Six Places Germs Spread On A Plane

Summary: We are currently in the prime flu season time, therefore it is imperative that each person does everything in their power to protect themselves from illnesses and germs. Since it is winter, many families plan trips and recently there has been research supporting the many germs people can spread and acquire while riding in an airplane. There are six common germ zones that passengers should be aware of. First, the water, when bottled water runs out, is replaced by unfiltered water that can cause E. coli and stomach problems. Second, the seat pockets have been tested to contain cold and influenza viruses. Third, the tray tables has been found to contain MRSA which is a nasty super bug. Fourth, the actual airplane meals are very unsanitary and not nutritious. If it isn't in wrapping, it probably shouldn't be eaten. Fifth, the pillows and blankets that they provide are full of germs that can cause pneumonia. Finally sixth, airplane lavatories have a smorgasbord of germs including E. coli and bacterias. There are many ways to prevent getting sick, and it is easier to stay germ free knowing what specific areas to avoid. By taking precautions and creating a more sanitary environment, people are less likely to become sick.



Opinion: I've been on planes a few times in my life and never have I realized how disturbingly unsanitary they are. They are such a great invention, but they should definitely be better sanitized. People pay a lot of money to travel and no one wants to be sick on vacation. I feel like it wouldn't be that hard to clean off the plane in between each flight. The most common places to obtain germs are places that are difficult to avoid. This problem needs to be solved or else people may be less likely to want to fly. There should be a serious effort to try and clean up planes or else attendance and business could suffer. This truly is not okay and really makes me sick thinking about it. Hopefully, it gets better before the word starts to spread like the germs.



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40667612/ns/travel-business_travel/

Global Food Chain Stretched To The Limit

Summary: The increase in demand and the more frequent bad weather is causing food supply to be stretched to its limit. Recently prices have had a drastic increase and caused multiple riots. The places that are most affected by the burden are Australia to Argentina and from Canada to Russia. Many world leaders and politicians are worried that the spiked prices will form cahos and massive riots that could damage society. Supply/demand situations and structures have changed. Prices of farm products began to rise last fall. Hot, dry weather in the warmer regions is making for less crop growth, as well as the flooding in other countries that are destroying crops and soil. The food price index has jumped 32 percent and it is expected that demand will fall even further later this year.

Opinion: The increase in oil prices, food prices, clothing, and other materialistic items that we as people depend on every single day, is causing great distress around the world. Things that are out of our control are now taking a toll on our economy. We can no longer solely blame the war for rising oil prices because things such as weather are having an impact as well. I think that this is just a phase though, it will come and make this a harder time, but things will look up. If we can get through it together now, then soon the economy will better itself. The weather is unpredictable and so is our economy. It may seem bad now, but I have faith that soon there will no longer be distress and worry.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41062817/ns/business-consumer_news/

Firearms From U.S. Being Used in Mexico For Drug Violence

Summary: Since late in 2006, Mexican cartels have been taking advantage of the United States gun laws, and smuggling thousands of guns across the boarder to use in an escalating Mexican drug war. Already, it has taken over 31,000 lives, and it has been discovered that about eighty percent of the guns being used are coming from the U.S. The Mexican drug traffickers are hiring Americans to sell the guns to them. So far it's been working effectively for them because they have seized over 90,000 American weapons. Payments are up to $200 for the weapons. Many Americans don't realize what the use of the weapons are for, therefore they have no clue that the intentions for the guns are to kill other innocent people. It's been noted that the recent increase in purchases is fueling excessive violence in Mexico, and experts are beginning to see the direct link. Most purchases have been along the Southwest Boarder. The guns are not being sold to honest hands, which gives great reason for the U.S. to begin taking charge and having a say in the matter.

Opinion: This is a very serious situation that is falling into the hands of the United States. Experts say that we are being caught red handed, but is it really a criminal matter and our fault if no one knew the intentions for the weapons. The U.S. shouldn't be blamed for the matter unless there is proof that sellers had recollection of the uses for the guns and knew about the violence happening in Mexico. Even though I don't believe we are responsible for the loss of innocent live in Mexico, I do believe that it is our duty as a neighboring country to step in and help. In a way we have been a part of this blood shed and out of the goodness in our hearts, we should help try to clean it up. Mexico is becoming a scary and violent place. This isn't good for them or us. If we want to keep everyone safe, help our people, their people, and both of our economies, than something needs to be done about the drugs, guns, and violence.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40572312/ns/world_news-americas/

Warm, Beating Hearts Offer Transplant Hope

Summary: In Los Angeles a woman with the name of Andrea Ybarra, was donated a heart that was beating before the doctors even transplanted it. This is a new operation that has been mostly done in Europe, but now it has been brought in the States and seems to be working with positive effects. Usually when organs are transported for donations, they are put into and ice box, if you will, and a chemical is injected into it to make it stop functioning and stay preserved. Although the doctors don't have much time to get it into the donor patient. The organs only stay fresh up to 4 to 6 hours. This also means that when someone needs an organ they can't look too far away for a donor because of the minimal time gap. The longer it takes for the transplant to occur the greater the chances are for death or disease of the patient. Now, specifically for hearts, they have found a way to get around the problem. Recently hearts have been placed in a box where blood is pumped through it and it is kept warm. This way it never stops functioning and there is more time for the transplant to take place. If experts are able to preserve hearts longer it could greatly change the field.

Opinion: I think that this new discovery is fantastic! What a break-through in science. Many more people are going to be able to find donors because they will be able to look farther away from home. There will also be less risks because the heart never stops beating; when it gets put into the patient, it feels like the heart has always been a part of them and that they feel as good as new. Therefore, I think this new discovery is an all around win. Something like this has needed to happen for awhile. It may also make people more willing to donate their organs. If there is a greater chance of knowing that their organs will be able to be used, they will more than likely be more willing to donate. I know that I am signed up to be an organ donor and I only hope that someday I can save someones life. With this new found technology there is a greater chance that my heart could save somebody and that make me really happy, I'm sure as well as the people on the donor waiting list. It's a beautiful thing.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40518894/ns/health-heart_health/

Town That Disney Built Became A Crime Scene

Summary: In Celebration, Florida, this week brings nothing to celebrate. For the first time in 14 years the town and wonderful community endured their first homicide. Just five miles South of Walt Disney World, residents were shocked by the news that the 58-year old neighbor living on the bottom floor had been killed. No one had seen him in days and so they filled a missing person's report, but found that it was too late. This type of crime is very rare for the kind and giving community of Celebration. The biggest criminal reports they get are that of if a bike were to be stolen, not murder. Inhabitants of the town are starting to become frightened and wonder if this is the same town that they once had known it to be, but officials and specialists are quickly calming their nerves by letting them know that the incident was isolated. Over the years there has been crime in Celebration, but always much less than neighboring communities.

Opinion: I think it is always sad to hear criminal news reports, and terrible actions, such as this, taking place somewhere that is said to be high class and safe. It makes people feel like there isn't a secure place to go and live in peace, but I disagree. Even though things can happen in the nicest of places, I don't think that automatically makes them a bad place to reside. Celebration is a good community and has been for fourteen years. They shouldn't let this get in the way of their views of the area. It was a freak case that may take time to recover from, but all in all Celebration should go back to the way they acted and saw their neighbors before the heartbreaking news. If they were as strong of a community as they said they were prior to what happened, then I know that they can pull together and get back to the happy place that they were at. Neighbors and friends can make all of the bads in life disappear.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40476879/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

Sorry Doc, It's Not in The Budget

Summary: Studies show that about one-third of Americans are living without health care treatments because they cannot afford it. This percentage is greater than the number of residents going without health care treatments in ten other industrialized countries. In Britain only 5% of the residents have ever missed a treatment, which is much less than 33%. Canada also has a lower percentage of 15. These statistics were discovered by a new study called The Commonwealth Fund. This foundation, found in New York, has a main focus of looking at common health care problems and why there is an avoidance of getting care when illnesses occur. Recently their main focus has been on America, Australia, Germany, and France; which concluded that Americans were far more likely to skip out on doctors appointments and visits to the hospital because of the money issue. They would rather save what they have than spend their pay on check-ups and prescriptions. Studies showed that Americans were not only struggling with cost but also with higher out-of-pocket costs, insurance, and paying regular bills. Money has become a major problem.

Opinion: When I read this article it made me sick to think that some people don't even have the choice to go see a doctor when they are ill. They simply have to avoid going because they can't figure out a way to pay the high fees. I really feel that there is a very demanding need, in America, to lower health care costs. If someone is sick it should be a priority to get them the help that they need. Materialistic items are a different story, but when it comes to health everyone should be able to afford medical care. I don't understand why conditions have to be so harsh in this debated area. As a country we should bless everyone with good health and therefore make it more affordable to all classes of society. It should from here on out be an immediate action, to lower heal care costs and give to the people a necessity that we all commonly share. No one should have to debate whether they can afford going to the doctor or not.

http://lifeinc.todayshow.com/_news/2010/11/23/5496431-sorry-doc-its-not-in-the-budget

Issue #2: Ensuring Quality Care for Medicare Patients

Summary: Today, Americans strongly feel the need for adequate medical care among all citizens. The government has to make health care accessible and affordable in order to create an equality throughout the country, when it comes to visiting the doctor, or the entire situation becomes a major issue. The government spent nearly $420 billion on Medicare in 2006 and experts are agreeing that because of increasing costs and population they will run out of money unless changes are made. Medicare helps to aid with hospital expenses. It can help pay for hospital nursing care, where the patient must pay first out of their own pockets, and then Medicare covers the remaining expenses; also Medicare covers 80 percent of doctors' fees, laboratory tests, and other medical expenses for each beneficiary. As of 2008 doctors that treat Medicare patients faced cuts of 5 to 10 percent in their reimbursements form the federal government. As of now Medicare dictates that doctors get paid based on quantity rather than quality of their work. Therefore, in late 2006 legislators passed "pay-for-performance" which is a system that allows Medicare to pay a 1.5 percent bonus to all doctors that provide information about the quality of their services. This way doctors will be getting paid for giving patients the right diagnoses and treatment instead of them making money off of lousy treatment/prescriptions and patients having to come back for a re-evaluation. By encouraging better services legislators are hoping to increase Medicare customers and create a steady supply of customers. This way more people will be demanding Medicare and the cost can be lowered. One side of the debate over "pay-for-performance" establishes that it will promote better communication between patients and their doctors, the best hospitals will get better recognition, and it will point out that insurance and medical associations are successful because of quality as well. On the other hand, non supporters of the new system say that federal officials are not equipped to set the standards of the medical field. Some feel that it will offend the professionals education and judgement. It's also argued that the 1.5 percent bonus is not a substantial enough amount and doctors should be providing quality care at all times.

Opinion: The idea of ensuring a more vital health care process is definitely a step in the right direction. First of all I think that all people should have the right to acquire some form of health care. Granted lower income patients may not receive as much as higher income patients, but with that being said they should both get some or a certain type of financial aid. I also think that by providing a more quality based medical system would be very beneficial to people that visit doctors frequently. It makes me sick thinking that a professional doctor would write the wrong prescription to have the person pay more money to come back for another. The system would make customers feel better about their evaluations and the doctors would take pride in their work. The physicians that were already working based on quality and not quantity would be gaining money to keep doing what they had been doing, therefore it would be a win all around. Once people got service that they knew they could rely and depend on, I think that they would be more willing to pay for Medicare, that way with the increase in purchases, the cost of Medicare and Health care in general could be lowered in the long run. Overall, the decrease in the number of deaths, the better patient to doctor communication, the quality work, increase in pay for doctors doing good, and decrease in pay for health care makes the "pay-for-performance" a system of value. Uwe E. Reinhardt is an economist professor at Princeton and he agrees that "pay-for-performance is the way we should be headed, along with making headway in other aspects of health care as well.

Issue: #1 http://rachelrachrachel.blogspot.com/2010/11/issue-1-comprehensive-vs-incremental.html

Issue:#3 http://maxineannec.blogspot.com/2010/11/issue-3-safe-to-eat.html