(NewsUSA) – The viruses that cause COVID-19 and flu continuously change or “mutate” to escape our natural immune responses and the protection provided by vaccines. As a result, for both flu and COVID-19, vaccination is not a “one and done” proposition.
Fortunately, as these viruses change, flu and COVID-19 vaccines are updated to protect the public against the variants that are currently circulating. Experts at Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity, and Progress (CVEEP)—a coalition dedicated to educating the public about vaccines and promoting equity and access—emphasize that the best way to reduce the risk of severe illness from both flu and COVID-19 is to stay up to date with recommended vaccinations.
Some viruses, such as those that cause measles and polio, change infrequently. This means that the vaccines for these viruses can provide immunity that is longer-lasting. By contrast, frequent changes in the viruses that cause COVID-19 and flu mean the protection provided by these vaccines will wane as new variants emerge. Continue reading
By Dr. David Sugerman
(NAPSI)—As a parent, I know that preparing for international travel with kids is more than just packing a suitcase. Whether we are visiting relatives we haven’t seen for a long time or helping our children see the world, we all can agree that protecting our family’s health is the top priority. As a doctor, I know that beyond sorting out missing socks and packing suitcases, there is another important step to prepare for international travel: measles vaccination. Your whole family needs to be protected by measles vaccination, including babies as young as six months old.
While the risk for measles in the U.S. remains thankfully low due to high rates of immunization, measles can occur anywhere in the world, and you can be exposed during international travel. Every year, U.S. residents who are unvaccinated get measles while traveling internationally and get sick after they come home, often spreading it to others. Measles is more than just a little rash; it’s a serious disease that can cause severe complications, especially in young children. Measles is also highly contagious. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby can become infected if they are not vaccinated. Continue reading
(NAPSI)—If you’re like most homeowners, there’s probably a laundry list of major upgrades you’d like to make to improve the efficiency, performance, and functionality of your house. However, high upfront costs and project complexity can keep you from taking action, especially when projects involve expensive but essential systems, such as heating and cooling, water heater, and home envelope. Now, though, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (2022), there are numerous financial incentives that can significantly reduce the cost of these upgrades, making them more affordable and accessible, even for low- and middle-income households.
To help Americans take advantage of these financial opportunities and make these projects easier, ENERGY STAR recently launched a home improvement savings web tool. This handy online tool is a one-stop shop that lets you enter your ZIP code and find information on incentives available to you. Currently, it features generous tax credits and utility rebates that can help you substantially lower costs on qualifying products. Over time, it will include additional information on state energy efficiency rebates for low- and moderate-income households as they come online. Find the tool at: energystar.gov/homesavings. Continue reading
By TomL
Trump got shot, a fire Fighter was killed shielding his family, two other shot and nobody knows who was supposed to guarding the President elect. There are many unanswered questions and I’m sure they will come out.
It has been a busy week. The republican Convention started shortly after the attempt on Trumps Life. When the shots rang out I was watching it live. I knew it was gun fire. Trump grab his ear and went down to avoid getting hit again. Some thought he was hit in the head. A few minutes before people were yelling there is a man on the roof with a gun. 150 yards from the stage. No one stopped him! The same man was spotted earlier and listed as a suspicious person. No one stopped him! He was seen earlier that day with a range finder. That is use to get the exact footage to the target to put the cross hairs on target within inches. No one stopped him! This shooter’s parents called the police and listed their son as missing and they said he had a gun. No one stopped him. He walked in the crowd for some time. People reported him as a suspicious person. No one stopped him! I have been hearing rumors that security was told to stand down. I have trouble believing that.
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One of the things I took away from Trump and Vance was they were going to lower taxes and replace it with the FairTax and import tax on products coming into our country. Especially automobiles. Shut down the mandate on Electric cars. The Electric cars are very bad for the environment as a junk car the battery’s are lethal when getting into the ground water. Drill baby drill which will fire up the auto industry right away, they are dying. Start building all of our own parts for everything on an auto. We need to build our own up to date oil refinery’s. There are some many things to do the first week Trump will have delegate jobs to do and then hold them accountable. Continue reading
The current federal income tax system is clearly broken – unfair, overly complex and almost impossible to completely understand. There is however a reasonable and nonpartisan alternative that is both fair, efficient and easy to understand and that is the FAIRtax (HR 25).
The FAIRtax is a national sales tax that treats every person equally and allows American businesses to thrive while generating the same tax revenue as the four-million-word-plus tax code we now live under. The FAIRtax is NOT an add-on but a REPLACEMENT of the current income tax.
Under the FAIRtax, for the first time in recent history, American workers will bring home what they earn with the elimination of federal withholding from their paychecks giving them an instant raise in take-home. Social Security and Medicare benefits will not change. In fact, the FAIRtax actually puts these programs on a more solid foundation. Instead of being funded by worker’s wages, which is a relatively small pool, they will be funded by taxes on overall consumption by all residents. Continue reading
In 2015 the CEP commissioned an economic impact study of what it means, dollars and cents-wise, to be the Horse Capital. The data was both surprising and impactful. Equine contributes $2.6 billion annually to the local economy. That reflects not only the direct spin of the horse farms, shows, and support industries but also the thousands of tourists and guests who visit our community whether for a horse show, thoroughbred auction, or just to view the beautiful farms.
This past year, our friends at the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Association updated that study and what an update! Today, the equine industry provides a $4.3 billion annual impact. Just as in 2015, the industry contributes approximately 1/5 of the area economy. As Ocala has grown, so has the industry. Perhaps one of the biggest new contributors to this impact is the growth in tourism especially in light of the opening and continual development of the World Equestrian Center.
Farmland Preservation
The CEP is and will continue to be a strong promoter of our Farmland Preservation Area (FPA). Our partners at Horse Farms Forever take the lead in ensuring we can remain the Horse Capital of the World® for generations to come. Maintaining the nearly 200,000-acre FPA is important to us all. Continue reading
Good morning friends-With the elections just around the corner, I wanted to share some more information with you.
In Lake County, Vote-By-Mail Ballot mailouts begin on July 12th. Sample Ballots are available on July 29th.
Early Voting dates and times for the 2024 Primary Election are August 8th-17th, from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Primary is on August 20th.
Early Voting dates and times for the General Election are October 21st – November 2nd, from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The General Election is on November 5th.
It’s not too early to make sure your voting registration is in order, and you know where your voting precinct is located. For more information, contact your Supervisor of Elections office.
Onward & Upward
Nearly 130,000 printed resources have been distributed to law enforcement across the state as a way to help Floridians find help.
ORLANDO, Fla.—Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis spoke at the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) Summer Conference to highlight Hope Florida as a referral resource for Florida Sheriffs and law enforcement.
“Often, law enforcement personnel encounter individuals who need help outside of the criminal justice system,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “They just need help and aren’t sure where to start. Now they can call one number to rally a community to help meet their needs, address their challenges, and ultimately provide a plan and a path to prosperity. We are proud to offer Hope Florida as a simple way for law enforcement to ensure those who need help can be connected quickly to Hope Navigators who are ready to provide assistance.”
“Florida Highway Patrol is proud to be directly involved in distributing information and supporting Hope Florida’s mission to the many Sheriff’s Offices and Police Departments throughout the state,” said Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Executive Director Dave Kerner. “Hope Florida is an incredible asset that allows the men and women who protect and serve Floridians to direct them to available resources that cater to each individual’s specific needs, making a significant impact on their lives.” Continue reading
ORLANDO, Fla.—Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis, joined by Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris and Guardian ad Litem Executive Director Dennis Moore, hosted a hands-on, healthy cooking class for Hope Florida mentors and mentees. The event showcased the partnership between Hope Florida and the Guardian ad Litem program, which has produced hundreds of mentorship pairings since it was launched in September 2023. More mentors are needed across the state of Florida for those youth aging out of the foster care system.
“As a mom to three young children, I know how important strong role models are to the success of our youth,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “It was heartwarming to spend time cooking with these amazing boys and girls in Florida’s foster program. There is a need for mentors across Florida—with over 100 in the Orlando area. I encourage those with a call to mentorship to apply through Hope Florida.”
The First Lady’s Hope Florida – A Pathway to Promise initiative encourages foster families and youth aging out of foster care to connect with Hope Navigators who can pair them with volunteer mentors who assist with the transition to independent living by offering guidance, motivation, and emotional support. Continue reading
Picture from a few years back. This is my wife Phyllis and I receiving awards we won during our year end Conference. We were competing with free newspaper all over the state tsome had one hundred thousand circulation.
