Blog - Page 258 of 421 - Peninsula 360 Press

3,500 backpacks distributed in San Mateo for students in need

Peninsula 360 Press

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2022.08.08

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3,500 backpacks distributed in San Mateo for students in need

By Bay City News.

On Saturday, nearly 3,500 backpacks were distributed to needy students in San Mateo, from preschool through college.

The backpack distribution, held at the San Mateo Events Center, was presented by Samaritan House, an organization dedicated to fighting poverty in San Mateo County.

Area residents have been contacting Samaritan House for the past three months to sign up to receive the donated backpacks and school supplies.

Nearly 60 volunteers from various community groups handed out school supplies at Saturday's event.

“As the price of gasoline, groceries and other essential items increases each week, we see continued high demand for our services,” said Bart Charlow, CEO of Samaritan House.

She also noted that her clients' families have been struggling with economic hardship since before the pandemic.

“We are also seeing new customers every week as the economy falters and basic needs are out of reach for more people. That’s why we are thrilled to provide all the supplies children need to thrive in school and take that financial burden off the shoulders of their families.”

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As migrant flows increase, illegal returns continue along the EU's southern border

Peninsula 360 Press

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2022.08.08

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As migrant flows increase, illegal returns continue along the EU's southern border

By Katarina Machmer. Ethnic Media Services.

Editor's note: War, famine and climate change are once again causing a surge in migrants seeking entry into the European Union, which is legally required to assess asylum cases before expulsion. In EU member nation Croatia, however, an ongoing policy of illegal and sometimes violent pushbacks has human rights groups sounding the alarm.

ZAGREB, Croatia – One of the European Union’s longest borders stretches across hundreds of miles of deep forest separating EU member nation Croatia on one side and Bosnia and Herzegovina on the other. For any EU citizen, the scenery is breathtaking.

But for migrants and refugees trying to enter the EU, “the jungle”, as many call it, can be both a blessing and a curse.

“We hide in the forest on the way to the border, but there are many difficulties along the way, such as snakes and the danger of getting lost in the dark of night,” says Amar – not his real name – who is originally from India. Unexploded ordnance and landmines, remnants of the 1992-1995 Bosnian War, add to the risks faced by migrants.

Irregular migration into the EU – refugees and migrants entering the bloc without documentation – is rising sharply, approaching numbers not seen since 2016, when estimates reached 1.6 million, according to the EU’s border agency Frontex. War, famine and climate change are among the drivers of this latest surge.

Most arrive along the so-called “Balkan route,” which runs northwest from Turkey, through Greece and into the Balkan nations that form the southern border of the 27-member EU. In 2015, the route became a key artery for migrants from the Middle East and Africa. But after Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia closed their borders, Bosnia and Herzegovina emerged as the region’s most important transit country.

The Balkan Route is a key artery for migrants from the Middle East and North Africa seeking to enter the European Union.Image credit)

Some 87,000 migrants have arrived in the country since 2018. The increase comes as renewed tensions stemming from the 1992 Bosnian War are beginning to resurface.

“Ten times in a row.” That’s how many times Amar has tried to cross, and each time, “the police caught me,” he says. Another migrant, from Iran, says he has made more than 200 attempts.

Amar lives in Camp Lipa, a Temporary Reception Centre (TRC), or migrant camp, in the northwestern corner of Bosnia and Herzegovina that opened last year after the country came under fire for its treatment of migrants. The camp is a few days’ walk from the Croatian border, along rugged terrain that, while closely monitored, also provides opportunities for migrants to fly under the radar.

Still, reports show that Croatia, along with neighbouring Greece and Romania, has carried out hundreds of illegal pushback operations, forcing migrants like Amar back across the border. In one documented case from 2020, Croatian authorities forcibly expelled more than 2,000 migrants in a span of 19 days.

The operations have raised alarm bells among human rights groups who say the EU is complicit. EU and international law requires member countries to first assess an asylum seeker's case, including irregular border crossings, before expelling them, a principle known as non-refoulement.

Croatian journalist Yasmin Klarić has covered the pushback operations and says they are part of Croatia's efforts to become part of the Schengen Area, made up of 26 EU countries that have abolished virtually all border controls. Croatia's entry into the zone would allow its citizens to travel freely across EU member countries.

Data shows that EU member nation Croatia accounts for an overwhelming majority of illegal returns of migrants, with nearly half of migrants returned to Bosnia.Source)

Klarić believes that pushback operations are becoming increasingly normalised and that the EU has no interest in ending them. On the contrary. “If the EU brings Croatia into Schengen, it will not do so despite the fact that the country is hitting migrants and refugees, but because it is doing so,” says Klarić, pointing to a general shift in EU policy towards deterrence along its borders.

That shift can be seen in the support given by the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, to Croatian border police, as well as in the statements of leaders including Ognian Zlatev, who represents the European Commission in Croatia. “If people try to cross the border irregularly,” he says flatly, “this is a crime.”

Meanwhile, with a global food crisis exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and simmering conflicts in Africa and the Middle East, the flow of migrants continues, fuelling an ongoing humanitarian crisis along the EU's southern border.

“The border police did that,” says one Camp Lipa resident, pointing to an injured arm. “You journalists come and report to us all the time, but nothing changes,” complains another.

Fences surround Camp Lipa, a migrant camp in northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Image: Charlotte Groß-Hohnacker)

Arnela Čauŝević works at a TRC in the village of Uŝivak, near Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. She says that despite the obstacles to entering the EU, few migrants opt for asylum in her country. “I only know two or three who tried to apply for asylum in Bosnia. The others continue to cross the border, even if they need 100 times to succeed.”

The Uŝivak camp is home to mostly families, housed in containers built on ground parched by the summer heat. One family from Pakistan is already preparing to cross the border just days after their arrival following a 15-day trek from Serbia with little food or water and a sick daughter in tow. Their goal is to reach Germany.

Another family that fled Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power there is also preparing to try their luck at the border. "If we don't manage to cross," says the father, "we'll try again."

Katarina Machmer is a Munich-based journalist covering migration and politics.

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Sexual relations during menstrual period? Why say yes!

Opinion

Pamela Cruz

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2022.08.05

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Sexual relations during menstrual period? Why say yes!

“Nothing is dirty as long as it is clean,” a therapist I used to see several years ago once told me. Those words were the result of asking him about having sex during my period and anal sex, since it is precisely on those days that my libido is high and I wondered how to bring up the subject with my partner.

After a long and drawn-out discussion, I decided to talk to the person I was dating at the time about the possibility of having sex during those days. It should be noted that he was never against it, in fact, he had already brought it up before, but it was my perception that had stopped us from having sexual encounters during that period.

Cleanliness, if not bothered by the blood that might be exposed and the smells, were thoughts that ran through my head all the time, causing me anxiety.

However, I also thought about how much I wanted to be with my partner and enjoy those bursts of libido caused by the hormones that emanate during those days.

For Claudia, a friend of many years, it is unthinkable to have sexual encounters during her period, as she considers the moment “disgusting.” Not so for Ana, who without shame confessed to me that she did it whenever she wanted and if it was on those days, she even enjoyed it more, as it helped her control the cramps, reduced her blood pressure and even got rid of her headaches.

There's a scientific reason for that last bit, as studies have shown that orgasms can relieve menstrual cramps, which are caused by your uterus contracting to release its lining. When you have an orgasm, the muscles in your uterus also contract and then relax, and it's that relaxation that can relieve period pain.

In addition, sexual relations also activate the release of chemicals called endorphins, which are responsible for making you feel good and happy.

On top of that, engaging in sexual activities occupies your mind, which can help distract you from your menstrual discomfort and relieve stress.

On the other hand, having sex can make your periods shorter, as the muscle contractions during an orgasm expel the uterine contents more quickly, which could speed up the process.

Approximately Half of women suffer from migraines during their periods, and although most of those who suffer from the condition avoid sexual relations when they have a headache, many of those who do have them say they feel partial or total relief.

Nancy, 25, told me that she was afraid it would be painful, and while every body is different, it is important to know that blood works as a natural lubricant, thus reducing the need to use extra gels to combat the discomfort caused by vaginal dryness.

Thus, bleeding will allow vaginal penetration to be smoother, and there may be a much greater feeling of pleasure.

What do they say?

Emmanuel, a 40-year-old sports journalist, has no problem with the issue of blood, but he does not ignore it because of the smell.

«Actually, I don't like it very much. It doesn't affect the blood, the problem with me is the smell. If something smells bad, the passion goes away. It all happened in the kitchen, we were cooking and suddenly it happened. It was just not comfortable for her.»

Do you mind? I asked. “Not really, just the smell part, but it can be tolerated. You have to be empathetic with the natural processes of the couple. Understand what they like, when and how. It is an issue that concerns both if there is a relationship,” she stressed.

For Josué, a 41-year-old public relations agency director, although it is not a pleasure as such, he has practiced it and it has not bothered him in any way.

«Personally, it doesn't affect me. It's more about the girl, making her feel comfortable, using lubricant and a condom. I remember a couple of very different occasions. On one of them, there was no problem at all. I think it was because my partner at the time was open to having sex during her period. In fact, it was more a matter of concern to cover things up and not make a mess than about the act itself.»

"In another, the girl wanted to experiment, but she realized that it was not comfortable for her, apparently more due to an issue she said about "hygiene" than anything else, obviously neither she nor I were comfortable and it was not the best experience," he said.

Do you mind? I asked, “No, some factors change, but it’s not something that bothers me, the issue has been more about how the girl I’m with feels, if she’s comfortable doing it.”

Having sex during your period is one of the many taboos that exist. Personally, I see it as something that the couple should reach a consensus on, although the one who has the last word is the woman, she is the one who goes through a period and knows what discomfort she experiences, although, sometimes, intercourse can reduce cramps.

In the case of Israel - a 30-year-old premium motorcycle salesman - not having sex during those days is more a decision made by the woman.

«From my perspective, I think it's more a women's issue than a us issue. I can even tell you that I like it because the hormonal issue is more intense and everything becomes more passionate. Obviously, it's important to have a bathroom nearby to take a shower afterwards, but personally, I prefer it and I like it. It doesn't disgust me, far from it. It even serves as a lubricant.»

«I hope they stop thinking that it makes us uncomfortable, a talk beforehand and that's it. We put towels down or see what we do, but we don't limit ourselves. We have to enjoy sexuality fully and without reservations.»

Hans, a 29-year-old sociologist, is not a fan of having sex with his partner during their period, especially because of the sensation on the skin and for "logistical" reasons.

«Personally, I don't like having sex when my partner is menstruating. It's not disgusting, it's just a logistical problem. It's happened to me several times that with penetration and movement, the flow of blood ends up staining the bed and the mattress. I feel that the constant thought of staining the bed doesn't let me enjoy the act.»

«On the other hand, I'm not a fan of the feeling of blood at the base of the penis when it starts to dry along with the pubic hairs, it's something very peculiar and I don't like it. It doesn't disgust me particularly, but I don't like the feeling of being covered in Chantilly, cream, honey or blood.»

Help yourself and I will help you

Below are some tips that can help make your journey on the path of period sex easier, from Healthline, a health information website based in San Francisco, California.

Be open and honest with your partner. Tell them how you feel about having sex during your period and ask them how they feel. If either of you have concerns, discuss the reasons for the discomfort.
If you are wearing a tampon, remove it before starting stimulation.
Place a dark-colored towel on the bed to absorb any blood stains, or have sex in the shower or bath for easy cleanup.
Keep a damp cloth or wet wipes near the bed to clean up afterward.
Ask your partner to use a condom. This will protect you from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
If your usual sexual position isn't comfortable, try something different until you find the one you feel most comfortable with. Missionary or spooning can work well.
Remember that no one can force you to do something you don't want to do. If you don't like having sex during your menstrual period, talk to your partner and come to an agreement.

Reasonable doubts

Is it possible to get pregnant by having sex during your period?

If you're not thinking about conceiving, using protection is a good idea no matter where you are in your menstrual cycle. Your chances of conceiving are lower during your period, but it's still possible to get pregnant then.

Remember that there is a high chance of getting pregnant during ovulation, which happens about 14 days before your period starts. Although each woman's cycle length is different and can change each month, if you have a short menstrual cycle, your risk of getting pregnant during your period is higher, according to the American Pregnancy Association.

In addition, it should be considered that sperm can remain alive in your uterus for up to five days, according to Dr. Patricio C. Gargollo, from the Mayo Clinic.

Is it necessary to use protection during your menstrual period?

Using protection will not only help prevent an unwanted pregnancy, it will also protect you against sexually transmitted diseases, which you can not only contract, but you can also transmit them more easily to your partner because viruses such as HIV live in menstrual blood.

Ask your partner to use a latex condom every time you have sex to reduce these chances, and if you or your partner are allergic to latex, there are other forms of protection you can use. You can ask your doctor or health care workers for recommendations.

Pamela Cruz. Editor-in-Chief of Peninsula 360 Press. A communications expert by profession, but a journalist and writer by conviction, with more than 10 years of experience in the media. Specialized in medical and scientific journalism by Harvard and winner of the International Visitors Leadership Program scholarship from the U.S. government.

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Stanford monitors wastewater for COVID-19 and simian pox genetic markers

Peninsula 360 Press

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2022.08.05

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Stanford monitors wastewater for COVID-19 and simian pox genetic markers

Investigadores de la Universidad de Stanford y la Universidad de Emory han lanzado una iniciativa a nivel nacional para monitorear la viruela símica, la COVID-19 y otras enfermedades infecciosas en las comunidades mediante la medición del material genético viral en las aguas residuales.

El esfuerzo buscará también proporcionar a los funcionarios de salud y al público datos gratuitos y de alta calidad, que son fundamentales para informar la toma de decisiones de salud pública.

La iniciativa ya está produciendo datos, incluidas las primeras detecciones de ADN de viruela símica en aguas residuales en los Estados Unidos, destacó la universidad en un comunicado.

This new Stanford-led effort, called WastewaterSCAN, amplía significativamente el acceso al enfoque analítico y los informes públicos desarrollados por los científicos y 11 comunidades del norte de California a través de Sewer Coronavirus Alert Network ‒SCAN‒ que se lanzó en noviembre de 2020.

Comenzando con el virus SARS- CoV-2 que causa la COVID-19, SCAN ha brindado información frecuente que es comparable a lo largo del tiempo y de un lugar a otro sobre los niveles comunitarios de la enfermedad, sus variantes, viruela símica, influenza A y virus respiratorio sincitial ‒RSV, por sus siglas en inglés‒ para ayudar a dar forma a las respuestas de salud pública a esas infecciones.

Los científicos que lideran WastewaterSCAN fueron los primeros en reportar detecciones de marcadores genéticos del virus de la viruela símica en aguas residuales en Estados Unidos, que hasta el momento son las únicas detecciones reportadas del monitoreo de aguas residuales.

Comenzaron a realizar pruebas de ADN viral de la viruela del símica en las 11 ubicaciones en el norte de California el 19 de junio, tuvieron las dos primeras detecciones positivas en plantas que prestan servicios en partes de San Francisco al día siguiente y encontraron ADN viral de la viruela de símica en las aguas residuales de 10 sitios.

A partir de hoy, 38 plantas de tratamiento en ocho estados están recibiendo los resultados de la viruela símica de WastewaterSCAN y SCAN, además de los resultados del virus SARS-CoV-2 que causa la COVID-19 y sus variantes BA.4 y BA.5, influenza A y RSV.

En total, el equipo ha detectado ADN de viruela símica en aguas residuales en 22 lugares.

«Debido a que se basa en la población y no está sesgado por el acceso a las pruebas clínicas, las aguas residuales nos ayudan a comprender las tendencias de las enfermedades infecciosas en una comunidad. Hemos visto lo valioso que puede ser esto a medida que han cambiado las prácticas de prueba individuales para el SARS-CoV-2», dijo Alexandria Boehm, profesora de ingeniería civil y ambiental en Stanford.

«El material genético de los patógenos que monitoreamos se ha documentado en excreciones de personas infectadas que terminan en el sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales», puntualizó.

Los científicos de Stanford y Emory están trabajando con Verily Life Sciences, que colabora para optimizar métodos de alto rendimiento, probar muestras y producir datos en su laboratorio, y con funcionarios locales de aguas residuales y salud pública para producir datos procesables sobre COVID-19 y otros patógenos Comunidades en California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan y Texas están participando hasta el momento.

«Necesitamos repensar nuestro paradigma para rastrear enfermedades infecciosas y anticipar nuevas amenazas», subrayó Marlene Wolfe, profesora asistente de salud ambiental en la Universidad de Emory y co-investigadora principal de WastewaterSCAN.

«Tomamos la misma muestra de sólidos de aguas residuales que ya estamos recolectando ‒es menos de medio gramo que representa hasta millones de personas en una comunidad‒ y hacemos una prueba ligeramente diferente para la siguiente variante o el siguiente patógeno».

Bradley White, científico principal de los esfuerzos de salud pública de Verily, incluidas las pruebas de aguas residuales, dijo que proporcionar resultados rápidos de las muestras es fundamental para ayudar a los funcionarios de salud pública a comprender la propagación comunitaria de estos virus, lo que permite una mitigación y un tratamiento más efectivos.

WastewaterSCAN también se está asociando con la Liga Nacional de Ciudades para apoyar a una cohorte de 50 de sus ciudades miembro mientras implementan el monitoreo de aguas residuales y trabajan para mejorar la salud pública en función de sus resultados.

«Como vimos durante la pandemia de COVID-19, los líderes comunitarios desempeñan un papel de vital importancia en la gestión proactiva de las crisis de salud, y esta emergencia de salud pública no es diferente», explicó el director ejecutivo y director ejecutivo de NLC, Clarence Anthony.

Las plantas de aguas residuales en las comunidades participantes toman muestras tres veces por semana y reciben materiales para enviar los contenedores al laboratorio de Verily para su análisis, incluida la detección de material genético viral con tecnología basada en PCR.

Los resultados están disponibles en un sitio web público within 48 hours after the arrival of the samples.

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Monarch Butterfly is officially in danger of extinction

Pamela Cruz

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2022.08.05

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Monarch Butterfly is officially in danger of extinction

The migratory monarch butterfly - Danaus plexippus plexippus - known for its spectacular annual journey of up to 4,000 kilometers across the Americas, has entered the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature ‒IUCN‒ of Threatened Species in the category "In Danger", threatened by the destruction of its habitat and climate change.

The IUCN Red List currently includes 147,517 species, of which 41,459 are threatened with extinction.

“The updated Red List highlights the fragility of nature’s wonders, such as the unique spectacle of monarch butterflies migrating thousands of kilometres,” said Dr Bruno Oberle, IUCN Director General.

“To preserve nature’s rich diversity, we need effective and fairly governed protected and conserved areas, along with decisive action to respond to climate change and restore ecosystems. In turn, biodiversity conservation supports communities by providing essential services such as food, water and sustainable jobs,” she said.

The migratory monarch butterfly, "Endangered", is a subspecies of the monarch butterfly - Danaus plexippus.

The native population, known for its winter migrations from Mexico and California to summer breeding grounds in the United States and Canada, has declined by 22 to 72 percent over the past decade.

Legal and illegal logging and deforestation to make way for agriculture and urban development have already destroyed much of the butterflies' wintering grounds in Mexico and California, while pesticides and herbicides used in intensive agriculture throughout the species' range kill butterflies and milkweed, the host plant on which monarch butterfly larvae feed, the organization said in a statement.

She also highlighted that climate change has significantly impacted the migratory monarch butterfly and constitutes a rapidly growing threat as “drought limits milkweed growth and increases the frequency of catastrophic wildfires, extreme temperatures trigger earlier migrations, before milkweed is available, while severe weather events kill millions of butterflies.”

The western population is at greatest risk of extinction, having declined by an estimated 99.9 percent from 10 million to 1,914 butterflies between the 1980s and 2021. The larger eastern population has also declined by 84 percent between 1996 and 2014, the IUCN said.

In this regard, he noted that there is still concern about whether there are enough butterflies left to maintain populations and prevent extinction.

“It’s heartbreaking to see monarch butterflies and their extraordinary migration teeter on the brink of collapse, but there are signs of hope. Many people and organizations have come together to try to protect this butterfly and its habitats. From planting native milkweed and reducing pesticide use to supporting winter site protection and contributing to community science, we can all play a role in ensuring this iconic insect makes a full recovery,” said Anna Walker, Species Survival Officer at the New Mexico BioPark Society, who led the monarch assessment.

Adding to the news, he said, is the sad evidence that all the remaining species of sturgeon in the northern hemisphere, including migratory species, are being pushed even closer to the brink of the abyss by dams and poaching, which are the most endangered group of animals in the world.

The global reassessment of sturgeons released last week reveals that 100 percent of the world's remaining 26 sturgeon species are now threatened with extinction, up from 85 percent in 2009.

The assessments are based on refined calculations, which show that its decline over the past three generations is steeper than previously thought.

The Yangtze sturgeon – Acipenser dabryanus – has been downlisted from Critically Endangered to Extinct in the Wild, with 17 species now Critically Endangered, three Endangered and five Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The reassessment has also confirmed the extinction of the Chinese paddlefish – Psephurus gladius.

Famous for their size, with the Critically Endangered beluga whale – Huso huso – able to grow up to eight metres and weigh up to 1,700 kilograms, sturgeons have been overexploited for their meat and caviar for centuries.

Despite being protected under international law, poaching continues to affect more than half of these species, and stricter enforcement of regulations on the illegal sale of sturgeon meat and caviar is critical to halting further declines.

Dams affect all sturgeon species migrating to their breeding grounds, while warming rivers due to climate change further disrupt the reproduction of these fish. Restoring freshwater ecosystems and building effective fish passages, along with restocking, which has already proven effective for species such as the Critically Endangered Adriatic sturgeon – Acipenser naccarii – are key measures to support the long-term survival of the world’s sturgeons.

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Journalist Ernesto Méndez, director of "Tu Voz" media outlet, murdered in Mexico

Peninsula 360 Press

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2022.08.04

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Journalist Ernesto Méndez, director of "Tu Voz" media outlet, murdered in Mexico

Journalist Ernesto Méndez, director of the media outlet “Tu Voz”, located in the state of Guanajuato, has been murdered in Mexico. With him, 13 journalists have been killed so far in 2022 in the neighboring country, making him one of the most dangerous for those who practice any type of journalism.

The organization Article 19 announced the unfortunate news through its account Twitter, where he specified that there was a history of threats against the victim, for which reason he called on the Special Prosecutor's Office for Crimes Committed against Freedom of Expression - FEADLE - and the Attorney General's Office - FGR - to take on the case and consider his informative work as a motive for the crime.

With Ernesto, 13 journalists have been murdered so far in 2022, at least 9 of them linked to their work.

"We demand that the Mexican State act urgently to stop this phenomenon and we join in the grief of Ernesto's family, friends and colleagues," the organization said.

According to initial reports of the murder, the journalist was in a bar with other people when an armed group burst in and opened fire, leaving a total of four people dead and two wounded.

Ernesto Méndez became the thirteenth journalist to be murdered this year. On June 29, Antonio de la Cruz, a reporter for the newspaper El Expreso, was killed in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas. In May, Yesenia Mollinedo, director of the El Veraz website, and reporter Johana García from the same outlet, were gunned down in front of a convenience store.

These murders are in addition to those of Lourdes Maldonado and Margarito Martinez in Tijuana, Baja California; Heber Lopez Cruz in Salina Cruz, Oaxaca; Juan Carlos Muniz in Fresnillo, Zacatecas; Jorge Camero Zazueta in Empalme, Sonora; Roberto Toledo in Zitacuaro, Michoacan; Jose Luis Gamboa in Veracruz, Veracruz; Armando Linares in Zitacuaro, Michoacan; and Luis Enrique Ramirez in Culiacan, Sinaloa.

From this media outlet located in San Francisco Bay, California, USA, we deeply condemn the murders of Mexican journalists who seek to freely and safely carry out their journalistic work in Mexico, while, as fellow citizens, we demand that the government clarify, resolve and exercise the full weight of the law against those who took the lives of these and all the murdered journalists.

We also demand that all reporters, photographers, cameramen, writers, editors and other journalistic positions be protected by the State, because, although our media is focused on the Latino community in California, we have collaborators who carry out their work in Mexico and today their integrity is compromised.

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Smallpox advances in U.S., country declares State of Emergency

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Health

Peninsula 360 Press

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2022.08.04

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Smallpox advances in U.S., country declares State of Emergency

Smallpox advances in the U.S. and a State of Emergency is declared. — Photo: NHS England High Consequence Infectious Disease Network

After the first case was reported in the United States in mid-May, monkeypox is advancing in the United States and a State of Emergency is declared after more than 6,600 probable or confirmed cases.

The announcement was made this afternoon during a briefing by the Department of Health and Human Services ‒HHS, for its acronym in English‒.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the states with the highest number of monkeypox cases are California (826), Florida (525), Georgia (504), Illinois (547), New York (1,666), and Texas (527).

However, those where there has been significant progress in the disease are DC ‒257‒, Maryland ‒157‒, Massachusetts ‒134‒, New Jersey ‒160‒, Pennsylvania ‒173‒, Virginia ‒105‒, and Washington ‒134‒.

So far, Montana and Wyoming are the states that have not reported a single positive case.

On July 23, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” after more than 16,000 cases were reported in 75 countries around the world.

"There is a clear risk of further international spread, although the risk of interference with international traffic remains low at this time," WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at the time.

This, he said, would potentially require a coordinated international response.

Cities such as New York and San Francisco have declared a State of Emergency, as have states such as California, New York and Illinois.

On Tuesday, President Joseph Biden named Robert Fenton as the White House national coordinator for the monkeypox response. Fenton, a regional administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency who oversees Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada, will coordinate the federal government’s response to the outbreak.

Additionally, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, director of CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, serves as deputy coordinator.

Monkeypox is spread through close physical contact between people. This means that anyone can contract the disease. However, according to the current outbreak, certain populations are affected by monkeypox more than others, including men who have sex with men.

Based on previous monkeypox outbreaks around the world, some groups may also be at higher risk of serious outcomes if they contract the virus, including people with weakened immune systems, the elderly, young children under 8 years old, and pregnant people.

Symptoms of monkeypox may include:

Rashes, bumps, or blisters on or around the genitals or other areas such as the hands, feet, chest, or face.

Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, and fatigue. These symptoms may occur before or after the rash appears, or not at all.

Monkeypox can be spread to anyone through close personal contact, often skin-to-skin, including:

Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs or body fluids of a person with monkeypox.
Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels) and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox.
Contact with respiratory secretions.

This direct contact can occur during intimate contact, including:

Oral, anal, and vaginal sex or touching the genitals (penis, testicles, lips, and vagina) or anus (anus) of a person with monkeypox.
Hugs, massages and kisses.
Prolonged face-to-face contact.
Touching fabrics and objects during sex that were used by a person with monkeypox and that have not been disinfected, such as bedding, towels, fetish items, and sex toys.

A pregnant woman can transmit the virus to her fetus through the placenta.

It is also possible for people to get monkeypox from infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal or by preparing or eating meat or using products from an infected animal.

Monkeypox symptoms usually begin within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will typically develop a rash 1 to 4 days later, the CDC says.

Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms begin until the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a new layer of skin has formed. The illness usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks.

The CDC initially announced that monkeypox vaccines would be released from the Strategic National Stockpile and offered to “high-risk” contacts of patients with the disease, as well as health care workers treating them.

Federal health officials have since expanded vaccination efforts to focus on the broader community of men who have sex with men, the demographic that makes up the majority of cases.

With information from CNN.

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Raise your jars! International Beer Day is celebrated this Friday.

Pamela Cruz

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2022.08.04

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Raise your jars! International Beer Day is celebrated this Friday.

"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy," said the American scientist and politician Benjamin Franklin. We cannot argue with him, because without a doubt the drink is one of the favorites of almost every adult and one of the most consumed in California, so we call on everyone to raise their glasses and celebrate International Beer Day this Friday.

Every year since 2008, the first Friday in August is celebrated as International Beer Day, after a group of friends in a small bar in Santa Cruz, California, selected the day with the aim of dedicating a day to the drink that is drunk almost everywhere on Earth. The tradition spread throughout the world and is currently held in more than 200 cities on all continents.

Beer dates back several centuries, but everything indicates that the first signs of its production were in Lower Mesopotamia by the Sumerians, some 4 thousand years before Christ. However, it is believed that it was the Babylonians who perfected it, and it is said that if a bad batch was made, the brewer was drowned in it.

There is no doubt that the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids while consuming a good amount of beer. About 4 liters a day, to be exact according to data from the British Museum.

The Vikings believed that a giant goat resided in Valhalla whose udders were filled with an unlimited supply of beer, a belief that for many is a beautiful dream.

The Czech Republic is the world's beer capital. Each Czech drinks an average of 40 gallons a year.

Golden California

According to the American Brewers Association, the state of California has 931 craft breweries in its territory, placing it first in the entire American Union with the highest number of these centers, offering 3.1 breweries per 100,000 inhabitants over 21 years of age.

At the national level, these craft breweries have had an economic impact, generating $9.31 billion in 2021 alone.

The Golden State produces 3 million 499 thousand 182 barrels of craft beer per year, generating 3.7 gallons of “liquid bread” per adult over 21 years of age.

Beer in the U.S.

Total U.S. beer sales volume increased 1 percent in 2021, while craft brewers' sales volume grew 8 percent, bringing small and independent brewers' share of the U.S. beer market by volume to 13.1 percent.

Retail dollar sales of craft beer rose 21 percent to $26.8 billion and now account for just under 27 percent of the $100 billion U.S. beer market — up from $94 billion.

The main reason for the larger increase in dollar sales was the shift in beer volume from packaged sales to bars and restaurants.

Some curious facts about beer:

The Egyptian workers who were in charge of building the Egyptian pyramids received part of their pay in beer.
Beer is good for the body! It contains a high level of silicon which increases calcium and mineral deposits for healthy bone tissue. Of course, in moderation.
More than 80 percent of beer is made up of water, so its flavor depends greatly on the quality of the water used to make it.
Today, beer is consumed by both men and women, but originally the only expert brewers were women. Even in the 19th century, it was believed that beer consumption was beneficial for good breastfeeding.
In the Middle Ages, due to the scarcity of drinking water, there was a very high percentage of the population that drank beer instead of water because thanks to the alcohol they ensured the drink's potability.
Originally, beer was fermented cereal flour in the same way as bread. The difference was in the proportion of water. If there was more flour than water, bread was produced. But if, on the other hand, there was more water than flour, beer was produced.
The name they used to refer to beer was "liquid bread" and in many cases what was done was to make bread and after baking it, immerse it in water to ferment it.
Beer has properties that curl hair, due to the active ingredients of yeast and barley, as they provide a large amount of minerals that strengthen keratin and moisturize the hair, giving it a surprising shine.
Despite the various beliefs about beer foam, the truth is that a voluminous foam is a sign of a good quality beer. What's more, the foam should not disappear at any time, not even when you finish the glass.

Once you know the facts, it's important to show them off to friends and family while enjoying a cold beer at a bar, restaurant, club or terrace of your choice. But if you have no idea where to go, here's a list of some of the best recommendations in San Mateo County.

1.- Freewheel Brewing Co.Located at 3736 Florence Street in Redwood City, this brewery and restaurant offers beers made using the same ingredients and methods as their sister breweries in England. Most of their beer is either on tap or real ale, a beer made with traditional ingredients, matured by barrel fermentation.

They focus on using fresh, local ingredients to prepare delicious pub fare made from scratch, offering daily specials. In addition to beer, they offer wine, hard cider and a variety of mixed drinks.

Their staff will be more than happy to give you information about how they brew their beer and the different styles they serve. Don't be shy to ask, and if you want to know more, see if one of their brewers is available to show you around the brewery. On weekends they feature live music.

2.- Half Moon Bay Brewing Company. Located at 390 Capistrano Road in Half Moon Bay, this casual coastal restaurant and bar has become an institution in the area for locals and visitors alike since opening in 2000.

It is considered one of the best coastal breweries in the entire country, and in addition to its award-winning beers, it offers fresh seafood and brunch on weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

3.- Fieldwork Brewing Co. At 3030 South Delaware Street in San Mateo, there is a small place that offers affordable outdoor dining and quality beers. Its citrus-flavored beers are especially popular with locals, along with traditional ales.

The place is open from Monday to Sunday and offers takeaway food and drinks. Children and well-behaved pets are welcome!

4.- Devil's Canyon Brewing Co. It is located at 935 Washington St. in San Carlos and is a space that has been serving the public who are fans of beer, relaxed food and a place to have fun for more than 20 years.

Their beer is well known in the area and it is a favorite spot for young and old adults to enjoy a good Ale or IPA.

In addition, every Friday is a party at the Devil's Canyon, as with a tradition of more than two decades, starting at 4:00 p.m., children, adults and pets are welcome to enjoy live music, food trucks and fresh craft drinks made every day on the premises.

5.- Alpha AcidIf you're looking for something to experiment with, this brewery might be just the thing. Located at 121 Industrial Rd Unit 11 in Belmont, this brewery makes plenty of unique beers while also reworking fan favorites, with over 500 unique recipes. In fact, since Alpha Acid releases two new beers weekly, you could technically visit their taproom once every seven days and still not try every beer they make.

It is open every day and allows you to bring your own food, as they do not provide food. Children are also welcome as long as they are accompanied by an adult, as are well-behaved dogs.

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Bay Area leads statewide efforts in water conservation

Peninsula 360 Press

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2022.08.04

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Bay Area leads statewide efforts in water conservation

By Kiley Russell. Bay City News

Los últimos números de conservación del agua en todo el estado están mejorando, se han más que duplicado de mayo a junio, y el Área de la Bahía está a la cabeza.

En junio, el consumo de agua en todo el estado se redujo en un 7.6 por ciento en comparación con junio de 2020, mientras que en mayo los californianos redujeron el uso de agua en solo un 3,1 por ciento, según un informe de la Junta Estatal de Control de Recursos Hídricos el martes.

«La segunda ronda de las regulaciones de emergencia por sequía entró en vigencia a finales de mayo y los números parecen indicar que estamos viendo algunos impactos positivos», dijo Marielle Pinheiro, especialista en datos de la Oficina de Investigación, Planificación y Desarrollo de la Junta de Agua.

Las regulaciones de emergencia requieren que todos los 436 proveedores de agua urbana del estado implementen Planes de contingencia de escasez de agua de la Etapa 2, que varían de un proveedor a otro, pero pueden incluir cosas como multas o cargos adicionales por el consumo excesivo de agua, así como incentivos para la conservación y para reemplazar el paisajismo intensivo en el vital líquido.

Por ejemplo, el Distrito de Servicios Públicos Municipales de East Bay, que suministra agua potable a 1.4 millones de clientes en los condados de Alameda y Contra Costa, ordenó una reducción del uso de agua del 10 por ciento, endureció las restricciones sobre el uso de agua al aire libre y restableció su Ordenanza de Penalización por Uso Excesivo, que incluye multas de 2 dólares por cada 748 galones de agua utilizados por encima del umbral de mil 646 galones, entre otras cosas.

El distrito dice que se registró reducciones en el uso de agua del 6 por ciento en mayo, 12 por ciento en junio y 16 por ciento en julio en comparación con 2020.

«Las cifras de ahorro de los clientes se están moviendo en la dirección correcta, pero sabemos que debemos hacer más», dijo el gerente general de EBMUD, Clifford Chan, en un comunicado de prensa el martes.

«EBMUD les pide a sus clientes que continúen conservando y, si pueden, hagan más cambios para generar impactos a largo plazo en sus hábitos de uso del agua», dijo Chan.

Además, en junio, la Junta de Agua prohibió el uso de agua potable en «césped decorativo o no funcional» en propiedades comerciales, industriales e institucionales en todo el estado.

«Creo que los números definitivamente van en la dirección correcta», dijo Dave Eggerton, director ejecutivo de la Asociación de Agencias de Agua de California.

«Es positivo y solo está mejorando», dijo Eggerton, cuya asociación representa a cientos de sistemas de agua que en conjunto entregan alrededor del 90 por ciento del agua del estado a usuarios residenciales y comerciales.

El presidente de la Junta de Agua, Joaquín Esquivel, dijo que las cifras de conservación de junio son alentadoras, ya que vienen después de dos meses, marzo y abril, en los que las cifras de uso de agua en todo el estado aumentaron en un 18.7 por ciento y un 17.8 por ciento.

«Lo que es importante ver es ese giro», subrayó Esquivel. «A finales de mayo aprobamos nuestros reglamentos, todas las agencias de agua están ahora en el Nivel 2 de su Plan de Contingencia de Escasez de Agua y comenzamos a prohibir el riego de césped no funcional».

En junio, las 10 regiones hidrológicas del estado informaron una disminución en el uso del agua, con el Área de la Bahía encabezando la lista con un 12.6 por ciento, seguida por las regiones de la Costa Norte y el Río San Joaquín con un poco más del 10 por ciento cada una.

La región de la Costa Sur, que incluye Los Ángeles y San Diego y alberga a más del 55 por ciento de la población del estado, registró una caída de casi el 6 por ciento en el uso del agua.

Desde julio de 2021 hasta junio de 2022, el uso acumulado de agua del estado se redujo en un 2.7 por ciento en comparación con 2020, aún muy por debajo del objetivo de conservación del 15 por ciento establecido por el gobernador Gavin Newsom.

«Nos reunimos con el gobernador recientemente y dejó muy claro que quiere que esto suceda», puntualizó dijo Eggerton. «Es una parte fundamental de nuestra respuesta a la sequía».

Eggerton también dijo que el estado debe continuar invirtiendo en sistemas de suministro y almacenamiento de agua para desarrollar la resiliencia ante el aumento continuo de la temperatura y la disminución de las precipitaciones.

«Realmente necesitamos capturar tanta (agua) como podamos cuando tengamos años húmedos para estar en una mejor posición para enfrentar los desafíos que tenemos ahora», finalizó.

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Progress on COVID-19 vaccination needed as new variants emerge

Peninsula 360 Press

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2022.08.04

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Progress on COVID-19 vaccination needed as new variants emerge

progress needs to be made in vaccination against COVID-19 — Photo: P360P

SARS-CoV-2 transmission remains high in San Mateo County, reflecting the continued dominance of the BA.5 variant, necessitating further COVID-19 vaccination to protect against severe disease and death.

This was stated by Louise Rogers, San Mateo County Health Chief, who stressed in a message that as many families begin to think about having children return to classrooms while there is high transmission and fewer requirements or restrictions, it is necessary to strengthen inoculation.

In this regard, the local official thanked educational partners for their work to update prevention policies and protocols to allow for safe in-person learning.

"We appreciate the focus of education professionals and families on staying up to date with vaccinations and promoting ventilation, masking, testing and staying home when sick," she said.

It is worth noting that San Mateo County remains in the "high" tier of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‒CDC‒, as is much of the Bay Area region and the state.

"This is a longer phase of high transmission than we have experienced in previous periods," Rogers said.

As of Tuesday, the number of patients hospitalized in San Mateo County with COVID-19 was 58 and has fluctuated between 30 and 60 for most of the past two and a half months, the statement said.

The number of hospitalized patients is comparable to the peak of the Delta wave a year ago, but lower than the peak of the Omicron winter wave, which reached 160 patients.

Meanwhile, the level of hospitalization in intensive care units has been in the single digits. “Our local hospitals continue to be able to manage these levels of hospitalization.”

In this regard, he stressed that it is still "strongly recommended" to wear a high-quality mask in indoor environments and to increase ventilation, for example by opening windows and doors where possible, to help prevent infections.

“We urge residents to get tested if they are experiencing symptoms and to contact their doctor. If you are positive, a doctor can assess whether COVID treatments are right for you,” Rogers stressed.

On the vaccination front, she stressed that this is a time of “high transmission,” so if you are eligible for a booster, it is time to get updated, as existing COVID-19 vaccines remain the most important tool to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death.

For those over 50 or immunocompromised who received a first booster more than four months ago, it is recommended to get their second booster as soon as possible. “There are many avenues throughout the county through health care providers and pharmacies.”

The federal government said Friday that eligibility for a second booster shot will remain unchanged, with a variant-specific Omicron booster expected to be available for those 12 and older in the fall.

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