"After controlling for factors such as age, sex, handedness, first language, education level, and other variables, the researchers found that those who had contracted COVID-19 tended to underperform on the intelligence test compared to those who had not contracted the virus. The greatest deficits were observed on tasks requiring reasoning, planning and problem solving, which is in line 'with reports of long-COVID, where ‘brain fog,’ trouble concentrating and difficulty finding the correct words are common,' the researchers said.

"Previous research has also found that a large proportion of COVID-19 survivors are affected by neuropsychiatric and cognitive complications.

“ 'We need to be careful as it looks like the virus could be affecting our cognition. We do not fully understand how, why, or for how long, but we urgently need to find out. In the meantime, don’t take unnecessary risks and do get vaccinated,' Hampshire told PsyPost."

https://www.psypost.org/2021/07/large-study-finds-covid-19-is-linked-to-a-substantial-drop-in-intelligence-61577

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]A contractor was here this morning to do some work - a very nice young Latino man, who talked about his family, especially his 2-year-old daughter, while he worked. He's American born and his wife is an immigrant from Mexico, and both have extensive family connections here.

A while ago, I purchased a bunch of small Bernie buttons to give away; I carry some with me when I'm out and keep some on my desk. While I was signing off on the work he did, I casually asked, "Would you like a Bernie button?"
He looked at me, confused, and asked "What?"
"A Bernie button for Bernie Sanders."
"Who's that?"
"He's running for President and we need to make sure he wins."
"Really? As long as he's a Democrat."

All of a sudden, he didn't need to run off to his next job quite so quickly. He's a Democrat, but isn't altogether crazy about Hillary and thinks she has too many problems to win in the general. He was unhappily resigned to her "inevitability." All he knows is what's on the network evening news. He has internet access and is on FB, so I suggested that he check Bernie out there.

I told him how major media coverage is biased because it's all corporate owned, so he needs to use the internet to get more complete and accurate information. I told him about the post-debate polls showing Bernie as the clear winner, and how CNN took down their very own poll and declared that Hillary won.

We talked about his concerns regarding climate change and how it will affect his child. We talked about education and healthcare. We talked about Social Security, especially since his mother will be on it in a few years, and how Wall Street lusts after its trust funds. We talked about how multinational corporations, backed by the military-industrial complex, are hell-bent on returning us to a society of "lords" and serfs.

As we talked, he kept nodding in agreement with everything.

It seems we've added a new supporter, and he really cares. As a hard-working man, he relaxes with sports and not much in the way of news, but now he has a new urgency to learn. And he'll tell his family and friends, and they'll tell their family and friends...

The Purple Wave is gaining power, drop by precious drop!

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]From Facebook (copied verbatim, including typos):


Full original content: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/100000-enough-is-enough-rally-bernie-sanders-for-president-tickets-19130771653

[font color="navy"]Share on Facebook and any other social media site you participate in. Share repeatedly, daily if possible, until the word is out all over the country and no one can stop this event.


[font color="purple"]Go, Bernie!
Ride the purple wave and join The Purple Revolution!

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Only a score of new signatures from California residents needed to put this petition over the goal number, but we want to go way past that!

Ask yourself if it's just that a damaged/ruined male body is automatically worth more in compensation than a female's, as is the case now. Women are breadwinners, just like men - no longer relegated to the kitchen and bedroom - and as such deserve to be equally compensated for work-related injury.

Please sign and share on Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, etc!

https://www.change.org/p/jerry-brown-end-gender-bias-in-california-s-workers-comp

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Hadn't seen this in a while, but came across it this morning. It made me tear up a little, both sad and happy.

Forget for a small handful of moments all the other horrors caused by predatory greed and lust for power in the world - and feel the joy we could have in celebrating our simple, common humanity.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Tonight I had my first post ever hidden, and I've been a member for over 13 years now. It was because I used the evil "b" word in reference to the young woman who arrogantly decided that her self-proclaimed title of "artist" entitled her to desecrate our National Parks with her acrylic paintings.

The "b word," to me, means a vile, obnoxious, nasty, selfish female. I haven't really kept up with the word's evolution from just being vulgar to having sexist implications. A feminist myself, I didn't intend any sexist meaning. (There's also a word for vile, obnoxious, nasty, selfish males that starts with a "b," but I've never been scolded for using that one.)

In any case, I greatly appreciate those jurors who kindly understood my reasoning even while disapproving of my angry, knee-jerk word choice for the vile, obnoxious, nasty, selfish female who did the defacing.

For the juror who said I "should know better," I humbly invoke age-related creeping decrepitude for my inattention to linguistic evolution and loss of impulse control. In the heat of the moment, I only recognized my intended meaning (see above), not the relatively new focus on sexist implications.

In any case, you'll all be very happy to know that the word expansion program I use on my computer now prints "__NO!__" whenever I type that evil word, so I won't make the same mistake again no matter how angry I get at someone's vile, obnoxious, nasty, selfish actions.

Adios to my first-ever hidden post... and hopefully my last.

Love you all...

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]I've been traveling since May 20th, read this piece during that time and meant to forward/post it, but didn't get it done. It's a little late for its intended Memorial Day audience but no less true, so I'm posting it now, even though it's late.

Don't Call This Veteran a Hero

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]There are many worthy causes in the world that work to alleviate human suffering. One of my favorites is Planting Peace, which has multiple projects around the world, including orphanages, eliminating parasites in children, LGBT equality (including an underground in Uganda), rainforest preservation and more.

Now they're also taking on the hunger crisis in South Sudan.

[font face:"Arial"]http://plantingpeace.org/2014/05/south-sudan-hunger-crisis/[font face:"Verdana"]

If you're able, please consider donating. You can specify which project you want your donation to go to and every little bit helps.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]A new social networking site that focuses on issues facing us all and encourages members to share their activities.

I've signed up to follow for now and see how the site evolves. Anyone care to join me?

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Home desperately needed for 2 Sacramento cats, neutered males, Alvin (gray, age 6) and Opie (orange, age 5). Their mom has fallen on hard times and had to give them up. Their foster mom can't keep them for more than another week.

I'd take them myself, but I already have four cats that are hostile to the idea and space is an issue. I've spent time with them both and they're mellow, friendly, and affectionate, comfortable around dogs and children. Shots are up to date and they're in perfect health.

Please don't let these beautiful, affectionate boys end up in the city shelter. If you can offer Alvin and Opie a home or know someone who can, please PM me and I'll put you in contact with their foster mom.

Alvin:

Opie: