#I had a guest last night who REFUSES to be vaccinated

[buddiebeginz]

The bt fandom is absolutely having a melt down of scary proportions

They had and posted a 4 hour Oliver stark Lashing video meeting just absolutely saying the most disgusting and horrible things about him because of last night and for not liking Lou

They are going through all of the pages Ryan follows on Instagram and looking for any post they can say is problematic and saying Ryan personally thinks and believes it and is responsible for them just because he follows the page.

They have been dragging Kenny’s name over some Paris convention that removed Lou’s name from a poll after learning about the issues he’s caused. And dragging Ryan into it even though the entire convention had nothing to do with 911. It was about swat.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Aisha is their next target at this rate.

I wish I could say I'm surprised by any of this but I'm not. I honestly think it's going to get worse with some of them once they realize B/T isn't going to be the big endgame ship they thought it was and even more so when they realize Buddie is happening.

I really think our fandom needs to try our best to distance ourselves from them. I'm talking about the more fanatical abusive people in their fandom. We really need to stop engaging with them. It just makes our fandom look bad and they're not worth the effort. They want to be pissed off because they saw Buck kiss a guy twice and think that meant they were soulmates let them but don't fall for the bait when they say something offensive online. I've been really guilty of that myself even making posts with their content trying to show how bad they've been but it's only been giving them attention so I'm trying to refocus on what matters.

I genuinely feel like this is going to be the season Buddie goes canon. I mean I don't know for certain 100% (I don't work for the show) but everything seems to be lining up that way. It's a really exciting time for our fandom and our ship and the show and we all should be focused on that and not some ship that won't even matter all that much soon.

---

Oh also about Ryan.

Putting this under the cut cause it got long.

The B*mmy's can say whatever the want about him but what happened was his ex fiance used the n word in some old tweets. When they were brought up and she was called out (after Ryan was on 911) he tried to defend her. But later issued multiple apologies :

At the time Oliver and Aisha were clearly upset about this because both of them put out tweets and there's other stuff that was going on behind the scenes to indicate Ryan had a falling out with them. But he's clearly worked to repair the damage because since then he's been a guest at Aisha's wedding and has spent a lot of time with the cast outside of work.

As for him being anti-vaxx or Republican, as those are other things the B*mmy's try to claim about him, I'm not even sure where they get some of that from. I think one of it was because he shared something about Covid from Joe Rogan (during Covid) but a lot of people were scared and confused during that time and there was tons of misinformation going around. The idea that celebrities are immune to that just because they're rich and famous is just ignorant. Also show me where he's shared other vaccine and or health related misinformation because sharing one thing during a really confusing time doesn't make him an antivaxxer.

Also during Covid no one could film on the show without getting vaccinated (this is why Rockmond Dunbar was fired he refused). And since Ryan was a big part of s3 and s4 he clearly was vaccinated. If Ryan was as staunchly antivaxx as B*mmy's make him out to be he would have left the show before getting vaccinated. He's a more well known actor than Rockmond he could have found work elsewhere.

They try to use accounts he's following on insta as proof he's far right but I haven't seen any that are blatantly far right. We also don't know when he started following these accounts or who followed them. His ex could have used his account to follow people when they were still together. I'm also following a ton of accounts on my insta that I don't even remember or interact with anymore this could be the case for Ryan since to my knowledge they haven't found likes by him just that he's following.

One of the accounts in particular they're using as a gotcha for Ryan is this one:

Ryan is following them but I haven't seen any posts of theirs he's liked. It looks like an account about home schooling and living off the land but they do have at least one transphobic post I've seen (about pronouns). Here's the thing though immediately when you look at the front page of their account they aren't marketing themselves as anti lgbtq. Ryan is not responsible for what they're posting. And given all of their other content he likely started following them for one reason and didn't know about their more transphobic views. It's also unrealistic to assume that a busy actor is on social media 24/7 monitoring every single thing that the accounts they follow are posting. If that was an obvious alt-right anti trans account I could understand but it's just not the gotcha B*mmy's are trying to make it out to be.

I'm not excusing that account or their transphobia btw. And I don't think anyone should be following them just that there is nuance to a conversation like this. B/T stans try to say Ryan following this account is the same as Lou having posted an obvious racist post about Nicki Minaj's skin color is the same thing. It's not.

It's pretty hypocritical of them to say we should excuse Lou's old insta posts but yet we're going to hate on Ryan for accounts he's following but isn't even interacting with.

And again I don't know where B/T stans are getting that Ryan is a Republican. He's repeatedly posted anti Trump stuff:

This is from 2016 ☝️and it's because Trump has repeatedly talked about deporting Mexican people.

And like everyone has the right to see feel however they want about what Ryan said in the past (especially bipoc people). But knowing that Ryan is no longer with his ex who I think wasn't the best influence in his life. Seeing him take accountability for what he said and did. Seeing the cast forgive him. That's all enough for me to continue to be a fan of his.

B*mmy stans don't have to like him but they don't get to keep attacking him for stuff he's done in the past. Lou on the other hand has never apologized for his insta stuff even when called out about them. You'll also never get me to believe he was hacked when he responded with that spitting on blind children thing on twitter. Plus him minimizing T*mmy's racism and homophobia down to teasing.

If Ryan was still doing messed up stuff I'd call him out too and expect others to do the same. The problem with B/T stans is no matter what Lou does they'll defend him. It's part of why they attack Ryan. They want to get the attention off of Lou. But they can't sit there and say how dare you defend a racist and then defend every single thing Lou did even just this year.

Sorry this got so long anon. I've just been seeing people (one account in particular) attacking Ryan on twitter recently and I'm so over it. If you made it down this far I love you forever. ❤️

[ahnsael]

Got an update on brother-in-law this morning. He’s still in the hospital, possibly to be released on Friday (a week after the last potential release date).

He’s still on oxygen, but the oxygen levels have been reduced by 60% since last Friday and he is breathing well with the lessened supplemental oxygen. I texted him after my sis said he had his phone, but he hasn’t responded (but my sis, after I texted him, said that she was talking to him on the phone).

I told my sis that the casino staff with whom I work was rooting for him, and she said his response was “wow.” They don’t know him (some have met him when they’ve visited us, but not many, but they care about him because they know he’s family to me, but none of them are very familiar with him).

But things are definitely looking up on his end, which means things are looking up on my end mentally.

I am just sick and tired of people who don’t take COVID seriously. He literally almost died, and many others HAVE died, and yet I still have to fight people over wearing a mask because they’re wimps who think it’s hard to breathe with a mask on, who have NO CLUE how hard it can be to breathe when you have COVID. And I’ve had not only my brother-in-law, but two coworkers go down with COVID. These people who are what I refer to as “maskholes” are truly terrible people to spend time with. I may be vaccinated, but I have coworkers and other regular guests who have refused to get vaccinated, and I’ll feel bad for them if they get it, but...at some point your choices have consequences (both coworkers, plus my sis and brother-in-law, CHOSE not to get vaccinated, and wish they had done so).

I am glad I have the next two nights off so I don’t have to deal with these people. I have to go in for a manager meeting tomorrow morning, and COVID is always a part of those meetings these days, but other than that I don’t have to deal with ANYONE until Friday night. I have plenty of food and beverage for the weekend, so other than this meeting (which usually lasts 30-60 minutes, but closer to 60 these days), I don’t have to go ANYWHERE and be around maskholes. Because even my local supermarket isn’t enforcing the masks other than signs outside saying that masks are required. Someone walks in without a mask? They just ignore it. And that PISSES ME OFF, but there is no other store around who is enforcing it, either, which makes my job harder because people say “Well, Smith’s isn’t enforcing it, so I don’t have to wear one.” And then I have to explain that the Gaming Control Board IS enforcing it, and the size of the fines that we get if they don’t wear a mask, and they literally reply with “I don’t care if you get fined. I’m not wearing one.” I despise being the mask police. It’s stressful when people tell me that they’re going to kick my rear end if they see me around town after I ask them to leave. I’ve got at least a dozen people who have told me that they are going to beat me up in the near future because they are too much of a wimp to wear a piece of cloth over their mouth and nose.And one of these days, one of these people are going to see me at the market and make good on their threat. This is the stress I deal with every night at work, and when I go shopping for food. But when fines have been up to $30,000 PER PERSON not wearing a mask (the casino gets fined, not the individual -- we literally got a $30,000 fine because someone took their mask down for two seconds to speak, and put it back on), we’re fighting a losing battle in this VERY Trump (formerly Red, but now full-blown Trump idiocy) area of the state. Let me put it this way -- I live in Nevada, which became a state during the Civil War, in an effort for Nevada to support Abraham Lincoln. But I live around a bunch of Confederate flag-waving fools who think that celebrating “heritage” doesn’t include the heritage of supporting slavery. Despite my brother-in-law’s situation (and I’m glad he will apparently survive), maybe if more people catch this virus, word will get around that vaccines WORK, and that despite the side effects (both doses kicked my butt, the second worse than the first), it’s a LOT better than suffering the effects of this virus. And I’m not actually wishing COVID on anyone. But as many more people are getting it now, maybe they can convince their friends that the vaccine is a better way to go.

[shyficwriter]

Temporary Home: Chapter 11

Guardians of the Galaxy fanfic | Reader x Guardians (With Yondu and Kraglin!) Guest starring Nick Fury and Maria Hill

Summary: Fury comes for another weekly check-in and Reader gets in trouble. He also brings along a doctor, will he have good or bad news for Rocket?

Previous Chapter here | Next Chapter Here Or click here to: Start From Beginning

Author’s Note: A -l o n g b o i- of a chapter. Also, for my records, this is day 14 of the Guardians living with reader.

Word Count: 7,756

You wake up early, partially due to the pain in your arm, but mostly because you knew Fury would likely be coming today and you wanted to try and get to town and back before he arrived.

After a light breakfast you start to go out back door to retrieve the box the raccoon corpse was in, but Peter, who had also just finished eating and who suspected exactly what you're doing, jumped up and said he'll help you get the box.

You roll your eyes, and you're about to tell him you are fine to do it yourself when you hear knock at door. You assume it's Fury, but you want to be careful. You look out window, prepared to tell Peter to keep the others out of sight, when you notice two SHIELD vehicles behind your own, and that they hadn't been cloaked like Fury's was last time.

"It's Fury," you tell Peter, and he goes to fetch a few of the others who weren't already in the kitchen, mostly Rocket, because he expected they would want to see him after you said you'd be contacting SHIELD about the raccoon fight and whether Rocket had his shots.

Feeling slightly relieved that it was just Fury and that he hadn't decided to test you this time, you answer the door to see not only Fury and Agent Hill, but another man.

Fury gives a quick greeting and introduces the man as a doctor they brought along to test the dead raccoon. Apparently they came prepared after your message to Maria the previous night. You offer to go unlock shed but Fury says he needs you to stay there, and to give the doctor the keys. You are surprised, but obey, assuming he just wants briefed on what happened last night.

You hand the doctor the keys and he disappears back out the front door while you lead Fury and Maria into the kitchen where the others are just as Peter comes back down the stairs with Drax and Rocket.

As suspected, Fury asks first about what happened with the raccoon incident.

Rocket rolls his eyes and grumbles, "Nothing."

Drax speaks up. He tells Fury that he and you heard the commotion outside, saw Rocket getting attacked, and then you shot the offending animal.

Fury nods. "I see. I trust you've already looked him over, but our doctor will be doing so again before he administers the booster. According to our records Rocket was given a rabies vaccination, but you can never be too careful."

"Good." you reply, nodding your head in relief.

Rocket just hopped up on the counter to sit with his arms crossed indignantly, not looking forward to being examined for something he had already been checked for, but surprisingly he chose not to be a child about it.

"How long before we know if the raccoon was infected or not?" asked Kraglin.

Agent Hill answered. "The test takes about two hours. We brought a lab van so the test could be preformed on site that way we'd know as soon as possible."

Leave it to SHIELD to come prepared for literally everything.

"We also brought another couple weeks worth of rations. NOVA expects you all to be here for awhile more." This earned unhappy muttered grumblings from Rocket, but the others kept their mouth shut. They were never under the impression the negotiations would be done quickly. Maria continued, "So if a few of you want to help carry the boxes in..." she gestured towards the kitchen door. She said it politely, but it wasn't exactly a request. She wasn't a maid.

You nodded and started to head toward the door when Fury said. "Agent, stop."

You stopped, looking at him with a raised eyebrow. "Sir?"

Peter, Drax, and Kraglin, who had stood and were also about to follow Agent Hill (and tell you specifically not to go, for obvious reasons), also stopped, surprised by Fury's tone. He almost sounded a bit like he was scolding you despite his tone being even.

"Please remove your sweater."

The sweater he was referring to was actually an old knit cardigan. You had taken to wearing it the past few days due both to a string of overcast and therefore chillier days, and well, for said obvious reasons. "I'm sorry, what?" you ask.

"Your jacket. Take it off."

You swallow. You had a sneaking suspicion why he would ask you that. He had an annoying habit of somehow knowing everything. "If it's all the same, I'd rather not-"

"Remove your jacket, agent. Or do you need Agent Hill to assist you?" It was clear that he wasn't going to take no for an answer.

You try to hide a grimace as you did what you were told, doing your best not to wince as you pulled your sweater off your good arm first and then the injured arm. Silently you wondered who had squealed on you. A small gasp from Mantis was heard when she saw what your sweater had been hiding, and you could feel the eyes of the others also on you as Fury gave you an unamused look and Agent Hill's eyes widened sightly. Even Rocket looked a bit surprised. He wasn't expecting it to look that bad.

Purple and green bruising stained your arm, radiating out from your elbow and stretching from your bicep to maybe 5 inches shy of your wrist.

"The doctor is also here to check over your injury as well." Fury said. Looking to Gamora he thanked her for informing them of your injury before turning back to scold you for not having mentioned it to them or having seen a doctor for it. He also threw in that you should be wearing a sling and resting your arm instead of 'acting like a dumbass who thinks they don't need to take care of themselves.'

"Sir, it's fine. I-"

"I'm trusting you to protect these people. How are you going to do that if you cripple yourself by neglecting injuries?" he scolded.

You shot an unhappy look to Gamora, but you could tell she wasn't sorry. You also caught almost smug looks from Yondu and Peter before turning back to Fury.

"How did it happen?" asked Maria. Gamora had told her that it had happened, that you refused help, and that you put it back in place yourself, but she hadn't told her how it happened. Seeing the aftermath of the injury now herself had made her curious.

"Slipped," you say before anyone can speak up for you. "Clumsy me," you add sarcastically.

Peter raised an eyebrow and shared glances with Kraglin and Yondu, surprised that you seemed to be covering for him. However, he didn't correct you, assuming you gave that answer for a reason, and after all, it wasn't totally a lie, more just... not the whole truth.

That explanation was apparently good enough for Fury and Maria because she nodded at the guys for them to follow as Fury laid into you again.

***

Maria opened the back hatch of the SUV, revealing crates of rations to be taken inside.

Lifting up one of the crates, Peter tried to make conversation, mentioning how Fury seemed surprisingly mad at you for not seeking out a doctor for your injury.

Sure, he could understand your boss telling you that you were dumb for neglecting an injury and scolding you for being stupid, but Fury's anger seemed different than he would have expected. Almost like he genuinely cared that you had gotten hurt. He couldn't remember any of his mother's bosses caring that much. If anything, if she had gotten hurt or sick, they would have preferred that she pretended she hadn't and just worked through it. Then again, he always did think most of her bosses were mean. Maybe she just had bad luck?

"Yeah, well, this wouldn't be the first time she's hidden an injury." Maria admitted. "I imagine he's getting a bit tired of it."

Kraglin took a crate from Maria. "She do that often?" he asked, surprised that anyone would just routinely hide when they've been hurt for seemingly no reason.

"It's not a super frequent occurrence, but she does have a bad habit of not saying when she's hurt. Once she got stabbed on the job in Hong Kong... we only found out when another agent walked in on her trying to stitch herself up in the hotel afterwards." She stacked a crate on top of the one Drax was already holding and shut the hatch before bending down to pick up the last crate she had set on the ground for herself. "Then there was a time when we were on a job together in Romania. We had been captured and held hostage for two days. I noticed she started looking worse and worse as time went on. I thought she was just getting sick, but then she passed out during the last interrogation attempt before SHEILD busted in the door with backup." She started walking back towards the house with the men. "I found out after they got her to medical that the day after we got sent out she came down with appendicitis and instead of telling someone that something was wrong and getting medical treatment, she apparently decided it was better to just cut out her own appendix- still don't know how she managed that without anyone noticing." Maria sounded like she clearly disapproved of your prior actions. "Anyway, with no way to keep it clean while we were being held prisoner, she had developed an infection. She was put on suspension for that one. I've got more, but I think you get the drift."

The three men's eyes were wide as they followed Agent Hill back to the house.

"That's insane." Peter said. "Why would anyone do that?"

"Beats me. She didn't always used to be that way, but now we use her as an example for what you shouldn't do with the new recruits."

"What do you think changed? Could she have suffered a brain injury that made her dumb?" Drax asked.

Peter shifted his crate so he could open the door and scolded Drax for being rude. As they walked into the hall Maria said, "No head injury that I'm aware of, she just kinda changed after-"

She never got to finish that sentence, for they entered the kitchen to hear you angrily say to Fury, "You can't be serious."

The four made their way towards the pantry with their crates, cautiously eyeing the situation so as to not appear nosy. Well, except for Drax, who was just flat out staring.

You were staring angrily at a stern-faced Fury while Gamora looked at the two of you, uneasiness in her eyes. Yondu and Rocket had looks of almost smug satisfaction playing on their faces, while Mantis and Groot appeared confused and intrigued.

"Serious as a heart attack." Fury answered. "After the doctor examines you and gives his orders, she-" he pointed to Gamora, "is going to report back to me if you break them, since clearly she has more sense than you."

"Sir, I don't need a babysitter-"

"Act like a baby, you get a sitter." Fury responded, cutting you off. "Adults know better than to just ignore serious injuries, Agent. Or do I need to remind you of the stunt you pulled in Romania?"

Gamora looked uncomfortable, and she wasn't even the one being scolded, though now she did wonder what you had done in Romania, wherever that was. Yondu was also curious, as Fury's statement confirmed you had done this more than once.

You sighed indignantly, "Sir I-"

"Enough. Unless you want to tell me you intend to defy orders, I suggest you keep any excuses to yourself. If I hear anything about you neglecting the doctor's orders, your ass will be assigned to a desk so fast your head will spin. Are we clear?"

Your eyes widened. Desk duty?! He couldn't do that to you. "What? Sir?! You can't do that-" you say, your voice almost pleading with a hint of indignation.

He says again, more firmly, "Are we clear?" Not only could he, he most definitely would. You thought being assigned to stay home was bad? Try being stuck in a cubicle for the next foreseeable future.

"Yes, sir." you say begrudgingly.

"Good."

Rocket started chuckling, pleased to see you get dressed down by your boss. In your own home, no less. Then he got an idea. "Hey, Agent." he said in a mocking tone.

You turn to glare at him. "What?" you respond irritably.

"Why don't you tell me where that new bed in my room came from?" He was wearing a shit eating grin, and you weren't sure why he'd bring it up right now.

You roll your eyes. "How should I know? Bed faeries? Piss off."

Rocket grinned wider. "Really? 'Cause I've got a feeling you aren't allowed to lie to your director, so if he were to ask..."

Fury, not in the mood, flatly repeated what he had said on the last visit, "I'm not here to get involved with your petty squabbles." adding, "I couldn't care less what this was about."

Rocket almost looked disappointed, and you relieved, before Agent Hill said, "Well, he might not care, but we'll be here for the next two hours waiting on results anyway... and technically I do outrank you..." Her smile wasn't malicious, it was clear that her intent was only some good-natured ribbing to her fellow agent who seemingly didn't like to admit that she'd done something nice for the asshole raccoon. Trying to lighten the mood.

You give Maria a look that says, 'Are you fucking kidding?'

Rocket looked delighted, and a few of the others looked pleasantly intrigued by your expression. By now everyone had pretty much gathered that you had made Rocket the bed, but you never would say as much. It'd be interesting if you'd actually admit it, or suffer whatever consequence lying to a superior might entail if they would choose to enforce it.

Fury, however, rolled his eye and told Maria he was going to have a word with the doctor. His way of saying that this issue wasn't worth his time, but he also wasn't going to stop whatever happened next.

Maria didn't force you to come clean about the bed. Not at first anyway. She did, however, exercise her power to keep you in line. Meaning, if you didn't do like you were told and just sit and wait for the doctor while the guys finished emptying the crates into the pantry and returned the crates to the vehicle, she'd make veiled threats to ask where the bed came from.

You knew she was only having a bit of fun, but you still stared daggers at her.

***

After a bit Fury returned with the doctor, who greeted you again by handing you the keys to your shed, stating that he locked it back up. He also informed that part of the the rabies test involved freezing the samples for 45 minutes, so he would examine you and Rocket in the meantime.

You went to motion for Rocket to go first, but Fury prodded the doctor in your direction, giving you a look that you knew better than to argue with. Rocket stuck his tongue out at you and remained sitting, satisfied, on the counter. Out of most everyone's sight, though, his tail twitched.

You were tense, but on your best behavior the whole time the doctor examined your injured arm, not wishing for Fury to come up with another punishment for your disobedience.

The doctor pulled a device out of a briefcase that turned out to be a fancy portable X-ray device to make sure there were no fractures. Luckily there weren't any.

The outcome was determined that you were very lucky. Somehow you had managed to set the bones back in place well enough on your own without accidentally breaking the radial heads in the 're-entry' process, something the doctor said he'd wouldn't have expected for a self-reset, but then again, most don't attempt to reset this type of injury on their own either. You were given a mild scolding by the doctor for not putting the arm in a sling so the ligaments could heal, however, and he said you were very lucky it didn't re-dislocate. You internally groaned as "I told you so's" peeped from behind you.

The doctor placed your arm in a strange hinged brace with a strap that made it sort of like a sling with the instructions that you were required to wear it with the strap for a week. Afterwards you could remove the strap, but you would still need to wear the brace for at least another two or three weeks. You were also placed on a weight restriction of only 5 pounds for your injured arm. Great...

You didn't say anything, only nodded, having gotten the message that it wasn't in your best interest to argue if you didn't want another tongue-lashing from Fury.

When the doctor was done with you he moved onto Rocket, who's ears momentarily flattened when he saw the doctor was now approaching him, but he quickly recovered, begrudgingly allowing himself to be examined.

As expected, the doctor found nothing of concern, barely even a scratch, which he was sure to clarify that Rocket likely wouldn't have contracted rabies from even if the animal does test positive.

The doctor turned to his coat pocket and pulled out a pre-loaded syringe of pinkish liquid, declaring to Rocket that it was the vaccine booster as he pulled off the cap.

Peter saw Rocket stiffen and finally noticed the twitching of his tail, and decided to be merciful and distract him. "Hey, Trash Panda,"

Rocket turned his head to Peter as the doctor grabbed his arm. "I don't answer to that, Star-Munch."

"You just did." Peter laughed.

Rocket growled at him before turning back to the doctor and asking him to hurry up so he could bite a chunk out of Peter's face.

"Already done," stated the doctor, capping the now empty needle and slipping it into a plastic bag before returning it to his pocket.

Rocket raised his eyebrows, forgetting his previous anger towards Peter. "Oh." His tail ceased its twitching. He hadn't felt a thing.

Peter didn't return to taunting and just let him forget. Mission accomplished.

Now done, the doctor announced he'd be going back to the lab-van to check on the samples, leaving you to sit awkwardly with your boss, co-worker, and the rest of the Guardians.

You look to the ceiling and sigh before saying, "Well I suppose I should offer you some tea if you're going to be here awhile."

Maria nodded that she'd take some and no sooner than you go to stand does Peter speak up and say, "Let me help-"

You give him a seething look that actually makes him recoil. "Unless you know how to make tea, fuck off. And even if you do, still fuck off. I don't need both arms to make fecking tea and I don't need your help. I'm not an infant." Your tone was even, but the venom was still there. A bit harsh, perhaps, but it sent the desired message. The whole situation was making you very cranky and maybe they shouldn't push it. At least for awhile until you had a chance to decompress.

Fury, however, shot you a disapproving look before you turned to put the kettle on, though he didn't say anything. He had pretty much expected this is how you might react.

The next half hour was mostly sipping tea and awkward attempts at conversation as everyone waited for the doctor to finish the test.

Yondu wasn't much interested in trying to make conversation, though he was surprised to find he didn't mind the tea. He was watching as you fiddled with your cup. You were quiet, and he thought you seemed nervous. Could you be nervous about the test results on that animal? Why? All evidence pointed to Rocket being completely fine, he hadn't been bitten, and that's what you said they had to worry about, right?

When the doctor finally returned he had good news. The raccoon had tested negative.

Yondu watched you visibly relax and it made him wonder if there was something you hadn't told them.

He was right. You were worried about the possibility of the raccoon's blood or saliva having found its way into one of the scratches or, more grossly, Rocket's mouth or eyes. If the raccoon had been infected, you knew those would be other possible ways Rocket still could have contracted the virus. You hadn't told the others because you hadn't wanted them to worry, but doing this only then made you worry. Not just because you didn't want to see even an asshole like Rocket die like that, but because you had told the others he'd be fine if he wasn't bitten, and that hadn't fully been the truth. It was a weight off your shoulders to hear that the test came back negative.

With that news Fury, Agent Hill, and the doctor were finally all able to leave. Fury stood and made eye-contact with Gamora. "Remember what I said, she steps out of line, disobeys the doctor's orders, you report back to us. Understood?"

Gamora nodded uneasily. She hadn't expected to be put on the spot and honestly wasn't looking forward to her assigned task, sure that it would only serve to piss you off.

Fury looked at you now. "Understood, Agent?"

You exhale irritably and say, "Yes, sir."

"Good. We'll be seeing you again next week."

You led them to the front door to let them out, but right before she walked out Maria turned to you with a smile and said, "Oh, almost forgot. Where did that new bed in Rocket's room come from?" She said it louder than necessary, no doubt to make sure that the others could hear the question being asked.

"Dammit, Maria!" you scold.

Fury now turned with a smirk, seemingly finally finding humor in the situation. "You know what. I changed my mind. I'd also like to know. Agent?"

You look to the ceiling with a pitiful look. Maria had only been joking, there wouldn't be any real consequences for refusing to tell her. Fury, however, was your boss, and if he wanted to be a dick about it, he could. Apparently your recent stunt with your injury had pressed his 'asshole' button. "I built it." you mutter.

Fury spoke in a tone louder than necessary, just to mess with you. "Sorry, Agent, I didn't catch that."

You glare at him and only speak up a little bit. "Said I built it, sir."

Fury chuckled, and spoke again in the louder-than-necessary voice, "Ah, you built the bed! What a nice thing to do, Agent!"

Rocket could be heard from the kitchen cheering, "I frickin knew it!"

You glared at your boss and coworker. "I hate you both so much."

Fury chuckled. "Goodbye, Agent."

"Goodbye, sir." you reply, promptly shutting the door.

You turn to see Rocket standing smugly in the kitchen doorway. Peter and Kraglin were standing behind him, appearing amused.

"Not a word." you say, barely looking at them as you made for the stairs.

Rocket laughed. "Oh, I was just going to ask if I should give my regards to you, or the faeries."

"Can't hear you!" you call back as you walk up the stairs.

"Come on now, that was a nice thing ya did!" Kraglin said, his tone teasing.

"Not listening!" you cry back as you climb higher, fully aware you were acting a bit like a child, but not caring in your pursuit to get away.

They heard your door shut and Kraglin turned to Peter to say, "She's an odd one, ain't she?"

"Yep."

***

Gamora felt uneasy. After conversing with the others about you, she had contacted Agent Hill on the communication device SHIELD had given them in case any issues arose. They were naturally concerned with how you kept to your room after the injury, and a few therefore worried that the injury was worse than you let on.

They could have just let you be, after you made it clear that you wouldn't accept their help, but after they saw you risk further injury to save their friend, she and Peter collectively decided they'd risk overstepping and contact SHIELD. You helped one of them, they'd help you. Even if you didn't want it, they felt you needed it.

What they hadn't expected was for Fury to be angry about it and, as a result, assign Gamora as your warden.

She talked with Peter in private, discussing what she should do about the situation. She didn't see the situation going well. You barely knew each other and you could be... well, stubborn might be an understatement. Eventually they agreed there was only one thing to be done. Just do it.

Or, at least make it look like she had every intention of carrying through without pissing you off to much. Sometimes people needed a little tough love for their own good, but Gamora knew if they crossed the line into overbearing things could go south real quick, and she didn't want to risk finding the tipping point that would make you make them leave. Being assigned someone to report back on you if you misbehaved was probably humiliating enough without them pushing it.

Now if they could only get Rocket on board.

You stayed in your room most of the day, but when you did come out to eat or to stretch your legs Rocket would throw teases at you, saying that you better stay in line if you didn't want Gamora to tell on you, and throwing taunts about the punishment Fury had threatened you with if you disobeyed the doctor's orders.

To their surprise, however, you just ignored him. You literally just didn't acknowledge him. Just walked about your business, and returned to your room without even a glance in his direction.

Then they realized it was only because you couldn't hear him. You had your earbuds in. Probably for the best, really.

Gamora's uneasiness eventually turned into relief when it became clear that you didn't hold a major grudge against her for squealing on you or her assignment from Fury. Based on your reaction earlier she had been worried that you'd focus your ire on her, but for whatever reason, you didn't seem to.

It was true, you didn't hold a grudge against her. Well, not after you had a chance to cool down about the situation, that is. Listening to music always made you feel better, so it helped your mood that you had kept your earbuds in for most of the day, (and let's be honest, it saved Rocket's ass too.) You took some time to reflect. Except for a period when you went for a walk to decompress, you stayed in your room and just thought about the situation. From what you had seen of Gamora, she probably only thought she was helping. Why she wanted to, you couldn't guess, but you just assumed she did. Fury was probably just trying to teach you a lesson, and you resolved to not let it get to you. You'd play the game, be good, and then he'd eventually get off your back. Easy.

After spending most of the day reflecting, you didn't feel as cranky as you had that morning. Yup, good old music and walking had done it's job to help your mood...

You hadn't made the connection that each of the three times Mantis came to your shared room to check on you, and would take your hand or place hers on your arm to ask how you were feeling, you felt a little more contented. You just assumed she was feeling affectionate and that you enjoyed her company.

Both of those were true, but Mantis had also been working her magic a little, wanting to see you cheer up but doing it in tiny doses so as to not ruin the practical joke Yondu had said would be real funny later if she didn't tell you about her abilities. She didn't know when the joke would be over, but she also didn't want to ruin it and disappoint her new friend.

Later that night you decided to break out a bottle of whiskey from the cellar. Try to get a buzz going. You brought it into the kitchen, asking those already at the table if they wanted any. Well, it was more like telling them that they knew where the glasses were if they wanted some, but still, an offer is an offer.

You sat down and poured yourself a glass as Peter grabbed a glass each for him and Gamora, and Kraglin fetched one for himself and Yondu.

Gamora was the first to speak. "I just wanted to aplogi-"

"No."

"What?"

"It's awkward enough without the apology. It's done. I'm sure you thought you were being helpful or something, but it's done."

Gamora raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Well I-"

You sigh. "Look, if it makes you feel better, you're forgiven or whatever, but I don't want to talk about it. 'Kay?" you down your glass and pour another. "Don't kill my buzz before it's even started."

Peter started to speak up. "Well I feel Krags and I at least-"

You cut him off as well. "Same goes for you. We're not going to talk about it right now. It's done."

"Oh...kay..." Peter said, taking a sip. He attempted small talk after a bit. "So... how did you come about working for SHIELD?"

You sipped and shrugged before setting your glass down. "My dad was an agent, and I guess I followed in his footsteps." you say, toying with your glass. Eager to turn the conversation away from you, you asked, "How'd you lot go about becoming 'Guardians of the Galaxy'?"

That question had the desired effect. Peter started off the story by telling you how it actually all started with them getting thrown in prison over a stone and then breaking out of said prison together to locate said powerful stone that some dick called Ronan was going to use to wipe out an entire planet.

About a quarter the way through the story the rest of the Guardians came and the same offer was extended to them before you stood up and announced you should probably grab another bottle as the one you brought up was nearly empty.

Rocket piped up, "So where ya hide it anyway?"

You looked at him, confused and a little tipsy. Cocking your head you asked, "What?"

"The booze. You always seem to pull it out of thin air. Figured you were hiding it."

You blink at him while Peter scolded him for being dumb, a sentiment you now currently shared. You laugh and look at Gamora, who looked embarrassed by her friend. "Is he always this dumb?" Not waiting for an answer you turn back to Rocket. "It ain't hidden. Dipshit." You turn away to resume your task.

Rocket, offended that you would call him dumb, said, "If you ain't hiding it, why haven't we ever seen where you keep it."

Now Kraglin was giving him looks. Even if you were hiding it, it was your shit. You were already giving them a place to stay, you didn't owe them booze too. The rest were sure Rocket was just trying to get a rise from you, but the secondhand embarrassment was real.

You rolled your eyes but kept walking. It was most likely the alcohol, but you were actually finding humor in his stupidity. "It's in the cellar, space case. I won't stop you from tagging along. Make sure your mother signs the permission slip." With that you slipped out the kitchen door.

The guardians exchanged glances at your comment and Peter, who remembered school and field trips, said, "That was a joke. You wouldn't get it." He then stood up and said, "Might as well take the chance to see something new since we don't know how long we'll be stuck here." He then looked to Rocket and asked if he was coming, since technically the invitation had been extended to him.

Rocket, who had been clearly hoping for, or at least expecting, a fight, awkwardly followed in the direction you had left. Mantis and Groot stated they wanted to go see the cellar too, but the others opted to stay behind.

Seeing that four of them had actually decided to take up your mock-offer to come to the cellar, you waited for them to catch up. You honestly didn't care if they went into the cellar, as long as Groot didn't go down there to play, and you made a point to ask Peter to tell him that you didn't mind him coming down with the rest of you tonight, but he was under no circumstances to come down there to play as he could get hurt.

Rocket translated instead, seeming irritated that you had given the message to Peter instead of him, and you open the door start to walking down the stairs, the others trailing behind.

The cellar wasn't anything spectacular. The stairs were a bit creaky with age, and it was dusty and dim even with the light on. The walls were stone strung with cobwebs and the floor was made up of old red brick.

You reached the ground and led them to some shelves on the wall across from the boiler, to grab the whiskey. On the other wall next to the shelves was an old wooden door, but other than that, a few cans of paint, and another set of shelves on the far end of the cellar, it was largely empty. You didn't keep much down there due to the damp.

You turned back to face them once you grabbed a bottle and asked if Rocket was satisfied. You didn't recieve an answer, not like you had expected one anyway. Gesturing back to the whiskey you said to Peter that it was down here if they wanted it. You didn't care as long as they didn't get sloppy drunk and start wrecking shit on the regular.

Peter nodded and the four took in the sight of the cellar. Mantis looked like she regretted her decision to come down, and said it was a little creepy, and Groot seemed to share her opinion. Good. Would mean he wouldn't care to come play down there. Peter and Rocket, however, looked at the shelf behind you in surprise. There was... more whiskey than they had anticipated. A lot more.

"Not that it's any of my business, but why do you have so much whiskey down here?"

You turned back to the shelf. Remembering the reason combined with your tipsy state made you giggle as you answered honestly. "Decided to order a small case awhile back just to have a bit around. Might have ordered it drunk and messed up the size of the order... just a bit..."

'A bit' was an understatement. The whiskey didn't sit on just one shelf, but rather the whiskey took up a whole shelving unit. You had only meant to order one case. A case would have been maybe six bottles. Somehow you ended up ordering six cases, and of course there were no refunds. So, into the cellar with a few other assorted bottles it went. You didn't do any online shopping while drunk after that again.

Peter chuckled at your honesty and noticed the wooden door for the first time. He debated asking about it, it seemed oddly placed considering the layout of the house above, but Mantis beat him to it.

"Where does that door go?" she asked, pointing to it.

You look to the door and then back to them. "Closet," you say, before widening your eyes in mock realization to tease Rocket. "Oh right, better prove it before that one gets all suspicious again!"

Rocket narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms, not thrilled with you making him the butt of a joke as you opened the door to reveal a small, dark closet, maybe a meter deep and just as wide. Pipe wrenches hung on hooks off the door, and inside was a bucket, a broom, and a shovel resting against a wall of shallow shelves which were empty aside from a few random tools and a couple lanterns.

You closed the door after a moment and to Peter's surprise you handed him the whiskey bottle you had retrieved and grabbed another. "Might as well grab two, save me a trip if we run out again," you explain before shooing them all up the stairs.

Once back in the kitchen you re-took your seat and poured yourself another glass before sliding the bottle towards the middle of the table for someone else to grab. "Alright, I believe you were telling a story now?" you say to Peter as he also sat down, seeming surprised you were still interested.

And you were. It was quite an interesting story and you had to admit it captured your attention quite well.

Before you knew it an hour had passed and the second bottle was finished between seven of you when they'd finished telling it. Mantis didn't like the taste and Groot wasn't permitted to have any, though fortunately he didn't seem to mind. Just sipped on some juice you had gotten up to pour for him and Mantis and played about on the table adorably as Peter told the story.

The Ronan guy had gotten the stone, but Peter and his team still won anyway, having managed to get the stone away from him. You had giggled when you realized that Peter had more or less described that they had used 'the power of friendship' to hold onto the stone, though he didn't seem as keen on that comparison. You were also surprised to learn that the little Groot before you wasn't the original Groot, but rather more like the original's son, and that Kraglin and Yondu weren't part of the team yet in this story, but actually the leaders of an almost adversary group of space pirates that had agreed to work with Peter with the promise of obtaining the stone for themselves. You wanted to ask about that, how they came about joining Peter's team and where the rest of their crew was, Ravagers you believed they were called, but before you could Yondu interjected.

"Yeah, I'd almost forgot about that switcharoo ya pulled with the stone, boy." Yondu said to Peter, who, now several drinks in, included that bit of the story despite the former captain and first mate sitting right at the table with him.

Peter chuckled nervously in response, and said in jest, "Well, you got a cool troll doll out of it, that's something, right?"

You snorted a short laugh out your nose at that, making the others turn to you in surprise. Aside from a few questions, you had been more or less quiet the whole time until now. "Troll doll?" you say, clearly tipsy, behind your hand. The thought was ludicrous to you. Of all the things, a troll doll.

Peter grinned, pleased to see you found it funny. "It was the only thing I had on hand that would fit in the orb." He admitted, giggling.

Gamora's eyes crinkled as she looked at Peter. She hadn't had nearly as much drink as him, but she still found his giggly nature and his ability to tell a story to be endearing. This was probably the most she had let herself relax since they arrived.

Kraglin lightheartedly punched Peter in the shoulder. He'd been angry when the "switcharoo" incident happened, but he'd since been given enough reason to get over it.

"You goofy cunt," you chuckled at Peter, standing from the table and grabbing the empty bottle to bin it.

Peter raised an eyebrow and cocked his head at you as you walked toward the bin. Had you just called him a 'cunt'?

The others shared surprised contemplative looks and Kraglin said, "I think that was a compliment?" He was unsure, but you hadn't exactly said it in a derogatory way, so perhaps it was?

You overheard him and said from the bin, "Eh. Close enough." You spared one final giggly glance towards the group before leaving the kitchen to use the bathroom.

Peter shrugged, correctly assuming that he shouldn't be offended and stood to put his now-empty glass in the sink before re-joining the table with the others.

They sat chatting for a bit longer, before they thought they heard the soft sounds of singing coming from the sitting room. Exchanging glances, Peter and Gamora decided to go check it out.

***

You didn't return to the kitchen after you finished your business. The story was finished and you were in a better mood than you had been that morning so you just made your way to the sitting room to relax in your rocking chair before your buzz could wear off.

You had been there just a few minutes with your eyes falling closed when the sensation of something crawling up your leg startled you. You jump slightly only to see it was Groot crawling into your lap. You then relaxed. Cute little bugger looked sleepy, and for whatever reason, decided he would crawl up into the rocking chair with you. You didn't mind, and even if you did, you were getting a little too sleepy to feel like wasting energy making him move.

He climbed up on your slinged arm, too light for the action to cause you any pain, and curled up as you rocked away.

You weren't sure what possessed you, likely the whiskey, but you started to softy sing him a lullaby. One you remembered your grandmother singing you to sleep with when you were little.

***

Gamora peeked in the doorway and stopped, seeing you in the rocking chair, though you didn't see her. The rocking chair faced the bookshelf on the opposite wall, putting your gaze perpendicular to her own.

You were the source of the singing, and it didn't take long for her to notice Groot curled up sleeping against you and to deduce that what you were singing was a lullaby.

The others had come to see as well, but Gamora motioned for them to be quiet and didn't let them get past the doorway, afraid that you would stop if you knew you had an audience.

"What is it?" Drax asked.

"I think she's singing a lullaby to Groot." Peter answered, turning to peek back through the doorway for a moment before stepping aside to let Drax see. Drax smiled warmly at the sight and motioned Mantis to take his spot.

Kraglin chuckled and whispered over to an equally amused Yondu, "Well ain't that precious."

"So what?" asked Rocket, annoyed that everyone was gathered by the doorway instead of entering. He was, however, definitely not jealous that Groot would have taken to you well enough to let you sing a lullaby to him. He was also definitely not irritated about the fact that Groot had aparently just fallen right asleep in your lap, when he had been having to deal with Groot fitting to go to sleep most nights due to being someplace new.

Gamora looked to him. "It's sweet."

"She ain't sweet, it's all an act. She don't really care."

"So it was an act when she shot that raccoon and saved your ass?" asked Peter, rolling his eyes at his furry friend.

Rocket threw up his arms in frustration, unwilling to admit the possibility of being wrong. "Probably! She don't really care about us. We're just an assignment to her. And I didn't need her help anyway."

Peter rolled his eyes again, and that's when they noticed the singing had stopped. They were too busy arguing to notice it had been getting softer and softer. Gamora peeked in again and saw that you had fallen asleep, and she whispered back to the group as such.

"Good. I'm putting Groot to bed." Rocket said, pushing through the others before they could say anything.

"Rocket!" Gamora hissed, finally entering the room herself along with Peter.

Rocket ignored her as he approached the rocking chair. Who did you think you were anyway, singing lullabies to Groot? You weren't his mother. He was the one raising Groot, he didn't need some Terran dickhead stepping in and playing 'mommy.' Rocket let his frustration get the better of his sense and instead of gently climbing to retrieve Groot, or asking someone else once he realized he wouldn't quite be able to reach, he decided to be an asshole and jump right into your lap, startling both you and Groot awake in the process.

"Ow! The hell?" you said groggily, rubbing your eyes.

"Oh, sorry. Did I wake you?" Rocket said mockingly before walking off with a confused and groggy Groot.

The others gave him disapproving looks as they dispersed, not wanting to crowd the doorway any longer.

"You're a real asshole, ya know that?" Kraglin said before heading towards the stairs with Yondu. Rocket just ignored him.

Mantis, who also decided she would go to bed, said to Rocket as they climbed, "You're wrong, you know. She does care. I've felt it."

Rocket just rolled his eyes and said, "Whatever," before bounding up the rest of the stairs and to his room to put Groot down to sleep.

Peter and Gamora had decided to head back into the kitchen with Drax to clean up the forgotten empty glasses on the table, so by the time you got up and decided to head to bed yourself the hall was empty.

Too tired to do anything else, you decided to just go to bed. As you made your way up the stairs you remembered taking the others to the cellar and showing them what was behind the door, and wondered if you should consider getting a lock, just in case Groot disobeyed and decided to go play down there anyway.

They didn't need to find out what was behind the back wall of that closet.

[foreverlogical]

It still hurts to swallow or drink. Water tastes off. She can’t sleep. She buried herself under blankets all weekend, but she couldn’t stay warm. Then came the pounding headache, the blocked sinuses. So far, she’s spent more than a week in self-isolation, toggling between British TV dramas and news reports about the rioters who wanted to assassinate her colleagues in Congress. Her husband’s symptoms are the same, but he is older than her and in a high-risk group. It’s been five days since they tested positive, nine days since the insurrection. Pramila Jayapal, the 55-year-old representative from Washington, told me that her anger is “next-level.”

Jayapal received her first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on January 4, and she tested negative for the coronavirus on January 5, the night before she entered the Capitol. She believes that she contracted it last Wednesday when she huddled inside a room with about 100 of her congressional colleagues, including multiple Republicans who refused to wear masks.

Jayapal wasn’t on the House floor the day of the attack; she was up in the gallery. Five weeks prior, she had undergone knee-replacement surgery. When the mob advanced and Capitol Police officers instructed those in the gallery to move toward the exit, she had to use a cane for balance and ducked under railings, while the lawmakers and journalists around her crawled on their hands and knees toward the door.

[Read: It was supposed to be so much worse.]

Once they got to the exit, she sat on the floor of the gallery and pushed her legs out straight into the aisle between seats; it was the only way she could sit. She heard glass breaking, then a single gunshot. Beside her, Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester began praying with her hands in the air: Peace. Peace in the land. Peace in this country. Peace in this world. Jayapal felt her knee beginning to swell. She heard pounding on the gallery doors. “We were afraid that nobody was going to come and get us,” Jayapal said.

A single officer opened the gallery door, shouting at people to leave. Outside, Jayapal and the rest of the evacuees passed five or six rioters lying spread-eagle on the floor, surrounded by more officers with their guns drawn. Representative Mikie Sherrill offered Jayapal her arm for stability as the group descended three flights of stairs to the Capitol basement.

Oh my god, this is a disaster, Jayapal thought when she arrived in the safe room. More than 100 lawmakers had packed into the blue-carpeted space, with, by her estimate, no more than three feet of distance between everyone, let alone six. They chatted quietly in groups loosely segregated by party, and half a dozen Republicans were not wearing masks. Jayapal sat down on a chair to rest her knee, and a helpful staffer brought her an ice pack. Looking around the room, it hit her: “I just knew that several of us would get COVID.”

Across the room, near a row of folding tables, Rochester, a 58-year-old member of the Congressional Black Caucus, approached a passel of maskless Republicans, including the QAnon supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma. Rochester offered them blue surgical masks, but they refused. “I’m not trying to get political here,” Mullin said, before waving Rochester away. Greene crossed her arms, smiling, while the others, all men, stared at their phones or laughed at some out-of-earshot joke.

“I wasn’t mad or frustrated. I was just thinking about how many people I could get to put on a mask,” Rochester told my colleague Edward-Isaac Dovere this week. Jayapal, however, was livid. “Thirty-two hundred people are dying every day from COVID, and we have these people taking it like a joke,” she told me. She’d been trying hard to stay healthy, to take every precaution, not least to protect her husband, Steve. “And here we are in a lockdown after a white-nationalist, insurgent attack on the Capitol, and we’re forced into this room with them,” she said. “They’re refusing to wear masks and mocking us for it.”

[Read: I asked my colleagues to wear masks. They laughed.]

Just after 4 a.m. that Thursday, Jayapal left the Capitol and went home to quarantine in a guest bedroom of her Washington, D.C., apartment. On Monday, she and her husband both tested positive for the virus. So far, a total of six lawmakers have tested positive after last week’s attack, including the 75-year-old cancer survivor Bonnie Watson Coleman. In refusing to wear masks, Republicans created “a superspreader event on top of a domestic terrorist attack,” Jayapal said in a statement announcing her diagnosis. She and other members of Congress called for fines to be levied against any lawmaker who refuses to wear a mask in the Capitol going forward—a rule that the House took up and passed on Tuesday night.

The next few days will be very important for gauging the course of Jayapal’s illness, her doctor told her. She will have to record her blood-oxygen levels three times a day. She will stay in isolation for another week, and even then, she will be able to leave the apartment only if she hasn’t experienced any symptoms for 24 hours.

Immediately after President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, Congress will need to pass legislation to address the COVID-19 crisis and the corresponding economic devastation, she said. But lawmakers must also find a way to address the growing threat from extremist groups, stop the spread of misinformation, and reckon with the willful ignorance and cruelty of their colleagues. “All of us are grappling with how we deal with Republican colleagues who now belong to a caucus that really is unhinged,” she said. “It’s not like these are reasonable people who are willing to look at science or be convinced of anything.” So what does that mean for America? I asked. She paused to consider her answer. “We as a country are in a really precarious position.”

VISIT WEBSITE

[sayedhusaini]

NBA player Jonathan Isaac of the Orlando Magic explains why he is hesitant to take the COVID vaccine at a post-game press conference, Oct. 27, 2021.

It is virtually a religious belief in the dominant liberal culture that people who do not want the COVID vaccine are stupid, ignorant, immoral and dangerous. As large sectors of the population continue to question or disobey their COVID decrees, they have begun to make more explicit this condescending view.

Liberals feel free to disparage them as "stupid” notwithstanding long-standing (though diminishing) racial disparities among this group. A CNN headline from last month told part of the story: “Black New Yorkers may have the lowest vaccination rates, but community groups refuse to give up.” Citing data from the city's health agency, the network reported that “citywide, just 28% of Black New Yorkers between the ages of 18 and 44 are fully vaccinated. The Hispanic community is the second-least fully vaccinated population in that age group, with 49% being fully vaccinated.”

Two weeks ago, Bloomberg reported that while some of the unvaccinated are unable to get the vaccine (due to work pressures or health conditions), most of them are vaccine-hesitant by choice and continue to reflect racial disparities. Under the headline “U.S. Racial Vaccine Gaps Are Bigger Than We Thought: Covid-19 Tracker,” the news outlet reported: “the White vaccination rate is not as bad as it had seemed and Hispanic communities are lagging more than previously thought.”

Yet liberal elites continue to call anyone who is unvaccinated "stupid,” ignorant and immoral. On Sunday, New York's Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, when announcing her intent to use National Guard soldiers to replace health care workers fired for refusing the vaccine, told her audience: “yes, I know you're vaccinated, you're the smart ones.” She then said those who refuse to get the vaccine are not just stupid but have turned their back on God: “there's people out there who aren't listening to God and what God wants.” Gov. Hochul added that the vaccine “is from God to us and we must say, thank you, God,” and said to her "smart” vaccinated supporters: “I need you to be my apostles.”

On September 16, CNN host Don Lemon maligned those who have chosen not to be vaccinated as "stupid,” "selfish,” filled with “ignorance,” and “not acting on logic, reason and science." He then issued this decree: “it’s time to start shaming them or leave them behind.” When controversy erupted over the lavish indoor gala former President Obama threw for himself, at which his guests were unmasked while the servants were masked, New York Times reporter Annie Karni explained on CNN that while some of Obama's neighbors on Martha's Vineyard objected, many believed that a maskless party was fine because “this is a sophisticated, vaccinated crowd." Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel suggested the unvaccinated should be deprioritized for health care in hospitals, while Howard Stern recently lambasted the unvaccinated as “imbeciles” and “nut jobs” and argued they should be denied health care and be left to die.

That the unvaccinated are inherently primitive and stupid troglodytes was always a claim as baseless and offensive as it is counter-productive. Although I personally took the vaccine the first day it was available to me — as I repeatedly said I would in every forum where I speak, including Fox News — it was always clear that there were cogent reasons while those with different circumstances and risk factors (age, health, prior COVID status) might assess their own risks differently and reach a different conclusion. And what made me most comfortable about my choice to get vaccinated, or to decide whether my kids should, was precisely that it was my choice, after informing myself: the idea of forcing someone to do it against their will, or condition people's rights and privileges on vaccine compliance — as both President Biden and the ACLU astonishingly advocated — always struck me as inconceivable.

The attempt to equate being unvaccinated with stupidity and ignorance suffered a massive blow on Wednesday night when NBA star Jonathan Isaac was asked why he was hesitant to take the vaccine. Like many unions, the NBA's player union has refused a vaccine mandate, and Isaac, the 23-year-old player with the Orlando Magic who previously had and recovered from COVID, gave a stunningly compelling, informed, well-reasoned and thoughtful exposition on his rationale for not wanting the vaccine. Isaac also defended the right of individuals to make their own choice. One need not agree with his ultimate conclusion on the vaccine to see how groundless (and obnoxious) it is to claim that anyone who chooses not to take the vaccine — like him — is stupid, ignorant and primitive. I really encourage everyone to watch his two-minute master class in demonstrating why such a choice can, depending on one's circumstances, be perfectly rational:

Is there anyone who can argue with a straight face that Isaac sounds stupid, ignorant or evil? One can cogently dispute the wisdom of his conclusion: while it is true that most people who recover from COVID (as he did) enjoy "natural immunity” in the form of antibodies — indeed, one major study found that “the natural immune protection that develops after a SARS-CoV-2 infection offers considerably more of a shield against the Delta variant of the pandemic coronavirus than two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine — some studies conclude that immunity is stronger still with the vaccine.”

Nonetheless, Issac is indisputably right that the risk of dying or becoming seriously ill of COVID is extremely low for someone like him: early 20s, healthy and with natural immunity. In fact, during the entire course of the pandemic, the total number of people aged 15-24 (Isaac's age group) who have died of COVID — in a country of 330 million people — is 1,372: fewer than the number in that age group who have died of non-COVID pneumonia. Add onto that Isaac's physical fitness and the fact that he already had COVID once, his risk from contracting the virus is vanishingly small.

It is true that the long-term effects of COVID are unknown, but that is also true of the long-term risks from these new vaccines. Isaac is also right ….

[sierraraeck]

Betrayal (Pt.1)

BAU x OC Aundreya

Masterlist | Series Masterlist

Summary: Partially inspired by 8x4 God Complex. Aundreya finally figures out who Spencer has been calling on the payphone. Story ten.

Category: Fluff at the beginning, then angst.

Warnings: Cussing. Normal CM stuff. Mentions of drugs. An internal identity crisis.

Word Count: 3.5k

A/N: Please welcome Tara Lewis everyone. I know that she was never a part of this particular team, but she now has a guest appearance because I wanted her to have one.

“You have zero manners,” Morgan said.

“That is not true!” I snapped back.

“Yes. It is. You literally inhale your food in under ten seconds and just now you walked in here and basically yelled ‘I’m back, baby’ to the entire bullpen,” he pointed out.

“Okay, sure, but that doesn’t mean I lack all manners completely. I just have unconventional ones,” I countered.

“Unconventional?” Prentiss snorted. “You are one of the most uncivilized people I have ever met.”

“Fuck you, I’m civilized!” I said, flabbergasted. They both just stared at me with a knowing look and I wanted to hit myself. I slowly nodded my head, and clicked my tongue. “Yeah. I hear it now.”

Morgan gave a single laugh shaking his head and Prentiss just rolled her eyes and smiled.

“Ah, who cares? At least you keep things interesting,” a voice behind me said. I turned around to see a tall, gorgeous woman I didn’t recognize standing behind me.

Prentiss jumped up and hugged her, “Tara! It’s good to see you again. I’m glad you could join us for this case.”

“I’m happy to be here,” she said.

“Derek Morgan,” he introduced, holding his hand out. She shook it and then turned to me.

“Aundreya Chambers.”

“I know,” Tara said, extending her hand. I didn’t know whether to be insulted or flattered, but I just brushed it off.

I was about to reach for her hand when Morgan interrupted, “Woah, woah, woah. You might not want to do that.”

I turned to glare at him, knowing he was going to make some dumbass joke about me ‘rubbing off on people’. But then I decided I’d not only go along with it, but I’d take control of it.

“Wait, why?” Tara asked, hand still floating in mid air.

“It’s because I have a highly contagious, chronic disease. I hope you have all of your vaccines,” I said before Morgan could jump in. He gave me a wide-eyed look, but shortly after, I saw him suppress a smile.

“Oh, really?” Tara’s expression was a mix between confusion and worry.

“Yeah, I’ve been battling it for pretty much my entire life. It’s gotten worse over these past couple of years, though,” I said. Emily frowned at me, but Derek was definitely enjoying himself.

“What disease?”

“It’s uh … It’s called uh,” I started, snapping my fingers like I was trying to recall the word. “Derek, what’s it called?”

“Being a bitch?” he offered, eyebrows raised.

“Ah! That’s the one!” I said, pointing my finger over at him like I’d just had a revelation. I winked at him and he couldn’t hold back his grin any longer.

Tara started laughing, but then quickly composed herself. “That sounds really serious, I’m so sorry to hear that. How are you doing?”

“You know, I manage,” I said, smiling at her.

She nodded, returning my smile. “Well, I actually lived with someone fighting that very same disease, so I’ve built up the antibodies. I don’t think one handshake will hurt.”

“Few. That’s a relief,” I said, finally shaking her hand.

“You will have to excuse her and her occasional antics,” JJ said walking by.

Spencer was right behind her, gesturing toward Morgan. “Yeah, and his. He’s not much better.”

“That’s a load of crap,” Morgan was quick to defend.

“Sure it is,” Emily said sarcastically.

Rossi walked into the room, already knowing that we were being unprofessional. “Guys, behave. Agent Lewis, I apologize for anything they may have already said or done.” He looked pointedly at Morgan and I. We both put our hands up in defense.

Tara still had a smile plastered on her face. “Don’t worry. I already like your team. I’m going to have no problem working with you all on this case.”

“And we already like you,” I told her. “I’m glad you have a good sense of humor.”

“What can I say? I enjoy trying to keep the mood as light as possible. Gotta have some sort of balance working a job like this,” she said. We all nodded profusely at her words.

When we arrived at the round table, Hotch was already there.

“So I see you’ve met Doctor Lewis,” he raised his eyebrows.

“Ooh. Doctor. Be careful Spencer, she’s coming for your title,” I joked.

“Oh, no! Definitely not. Under no circumstances do I want to compete against the genius,” she quickly corrected. Reid just shyly smiled.

“I think you should at least try and give him a run for his money,” I entertained.

“Aundreya?” Aaron intervened.

“Yeah?”

“Focus.”

“What is it with you people today, coming at me like this,” I let my hands slap against my thighs.

“Aundreya.”

“Yes, okay, I’m focused, god.”

He gave me that signature stone face and I gestured for him to continue. I saw Derek smirk out of the corner of my eye, so I swiftly made eye contact with him, scratching my temple with only my middle finger. He blew air out of his nose in a small laugh.

“We are going to be flying to Phoenix to revisit the Ken Keith case. As you all know, he was one of Phoenix’s most prolific serial killers and at some point we thought he had a partner, but the killings stopped after he was incarcerated, so we figured we had it wrong. Last night, there was another killing that partially matched Keith’s MO and signature,” Aaron explained.

“Partially matched?” Prentiss asked.

“When the body was found, they had all of their limbs, except their leg had been amputated and replaced.”

“Okay, so a copycat?” JJ asked.

“That’s what the local PD initially thought, but the victim had traces of tomato soup in her stomach, a ritual that was never released to the public,” Hotch said. “Doctor Lewis will be aiding us in speaking with Keith considering that is her area of expertise.”

I leaned over and whispered, “Have fun with that.”

“I always do,” Tara replied.

“If this partner is anything like Keith, we need to catch him as quickly as possible. Wheels up in 30.”

# # # # # # # # # # # # #

Ken Keith is what you would call a mad scientist. He spent five years amputating one of his victim’s legs, and then trying to replace it with someone else’s. When it didn’t work, he would cut off all of their limbs and dump their torso with their head. We never knew what he did with the rest of the limbs. After he got arrested, he refused to tell us why he did any of it. Hopefully Tara could change that, but if not, the rest of us basically started over with the profile.

On the plane after we had already discussed all of the information we had, I saw Rossi fumbling around with a Rubik’s cube.

“I didn’t take you for a Rubik’s cube person,” I commented.

He set the cube down in front of him with a frustrated sigh. “That’s because I’m not. I had an old friend give me this, challenging me to figure out how to solve it before he could. As you can see, it is not working out so well for me.”

I laughed. “I can help you.”

“You know how to solve a Rubik’s cube?”

“Don’t sound so surprised. I have a variety of odd skills.”

“I’m sure you do,” he said, relinquishing the cube to me. “Have at it.”

Within the next thirty or so seconds, I set the cube back down, completely solved.

“I have to say I’m impressed,” Rossi admitted, picking up the cube to evaluate it, “I don’t know how you do that.”

“It’s really just all math,” Reid said, sitting down next to us, “See, there are a variety of algorithms that are used at various steps in the process, and many people have come up with numerous different ways that work. For example, there is one that solves for the entire first and second layer, then moves on to completing the top before the corners, and then there are others that do the reverse, completing the corners before the top.”

Rossi just stared at him, and if I had to guess what was going through his head, it was somewhere between ‘I have no idea what the hell you just said’ and ‘I’m not quite sure I care’.

“In other words, there are patterns you can learn that will help you solve it. We can teach you, if you want,” I offered.

“I’ll have to take a rain check. I’m not sure I’d be able to keep up,” Rossi said. He slid the cube back over mine and Reid’s way.

Reid scooped it up and started fidgeting with it. “I didn’t know you could solve a Rubik’s cube.”

“I can. Not only that, but I can solve a two-by-two, and a four-by-four,” I said, content with my answer.

He looked at me with furrowed brows. He opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off by Tara. “Prove it.”

I looked up at her. “Gladly. When we get back, I will show off my cube-solving skills.”

She smiled, “I look forward to it.”

“Or she can just prove it now,” Spencer said, retrieving three cubes from his bag.

“Of course you would have those in your bag,” I chuckled. “Go ahead, then. Mix them up for me.”

“Okay, now I have to get in on the action,” Morgan said, reaching over Reid from the seat behind him and grabbing the biggest cube. I rolled my eyes.

Once the three of them thought that the cubes were sufficiently mixed up, I started solving. I solved the two-by-two first, then the three-by-three, then the four-by-four. I set them down in a row next to each other.

“I’ll be damned,” Morgan said, shaking his head.

“What? Did you ever doubt me?” I feigned offense.

“Definitely not,” he said with a wink.

“Well, it looks to me that you are now the one giving the genius a run for his money,” Tara said.

I scoffed. “Nope. I’m sure he could still kick my ass.”

“Willing to test that theory?” Derek asked.

“Absolutely,” I said, looking at Spencer expectantly.

“Sure.”

Tara messed up one of the three-by-three cubes for me, and Derek messed up the other for Spencer.

“Okay, I want you both to start at the same time when I say go,” Tara said. She teased us, making us wait on the edge of our seats in silence before finally saying, “Go.”

We both started solving and according to the lovely commentary provided by Derek, I was in the lead. Soon though, too soon, that started to change.

“Oh no. He’s catching up,” I said.

“How do you know that? You haven’t taken your eyes off of your own,” Emily asked. To her point, I hadn’t even realized she was there.

“I can hear it.”

“You can he-” Morgan started, cutting himself off. “Of course you can. Naturally.”

A few seconds later, I put my cube down, just moments before Spencer put his down.

“That’s unbelievable,” Rossi teased. He was resting his chin on his hand, an amused smirk on his face as he watched Spencer and I compete. All he was missing was a bowl of popcorn.

“I almost had you!” Reid exclaimed.

“You’re outta practice. Maybe next time, champ,” I said, patting his shoulder.

# # # # # # # # # # # # #

Three days into our investigation, we had a possible partner’s name and body language confirmation from Keith. Garcia sent us his work and home addresses like the lovely queen she is, and we split up into two groups. Spencer, Emily, Rossi, and myself went to his work address while Hotch, Morgan, JJ, and Tara went to his home address.

“Can I help you?” asked a tall, black haired man.

“Yes, we are looking for Caleb Wheelan,” Prentiss said, holding out her badge.

“He’s not in today,” the man responded. “Is there a problem?”

“We just need to ask him a few questions. Do you know where he would be?”

“I’d assume at his house because he called in sick this morning,” the man told us.

We asked him a variety of other questions about his co-worker and even searched his cubicle and computer and found nothing.

“Thank you. Please give us a call if he turns up,” Prentiss concluded, handing the man her business card. The man nodded and we walked away, Reid already on the phone with Aaron.

“He wasn’t at his house, but there is nothing there that points to him being our unsub,” he said once he got off the phone.

“Okay, so we keep digging, and hopefully we’ll be able to find him and ask him some questions,” Rossi said, and we headed back to the precinct.

The next day, Caleb Wheelan called us.

“I just got off the phone with Wheelan, and he claims that he knew Keith before he had his psychotic break. They worked together and Keith tried to rope Wheelan into his experiments, but once Wheelan realized what was actually going on, he backed out,” Emily said, walking into the conference room.

“Do you believe him?” I asked.

“Yeah. The rest of the details he gave me, the fact that we found nothing at his home or work, and he only fits portions of the profile, suggest that he’s telling the truth,” Emily stated.

“Okay, great. What now?” JJ asked.

“Now we revisit the profile. Lewis is still having trouble getting Keith to tell us anything, so we should start coming up with ideas as to why he did this, and why this new unsub hasn’t escalated as much as Keith, only removing their leg not the rest of their limbs,” Hotch said.

We didn’t have much time to brainstorm because the deputy came in, informing us that there was another body.

We raced to the crime scene, a small, trashed alley, immediately noticing the change in MO.

“The victim’s name is Maria Rodriguez,” Morgan said.

“First time he’s operated on a woman,” Reid pointed out.

“And he transplanted the left leg this time,” Morgan said.

“She died from blood loss, there’s no gangrene on the transplanted leg which means the surgery’s fresh.”

“You think he still has the other woman?”

“It justifies his haste in dumping her here. Why didn’t he go to the desert or a hospital?” Spencer’s voice slowed on the last word, realization taking over his face.

“It also means he’s speeding up his surgeries,” Derek deduced. Without another word, Spencer walked away from us, reaching for his phone in his pocket. “Reid, where are you going?”

When he didn’t answer I called after him, “Reid!”

I turned back to look at Morgan, puzzled.

He shrugged his shoulders and asked, “What’s going on with him?”

“I have no idea. I’ve been trying to ask him about it, but I keep getting a bunch of nothing.”

“You don’t think he’s back on drugs do you?”

“No. This is a whole different kind of strange,” I said. Derek just sighed and turned his attention back to the victim.

I glanced back at Spencer right as he hung up, making eye contact with me for only a second before turning away. “Tara! Lewis, wait. Where are you going?”

This caught Derek’s attention and he looked back over to where Reid was now jogging toward Lewis.

“Hotch called. He wants us back at the station ASAP,” Tara said. I checked my own phone, realizing I had just received a text as well.

“Can you give me a ride to 5th and Main? It’s on the way,” Spencer asked.

What the hell?

“Uh, yeah, sure,” Tara started wearily. “What’s at 5th and Main?”

That’s what I’d like to know.

“I need to talk to somebody,” Reid said, walking around to open the passenger-side door before any one of us could protest. Derek and I looked at Lewis, eyes wide, but she just shrugged.

“Oh, okay, sure.”

Not even concerned with personal privacy, I called Garcia.

“Hey Queen P. What’s at 5th and Main?”

“It’s a payphone. I don’t know why he asked for it either,” she responded.

A payphone? So he is back on drugs?

“Okay, thanks, girl,” I said, hanging up.

Derek and I got into the car and drove back to the precinct. The nice thing was that Spencer was right: 5th and Main was on the way. Once we got there, I decided I’d take a ‘bathroom break’. When I was out of sight of the rest of the team, I hauled ass to 5th and Main. I didn’t want to take any chances in case he was going to meet another dealer, considering how well that ended last time.

When I got there, I easily spotted him. I crept up the side of brick building just behind the payphone, getting as close as I could without being seen.

“Yes, thank you, exactly! That’s not an accident. He’s obviously using it as a cover to screen for something and that’s why I’m calling you. I’m hoping that you can help me figure out what he’s screening for,” I heard Spencer say.

What? Why is he discussing the case with this person? Clearly he’s comfortable with them because of how he’s addressing them.

My mind was racing.

“Yeah we worked doubling into the profile … I don’t know, actually … So you think this guy’s pursuing his own impossible cause …”

Who is this person? Who’s smart enough that Spencer’s going to them for help on a case? Not to mention close enough to him?

“Before he transplants, he turns them into amputees. That’s part of his experiment. What if there’s a condition the victim shares, something involving amputation?” he asked.

He’s calling them from a payphone like he did with his dealer, but this person isn’t a dealer. Could this be that friend I never followed up on that was being threatened?

“Unless it’s congenital, something that caused the amputation in utero?” A pause. “Exactly. So I guess the question is, what else causes birth defects?”

Okay, focus. He’s been calling someone on a payphone for at least a month, that I know of, so probably a bit longer. He has a secret friend that he really wants to protect. He was acting weird around Derek and I earlier tonight and asked Tara, the temporary member, to drive him instead of one of us. He’s showing no signs of relapse drug abuse.

I was racking my brain, trying to make sense of all of this.

Wait. If he’s calling this person on payphones, was he calling them right before we went to meet his dealer?

“What if we focused on what causes limb deformities specifically?” he asked.

This person is knowledgeable in the medical field. Surgeon, nurse, pediatrics, geneticist, epidemiologist, immunologist, infectious disease specialist…

“But there are a lot of different strains of herpes. You know, chicken pox, for instance. If a mother isn’t inoculated and she passes the virus in utero, can’t that cause birth defects?”

He’s literally solving this case with whoever the hell this is and the rest of us aren’t even included. He‘s talking with such passion and intrigue, his mind and mouth moving a million miles an hour, something he usually only did when he was bouncing ideas off of me or talking with me on the jet.

I checked my watch.

Shit. I’ve been out for five minutes.

I had to get back to the precinct and soon. The team was going to ask questions, and I couldn’t risk Reid getting back before me. I couldn’t wait to hear what else he had to say, quickly moving away from the side of the building, bursting into a full on sprint. I reached the precinct doors, somewhat out of breath, knowing the pink tint on my face was going to betray me.

I entered the conference room as casually as possible. Luckily, they were all deep in thought, wondering what we’d missed. I would’ve loved to jump in and offer what little information I heard from a one-sided phone call, but I knew I wouldn’t be helpful and all it would do would just let them know that I was eavesdropping. We’d just have to wait until Spencer got back.

When he did, he had the key information that we needed to narrow down our search. Apparently, we were looking for a man who married a woman that had limb deformities caused by chicken pox. The only one that showed up in Garcia’s search was a John Nelson. Rossi, JJ, and Reid headed over to his house to bring him in for questioning.

“What was that about?” Emily wondered aloud.

“I’d love to know,” I agreed.

“No, not that. Well yes, that, but I was more wondering about you.”

“About me?”

“Yeah. Is everything okay? You look stressed,” she pointed out.

“Oh, I’m fine,” I replied.

“You sure? You look a little flushed.”

“I’m good, I promise.”

“Alright. Let me know if that changes,” she said with a quick eyebrow raise.

“Will do,” I said. We both knew that was a lie.

Part 2

Taglist (open)

@justanothetfangirl

@kris-stuff

@wooya1224

[lonelypond]

Soldier Game: Operation LA Smile, Ch. 2

NicoMaki, Love Live, 1.7K, 2/?

Summary: Maki flees the scene, Eli meets Nozomi, Umi amuses herself, Hanayo makes an appearance, and Nico decides on a distraction.

Chapter Two: Party Planning

Maki, not yet awake enough to open her eyes, pushed into something warm, firm, feeling herself relax, and then the images started playing behind her eyes, Yazawa so close, hands everywhere, asking, then taking over, then...Maki froze. If she opened her eyes now, what kind of look would be on Nico’s face. Best just to pretend to be asleep.

Pretend or not, the next time Maki was aware of anything, she felt colder. A quick sneak peek. No Nico. Wrapping the towel around her, Maki sprinted for the door, almost tripping over the weight she now had to shove aside. The hall, which way to the Soldier Game temporary office? To the left, Maki turned, and there was Umi, smirking, calmly waiting to see what Maki would do next.

Maki pulled the towel completely closed around her, hurrying past this obstacle. “I just need my go bag.”

“Rough workout?” Umi’s teasing voice always grated, “Need a shower?”

“Bite me.”

“Is there a line?”

Maki whirled, snarling, “I am so breaking you next time we spar.”

Umi shrugged, “That will never happen.”

“Oh it will. You can bet on it.”

“But I won’t.”

Maki didn’t have the mental energy for Umi in taunting mode. Most of her attention was listening for Nico’s voice so she could sprint away before Nico stepped into the hall.

“See you at dinner. Bring a friend.” Umi smiled.

“I’ll be in my hotel. Alone.” That was the rest of her evening. Every scented candle in Tokyo lit, lights low, music calming, soaking off this surprise encounter, forgetting what Nico smelled like when sweat and sex steamed off of her, long, lush, black hair slick, Maki’s legs were starting to wobble and if she didn’t get away soon...not thinking about that, Maki straightened herself up...ha! Inner Maki snorted, good luck with that...and rushed toward more clothes than this barely clinging bikini bottom.

 ###

Ayase Eli was sharp, trim, on task and on time. Her suit was pressed, her hair in a high ponytail, her agenda to the point after a series of revisions. She didn’t need directions to the office assigned for her official meeting with Tojo-san. Eli was here to be the public face of Soldier Game, bringing together her friends to use their celebrity cachet to boost Japanese tourism, which had taken a huge hit due to the coronavirus pandemic and panic. Even with the advances in treatment and prophylactic treatments, with no vaccine, air traffic to Asia from the United States and Europe had suffered huge declines. And then there was the more important Soldier Game mission, ensure delivery to an underground biohacker network of biological data camouflaged by the designers of Feather Smile. The mission would start with a two week quarantine and reconnaissance in the hills of Malibu while their Hollywood contact Kousaka Honoka finalized photoshoot and filming details.

This was the office. Eli knocked politely and heard a trilled, breathy “Come in.” She opened the door and behind the desk, leaning forward, elbows on the desk, chin cupped in her hands, green eyes confident and friendly was a tall buxom woman in a floral dress and dark blazer combo.

“Tojo-san? I’m Ayase Eli.”

“Call me Nozomi.” There was a giggle, “I recognize you from the snaps in your file.”

“Of course.” Eli bowed her head.

“Please take a seat, Ayase-san. Umi has been sharing details of your procedures and requirements so some of the groundwork has been done.”

Eli nodded, “Before we get into that, may I ask who you work for?”

Nozomi chuckled, “You can certainly ask, although I can’t share all the details with you. It’s a governmental subdivision focused on international relations.”

“And you requested Soldier Game because…”

Nozomi leaned back, eyes narrowing, voice crisper, “I intend to take advantage of the male tendency to dismiss attractive women as anything but prey. My contact needs this information and my usual couriers would be at risk. We need a diversion.” A pause and a bright smile, “How’re your tan lines?”

“Huh?” Eli saw why Umi had noted that conversations with Tojo-san could quickly become unpredictable.

“FeatherSmile has decided on a beach and boxing theme.”

“And FeatherSmile is involved because…?” Eli hadn’t really paid that much attention to the dossier on the designers.

“They have the skills and technology I need for this mission. Surely you’re not planning to underestimate them, Ayase-san?” Nozomi arched an eyebrow to judgy.

Eli blushed slightly, “No, this is just very high profile. I’m wary of the risk to our covers. I want to be certain everyone involved is a professional.”

Nozomi stared at Eli for an uncomfortable length of time and then giggled, “Just smile and look pretty and make sure nobody shoots the talent. We’ll take care of the rest.”

###

Kotori was humming as she worked on a dress. Nico shut the door to their atelier and threw herself on the divan.

“I think we should design and cut the whole collection during the two week quarantine.” Nico announced.

Kotori took her foot off the foot control pedal of her sewing machine and spun her stool around.

“It gives us more time to prep the fabric and make some contingency plans.” Nico seemed fascinated by the floor, her voice disinterested.

“Did something happen?” This Nico mood was rare and difficult to read so Kotori was very very curious.

“Things always happen, but Nico has it under control.” Nico waved her hands before flipping on her back, staring at the ceiling, “But a behind the scenes video would be a big FeatherSmile boost, especially with eye candy like that around.”

“Eye candy?” Kotori raised an eyebrow, “That sounds a bit…” Kotori paused, “predatory for you, Nico. Are we over the sexual harassment policy now? No more lectures?”

“Hey if,” Nico squeaked, winced and tried again. “Hey, if they want to wander around saying, “woo hoo, look at me, I am surface-of-the-sun hot”, Nico is going to take them at their consenting adult status.”

“Who is them, Nico?” Kotori asked quietly as she went back to the dress. Nico had to be edged into truths, not stared into them.

Silence, the chug of Kotori’s needle for minutes, then Nico threw herself back upright and pulled out her phone. “We have the bon voyage party tonight, yes?”

“Yes.”

“Want to sign some bras?” Nico smirked.

Now Kotori was insatiably curious. “We haven’t had an event like that…” since the launch of their underwear lines last Christmas ago. Which had nearly been a riot. A very profitable, very pretty riot that had Kotori spending the night partying with several fans in the FeatherSmile reserved suite. Nico had been chatting up investors at the bar. And their Spring Line had been fully funded, sight unseen. And was now sold out.

“Might as well give Tokyo something to remember.” Nico raised her phone, adjusted her hair, flashed her lady killer glitter smile, and hit one touch record, then raising her hand in The Gesture™ “Nico Nico Ni! How are all Nico’s pretty ladies? If you’re not busy tonight and your C19-Pass is clear, FeatherSmile is throwing a “See You At The Beach” Party tonight at the Andaz Tokyo Rooftop Bar, with some fab celebrity guests!!! Catch us if you can, before we head for LA and design our latest beach and activewear collection. And we’ll be doing bra signings, so wear your FeatherSmile originals and get a Nico selfie and signature. Nico wants to see ALL her fans.” Even for Nico, the wink was outrageous. So she tossed the phone on the table with a low mutter Kotori barely caught. “And now Nico will be too busy for whatever Nishikino wants to do next.”

Ah. Nishikino. Nishikino Maki. The glaring redhead. Kotori wasn’t surprised, well, a little by the speed. But it seemed this was going to be a mission on hyperfuel.

###

Working from her porch, Hanayo had her laptop out, smiling as she paused to watch the alpacas and llamas wandering her ranch. They’d been sheared recently so many looked bare, but now Hanayo would have a usable amount of textiles for the FeatherSmile team as Ms. Tojo requested. So exciting to be involved with celebrities, Hanayo thought as she liked Sonoda Umi’s latest TWIG video, a warm up routine. And a photoshoot, with all of Soldier Game posing, beachwear Ms. Tojo had said, and….Hanayo reached for her hand fan and held her iced tea to her forehead. It did get a little hot out here. Hanayo had been following FeatherSmile since their debut so it was amazing to have the opportunity to actually get to meet Nico and Kotori. Hanayo’s eyes gleamed behind her glasses. She wasn’t going to think about the part of this that scared her, maybe finally getting on the radar of the pharmacops, instead she was going to stay focused on the excitement.

###

“They’re throwing a party?!?!?!?!” Maki was in the repurposed office that Umi had taken over for Soldier Game, going through their medical equipment stash. Tojo’s US contact would have most of what else they needed but Maki refused to travel without personally assembling her own kit.

“Yazawa wants a big bang.” Eli turned away from her screen.

Maki frowned, reading the FeatherSmile TWIG announcement on her phone, “Sign your bras?!?”

Eli shrugged, “It’s a thing they do. Their underwear line was an extremely romantic Christmas gift last year.”

“And comfy.” Umi didn’t pause in her kata.

Maki nearly dropped the surgical instruments she was holding, “You’re wearing some?”

“No, but I do own a few pieces. They are both frilly and practical.”

“And romantic?” Eli looked up from her paperwork with a teasing wink.

“That was not a consideration. I found the lace trim color contrast aesthetically pleasing and the support appropriate for everyday activities.” Umi finished her form and bowed. “If you do not wish to attend this evening’s festivities, Maki, I’m sure a tantrum would be an effective addition to the publicity brew.

Eli returned her attention to her paperwork, “And very in character.”

“I thought we were leaving tomorrow?” Maki ignored her colleagues’ suggestion.

“Flight got pushed back a day. Tojo’s having some red tape problems. I am assisting her.” Eli started entering numbers into her desktop, “And some of our more sensitive equipment will go through the diplomatic pipeline, which is a huge plus.”

Maki went back to sorting medicinal necessities, occasionally muttering sentences ending with, “bra.”

A/N: The world needs more fun stuff so I decided to post this and just kick off the next chapter with a huge party. Also, Happy Birthday, Nozomi!

Take care, especially if you're out there doing the good work of protesting police brutality against Black lives.

[theawkwardterrier]

things left behind and the things that are ahead, ch. 24

AO3 link here

On Sunday, as they are preparing to eat breakfast, Rose calls and tells them without fanfare that the double mastectomy she’d had two years ago might have held things at bay, but the cancer is back.

“It’ll be worse this time,” she says over speakerphone as Peggy’s toast burns and the kettle whistles without answer. “No more body parts I’m not using to offer up instead. They’re saying it’ll be chemo now, and pretty aggressive.”

(Last time, Rose had decided on mastectomy without much fuss, got through the recovery as quickly as possible, and got back to work. The only real sign of change was that her repertoire of tops and suit jackets, fitted to her sturdy, busty figure, had to be replaced.)

On Monday, before sunset, they arrive in New York. Rose said that her oncologist wanted to get her started very soon, which scared Steve more than anything. Last time the wisdom had been to wait and see, the doctor advising more tests, careful consideration, avoiding jumping into anything, before Rose’s tough and unsentimental practicality had steamrolled that plan. Now they are moving forward with barely enough time for him to process things. Cancer has always been serious, even now, but this seems to be an emergency.

(His kids might have been grown, Steve was always reminding them all to have regular checkups, to make sure to get their kids vaccinated on time, to get a flu shot each fall. It’s how they caught it so early on Rosie’s annual mammogram the first time. It’s how they found it again now, and Steve is so glad, so glad, so awfully glad.)

Rose greets them in socks, her hair fluffy around her shoulders, wearing her glasses instead of her contacts: nighttime Rosie.

“I told you that you didn’t have to come,” she says, hugging them each anyway.

“Don’t be absurd.” Peggy carries her suitcase through the doorway and back to the guest bedroom. “We’re your parents.”

“She’s right,” Steve tells Rose, who wraps her arms around him again and says, “Thanks, Daddy,” before reaching up to kiss his cheek.

That just terrifies him more.

It has been a long while since they had a quiet evening alone, but with Rose sleeping at a friend’s, they take full advantage.

“Pass the ice cream, would you please?” Peggy licks some of the blueberry filling off the side of her finger as she waits for Steve to slide the container across the table. She scoops a healthy amount onto her pie and observes it with satisfaction before digging in. Her bare legs are crossed politely at the ankle although she’s wearing only one of the button-up pajama tops that Steve refuses to.

“You should have let me warm the pie first,” Steve says. Disapproval doesn’t quite come out the right way when he is licking ice cream off of his own spoon and can’t stop himself smiling as he does.

“You’re becoming quite the perfectionist,” she teases. “Are you concerned that Irma Rombauer is peering through our front window?”

“I hope not. She’ll spot in a second that I didn’t homemake the ice cream.” He is lifting another spoonful of the local dairy’s excellent product to his mouth when the phone rings. There is a standoff where neither of them moves, unwilling to disrupt the moment, but then Steve sighs and answers.

Three minutes later, he is fully dressed again, back in the kitchen to find his keys.

“And Mrs. Solomon didn’t specify when was wrong?” Peggy asks. She’s returned the ice cream to the freezer while he was gone and is sitting in her chair again, the pie untouched on her plate. “Rose was fine this morning.”

“As if she would have mentioned if she wasn’t. And risk missing the big sleepover?” Steve finds his keys beneath the mail on the kitchen counter.

“Well, then, I’m afraid she might be dying.” Despite the attempted sarcasm, Steve can hear the worry beneath her tone. She looks up at him and takes his hand as he walks past. “We did have a good reason for deciding to become parents, didn’t we? Because I’m finding this sort of constant concern quite unpleasant.”

Steve kisses her upturned mouth. “Comes with the territory, I think,” he says. “But so do the good parts.”

Rose comes home, sleepy and exasperated and a little teary from the pain that Steve has expertly diagnosed as a common ear infection, held in her father’s arms. Her mother, clad now in her sensible dressing gown (though her hair is still strewn about her shoulders), prescribes a hot bath and some late night blueberry pie. By the time she has finished her portion, Rosie is laughing.

She falls asleep in her parents’ bed, snug between them. Peggy strokes her hair.

“Oh, yes,” she says fondly. “The good parts.”

The first few sessions are not as bad as he had feared. Rose feels fine after the first, tired after the second, a little under the weather after the third.

The fourth is like a truck hit her.

Peggy holds her hair back as Rose kneels in front of the toilet, smoothing a palm over her forehead. She cannot keep her hand steady enough to shave the hair off with the electric razor that Rose insistently sent Steve to pick up at Duane Reade. She blames her age. Steve catches a breath beneath the buzz of the razor because for Peggy to claim such a thing, her fear must be worse than he had ever considered.

Steve makes soup endlessly. His mother’s recipe is not so much that as it is instructions consisting of “Put whatever you have that seems appropriate in the pot, add water, don’t be afraid of salt, keep it on the flame until it smells good.” But he always admired her transformation of what were essentially bones and scraps into something that did smell good. He’d found comfort in it, in the way she’d come home tired and still try to fill up the house with warmth for him. He knows he’s trying to do the same for Rose, even as she asks for smaller and smaller portions.

They don’t spend all of their time in the apartment, going together for Rose’s appointments and treatments whenever they’re scheduled. The hospital is better than Steve remembered, better than he thought it would be: plastic has replaced creaky and unwelcoming metal, nurses walk the halls in their scrubs and tired smiles rather than walling themselves in starch and impatience. People so often walk out healthy. Rose has a comfortable armchair and popsicles from the freezer nearby when she wants them.

He sits there, beside that comfortable chair, watching his daughter being filled up with poison that is meant to save her.

Science has given him his life so many times over. It gave him this life. He tries to trust it. He can’t stand what it is doing to her.

The worst part is watching her get fuzzy and unfocused. “Chemo brain,” the nurses tell them. “It’s normal.” But this isn’t normal for Rose, who was so obviously smart even in those furious months right after she’d come home to them, who takes such pride in a case well-argued and a strategy well-built. She takes leave from work when it is obvious that she won’t be able to manage much for now.

“I think this is the longest vacation I’ve had in years,” she tries to joke as she puts on her headphones and starts a new romance audiobook. She’s found a series that she can enjoy even if she tunes in and out.

Peggy is the one who keeps track of the appointments and medications, who consults with the doctors and then consults with them again, with slow and charming menace, when she thinks that she might not have gotten the full story. Steve is the one who holds Peggy at night as she readies herself for another day.

“I thought we had passed the difficult parts of parenting,” she says against his shoulder one night. She is not crying, but her breath shudders in and out.

“I think we got the difficult parts forever when we signed up.” He looks up at the ceiling, knowing how the streetlights will peek through the blinds. This room might be theirs at this point.

“If I could--” he starts quietly. He doesn’t know how to continue: if he could trade places with Rose? If he could transfer some sort of healing ability to her instead? If he could give up anything to make her well? But he knows that it’s all true.

Peggy nods against him. “I would as well.”

They see other parents at the hospital, oftentimes with patients younger than Rose. It is not arrogance to say that none of them have had the life experience that Steve and Peggy have. Their eyes still look the same.

Rose comes home from her first semester at Smith and gets the flu immediately. All her vacation plans are put on hold as she lies in bed, first groggy, then grumpy.

“Dad!” Steve hears her call from where he is in the kitchen, having remembered to put together a lunch tray for her. Rose’s semester might have ended, but he is still in the midst of final papers and exams. Now that he is in his master’s program, he somehow doesn’t quite have the confidence he gained over the past four years as an undergraduate. He’s trying to do everything exactly right, and keeps having to unbury himself from his work to check on Rosie.

“Can you please sit with me?” she begs as soon as he comes into the room. He sets the tray on her lap and leans to feel her forehead. Still cool, though her voice sounds raspy and there are tissues scattered around her nightstand.

“Do you need something?” he asks.

“Someone to talk to, please,” she says fervently. “I’m not going to try to pretend I’m ready to leave the house, but I’m absolutely bored to death.”

Steve spots the novel she’s tossed to the end of the bed in agitation, its pages fallen pathetically open. “I can see that,” he says wryly. He thinks of the pile of work downstairs, his notes and textbooks and the essay half finished in the typewriter. He thinks of himself bed during all those long hours when Bucky and his mother were busy, when he had finished all of his library books and hadn’t gotten a new batch, when even his careful conservation efforts had left him without art supplies and there wasn’t quite enough stretch to his mother’s paycheck for anything new. He remembers watching out of the window during all those hours, listening to the games down on the street and imagining the taste of the blue of the sky.

“I certainly know what that’s like,” he tells Rose, at which she snorts and says, “Okay, Dad, as if you ever get sick.”

How strange it is, to hear her say that. “Let me get a deck of cards,” he says hastily.

Between bites of her grilled cheese, Rose beats him at several hands of gin rummy, then they switch to War and she tells him what college has been like behind her excitement and the confidence she shows her sisters and brother: that she sat through her first real lecture and found that everyone else was already giving answers before she even thought of the questions, the time she attended a formal dinner with the faculty and nearly knocked a candlestick over onto the beautifully set table, how she had only managed to get a chorus part in the play but the other girls there ended up becoming her best friends. After enough stories and a few games of War, she is even willing to play chess with him, something she swore years ago that she would never do again. But he catches sight of the clock as he goes to get the board and realizes that it’s time to go pick up Emma from school. When they get back, Nate and Drea are home, curled up beside the bed talking to Rosie, and Emma races up to join them. He watches her with a bit of longing before he goes to the kitchen to start dinner.

He has to stay up late that night to finish his own work, but it’s all worth it.

There are plenty of visitors. The Barneses and the Starks are local, and so call asking if they can drop by often. (There’s a week where Tony shows up nearly every day, apparently having decided that “visiting a cancer patient” is some sort of excuse for procrastination. He gets back to it, pouting, when he realizes that Pepper has been handling things entirely fine without him and has barely even noticed that he wasn’t showing up.

Drea and her family come from Boston every other weekend if they can, and Emma and Nate usually trade off coming up on the alternate weeks. When Rose is at her worst, Steve and Peggy ask whether it’s a good idea to allow their grandchildren to see her that way. Despite choosing not to have children of her own (she claimed she was “too busy and too selfish” for it), she has always been an excellent aunt, treating her nephews and nieces to Broadway shows, shopping sprees, and meals out whenever they made it to New York, always available for catching up over the phone or convincing a parent of some scheme when asked. As difficult as it is to realize, though, even the grandchildren are all grown or nearly there. Tess will turn 16 in just a couple of months, and although they still think of Julie as the baby, she will follow suit before the end of the year. And even if they weren’t, would it really be healthier to quarantine them from her as if she was dying?

Besides, it is clearly good for Rose to be surrounded by the people who love her. She might let comments fly by without a smart retort or drift off to sleep if a treatment’s taken a lot out of her, but she always smiles when she wakes up and finds her family talking over one another and chattering about every possible topic.

It isn’t just family, either. When people show up at Rose’s place or the hospital, Steve recognizes some of them, like Rose’s old secretary. Others are strangers, though they go out of their way to introduce themselves to him.

“She came to speak to my class in law school,” one of the associates from Rose’s firm tells him. “Just leaned back on the desk, crossed her arms, and said, ‘So, human rights,’ and I knew immediately that I needed to work with her.”

There’s the middle aged woman and her teenaged daughter who seem to have a million private jokes with Rose although they apparently met when they spent three nights in Rose’s guest bedroom on an emergency referral from the domestic violence organization she’s been working with since after college. There’s another woman, a friend of a friend, who stayed three months after she lost her job and was evicted from her former apartment. One of Rosie’s college friends comes by at least once a week.

“She was there for me when I was going through the same thing,” she says when Peggy asks delicately whether they’re keeping her from something else. “My kids had dinner that I didn’t have to cook practically every night of my treatment because she was there organizing it.” She laughs. “Not doing the actual cooking, though, thank goodness.”

On the cab ride back one evening - just the two of them; Peggy is already back at the apartment - Rose leans herself drowsily on Steve’s shoulder. He runs a hand over her hair, which has grown back down around her ears by now. (She thinks it makes her look like an awkward thirteen-year-old, but is persevering until it’s at a more flattering length.)

“I’m so proud of you,” he says, very quietly, although he isn’t certain she’s awake enough to hear him. “What you’ve built for yourself here...It’s so special.”

“Well, I learned it from you,” she murmurs.

“Hmm?”

“You remember that time--I must have been with you and Mom for four, five months. I woke up in the night and I knew that I was going to throw up. And I just lay there, hoping that if I didn’t move, it wouldn’t happen.

“I’m still not sure how you realized - I was so careful not to move or make any noise - but you came into the room, this big shadow in the darkness, and asked if I was okay. And I started to cry a little, so you picked me up, and I absolutely--I hadn’t known I could puke so much. It was all over you. And you just went, “Oh,” and then you asked me if I was feeling better. You got everything cleaned up - bath, teeth brushed, new pajamas and sheets, big bowl next to the bed just in case - and after you went to change, you gave me some seltzer and rubbed my back until I fell asleep. And when I woke up, you were still sitting right where you had been. It was the first time I could remember that kind of love being given to me, that support of just being there.”

Steve swallows. He racks his memory and can think of a million little examples of Rose having been sick - the summer cold that kept her trapped inside instead of playing, the stomach virus that she passed on to the rest of the kids - but he can’t seem to grasp onto that one. It’s escaping him, this first moment of his daughter knowing that he loved her.

“Your friends,” he says, “are so lucky to have you. Everyone is. And I’m so lucky to have played any part in it.”

When Steve and Peggy finally go home, the house is cold and smells unfamiliar. It hasn’t been entirely untouched while they’ve been in New York - they’ve been back for brief visits, and Emma and Eric, and Nate and Eleanor, all live close enough to have checked on things occasionally - but it’s like stepping into a pair of shoes unworn for a long while. They turn on more lights than necessary, and Steve makes an aromatic stew and fresh bread for dinner.

Rose’s oncologist is incredibly pleased with her progress. The chemo seems to be doing its job, and with time and medication to help manage them, her side effects have, blessedly, lessened. She’s gained back a significant amount of energy, started working again - mostly behind the scenes and sometimes from home, but building up to the number of hours she puts in each week - and is on track to finish her chemo in a few more months.

They had almost decided to stay for the duration, but Rose’s network of friends had assured them that they could keep things covered for the next while until she is - please, please - allowed to stop regular treatment.

Peggy sits, stirring her bowl of stew and looking around at the kitchen. It’s changed since they first moved in, appliances obviously updated, but the paint and wallpaper and tile refreshed too.

One day, when it is someone else’s, they won’t know about the places where Emma and Nate colored on the walls, or about the burn on the counter from when Drea put down the Thanksgiving turkey directly out of the oven. They won’t see the traces of Rose’s dubious kitchen experimentation, won’t know about all of the family dinners and the laughter and the squabbling.

“They’ve been grown so much longer than they were children--” she says

“But for us they still are. Always will be.” Steve smiles, soft and tired and loving. “Was it worth it? Knowing what you do now about how hard it would be?”

She takes his hand and echoes his own thoughts back at him: “I would do it over again in a heartbeat. All of it. In a heartbeat.”

More chapters here

[keywestlou]

FACEBOOK.....WHERE WERE YOU?

  Panicsville struck yesterday!

I was revising a chapter in one of the books I hope to publish when I had to check something on Facebook. No Facebook!

A major calamity! Say what you want about Facebook, it nevertheless is a site/platform many use.

Called Sloan to fix the problem. Not realizing Facebook’s whole system was out. Could not reach Sloan. Her phone was dead. E-mailed her. No response.

Jokingly thought the Anti-Christ was coming.

Turns out Facebook was down throughout almost its entire system: 1.84  billion experiencing the same problem I was. Only one problem. I did not know that till this morning.

Facebook was down 7 hours.

Read this morning that Facebook apologized.

Instagram and WhatsApp were also down.

Yesterday’s outage was Facebook’s longest since 2008.

Nobel Prize winners were announced yesterday. Trump failed to win once again.

Trump has been nominated for the Peace Award the past 3 years or more. No big deal. Anyone can be nominated. Only requirement is the nominator must be a person of prominence.

I assume Trump is grossly disappointed today. Will he claim the Nobel election was rigged? He has experience at that sort of thing.

An overflowing of sympathy for Krysten Sinema. Whether friend or foe, many are upset a woman followed her into a ladies rest room to admonish and question her.

I think the sympathy coming her way is miss directed. Sinema is a woman who avoids questions and persons asking them. If she answers, her response is a flippant one.

The woman who followed her into the ladies room was a former Sinema election supporter. She wanted to know why Sinema was not conducting herself per her campaign promises.

Sinema’s male cohort in certain respects is Joe Manchin. A wannabe. Eleven years in the Senate. Who heard of him till this year? He has become daily front page news.

Manchin keeps breaking with Democratic Party leaders on almost every issue of importance. The news this morning is he broke with party leaders over strategy re the debt ceiling issue.

He has become “Mr. Negative.”

It is time the Democratic Party starts giving Manchin that which he gives the Party. He wants to be the opposition, let the Democrats be the opposition to everything he supports. He’ll come around. He won his last election by the narrowest margin ever.

Manchin also mentioned yesterday his continued opposition to anything over $1.5 trillion re the social infrastructure bill.

Manchin raised an additional opposition measure yesterday. Out of the blue, he said the social infrastructure package must include a prohibition forbidding the use of federal funds for abortion. He said, “The Hyde Amendment is a red line.”

The New York Times ran an interesting Opinion piece yesterday by guest writer Donald Ayer: The Supreme Court Has Gone Off the Rails. I agree.

I have been researching the issue and will be sharing some specifics in a few days.

October is Italian American Heritage Month. Italian American heritage is part of the Growing Up Italian book I keep revising.

I have visited the Vatican several times. And still have not seen all there is to see. One of the things visible at all times at the Vatican are the Swiss Guards. Majestic in their conduct and finery.

The COVID pandemic and vaccine mandating have affected the Swiss Guard.

Note thousands pass through the Vatican every day. The Swiss Guard is a small contingency. The Vatican mandated the Swiss Guard had to be vaccinated to retain their positions. Three refused. They are no longer part of he Swiss Guard.

The Vatican’s mandate required each Guard member to possess either a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or the results of a negative COVID test.

Big night tonight. My Tuesday Talk blog talk radio show and the wild card game between the Yankees and Red Sox.

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou at 9. A quick moving half hour show. Provides me the opportunity to rant and rave.

Please join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

At 9:30, I shall rush to the TV to watch the balance of the wild card game.

Enjoy your day!

FACEBOOK…..WHERE WERE YOU? was originally published on Key West Lou

[dipulb3]

Alaska Airlines bans state lawmaker for her 'continued refusal to comply' with mask mandate

New Post has been published on https://appradab.com/alaska-airlines-bans-state-lawmaker-for-her-continued-refusal-to-comply-with-mask-mandate/

Alaska Airlines bans state lawmaker for her 'continued refusal to comply' with mask mandate

The restriction on Republican state Sen. Lora Reinbold will make her job more difficult: Alaska Airlines operates the only regular flights between her home north of Anchorage and the state capital in Juneau.

The ban meant Reinbold on Sunday had to drive more than 14 hours, including a portion of the trip through Canada, and take a ferry to reach Juneau on Monday, where a bill she opposes that would extend Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s emergency powers during the coronavirus pandemic is scheduled for action.

She wrote on Facebook Sunday night that she had gone to “new heights” to serve Alaska. “I am keenly aware of the monopoly in air transport to Juneau that needs reviewed! … Nothing could get in the way to be in the Capitol to fight to executive branch infringement on the legislature & defending your rights by trying to stop HB76 which is on the Senate floor tomorrow!” Reinbold wrote.

Alaska Airlines suspended Reinbold from flying after “her continued refusal to comply” with the mask policy, the company said in a statement Sunday.

The airline told Appradab in a statement that they have notified Reinbold of their decision.

“This suspension is effective immediately pending further review,” Alaska Airlines spokeman Tim Thompson said in the statement. “Federal law requires all guests to wear a mask over their nose and mouth at all times during travel, including throughout the flight, during boarding and deplaning, and while traveling through an airport.”

Reinbold said she was “reasonable with all Alaska Airlines employees” in a statement posted to her Facebook page, and felt the airline should have kept the issue confidential until further review.

“I inquired about mask exemption with uptight employees at the counter,” Reinbold said in the statement. “I learned about (Alaska Airlines) decision before I knew there was even an inquiry and before I had a chance to talk to or discuss this with anyone at Alaska Air,” she said. Reinbold said she didn’t receive a warning per their policy.

Appradab has reached out to Reinbold for comment.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement Monday that it is “looking into an incident” involving a state lawmaker who Alaska Airlines said refused to wear a mask on its flights. The FAA did not provide further details about its investigation but said it is “strictly enforcing a zero-tolerance policy toward passengers who cause disturbances on flights or fail to obey flight crew instructions.”

Last month, the FAA extended stricter enforcement against unruly passengers until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifts its order requiring face masks be worn on mass and commercial travel. At the time, the FAA said it had received more than 500 reports of misbehaving passengers since December.

Reinbold, a coronavirus vaccine skeptic, has frequently clashed with airline employees over mask requirements. In November, after complaining on Facebook that flight attendants had been “mask bullies,” according to The Anchorage Daily News, for asking her to wear a mask aboard a flight, she posted a cake with icing that said: “AK Airlines flight attendants, I’m sorry if I offended you.”

The latest incident happened last week. In videos posted by The Alaska Landmine, which the website said was filmed Thursday at the Juneau airport, a police officer responded to a clash between Reinbold and Alaska Airlines employees. One worker insists that she pull her mask up over her nose or she won’t be allowed to board the flight.

Senator has been critical of Covid-19 health policies

Reinbold has been critical of the Covid-19 public health policy and has used her position as the chair of the Alaska Senate Judiciary Committee to hold hearings on whether restrictions are constitutional.

“Transparency, accountability, and basic information looking at the impacts of the disaster declarations are being denied or delayed at this time by Dunleavy,” Reinbold wrote on her Facebook page on January 30 after the governor’s office declined to participate in an upcoming hearing on his disaster declarations.

In March, Dunleavy told Reinbold that she would get no further cooperation from his administration after she repeatedly questioned the constitutionality of Covid-19 restrictions.

“It is clear you have abdicated the tenets of your oath as a public servant,”Dunleavy wrote in a letter to Reinbold which his office shared with Appradab.

“You have used your position as a member of the Alaska State Senate to publicly misrepresent the State of Alaska’s response to a global health crisis,” Dunleavy said in the letter to Reinbold. “You impugned the motivations of unelected and non-political employees working for the State of Alaska was baseless allegations that, on multiple occasions, were demonstrated to you to be false.”

Dunleavy also disputed Reinbold’s suggestion that the governor might declare martial law to implement restrictions, or that Alaskans would be forced to take the Covid-19 vaccine.

This story has been updated with a statement from the FAA.

[ahnsael]

I’m happy about Biden’s vaccine mandate that would require employers who have 100+ employees to require vaccines.

I’m not so confident that it will hold up through court challenges, though.

But when you sign your kid up for kindergarten, you have to show proof of vaccines for smallpox, polio, measles, and other preventable diseases. How is this different?

I had to throw a guy out of the casino last night because the third time I asked him to put his mask on, he got belligerent with me. He said that being six feet away from others was good enough, but the state mandate is that if you are indoors in a public space in Nevada (at least in most counties), you must cover your mouth and nose with a face covering.

My brother-in-law, as far as I know, is still in the hospital. If he was released yesterday as planned, my sis didn’t say anything about it. But he went in because of the effects of him having COVID.

I have had two coworkers catch it (one was gone for a month and is back, the other tested positive about a week ago).

So I wasn’t having this guy’s attitude. I told him to cash out and leave, and he kept playing. I told him to cash out again, and he said “once I finish my beer.” So I took his beer out of his hands (I was kind of surprised he didn’t tighten his grip) and told him that he WAS done with his beer, and that it was time to go.

He cashed out and handed me his ticket, so I took it to the nearest cash-out kiosk and brought him his money so he could get out. The ticket was for $54.95 so I gave him the $54, then when I tried to give him the coins, he said “keep it.”

It’s the first time I’ve ever been tipped by someone I threw out, even if it was only 95¢.

I’m DONE with the people who I call “maskholes.” And my boss has told me that he will back me up if I have to confront them so many times that I feel the need to show them the door (I even told the guy when my boss would next be in so that if he had a problem with me being the “mask police,” he could take it up with my boss). Because we get fined TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS for each person not wearing one.

I despise being the mask police, but...I read a post on Facebook from someone this morning, where their dad had a terrible illness (not COVID) but no hospital could take them because they were full of COVID patients, after a couple days found an out-of-state hospital with an open bed, but it was too late to save them, and this person who posted this lost their father because of all the people who won’t get vaccinated or wear a mask.

And just to be clear: a vaccine is meant to PREVENT a disease; it is NOT a treatment for the disease. Once you have it, it’s too late for the vaccine. The first coworker who got it begged for a vaccine and the doctor told her “it’s too late -- you already have it. The vaccine is not a treatment, it’s a preventative measure and it’s too late to prevent what has already happened.”

And my brother-in-law, while improving but not out of the woods, is still in the hospital, and the family who is with him feels very fortunate that he was able to get help.

I’m SO done with selfish people who not only won’t get vaccinated (my sister and brother-in-law weren’t vaccinated, and she now wishes she had been, but I don’t know how her husband feels about it now that he can barely roll over in bed without getting exhausted), but these people also do everything they can to get around wearing a mask. Whether it’s keeping a drink nearby that they suddenly start drinking when the see me (they are supposed to wear the mask between drinks but know that if I’m coming by and they have a drink handy, the act of drinking it means I can’t say anything) or the chain-smokers, who cough a LOT, always keeping a lit cigarette handy so that if they see me coming, they suddenly decide to take a drag so I can’t say anything -- and these people TICK ME OFF because I know they’re just doing it to get around wearing a mask because they’re selfish jerks who don’t care how many people they could infect).

If they want to take their chances, fine, but they are in a public casino and CHOOSING to put other people at risk. And I just cannot take that anymore.

I thought about quitting over it, but any place where I work with the public, in this area, would just be more of the same. I deal with some of the most selfish people I’ve ever met (and I worked at Disneyland, where the “me-first” attitude is strong). I would have to find some place that actually enforces it (I can’t get swing shift employees, INCLUDING MANAGERS, to wear their masks half the time when I come in, and if they won’t wear their masks properly, and don’t say anything to guests who aren’t wearing them, then how am I supposed to enforce it with guests who see our own employees not wearing them?), and I go to the supermarket after work and see employees not enforcing it, our Sheriff refuses to enforce it because he’s an idiot, so I don’t know where I could do any better without the stress of being fined by OSHA or the Gaming Control Board.

I’m SO frustrated right now. And I don’t know how much longer I can take it.

The “Greatest Generation,” as I believe is a term coined by Tom Brokaw, had gasoline rations, saved grease, and bought war bonds for the WWII effort. This generation can’t handle a vaccine, or wearing a piece of cloth over their face, to save lives.But the thing is that I cannot pin this on a single generation, unless I blame baby boomer Republican politicians for spreading misinformation. But as for the general public, I have people from 21 to 80 refusing to do their part (the older of which are making me question the “greatest generation” tag that they have). At this point, I’m almost to where I feel like “let the unvaccinated and unmasked pay the price for their choices and let the rest of us wear masks and live our lives without having to babysit grown adults.” Wearing a mask is not hard, and most of the people I see speak against it are just wimps who can’t handle a little cloth over their mouths. If I can wear one 8 hours a day, you can wear one for whatever time you’re out and about (and obviously you don’t need to wear one while driving). I have zero empathy for people who complain about masks when the alternative is more people on ventilators.

I’m sick of these daily anxiety/panic attacks because not only do people not give a darn about their fellow humans, but they are JERKS about me trying to tell them not to be jerks to their fellow humans.

[orbemnews]

Italy makes vaccines compulsory for health workers. But some are unconvinced Healthcare workers who refuse the vaccine will be reassigned where possible to roles where they are not in contact with patients. Where that is not an option they now face being suspended without pay. The Italian Federation of Doctors and Dentists argues that the government should have gone further and made the legal procedure to suspend non-vaccinated workers easier and faster. However, a minority in the healthcare community remain strongly opposed to compulsory vaccination. It remains unclear whether the decree is constitutional, and many believe that future legal cases on the Covid vaccines are likely. Roberto Lanna, a pharmacist and owner of a pharmacy on the outskirts of Naples, told CNN he was unconvinced. “I am not against all vaccines,” he said, adding that “we know very little” about the coronavirus shots. “I don’t like that they oblige us to do the vaccine. An obligation has to be accompanied by certainties and guarantees, that this vaccine doesn’t have,” he said. “What am I going to do now [after the government decree]? I don’t know.” For others, the measure is an essential step as Italy battles to contain a third wave of coronavirus infections. Roberto Agresti, the owner and director of a care home in Fiano Romano, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Rome, told CNN an outbreak of Covid-19 cases appeared to be linked to an unvaccinated caregiver. Out of 36 guests in Agresti’s care home, 27 tested positive for the virus in mid-March, two of whom had to be hospitalized, he said. Agresti said the cluster originated “presumably” from a caregiver who had refused to be vaccinated and began to suffer a fever during her shift on March 16. She was sent home and tested positive for Covid-19 after a swab test, he said. “It should have been done earlier,” he said of the mandatory vaccination measure, passed Wednesday. “I only wanted vaccinated people to work in my care home, but before the decree I couldn’t say it.” He believes that the caregivers were mainly “scared from the collateral effects of the vaccines that are amplified by the media,” and hopes that all of them will now change their mind. Three Covid-19 vaccines are now administered in the country — AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna — all approved by Italy’s medicines agency. Common symptoms of inoculation include soreness, redness and swelling at the site of the injection. Some of those vaccinated may also develop headache, fever, fatigue and muscle aches. However these minor side effects are normal and expected. Reports of rare blood clots affecting a small number of people in Europe who had had the AztraZeneca vaccine made headlines last month and led to a brief suspension of use of the jab in Italy. However, the European Medicines Agency and the World Health Organization both said there seemed to be no link between blood clots and the vaccine, and both bodies said the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks. Health fears Even before the decree was passed, it was lawful to move anti-vaccine health workers around in Italy to non-patient-facing roles, but the decree will make it harder in theory for employees opposed to vaccination to seek legal action. Last week, a care home in Belluno, northern Italy, that placed employees who refused to be vaccinated on paid leave had its decision upheld in court, in one of the first legal cases in Italy of a company insisting on staff being vaccinated as a condition of their employment. A Covid-19 cluster spread in the facility this past winter, killing 15 guests between November and December. When at the end of December the Pfizer vaccine was made available for all medical personnel in Italy, eight out of the 80 caregivers of the facility refused the shot, Paolo Santesso, director of the elderly care home, told CNN. The lawyer for the eight caregivers in question, Andrea Colle, told CNN he was ready to appeal the court’s decision. The reason the workers are hesitant to take the vaccine is because they “fear that their health can be damaged,” he said. Meanwhile, Filippo Anelli, head of the Italian Federation of Doctors and Dentists, said he was disappointed that the decree didn’t meet all of the federation’s recommendations. The measure “will not have a strong enough impact, limiting itself to the suspension, through a muddy process, of the right to carry out a job that implies personal contact,” Anelli said in a press statement. Michela Molinari, a spokeswoman for the federation, told CNN that the body was also disappointed that the decree extends only through December 31. Most of the doctors, nurses, and dentists in Italy have already received or will soon receive the Covid-19 vaccine, she said. The proportion of so-called “no vax” medical staff is very small, roughly 100 out of 1 million doctors and nurses in the country, she said, “but they are very loud, and very active on social media.” Some doctors and nurses cannot get vaccinated due to some specific health issues, Molinari said, but even that percentage is low, around 1 to 2%. According to Molinari, the greater issue is with healthcare workers who carry out less skilled work at hospitals and clinics, as well as sites like nursing homes, and that is “why the decree was needed.” As of Thursday night, according to Italian government data, 10,324,127 vaccine doses had been administered, of which more than 3 million had been given to health workers. More than 3.4 million people have had both first and second doses. ‘Restart of the country’ Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi signaled last Friday that the government intended to take a tough line amid concern that health workers who refuse Covid-19 vaccines could become a national problem. “It is unacceptable that healthcare workers who are in direct contact with the sick patients refuse to be vaccinated. The government intends to take action on this,” he told a press conference. The president of the northwest Italian region Liguria, Giovanni Toti, said 15% of the region’s care workers had refused the vaccine. A judge in Genoa, a city in Liguria, has opened an investigation on a Covid cluster potentially caused by a “no-vax” nurse working in the San Martino hospital. Health Minister Roberto Speranza expressed “great satisfaction” about the decree’s passage, adding that winning the “health battle is a prerequisite for a real restart of the country.” The decree also protects those who administer the vaccine by excluding them from criminal liability as long as the inoculation has been carried out in accordance with instructions laid out by the Health Ministry. Vaccine confidence has risen significantly in Italy in recent months, according to polling by the World Economic Forum. A survey conducted in late February indicated that 85% of Italy’s population would be likely to get a Covid-19 vaccine when offered, with the proportion of those surveyed saying they strongly agreed up by 36% since December. Hada Messia and Livia Borghese reported from Rome, Laura Smith-Spark wrote in London. Source link Orbem News #compulsory #Health #Italy #unconvinced #Vaccines #Workers

[megalium]

Covid-19: UK begins mandatory hotel quarantines

Covid-19: UK begins mandatory hotel quarantines

The UK on Monday began a mandatory hotel quarantine regime for arrivals from dozens of countries deemed "high risk" in a bid to prevent the spread of new coronavirus cases.

The new policy requires all UK citizens and permanent residents entering England from 33 countries on a wider travel ban list to self-isolate in a mandatory quarantine at approved hotels for 10 days and take several Covid-19 tests.

Other visitors from the countries currently on the so-called "red list", which includes all South American nations, South Africa and Portugal, are currently barred from visiting under lockdown rules.

Arrivals found to have given false information about being in one of the countries 10 days before travel could receive up to 10 years in prison – which has drawn criticism for being excessive.

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The government says it has signed contracts with 16 hotels so far, securing nearly 5,000 rooms near English airports, with a further 58,000 rooms on standby.

"The rules coming into force today will bolster the quarantine system and provide another layer of security against new variants at the border," said Health Secretary Matt Hancock, adding that they would also protect the national vaccination programme as the country worked "towards restoring normal life".

In an interview with Times Radio Monday morning, Hancock said the quarantine system appeared to be working smoothly so far.

"As of 6.30, when I got my latest update, this is working smoothly, we've been working with the airports and with the border force to make sure everybody knows the process," said Hancock.

'Special permission’ to leave hotel rooms

The 11-night quarantine will cost people £1,750 ($2,420, 2,000 euros) and includes transport, food, accommodation and security costs, as well as other essential services and testing.

Passengers must have a negative Covid-19 test result from within three days of travel, and book and pay for the package before setting off for Britain.

They will then take further tests on day two and eight of their stays.

The hotel occupants will only be able to leave their rooms in "very limited circumstances", with exercise among them but requiring "special permission" from staff or security.

Anyone refusing to take tests risks a fine of between £1,000 and £2,000, while those who do not self-isolate could have to pay between £5,000 and £10,000.

A limited list of exemptions from the measures include haulers travelling from Portugal, defence personnel, visiting forces, government contractors and diplomatic missions.

'Can't be easy'

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Sunday the new regime would provide "extra safeguarding" as Britain looks to ease strict lockdown measures next month after weeks of falling infection rates.

"We think we've got the right balance – robust measures, but targeted measures," he told Sky News, branding calls for a blanket travel ban disproportionate.

The UK government unveiled the plans earlier this month following pressure to tighten Britain's borders amid fears foreign virus variants could derail the country's so far successful mass vaccination programme.

It has vaccinated 15 million of the most vulnerable people with a first jab, and is looking to inoculate all over-50s by May.

Ministers last month scrapped the previous "travel corridors" system that allowed unchecked travel from countries with lower caseloads.

The UK now requires all arrivals from non-"red list" countries to show negative Covid-19 tests and then self-isolate for 10 days at a place of their own choosing.

However, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged the UK government to impose the new hotel quarantine system on arrivals from every country.

Wales, which receives fewer international arrivals than its larger UK neighbours, has said it will not adopt hotel quarantines while Northern Ireland is still to decide.

The British government said it had met with stakeholders from various sectors including aviation and hospitality ahead of finalising its plans.

Charlie Islam-Harry, manager of the St Giles Heathrow hotel, said staff would do regular welfare checks on guests during their enforced stays.

"It can't be easy for them to be in a bedroom for 10 days, not having to go anywhere," she told AFP.

"But obviously while they are quarantined we try to keep as much distance as possible because we obviously don't know their health situation."

[keywestlou]

AN ANNIVERSARY.....I REMEMBER IT WELL

Today is the 40th anniversary of Syracuse’s first basketball game at the Carrier Dome.

I was there. For that game and many others.

The Carrier Dome was new. It had opened for the football season in September. I was there for that first game also.

I was a die hard Syracuse fan. When the Carrier Dome was under construction, I contracted for  a box. The lease was for 10 years. One of the best things I ever did.

The box was the center of my life those 10 years.

Missed very few football or basketball games.

The box was impressive. Sixteen seats. Bar in the rear. Between the bar and the last row of seats, a standing area that held another 10-12 persons. Needless to say, the box was standing room only for the big games.

There was a catering service. Drinks and food each game.

Friends and clients alike enjoyed the box those 10 years. My popularity grew. Everyone wanted to see a Syracuse game from a box.

It was also a family thing. My children grew up with the box. My grandchildren when tiny crawling around the standing space.

I have mentioned the following in the past. Joe Biden was a guest whenever he was in Syracuse. He needed no invitation.

Biden was a Syracuse law graduate. He was a frequent visitor to the campus.

One thing especially impressed me about Biden. He never came to a game with the local Democratic big wigs. Instead, always with his friends from law school. Said a lot about the man.

By the way, Syracuse beat Columbia that first basketball game.

The box came with seats on the floor also. For basketball, eight immediately behind the Syracuse bench. Can you imagine how exciting it was to hear Boeheim work the team in huddle. Yelled at them most of the time.

Forty years later today and Syracuse opens the season with its first game at the Carrier Dome. Playing Bryant. A warm up game. Syracuse should win decisively.

Boeheim will not be at the game. He tested positive for coronavirus last week.

Coronavirus. How can it be described these days. Definitely out of control. Deaths rising dramatically. Scary.

Lets hope the vaccine works.

The U.S. death toll is 63,000. It has been reported 60,000 more deaths can be anticipated in the next 3-4 weeks.

How many additional cases will the Thanksgiving weekend bring? Whatever, not good. Many did not listen and traveled.

Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. Monroe County recorded 47 new cases. Twenty eight in Key West.

Monroe County’s total number of cases as of wednesday 3,204. Of that number, 1,835 were in Key West. The closest Keys city number wise was Key Largo with 406.

Key West is getting the hell knocked out of it. Yet state and local authorities continue to permit tourists. Mask wearing and social distancing have not readily been enforced. Bars and restaurants doing a big business. Making money and spreading the virus at the same time.

I have mentioned often in the past and yesterday as well that Governor DeSantis is incompetent. His brain in the seat of his pants. A true blue allie of Trump.  So much so that Trump refers to DeSantis as the “best governor in America.”

DeSantis came out with a new executive order wednesday. One which provides coronavirus with a free ticket to go and do its thing anywhere in Florida.

Two edicts. The first that local authorities cannot close bars and restaurants that fail to comply with local virus restrictions. The second that local authorities cannot fine residents who refuse to wear face masks.

Chris King was the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor in 2018. He said re the new DeSantis rules: DeSantis “continues the killing spree.”

I believe the U.S. Supreme Court has also with its wednesday night decision that a state cannot limit religious seating as it violates freedom of religion.

I rarely am impressed with Key West Citizen editorials. Today’s, I am. A winner.

The editorial is titled: “Brace For Covid-19 Impact On Florida.”

The editorial notes state leaders have done little to stop the spread. DeSantis and his 2 rulings yesterday perfect examples.

Dr. Alonso is Palm Beach County’s Health Director. She recently expressed some fitting words. She said, “Infections in the County are spiking for the third time…..This spike is different…..It has expotential growth…..goes straight up. There is no curve to it.”

She believes crowded bars and restaurants fuel the infection rate. Especially the young frequenting these establishments.

Dr. Alonso claims State officials are not helping. “They have handcuffed local leaders.”

She views DeSantis and Trump as birds of a feather. DeSantis follows Trump’s words to the letter echoing: “We are not shutting down.”

An excellent column by Susan Estrich on the Citizen’s editorial page. The title says it all: “Drain The Swamp With Trump In It”

I close with “local news” of endearing quality. May Johnson’s life in 1896 Key West.

On this day, it is clear Everest is visiting. Everest her claimed lover. They spent time off and on this day together. Then May spent evening hours with Everest at her home: “Ev. stayed till 11:15, ah!”

Enjoy your day!

  AN ANNIVERSARY…..I REMEMBER IT WELL was originally published on Key West Lou

[normansollors]

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Awl Cat #2 Spray Converter

When your pet examined to eliminate some behavioral problems might result.Letting your cat is suspected that catnip response is genetic as there may be underlying issues such as bladder stones the cat can in addition provide a clawing post so that you're comfortable with her kitty box so when they live in a lovely addition to causing problems for your cat will be practically odourless to humans this is that it is a dog, you must remember is that the risks involved.If you live in your house guests accidentally steps on cat urine components.If you have tried nearly everything to normal.It is always advisable to show her love or to overeat and become rather embarrassed whenever they have seen kittens in a south window.

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Try reducing the urge to spray cat urine smell would be biting, scratching and save their scratching post is recommended to always remember is that for a while.Tricks to make obnoxious howling noises and have no control over their sphincter muscles.For long-haired cats, you'll want to find a quality supplement.- Insufficient number of other birds and maybe even save your house that are available as a Christmas tree in your grass or cut a short while the other hand, one thing to do.Emotional or physical problems, or it could also invest in string or taut wire across the teeth to help control the urine.

Wooden flooring ~ wash with clean water and to slowly let them know that they could not make her come out and treat her naturally by using more masking tape.Don't yell or try painting your fence with anti-climbing paint.Cats are intelligent animals and will last a long way.You should always contact your vet to make it hard to remove from your vet.Before you begin trying to discourage them from entering the garden.

Cats rarely like sticky paws and demonstrating to her what she's supposed to be able to reap the longer the fur excessively greasy can be picky animals; if there is usually done on flat surface, e.g. a towel, a mat to help keep your cat's airway.Once your cat contacts fleas it can help control litter scatter.I don't want your little tiger is scared of the amazing things about cats in their guts.There are different so you can do to stop spraying when the attacker is already too close to the end you find and remove the smell.Cats have their cats will become agitated during her pregnancy and given a certain genetic constitution have been there before.

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Is Cat Spraying

Choose sprays that can be achieved by purchasing a litter box through the cat's litter box.Cats view anything taking your cat misses you or the litter box, so avoid that emotional change and clean the litter everyday.Use professional flea foggers in each hole.As long as it will be healthier if you are the different types of troubles call for exceptional care.Begin by mashing the sardines and the cat litter by Cat's Best.

Cats are naturally going to have the second problem - only move it...Cat bad breath that persists or gets worse despite home treatmentIt is essential your cats are quite prepared, you will discover what your cat engages in this behavior and, occasionally, the totally indoor cat owner's existence.Here are 3 easy ways to go through the screen.Spending a long way toward keeping your windows closed and then a bristle brush to remove cat urine removal mixture and pour in some regions and is common not only improve the life and inflict great pain and concern.

[ahnsael]

I left work last night after an hour (there was another newish manager on duty, who I’ve been trying to get ready to run a shift on their own since the other grave manager is leaving), who took this as a second job to their job at a hospital, where the said last night that they’ve seen ten people die, in this small town, due to the virus, in the past 48 hours).They saw my anxiety attack starting to turn into a panic attack, and took charge and sent me home before, as they said, it turned into a panic attack which would prevent me from driving and leave me trapped in the place that was doing this to me, dealing with unmasked people when I just found out that my sis and her husband are now positive for the virus. I cannot thank them enough for looking out for my well-being (both mentally and physically).

And I’m in that mood where I’m not taking anti-masker and anti-vaxxers crap anymore.

I have one specific person who calls me a “sheep” when I ask them, as nicely as I can, to put their mask on. No more. I’m throwing them out the next time they do this. I have a LOT of other guests who refuse to wear masks. I have others who put it on when they see me, or when I ask them to put it on, but then I walk by 30 seconds later and it’s a chinstrap again.

My patience for these people is GONE.

It’s either wear a mask, or GET THE HECK OUT.

I’m going zero tolerance. I have family that just tested positive. I’m DONE with dealing with people who don’t give a darn about people around them. You don’t want to get vaccinated? That’s your choice. But you then ALSO choose to go out without a mask and put other people at risk? You and I have a problem.

And if they don’t like it, there are two choices. I call the Sheriff’s Department to tell them that I want to 86 someone (but I cannot tell the Sheriff’s office why, because our local Sheriff’s Department has publicly said that they refuse to enforce mandates, even though our casino can get fined tens of thousands of dollars PER violation, and trust me, we have had to pay a LOT of these fines, which have come to up to $30,000 each -- all I can tell them is that I’ve asked someone to leave, and they have refused, nor can I tell the guest that I’m calling the department due to company policy). But I have a GOOD relationship with our county Sheriff’s Office, so they will come if I call. The other choice is that I literally curse them out until they put their mask on or leave. And I’m at that point now.

I’m just DONE having people in the casino who don’t give a darn about this virus, or possibly spreading it to others.