PITTSBURGH (Newsradio KDKA) - So many stories. So little time to discuss. Welcome to this week’s ‘Informational Buffet.’
1. Fat Pets!
Last week I told about our growing US waistlines. A movie company is looking for 3,000 extras as they open up filming here in Pittsburgh. They need scrawny men with thin waists - just like those of our ancestors. Look around. They ain’t finding it here. HA! Now I read a new survey from OneVet, an online veterinary service, that ‘Pennsylvania is home to the plumpest pets in America.’ WOW. As I noted last week, the American male is 31 pounds heavier than we were in 1960. Now, a survey of over 2300 pet owners in 43 states finds that PA dogs are the fattest in the country. In fact, our dogs are, on average, 18.25 pounds overweight. Stop abusing your pets!
2. Protect the Unvaccinated!
President Biden says his patience is wearing thin. Many say his logic is, as well. This after he stated that, quote: “We must protect vaccinated workers from the unvaccinated.” Many people did not follow his logic especially as the results of a recent study are reviewed. According to The Lancet, a highly respected peer-reviewed general medical journal, 25% of vaccinated households still contract covid. These are the breakthrough cases. Meanwhile, 38% of unvaccinated households suffer from the virus. Vaccines protect the vaccinated. They are effective and reduce serious illness or death. However, I believe that by choosing to not get the vax that one assumes the additional risks of potential hospitalization. They are 11-times more likely to die, as well. I think nearly everyone will eventually get a case of Covid.
Vaccine mandates are causing chaos and calling the bluffs of governments and companies. Protecting those who are protected by the shot from from those who decline that protection seems even more illogical since it has been revealed that both carry similar viral loads and spread the virus nearly equally. I am not anti-vax. I just do not prefer strong-armed tactics for compliance. I do not agree with organizations that fire perfectly capable, professional, trained, skilled, good workers because they opt not to get a popular, effective vaccine. Simply have the non-conformist sign a waiver absolving the company of healthcare obligations should they contract the disease.
3. The ‘Rona Juice for kids!
Twenty-eight million kids across the country are eligible for the vaccine now that the CDC has approved the Pfizer drug for those aged 5-11. The dosage will be 1/3 the potency of an adult dose. An estimated 1.9 million kids have had covid. The vast majority of those cases have been mild. Some were serious. In fact, at least 172 preteens have unfortunately died. Each death is awful. However, kids overall are not at great risk of dying of covid and 70% of those hospitalized had underlying conditions. Save air and consult your doctor instead of arguing with friends over ‘kidsvax’ as there are other concerns:
Several studies indicate that teenage boys and young men are at risk of developing inflammation of the heart muscle, known as myocarditis, following the jab. The risk for teenage boys is about 15-in-100,000 following the 2nd shot. Most recover quickly, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Roughly 5,200 kids under 20 have developed ‘multi-system inflammatory syndrome’ or MIS-C. There are also anecdotal data of high blood pressure and rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) for several days following vaccination, according to the US National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health (and me.) Professionals tell us that, although this can be serious, the risk of heart damage from the virus far exceeds side effects of the vaccine. Again: consult your doctor.
4. Foreign Money in US elections!
WHAT? Yup, those ‘Russia, Russia, Russia’ conspiracies are SO 2016. The same nation that is outraged that American elections are influenced by deep-pocketed billionaire citizens or a phony dossier will now fight foreign influence in our elections FOR REAL. Forget the $419 million Mark Zuckerberg spent to get fellow voters to the polls in key districts. Forget Mr. Soros or the Koch brothers. The Federal Election Commission, in a 4-2 decision, says that ballot initiatives do not meet their definition of ‘election.’ The FEC now affirms that foreign individuals, companies, and governments can legally influence your vote! Instead of protecting our election integrity, the FEC is condoning the corruption. Foreigners, who are not currently allowed to donate to US campaigns, will soon will be able to manipulate the messaging in regards to ballot initiatives.
According to Axios, The FEC says that US election law only ‘regulates candidate elections, not referenda or other issue-based ballot measures.’ So, even though they are on the same ballot and you vote for them at the same time, at the same polling location, with the same pen while earning the same sticker - initiatives are apparently NOT part of your election experience. They are now fair game for outsider money and messaging. Imagine the Chinese helping to decide redistricting efforts, or French nuclear companies pushing for new power plants in your neighborhood, or Canadian wood companies influencing regional forest policies, or Saudi oil companies campaigning against fracking or drilling issues here in PA?
Oh, well. It ain’t corrupt if our government makes it legal, right?
Kevin Battle got one of those Canadian caribou coins in his change at a drive-thru recently. Hate when that happens. He is co-host of the KDKA Radio Morning Show with Larry Richert. It airs M-F 5a-9a on Pittsburgh’s 100.1FM & AM1020 KDKA or on the free Audacy app. Ask your smartspeaker to: ‘Play KDKA.’ Thank you.
