I wanted to express a bit of the backend processes of giving a vaccine and a test.  There are mounds of training & paperwork that happens with each vaccine and test that you may not realize.

a) the government requires specific actions be taken to communicate a person as been vaccinated or been given a test.  This requires paperwork is manually entered in the system and manually faxed to the persons doctor.   Most people don't know their doctors phone number let alone their fax so It requires Pharmacy Techs to locate this information and then to fax it off.  Extra steps that take extra time.

Testing supplies  have to be ordered and when people make mistakes in their testing procedures it requires another test until it is done perfectly.  

It is why Pharmacists, Pharm Technicians, and store managers are working 50+ hours a weeks lately.  However we all feel it is worth it as bringing safety to our community (friends and family) is important to all of us. 

After loosing my dog in 2020 I have asked that question to many dog owners and the responses vary with most just theories.  A vet doctor whom pops in to my work couldn't exactly tell me how dogs, and other animals, how.  Then he stated that the surprising thing is there isn't a great deal of research on why. 

So I still ask why and how?   Leave your comments.

A person I work with asked exactly how a Law is made.  I thought I would place an explanation from the US government website.
A very simple explanation;  Laws begin as ideas. First, a government representative sponsors a bill. The bill is then assigned to a committee for study. If released by the committee, the bill is put on a calendar to be voted on, debated or amended. If the bill passes by simple majority, the bill moves to the Senate.  In the Senate, the bill is assigned to another committee and, if released, debated and voted on. Again, a simple majority (51 of 100) passes the bill.  Finally, a conference committee made of House and Senate members works out any differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.  The resulting bill returns to the House and Senate for final approval. The Government Printing Office prints the revised bill in a process called enrolling. The President has 10 days to sign or veto the enrolled bill.  
http://www.house.gov/content/learn/legislative_process/

In my opinion - we the people can get involved throughout the process by contacting our representatives and talking and sharing our opinions with them.  After that If they still don't vote in the manor we feel is right then 1) support their opponent in all ways, 2) help their opponent get out the vote for them, and 3) vote them out.  It may not be as fast as we like but with enough people change does happen. 

An adventure buddy of mine headed up a team to take part in an off road race and in 2008 published a report on his experience on the most dangerous race in the US.  I thought I would post it on my blog as I was part of the team.

Vegas to Reno and Bust;
Story of a group of fun guys racing a Toyota FJ cruiser on the Vegas 2 Reno 500 off road race in 2008.
 
Monday, September 01, 2008
 
As we slept on the roof of the Toyota 4WD Owner Magazine FJ Racer, the rising sun woke up the Nevada desert. John Rudzitis arose and said, “Dawn was exactly when I wanted to be driving.” We had been cruising on a whooped-out section of race course just 80 miles from the finish when nasty engine noises and spewing oil signaled our defeat. All we could do was phone our chase crew, report the bad news and wait for daylight.

Four weeks earlier, I had received the call from John. Did I want to compete in the Best in the Desert Vegas to Reno off-road race? This was a once in a lifetime opportunity so I committed immediately. More calls were made and our dream team assembled: John, Jerry Brown, Gary Patterson, Jay Fernan and myself. We each brought years of motorcycle and 4x4 experience but we knew little about the FJ Racer other than it was in California and had previously entered the Baja 500.

A week before the race, John, Jerry and Gary drove down to L.A. from Seattle and assessed the truck. Sway-A-Way mended a leaking shock and R&E Racing artfully welded braces onto the stock spindles. The rulebook wisely guided us: we needed fireproof suits, blue back-marker lights and a satellite tracking system. More phone calls were made, credit cards charged and overnight deliveries received.

We all met-up in Vegas where registration and tech inspection was a controlled chaos with lots of hurry up and wait. When we saw lines we followed them and eventually finished the check-in gauntlet. We received arm bands, tech inspection stickers and attended the driver’s meeting. At last, we were ready. This was really going to happen!

Race morning we impatiently waited for the first truck to take-off. As a last minute entry, we were stuck in the back and didn’t start until after 1:00 pm. With just seven hours of daylight available for the 456 mile run, we sped through silt beds and sandy washes. The suspension by Total Chaos dared us to go faster and faster. Driver changes every 100 miles awarded everyone a fair amount of seat time. We also had plenty of problems. A sharp rock gashed a tire—no fun changing while buggies blazed past in a storm of dust. The air filter was constantly clogging. Ruts dug out by the trophy trucks high centered us twice. A leaky fuel vent was fixed in the wee hours courtesy of Team Locos Mocos. But at 3:30 am, we were still cruising, confident of a finish, which for us would be a win.

At mile 370, I warned John about ten miles of blow sand ahead. We slammed through deep whoops, riding waves of sand. Just when I was thinking it doesn’t get any better than this, we clattered to a halt. Our stock engine, the last thing we expected to fail, could do no more. We climbed onto the roof and waited for dawn.

In the morning, the FJ was loaded on the trailer and we started slogging homeward. We placed 111th out of 202 overall (DNF) and 6th out of 15 in our class (1800 Sportsman). The dream was over—or was it? Casey Folks and the Best in the Desert Racing Association are dreaming big for 2009. Three days, 1000 miles, next year it’s Vegas to Reno, the long way around. If I get the call, I already know my answer.
 
posted by Mitch | 5:32 PM  

 TIMELINE OF EVENTS at www.jackiefernandes.com)

9/06/2014   Passed away
At the Evergreen Hospice in Kirkland Washington, my mother passed away while I and my sister were holding her hands.   It was a peaceful and painless passing.

The DOW up 200, then down  400, then up 137, then down 217, causing me great stress and wondering what I should do with my investments.  I see my friends pulling their already reduced hair line out when we discuss our investment and retirement funds.  I look around at my family, friends, and neighbors it appears we are all very anxious.  The bonds between many people appear to be stressed right now.  
My prescription; PLAY.  Playing reduces stress, places our minds somewhere else, and when playing with others strengthens the bonds between humans. Most of our fondest memories are times we had fun with others. Hiking, biking, and snowshoeing activities can be easy on the pocket book and bring forth adventures.  During long stressful times consider matching work hours with fun hours. My favorite medicine for stressful times is to play.