thewakingtimes--2020-11-19--New Normal? These States Want To Micromanage Your ‘Safe’ Thanksgiving Celebration

New Normal ?
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This promises to be a holiday season like no other in our memory , what with the hotly contested election , a new series of lockdowns and restrictions , and another wave of COVID-19 taking over the mainstream media headlines .
With Thanksgiving quickly approaching , the Centers for Disease Control , individual states , and a handful of universities seem to be competing for the most “ thorough ” advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the holiday .
Some families are voluntarily changing how they intend to celebrate this year due to their concerns about the health of family members , which is understandable and well within their rights , .
However , others are chafing at what they see as the restrictive and invasive nature of the “ guidance.
” Trigger Warning : A while back , I wrote an article about 12 words and phrases I never wanted to read again .
This article is FILLED with them .
The CDC has come out with this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• None Plan ahead and ask guests to avoid contact with people outside of their households for 14 days before the gathering .
• None Treat pets as you would other human family members – do not let pets interact with people outside the household .
( source ) It remains to be seen if there will be any enforcement of this guidance or if these are merely suggestions .
In no particular order , here are some of the announcements from various states about the upcoming holiday .
Governor Gavin Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice for Thanksgiving .
Thanksgiving falls in the midst of Oregon ’ s two-week “ freeze ” and Governor Kate Brown wants to see get-together limited to no more than six people total , and from no more than two households , regardless of whether the event is being held indoors or outdoors .
Indoor visits in long-term care facilities are prohibited .
( source ) Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey , via executive order , has limited indoor gatherings to no more than 10 people .
( source ) Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the following guidelines : Governor Tony Evers and DHS Wisconsin hope that residents will skip the in-person get-togethers entirely and follow the guidelines of his Executive Order on Thanksgiving as well as the rest of the month .
They offered these alternatives .
• Sharing meals with people who live in your household .
• Preparing meals or treats and delivering to loved ones in a way that avoids contact .
• Having virtual gatherings with friends and family .
Several universities in Wisconsin are taking matters into their own hands .
Students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Wisconsin-Green Bay will be required to take a COVID test before leaving and upon their return if they wish to go home for Thanksgiving .
At UW in Oshkosh , “ the university is encouraging students to simply stay put.
” ( source ) Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered Iowa residents to limit indoor gatherings to 15 people or less from now until December 3rd , directly impacting the Thanksgiving holiday period .
( source ) Governor Gary Herbert of Utah seems reluctant to issue restrictions on family-oriented events but says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the next few days .
At least one doctor in the state is less hesitant .
The University of Alabama at Birmingham has a fun-filled list of suggestions , too .
Dr. Michael Saag , an infectious disease specialist at the university , suggests Alabamans limit their table to 5-7 people and have everyone else join in via Zoom .
Meanwhile , in Virginia , Governor Northam has ordered that public and private events decrease the number of people allowed by 90 % and now children ages 5-10 are no longer exempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remaining masked and sitting with your chairs at least 6 feet apart during your Thanksgiving celebrations .
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recommends not traveling anywhere for Thanksgiving .
But if you do , or if you host an event , keep these guidelines in mind : • Host your gathering outdoors , when possible .
If this is not feasible , make sure the room or space is well-ventilated by opening windows and doors to the extent that is safe and feasible based on the weather .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing between guest .
People from the same household can be in groups together and do not need to be 6 feet apart – just 6 feet away from other groups or families .
• Practice the 3 Ws ( Wear , Wait , Wash ) during the event : Wear a face covering when not eating or drinking , Wait six feet apart from others , and Wash your hands regularly .
• When guests need to remove a face covering to eat or drink , it is recommended they maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ household and put their face coverings back on after they are done eating or drinking .
• Limit people going in and out of the areas where food is being prepared or handled , such as in the kitchen or around the grill , if possible .
Have one household approach the food serving area at a time to prevent congregating .
• Consider identifying one person to serve all food so that multiple people are not handling the serving utensils .
• Use single-use options or identify one person to serve sharable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ containers , and condiments , so that multiple people are not handling the items .
( source ) The state also recommends attendees all be tested for COVID 3-4 days before the event .
( source ) The state of Georgia recommends the following strategies : Washington state has some of the strictest guidelines in the country .
Governor Jay Inslee ordered sweeping instructions on the state and included these tidbits that apply to Thanksgiving and other social gatherings .
However , enforcement will be limited .
Governor Jared Polis of Colorado was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Polis described the Thanksgiving setting as “ indoor , intimate contact around a table ” where COVID-19 was highly likely to spread .
Polis compared risky COVID-19 behavior during the holidays to Russian roulette .
While referencing risk reduction by self-quarantining for the family dinner , Polis said , “ It ’ s not fun to play Russian roulette in one in a hundred chances the bullet is in the chamber , but it ’ s a heck of a lot better than playing Russian roulette with the bullet in one in ten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tricky situation where family members are divided on whether or not they quarantine .
Polis stated that even if only some family members quarantine , the risk of COVID-19 being present is still lowered .
He continued to encourage as many family members to self-quarantine as possible if they plan on gathering for the holiday .
Polis continued , “ The more family members that make that decision to self-quarantine , the more likely it is that you ’ re not bringing a loaded pistol for Grandma ’ s head.
” ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Health and Human Services director , has some fun-filled suggestions for Texans , including eating your meal quietly after quarantining for the next two weeks to prepare for it .
For those celebrating with other households , the county recommends having plenty of hand sanitizer , limiting the duration of the gathering to less than two hours , wearing a mask when not eating or drinking , and even eating in silence .
“ It can ’ t be a holiday as usual , ” Huang said .
“ There is this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with .
It definitely can ’ t be like how it ’ s been in the past.
” Though eating quietly may not be the norm for families at Thanksgiving , Huang said the recommendation was made because the virus can spread through droplets that are emitted when someone speaks , laughs , coughs or sneezes .
Dr. Sonja Bartolome , a lung disorders expert at UT Southwestern , said that while a silent dinner table is desirable , she understands people are not likely to commit to that .
“ That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Bartolome said .
“ Your best bet is to limit the number of people.
” President of the Texas Medical Association , Dr. Diana L. Fite , suggested Texans also watch how much alcohol they drink because people tend to speak louder — and thus emit more droplets and aerosols — when they drink .
“ There ’ s no question that you can spread aerosols when you ’ re eating , especially if you ’ re both talking and eating at the same time , ” Fite said .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the football game together could be the most dangerous time of the day .
Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham of New Mexico has issued strict guidelines for citizens and businesses .
Small businesses could face massive fines for continuing to operate as normal .
She also has the following advice for the upcoming holiday .
At the University of Arizona , school officials have asked students who go home for Thanksgiving not to return to campus after the holiday .
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer says the situation is “ dire ” and has issued a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that only two families can gather indoors at a time .
If your loved ones are out of state , you may also have quarantines with which to contend .
Some states have no restrictions , while others have visitors fill out health forms or show negative COVID tests .
Maine demands that people returning to or entering the state without a negative COVID test undergo a 14-day quarantine and arrive with enough food to see them through the 2 week period .
You can learn about the current travel restrictions between states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned about the ongoing pandemic and plan to follow the recommendations .
One Washington state resident is cancelling her family ’ s plans .
However , others take an extremely dim view of the guidance and believe that these restrictions aren ’ t really about the virus at all .
How will your family celebrate Thanksgiving this year ?
Have you decided how your family will be celebrating Thanksgiving this year ?
Will you make any changes ?
Do you have any family members who fall into the “ vulnerable ” category ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Let ’ s talk about it in the comments .
Daisy Luther is a coffee-swigging , gun-toting blogger who writes about current events , preparedness , frugality , voluntaryism , and the pursuit of liberty on her website , The Organic Prepper .
She is widely republished across alternative media and she curates all the most important news links on her aggregate site , PreppersDailyNews.com .
Daisy is the best-selling author of 4 books and runs a small digital publishing company .
She lives in the mountains of Virginia with her family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pinterest , and Twitter .

New Normal? These States Want To Micromanage Your ‘Safe’ Thanksgiving Celebration
Daisy Luther, The Organic Prepper
Waking Times
This promises to be a holiday season like no other in our memory, what with the hotly contested election, a new series of lockdowns and restrictions, and another wave of COVID-19 taking over the mainstream media headlines.
With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, the Centers for Disease Control, individual states, and a handful of universities seem to be competing for the most “thorough” advice on how families and friends should handle the holiday.
Some families are voluntarily changing how they intend to celebrate this year due to their concerns about the health of family members, which is understandable and well within their rights,. However, others are chafing at what they see as the restrictive and invasive nature of the “guidance.”
Trigger Warning: A while back, I wrote an article about 12 words and phrases I never wanted to read again. This article is FILLED with them.
The CDC has come out with this advice for a “safe” Thanksgiving.
Limit the number of attendees as much as possible to allow people from different households to remain at least 6 feet apart at all times. Guests should avoid direct contact, including handshakes and hugs, with others not from their household.
Host outdoor rather than indoor gatherings as much as possible. Even outdoors, require guests to wear masks when not eating or drinking.
Avoid holding gatherings in crowded, poorly ventilated spaces with persons who are not in your household. Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors to the extent that is safe and feasible based on the weather, or by placing central air and heating on continuous circulation. For additional information on increasing ventilation, visit CDC’s information on Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home. Winter weather can be cold, wet, and unpredictable. Inclement weather makes it difficult to increase ventilation by opening windows or to hold an event outdoors.
If setting up outdoor seating under a pop-up open air tent, ensure guests are still seated with physical distancing in mind. Enclosed 4-wall tents will have less air circulation than open air tents. If outdoor temperature or weather forces you to put up the tent sidewalls, consider leaving one or more sides open or rolling up the bottom 12” of each sidewall to enhance ventilation while still providing a wind break. Require guests to wear masks. At gatherings that include persons of different households, everyone should always wear a mask that covers both the mouth and nose, except when eating or drinking. It is also important to stay at least 6 feet away from people who are not in your household at all times.
Encourage guests to avoid singing or shouting, especially indoors. Keep music levels down so people don’t have to shout or speak loudly to be heard.
Encourage attendees to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Provide guests information about any COVID-19 safety guidelines and steps that will be in place at the gathering to prevent the spread of the virus.
Provide and/or encourage attendees to bring supplies to help everyone to stay healthy. These include extra masks (do not share or swap with others), hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, and tissues. Stock bathrooms with enough hand soap and single use towels.
Limit contact with commonly touched surfaces or shared items such as serving utensils.
Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between use when feasible. Use EPA-approved disinfectants external icon .
. Use touchless garbage cans if available. Use gloves when removing garbage bags or handling and disposing of trash. Wash hands after removing gloves.
Plan ahead and ask guests to avoid contact with people outside of their households for 14 days before the gathering.
Treat pets as you would other human family members – do not let pets interact with people outside the household. (source)
It remains to be seen if there will be any enforcement of this guidance or if these are merely suggestions. In no particular order, here are some of the announcements from various states about the upcoming holiday.
California
Governor Gavin Newsom of California was the first to issue advice for Thanksgiving.
Gatherings that include more than 3 households are prohibited . This includes everyone present, including hosts and guests. Remember, the smaller the number of people, the safer.
. This includes everyone present, including hosts and guests. Remember, the smaller the number of people, the safer. Keep the households that you interact with stable over time. By spending time with the same people, risk of transmission is reduced. Participating in multiple gatherings with different households or groups is strongly discouraged.
The host should collect names of all attendees and contact information in case contact tracing is needed later.
Gatherings that occur outdoors are significantly safer than indoor gatherings. All gatherings must be held outside. Attendees may go inside to use restrooms as long as the restrooms are frequently sanitized.
Gatherings may occur in outdoor spaces that are covered by umbrellas, canopies, awnings, roofs, and other shade structures provided that at least three sides of the space (or 75%) are open to the outdoors.
A gathering of no more than three households is permitted in a public park or other outdoor space, even if unrelated gatherings of other groups up to three households are also occurring in the same park or other outdoor space. If multiple such gatherings are occurring, mixing between group gatherings is not allowed. Additionally, multiple gatherings of three households cannot be jointly organized or coordinated to occur in the same public park or other outdoor space at the same time – this would constitute a gathering exceeding the permitted size.
Shared items should not be used during a gathering. As much as possible, any food or beverages at outdoor gatherings must be in single-serve disposable containers. If providing single-serve containers is not possible, food and beverages must be served by a person who washes or sanitizes their hands frequently, and wears a face covering. Self-serve items from communal containers should not be used.
When gathering, face coverings must be worn in accordance with the CDPH Guidance on the Use of Face Coverings (PDF), unless an exemption is applicable.
People at gatherings may remove their face coverings briefly to eat or drink as long as they stay at least 6 feet away from everyone outside their own household, and put their face covering back on as soon as they are done with the activity.
Face coverings can also be removed to meet urgent medical needs (for example, to use an asthma inhaler, take medication, or if feeling light-headed).
Gatherings should be two hours or less. The longer the duration, the risk of transmission increases.
Singing, chanting, shouting, and physical exertion significantly increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission because these activities increase the release of respiratory droplets and fine aerosols into the air. Because of this, singing, chanting, and shouting are strongly discouraged, but if they occur, the following rules and recommendations apply: All people who are singing or chanting should wear a face covering at all times while singing or chanting, including anyone who is leading a song or chant. Because these activities pose a very high risk of COVID-19 transmission, face coverings are essential to reduce the spread of respiratory droplets and fine aerosols; People who are singing, shouting, chanting, or exercising are strongly encouraged to maintain physical distancing beyond 6 feet to further reduce risk. People who are singing or chanting are strongly encouraged to do so quietly (at or below the volume of a normal speaking voice). Instrumental music is allowed as long as the musicians maintain at least 6-foot physical distancing. Musicians must be from one of the three households. Playing of wind instruments (any instrument played by the mouth, such as a trumpet or clarinet) is strongly discouraged. (source)
Oregon
Thanksgiving falls in the midst of Oregon’s two-week “freeze” and Governor Kate Brown wants to see get-together limited to no more than six people total, and from no more than two households, regardless of whether the event is being held indoors or outdoors. Indoor visits in long-term care facilities are prohibited. (source)
New Jersey
Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey, via executive order, has limited indoor gatherings to no more than 10 people. (source)
Kentucky
Governor Andy Beshear issued a dire warning:
“Those that you may think that you may only have five, ten Thanksgivings left with — if we’re not careful this year, you may not have more than one.” (source)
Gov. Beshear and the state health officials recommend the following guidelines:
Avoid gatherings with people who do not live in your household.
Always wear a face mask or covering around others.
Maintain a social distance of at least six feet.
Avoid large gatherings, especially ones held indoors.
Do not host or attend crowded Thanksgiving parades.
Avoid shopping in crowded stores before Thanksgiving, on Black Friday or throughout the holiday season. (source)
Wisconsin
Governor Tony Evers and DHS Wisconsin hope that residents will skip the in-person get-togethers entirely and follow the guidelines of his Executive Order on Thanksgiving as well as the rest of the month. They offered these alternatives.
Sharing meals with people who live in your household.
Preparing meals or treats and delivering to loved ones in a way that avoids contact.
Having virtual gatherings with friends and family.
Shopping online or ordering delivery.
Watching sports, events, or parades from home.
Several universities in Wisconsin are taking matters into their own hands. Students at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay will be required to take a COVID test before leaving and upon their return if they wish to go home for Thanksgiving. At UW in Oshkosh, “the university is encouraging students to simply stay put.” (source)
Iowa
Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered Iowa residents to limit indoor gatherings to 15 people or less from now until December 3rd, directly impacting the Thanksgiving holiday period. (source)
Utah
Governor Gary Herbert of Utah seems reluctant to issue restrictions on family-oriented events but says that state residents can expect some recommendations in the next few days.
“We are a family oriented state. My tradition, I always gather with my family, ever since I can remember. To have a change in that is a little disheartening to me,” Gov. Herbert said in a brief interview on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. “So we need to find ways to maybe get together in small groups, or see what we can do.” (source)
At least one doctor in the state is less hesitant.
Dr. Todd Vento, an infectious diseases physician at Intermountain Healthcare said his recommendation is to skip the family get-together. “This is the year when, unfortunately, there’s 20% positive tests, exponential growth, hospitals are overwhelmed,” he told FOX 13 on Wednesday. “The advice from experts would be to not gather.” Dr. Vento recommended Utahns gather virtually, using video-conferencing apps. (source)
Alabama
The University of Alabama at Birmingham has a fun-filled list of suggestions, too.
Health officials said if you plan on hosting a thanksgiving gathering, have a small outdoor meal if possible. If it has to be indoors, space out the guests and have windows open. UAB said during thanksgiving, sharing is a big part but instead, pre-portion meals versus having the traditional buffet line. They also recommend limiting the number of cooks to just one and keep everyone out of the kitchen, aside from the cook. (source)
Dr. Michael Saag, an infectious disease specialist at the university, suggests Alabamans limit their table to 5-7 people and have everyone else join in via Zoom.
Virginia
Meanwhile, in Virginia, Governor Northam has ordered that public and private events decrease the number of people allowed by 90% and now children ages 5-10 are no longer exempt from wearing masks.
“My message today is for every Virginian,” Northam said Tuesday. “We all need to step up our vigilance and our precautions, especially as we head toward the Thanksgiving holiday.” …If you do gather with people outside your household for Thanksgiving, Virginia officials encouraged taking some extra precautions. Keep gatherings small, celebrate outside if possible and keep indoor areas well-ventilated with open windows. (source)
Other recommendations include remaining masked and sitting with your chairs at least 6 feet apart during your Thanksgiving celebrations.
North Carolina
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recommends not traveling anywhere for Thanksgiving. But if you do, or if you host an event, keep these guidelines in mind:
Host your gathering outdoors, when possible. If this is not feasible, make sure the room or space is well-ventilated by opening windows and doors to the extent that is safe and feasible based on the weather.
Arrange tables and chairs to allow for social distancing between guest. People from the same household can be in groups together and do not need to be 6 feet apart – just 6 feet away from other groups or families.
Practice the 3 Ws (Wear, Wait, Wash) during the event: Wear a face covering when not eating or drinking, Wait six feet apart from others, and Wash your hands regularly.
When guests need to remove a face covering to eat or drink, it is recommended they maintain 6 feet distance from people outside their household and put their face coverings back on after they are done eating or drinking.
Limit people going in and out of the areas where food is being prepared or handled, such as in the kitchen or around the grill, if possible. Have one household approach the food serving area at a time to prevent congregating.
Consider identifying one person to serve all food so that multiple people are not handling the serving utensils.
Use single-use options or identify one person to serve sharable items, like salad dressings, food containers, and condiments, so that multiple people are not handling the items. (source)
The state also recommends attendees all be tested for COVID 3-4 days before the event. (source)
Georgia
The state of Georgia recommends the following strategies:
Quarantine for 14 days before you gather.
Get tested before you go and limit your contact with others until you reach your destination.
Evaluate travel distance, including how many stops, overnight stays and potential contact with non-household contacts it would take to reach your destination, and see if driving versus taking a flight is better given those factors. It’s best not to travel too far, and you should avoid coming from or going to areas with high community transmission.
Limit the number of people at gatherings. There’s no magic number–more people pose more risk. The size of the gathering depends on the host’s ability to safely keep attendees apart, not crowded into a confined space, and outdoors is better than indoors.
Socially distance and wear masks, even if you’ve all been tested. Being tested with a negative result isn’t necessarily a free pass to mingle without preventative measures. If you’ve quarantined for 14 days already, you can merge your social bubbles and interact freely but cautiously.
When eating your meal together, open your windows to increase ventilation and keep at least 6 feet apart, or keep family units together, while spacing out non-household members.
Minimize the number of people handling the food and washing the dishes.
If you or a family member are at higher risk for severe infection, you should reconsider gathering together and instead celebrate virtually. Is this your picture of a normal holiday scene? Probably not. But we’re not living in normal times. Let’s keep each other safe, and do what it takes now to be able to come together for the holidays. (source)
Washington
Washington state has some of the strictest guidelines in the country. Governor Jay Inslee ordered sweeping instructions on the state and included these tidbits that apply to Thanksgiving and other social gatherings.
Indoor gatherings, outside one’s household, are prohibited unless participants quarantine for 14 days before the gathering or quarantine for seven days before and receive a negative COVID-19 test within two days of the planned gathering… …Outdoor social gatherings should be limited to no more than five people from outside your household, Inslee said. (source)
However, enforcement will be limited.
“You’re not going to expect state troopers coming to your door if you have a big Thanksgiving dinner,” Inslee said. “We do hope people who want to abide by the law will abide by the law.” (source)
Colorado
Governor Jared Polis of Colorado was pretty gung-ho with his Thanksgiving imagery.
Polis described the Thanksgiving setting as “indoor, intimate contact around a table” where COVID-19 was highly likely to spread. Polis compared risky COVID-19 behavior during the holidays to Russian roulette. While referencing risk reduction by self-quarantining for the family dinner, Polis said, “It’s not fun to play Russian roulette in one in a hundred chances the bullet is in the chamber, but it’s a heck of a lot better than playing Russian roulette with the bullet in one in ten chambers.” This quote followed Polis describing the tricky situation where family members are divided on whether or not they quarantine. Polis stated that even if only some family members quarantine, the risk of COVID-19 being present is still lowered. He continued to encourage as many family members to self-quarantine as possible if they plan on gathering for the holiday. Polis continued, “The more family members that make that decision to self-quarantine, the more likely it is that you’re not bringing a loaded pistol for Grandma’s head.” (source)
Texas
Dr. Philip Huang, Dallas County Health and Human Services director, has some fun-filled suggestions for Texans, including eating your meal quietly after quarantining for the next two weeks to prepare for it.
For those celebrating with other households, the county recommends having plenty of hand sanitizer, limiting the duration of the gathering to less than two hours, wearing a mask when not eating or drinking, and even eating in silence. “It can’t be a holiday as usual,” Huang said. “There is this new normal we’re having to deal with. It definitely can’t be like how it’s been in the past.” Though eating quietly may not be the norm for families at Thanksgiving, Huang said the recommendation was made because the virus can spread through droplets that are emitted when someone speaks, laughs, coughs or sneezes. Dr. Sonja Bartolome, a lung disorders expert at UT Southwestern, said that while a silent dinner table is desirable, she understands people are not likely to commit to that. “That’s going to be very difficult,” Bartolome said. “Your best bet is to limit the number of people.” President of the Texas Medical Association, Dr. Diana L. Fite, suggested Texans also watch how much alcohol they drink because people tend to speak louder — and thus emit more droplets and aerosols — when they drink. “There’s no question that you can spread aerosols when you’re eating, especially if you’re both talking and eating at the same time,” Fite said. (source)
One columnist suggested that watching the football game together could be the most dangerous time of the day.
Keep the visit to needed conversation and family contact. Then go back home to watch the games. The most dangerous hours this entire holiday season might be the time huddled too close with Grandma or Grandpa around the TV just idly watching the Dallas Cowboys play the Washington team. (source)
New Mexico
Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham of New Mexico has issued strict guidelines for citizens and businesses. Small businesses could face massive fines for continuing to operate as normal. She also has the following advice for the upcoming holiday.
Make plans for a different kind of Thanksgiving – one without non-household members. (source)
Arizona
At the University of Arizona, school officials have asked students who go home for Thanksgiving not to return to campus after the holiday.
The university is asking all students to fill out a survey on their planned Thanksgiving travel and to schedule a COVID-19 test as close to their travel date as possible to prohibit the transmission of COVID-19. After Thanksgiving, all classes will be held online only and students who travel out of the Tucson area are encouraged to finish the semester remotely. Lastly, the university is requiring students to select one of the three following travel options: Students planning to travel for Thanksgiving break can choose to complete the rest of the semester outside of the Tucson area or completely online from their student residence. Students who do not travel for Thanksgiving break are able to complete the semester as is from their student residence. (source)
Michigan
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer says the situation is “dire” and has issued a three-week epidemic order that includes the restriction that only two families can gather indoors at a time.
Whitmer asked people to “make the difficult but right choice” and avoid large gatherings during the holiday. “If you are considering spending Thanksgiving with people outside of your household, I urge you to reconsider,” Whitmer said. “As hard as it is not seeing [family members] this Thanksgiving, imagine how much harder it would be if you weren’t able to see them for a future holiday ever again,” she added. (source)
New York
New York’s Governor, Andrew Cuomo, recommends skipping Thanksgiving altogether.
“My personal advice is, you don’t have family gatherings – even for Thanksgiving,” the governor said as he listed off a number of smaller gatherings that have led to recent outbreaks across the state. “My personal advice is the best way to say ‘I love you,’ this Thanksgiving, the best way to say ‘I’m thankful for you,’ is to say, ‘I love you so much, I’m so thankful for you, that I don’t want to endanger you, and I don’t want to endanger our family and I don’t want to endanger our friends. So we’ll celebrate virtually,’” he added. (source)
Don’t forget state quarantines and travel restrictions
If your loved ones are out of state, you may also have quarantines with which to contend.
Some states have no restrictions, while others have visitors fill out health forms or show negative COVID tests. Maine demands that people returning to or entering the state without a negative COVID test undergo a 14-day quarantine and arrive with enough food to see them through the 2 week period.
You can learn about the current travel restrictions between states in this article.
American opinions are split.
Many are very concerned about the ongoing pandemic and plan to follow the recommendations. One Washington state resident is cancelling her family’s plans.
“Our family is canceling Thanksgiving plans that included other family households,” said Alyse Read, who lives in Edmonds. “We will Zoom or Skype and share our traditions this year.” (source)
However, others take an extremely dim view of the guidance and believe that these restrictions aren’t really about the virus at all.
At this moment, our governments are telling us when to open our businesses, when to see our family, and when and how we are allowed to BREATHE. This is NOT America. This is not FREEDOM. This is NOT about safety or a virus. This is about implementing SOCIALISM. Wake up. https://t.co/qBLPgU71Ar — Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) October 31, 2020
How will your family celebrate Thanksgiving this year?
Have you decided how your family will be celebrating Thanksgiving this year? Will you make any changes? Do you have any family members who fall into the “vulnerable” category? What are your thoughts on this guidance? Let’s talk about it in the comments.
About the Author
Daisy Luther is a coffee-swigging, gun-toting blogger who writes about current events, preparedness, frugality, voluntaryism, and the pursuit of liberty on her website, The Organic Prepper. She is widely republished across alternative media and she curates all the most important news links on her aggregate site, PreppersDailyNews.com. Daisy is the best-selling author of 4 books and runs a small digital publishing company. She lives in the mountains of Virginia with her family. You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.


thewakingtimes--2020-11-19--Baby Bottles Release Millions Of Microplastic Particles

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In 2018 , the baby bottle market across the world was valued at $ 2.6 billion .
The plastic segment accounted for 44.1 % of the overall share,1 but if you ’ re currently using plastic bottles for your baby , you may want to switch to glass after research revealed concerning microplastics may be released into their contents.2 Overall , it appears we have an addiction to plastic .
In nearly every corner of your local store , products are covered in or made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult to get rid of plastic without damaging the environment , but it appears our addiction is to all things disposable .
Across the world , 299 million tons of plastic were produced in 2013 , much of which ended up in the oceans , threatening wildlife and the environment.3 In 2017 , the U.S. alone generated 35.4 million tons of plastic and sent 26.8 million tons to landfills , which accounted for 13.2 % of all municipal solid waste.4 Chemicals found in plastic products are known to act as endocrine disruptors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes phthalates and bisphenol A ( BPA ) .5 Endocrine disruptors are similar in structure to natural sex hormones , and they interfere with the normal functioning of those hormones in your body.6 This poses a particular problem for children who are still growing and developing .
According to Pete Myers , Ph.D. , adjunct professor of chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University and founder , CEO and chief scientist of Environmental Health Sciences , there is evidence that plastic chemicals are harming the health of future generations through intergenerational endocrine disruption.7 He points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thoroughly tested for safety , and that testing currently used is based on “ 16th-century principles.
” As researchers continue to measure the amount and type of plastic we are ingesting , one team analyzed the number of microparticles that may be released in plastic baby bottles .
John Boland , Ph.D. , Trinity College Dublin , and colleagues analyzed the release of microplastics from plastic baby bottles to which infants may be exposed while consuming formula.8 To collect their data , the scientists initially cleaned and sterilized new polypropylene bottles .
Once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added heated purified water that had reached 70 degrees Celsius ( 158 degrees Fahrenheit ) .
This is the temperature for making formula recommended by the World Health Organization.9 The bottles were then added to a mechanical shaker for one minute .
The team filtered the water and analyzed the contents , discovering the bottles leaked a wide range of particles per liter of water , numbering up to 16.2 million plastic particles .
The average number in the bottles tested reached 4 million particles for every liter of water .
The experiment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results were the same .
Boland commented on the study:10 The data also revealed the number of microplastics shed was dependent on water temperature and mechanics .
The higher the temperature of the water when it reached the bottle , the more microplastics were released .
When the temperature was higher , the bottles released up to 55 million particles of microplastic.11 The experiment also demonstrated that shaking the bottles increased the number of microplastics released .
Boland continued:12 Infants May Ingest Up to 4.5 Million Particles a Day The researchers predicted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months old may be exposed to 14,600 to 4.55 million microplastic particles a day , depending on region , which is higher than previously recognized due to the widespread usage of polypropylene baby bottles.13 Whether or not this exposure poses a risk to infants ’ health presents an “ urgent need , ” they added , and made several recommendations for parents who continue to use plastic baby bottles to help reduce the amount of microplastics their baby ingests .
The suggestions include reducing the bottle ’ s exposure to heat and shaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ container and transferring it to the baby bottle after it has cooled.14 Breastfeeding , if possible , would be an even better alternative that eliminates the need for bottles ; however , glass baby bottles are also available .
For the study , the researchers used purified water and not standard drinking water .
This means they may have even underestimated the number of plastic particles babies are exposed to .
A study from the University of Newcastle looked at the “ existing but limited ” literature estimating the average amount of plastic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 33 studies of the consumption of plastic from food and beverages .
The researchers estimated that the average person consumes 1,769 plastic particles from drinking water each week.16 Plastic particles are found in many water sources .
In the U.S. , 94.4 % of all tap water samples contained plastic fibers , as did 82.4 % of samples from India and 72.2 % from Europe .
If the inadvertent consumption of plastic is not enough , the abundance of manufactured plastic has turned the eyes of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plastic into food .
DARPA awarded Iowa State University and partners a $ 2.7 million grant to make food from plastic and paper waste.17 They intend to use the resulting “ food products ” to improve military logistics in the field .
The idea is to help with short-term nourishment for soldiers in the field and improve logistics for long missions .
By the end of the project , they estimate the grant may reach $ 7.8 million .
Other partners include the American Institute of Chemical Engineers RAPID Institute , the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The idea is to convert paper waste into sugars and plastics into fatty acids and fatty alcohols .
The byproducts of these would then be processed into single cell biomass in the field .
Other examples of single cell proteins include Vegemite and nutritional yeast .
Although DARPA has initiated the project for use by the military , it is not a stretch to think that such a system would be proposed as a means of providing inexpensive foodstuffs for others .
As explained in the press release from Iowa State University , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way toward solving looming problems of plastic disposal and ensuring a viable global food chain.
” 18 Principle investigator Robert Brown explained that the process under investigation would speed biodegradation of plastics “ by raising the temperature a few hundred degrees Fahrenheit .
The cooled product is used to grow yeast or bacteria into single cell protein suitable as food.
” 19 Although drinking water is the largest source of microplastics in food and beverages , it is not the only source .
Bottled water may contain even more plastic than tap water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drink bottled water exclusively “ may be ingesting an additional 90,000 microplastics annually , compared to 4,000 microplastics for those who consume only tap water.
” 20 After testing 259 bottles of 11 bottled water brands , researchers found on average 325 pieces of microplastic per liter.21 The brands tested included Aquafina , Evian , Dasani , San Pellegrino and Nestle Pure Life .
Based on findings from the World Wildlife Fund International study , Reuters created an illustration demonstrating how much plastic a person would consume over time.22 According to these estimations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shredded plastic over 79 years .
To put this in perspective , one car tire weighs about 20 pounds.23 So a lifetime supply of plastic consumption would be like slowly eating 2.2 car tires .
The long-term health risks of ingesting plastic particles are unknown .
However , there is reason to be concerned .
For instance , microplastics used for textile fibers make up 16 % of the world ’ s plastic production.24 These plastics contain contaminants such as polycyclic hydrocarbons ( PAHs ) , which may be genotoxic , causing DNA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The plastics also contain dyes , plasticizers and other additives linked to toxic effects , including carcinogenicity , reproductive toxicity and mutagenicity .
Since humans are exposed to a heavy toxic burden , it ’ s difficult to link health problems back to microplastics .
However , many of the chemicals used in their manufacture are also known to disrupt hormones and gene expression and cause organ damage .
Research has also linked them to obesity,25 heart disease26 and cancer.27 To read more about the risks associated with plastic ingestion , see “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Plastic ?
” Would You Like Some Plastic With Your Tea ?
If you are working to reduce your exposure to plastics in your food and beverages , it may be surprising to learn where plastics are also lurking .
Tea has been an important beverage in many cultures around the world and recognized for centuries for the dramatic and positive effects it has on health .
A soothing cup of hot tea may be just what your body needs to boost phytochemicals and other nutrients .
But did you know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ microplastic pieces and 3.1 billion nanoplastics with every cup of tea ?
Researchers from McGill University analyzed plastic pollution released from tea bags and found when the leaves were removed , the tea did not have plastic microparticles.28 However , the empty bags dumped billions of particles into the hot water , which researchers found at levels thousands of times greater than reported with other food and beverages .
There are a significant number of health benefits in tea , so it is wise to continue drinking it , but consider substituting loose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another everyday item that carries more microplastics than you may have anticipated is sea salt .
One study looked at salt sampled from around the world to analyze the geographical spread of microplastics and the correlation to where the pollution is found in the environment .
Only three brands from Taiwan , China and France did not have microplastic particles in the sea salt .
Data showed the highest quantity of plastics were found in salt gathered off the coast of Asian countries.29 Research has also found tiny plastic particles in fruits and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an average of 195,500 plastic particles in each gram .
Pears came in second with 189,500 particles per gram .
Earlier studies had demonstrated plants are absorbing nanoplastics through the roots , and fruits and vegetables can accumulate these microplastics .
Greenpeace campaigner Sion Chan explained:30 What You Can Do to Reduce Your Use Considering research confirms that environmental estrogens have multigenerational effects,31 it is wise to take proactive steps to limit your exposure .
This is particularly important for younger people who have more years to accumulate plastic pollution and may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While it ’ s virtually impossible to steer clear of all sources , you can minimize your exposure by keeping some key principles in mind .
Start the process slowly and make the changes a habit in your life so they stick .
Like Waking Times on Facebook .
Follow Waking Times on Twitter .

Baby Bottles Release Millions Of Microplastic Particles
Dr. Mercola, Guest
Waking Times
In 2018, the baby bottle market across the world was valued at $2.6 billion. The plastic segment accounted for 44.1% of the overall share,1 but if you’re currently using plastic bottles for your baby, you may want to switch to glass after research revealed concerning microplastics may be released into their contents.2
Overall, it appears we have an addiction to plastic. In nearly every corner of your local store, products are covered in or made with plastic. Not only is it difficult to get rid of plastic without damaging the environment, but it appears our addiction is to all things disposable.
Across the world, 299 million tons of plastic were produced in 2013, much of which ended up in the oceans, threatening wildlife and the environment.3 In 2017, the U.S. alone generated 35.4 million tons of plastic and sent 26.8 million tons to landfills, which accounted for 13.2% of all municipal solid waste.4
Chemicals found in plastic products are known to act as endocrine disruptors, the most pervasive and well-known of which includes phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA).5
Endocrine disruptors are similar in structure to natural sex hormones, and they interfere with the normal functioning of those hormones in your body.6 This poses a particular problem for children who are still growing and developing.
According to Pete Myers, Ph.D., adjunct professor of chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University and founder, CEO and chief scientist of Environmental Health Sciences, there is evidence that plastic chemicals are harming the health of future generations through intergenerational endocrine disruption.7
He points out that no plastic has ever been thoroughly tested for safety, and that testing currently used is based on “16th-century principles.” As researchers continue to measure the amount and type of plastic we are ingesting, one team analyzed the number of microparticles that may be released in plastic baby bottles.
Plastic Baby Bottles Release Microparticles During Use
John Boland, Ph.D., Trinity College Dublin, and colleagues analyzed the release of microplastics from plastic baby bottles to which infants may be exposed while consuming formula.8
To collect their data, the scientists initially cleaned and sterilized new polypropylene bottles. Once the bottles had air-dried, the scientists added heated purified water that had reached 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit). This is the temperature for making formula recommended by the World Health Organization.9 The bottles were then added to a mechanical shaker for one minute.
The team filtered the water and analyzed the contents, discovering the bottles leaked a wide range of particles per liter of water, numbering up to 16.2 million plastic particles. The average number in the bottles tested reached 4 million particles for every liter of water. The experiment was repeated with baby formula and the results were the same. Boland commented on the study:10
“We were surprised by the quantity. Based on research that has been done previously looking at the degradation of plastics in the environment, we had a suspicion that the quantities would be substantial, but I don’t think anyone expected the very high levels that we found.”
The data also revealed the number of microplastics shed was dependent on water temperature and mechanics. The higher the temperature of the water when it reached the bottle, the more microplastics were released.
When the temperature was higher, the bottles released up to 55 million particles of microplastic.11 The experiment also demonstrated that shaking the bottles increased the number of microplastics released. Boland continued:12
“When we saw these results in the lab we recognized immediately the potential impact they might have. The last thing we want is to unduly alarm parents, particularly when we don’t have sufficient information on the potential consequences of microplastics on infant health.”
Infants May Ingest Up to 4.5 Million Particles a Day
The researchers predicted that, globally, infants up to 12 months old may be exposed to 14,600 to 4.55 million microplastic particles a day, depending on region, which is higher than previously recognized due to the widespread usage of polypropylene baby bottles.13
Whether or not this exposure poses a risk to infants’ health presents an “urgent need,” they added, and made several recommendations for parents who continue to use plastic baby bottles to help reduce the amount of microplastics their baby ingests.
The suggestions include reducing the bottle’s exposure to heat and shaking by preparing the formula in a glass container and transferring it to the baby bottle after it has cooled.14 Breastfeeding, if possible, would be an even better alternative that eliminates the need for bottles; however, glass baby bottles are also available.
For the study, the researchers used purified water and not standard drinking water. This means they may have even underestimated the number of plastic particles babies are exposed to. A study from the University of Newcastle looked at the “existing but limited” literature estimating the average amount of plastic ingested by humans.15
Calculations were made based on 33 studies of the consumption of plastic from food and beverages. The researchers estimated that the average person consumes 1,769 plastic particles from drinking water each week.16 Plastic particles are found in many water sources. In the U.S., 94.4% of all tap water samples contained plastic fibers, as did 82.4% of samples from India and 72.2% from Europe.
DARPA Awards Grant to Make Food From Plastic
If the inadvertent consumption of plastic is not enough, the abundance of manufactured plastic has turned the eyes of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) toward how to make plastic into food. DARPA awarded Iowa State University and partners a $2.7 million grant to make food from plastic and paper waste.17
They intend to use the resulting “food products” to improve military logistics in the field. The idea is to help with short-term nourishment for soldiers in the field and improve logistics for long missions. By the end of the project, they estimate the grant may reach $7.8 million.
Other partners include the American Institute of Chemical Engineers RAPID Institute, the University of Delaware and Sandia National Laboratories. The idea is to convert paper waste into sugars and plastics into fatty acids and fatty alcohols. The byproducts of these would then be processed into single cell biomass in the field.
Other examples of single cell proteins include Vegemite and nutritional yeast. Although DARPA has initiated the project for use by the military, it is not a stretch to think that such a system would be proposed as a means of providing inexpensive foodstuffs for others.
As explained in the press release from Iowa State University, the process could “go a long way toward solving looming problems of plastic disposal and ensuring a viable global food chain.”18
Principle investigator Robert Brown explained that the process under investigation would speed biodegradation of plastics “by raising the temperature a few hundred degrees Fahrenheit. The cooled product is used to grow yeast or bacteria into single cell protein suitable as food.”19
Lifetime Average Consumption of Plastic Is Shocking
Although drinking water is the largest source of microplastics in food and beverages, it is not the only source. Bottled water may contain even more plastic than tap water, and research has suggested those who drink bottled water exclusively “may be ingesting an additional 90,000 microplastics annually, compared to 4,000 microplastics for those who consume only tap water.”20
After testing 259 bottles of 11 bottled water brands, researchers found on average 325 pieces of microplastic per liter.21 The brands tested included Aquafina, Evian, Dasani, San Pellegrino and Nestle Pure Life. Based on findings from the World Wildlife Fund International study, Reuters created an illustration demonstrating how much plastic a person would consume over time.22
According to these estimations, you may consume 44 pounds of shredded plastic over 79 years. To put this in perspective, one car tire weighs about 20 pounds.23 So a lifetime supply of plastic consumption would be like slowly eating 2.2 car tires.
The long-term health risks of ingesting plastic particles are unknown. However, there is reason to be concerned. For instance, microplastics used for textile fibers make up 16% of the world’s plastic production.24 These plastics contain contaminants such as polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which may be genotoxic, causing DNA damage that can lead to cancer.
The plastics also contain dyes, plasticizers and other additives linked to toxic effects, including carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity and mutagenicity. Since humans are exposed to a heavy toxic burden, it’s difficult to link health problems back to microplastics.
However, many of the chemicals used in their manufacture are also known to disrupt hormones and gene expression and cause organ damage. Research has also linked them to obesity,25 heart disease26 and cancer.27 To read more about the risks associated with plastic ingestion, see “How Do We Stop Our Dangerous Addiction to Plastic?”
Would You Like Some Plastic With Your Tea?
If you are working to reduce your exposure to plastics in your food and beverages, it may be surprising to learn where plastics are also lurking. Tea has been an important beverage in many cultures around the world and recognized for centuries for the dramatic and positive effects it has on health.
A soothing cup of hot tea may be just what your body needs to boost phytochemicals and other nutrients. But did you know that you may also be drinking 11.6 billion microplastic pieces and 3.1 billion nanoplastics with every cup of tea? Researchers from McGill University analyzed plastic pollution released from tea bags and found when the leaves were removed, the tea did not have plastic microparticles.28
However, the empty bags dumped billions of particles into the hot water, which researchers found at levels thousands of times greater than reported with other food and beverages. There are a significant number of health benefits in tea, so it is wise to continue drinking it, but consider substituting loose leaf tea for tea bags.
Yet another everyday item that carries more microplastics than you may have anticipated is sea salt. One study looked at salt sampled from around the world to analyze the geographical spread of microplastics and the correlation to where the pollution is found in the environment.
Only three brands from Taiwan, China and France did not have microplastic particles in the sea salt. Data showed the highest quantity of plastics were found in salt gathered off the coast of Asian countries.29
Research has also found tiny plastic particles in fruits and vegetables. The data showed apples had an average of 195,500 plastic particles in each gram. Pears came in second with 189,500 particles per gram. Earlier studies had demonstrated plants are absorbing nanoplastics through the roots, and fruits and vegetables can accumulate these microplastics. Greenpeace campaigner Sion Chan explained:30
“When we take a bite of an apple, we are almost certainly consuming microplastics along with it. To mitigate plastic pollution, corporations should enforce a reduction of plastic usage and waste in their supply chains. Supermarkets have gone pretty far with all the plastics! The faster we reduce our plastic footprint, the fewer microplastic we consume.”
What You Can Do to Reduce Your Use
Considering research confirms that environmental estrogens have multigenerational effects,31 it is wise to take proactive steps to limit your exposure. This is particularly important for younger people who have more years to accumulate plastic pollution and may be more vulnerable to its effects during development.
While it’s virtually impossible to steer clear of all sources, you can minimize your exposure by keeping some key principles in mind. Start the process slowly and make the changes a habit in your life so they stick.


thewakingtimes--2020-11-21--Terence McKenna Explains Why Television is the  Most Dangerous Addictive Drug in Society

Terence McKenna Explains Why Television is the Most Dangerous Addictive Drug in Society Get the latest Waking Times articles delivered to your inbox .
Sign up here .
So much insanity is being broadcast into our society that people are beginning to crack and turn on each other .
Just this week we saw how the mainstream media nearly instigated angry leftist mob lynchings by misrepresenting a confrontation between some Catholic high school kids and a Native American elder .
Just a few days prior to that , those on the politically right side of the aisle were in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a men ’ s razor blade commercial .
People have become totally obsessed with their own beliefs , opinions and biases that their behavior is going completely unexamined .
Their reactions to the latest news item are automatic and predictable .
The late iconoclast Terence McKenna pointed out that obsessive and unexamined behavior in pursuit of familiar stimulus ( such as what we see with each moment of media outrage ) is what drug addiction is about .
McKenna went a step further to say that television was the greatest drug ever introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people spend an average of 5-7 hours a day sitting in front of the TV ?
All the while consuming , in hypnotic states of mind , the scientifically crafted messages of corporate and government propagandists ?
READ : TERENCE MCKENNA ’ S EXPLANATION OF WHY OUR CULTURE IS KILLING ITSELF Here , McKenna expounds on the idea that television is a drug that is having negative consequences on individuals and on society at large : “ Unexamined behavior is what is alarming about drug addiction , that people behave like they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then , the most powerful drug of the late 20th century is television and propaganda .
And the way in which we consume propaganda is amazing .
I mean the most intelligent of us , the ones who hold ourselves most aloof , are probably junkies through and through when it comes to the media.
” ~Terence McKenna He goes on to talk about how being able to see violence on tv has changed the nature of warfare , and that if we are to watch violence , we need to see real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence so that we can understand that we have a responsibility in creating a world in which war and violence is so prevalent .
Here he explains how similar watching television is to consuming a drug : “ In fact it is shaping our value systems in ways that are very hard for us to suspect or even detect .
I mean television , for example , it ’ s a drug .
It has a series of measurable physiological parameters that are as intrinsically its signature as are teh parameters of heroin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down in front of a TV set and turn it on .
Twenty minutes later come back , sample their blood pressure , their eye movement rate , blood is pooling in their rear end , their breathing takes on a certain quality , the stare reflex sets in .
They are thoroughly zoned on a drug.
” ~Terence McKenna Here he talks a bit more about the nature of addiction , tv , and our true purpose on this planet as human beings .
What do you think ?
Is television and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charles is the editor of Waking Times and host of The Battered Souls Podcast , both dedicated to ideas of personal transformation , societal awakening , and planetary renewal .
His personal journey is deeply inspired by shamanic plant medicines and the arts of Kung Fu , Qi Gong and Yoga .
After seven years of living in Costa Rica , he now lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains , where he practices Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and enjoys spending time with family .
He has written hundreds of articles , reaching and inspiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This article ( Terence McKenna Explains Why Television is the Most Dangerous Addictive Drug in Society ) was originally created and published by Waking Times and is published here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Dylan Charles and WakingTimes.com .
It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution , author bio , and this copyright statement .

Terence McKenna Explains Why Television is the Most Dangerous Addictive Drug in Society
Dylan Charles, Editor
Waking Times
So much insanity is being broadcast into our society that people are beginning to crack and turn on each other. Just this week we saw how the mainstream media nearly instigated angry leftist mob lynchings by misrepresenting a confrontation between some Catholic high school kids and a Native American elder. Just a few days prior to that, those on the politically right side of the aisle were in a frenzy of outrage over the contents of a men’s razor blade commercial.
People have become totally obsessed with their own beliefs, opinions and biases that their behavior is going completely unexamined. Their reactions to the latest news item are automatic and predictable. The late iconoclast Terence McKenna pointed out that obsessive and unexamined behavior in pursuit of familiar stimulus (such as what we see with each moment of media outrage) is what drug addiction is about.
McKenna went a step further to say that television was the greatest drug ever introduced into society. What else could persuade people spend an average of 5-7 hours a day sitting in front of the TV? All the while consuming, in hypnotic states of mind, the scientifically crafted messages of corporate and government propagandists?
Here, McKenna expounds on the idea that television is a drug that is having negative consequences on individuals and on society at large:
“Unexamined behavior is what is alarming about drug addiction, that people behave like they are obsessed. Well on that scale, then, the most powerful drug of the late 20th century is television and propaganda. And the way in which we consume propaganda is amazing. I mean the most intelligent of us, the ones who hold ourselves most aloof, are probably junkies through and through when it comes to the media.” ~Terence McKenna
He goes on to talk about how being able to see violence on tv has changed the nature of warfare, and that if we are to watch violence, we need to see real footage of it, rather than theatrical violence so that we can understand that we have a responsibility in creating a world in which war and violence is so prevalent.
Here he explains how similar watching television is to consuming a drug:
“In fact it is shaping our value systems in ways that are very hard for us to suspect or even detect. I mean television, for example, it’s a drug. It has a series of measurable physiological parameters that are as intrinsically its signature as are teh parameters of heroin or its signature. You sit someone down in front of a TV set and turn it on. Twenty minutes later come back, sample their blood pressure, their eye movement rate, blood is pooling in their rear end, their breathing takes on a certain quality, the stare reflex sets in. They are thoroughly zoned on a drug.” ~Terence McKenna
Here he talks a bit more about the nature of addiction, tv, and our true purpose on this planet as human beings.
What do you think? Is television and mass media making people crazy?
Read more articles by Dylan Charles .
About the Author
Dylan Charles is the editor of Waking Times and host of The Battered Souls Podcast, both dedicated to ideas of personal transformation, societal awakening, and planetary renewal. His personal journey is deeply inspired by shamanic plant medicines and the arts of Kung Fu, Qi Gong and Yoga. After seven years of living in Costa Rica, he now lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where he practices Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and enjoys spending time with family. He has written hundreds of articles, reaching and inspiring millions of people around the world.
This article (Terence McKenna Explains Why Television is the Most Dangerous Addictive Drug in Society) was originally created and published by Waking Times and is published here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Dylan Charles and WakingTimes.com. It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author bio, and this copyright statement.


thewakingtimes--2020-11-21--Taking Out The Trash

Taking Out The Trash

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Sign up here .
Crazy times , folks .
It seems we have entered the twilight zone .
A twisted ‘ whirled ’ of extreme polarisation and conflicting value systems .
A world where hate is palpable on both sides of the polarity check point .
The orchestrated drive to cause division on all fronts : racial , gender , political and religious should come as no surprise to those on the spiritual path .
The energy of the old Piscean Age is dying and the unplugged are fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aquarian Age .
All hell is breaking loose .
Riots and violence abound , food shortages , lockdowns , extreme weather and disease runs the show , and as life goes down the pan our deep seated prejudices and self preservation instincts come to the fore .
Survival instincts that are deliberately inflamed by our dark rulers , the charismatic negatives that are desperate to keep control of a dying paradigm .
Humans are programmed for conflict .
We all have a Jekyll and Hyde blueprint – a Mr Nice and a Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of us is subject to positive and negative forces invading our minds and playing havoc with our lives .
The polarity struggle becomes obvious when we check in on our own internal dialogues .
We all have a Gollum sharing our awareness , and sometimes it is uncomfortable to monitor our thinking… .
and what it reveals about the state of our consciousness .
Since our tribal , inclusive reality was ripped away from us , we have become debt slaves , caged in concrete and glass , divorced from the living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grossest of materialistic culture .
Humanity is enslaved in a model that feeds on itself from micro to macro .
From the pimp on the street corner to the highest echelons of government , we are controlled by a mechanism that enriches the elites and throttles the poor .
It really doesn ’ t matter who is in control .
Our rulers are corrupt .
All the top brass are carrying out a gematria based occult agenda for world domination , and a new digital dark age .
This was the plan of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Piscean Age – two thousand years of butchery and genocide in the name of religion and greed .
An age of lies , deception , delusion , excess , and the death of true spirituality .
The matrix clones that masquerade as human beings are trash piles of lies , deceit , selfishness , cruelty , dishonesty , sexual deviance and are ‘ down right no good ’ .
But this dimension is all about division .
The fundamental of the matrix bubble game is ‘ me versus you ’ and ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us exists in a polarised bubble – a little universe of the I am .
Every split second , bubbles of self absorbed I ’ s bump into each other , and brimming with self righteous indignation battle out ‘ right is might ’ with their inherited , distorted version of the truth .
Driven and controlled by fear , religious and political dogma , the I ’ s will pander , defend and give their minds away to any corrupt political or religious demagogue that shows up on the scene .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without understanding that everything that exists is in motion , and everything is subject to change in the blinking of an eye .
In essence a human being is a vibrating field of consciousness within an infinite ocean of awareness .
Our energy fields have a cosmic core of pulsing power , and this is called the assemblage point .
It is the core programme from where we view our personal reality .
It shapes our way of experiencing the world , our response to the environment , our interaction and relationships with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our decisions .
The assemblage point of balanced human beings is located at the centre of the chest , a point in line with the armpits.When our assemblage point is centred , we have everything we need , are content with our lives and can cope with everything life throws at us .
It is sad , that the mass of humanity is stuck in division and drama .
Unable to move their assemblage point away from duality , they live and die within the bubble matrix without realising there is another possibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive and – negative charge – the shamans seat of power .
People who have no spiritual foundation in their lives are toxic , conflicted individuals .
Always picking sides without realising that in a duality both tails wag the same dog .
They are critical , divisive , and delight in putting others down .
This type of abuse can upset us emotionally , and after constant attacks on our psyche can knock us off balance .
This can lead to a shift in our assemblage point and change a harmonic reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So , dear friends , it is time to take out the trash and remove divisive people from our little bubble of reality .
Only then will our resonance be clear of negative energy and we can go forward with our unshakeable , individualized truth into the Oneness state of being .
Non local reality or the Oneness field is experiential and hard to put into words .
We are everything and can be everything instantaneously because in non local reality there is no separation – no duality .
There is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connected .
In this state of awareness , we can release our own patterns of controlling others , and become free of the constraints of dualism .
We can achieve a state of consciousness where we re-ignite our atrophied psychic centres , and allow our inner intuition to guide us to a life of meaningful coincidences and synchronistic encounters that further our spiritual ascension .
When we cultivate a personal re-connection with Source , we undergo a mystical transformation – a rebirth that lifts us into a Higher-Self Awareness .
In times of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to understand what is really happening .
The matrix bubbles are fighting .
The Mr Hyde ’ s are in control and we do not need their bull shit in our lives .
We are spiritual beings on a mission to re-connect with Source .
So , until next time , surround yourself with like minded people .
And , most importantly stay in love with your life .
Elva Thompson was born in England in 1947 and moved to Rosebud Lakota reservation in 1987 .
She is the author of the Heartstar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made of Air , and Book Two : The Gates to Pandemonia .
Her other interests include organic gardening , ancient phonetic languages , sonic sound and their application in the healing arts .
She is also a medical intuitive and teaches sonic re-patterning using sound , colour , and essential oils .
Elva Thompson is on Amazon Author Central @ amazon.com/author/heartstar

Taking Out The Trash
Elva Thompson, Contributor
Waking Times
“I have found little that is ‘good’ about human beings on the whole. In my experience most of them are trash no matter whether they publicly subscribe to this or that ethical doctrine or to none at all. That is something you cannot say out loud, or even perhaps think.” Sigmund Freud.
Crazy times, folks. It seems we have entered the twilight zone. A twisted ‘whirled’ of extreme polarisation and conflicting value systems. A world where hate is palpable on both sides of the polarity check point. The orchestrated drive to cause division on all fronts: racial, gender, political and religious should come as no surprise to those on the spiritual path. The energy of the old Piscean Age is dying and the unplugged are fighting against the rising tide of the new Aquarian Age.
All hell is breaking loose. Riots and violence abound, food shortages, lockdowns, extreme weather and disease runs the show, and as life goes down the pan our deep seated prejudices and self preservation instincts come to the fore. Survival instincts that are deliberately inflamed by our dark rulers, the charismatic negatives that are desperate to keep control of a dying paradigm.
Programmed for Conflict
Humans are programmed for conflict. We all have a Jekyll and Hyde blueprint – a Mr Nice and a Mr Nasty sharing the same space. Every one of us is subject to positive and negative forces invading our minds and playing havoc with our lives. The polarity struggle becomes obvious when we check in on our own internal dialogues. We all have a Gollum sharing our awareness, and sometimes it is uncomfortable to monitor our thinking…. and what it reveals about the state of our consciousness.
The Mechanism of Absolute Control
Since our tribal, inclusive reality was ripped away from us, we have become debt slaves, caged in concrete and glass, divorced from the living reality of nature and immersed in the grossest of materialistic culture. Humanity is enslaved in a model that feeds on itself from micro to macro. From the pimp on the street corner to the highest echelons of government, we are controlled by a mechanism that enriches the elites and throttles the poor. It really doesn’t matter who is in control. Our rulers are corrupt. All the top brass are carrying out a gematria based occult agenda for world domination, and a new digital dark age.
This was the plan of the Roman/Luciferian church from the beginning of the Piscean Age – two thousand years of butchery and genocide in the name of religion and greed. An age of lies, deception, delusion, excess, and the death of true spirituality. The matrix clones that masquerade as human beings are trash piles of lies, deceit, selfishness, cruelty, dishonesty, sexual deviance and are ‘down right no good’.
But this dimension is all about division. The fundamental of the matrix bubble game is ‘me versus you’ and ‘us versus them.’
The Matrix Bubble
Each one of us exists in a polarised bubble – a little universe of the I am. Every split second, bubbles of self absorbed I’s bump into each other, and brimming with self righteous indignation battle out ‘right is might’ with their inherited, distorted version of the truth.
Driven and controlled by fear, religious and political dogma, the I’s will pander, defend and give their minds away to any corrupt political or religious demagogue that shows up on the scene. They want things to continue as they are without understanding that everything that exists is in motion, and everything is subject to change in the blinking of an eye.
The Assemblage Point
“Any movement of the assemblage point means a movement away from an excessive concern with the individual self. Shamans believe it is the position of the assemblage point which makes modern man a homicidal egoist, a being totally involved with his self-image. Having lost hope of ever returning to the source of everything, the average man seeks solace in his selfishness.” Don Juan Mateus.
In essence a human being is a vibrating field of consciousness within an infinite ocean of awareness. Our energy fields have a cosmic core of pulsing power, and this is called the assemblage point. It is the core programme from where we view our personal reality. It shapes our way of experiencing the world, our response to the environment, our interaction and relationships with others. It molds our beliefs and our decisions.
The assemblage point of balanced human beings is located at the centre of the chest, a point in line with the armpits.When our assemblage point is centred, we have everything we need, are content with our lives and can cope with everything life throws at us.
It is sad, that the mass of humanity is stuck in division and drama. Unable to move their assemblage point away from duality, they live and die within the bubble matrix without realising there is another possibility – the quiet space between the + positive and – negative charge – the shamans seat of power.
Taking Out the Trash
People who have no spiritual foundation in their lives are toxic, conflicted individuals. Always picking sides without realising that in a duality both tails wag the same dog. They are critical, divisive, and delight in putting others down. This type of abuse can upset us emotionally, and after constant attacks on our psyche can knock us off balance. This can lead to a shift in our assemblage point and change a harmonic reality into a discordant, hateful resonance pattern.
So, dear friends, it is time to take out the trash and remove divisive people from our little bubble of reality. Only then will our resonance be clear of negative energy and we can go forward with our unshakeable, individualized truth into the Oneness state of being.
Non Local Reality
Non local reality or the Oneness field is experiential and hard to put into words. We are everything and can be everything instantaneously because in non local reality there is no separation – no duality. There is one universal field of potentiality where everything is connected. In this state of awareness, we can release our own patterns of controlling others, and become free of the constraints of dualism. We can achieve a state of consciousness where we re-ignite our atrophied psychic centres, and allow our inner intuition to guide us to a life of meaningful coincidences and synchronistic encounters that further our spiritual ascension. When we cultivate a personal re-connection with Source, we undergo a mystical transformation – a rebirth that lifts us into a Higher-Self Awareness.
In times of chaos and change, it is important to understand what is really happening. The matrix bubbles are fighting. The Mr Hyde’s are in control and we do not need their bull shit in our lives. We are spiritual beings on a mission to re-connect with Source.
So, until next time, surround yourself with like minded people. And, most importantly stay in love with your life.
Burst that bubble!
About the Author
Elva Thompson was born in England in 1947 and moved to Rosebud Lakota reservation in 1987. She is the author of the Heartstar Series; Book One: The Key made of Air, and Book Two: The Gates to Pandemonia. Her other interests include organic gardening, ancient phonetic languages, sonic sound and their application in the healing arts. She is also a medical intuitive and teaches sonic re-patterning using sound, colour, and essential oils. Elva Thompson is on Amazon Author Central @ amazon.com/author/heartstar


thewakingtimes--2020-11-21--As Left And Right Argue Over Election Results, Cannabis Got More Votes Than Trump And Biden In Many

As Left And Right Argue Over Election Results , Cannabis Got More Votes Than Trump And Biden In Many States Get the latest Waking Times articles delivered to your inbox .
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Depending on which echo chamber you receive your news from , you are being told that Joe Biden won the election or that the election was stolen from Donald Trump .
Despite mainstream media claiming both of these things over the last 2 weeks , neither of them are verifiably true .
Though the media has declared Joe Biden president , the Electoral College , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Archives have not yet declared a winner .
What ’ s more , though there have been several instances of uncounted votes and other questionable election incidents , the idea that the election was “ stolen ” from Trump has also yet to be proven .
The reality is that truth doesn ’ t seem to matter anymore to people in this country .
People are so divided by partisan politics and their echo chambers in the mainstream media that you can present them with undeniable factual information and they would scoff at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ muddied by the fringes of Qanon and the ‘ woke ’ left that truth has taken a back seat to the new norm which is now cognitive dissonance .
All hope is not lost however and despite partisan rhetoric and decades of misinformation and lies fed to the American public in regard to cannabis , the war on weed is failing — fast .
The silver lining to the massive divide in America currently , is that it made a record number of people go out and vote .
While voting for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overturn prohibition that has led to the needless suffering of millions , is highly effective in the fight for freedom .
Though the left and the right fought to the bitter end over the pussy grabber and the child sniffer , when they went to the poles earlier this month , millions of them agreed that cannabis shouldn ’ t be illegal .
Cannabis legalization measures were passed in red and blue states , with weed winning more votes than the popular candidates !
As Marijuana Moment reports , in most cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the polls declined to endorse the reform ahead of the election—perhaps something that politicians in states where cannabis is on the ballot in 2022 will take note of .
In Arizona , who legalized cannabis in a landslide vote , the proposal passed with 1,951,877 total votes .
This total beat out both senile old men as Trump received 1,657,250 votes while Biden received 1,668,684 .
The same thing happened in Mississippi , Montana , New Jersey , South Dakota , and Oregon made history with more votes being cast to decriminalize all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeff Merkley , Democratic Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and her Republican opponent Michael Cross .
The people have spoken and it appears that more of them like legal cannabis more than either one of the blowhard candidates with their empty promises .
Voting to overturn the tyranny of the drug war can not happen fast enough and it looks like Americans — both on the blue team and the red — are finally beginning to grasp this .
Unfortunately , even though Biden claimed he will “ pursue modest marijuana reform ” after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these claims ring entirely hollow given his lust for locking brown and black people in cages in his past four decades in Washington .
The prohibition of cannabis is a major tool used by the police state to go after communities of color and the poor and those who profit from preying on these groups will not give up that power easily which is why Biden has refused to even consider legalization .
The good news is that despite Biden ’ s obstinate views on this amazing plant , House Majority Leader Steny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that marijuana legalization is still on the table before the presidential transition and will get a vote in December .
The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement ( MORE ) Act , was supposed to go up for a vote in September but was shelved by Democrats who were worried about how it would look to pass a legalization bill without passing another coronavirus relief package .
Well , since that relief package never came , the MORE act is up for vote once more , and will take place next moth .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Controlled Substances Act ( CSA ) .
But that is not all .
It would go one step further and seek to undo the horrific damage caused by the state ’ s war on this plant by expunging the records of those persecuted by cannabis prohibition .
Matt Agorist is an honorably discharged veteran of the USMC and former intelligence operator directly tasked by the NSA .
This prior experience gives him unique insight into the world of government corruption and the American police state .
Agorist has been an independent journalist for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on mainstream networks around the world .
Agorist is also the Editor at Large at the Free Thought Project .
Follow @ MattAgorist on Twitter , Steemit , and now on Minds .
**This article ( As Left And Right Argue Over Election Results , Cannabis Got More Votes Than Trump And Biden In Many States ) was originally published at The Free Thought Project and is re-posted here with permission .
**

As Left And Right Argue Over Election Results, Cannabis Got More Votes Than Trump And Biden In Many States
Matt Agorist, The Free Thought Project
Waking Times
Depending on which echo chamber you receive your news from, you are being told that Joe Biden won the election or that the election was stolen from Donald Trump. Despite mainstream media claiming both of these things over the last 2 weeks, neither of them are verifiably true.
Though the media has declared Joe Biden president, the Electoral College, Congress, the Senate and the National Archives have not yet declared a winner. What’s more, though there have been several instances of uncounted votes and other questionable election incidents, the idea that the election was “stolen” from Trump has also yet to be proven.
The reality is that truth doesn’t seem to matter anymore to people in this country. People are so divided by partisan politics and their echo chambers in the mainstream media that you can present them with undeniable factual information and they would scoff at it. The waters have been so muddied by the fringes of Qanon and the ‘woke’ left that truth has taken a back seat to the new norm which is now cognitive dissonance.
All hope is not lost however and despite partisan rhetoric and decades of misinformation and lies fed to the American public in regard to cannabis, the war on weed is failing — fast.
The silver lining to the massive divide in America currently, is that it made a record number of people go out and vote. While voting for a president is mostly futile, voting to overturn prohibition that has led to the needless suffering of millions, is highly effective in the fight for freedom.
Though the left and the right fought to the bitter end over the pussy grabber and the child sniffer, when they went to the poles earlier this month, millions of them agreed that cannabis shouldn’t be illegal. Cannabis legalization measures were passed in red and blue states, with weed winning more votes than the popular candidates!
As Marijuana Moment reports, in most cases, candidates who were outperformed by marijuana at the polls declined to endorse the reform ahead of the election—perhaps something that politicians in states where cannabis is on the ballot in 2022 will take note of.
In Arizona, who legalized cannabis in a landslide vote, the proposal passed with 1,951,877 total votes. This total beat out both senile old men as Trump received 1,657,250 votes while Biden received 1,668,684.
The same thing happened in Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, South Dakota, and Oregon made history with more votes being cast to decriminalize all drugs than for Trump, Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley, Democratic Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and her Republican opponent Michael Cross.
The people have spoken and it appears that more of them like legal cannabis more than either one of the blowhard candidates with their empty promises.
Voting to overturn the tyranny of the drug war cannot happen fast enough and it looks like Americans — both on the blue team and the red — are finally beginning to grasp this.
Unfortunately, even though Biden claimed he will “pursue modest marijuana reform” after he gets in the White House, these claims ring entirely hollow given his lust for locking brown and black people in cages in his past four decades in Washington. The prohibition of cannabis is a major tool used by the police state to go after communities of color and the poor and those who profit from preying on these groups will not give up that power easily which is why Biden has refused to even consider legalization.
The good news is that despite Biden’s obstinate views on this amazing plant, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) confirmed last week that marijuana legalization is still on the table before the presidential transition and will get a vote in December.
The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, was supposed to go up for a vote in September but was shelved by Democrats who were worried about how it would look to pass a legalization bill without passing another coronavirus relief package. Well, since that relief package never came, the MORE act is up for vote once more, and will take place next moth.
The MORE Act would remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). But that is not all. It would go one step further and seek to undo the horrific damage caused by the state’s war on this plant by expunging the records of those persecuted by cannabis prohibition.
About the Author
Matt Agorist is an honorably discharged veteran of the USMC and former intelligence operator directly tasked by the NSA. This prior experience gives him unique insight into the world of government corruption and the American police state. Agorist has been an independent journalist for over a decade and has been featured on mainstream networks around the world. Agorist is also the Editor at Large at the Free Thought Project. Follow @MattAgorist on Twitter, Steemit, and now on Minds.
**This article (As Left And Right Argue Over Election Results, Cannabis Got More Votes Than Trump And Biden In Many States) was originally published at The Free Thought Project and is re-posted here with permission.**