#flock swab

[yeomanhealthusa]

Dry Transport System Sterile Flocked Swab

The "Dry Transport System Sterile Flocked Swab" is a medical-grade tool used for collecting and transporting samples for testing or analysis. The swab is made with a unique flocked tip that provides superior collection and release of biological specimens. The swab is sterile, ensuring that the sample remains uncontaminated throughout the testing process.

[invisibleraven]

Sorry for sending the same line twice but:

Was it all fake?

Peterpatterlina

The wind blew through Julie's curls, but she didn't care, not with the smell of the sea in her nose and the sight of naught but the ocean waves in front of her.

Perhaps running away to live on a pirate ship was not what anyone would have expected of her, but she was happier here than she knew she would have been had she stayed.

Back home she would have been chained by rules and expectations. Tied to a vast estate with a gaggle of children in a loveless marriage. Forced into uncomfortable corsets and pinchy shoes, unable to be anything more.

Here, she was free. Free to climb and laugh, be loud and improper. To be the wild girl her governess had always chided her for being.

At first, Captain Patterson hadn't wanted to take her on his vessel-not due to any superstition about women on boats being bad luck. Half his crew were women after all. But she was a lady, and they had no place on a ship.

That had made Julie determined to prove him wrong, so she traded her fine dress in for breeches and a blouse. Worked her fingers to the bone scrubbing and swabbing. Learned to scale the mast, coil rope, every knot and term. How to navigate by star and sextant.

Plus the first mate Reggie taught her how to fight-with cutlass and pistol, as well as her fists. How to swing from the rigging and to keep the crew fed as supplies grew thin.

What truly endured her to the crew was music night-they taught her every shanty and bawdy tune they knew, much to her delight. But then Julie sang the songs she knew-love ballads and hymns, as well as songs she had written herself.

Blushing when she realized how much the captain and fist mate were failing to keep their eyes off her. The flush deepening as their voices joined hers in a harmony that rang out over the waves in a sweet sort of perfection.

"Now much of a lady any more are you?" Luke asked, making her turn from her view of the sea.

"I'm not sure I ever was much of one really," Julie admitted, holding herself as a cool breeze blew by.

"Was it all fake?" Reggie teased. "The fine manners and fancy dress?"

"I don't think they have much place here," Julie offered. "But that life doesn't seem real now, like a dream of a cage that finally unlocked, leaving me nothing but blue sky."

"Well you're a fine part of the flock," Luke granted her. "Though don't feel you can't fly off at any port."

"Why would I ever want to leave?" Julie asked.

"We are pirates," Reggie offered. "We mean to hit any ship we come across for plunder. Some may be from your homeland, and we may have to kill in order to take it."

Julie shivered once more, though this time not from the cool wind. "I don't relish the thought of murder, even though I know the rules of the high seas are different from high society. But I also know the crown cares little for their poorest citizens, and happily supports the sale of lives and flesh. So why should I care if you take their profits?"

"The life of a pirate is starting to sound like a welcome alternative," Luke quipped.

"Plus at least we share our treasure," Reggie hollered, with a cheer from some nearby crew.

Julie laughed at that. Sure, it was not the future she ever envisioned for herself, but she felt so at home on this ship. Here where she was free to be who she wanted, to love who she wanted.

To dance and laugh and sing. To drink and steal, and be wild without reproachful looks or disdain. Here she was encouraged to be herself, and adored for it.

Yes, the thought of the things she may have to do to survive unsettled her some, but in the end wasn't it worth it to be free? Not to be yoked to a life that would suffocate her?

She breathed deep of the salt sea air, hummed as accordion and fiddle struck up as the moon began to rise. Drank deep of the rum and ale passed around. Let her pirates spin her around the deck, laughing and singing all the while.

Yes, it was not the life she ever expected, but Julie was sure as she felt freer than she ever had, that this was the life for her.

[somfte]

Every instance of “Flint” in Treasure Island

If I don’t have a dram o’ rum, Jim, I’ll have the horrors; I seen some on ‘em already. I seen old Flint in the corner there, behind you; as plain as print, I seen him; and if I get the horrors, I’m a man that has lived rough, and I’ll raise Cain.

---

Well, then, you get on a horse, and go to—well, yes, I will!—to that eternal doctor swab, and tell him to pipe all hands—magistrates and sich—and he’ll lay ‘em aboard at the Admiral Benbow—all old Flint’s crew, man and boy, all on ‘em that’s left. I was first mate, I was, old Flint’s first mate, and I’m the on’y one as knows the place.

---

The name of Captain Flint, thought it was strange to me, was well enough known to some there and carried a great weight of terror.

---

The blind man cursed the money. “Flint’s fist, I mean,” he cried.

---

“You have heard of this Flint, I suppose?"

“Heard of him!” cried the squire. “Heard of him, you say! He was the bloodthirstiest buccaneer that sailed. Blackbeard was a child to Flint. The Spaniards were so prodigiously afraid of him that, I tell you, sir, I was sometimes proud he was an Englishman. I’ve seen his top-sails with these eyes, off Trinidad, and the cowardly son of a rum-puncheon that I sailed with put back—put back, sir, into Port of Spain.”

“Well, I’ve heard of him myself, in England,” said the doctor. “But the point is, had he money?”

---

“[...] What I want to know is this: Supposing that I have here in my pocket some clue to where Flint buried his treasure, will that treasure amount to much?”

---

"Come away, Hawkins," he would say; "come and have a yarn with John. Nobody more welcome than yourself, my son. Sit you down and hear the news. Here's Cap'n Flint—I calls my parrot Cap'n Flint, after the famous buccaneer—here's Cap'n Flint predicting success to our v'yage. Wasn't you, cap'n?"

---

"O, not I," said Silver. "Flint was cap'n; I was quartermaster, along of my timber leg."

---

"[...] so it was with the old Walrus, Flint's old ship, as I've seen amuck with the red blood and fit to sink with gold."

---

"Ah!" cried another voice, that of the youngest hand on board, and evidently full of admiration. "He was the flower of the flock, was Flint!"

---

"Davis was a man too, by all accounts," said Silver. "I never sailed along of him; first with England, then with Flint, that's my story; and now here on my own account, in a manner of speaking. I laid by nine hundred safe, from England, and two thousand after Flint. That ain't bad for a man before the mast—all safe in bank. 'Tain't earning now, it's saving does it, you may lay to that. Where's all England's men now? I dunno. Where's Flint's? Why, most on 'em aboard here, and glad to get the duff—been begging before that, some on 'em."

---

"[...] There was some that was feared of Pew, and some that was feared of Flint; but Flint his own self was feared of me. Feared he was, and proud. They was the roughest crew afloat, was Flint's; the devil himself would have been feared to go to sea with them. Well now, I tell you, I'm not a boasting man, and you seen yourself how easy I keep company, but when I was quartermaster, lambs wasn't the word for Flint's old buccaneers. Ah, you may be sure of yourself in old John's ship."

---

"So?" says Silver. "Well, and where are they now? Pew was that sort, and he died a beggar-man. Flint was, and he died of rum at Savannah. [...]"

---

"That's what I call business. Well, what would you think? put 'em ashore like maroons? That would have been England's way. Or cut 'em down like that much pork? That would have been Flint's or Billy Bones's."

---

[...] one after another of the trio took the pannikin and drank—one "To luck," another with a "Here's to old Flint," [...]

---

"Now, Jim, you tell me true: that ain't Flint's ship?" he asked.

At this I had a happy inspiration. I began to believe that I had found an ally, and I answered him at once.

"It's not Flint's ship, and Flint is dead; but I'll tell you true, as you ask me—there are some of Flint's hands aboard; worse luck for the rest of us."

---

"So much I'll tell you, and no more. I were in Flint's ship when he buried the treasure; he and six along—six strong seamen. They was ashore nigh on a week, and us standing off and on in the old Walrus. One fine day up went the signal, and here come Flint by himself in a little boat, and his head done up in a blue scarf. The sun was getting up, and mortal white he looked about the cutwater. But, there he was, you mind, and the six all dead—dead and buried. How he done it, not a man aboard us could make out. It was battle, murder, and sudden death, leastways—him against six. Billy Bones was the mate; Long John, he was quartermaster; and they asked him where the treasure was. 'Ah,' says he, 'you can go ashore, if you like, and stay,' he says; 'but as for the ship, she'll beat up for more, by thunder!' That's what he said.

"Well, I was in another ship three years back, and we sighted this island. 'Boys,' said I, 'here's Flint's treasure; let's land and find it.' The cap'n was displeased at that, but my messmates were all of a mind and landed. Twelve days they looked for it, and every day they had the worse word for me, until one fine morning all hands went aboard. 'As for you, Benjamin Gunn,' says they, 'here's a musket,' they says, 'and a spade, and pick-axe. You can stay here and find Flint's money for yourself,' they says. [...]"

---

"Israel was Flint's gunner," said Gray hoarsely.

---

"[...] and here they are ashore in the old stockade, as was made years and years ago by Flint. Ah, he was the man to have a headpiece, was Flint! Barring rum, his match were never seen. He were afraid of none, not he; on'y Silver—Silver was that genteel."

---

All at once there began the most horrid, unearthly screaming, which at first startled me badly, though I had soon remembered the voice of Captain Flint and even thought I could make out the bird by her bright plumage as she sat perched upon her master's wrist.

---

One I recognized for the coxswain's, Israel Hands, that had been Flint's gunner in former days.

---

Silver's green parrot, Captain Flint! It was she whom I had heard pecking at a piece of bark; [...]

---

"Yes," said one, "that's Flint, sure enough. J. F., and a score below, with a clove hitch to it; so he done ever."

---

Even Silver, eating away, with Captain Flint upon his shoulder, had not a word of blame for their recklessness.

---

To complete his strange appearance, Captain Flint sat perched upon his shoulder and gabbling odds and ends of purposeless sea-talk.

---

Every here and there, one of a different species rose forty or fifty feet clear above its neighbours, and which of these was the particular "tall tree" of Captain Flint could only be decided on the spot, and by the readings of the compass.

---

"[...] But, by thunder! If it don't make me cold inside to think of Flint. This is one of his jokes, and no mistake. Him and these six was alone here; he killed 'em, every man; and this one he hauled here and laid down by compass, shiver my timbers! [...]"

---

"Speaking of knives," said another, "why don't we find his'n lying round? Flint warn't the man to pick a seaman's pocket; and the birds, I guess, would leave it be."

---

"No, by gum, it don't," agree Silver; "not nat'ral, nor not nice, says you. Great guns! Messmates, but if Flint was living, this would be a hot spot for you and me. Six they were, and six are we; and bones is what they are now."

"I saw him dead with these here deadlights," said Morgan. "Billy took me in. There he laid, with penny-pieces on his eyes."

"Dead—aye, sure enough he's dead and gone below," said the fellow with the bandage; "but if ever sperrit walked, it would be Flint's. Dear heart, but he died bad, did Flint!"

"Aye, that he did," observed another; "now he raged, and now he hollered for the rum, and now he sang. 'Fifteen Men' were his only song, mates; and I tell you true, I never rightly like to hear it since. It was main hot, and the windy was open, and I hear that old song comin' out as clear as clear—and the death-haul on the man already."

"Come, come," said Silver; "stow this talk. He's dead, and he don't walk. that I know; leastways, he won't walk by day, and you may lay to that. Care killed a cat. Fetch ahead for the doubloons."

---

"I don't feel sharp," growled Morgan. "Thinkin' o' Flint—I think it were—as done me."

"Ah, well, my son, you praise your stars he's dead," said Silver.

"He were an ugly devil" cried a third pirate with a shudder; "that blue in the face too!"

"That was how the rum took him," added Merry. "Blue! Well, I reckon he was blue. That's a true word."

---

"It's Flint, by ———!" cried Merry.

---

"Shipmates," he cried, "I'm here to get that stuff, and I'll not be beat by man or devil. I never was feared of Flint in his life, and, by the powers, I'll face him dead. [...]"

---

"[...] And come to think on it, it was like Flint's voice, I grant you, but not just clear-away like it, after all. [...]"

---

"It don't make much odds, do it, now?" asked Dick. "Ben Gunn's not here in the body any more'n Flint."

---

One one of these boards I saw, branded with a hot iron, the name Walrus—the name of Flint's ship.

---

That was Flint's treasure that we had come so far to seek and that had cost already the lives of seventeen men from the Hispaniola. How many it had cost in the amassing, what blood and sorrow, what good ships scuttled on the deep, what brave men walking the plank blindfold, what shot of cannon, what shame and lies and cruelty, perhaps no man alive could tell.

---

Of Silver we have heard no more. That formidable seafaring man with one leg has at last gone clean out of my life; but I dare say he met his old Negress, and perhaps still lives in comfort with her and Captain Flint. It is to be hoped so, I suppose, for his chances of comfort in another world are very small.

The bar silver and the arms still lie, for all that I know, where Flint buried them; and certainly they shall lie there for me. Oxen and wain-ropes would not bring me back again to that accursed island; and the worst dreams that ever I have are when I hear the surf booming about its coasts or start upright in bed with the sharp voice of Captain Flint still ringing in my ears: "Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight!"

[originemesis]

@sonxfadam xxx

There's that gut instinct of his. Is he being ignored? Eyeing the armoured angel warily upon his approach only to watch him bend over and pick at one of the bodies. Oh. It's not Cain that seems to interest them. How foolish of him to feel a moment of self importance thinking otherwise. About to leave the odd duck to his dismemberment...

...when that helmet comes off. Was this some sort of cruel joke? Was heaven testing him once again? Why that face. Why HIM?! But what if it was- No it wasn't possible. After so many thousands of years. An eternity. Just to so casually stumble up like that. But wasn't that just so typical of his little brother. Donning a face that the last time Cain saw it, was contorted in agony and terror. Splattered with his own blood and bruises from the endless assault of enraged fists. Before caving in on itself till it was nothing but meat and gore beneath the stone used to finish the job.

"... Abel?" Cain doesn't answer his question as he's forgotten all about the dead around them. His guitar case hits the ground carelessly. His mark burns. Turning fully towards the man. Facing him for the first time since he'd killed him.

He's always tended to pour his all into any situation at hand, though at the expense of anything else waiting on the sidelines, and it's a wonder he even manages to collect the venom like that as quickly as he does. His company in the alley despite being the most obvious point of interest- or at least it should have been when the rest of the bodies around him are deceased...seems to be the last on his list of priorities, and it's only once he's collected the spoils of someone's mess that he tunes back in, focus swiveling over to a mirror set of golden eyes.

"...eh!?" He blinks a few times, armor clinking as he shifts in place to favor the reliable strength of his regular leg opposite of its cloven counterpart. "So you think the heat's 'able' to do that or...wait! You mean me?" A quick glance from one decimated body to another to confirm the dark haired stranger wasn't addressing anyone else, the man points at himself after his wandering gaze returns to reiterate. "I'm Abel!" And he'd definitely left his name badge back at the barracks after that incident with a couple of exorcists had the three of them swabbing the place down in 'funishment' as they referred to it. Abel just referred to it as cleaning toilets. "But how did you-...know that?" Head tipped curiously to the side, he gives the man a uncertain furrowing of brows as the guitar case the other met the pavement with a clunk. When he turned fully about, something all too familiar cliqued in the cadet's head, gaze widening in a mix of astonishment and...something else.

"It's...you ? No way!" It's his turn to drop something. Unfortunately its his helmet- spilling undisclosed venom around the ground between them that wasn't already sticky with blood as it rolls away from him. "Are you going to see Mom too?? I'm making something speeeecial..." And he gives that big slab of bug meat a slap to indicate just what it is that 'special' something might be. Still, for all his excitement in the prospect of having another dinner guest, there's something he can't quite shake about the way his brother is looking at him. He'd seen wolves eyeing his flock that looked less intense. It's giving the cloven side of his limbs an itch that manifests in him pawing nervously at the ground- in curiosity, nervousness, the plan to charge...or some odd combination of all three.

"I uh..." With a nervous gulp, he takes a step back...and then another with a lingering laugh. "...don't suppose you-...know the way?" He should know it by now, but he's yet to break free of the process known as chasing Eve's neighbors around in the streets trying to ask for directions while they flee screaming about 'angels on the loose'.

Still...the hair on the back of his neck is prickling the longer the other stares, and all at once- it's all at once too much. Squeezing his scorpion tail prize, he turns to dart full speed to the street- quite the sight fully armored, of course, and skids out around the corner just long enough to holler a "RACE YOU THERE-" behind him before barreling down the sidewalk.

[alchemisland]

Burnt back The Liberties

Wax cast of my own face worn as a mask, wolf wool-wearing faux flock Waving my Tullamore ashplant to lull the masses into disastrous fandom Blocks of flats chocoblock with rats twisttailed Swab any inch of the wall, test green for scabies Rotten like Johnny, how it’s still standing ask the man Rubber johnny tumescent with ballbutter slung there after a shagging Ops and neighbours alike…

[frostycatblr-fandom-files]

Star Wars as Birds: The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)

Chosen Bird: Red-billed Queleas

Also Known As: Red-billed weavers, Red-billed dioch

Bird Facts

Scientific name: Quelea quelea

Sparrow-like; weaver family (Ploceidae)

Pictured: Breeding male

12 cm long (4.7 inches)

15 - 26 grams (0.53 - 0.92 oz)

Native to: Sub-Saharan Africa

Migratory

Reasoning:

Numbers.

Queleas have an estimated populace of 1.5 billion in the wild post breeding-season, traveling in tight flocks up to 2+ million strong that often take on the appearance of smoke or clouds in the distance.

We don't have exact numbers when it comes to how many Clones were ever made, including any defective Clones that would be culled, or matured/maturing Clones that would later be decommissioned. All numbers I can find on the total sum of created Clones are essentially estimates. We do know an order was placed for 5 million more at some point in the three year duration of the Clone Wars, which would have padded out the total count rather significantly, too.

Millions of troopers serving at the bulk of the Republic's fighting force feels best represented by likely the most abundant, wild/undomesticated bird on Earth.

[SWaB Masterlist] [Suggest another character/group!]

[nevada-wrytes]

Chapter 3 - When the Ocean Starts Retreating (And You Don't Run Away)

Content warnings: Underage drinking, alcohol, kissing

Here's the link to the previous chapter and here's the link to the next one!

Birds of a feather flock together- or however the saying goes- was entirely based on falsehoods. Raven could name many birds that would like to never see his face again— and it’s not like he didn’t mirror the same sentiment.

“What do you think of this dress?” Dahlia held out a thrifted nightgown with all the toppings: ruffles and lace and buttons where they do not need to be.

Raven, from where he was belly-flopped over a cushiony ottoman, craned his neck to look. You’d look like a pearl. “It’s too cold,” he huffed, collapsing limply back to his default pose.

“Well obviously I’d layer! But anyways, do you think this would match my Docs better than the green maxi dress..”

Raven turned off the part of him that could process speech. His mind felt stuffy after so long at the he-should-really-stop-calling-this-a-pep-rally-funeral. Not to mention his stomach was rumbling. Damn, when was the last time he ate?

Dahlia, having sensed his unwillingness to be of any fashion help, had gone to pester her siblings for advice, which left him the rest of the room to mope around.

He got up from the low ottoman with an intake of breath and a good stretch, enough to hear his spine snap and pop pleasantly. Then he gleefully jumped on to Dahlia’s bed and burrowed into the thick duvet and blankets. They still smelled like her, and for once he allowed himself to devour- taking deep, greedy breaths.

Once he had assembled himself a little nest, he poked his head out and almost knocked over a framed photo on the nightstand. He caught it with his fast reflexes (not bragging or anything) and gingerly set it back.

Something about the photo caught his attention. It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen it before, or like it was revolutionary photography skills- it was just a selfie of Dahlia in between an older frowning man with a bushy mustache and a tiny woman. He’d seen her parents before (kind of had to as her would-be sort of boyfriend) but- this time it felt different.

The people in the photo seemed so- genuine. Nice. They seem like the kind of family who would be upset if something happened to their own.

Raven thought about his own family. He hadn’t seen them in a while- did he miss them? Would they be upset if something happened to him- wait- no, what was he thinking?

Raven got up and shook those thoughts away as if he was putting a giant cotton swab in his brain and swishing it around.

“Raveeeen~” Dahlia’s voice floated through the hallway. She was already fully dressed in a cute outfit and braids that made her look like a Studio Ghibli character. She slung a tote bag over her arm. “Ready to go?”

Raven gave her his best bright smile. “Yup!”

He took her by the arm and together they walked out.

“I like your hair, did Aspen braid it?

“Yeah! He said two braids would look the best.”

“It frames your face nicely. I want to grow my hair out so I can braid it too..”

ˇ

There was no keg-standing at the party— and for that, Raven was immensely disappointed. He wanted to have a true American highschool experience. Dahlia told him he should’ve gone to a frat house rather than a quaint New England town.

Besides that, the party seemed alright. Some rich kid was hosting it at his ski lodge— which was just a revamped log cabin in the middle of the woods equipped with a tennis court and swimming pool. Oh, and a jacuzzi— although it was unfortunately being occupied by couples who forgot social distancing was a thing. They did not seem in a hurry— Raven was never getting a turn in that hot tub.

Dahlia steered him away. “Oh, I think I see my friend’s over there- I’m gonna go say hi-” She let go of his arm to wave, “-hey! Girlies!”

Raven felt a fond smile grow on his face as he watched her run off. He mosied on back to a snacks table— someone had put a framed photo of the dead girl from the funeral next to the red solo cups. What a harsh reminder of what they were all supposed to be doing there.

He took a cup, weighed the pros and cons of drinking tonight, and then deemed that all irrelevant. In went two full ladles of whatever hard liquor x everything else in your pantry concoction something had made. He was pretty sure he saw a gummy worm bobbing in his cup. It tasted like burnt sugar going down, but brought back a pleasant warmth in his fingers.

Idly, he milled over to the dance floor. Someone had hung up fairy lights and lanterns around the patio, and with the canopy of trees in the background, it almost looked like the fortune teller’s tent.

He was sick of those stupid fairy lights.

Before he could leave, Raven felt rather than saw the stranger come up to him. His body stiffened on its own accord, but he willed himself to chill.

"Hey." Raven turned around, all nonchalant, and his eyes widened.

The stranger— an absolute Beast of a man— was taller than him (and he was almost six foot) and had an impressive amount of piercings dotting his face. Dark shaggy hair fell into his eyes from his wolf cut. He wore jeans so ripped you could practically see his thighs- and so many chains- he must have spent years harvesting them from prisoners. It was agonizing looking at him— how could someone be cooler than Raven, the coolest guy ever??

"I like your shirt." He had a deep, smooth voice, too. He didn't fail to notice Raven's staring, in fact, the corner of his mouth curved upwards around his lip piercing. Raven felt his face grow hot. Any self-respect he had sank to the floor.

"My- my shirt?" He looked down to see what he was wearing. It was an old rock band t-shirt from a group long disbanded. "Oh- er- thank you?"

"It's vintage, right? Which thrift store did ya get it at? I work at one, you know, so if you ever wanted a discount-"

"What? Oh, no, I got this shirt while they were on tour."

"What?"

He spotted Dahlia in the crowd by herself. "'Scuse me-"

Raven surprised her from behind with a hug, "Guess who!"

Dahlia jumped, nearly spilling her drink. "Raven!" She settled back in his arms. He smiled and began to sway to the beat of the music. Dahlia said nothing.

Raven cursed himself for how awkward his next words were going to be. "Hey- ugh, what's wrong?"

Dahlia hummed. "It's nothing. My friends were just saying some mean shit about the girl who died. I mean- I didn't really care about her either but- it's not nice to spread rumors when she's gone and all that-" Dahlia turned to face him, "Raven, if something happened to me, would you be upset?"

"I- What?"

The music stopped. "Hey, hey, hey, party people!" Someone had commandeered the mic from the karaoke machine, "This is your host, Ronnie speaking! I know some of you've been rumbling about bad weather- but don't worry, Ron's got you all covered. If this place goes south we still have the whole basement- and there's a pool table!- So don't fret, just enjoy the music, alcohol, and party as if we're gonna die tomorrow!!" He chuckled. "I mean you never know, one of us could be next!" His eyes shot directly to Raven.

The music continued shortly after, seemingly no one had heard the last part of Ronnie's speech. Raven looked back at Dahlia but she wasn't there. Panic surged through him.

"Dahlia?" He looked over the heads on the dance floor but couldn't see the familiar brown locks.

"Dahlia?" He found a group of girls huddled by the drinks table, but they shot him a weird look.

"Dahlia?" His voice was a whisper. He had somehow made it to the edge of the backyard, right by the woods.

The overcast sky was pitch black at this hour, so the forest seemed even darker than usual. A cool wind rustled the dry branches. As he looked up, he saw dozens of beady eyes staring at him.

"Raven?" He willed himself to turn around. Dahlia stood on the last step of the deck, two drinks in her hands.

"What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't find you."

"I just went to get some drinks. Come on, these are hot."

ˇˇ

They found a quiet corner away from the noise of the central party. Raven cupped a steamy drink in his hand. He took a sip and was delighted to find out it tasted exactly like Autumn. And cinnamon.

"What is this?"

"Cider. There's alcohol in it too, so it'll warm you right up."

"Hmp. Nice."

They quietly drank. Dahlia was first to speak up.

"Do you want to go home?"

Raven took a second to answer. "I don't want to leave you here alone."

"I'd go with you."

"What? But you were the one who wanted to come here."

Dahlia shrugged. "Yeah, and now I'm here. I had a fun time, it's probably late, I wouldn't mind leaving. Besides-" She got closer, "I don't want to force you to do anything you're uncomfy with.

She was staring right at him. Raven felt lost in her large eyes. He swallowed and set down his drink. "You didn't force me- I don't do anything I don't want to do regardless-"

"Hmp." Dahlia smiled. She was getting really close. Her breath smelled like alcohol and fruit.

"So this is okay?" Her lips were right next to his ear. His face went red- and he wasn't sure if it was just from the alcohol or not.

"Yes, yes it's fine."

"And this?" She kissed his neck, right underneath his jaw.

"MHM! YUP!" He shut his eyes. Let her pull him close. Found where his hands slot around her waist. Where his lips fit around hers. Where their breaths merged into one.

It was drunken revelry at its finest. One last hoorah.

Tag list: (ask to be added/removed) @thebonecarver @victorfrankingstein @confused-as-all-hell @iambecomeyourvillain @brekkercookie @fallen-from-olympus @purpl-cryptid @reyyya @thecurlychameleon @naz-yalensky @thesexypanda-boo @kazoo-the-demjin @twelve-kinds-of-trouble @robbiinn

[thoughtportal]

Sticks by George Saunders

Every year Thanksgiving night we flocked out behind Dad as he dragged the Santa suit to the road and draped it over a kind of crucifix he'd built out of metal pole in the yard. Super Bowl week the pole was dressed in a jersey and Rod's helmet and Rod had to clear it with Dad if he wanted to take the helmet off. On the Fourth of July the pole was Uncle Sam, on Veteran’s Day a soldier,  on Halloween a ghost. The pole was Dad's only concession to glee. We were allowed a single Crayola from the box at a time. One Christmas Eve he shrieked at Kimmie for wasting an apple slice. He hovered over us as we poured ketchup saying: good enough good enough good enough. Birthday parties consisted of cupcakes, no ice cream. The first time I brought a date over she said: what's with your dad and that pole? and I sat there blinking.

We left home, married,  had children of our own, found the seeds of meanness blooming also within us. Dad began dressing the pole with more complexity and less discernible logic. He draped some kind of fur over it on Groundhog Day and lugged out a floodlight to ensure a shadow. When an earthquake struck Chile he lay the pole on its side and spray painted a rift in the earth. Mom died and he dressed the pole as Death and hung from the crossbar photos of Mom as a baby. We'd stop by and find odd talismans from his youth arranged around the base: army medals, theater tickets, old sweatshirts, tubes of Mom's makeup. One autumn he painted the pole bright yellow. He covered it with cotton swabs that winter for warmth and provided offspring by hammering in six crossed sticks around the yard. He ran lengths of string between the pole and the sticks, and taped to the string letters of apology, admissions of error, pleas for understanding, all written in a frantic hand on index cards. He painted a sign saying LOVE and hung it from the pole and another that said FORGIVE? and then he died in the hall with the radio on and we sold the house to a young couple who yanked out the pole and the sticks and left them by the road on garbage day.

In the contributor's notes in "Story" magazine, George Saunders writes, "For two years I'd been driving past a house like the one in the story, imagining the owner as a man more joyful and self-possessed and less self-conscious than myself. Then one day I got sick of him and invented his opposite, and there was the story."

[yushox]

1/?

- - - • - - -

When he was just five, he was abandoned by his nest. He lost his voice when he gained his wings. His inability to even thrill disgusted his father, while his mother grew cold and refused to feed him.

He was found at a local orphanages doorstep in a pitiful state. His back shredded, with wings bound tightly by himself as he rejected the appendages, but was unable to have them amputated. He was starving and cold, only having the clothes on his back and a backpack.

His family was questioned ofcourse, but in the end he never returned to them. Nor he ever saw or heard of them again.

That doesn't matter. He bounced back. Refusing the existance of his wings entirely. Being put into a house after a house.

He is undoubtedly a pretty child, he was well mannered, and learned quickly. Many families wanted someone like that. So they took him in. But the orphanage didn't care much. They erased his avian background due to xenophobia. Which automatically erased any valid reason for why he didn't have a voice.

When families inevitably discover his wings, things almost instantly turn sour. At best he is sent back with minimal repercussions, at worst - he suffers before being sent back.

Just as inevitably he turns sour himself. His personality breaks into shards of rot and misery.

At ten years of age he has already been with a handful of families. Never staying longer than a year.

This is the age children are supposed to come into their powers.

He vaguely remembers that his fathers power was something flashy, big, but not quite enough to fit into the hero society. While his mothers power was small and mellow, he remembers her power having been something to do with paper.

Kids around him gain powers. One by one he sees a girl spitting fire onto her homework and having to dump it under a running faucet quickly, then a boy being able to lift things heavier than himself, and another is able to turn invisible.

A whole year passes, but he gets nothing. His wings are deemed to be the only superhuman change in his life by his eleventh birthday.

Things become downright hostile between him and his peers.

Until a new boy arrives. Everyone flocks to the boy, asking him questions. Sometimes even inappropriate or plain uncomfortable ones.

A girl with water powers pokes the kids head "Hey what's that?"

"Agh! That really hurts! You can't touch those! You can seriously hurt my brain if they're damaged. They're horn buds, still extremely soft so I can't afford to even fall over. Just.. yeah. Don't touch those please."

"Oh you're a freak like Thomas! He has some really ugly wings!"

Another boy pokes Tubbo who screams naturally "Hey hey! Stop faking it freak! Lemme touch! He's right they're really soft!"

Another kid pokes "Eww, I think I can feel his brain pulsing."

No adult here is going to come help a hybrid. So as the oldest in the room he takes the initiative.

He goes over to Tubbos side and lets his wings out, pushing everyone away from the kid. He looks the brunette over.

With a gasp he looks angrily at the bullies and points to the blood as the horns are coming out prematurely. Already they look bent wrongly.

He clicks his tongue in a disappointed way and quickly leads the kid to the bathroom. Grabbing the first aid kit specifically made to be accessible to the kids themselves.

He grabs the basic desinfectant and some bandages and cotton swabs.

It's not the best medical care. But he knows that the adults in this establishment would only care if the hybrid injuries were posing a threat to the childs life, from infection or whatnot. Not because they care, but because of the legal repercussions they would have to face in case the affected child gets gravelly ill or injuried.

The kid sobs as he cleans the injuries as carefully as he can dare.

"My head hurts..."

He sighs and looks for some basic painkillers in the kit, he knows that only the weakest stuff is available in this kit. He isn't supposed to even touch these as they are meant for girls only. Because "boys are supposed to push through".

Hell to the no. He doesn't even get pain relief cream for his phantom pains in his back. He understands what agony this kid must be in. So he gives the kid a couple of the pills and a glass of water.

While the kid waits for the painkillers to kick in he grabs fresh bandages and starts to bind his wings again.

"Wait! Why are you binding them!?"

He stops for a moment. Looking at the kid with empty, broken eyes.

Silently, he signs "They're useless. Can't fly. Can't amputate. Just a dead weight. And besides, it's best to hide in this world anyways."

He doesn't expect the other to understand sign language. everyone else in this building refuses to learn it or let him use it. His disability is regarded as dumbness, he is forced to write just to be able to communicate. But it's really just a ploy to destroy any of his complaints or worries just to make his life more miserable.

"Ah.. that's what my dad taught me. I.. I didn't think it was true. He was told I would be treated nicely."

He thinks before signing again "Stick by my side. I'll be there until we have to relocate. And I'll be there when you return. I'll.. teach you how to fight to protect yourself. I had to teach myself. But I won't let you be hurt."

The shorter smiles "Thank you. Oh, I'm Toby! Toby Schlatt! I'm twelve."

Tommy sputters before signing "So I'm not the oldest here now?" he shakes his head and fastens his binds "Whatever, I'm Thomas, Thomas Innit, I go by Tommy because I hate my name just as much as I hate my wings, I'm eleven."

They shake hands.

- - - • - - -

[health-views-updates]

Medical Swabs Market Future Scope Demands and Projected Industry Growths to 2031

The global medical swabs market has been experiencing significant growth over the past few years and is projected to continue its upward trajectory in the coming decade. According to recent market research, the market size was valued at USD 2.95 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 5.01 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8% during the forecast period of 2023-2030. This remarkable growth can be attributed to various factors driving demand, along with emerging trends and opportunities reshaping the landscape of the medical swabs industry.

Emerging Trends and Opportunities:

Rising Demand for Point-of-Care Testing (POCT): With the increasing emphasis on early disease detection and rapid diagnosis, there has been a growing demand for point-of-care testing. Medical swabs play a crucial role in sample collection for various POCT applications, including infectious disease screening, genetic testing, and drug testing.

Advancements in Material and Design: Manufacturers are focusing on developing innovative swab designs and materials to enhance sample collection efficiency and patient comfort. The emergence of materials like flocked nylon and rayon, along with advanced designs such as foam-tipped swabs, is driving market growth.

Expanding Applications in Forensic and Veterinary Sciences: Medical swabs are not only used in clinical settings but also find applications in forensic investigations and veterinary diagnostics. The increasing adoption of DNA collection swabs in forensic analysis and sample collection in veterinary medicine is opening up new avenues for market players.

Download Free Sample Report: https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/2979

Key Drivers Propelling Growth:

Growing Emphasis on Infection Control: With the rise in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a heightened focus on infection control measures. Medical swabs are essential for specimen collection, environmental surface sampling, and wound care, driving their demand in healthcare facilities worldwide.

Increasing Number of Surgical Procedures: The rising prevalence of chronic diseases, coupled with an aging population, is leading to a surge in surgical procedures globally. Medical swabs are extensively used in surgical settings for preoperative skin preparation, wound cleaning, and specimen collection, fueling market growth.

Technological Advancements in Healthcare Infrastructure: The integration of advanced technologies such as robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare infrastructure is streamlining sample collection processes and improving diagnostic accuracy. This technological evolution is boosting the demand for specialized medical swabs tailored for automated systems.

Challenges and Considerations:

Supply Chain Disruptions: The medical swabs market is susceptible to supply chain disruptions, especially during global health crises or natural disasters. Ensuring a resilient and diversified supply chain is crucial for mitigating risks and maintaining uninterrupted product availability.

Stringent Regulatory Compliance: Compliance with stringent regulatory requirements, including quality standards and product certifications, poses a challenge for market players. Adhering to regulatory frameworks while innovating and introducing new products requires substantial investments in research and development.

Price Sensitivity in Developing Regions: In developing regions, price sensitivity among healthcare providers and budget constraints in public healthcare systems may hinder market growth. Manufacturers need to adopt pricing strategies that accommodate diverse market segments without compromising on product quality.

Key Takeaways from the Market:

The medical swabs market is poised for substantial growth, driven by factors such as the increasing prevalence of infectious diseases, technological advancements, and the expanding applications beyond clinical settings.

Market players should focus on product innovation, strategic collaborations, and geographic expansion to capitalize on emerging opportunities and gain a competitive edge.

Addressing challenges related to supply chain resilience, regulatory compliance, and pricing strategies will be imperative for sustained growth and market penetration, particularly in diverse global markets.

In conclusion, the medical swabs market presents lucrative opportunities for manufacturers and stakeholders, fueled by evolving healthcare needs and technological advancements. By navigating the emerging trends, addressing key drivers, and overcoming challenges, players can unlock the full potential of this dynamic market and contribute to improving healthcare outcomes worldwide.

[helthcareheven]

Poultry Pathology Perspectives: Insights from Diagnostics

Introduction to Poultry Diagnostics

Poultry diagnostic refers to the identification and analysis of diseases and health issues affecting poultry flocks. Proper diagnostics is crucial for poultry producers to maintain flock health and productivity. This article will explore some key aspects of poultry diagnostic including types of testing, sample collection, common diseases, and the role diagnostics plays in disease prevention and treatment. Types of Diagnostic Testing

There are several types of diagnostic tests that can be used to determine the health status of poultry flocks: Serology: Serology tests, also known as antibody tests, detect antibodies in blood serum that are produced in response to certain diseases. These tests can identify if birds have been previously exposed to pathogens like avian influenza or Newcastle disease. Microbiology: Microbiological tests identify the presence of bacteria, viruses, parasites or other microorganisms in samples. Culturing and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) techniques are commonly used to detect specific pathogens. Necropsy: A postmortem examination of dead birds, known as a necropsy, can provide visual clues to diagnosis. Tissue samples collected during necropsy can then undergo further lab testing. Molecular Diagnostics: Advanced molecular diagnostic methods like real-time PCR have revolutionized poultry disease detection. They provide rapid, sensitive identification of pathogens from different sample types. Sample Collection and Submission

Proper sample collection and handling is critical for accurate diagnostic results. Samples must be properly stored and transported to avoid deterioration. The most common sample types submitted for poultry diagnostics include: - Oropharyngeal (choanal cleft) and cloacal swabs: Used for microbiological testing. - Serum: Collected from the brachial vein for serology tests. - Tissues: Organ tissues collected during necropsy examinations. - Eggs: Yolk, albumen and embryos can be tested for certain pathogens. - Feces: Help identify enteric (intestinal) infections and coccidiosis. Common Poultry Diseases Tested

Some significant diseases frequently evaluated through poultry diagnostic include: Avian Influenza: A highly contagious viral disease and causative agent of bird flu outbreaks. Rapid PCR tests are commonly used. Marek's Disease: A ubiquitous herpesvirus infection causing tumors. PCR analysis of tissue samples enables diagnosis. Infectious Bronchitis: A coronavirus infecting the respiratory and urogenital tracts. RT-PCR tests are highly sensitive and specific. Newcastle Disease: A devastating viral pathogen affecting many bird species worldwide. Microbiological culturing and molecular tests are used. Salmonellosis: Zoonotic bacterial disease associated with Salmonella enterica. Bacteria is isolated through culture and identified. Coccidiosis: An enteric parasitic disease primarily affecting young chickens and turkeys. Fecal flotation or molecular tests detect oocyst shedding. The Role of Diagnostics in Disease Management

Timely and accurate diagnostics is essential for controlling disease outbreaks and minimizing economic losses in poultry production. Knowing disease status allows for: - Rapid treatment and containment: Prompt diagnosis leads to quicker therapeutic intervention and prevents spread. - Monitoring flock health: Routine monitoring through diagnostics helps detect subclinical infections and implement preventive measures. - Vaccine selection: Diagnostics guides proper vaccine selection to provide protection against significant prevalent pathogens. - Trade and movement: Many countries require diagnostic testing and certification for import/export of poultry and products. - Surveillance programs: Industry-wide surveillance through laboratory submission aids early detection of foreign diseases. In conclusion, modern poultry diagnostics employs a range of laboratory tests tailored to each situation. Strategic use of diagnostics supports optimum flock health, productivity and food safety through early disease identification and management. Diagnostics is an indispensable tool for disease prevention and control in the poultry industry.

[theitalianconnection]

Every year Thanksgiving night we flocked out behind Dad as he dragged the Santa suit to the road and draped it over a kind of crucifix he'd built out of metal pole in the yard. Super Bowl week the pole was dressed in a jersey and Rod's helmet and Rod had to clear it with Dad if he wanted to take the helmet off. On the Fourth of July the pole was Uncle Sam, on Veteran’s Day a soldier, on Halloween a ghost. The pole was Dad's only concession to glee. We were allowed a single Crayola from the box at a time. One Christmas Eve he shrieked at Kimmie for wasting an apple slice. He hovered over us as we poured ketchup saying: good enough good enough good enough. Birthday parties consisted of cupcakes, no ice cream. The first time I brought a date over she said: what's with your dad and that pole? and I sat there blinking.

We left home, married, had children of our own, found the seeds of meanness blooming also within us. Dad began dressing the pole with more complexity and less discernible logic. He draped some kind of fur over it on Groundhog Day and lugged out a floodlight to ensure a shadow. When an earthquake struck Chile he lay the pole on its side and spray painted a rift in the earth. Mom died and he dressed the pole as Death and hung from the crossbar photos of Mom as a baby. We'd stop by and find odd talismans from his youth arranged around the base: army medals, theater tickets, old sweatshirts, tubes of Mom's makeup. One autumn he painted the pole bright yellow. He covered it with cotton swabs that winter for warmth and provided offspring by hammering in six crossed sticks around the yard. He ran lengths of string between the pole and the sticks, and taped to the string letters of apology, admissions of error, pleas for understanding, all written in a frantic hand on index cards. He painted a sign saying LOVE and hung it from the pole and another that said FORGIVE? and then he died in the hall with the radio on and we sold the house to a young couple who yanked out the pole and the sticks and left them by the road on garbage day.

Sticks by George Saunders

[golleecosmetics]

Today, we are going to talk about eyelash extensions, specifically how to do volume eyelash extensions. And we are going to be using our very own products. So stay till the end, and you'd be sure to learn a thing or two. So, volume eyelash extensions. What are they? If you didn't know before, when two or more individual extensions get glued to each natural lash, they would become volume eyelash extensions. The desired number of lashes is first fashioned into fans, then spread out into a "bouquet" and adhered with glue to one natural lash. This fashion style is also called Russian volume. If you have been learning about lash extensions, you may have heard about "Russian volume extensions." First of all, people love them! And that is something for you to take note of if you are a newbie lash artist. Russian volume never goes wrong. So yes, it produces a considerably more dramatic appearance, but it does require more precision and skill, and you'll need a larger budget. Mega Volume fans are those constructed with six or more extensions. Please be aware that not everyone is a good candidate for Mega Volume. Professional lash artists will examine your natural lashes to decide whether they are sturdy enough to accommodate Mega Volume fans. PRO-TIP: Volume eyelash extensions are not classic eyelash extensions! Single extensions are attached to each natural lash in a classic eyelash extension technique. Since one extension goes on each eyelash, it's commonly referred to as "one-to-one." To apply each medium and mature lash, a lash artist first dips the end of each extension into the glue before placing it on top of or beneath your natural lash. Classic is the best option for a more natural appearance that results in lovely, longer-looking lashes. Since it has been around the longest, you can complete this lashing more rapidly than volume looks, particularly if you are skilled as a technician. Tools Needed for Volume Eyelash Extensions As we said earlier, we will use some of our products today and walk you through the process of making volume eyelash extensions. Don't worry. It would be as though we are right by your side! You are going to need some lash extension products: Elite master glueSuper bonderA tweezer (preferably a boot tweezer)A 0.05c mix tray (ours goes from 8mm to 16mm)Eyelash enhancing serumEyelash extensionsEye pads Step By Step Process: 16 Steps If you are dealing with a first-time client, be prepared to explain the entire process to them first. This is because we have found that first-time clients are usually nervous. Now, you want your clients to rest assured all through the process. You need them to trust your skills. So explain the process carefully to them. After that comes the following. 1. Start by cleansing the client's lashes with a foam cleanser. Most materials you utilize during a lash service ought to be disposable. Throughout the procedure, lash wands are utilized to brush through the lashes and can also be used to clean the lash line thoroughly. The bristles cling to every piece of lash line detritus. Although you might disinfect it by dipping it in Barbicide, the particles would still be there and might spread to another client. You can prepare your client's lashes before applying for extensions or performing a lash lift service using Lash Wands, Flocked Foot Applicators, Micro-Tip Swabs, Eyelash Cleansing Brushes, and Matte Gel Eye Pads. To encourage proper lash aftercare habits at home, you should provide your client with Lash Wands, and Eyelash Cleansing Brushes after the service. You must then put the other tools in the trash. 2. After cleaning your client's lashes, dry them gently with a damp cotton round. Don't use water to clean them — not everyone likes that. Remember that you must get those natural lashes nice and clean. 3. Put the under-eye pads on the clients carefully. Make sure the bottom lashes get completely tucked away. (Remember to explain this crucial step to your clients).

4. Then, use tape and map out your client's eyes. Start with nine and go all the way to 12. (If you are making a dull eye, for instance, you may want to go back down to 11 and 10). PRO-TIP: If your client is a first-time lash extension user and they don't have a specific request in mind, you can make dull eyes. 5. Carefully take out the lash extension strips. Our Gollee Cosmetics lash extension strips are easy to peel off, and you can return them in the case for future use. 6. Take your glue and shake well for 2-5 minutes. 7. Gently squeeze the bottle and place the drops on a jade stone. 8. Fan out the extensions and dip them into the glue. 9. Start applying them to each one of her natural lashes. (Lash experts may do 3D to 6D fans to mimic a classic eyelash extension). You can mix 2D or 3D fans with 6D fans because it helps mimic a classic extension. PRO-TIP: Some clients may be unable to keep their eyes still during this process. That is why we recommend walking them through the process first, especially if they are first-time clients. Now, clients can not keep their eyes relaxed because they are nervous or have had too much caffeine. We recommend advising your clients to stick to one cup of coffee during consultations. However, with time and practice comes mastery. Soon, you'd be able to get an excellent job whether or not your client's eyes are shaky. 10. Use the Taping Trick. The taping trick is simple. All you have to do is use tape and lift the lashes that already have extensions. This will expose the bottom layer of your client's natural lashes, making it a lot easier for you to add extensions to them. The taping trick lets you see a lot better, so you can isolate a lot better. Isolation and placement are very important for eyelash extensions — don't forget! 11. Dry the lashes with a hand dryer and as you do so, search through the lashes and make sure there is nothing sticky. 12. Use a nano-mister as you dry the lashes. 13. Wait three minutes before using your super bonder. Take the small micro swab tip and carefully apply the super bonder to the extensions. Make sure to apply the super bonder from the base to the bottom of the eyelash extensions. You want to put the super bonder where you must put your lash glue. Don't go all the way up the eyelash extensions. Focus on the base. PRO-TIP: While applying your super bonder, keep your dryer running the whole time so the adhesive can continue to dry. 14. As you apply the super bonder with your dryer on, brush out the lashes here and there a lot of times. 15. Use your dental mirror and double-check! Ensure the eyelids are not sticking so your client can open her eyes just fine. 16. Remove the under-eye pads. Do this by lifting the eyelids a little bit. Remember that the tape will tug at the bottom lashes a little bit, so you want to be gentle during this step. And tada! Your client's volume eyelash extensions are complete! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yt_Us7g7fE Common Errors to Avoid When Making Volume Eyelash Extensions? The most common error is hurrying. People must understand this craft takes time, especially handmade fans. Many lash artists are self-critical because they believe they are too slow. Listen, other people may be faster, but speed isn't excellence. Naturally, with practice, you'd get faster. But never be in a rush to finish volume eyelash extensions. This may result in hazardous adhesive bonding and tight fans. You can also take an online course or get a mentor or teacher to sharpen your skills and increase your speed. Because we don't always see ourselves clearly, self-training is a mistake. Who Should Get Volume Lashes Among Clients? Volume lashes give the appearance of a full, lush lash line that is fluffy and silky and ideal for clients who have sparse lashes, bald areas, or want to achieve a more dramatic look without using a thicker lash. Most people can wear volume lashes,

but you should exercise the same caution you would with traditional eyelash extensions and always disclose the dangers and materials involved before beginning. Each client is unique, so if a client lacks the natural lashes needed to sustain volume, think about constructing a hybrid set. Volume Eyelash Extensions Best Practices Use a pallet made of jade stone. Use your glue to form a dome. Carefully insert the fan's base into the dome's very top. This will assist in keeping glue away from your tweezers and low on the fan. When manually creating fans, focus on deep breathing. The energy in your body will cause the hairs to respond. Your hands will reflect your level of tension or anxiety. Don't be reluctant to take a quick seat to refresh. A quick drink of water will also help you relax and return to your natural flow state. When perfecting your craft, be patient. Take your time transitioning from student to practitioner. The amount of time it takes to learn generally decreases with infinite patience with oneself. Rushing might lead to undesirable behaviors like unsafe bonding or too-tight fans. During downtime, practice. Even famous artists practice to draw in more fans again and again. Use quality products. High-quality volume products are necessary to support the best artists. Conclusion We do hope you had an amazing read! And we hope you feel confident and ready to try your first volume eyelash extension technique.

[andritambunan]

Latest for High Country News

“Your house burns down, your community burns down, your school burns down — of course, you look for an escape.”

Marin Hambley poses for a portrait at an empty lot next to a Walmart in Chico, Calif. on August 6, 2023. There, a temporary camp was set up after the Camp Fire in 2018, and hundreds of mostly low-income people fled the wildfire and flocked to the site, where community organizers distributed food, water, and clothing. Hambley witnessed a disturbing uptick in overdoses following the colossal Camp Fire. A local physician observed that overdoses went from a weekly occurrence to a daily one in the weeks following the fire.

"At the time, the county lacked official harm reduction infrastructure. Hambley and other organizers had to locate and distribute supplies on their own. Without the required certification, their activities weren’t technically legal, but Hambley said that was a risk they were willing to take. While the group had received a grant for purchasing Narcan — the overdose-preventing nasal spray approved for over-the-counter use last March  — they had to obtain syringes, needles, cotton swabs and fentanyl test strips from groups elsewhere in the state. “We were all kind of underground,” Hambley said, noting that they smuggled backpacks stuffed with Narcan into Red Cross-operated shelters, where drug use was prohibited, though widely practiced."

With a rate of 17.04 deaths per 100,000 residents, the Paradise area experienced more opioid-related overdose deaths in 2018 than any other zip code in Butte County, triple the State average.

Read the Full Article Below

[earaercircular]

Mediterranean countries urged to ditch single-use plastic

Tourists are being urged to refuse plastic straws and avoid buying inflatable pool toys.

Four years after the entry into force of the European directive banning certain single-use plastics, its application remains timid and uneven, according to the European Parliament. Diligent controls and dissuasive sanctions are necessary to rid the coasts of this ubiquitous waste.

Turquoise waters, fine sand, coves golden by the southern sun and... single-use plastics. In a report published Thursday, Pascal Canfin, President of the European Parliament's Environment Committee, points out that despite the "most ambitious legislation in the world" single-use plastics "are still too often marketed in the countries of the European Union". A large number are found on the Mediterranean coast.[1]

The European directive, adopted in 2019,[2] prohibits the marketing of ten single-use plastic products, from cotton swabs to straws and cups. [3] These products are indeed very often found on the coasts. If nothing is done, by 2050 there should be more plastic than fish in the ocean.[4]

“End impunity”

After two years of adaptation, it should in theory be impossible to find these ten products since 2021. But “they are still too often marketed in the countries of the European Union”, denounces the report. “We must put an end to this impunity”, argues Pascal Canfin, questioned by “Les Echos”.

“Plastic has an impact on marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Plastic waste takes a long time to disintegrate and will therefore cause the suffocation of certain species”, explains Alice Elfassi, lawyer for the NGO Zero Waste France[5]. According to many studies, microplastics that come from the degradation of plastic products would also have a deleterious effect on human health.[6]

The exemplary Balearics

“The Mediterranean is the most plastic-polluted European shore. As summer approaches, tens of millions of Europeans will flock there, develops Pascal Canfin. This is an opportunity to remind them that it is forbidden to serve them a stirrer, a straw or plastic cutlery. They are perfectly legitimate to remind merchants or restaurateurs that it is prohibited by law”.

The Balearic Islands, an autonomous community in Spain, stand out: according to the MEP's report, more than 150 complaints relating to the sale of these products have been filed on the archipelago and penalties ranging from 9,000 to 300,000 euros have been pronounced against brands such as McDonald's or Burger King.[7]

The bad Italian student

Italy, on the other hand, is a bad student and its legislation contradicts the European directive.[8] “In Italy, there are no sanctions and no controls, and in addition the text has been completely emptied of its content. This raises the question of taking Italy to court for incorrect transposition of the directive”, protests Pascal Canfin.

"France has made a rather ambitious transposition", considers Muriel Papin, general delegate of the NGO No Plastic In My Sea. The anti-waste law for a circular economy (AGEC) goes further than the European directive and provides for the end of single-use plastic by 2040.[9] France is also focusing on the "3Rs", for the reduction, reuse and recycling of plastic products. But “the control measures and the sanctions are very wrong”, according to Muriel Papin.

“We are clearly not going fast enough”

“The associations do the work that is not done by the state services by going to see in the supermarkets, the restaurants if we still find single-use plastics”, she indicates. "Many citizens are still telling us about the presence of plastic products that are prohibited for sale...", abounds Alice Elfassi.

“We are clearly not going fast enough. The deadlines are very distant and not up to the urgency. But we shouldn't even be able to meet these deadlines…”, laments Alice Elfassi. To succeed in the post-plastic transition, NGOs recommend adopting glass packaging, bulk packaging and reuse as soon as possible. As was the generalisation of plastic the custom before.

Source

Hadrien Valat, Les pays méditerranéens sommés d'abandonner le plastique à usage unique, In : Les Echos, 21-7-2023

[1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-9-2023-002208_EN.html

[2] The EU’s Plastics Strategy, launched by the European Commission in 2018, aims to transform the way plastic products are designed, produced, used and recycled. With regards to plastic packaging, the EU strategy foresees that by 2030 all plastic packaging should be reusable or recyclable in a cost-effective manner, a goal that was expanded to all packaging materials with the adoption of the European Green Deal and the new Circular Economy Action Plan. The Directive on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment (Single-Use Plastics Directive) was adopted in 2019 and is one of the elements of the EU’s Plastics Strategy. https://www.europen-packaging.eu/policy-area/single-use-plastics-directive/#:~:text=The%20goal%20of%20the%20Single,transition%20to%20a%20circular%20economy.

[3] Read also: https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/707893795660922880/in-a-years-time-company-canteens-events-and-the?source=share & https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/677098990634991616/three-quarters-of-the-worlds-population-calls-for?source=share & https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/700070676624801792/manufacturers-should-co-finance-the-disposal-of?source=share

[4] Read also: https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/686756140655214592/more-hostility-towards-plastic?source=share & https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/661649147927134208/ocean-cleanups-second-attempt-to-remove-plastic?source=share

[5] Created in 1997, Zero Waste France began as a whistleblower around the dangers of waste incineration in order to obtain more restrictive regulations on discharges from facilities. Over time, the association decided to tackle the source of the problem: the production of waste and the waste of natural resources. The association has thus carried out numerous actions and won decisive victories 💪: closures and reduction in capacity of incinerators, promulgation of ambitious laws (anti-waste law for a circular economy), participation in the creation of the professional networks Réseau Vrac and Réseau Consigne, publications of books, studies and practical guides... https://www.zerowastefrance.org/un-don-aujourdhui-une-victoire-demain/

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[8] Read also: https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/686427626093658112/it-is-a-crisis-of-raw-materials-the-circular?source=share & https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/691736952135991296/how-sustainable-is-italy?source=share

[9] Read also: https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/672117412171218944/plastic-clothing-recycling-everything-that-will?source=share