Well that was fast, especially for a governmental agency.

On Monday the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced it would allow the import of hunter-harvested wild birds from Canada.

The statement came just 10 days after the agency said the opposite.

No one in the conservation world was complaining about the flip-flop, however.

“We appreciate USDA’s willingness to hear the concerns from DU and revise this rule in a practical and scientific manner,” said Adam Putnam, CEO of Ducks Unlimited. “This revision is not only a win for American waterfowlers but also for the application of sound science.”

Delta Waterfowl called Monday’s announcement “great news” for American waterfowl hunters in Canada and those with plans to hunt there later this year.

“We sincerely thank APHIS for reconsidering the restrictions and for doing it so quickly,” said John Devney, chief policy officer at Delta Waterfowl. “It definitely puts optimism back into the hearts of hunters looking forward to hunting ducks and geese in Canada this fall following what promises to have been an outstanding summer of duck production.”

The mood in the waterfowling community was characterized by shock and disbelief after the Sept. 2 announcement.

Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl were among conservation organizations that issued letters of protest to USDA APHIS administrator Kevin Shea about the change and request immediate reconsideration of the decision.

At issue was concern over transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the virus that this year in the U.S. has killed about 44 million domestic birds in 429 flocks and untold legions of wild birds.

Avian influenza spreads quickly through direct, bird-to-bird contact, according to the USDA. It also can spread to birds via contaminated surfaces and materials, including people’s clothing, shoes or hands.

More:‘Catastrophic’ avian flu devastates endangered tern colonies in Door County

More:Feathered jewels on a spinning chandelier: White pelicans have made an astonishing recovery in Wisconsin

All parties agree the disease is very serious. But the conservation groups and hunters contended there was low to no risk of HPAI transmission from hunter-killed birds to commercial flocks in the U.S.

And to be denied the import of meat from hunts north of the border would have prevented traveling hunters from sharing and enjoying cherished meals of duck and goose at their homes.

To its credit, APHIS responded quickly to complaints. Late last week it had two virtual sessions with DU officials and scientists, said Mike Brasher, DU senior waterfowl scientist.

“Both meetings went much longer than the originally scheduled time, which tells you about their interest and sincerity in addressing the issue,” Brasher said.

Brasher said DU presented data to APHIS, including from David Stallknecht, a University of Georgia professor who works in the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, which showed the highest HPAI virus loads were in the brain and viscera. 

The conversations resulted in Monday’s announcement in which APHIS said it had been “working with stakeholders and other federal agencies to provide options for importing hunter-harvested wild bird meat/carcasses that address the HPAI transmission risk to our domestic poultry.”

Effective Monday, APHIS said it would allow the import of hunter harvested wild bird meat and/or carcasses under the following conditions:

• Viscera, head, neck, feet, skin and one wing have been removed;

• Feathers have been removed, with the exception of one wing – as required by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for species identification;

• Carcasses must be rinsed in fresh, clean, potable water prior to packaging and must not have visible evidence of contamination with dirt, blood or feces; and

• Carcasses must be imported in leak-proof plastic packaging and stored in a leak-proof cooler or container during transport and import; and

• Carcasses must be chilled or frozen during transport and import.

APHIS further recommends that boots and any equipment used to process the carcasses should be clean and visibly free from dirt, blood, tissue and feces.

The quick reversal sets a positive example of policy makers willing to listen and change course if supported by data and common sense.

“We certainly understand and appreciate the importance of limiting the spread of HPAI in the U.S.,” said DU’s Brasher. “DU will use this opportunity to communicate with waterfowl hunters about these new import restrictions and USDA APHIS voluntary guidelines that will provide additional safeguards against the spread of HPAI this fall and winter.”

It also provides an educational opportunity for waterfowlers – the vast majority who stay in the U.S. – to learn about best practices when handling game birds. 

Toward that end, APHIS offers the following recommendations to waterfowl hunters and others who may handle wild birds.

When hunting:

• Do not harvest or handle wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead.

• Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after handling game. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

When dressing game birds:

• Always wear disposable gloves when handling or cleaning game and wash hands with soap and water immediately afterward. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Dress game birds in the field whenever possible.

• If you can’t dress birds in the field, clean them in a location away from poultry and other birds.

• Keep a separate pair of shoes to wear only in your game cleaning area. If this is not possible, wear rubber footwear and clean and disinfect your shoes before entering or leaving the area.

• Use dedicated tools for cleaning game, whether in the field or at home. Do not use those tools around poultry or pet birds.

• Double bag the offal and feathers. Tie the inner bag, take off your gloves, and leave them in the outer bag before tying it closed. Then wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.

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With all of the cleaning you’ll be doing in the kitchen, keeping stocked up on useful cleaning supplies is non-negotiable. These include a good oven cleaner, a dishwasher cleaner, a disinfectant designed for use in a kitchen, an all-purpose cleaner, microfiber cleaning cloths, and a good mop and bucket (via Insider).

Other handy cleaning items include stainless steel wipes, disinfectant wipes, and a bristled cleaning brush (via Mashed).

Once you have the basic necessary staples, you don’t need to keep buying anymore. Having overfilled cabinets will only prevent you from quickly reaching what you need when you grab a cleaner.

In addition, cleaners don’t last forever, so you do need to keep an eye on expiration dates. Brian Sansoni, of the American Cleaning Institute, tells Real Simple, “Like many products purchased at the grocery store, cleaning products can degrade over time.” Once products reach their expiration date, they may be less effective and they also may damage surfaces.

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Wayne’s Home Services is the leading cleaning company in Minnesota, providing services to the Twin Cities area for over 10 years. They offer professional window cleaning, power washing, and gutter cleaning services. This company has an outstanding reputation for the results they deliver and its positive impact on its customers in every interaction.

Wayne’s Home Services is a company that strives for excellence; they’re well known for helping their clients to achieve a fantastic curb appeal. They’ve positioned themselves as the top company providing window cleaning and gutter cleaning in Minneapolis & St. Paul, MN.

Wayne’s experience grew thanks to the continuous effort to provide fantastic cleaning services to the Minneapolis & St. Paul residents. He said, “I feel like I have the education and skills to create the best home service experience. I’ve emulated the work and put a better twist on the perception I can give my clients…”

Their state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained cleaning crew are popular throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul. They use the most up-to-date techniques in order to offer their clients quality services; this is just one example of how Wayne’s Home Services goes above and beyond for each and every client.

In everything they do, they have but one goal: to provide the best possible experience and results for their customers. Thanks to this focus, they’ve become the top home service provider in the entire Minneapolis & St. Paul area.

As a professional gutter cleaning company in Minneapolis, MN, they’re not afraid to clean hard-to-reach areas. They’ve been recognized by numerous local organizations like the “2021 Super Service Award” by Angie List Super Services. Angie’s honored excellence in the home service industry businesses for 23 years. They’ve also been screened and approved by HomeAdvisor, a website that connects homeowners with prescreened and customer-rated service professionals.

For those interested in Wayne’s Home Services window cleaning, pressure washing, or gutter cleaning in Minneapolis or St. Paul, MN, They offer free quotes and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact them through their website: htps://wayneshomeservice.com/ to get started on making your home look its best!

Contact name: Wayne Woodworth

Email: [email protected]

About Wayne’s Home Services

Based in New Germany, Minnesota, Wayne’s Home Services provides snow, ice dam, and gutter Ice removal services for homes and businesses in the area. They also specialize in other home services such as power washing, window and gutter cleaning, and more.

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Bait-and-switch ads are those that promote a $199 whole-home cleaning.

You are not alone if you have ever received a flyer in the mail promoting a whole-home offer for $199, $99, or any other deceptively low amount. The businesses behind these ads make the whole industry seem terrible, and for many unhappy homeowners, duct cleaning is a waste of money.

This is due to the fact that these companies’ rendition of duct cleaning does not use appropriate practices. Bait-and-switch ads are those that promote a $199 whole-home cleaning. When they come for the cleaning, they will most likely just clean twelve or so ducts for the first $199, then surprise you with a quotation for the remainder of the duct cleaning. They entice you with the promise of a low cost and then changed it at the last minute.

In terms of their actual technique, many businesses, including those that do not engage in bait-and-switch scams, utilize a shop-vac to clean the ducts. A shop vac can only reach around 3 feet of ductwork behind each vent cover. They aren’t long enough to clean all the way down to the main trunk line. Even if you discover a business that cleans ductwork effectively, if you don’t pay their exorbitant fee to clean all of the ducts, the cleaning will be a waste of money. When you turn on the air again, all of the remaining dirt and debris will recirculate back into the clean ducts, as if the cleaning had never occurred.

Media Contact
Company Name: Air Duct Cleaning Orlando
Contact Person: Media Relations
Email: Send Email
Phone: 407-379-3490
Address:5587 Devonbriar Way J201 Orlando, FL 32822
City: Orlando
State: Florida
Country: United States
Website: https://airductcleaningorlando.com/

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A few children under the age of 5 years have been recently diagnosed with hand-foot-and-mouth  disease (HFMD) in St. Kitts & Nevis. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is a mild, viral  infection that is highly contagious and it mainly affects children under 7 years of age but anyone  can get it. HFMD is most commonly caused by a coxsackie virus but other enteroviruses have  been implicated. HFMD outbreaks occur commonly in summer and autumn in the USA. 

What are the signs and symptoms of hand-foot-and -mouth disease? 

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease may cause some of the following signs and symptoms: • Fever 

• Sore throat 
• Loss of appetite 
• Drooling and child can become irritable and fussy 
• Painful, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks • Skin rash affecting palms, soles and sometimes buttocks. Rash may appear as flat red spots,  tiny bumps or red blisters. 

The usual period from initial infection to time symptoms appear (incubation period) is 7 to 10  days.  

How is hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) spread? 

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is spread by person- to- person contact with an infected person’s:  • Nose secretions or throat discharge 

• Saliva 
• Fluid from blisters 
• Stool 
• Respiratory droplets sprayed in the air by an infected person’s cough or sneeze 

How can hand-foot-and-mouth disease be prevented? 

The following interventions can reduce your child’s risk of HFMD: 

• Children experiencing signs and symptoms of HFMD should limit their exposure to others  and stay at home. 
• Adults who have HFMD should stay at home from work. 
• Staff at daycare and pre-schools should clean and disinfect high traffic and high-touch  surfaces with soap and water followed by diluted solution of chlorine bleach and water. • Children should be taught how to wash hands properly in the following instances: before and  after eating, before and after playing, after coughing and sneezing and after using the toilet. • Children should be constantly reminded to keep hands / fingers away from mouth and face. • Adults providing care for children should wash hands thoroughly before and after each  episode of care- giving. 
• Avoid sharing eating utensils and toys among children at this time. 
• Avoid close contact with others. 

In summary, hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is usually a minor illness causing fever and  mild symptoms for a few days. There is no cure for this viral illness and no vaccine to prevent it.  The doctor usually recommends home care with symptomatic treatment until recovery. Let us all  do our part to prevent the spread of this viral illness that is affecting our children.

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The sudden die-off of feral rabbits in Greenville has prompted a warning from animal health care authorities. The Clemson University Veterinary Diagnostic Center said the dead animals were tested in Columbia and diagnosed with Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type-2 (RHDV2).The diagnosis was confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS).This is the first time RHDV2 has been detected in South Carolina, according to the center. Officials say the surviving rabbits at the location have been quarantined, and animal health authorities have asked the owners to contain them in hutches to avoid further spread and to prevent further contact with wild rabbits.“RHDV2’s mortality rate is 70% or higher. Our goal at this point is to do what we can to prevent the virus from spreading into the wild rabbit population and potentially further infecting domesticated rabbits,” said Michael Neault, State Veterinarian and director of Clemson University Livestock Poultry Health (LPH).Clinical signs of the virus include sudden death, anorexia, lethargy, conjunctivitis, respiratory signs and bloodstained noses or mouths.RHDV2 is a highly contagious Calicivirus that affects domestic rabbits, wild or feral rabbits and hares. The virus is shed by infected rabbits and transmitted through direct contact, bedding, water, feed, hay and other materials used in the care and feeding of rabbits. It can also be spread by insects and human contact.Neault says while RHDV2 does not impact human health, it has a high fatality rate among domestic and wild rabbits and has become endemic in the Western U.S. There is no live test for RHDV2.“The introduction of RHDV2 to wild rabbits in South Carolina poses a serious threat to wild populations and has contributed to significant mortality events in the western United States. It is important that we do what we can to prevent contact between infected feral rabbits and wild rabbits,” said Will Dillman, Assistant Chief of Wildlife for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.The USDA recommends the following biosecurity practices:Do not allow pet rabbits or wild rabbits to have contact with your rabbits or gain entry to the facility or home. Do not allow visitors in rabbitries or let them handle pet rabbits without protective clothing (including coveralls, shoe covers, hair covering and gloves). Always wash hands with warm soapy water before entering your rabbit area, after removing protective clothing and before leaving the rabbit area. Do not introduce new rabbits from unknown or untrusted sources. Do not add rabbits to your rabbitry from animal shelters or other types of rescue operations. If you bring outside rabbits into your facility or home, keep them separated from your existing rabbits for at least 30 days. Use separate equipment for newly acquired or sick rabbits to avoid spreading disease. Sanitize all equipment and cages moved on or off premises before they are returned to the rabbitry. It is recommended to disinfect with 10% bleach or 10% sodium hydroxide mixed with water (follow cleaning label instructions). Establish a working relationship with a veterinarian to review disease prevention and containment practices (biosecurity) to decrease risk to healthy rabbits. If your rabbit becomes ill or dies and you suspect RHDV2, please contact your veterinarian.

CLEMSON, S.C. —

The sudden die-off of feral rabbits in Greenville has prompted a warning from animal health care authorities.

The Clemson University Veterinary Diagnostic Center said the dead animals were tested in Columbia and diagnosed with Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type-2 (RHDV2).

The diagnosis was confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS).

This is the first time RHDV2 has been detected in South Carolina, according to the center.

Officials say the surviving rabbits at the location have been quarantined, and animal health authorities have asked the owners to contain them in hutches to avoid further spread and to prevent further contact with wild rabbits.

“RHDV2’s mortality rate is 70% or higher. Our goal at this point is to do what we can to prevent the virus from spreading into the wild rabbit population and potentially further infecting domesticated rabbits,” said Michael Neault, State Veterinarian and director of Clemson University Livestock Poultry Health (LPH).

Clinical signs of the virus include sudden death, anorexia, lethargy, conjunctivitis, respiratory signs and bloodstained noses or mouths.

RHDV2 is a highly contagious Calicivirus that affects domestic rabbits, wild or feral rabbits and hares. The virus is shed by infected rabbits and transmitted through direct contact, bedding, water, feed, hay and other materials used in the care and feeding of rabbits. It can also be spread by insects and human contact.

Neault says while RHDV2 does not impact human health, it has a high fatality rate among domestic and wild rabbits and has become endemic in the Western U.S. There is no live test for RHDV2.

“The introduction of RHDV2 to wild rabbits in South Carolina poses a serious threat to wild populations and has contributed to significant mortality events in the western United States. It is important that we do what we can to prevent contact between infected feral rabbits and wild rabbits,” said Will Dillman, Assistant Chief of Wildlife for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

The USDA recommends the following biosecurity practices:

• Do not allow pet rabbits or wild rabbits to have contact with your rabbits or gain entry to the facility or home.
• Do not allow visitors in rabbitries or let them handle pet rabbits without protective clothing (including coveralls, shoe covers, hair covering and gloves).
• Always wash hands with warm soapy water before entering your rabbit area, after removing protective clothing and before leaving the rabbit area.
• Do not introduce new rabbits from unknown or untrusted sources. Do not add rabbits to your rabbitry from animal shelters or other types of rescue operations.
• If you bring outside rabbits into your facility or home, keep them separated from your existing rabbits for at least 30 days. Use separate equipment for newly acquired or sick rabbits to avoid spreading disease.
• Sanitize all equipment and cages moved on or off premises before they are returned to the rabbitry. It is recommended to disinfect with 10% bleach or 10% sodium hydroxide mixed with water (follow cleaning label instructions).
• Establish a working relationship with a veterinarian to review disease prevention and containment practices (biosecurity) to decrease risk to healthy rabbits.

If your rabbit becomes ill or dies and you suspect RHDV2, please contact your veterinarian.

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DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Office of Emergency Management announced it will give away Bug Out Bags to help people prepare to respond to emergencies as part of National Preparedness month.

The event will take place on Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at College View Recreation Center.

Several YouTube videos have circulated since Denver OEM announced the giveaway.

Bug Out Bag giveaway conspiracy in Denver is a ‘silly rumor’

The conspiracy theorists said that Denver is giving the bags away because city officials know of or expect a disaster to happen in the city. Denver OEM released a statement and said the conspiracies are just “silly rumors.”

What is a Bug Out Bag?

A Bug Out Bag is a bag that you can have ready to go in case there is a disaster or emergency.

According to the United States Department of Homeland Security, these are things you should have in your bag or kit:

• Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
• Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
• Manual can opener (for food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
• Masks (for everyone ages 2 and above), soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces
• Prescription medications. About half of all Americans take a prescription medicine every day. An emergency can make it difficult for them to refill their prescription or to find an open pharmacy. Organize and protect your prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins to prepare for an emergency.
• Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
• Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution
• Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Cash or traveler’s checks
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
• Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

The DHS also said you should have multiple kits; one for your home, one for your car, and one for your work because emergencies and disasters can happen anywhere at any time.

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HAVE you ever looked at the seats on public transport and wondered why they’re covered in such hideous fabric?

Well, one woman has revealed the reason – and it’s making people wish they hadn’t asked.

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Erica Mallett took to TikTok to explain the reasons that bus and train seats are covered in such hideous fabricCredit: TikTok/@erica_mallett

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The seats on buses, trains and the Tube are in notoriously colourful and busy fabricCredit: Alamy

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She also shared a video of someone hitting a bus seat with a hammer, and a cloud of dirt and grime emerging from itCredit: TikTok/@erica_mallett

Erica Mallett took to her TikTok page to share a video which she began: “Have you ever wondered why bus and train seat patterns are always so fugly?

“Turns out there’s a very specific reason they’ve been designed to look like a Smurf had bad flu and vomited everywhere.

“And you’re not gonna like it.”

She added: “They’ve been designed to look this horrible to hide something even more horrible – the grit and dirt of hundreds of thousands of public butts.

“These colours and this pattern disguises dirt and wear and tear, and public graffiti, and anything that might be really gross.”

For anyone doubting her reasoning, she then showed a clip of someone hitting a bus seat with a hammer – with clouds of dust and dirt billowing off of it.

“Moral of the story: offer your seat to the little old lady,” read some writing above that footage.

Posting her video on TikTok, Erica captioned it: “Today on things i know so now you have to know them too.”

People in the comments section were quick to admit that Erica’s video had made them not want to use public transport again in a hurry.

“never sitting on a seat on the bus or train again,” one wrote.

While another added: “This is why I don’t wear outside clothes in my home.”

“Good job i get too anxious to use the bus lol,” a third commented.

“yeah im standing on the bus from now on,” someone else wrote.

But others insisted they’d known Erica’s “gross fact” for years, with one writing: “it helps hide dirt, thought this was common knowledge.”

“I knew this when I was younger,” another said.

“I’e never understood why they don’t just make everything a hard surface thats easy to disinfect,” someone else asked.

To which Erica replied: “Probably because these are absorbent… that’s a scary thought.”

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Originally Appeared Here

Editorial photograph taken Sept. 9, 2022.
(Delfino Camacho | The Union)

Near the beginning of 2020, I was afraid that COVID-19 would kill my parents.

Footage showcasing crowded emergency rooms and trucks converted into make-shift morgues as news outlets began reporting on rising death rates eventually increased my fear.

My worries were not completely unfounded.

My parents are both elderly and severely immunocompromised. My father, 70, had open heart surgery to replace a heart valve in 2013, and my mother, 69, underwent a liver transplant to save her life in 2014.

Following their operations, doctors told them they needed to be extra careful. Even something as small as the common flu could kill them.

My sister and I would have to be the caretakers for the foreseeable future. The lives of our parents were literally in our hands.

My sister and I were both designated essential workers. Our jobs required us to be out on the front lines during the first few months of the pandemic.

We both decided that we could not risk the possibility of infecting our parents. We began changing our clothes outside when returning home from work and would disinfect everything we touched.

My sister and I decided to quarantine ourselves in our bedrooms.

My parents and I lived as strangers for the better part of the year.

Already limited in what they could do before COVID-19, the isolation began taking a heavy toll on my parents, effectively imprisoning them within their own house.

The vaccine was their saving grace.

In mid-December of 2020, the first doses of the newly authorized vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc. first started rolling out.

By March 2021, almost a full year since their health imposed quarantine, my parents got vaccinated. My sister and I interacted with them for the first time in nearly a year.

I credit the vaccine for keeping my family together as I believe vaccines are the best possible way to fight the pandemic.

That being said, I no longer believe that vaccines should be mandated here at El Camino College. I believe it should remain every student’s choice.

All students must be vaccinated to attend in-person classes at El Camino College. While medical and religious exemptions are allowed, all other unvaccinated students are not allowed within the premises.

I understand that they are doing what they think is best for the safety of the students, but I think El Camino should rethink the mandate.

According to the Los Angeles County Office of Public Health, COVID-19 positivity rates, hospitalizations and deaths are on a downward trend.

While the situation is not over, the danger is decreasing.

One might argue that the mandate is to protect those already vaccinated and who wish not to interact with non-vaccinated students.

While I understand the intent, the reality is that the moment students walk off campus, they risk interacting with unvaccinated people. The mandate is more of an illusion of safety than safety itself.

Many students who feel they lost the two previous years are ready to continue their education. For many, online courses do not offer the proper support compared to in-person classes.

While many schools adhere to vaccine mandates, some have done away with them. Santa Monica College, for instance, has revoked its vaccination policy but kept its mask mandates while providing programs to educate and offer free vaccines to students.

Colleges such as El Camino are struggling to bring back and retain students, with some classes this semester being canceled due to low enrollment.

El Camino should allow unvaccinated students to return while keeping their mask and distance procedures in place.

At this pandemic stage, there are ways to guarantee the safety of vaccinated and at-risk people while including those unvaccinated students who want an education.

Vaccines were a saving grace for my parents and my family, but they remained our choice.

Despite our extreme safety precautions and vaccinations, my parents got COVID-19 twice. The vaccines and boosters did their job, and my at-risk parents came out of the experience in good health.

However, it’s my opinion that if you are vaccinated, boosted, and still adhering to safety precautions, you will be relatively safe interacting with people that choose to be unvaccinated.

While El Camino has nothing but good intentions, I think it is time to eliminate the mandate and instead focus on educating students who choose to learn.

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DEAR SUN SPOTS: Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice is offering volunteer opportunities in areas of their service lines, including but not limited to, hospice and bereavement related tasks, office assignments. There are also opportunities at the Augusta and Auburn Thrift Stores. For information contact Jenny Cowie at [email protected]. — Jenny, Lewiston

ANSWER: Volunteering for hospice was a life-changing experience for me and I highly recommend it to anyone who would like to share their skills and talents. To view full job descriptions, including the time commitment, training and other expectations, go to https://androscoggin.org/get-involved/volunteer/.

The hospice thrift stores are wonderful and I often visit the Auburn location at 245 Center St., Suite 2. I’m always impressed by how items are displayed and how nice all the volunteers are. It’s a great experience if you’re into thrifting.

The Augusta location is at 165 Capitol St. so if you have any friends or family who live out that way, let them know about this opportunity.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In the process of cleaning out junk drawers, I came across two phone cards and am wondering if there are any organizations that might use these. I’m not sure how many minutes they might have on them. At one time someone was collecting these cards for our service members stationed overseas. If you could locate anyone interested in these cards I will see that they get them. — Ed, Auburn

ANSWER: There should be a telephone number on the back of the cards that you can call to get your balance.

According to its website, The Family Violence Project in Augusta (https://www.familyviolenceproject.org/get-involved/donate/) will take prepaid phone cards, among many other things, including used cellphones. Call 1-877-890-7788 for more information.

If these cards come from a specific carrier, such as AT &T, contact them and they should be able to help you find a local nonprofit, such as a homeless shelter, etc. that could use them.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In reference to the reader who asked for an attorney referral to revise a will (Aug. 20 Sun Spots), this is quite a coincidence, but I used a law firm to make my will last year and I was just talking to atttorney Richard J. O’Brien recently — a nice guy and very reasonable. The law firm is Linnell, Choate & Webber at 83 Pleasant St. in Auburn, 784-4563. — No name, no town

ANSWER: Thank you for this recommendation! If readers would like to review the law firm’s website, go to https://lcwlaw.com/. You can also send an email to [email protected].

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Will the new Target in Auburn sell groceries? — Carmen, no town

ANSWER: Word from the corporate office is still that the new 105,000-square-foot store at 603 Center St. will open by Black Friday and will contain a CVS Pharmacy, but that’s all we know as of this writing. I’m sure we’ll be finding out soon and I’ll be surprised if there aren’t groceries being sold at this location. If anyone knows, you know what to do!

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name. We won’t use it if you ask us not to. Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to [email protected].

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