spinesign

My boyfriend recently lost his employment.  I barely have any.  

I decided I would get smart and apply for low cost auto insurance.  I should mention that both of us are acutely aware of the ongoing climate change emergency (for which our society has mandated no laws like they have done for the virus), and so we barely use our car.

Applying for this type of insurance, I learned that the size of a household is based on the number of dependents we list in our tax returns that we file.  I am the poorer of us 2, so I am the applicant.  The receptionist told me that, to include someone else, they must be my dependent.  How can/ should anyone "depend" on me if I am poor enough to need low cost auto??

I celebrate (I think) Perseverance touching down on Mars.  

2 QQs that are unanswered:

when this robot's life is done, what happens to the hardware?  are we spreading Earth junk in space?  Is littering allowed on Mars?

what if the same thing happened to Earth?  Would we accept an extra-terrestrial object from an unknown world plopping down somewhere to observe us and collect data?

I don't mind space exploration, but I want scientists to observe the park guideline: "take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints".  Mars isn't "ours" to use.

or in which email program can I turn spam folder off??

I hate the spam folder with a passion:  it combines contradictory goals:

1)  it separates mail into 2 lists, what you want and don't want (and spam is deleted within x days also), so that one constantly has to check 2 places, not just 1 place (i.e., USPS).  If I don't want a spam mail, why even have a folder for stuff you dont' want??

2) the human user don't get to tell the program what they want or not. The program decides what you want 

Also, another Q: whom do I complain about this system?  I didn't ask for it, so why should I waste my time flipping between these 2 lists??  How can I be responsible for something I didn't give my approval to?

The immediate problem: I have 1 more personal check left and 2 imminent bills this short month.  

Do I order more checks, do electronic checks, EFT, or what??I know our society hates paper in all its forms.  Paper is electricity, internet, and cybervirus-free however, so black-out friendly).  Plus, I do not want a computer / net controlling my financial life.   EFT debits can bounce like checks can, right?  So why are EFTs do desireable for business?  And if they do bounce, I will still get charged, like with checks, right?  

Checks have check #s so that on a register you can tell what went through and what did not, and what I may have forgotten to record.  I would like something equivalent so I can be alerted about what I didn't write down.  

Anyway, what is the advantage of EFT over paper checks? why do so many stop accepting checks?

My mother, a senior citizen, is in assisted living retirement in CA.  Due to lockdown, I have not been inside her room since March :(.  

Although therapists have gained access to her room this fall, I have not.  I am also a health care provider, however, this fact means nothing to management.  

The retirement facility tests for COVID each week (OK, whatever), and have promised me that vaccines will arrive in January.  I feel I have no control at all in this matter.

Because of 

https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2020/08/health...

(I don't want a "race"!!  I want (insist) on a scientific, methodological production of a vaccine).  This article also says it should take at least 4 yrs for one to develop.  

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/11/white-house-threat...

this vaccine should be developed/ released independent of political pressure.

I can wait before accepting this vaccine.  I personally have already been vaccinated for influenza this year, and had another injection last year, so I'm not "anti-vaxxer". 

So, does the county and/ or state "own" my mother, that they can make all pandemic decisions for her, regardless of family wishes?  

I would like some control and authority (i.e. "ownership") (especially as "power of attorney for health care") over medical procedures performed.  

https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/10/us/the-2000-ele...

https://www.history.com/news/2000-election-bush-go...

during debates when a contestant talks over the assigned time, or talks, out of turn, over their opponent??  Doing so would save time and respect everyone's time.  

I think we have the technology for that!!

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/europe-...

are we really that stupid??

A mature response would be to have the public health officer of the area come on TV/ radio/ internet, whatever, give us clear, straightforward facts, and AS ADULTS without the need for mandates, we would follow their advice and "protect each other".  "Were all in this together" I always read, so the mandate ought to be in our HEARTS and MINDS.  

But no, we are CHILDREN in the bad way: mommy and daddy are stealing our freedoms, so we rebel, and pay with our lives, literally.  

Embarrassed and ashamed of our national response (that has led to the above article.  Thanks to heroes and mature, essential people, incl me a DC.  )

I was at my optometrist office just now to renew damaged reading glasses. Their website warned us that the office would take our temperatures upon entry, and I had my "script" ready:

What if I refuse?

and their "question" (May I use this device to take your Temp?) is really a polite command.   

Since vision is essential, legally and otherwise, do we have a practical choice??

My Q now: don't people with fevers 

(from whatever cause, and 

who would apparently be denied opto services) also need their eyes tested and need usable reading glasses too?? (The "temperature lady" couldn't answer)

For humans, corona is Public Enemy #1 (at least 1 of them)

From the earth's perspective, I often feel that WE are ITS #1 enemy:  our population is increasing at a geometric/ exponential rate; we are causing massive climate change, causing numerous life form extinctions, creating various environmental emergencies; unwise law and policy decisions, etc.

If humans were to be totally/ largely wiped out, Gaia might finally begin to regenerate itself.  What think you?

to in person gatherings, when health authorities say its safe to do so?  

I hear everyone talk about the non-health advantages of online: 

you don't have to leave shelter! 

people can join in regardless of location (next door or other side of globe)!

you can chat during meetings!  

you can see people's names! and faces!

you can stay anonymous!

Some drawbacks: not everyone is online?  power or signal might be low, flaky, or absent?  People need exercise?   But I fear I am spoiling everyone's electronic party.

I mailed 3 bill payments 1t class since late May: DMV, credit card, and nursing home.

DMV is due today, and no checks show up in my bank online.

Credit card and NH both mailed last Tuesday.  The first is due tomorrow and NH is Wed.  

My boyfriend is telling me that USPS is just slow these days for obvious reasons, that I should simply wait until I receive angry notes from people.

I am RARELY late with payments, and dont want to start now.  Do I need to call anyone and tell them that "check is in the mail"?  Will they believe me or care?

is that how they have authority to "order" residents to do this or not do that?

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/symbios...

it possesses amazing power and abilities, and after we no longer feel threatened by its very existence, we can cooperate together and we can benefit from each other in some manner.

That is my very long term goal during these times.  

like shelter in place (now) and evacuate house due to fire or hurricane (common in E. Coast)?  How does THAT situation resolve?

We are already in a chronic climate emergency now.  

https://www.unenvironment.org/explore-topics/clima...

https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities...

The government never "ordered" stores to stop selling fattening foods and drinks.  I understand that obesity is not contagious, nor does it kill as fast.  But our officials seem selective as to when they shut down human society.  

Even though it seems even more critical to have it nowdays, I tend to doubt it.  Homeless, and lower socio-eco people prob have limited connection ability.  

Plus, the equipment, backup, and antivirus for ownership and maintenance is expensive 

A hypothetical: an organizer decides that they will have a "small" group, open to the public, during this time period.  The group meets, and someone has the "virus".  It spreads to someone else.  This "someone else" gets sick or dies.  This second person (or their family) sues the organizer.  Does this suit have merit?  Is the organizer liable?