PLEASE NOT CLINTON VS. TRUMP 2024

Just when I thought things couldn’t get much worse in this country, I see news flashes that the Democrats and Republicans have gone bonkers. They’re talking about a Clinton/Trump rematch for the next presidential election. Someone tell me this isn’t true. Please not Clinton vs. Trump 2024.

Since I’m older than both of them, I guess I can say this without it sounding like ageism. Why in the world would both parties run a couple of broken down, scandal ridden has-beens? Everything from White Water, to the fake Russian dossier, the Benghazi debacle and good buddy Epstein hang over Hillary’s head. From there, we go to Stormy Daniels, Trump University, the Covid debacle, and current investigations for fraud by the New York attorney General–all a dark cloud following Trump. And those are just a few of the problems each of them have faced. Enough already.

Someone once said that the best training for a future president of the United states is having served as a state governor. I’m not so sure of that. Reagan from California was a success, and former Texas governor Bush did get re elected. But look at poor Jimmy Carter, former governor of Georgia. He didn’t fare so well.

Nevertheless, I took the time to review the governors of every state in the union. The majority are Republicans. A lot of them are in their sixties and seventies. None of them strike me as red hot presidential material.

Naturally, I favor our own Indiana governor Holcomb, who is 53. He’s extremely well liked in Indiana, but I don’t think he’d stand a chance on the national stage. For one thing, he comes across as too honest and sincere. The media would see him as a dud. Others have mentioned fellow Hoosier and former mayor, Pete Buttigieg as a Democratic possibility. Maybe, but I’m not sure that a gay man could be elected president by the majority of the population.

That takes us down to the Senate and House of Congress. There must be dozens of young, charismatic office holders scattered throughout the country. Surely, the Democrats and Republicans can pick a winner out of that pool. Somebody. Anybody. But please not Clinton vs. Trump 2024.

January 9, 2021January 9, 2021

LUCKY TO BE A HOOSIER OVER 80

It’s not often that an octogenarian feels especially lucky–except for the fact that we’re still around. But right now , if you’re a Hoosier over the age of 80, you’re fortunate. That’s because our Governor Holcomb has issued some common sense guidelines for dispensing the covid-19 vaccine. Since 50% of deaths from covid-19 are with people over 80, we are next in line—after healthcare providers and first responders. I don’t know what they’re doing in other states, but it’s very impressive how efficiently it’s being handled in Indiana. Right now, I’m feeling lucky to be a Hoosier over 80.

As State Health Commissioner Kristina Box said, “ By opening the vaccine to those who are 80 or older, then adding people in their 70s and 60s when vaccine supplies allow us to expand, we can best protect the populations that account for 93 percent of our COVID-19 deaths,

Lucky to be a Hoosier over 80: You don't have to wait in long lines to get vaccinated — In Indiana, you didn’t have to wait in long lines to get vaccinated. Lucky to be a Hoosier over 80.

Starting Friday, December 8, at 9 a.m. you could call or schedule online an appointment at a local hospital or clinic. But of course, they hit a few snags. When I called the 211 number, they said they couldn’t take my call. That wasn’t surprising. What was surprising: when I contacted the Department of Health via chat, they gave me a link that actually worked. It told me the wait time to get registered in minutes and seconds. I knew that if I stayed online for about 45 minutes, it would be my turn. And it was. I entered the required information as to age, name, etc. and voila: I had an appointment for next week. And they let me make one for my husband, too.

Are you afraid to get the vaccine? I know I was apprehensive when I started hearing of people who’d had bad reactions. But the minute I heard I could get a vaccine right away, I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Did I really want to go on this way for the indefinite future? Not going anywhere, doing much of anything, or seeing anyone I care about? It’s been an emotional roller coaster, and I am ready to get off. I’ll take my chances. And I feel lucky to be a Hoosier over 80.

As of noon, Friday, 33,000 octogenarians in Indiana had registered for the vaccine. And no one had to stand in long lines or wait in their car for hours like they did in other states. Cheers to Governor Holcomb for doing a great job.

January 6, 2021January 6, 2021

6 THINGS BRING HOPE FOR 2021

Everyone agrees that 2020 is a year we would rather forget. The social isolation of the pandemic, and subsequent economic and mental anguish has brought the entire world to a standstill. And yet, 6 things bring hope for 2021.

1. Indy just landed the entire NCAA Men’s Basketball tourney. Who says Indianapolis is a hick town? This tournament is usually played throughout the country in March. We’re talking 67 men’s college basketball games, all to be played right here in the State of Indiana. Love it that Indy Governor Holcomb met with NCAA President Mark Emmert and planned the whole thing back in November. Proud to be a Hoosier, and hoping more exciting things will happen for our State in the future

2. Seeing a friend fight cancer. Some forms of cancer have a worse prognosis than others, and this was a bad one. The median survival is only 8 months. And yet he’s still here after 2 years. . We’ve watched him go through chemo, and bravely battle the disease. He walks and prays daily, keeps an upbeat attitude, and can still drive, travel and enjoy life.

3. Indoor gardening. I love seeing greenery inside the house on dreary winter days. Lots of hanging planters in the windows. I have enough amaryllis bulbs to last through Spring. Watching the buds and leaves slowly emerge , inch by inch, gives me something to look forward to each day. And when the gorgeous flowers finally bloom, I feel a surge of joy.

4. Mastering a mean omelet. I’ve always loved omelets, but never could get one to turn out smoothly. Mine always fell apart somewhere, and ended as a jumbled up mess on the plate. Finally, I found an omelet lesson on you tube that actually worked. My cheese omelet last night was smooth, perfectly done, and slid right onto a plate. I’m not too old to improve my cooking skills.!

5. Vaccine. 2020 has been a lost year for everyone. Too many people have died from Covid-19. My grandchildren missed out on a whole year of in-person schooling.. Folks have lost jobs, are going hungry, and losing their homes. The vaccines for Covid-19 give us hope for a return to normalcy by the end of this year.

6. 2020 election is over. The spam phone calls from politicians at all hours of the day and night have finally stopped. I’m still getting emails from The Trump folks, but I believe those will end after Biden’s inauguration. Whether or not you like the outcome of the election, you won’t have to endure all those invasions of privacy by activists who call, knock on your door, post on your Facebook, and clog up your email account

Better things are coming in 2021!

March 25, 2020March 25, 2020

PATIENT PRIVACY VS. NEED TO KNOW

Having been a hospital department manager for over 25 years, I know the importance of patient privacy. It was strictly enforced when my father was in for a stroke. I was banned from reading his chart, due to privacy laws. This meant that people working for me could read his chart, if they were authorized, but I could not. Therefore, they could not share any information about his condition with me. I understood that. However, during this coronavirus epidemic, I think we should make a distinction between patient privacy vs. need to know.

When the crisis first started, we were told the names of some of the patients– where they worshiped, and where they lived. Often, we heard that they had recently been to China or some out of state convention. Many people were willing to self report ( actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson) But now, we aren’t being told much about the patients, except their general age group. Different states are willing to share more information than others. The state of Washington freely reported the number of nursing home patients with the coronavirus.

My county currently has 3 active corona cases, which isn’t too bad, yet. We’re a relatively small town (pop 60,000). But I want to know a bit more. In such a small community, I think we have that right.

This is what I believe the people in this county should know: Where were the patients before coming down with the virus? Did they go to the grocery store where I shop before they were diagnosed? Or to the church I attended? Were they college students? If so, which college? A snowbird returning to Indiana from another state? What state? A nursing home resident? If so, which nursing home? Did they smoke, making them more susceptible to complications?

It's important to know if we've been in the same places as COVID-19 patients. — We have to weigh the importance of Patient Privacy vs. Need to Know. You should know if you’ve recently been in the vicinity of someone with COVID-19.

I suppose the response would be that it doesn’t really make any difference. If we’re washing hands, maintaining social distance, etc. , it’s not important whether or not we’ve been near that person or know when or where he might have contracted the disease. But psychologically, I think it does make a difference. If I have shopped at a different supermarket in another end of town, or haven’t attended their Church, or visited anyone in that nursing home, I can have a little peace of mind, knowing my risk is lower. However, if I have been in the vicinity of the sick person, I’ll need to be extra vigilant regarding any new symptoms. If I get a cough or cold, I have to face the reality that I could have contracted the virus. And get tested if I start feeling worse.

There’s a difference between patient privacy and the need to know. Right now, we’re being given Too Little Information as to where COVID-19 might have been swirling in the air around us.

That being said, I think Indiana’s Governor Holcomb has done a fantastic job of managing the crisis and providing statistics. And I’m proud of my fellow Hoosiers who have social distanced without complaint.