Thoughts on Viernes – 11162023

No Surprise: Bigots Pass Migrant Deportation Bill

Greg Abbott’s bigoted legislation, SB4, has passed and will be signed. If this isn’t a lesson for Democrats, Latino ones especially, to stop being friendly to right-wing republinuts and Dems supported by them, I don’t know what else it can be. But we are going through a time in which we see Democrats looking away from atrocities and genocidal policies and that disappoints me to no end. Hell, they’re standing up to support these policies. All of these policies are cut from the same hatred, so when a [Latin@] Democrat complains about one and embraces the other, well, they look pretty dumb and hypocritical. Hypocrisy is not a good look for our people.

Give All You Can

With the holiday season upon us, it is time for those of us who can to open up our wallets to various groups are doing everything from feeding those in need, providing coats for the cold weather, or toys and toiletries for families.

Houston Landing has a good list of groups providing Thanksgiving meals next week. My favorite organization is the Houston Food Bank, which can turn a dollar into three meals–donate today!

I’ll be listing more as we progress toward the season.

DCs COVID REPORT

In case you’re still in denial, COVID-19 is still around, people are still getting sick, and people are still dying. The latest count from the local health authority has the virus load in the wastewater at 144% of the baseline and it is on an increasing trend. In other words, people aren’t updating their vaccines, and they certainly aren’t wearing masks in crowded areas. As holiday parties and activities begin, this is going to be an ongoing problem. Be warned. Mask up!

Recently, a family member who is immunocompromised was in the hospital for 2 long days, which included a surgery. She did everything ahead of time to ensure that she would be protected with masks required in her room, and that all precautions were taken–all ordered by medical specialists. She also had relatives ready to advocate for her when staff failed at being cautious. Let me tell you, it was nightmarish to the point that nursing staff attempted to supersede the orders of her specialist, as if they knew more than the specialist about the needs of the immunocompromised. All because they were fucking lazy. The family left with a feeling that the medical profession is now circling the drain, and in a city that boasts its medical center. Unfortunately, patients don’t have the PR machine to report these realities.

So, yeah, COVID-19 still exists, people are stupidly staying unmasked and surprised when they get the disease, and the medical profession doesn’t seem to be helping those most at-risk. Consider yourselves updated.