something I'm both quite interested in and quite upset by. Just want to spread some awareness I guess. I hope that's ok.

They just had a show on public television about the antibiotics issue. I wonder if its going to be like climate change and health care in the US - ignore it until we cant ignore it any longer, then the government will do something about it.

What did they say?

They were talking mostly about KPC? I think it was called? A pneumonia that they couldnt treat that was spreading thruout a hospital in the state of Maryland, USA. And they were talking about Pfizer co closing up instead of trying to find new antibiotics etc.

Honestly American companies are just big adult babysitting farms. I think they should close up - they keep the people that just sit there and fire the people (like me) that do the actual work. I once took over a computer program from a longtime employee who sat on it, charging 40 hours of work but accomplishing nothing, and i completed it in 8 hours. Now im gone and hes still there. How can any company survive like that? Answer - as long as they can get away with it. But eventually someone will have to pay up. Life is like a game of musical chairs. If you get caught standing, too bad for you. we american baby boomer kids grew up on that stupid game.

So Saturday is finally here

I do not understand visitors who stay and keep talking even when a sick person is falling asleep. I need a sign that says "leave now" to hold up.

Yeah, there will always be people only in it for the money, and unfortunately without the money there will be no research. Everything's got a dark side. I think it was Jung who said man is almost half a devil... He had a point...

If you're interested you should look into doing a summer internship with a biotech company. Maybe you could talk to your campus careers office about it?

I've never worked with antibiotics myself, cancer and cardiac drugs mostly. To do the really cool stuff you need a postgraduate degree too. Sigh. One day...

Sounds like a pretty good idea to me SD. People generally want to help, but sometimes they need help helping, IYKWIM.

Today was a beautiful day (finally)! A friend and I went out to my garden. She sat in a comfy chair and read a book, while I planted 3 blueberry bushes. My dog ran around, only stopping a few times to get a drink of water. The temp was in the 70's, and there was a slight breeze. I went barefoot for a while. The grass was nice and cool under my feet. I've been reading about how walking barefoot on the ground is very healthful for our bodies, including helping with pain. It felt great to be outside and feel the warmth of the sun. I am tired tonight, but not too much. Next week I'll probably be able to pick asparagus and rhubarb.

I bought some disposable surgical masks to wear when I'm out in the dirt. Otherwise, I usually end up with sinus issues. The mask seemed to make quite a difference today. The stiff ones they sell at the hardware store don't work well, and they're too warm.

I saw my first butterfly of the season today. It was a mourning cloak. Can't wait to start finding the black swallowtail and Eastern tiger swallowtail eggs and caterpillars. And of course, I raise monarchs every year, also. I AM SO GLAD WINTER IS OVER!

I'm felling a bit warmer towards Madame T. No doubt it will pass.

I don't get the allure of marilyn monroe. I find her movies so annoying.

Can't wait for tomorrow, big music festival to go to.

Its the tragedy of marilyn monroe. Its the allure of jayne mansfield.

I just stopped by to kick it on the couch a bit............ah better! Thanks!

What kind of woman allures you?

Happy Mother's Day to all the Momma's here!!! Have a wonderful, relaxing day with lots of smiles!

Argh, Mother's Day - thank you for reminding me! It's in two weeks' time, and most years we don't do anything (it's not a major thing in this country and we've never celebrated it much in my family) but this year, one of my siblings and I have talked about doing a minor art project thing together for our mother, and I am going to need more than a week for that. Mum lost one of her brothers only a few days ago and I think she's feeling a bit down.

I honestly wish it was not as big of a deal here! It's a super painful holiday that leaves me with an upside-down tummy and a lump in my throat!

But all of the good mothers out there deserve to be celebrated!

yuck I truly hate mothers day . I hate everything about it. I hate the expectations that the mothers have. I have a mother and a step mother to deal with. I wish it did not exist. I will call the mother soon and be a good daughter hating myself the whole time. then I will go to the stepmothers and give her her gift and the rest of the day is mine to do whatever I want .and that means im going shopping at a scrapbooking store with a friend

I hope the rest of your day will be better, granite. And I hope you'll have a great day, Ally.

as soon as I get this mother thing out of the way I am hoping to have a good day hanging with a friend