Be Careful What You Wish For….

I know everyone is going a little stir crazy now - on top of anxiety about lost wages, kid's education, job security, food, toilet paper, rent, mortgages- you name it - we are worried. I don't remember what a good night's sleep feels like. My dog wants me to get out of the house and leave him alone so badly - he has this strange look in his eyes now and  I'm getting a little afraid of turning my back on him.  The entire country has our same concerns- and we have our own unique ones as our economy is tied to tourism - restaurants, cruise lines, etc.  The current Federal Government suggestions on "Opening up America Again" may be sounding good to folks who are really struggling- but all I can do is remind everyone to be careful and look to history to give us some guidelines.

I'm sure you have all heard the comparison between what is happening now with COVID 19  and what the world experienced just over 100 years ago with the "Spanish Flu," (just to make the point - COVID 19 is named because the virus first appeared in 2019  - not because it is the 19th version of coronavirus - just like the Spanish flu did not originate in Spain. It was called the Spanish flu because it manifested itself among soldiers fighting in WWI. None of the combatants - Germany, France, Britain etc.  wanted to report on anything that would impact the war effort so the press in those countries was censured. Spain was a neutral country - thus their press was free to report on the wave of influenza that was wreaking havoc at the time - thus the moniker "Spanish Flu"). But I digress.
The important historical fact of note is that the first wave of the Spanish flu was bad- people got really sick -but many people who got it survived. The mortality rate in the spring of 1918 when it first appeared in the U.S. at an Army base in Kansas was similar to normal seasonal flu.  By the end of the summer of 1918, flu cases had dropped off and people thought they were out of the woods and began relaxing some of the safety measures they had imposed -such as masks and 1918 "social distancing". Then the second wave of the virus hit in September of 1918 - and this time a huge number of the people who were infected did not survive. Young, healthy people were dying horrible deaths within a day of their symptoms first appearing. Millions died worldwide - over 195,000 people died in the U.S during October 2018 alone. The theory is that during the lull between the spring and summer of 1918 the virus mutated and continued to be spread by wartime troop movements.  It died out again by late December 1918- and then one of the last waves hit in January - April 1919. By that time, the war was over so the world-wide spread due to troop movements slowed and the virus slowly died out.

Public health officials in 1918 knew that quarantining would help slow the spread of the virus- but many were unwilling to do that during wartime. Particularly in Europe, where there were shortages of just about everything, they were loath to put one more burden on their citizens.

So here we are - back at looking at "Opening Up America Again". Yes - without question - we need to do this to survive- hopefully, the sooner the better. But if the history of 1918 has taught us anything - it is that we need to make sure that the sacrifices people have made personally and professionally to try and slow the spread of the virus does not end up being for nothing.  If we go back to pre-quarantine "normal" without adequate testing capabilities and a firm plan - we run the risk of a second wave of cases hitting us that will end up overwhelming our health care systems and causing a second shut down of the economy. Today, the head of the CDC warned that the second wave of this virus that is likely to hit in the fall of this year will be very bad as it combines with the start of the normal flu season. Apparently, there may be some clarification of his remarks, but history would tend to support his initial comments. So, no matter what the plan is – no matter when we are told it is “safe” to go back to work – use your own best judgment. I think masks are going to continue to be a required fashion statement for a good long while and that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Stay safe.

Pat Rathburn

FREE back to school immunizations!

Hello to our Community Partners. Once again, the Florida Department of Health in Broward is asking you to help inform the public about our annual Back-to-School Immunization campaign. The Department will vaccinate school-age children for free at Lauderhill Mall from August 10 to 25. Last year, we gave more than 5,000 vaccinations to 2,100 children. This year, we hope to do even better. You can help by hanging flyers about the campaign, distributing information cards to families and posting notices on your website. The items are available in English, Spanish and Creole. See samples below (too small to print or post). To obtain the items, please contact Bob LaMendola at 954-213-0607 or robert.lamendola@flhealth.gov and tell us how many of each you want and in what languages. We will deliver them to you in the next week or two. Thanks very much and we hope to hear from you. Renee Podolsky, Director of Community Health View this email in your browser Copyright © 2015 Florida Department of Health in Broward County, All rights reserved.

Croissant Park General Meeting-February 2013

Hi Neighbors,

Our annual Pot Luck Dinner was a huge success!  All ten Board members were in attendance as our President Pat kicked off the first Association meeting of 2013.  Our first speakers were the Junior Ambassadors from The Pantry of Broward, an organization that collects food donations to lend a helping hand to area seniors on low fixed incomes, and economically challenged grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.  The Junior Ambassadors are jr high and high school volunteers who will deliver flyers to our doors in the next week telling us when to place canned or boxed food donations on our doorsteps for collection. Let’s help The Pantry in their food drive with our generosity and goodwill for those less fortunate.

Cara Perrin from the Wellness Center at Broward General spoke to us about the health benefits we receive when we exercise. She left us with pamphlets and a coupon that waives the Wellness Center initiation fee, a savings of $49.  She emphasized how something as simple as walking for exercise can reduce the need for medications, and helps to promote health and well-being.  National Walk Day will be celebrated on April 3, 2013 on the grounds of Broward General with a 20 minute walk around the hospital.  All are invited to join in.  Staying with the walking theme, our Board member Michelle introduced us to her favorite walking app MapMyWalk, an application that allows us to log our favorite routes in the area, share them with others and encourages us to walk with friends, reminding us that Fitness is more Fun with Friends! Michelle has already done the heavy lifting by mapping out a one, two, and three mile route.

FLPD Officer Jackson gave us her neighborhood crime report: our neighborhood’s “numbers are good”.  That is to say that our crimes are down.  In the last 3-month period there have been 4 arrests for burglaries, 1 arrest on a warrant, 1 car break-in (no valuables taken, just a lunch in a brown bag).  Ofr. Jackson reminds us, as always, don’t leave stuff in your car because they may break your windows for a sack lunch!  The details about the strong-arm robbery on SW 13th St. are that a woman lured a man into a home, and the man was then jumped by 3 males who then robbed him. There are no details yet on the alleged child porn activity on 4th Ave. because it is still under investigation.  

Our next speaker was John Gossman, a Supervisor from Code Enforcement who explained the legality of the halfway houses that are popping up all over.  There are several classifications, but the ones in our neighborhood are generally Level One residences for those with disabilities and people fresh out of rehab. These homes require no approval from the City or State when there are 6 or fewer unrelated people living at one address.  However, if any services are being rendered at a Level One home, such as counseling or administering medications, they are in violation.  If the property is not being maintained at a reasonable level for the neighborhood, Code Enforcement should be notified.  If people are acting out in any offensive or illegal manner, FLPD should be called. The State has set the laws for these homes and they supersede the regulations set by the municipalities.  Code Enforcement’s only tool is to make sure these homes are in compliance. 

The recipient of the Joe Shover Citizenship Award  for 2012 was our former CPCA President Steve Cook, who has kept us very much in the loop with City doings by attending a mind-numbing number of meetings concerning all manner of City business.  We all thank you, Steve.  His current report on bike lanes on SW 4th Ave:  within the year we will have bike lanes painted on both sides of 4th Ave from Perimeter Rd. to SW 9th Street (north of Davie), some portions of which will be resurfaced and will have 10 foot wide lanes.  Steve also wants to remind us that plastic bags are not recyclable.

Our 50/50 Raffle winner was Paul Ruble who won $32 big ones.  We also gave away a few CPCA T-shirts.

This Pot Luck Dinner boasted a long table full of hors d'oeuvres, entrees, salads, and over-the-top desserts.  It was our biggest turn-out ever.  

See you at our meeting next month-March 26th.

Virginia-Secretary

All In One Fitness

City of Fort Lauderdale Parks & Recreation

Croissant Park

245 West Park Drive

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315

All In One Fitness

The class offers a fun, core conditioning experience based on a Pilates/Yoga inspired work out. This enhanced exercise is powered by a fast moving routine that builds & strengthens flexibility and muscle tone. A stability ball helps to get that hard to tone mid section through balance and strengthening exercises. This is a low impact class with vitalizing body results!

Tuesdays & Thursdays 8:30 am - 9:30 am

Fees: Residents: $60 - 10 punch class

Non-residents: $90 - 10 punch class

If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in this event, please contact Marie Rock at (954)828-4610 or MRock@fortlauderdale.gov at least seven business days prior to the event

cough, cough, cough

VICKS Vapo-Rub

During a lecture on Essential Oils, they told us how the foot soles can absorb oils. Their example: Put garlic on your feet and within 20 minutes you can 'taste' it.

Some of us have used Vicks VapoRub for years for everything from chapped lips to sore toes and many body parts in between. But I've never heard of this. And don't laugh, it works 100% of the time, although the scientists who discovered it aren't sure why. To stop night time coughing in a child (or adult as we found out personally), put Vicks VapoRub generously on the soles of your feet, cover with socks, and the heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. Works 100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly.

Just happened to tune in A.M. Radio and picked up this

guy talking about why cough medicines in kids often do more harm than good, due to the chemicals in them This method of using Vicks VapoRub on the soles of the feet was found to be more effective than prescribed medicines for children at bed time. In addition it seems to have a soothing and calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly.

My wife tried it on herself when she had a very deep constant and persistent cough a few weeks ago and it worked 100%! She said that it felt like a warm blanket had enveloped her, coughing stopped in a few minutes.So she went from; every few seconds uncontrollable coughing, she slept cough-free for hours every night she used it.

If you have grandchildren, pass this on. If you end up sick, try it yourself and you will be amazed at how it works.

DON'T SHUN THIS ONE.. TRY IT THE NEXT TIME YOU GET A BAD COLD. THE ONLY THING YOU CAN LOSE IS YOUR COUGH..