consciouslifenews--2020-08-28--These Are Dark Times, But Private Enterprise Is Stepping Up Its Game

2020 will go down as a year in which everything went wrong , both socially and individually .
A killer virus got loose .
Racial issues erupted .
Certain countries became more aggressive militarily .
And people found themselves out of work .
And that ’ s scratching the surface .
In times like these , it can be tempting to turn to the government .
But remember , the state has limited powers to do anything , let alone rescue people from complex problems , like a pandemic .
It moves slowly , is unwilling to innovate , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work against the average person .
For that reason , we should look to .
We should never underestimate market participants ' collective genius to deliver lasting and meaningful improvements to people ’ s lives .
In fact , that ’ s already what we do see .
It is occurring practically everywhere you look .
Brands are adjusting their activities to provide as much value as possible in “ the new normal.
” It ’ s clear that things probably won ’ t go back to how they once were , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adapting .
And there are still plenty of opportunities for profitability .
So what examples are out there of private enterprise stepping up to the challenge posed by the current crises ?
Check them out below .
Coronavirus is primarily a .
And it has taken its toll on health systems across the world , from Wuhan in China to northern Italy to the great city of New York .
One of the problems has been collecting and processing patient data .
It takes an eternity to comply with all the data protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to share .
Thus , hospitals have found it hard to get hold of patient histories , which has had a real impact on the quality of the care they ’ ve been able to offer .
Fortunately , though , tech firms are stepping into the fray to solve the problem .
Burst IQ , for instance , says that it is now possible to use blockchain to control access to patient data and share it securely .
The technology works in the same way as bitcoin .
But this time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of information related to the patient , not money in an account .
Patients can control precisely what information doctors see , and when .
Public health experts believe that 80 percent of the world ’ s population will get COVID-19 at some point in the future .
There is no herd immunity .
Before 2019 , nobody had the correct coronavirus antibodies in their system to stop it from spreading .
Thus , it is essential to control the rate of spread of the infection so that we develop herd immunity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The trick may be to use apps .
We all carry around smartphones all day long with us wherever we go .
Now developers are creating apps that show people who they interacted with recently , whether they had COVID-19 , and whether they require isolation .
Trials are already underway in some European countries .
And we could see the scheme rolled out more universally over the coming months in other places .
It was only going to be a matter of time before somebody figured out how to turn the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advertising .
Now , a collection of companies are doing it – and having surprising success .
You must wear face masks whenever you go out in public in many parts of the world .
So you might as well advertise while you ’ re doing it .
are now becoming a real thing .
And companies are making it possible to customize them in whatever way you like .
It ’ s almost becoming merch !
Over the past few months , many businesses have shut their doors to customers and close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off in offices and retail units up and down the country .
However , not all these businesses are dead .
Many are still viable .
They ’ re just biding their time and waiting for demand to return .
Restarting a company , however , isn ’ t an easy task – far from it .
You have to let customers know that you ’ re once again open for business , even though the last time you communicated with them was to tell them you were shutting .
The solution , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ bounce-back ” marketing .
The here is to provide close firms with all the tools and information they need to get back on their feet .
Mostly , this involves training in-house marketing teams , either using free booklets or via webinars .
Lack of food security is something that affects a large number of people throughout the country .
Food banks have become an essential feature of most cities .
But they ’ re incredibly important during the present crisis when so many people are out of work .
Now companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of charitable efforts .
For instance , Ocean House is a Rhode Island restaurant that serves up award-winning food to local patrons .
During the crisis , however , it discovered that some local school children weren ’ t receiving adequate meals .
Instead of doing nothing , it packed up its food truck and started offering kids out of school soups , fruits , and sandwiches .
All of its food was highly nutritious – just what the kids needed .
We must find some way collectively to get schools back open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains high .
A lot of students have lost the better part of a year .
And it could ultimately have an impact on their capacity to learn and develop as people in the future .
Now a group of janitorial companies , including one called SSC Services for Education , are looking at ways to reduce transmission risk , putting concerns at ease .
Interestingly , they ’ re innovating massively in the type of services that they are offering .
For instance , we see the rise of electrostatic cleaning where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to coat surfaces thoroughly in disinfectant .
Interestingly , this type of equipment wasn ’ t particularly widespread in the past .
It didn ’ t really matter whether cleaners killed all viruses .
Most were benign .
Now , though , the situation has changed , making a big difference in how cleaners are cleaning .
The long-term effects of these new approaches could be interesting .
We could see community transmission of less deadly , but annoying , viruses , like the flu , go down .
We ’ ve already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of regular colds and respiratory conditions .
Now , this could become long-term , and proper cleaning measures take effect .
In regular times , the world ’ s distilleries produce alcohol for beverage production .
A tiny fraction of total capacity goes into making things like hand sanitizer .
Today , though , things are different .
The is enormous and global .
And companies have the tools and capacity to ramp up production and make a real difference to worldwide inventory .
In March , we saw temporary shortages of hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world quickly stepped up to the plate , churning out new hand sanitizer products in an incredibly short space of time .
In the last few months , they ’ ve continued to improve their offerings , and prices have come down substantially .
Improving The Ability To Work From Home COVID-19 means that upwards of 40 percent of people may now have to work from home long-term .
At least for the next couple of years , the traditional office will become a thing of the past .
Firms aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk .
They depend on them to make a profit .
However , the ability to work from home is improving all the time , thanks mainly to changes in the software industry.Examples of progress in this area abound , so we won ’ t have space to discuss all of them here .
O ne place we ’ ve seen improvement is in workflow dashboards that work over the cloud .
When people are physically distant from each other , it is often hard for them to know what everyone else is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though , there are tools that allow managers and colleagues to keep track of everyone else ’ s progress and react to it in real-time , instead of sending emails continually .
Another place we see progress is in the realm of service management .
Employees don ’ t want to have to manage their own IT when working from home .
They ’ d much prefer to install a client on their machines and farm the task off to somebody else .
Now that ’ s a possibility , thanks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The average worker doesn ’ t even have to think about their current IT situation .
Apps are also changing to accommodate changes in the working environment .
For instance , the communications app Slack has fleshed out its feature set since the start of the crisis to make it more usable for those working remotely .
Therefore , private enterprise can help counteract the damage done by the coronavirus and speed the transition to a new type of economy .
It is solving problems all over the place , many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago .

2020 will go down as a year in which everything went wrong, both socially and individually. A killer virus got loose. Racial issues erupted. Certain countries became more aggressive militarily. And people found themselves out of work. And that’s scratching the surface.
In times like these, it can be tempting to turn to the government. But remember, the state has limited powers to do anything, let alone rescue people from complex problems, like a pandemic. It moves slowly, is unwilling to innovate, and has a set of priorities that usually work against the average person.
For that reason, we should look to private ingenuity in dark times . We should never underestimate market participants' collective genius to deliver lasting and meaningful improvements to people’s lives.
In fact, that’s already what we do see. It is occurring practically everywhere you look. Brands are adjusting their activities to provide as much value as possible in “the new normal.” It’s clear that things probably won’t go back to how they once were, but that’s okay. Business is adapting. And there are still plenty of opportunities for profitability.
So what examples are out there of private enterprise stepping up to the challenge posed by the current crises? Check them out below.
Improving Data Management for Healthcare
Pexels – CC0 License
Coronavirus is primarily a public health emergency . And it has taken its toll on health systems across the world, from Wuhan in China to northern Italy to the great city of New York.
One of the problems has been collecting and processing patient data. It takes an eternity to comply with all the data protection regulations. And it isn't easy to share. Thus, hospitals have found it hard to get hold of patient histories, which has had a real impact on the quality of the care they’ve been able to offer.
Fortunately, though, tech firms are stepping into the fray to solve the problem. Burst IQ, for instance, says that it is now possible to use blockchain to control access to patient data and share it securely. The technology works in the same way as bitcoin. But this time, the items on the ledger are pieces of information related to the patient, not money in an account. Patients can control precisely what information doctors see, and when.
COVID-19 Apps
Public health experts believe that 80 percent of the world’s population will get COVID-19 at some point in the future. There is no herd immunity. Before 2019, nobody had the correct coronavirus antibodies in their system to stop it from spreading.
Thus, it is essential to control the rate of spread of the infection so that we develop herd immunity and so health systems aren’t overwhelmed.
The trick may be to use apps. We all carry around smartphones all day long with us wherever we go. Now developers are creating apps that show people who they interacted with recently, whether they had COVID-19, and whether they require isolation. Trials are already underway in some European countries. And we could see the scheme rolled out more universally over the coming months in other places.
Face Masks As Marketing Materials
Pexels – CC0 License
It was only going to be a matter of time before somebody figured out how to turn the humble face mask into a piece of advertising. Now, a collection of companies are doing it – and having surprising success.
You must wear face masks whenever you go out in public in many parts of the world. So you might as well advertise while you’re doing it. Fun face masks are now becoming a real thing. And companies are making it possible to customize them in whatever way you like. It’s almost becoming merch!
Bounce-Back Marketing
Over the past few months, many businesses have shut their doors to customers and close their operations. The lights have remained off in offices and retail units up and down the country. However, not all these businesses are dead. Many are still viable. They’re just biding their time and waiting for demand to return.
Restarting a company, however, isn’t an easy task – far from it. You have to let customers know that you’re once again open for business, even though the last time you communicated with them was to tell them you were shutting.
The solution, according to innovative marketing agencies, is “bounce-back” marketing. The idea here is to provide close firms with all the tools and information they need to get back on their feet. Mostly, this involves training in-house marketing teams, either using free booklets or via webinars.
Food Security Innovation
Lack of food security is something that affects a large number of people throughout the country. Food banks have become an essential feature of most cities. But they’re incredibly important during the present crisis when so many people are out of work.
Now companies are seeking to improve food security independently of charitable efforts. For instance, Ocean House is a Rhode Island restaurant that serves up award-winning food to local patrons. During the crisis, however, it discovered that some local school children weren’t receiving adequate meals.
Instead of doing nothing, it packed up its food truck and started offering kids out of school soups, fruits, and sandwiches. All of its food was highly nutritious – just what the kids needed.
Better Janitorial Services For Educational Establishments
We must find some way collectively to get schools back open, even as the risk of infection remains high. A lot of students have lost the better part of a year. And it could ultimately have an impact on their capacity to learn and develop as people in the future.
Now a group of janitorial companies, including one called SSC Services for Education, are looking at ways to reduce transmission risk, putting concerns at ease.
Interestingly, they’re innovating massively in the type of services that they are offering. For instance, we see the rise of electrostatic cleaning where cleaners use the power of static electricity to coat surfaces thoroughly in disinfectant.
Interestingly, this type of equipment wasn’t particularly widespread in the past. It didn’t really matter whether cleaners killed all viruses. Most were benign. Now, though, the situation has changed, making a big difference in how cleaners are cleaning.
The long-term effects of these new approaches could be interesting. We could see community transmission of less deadly, but annoying, viruses, like the flu, go down. We’ve already seen how social distancing blunted the curve of regular colds and respiratory conditions. Now, this could become long-term, and proper cleaning measures take effect.
Switching To Hand Sanitizer Production
Pexels – CC0 License
In regular times, the world’s distilleries produce alcohol for beverage production. A tiny fraction of total capacity goes into making things like hand sanitizer.
Today, though, things are different. The demand for sanitizer is enormous and global. And companies have the tools and capacity to ramp up production and make a real difference to worldwide inventory.
In March, we saw temporary shortages of hand sanitizer. But drinks companies all over the world quickly stepped up to the plate, churning out new hand sanitizer products in an incredibly short space of time. In the last few months, they’ve continued to improve their offerings, and prices have come down substantially.
Improving The Ability To Work From Home
COVID-19 means that upwards of 40 percent of people may now have to work from home long-term. At least for the next couple of years, the traditional office will become a thing of the past. Firms aren’t willing to put their people at risk. They depend on them to make a profit.
However, the ability to work from home is improving all the time, thanks mainly to changes in the software industry.Examples of progress in this area abound, so we won’t have space to discuss all of them here.
O ne place we’ve seen improvement is in workflow dashboards that work over the cloud. When people are physically distant from each other, it is often hard for them to know what everyone else is doing and projects' status. Now, though, there are tools that allow managers and colleagues to keep track of everyone else’s progress and react to it in real-time, instead of sending emails continually.
Another place we see progress is in the realm of service management. Employees don’t want to have to manage their own IT when working from home. They’d much prefer to install a client on their machines and farm the task off to somebody else. Now that’s a possibility, thanks to services that monitor connections and regulate permissions. The average worker doesn’t even have to think about their current IT situation.
Apps are also changing to accommodate changes in the working environment. For instance, the communications app Slack has fleshed out its feature set since the start of the crisis to make it more usable for those working remotely.
Therefore, private enterprise can help counteract the damage done by the coronavirus and speed the transition to a new type of economy. It is solving problems all over the place, many of which would have been intractable just ten years ago.


consciouslifenews--2020-08-28--Eczema and How to Treat It

Eczema and How to Treat It

Those who live with the chronic skin condition known as atopic eczema are well aware of its maddening and sometimes debilitating effects : the constantly itchy skin , the rashes and blisters , the sleepless nights , the embarrassing skin flaking .
At times eczema symptoms can seem to recede , but brief relief can be shattered by painful “ flare-ups ” that erupt without warning .
Worse , while treatments for atopic eczema can help ease the symptoms , there ’ s no cure .
When people use the term “ eczema ” they are usually referring to atopic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ type .
Atopic conditions are those that involve the that include hay fever , asthma , and food allergies .
Dermatitis refers to skin inflammation .
While similar , eczema should not be confused with psoriasis .
Eczema is the umbrella name for a group of conditions that cause dry skin that becomes itchy , inflamed , flaky , or have a red , rash-like appearance .
It ’ s a fairly common skin ailment : according to the National Eczema Association , more than 31.6 million Americans have one or more of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact dermatitis being the second most common .
One in 10 individuals will develop eczema during their lifetime .
• Rashes in the creases of the elbows or knees or the nape of the neck • Rashes that cover much of the body Although eczema itself is not a life-threatening disease , and has no connection with incidences of skin cancer , it can have debilitating effects on quality of life .
While researchers know that eczema is caused by allergic reactions to a wide array of irritants and allergens ranging from clothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mites , even the weather , they don ’ t know exactly why .
As such , there is no cure for eczema .
Fortunately , there are a number of treatment options that can bring relief .
Your doctor or dermatologist can offer advice on over-the-counter treatments or more aggressive approaches that include prescription medications , light baths , and wet wrap therapy .
According to the National Eczema Association , some of the more common treatments include : Simple Self Care and Hygiene : First off , your doctor will emphasize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care .
Those with eczema should keep their skin clean and take frequent lukewarm baths or showers , applying moisturizer and topical medications immediately after .
If regular bathing and moisturizing fails to soothe sensitive skin , doctors may seek to reduce inflammation by prescribing a topical ointment with steroids .
For stubborn cases of severe atopic dermatitis , systemic medications that fight entire body inflammation may be needed .
Wet Wrap Therapy : For intense eczema flares , wet wraps treatments where moisturized skin is wrapped in a damp fabric can bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restore the skin barrier by rehydrating the skin and helping medications soak in deeper and more effectively .
It can also be help heal abrasions and dry areas , reduce water loss , and treat skin infections .
Hydrocortisone Topical Corticosteroids ( Steroids ) : One of the most commonly prescribed medications for all types of eczema is a topical hydrocortisone corticosteroid , which can ease redness and reduce inflammation and itching so that skin can heal .
Corticosteroids have been used for more than 50 years in topical medications to treat various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Whether prescription or OTC , or in ointments , creams , or lotions , keeping the skin moist and supple is key in combatting eczema .
While plenty of brand-name OTC products are out there , look for those that are recommended to .
Be sure to use a thick layer of moisturizer within three minutes of bathing to lock in moisture .
Apply prescription topical medications as directed before moisturizing .
Antihistamines : These drugs relieve itching and their sleep-inducing effects can bring about better sleep when taken at night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ option or prescribe something stronger .
Antibiotics : Constant scratching leads to the risk of a skin infection as bacteria gets underneath the already-damaged skin .
Dermatologists will often advise using antibiotics to treat bacterial skin infections .
However , they are used primarily to kill germs and bacteria and will not relieve itching or reduce inflammation .
Phototherapy or Ultraviolet B Therapy : In this unique form of treatment , patients stand in a UVB or UVA light box that mimics natural sunlight , increasing vitamin D production while calming itchiness by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Those who live with the chronic skin condition known as atopic eczema are well aware of its maddening and sometimes debilitating effects: the constantly itchy skin, the rashes and blisters, the sleepless nights, the embarrassing skin flaking.
At times eczema symptoms can seem to recede, but brief relief can be shattered by painful “flare-ups” that erupt without warning. Worse, while treatments for atopic eczema can help ease the symptoms, there’s no cure.
What Is Eczema?
When people use the term “eczema” they are usually referring to atopic dermatitis, which is the most common type. Atopic conditions are those that involve the immune system that include hay fever, asthma, and food allergies. Dermatitis refers to skin inflammation. While similar, eczema should not be confused with psoriasis.
Eczema is the umbrella name for a group of conditions that cause dry skin that becomes itchy, inflamed, flaky, or have a red, rash-like appearance. It’s a fairly common skin ailment: according to the National Eczema Association, more than 31.6 million Americans have one or more of the seven types of eczema, with contact dermatitis being the second most common. One in 10 individuals will develop eczema during their lifetime.
Eczema Symptoms
Scaly rashes
Rashes in the creases of the elbows or knees or the nape of the neck
Rashes that cover much of the body
Very dry skin on affected areas
Permanently itchy rashes
Skin infections
Although eczema itself is not a life-threatening disease, and has no connection with incidences of skin cancer, it can have debilitating effects on quality of life. While researchers know that eczema is caused by allergic reactions to a wide array of irritants and allergens ranging from clothing, food, pet dander, dust mites, even the weather, they don’t know exactly why. As such, there is no cure for eczema.
Eczema Treatments
Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options that can bring relief. Your doctor or dermatologist can offer advice on over-the-counter treatments or more aggressive approaches that include prescription medications, light baths, and wet wrap therapy.
According to the National Eczema Association, some of the more common treatments include:
Simple Self Care and Hygiene: First off, your doctor will emphasize the importance of consistent, aggressive skin care. Those with eczema should keep their skin clean and take frequent lukewarm baths or showers, applying moisturizer and topical medications immediately after.
If regular bathing and moisturizing fails to soothe sensitive skin, doctors may seek to reduce inflammation by prescribing a topical ointment with steroids. For stubborn cases of severe atopic dermatitis, systemic medications that fight entire body inflammation may be needed.
Wet Wrap Therapy: For intense eczema flares, wet wraps treatments where moisturized skin is wrapped in a damp fabric can bring quick relief. Its goal is to restore the skin barrier by rehydrating the skin and helping medications soak in deeper and more effectively. It can also be help heal abrasions and dry areas, reduce water loss, and treat skin infections.
Hydrocortisone Topical Corticosteroids (Steroids): One of the most commonly prescribed medications for all types of eczema is a topical hydrocortisone corticosteroid, which can ease redness and reduce inflammation and itching so that skin can heal. Corticosteroids have been used for more than 50 years in topical medications to treat various kinds of inflammatory skin conditions.
Moisturizers: Whether prescription or OTC, or in ointments, creams, or lotions, keeping the skin moist and supple is key in combatting eczema. While plenty of brand-name OTC products are out there, look for those that are recommended to treat eczema . Be sure to use a thick layer of moisturizer within three minutes of bathing to lock in moisture. Apply prescription topical medications as directed before moisturizing.
Antihistamines: These drugs relieve itching and their sleep-inducing effects can bring about better sleep when taken at night. Doctors will recommend Benadryl as an OTC option or prescribe something stronger.
Antibiotics: Constant scratching leads to the risk of a skin infection as bacteria gets underneath the already-damaged skin. Dermatologists will often advise using antibiotics to treat bacterial skin infections. However, they are used primarily to kill germs and bacteria and will not relieve itching or reduce inflammation.
Phototherapy or Ultraviolet B Therapy: In this unique form of treatment, patients stand in a UVB or UVA light box that mimics natural sunlight, increasing vitamin D production while calming itchiness by curbing the body’s inflammatory responses.


consciouslifenews--2020-08-29--Preliminary Research Suggest Spit Test Could Diagnose Heart Attacks In 10 Minutes

The early signs are positive that a spit test-taking just 10 minutes could detect the possible onset of a heart attack .
The findings – which are still to be peer-reviewed , were presented recently at the 2020 European Society for Cardiology Annual congress .
The aim of the spit test is to determine the presence of a protein biomarker called troponin within a person ’ s bloodstream .
Troponin rises rapidly during heart attacks as it helps to regulate the heart .
The plan is for the tests to yield a positive or negative result within minutes .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diseases are the number one cause of death , claiming an estimated 17.9 million lives each year worldwide .
One issue currently with suspected heart attacks is that symptoms can be quite generalized and vague .
These include chest pain , nausea , and fatigue .
Testing for troponin is more specific and can provide more accurate identification of a possible heart attack .
However , the current testing is done with blood and takes about an hour for results .
Cutting down one hour to 10 minutes could potentially have life-saving consequences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a simple and rapid troponin test for patients with chest pain in the pre-hospital setting , ” said the study ’ s author Roi Westreich , of the Soroka University Medical Centre in Israel .
READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE…… .
Tags : `` featured , death from heart disease , featured , rapid test for heart attack , rapid troponin test , signs of heart attack , test for heart attack

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consciouslifenews--2020-08-29--Robocop Is Here — New Police Helmet Scans For Signs of COVID-19 and Uses Facial Recognition

It took 33 years but Robocop is now here .
Well , not exactly , but the rise of the police state fueled by advancements in technology has given birth to a heads-up display equipped helmet sure to please the most anxious of peace officers .
It ’ s called a “ Smart Helmet ” and it can screen airport passengers for symptoms the COVID-19 virus as well as provide the scanning officer with other vital records .
Public officials in Flint , Michigan can not provide clean drinking water to their residents but travelers to Bishop International Airport can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cop helmets where they ’ re currently deployed .
Under the guise of screening passengers for COVID-19 , the Smart Helmet , produced by KeyBiz based in Italy , can scan travelers ’ body temperatures from over 20 feet away .
But the Smart Helmet is not limited to temperature body scans which any laser guided thermometer can do , not in the slightest .
Facial recognition software is installed which can provide the police officer with information related to outstanding warrants , if an individual is identified on a terror watch list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read license plates for outstanding warrants , stolen vehicle information , criminal histories , etc .
Even if you are completely innocent , you will be subject to these scans .
Temperature scans can be done at a distance of 21 feet or less .
The helmets have already been deployed in Italy and elsewhere around the world .
Michigan ’ s ABC12 reports if someone ’ s temperature is in excess of 100.4 degrees , more investigation into the traveler ’ s health will be conducted to determine if the passenger is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have warned our readers for quite some time the COVID-19 pandemic would be used as an onus for a greater invasion of privacy .
Some of us here at are old enough to remember when boarding a plane was a simple as buying a ticket and getting aboard .
Fast forward nearly 20 years and there are quite a few things which happen the minute your ticket is purchased .
First , your name , age , and birth date are checked to see if you ’ ve been added to a terror @ @ @ @ @ @ @ otherwise .
Then , when you ’ re cleared to travel , you must soon possess a “ Real ID , ” Without it ( come October ) you won ’ t be allowed to fly .
Upon arrival to the airport , your identification is scanned and further checked in databases for any flags which may arise .
READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE… .
Tags : `` featured , COVID-19 smart helmet for screening airline passengers , featured , Michigan using smart helmet for temperature checks , Robocop style smart helmet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan airport


consciouslifenews--2020-08-29--Here’s How A Cashless Society Would Affect Day To Day Life

Have you ever thought about the ramifications of a cashless society ?
I ’ m talking about the real , first-person effects , not some ephemeral conspiracy theory or possible biblical prophecy .
This is bad news for a lot of reasons , not the least of which are the ways it would affect day-to-day life .
Here ’ s my definition of a cashless society , so we ’ re all singing from the same songbook : Cash would no longer be legal tender , therefore you could not make purchases with it , pay bills with it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You would not be able to deposit cash into your bank account so you wouldn ’ t be able to accept cash for an exchange of goods or services .
Therefore , cash would be nothing more than a worthless piece of paper .
( I know , I know .
Debt-based currency is a totally different article though . )
We ’ re heading this way .
Jose recently wrote that Venezuela is rapidly becoming cashless and here in the United States a concerning early sign is that there is a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores to give you your change on a store loyalty card or invite you to donate that change to some cause .
Think of all the times that cash is an appropriate gift .
I ’ ve always given money , like stuffing a child ’ s birthday card with a $ 20 bill or giving a new graduate some cash to put toward college expenses .
When I got married , we received quite a bit of money from various loved ones .
My dad always gave my daughters some spending money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they were surprised and delighted every single time .
However , in a cashless society , there are two problems with this .
First of all , the recipient would not be able to use the cash .
He or she would not be able to spend or deposit it .
Secondly , if a monetary gift is given , it would have to be done with a check or electronic transfer .
This means that the government ( and the Tax Man ) would know precisely how much money any person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big deal for the 7-year-old who got $ 20 from grandpa , but what about the graduate who raked in a couple thousand in gifts from family members to celebrate his or her accomplishments ?
At what point will the government have their hands out for “ their fair share ?
” A lot of folks are really struggling right now with the COVID shutdowns .
Jobs have been lost , hours have been cut , and financial problems abound .
One of the ways that these people are making ends meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cutting grass , cleaning houses , driving for Uber , delivering food , babysitting – they ’ re coming up with all sorts of ways to make some extra money .
A huge percentage of these people are being paid in cash .
But if suddenly you can no longer spend your cash , you ’ d need to be paid electronically .
How many people who don ’ t already have a business have a merchant account for taking credit or debit cards ?
There are options like Paypal and Venmo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re going to have to figure out something .
And then , as above , every single bit of this side gig money is traceable and trackable .
This could quickly turn your 20 bucks from lawn mowing into $ 15 after taxes .
Raise your hand if you ’ ve ever sold something to pay a bill .
Me too !
I ’ ve sold jewelry , furniture , exercise equipment – all sorts of stuff to meet an obligation when in a pinch .
Not only that , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year to downsize the things that I found I don ’ t really use , which often brings in a few hundred dollars .
How will this work in a cashless society ?
Well , if you are selling just one larger item , you ’ d probably end up using some kind of payment app like Venmo or Paypal .
On the other hand , a yard sale would be nearly impossible to conduct electronically .
Who is really going to be able to sit there and do Paypal transactions all day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that cost 25 cents ?
And there we are , down another way of making some quick money .
Lots of folks who work in food service and the beauty industry , just to name two niches , depend on tips to make a living .
Generally , tips are collected from tables or paid out at the end of the shift if they were put on a debit card .
But…once there is no cash , these tips will have to end up going on a regular paycheck .
One hundred percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payroll withholdings .
This will mean that a lot of people see a sharp decrease in their earnings , plus they ’ ll have to wait for their checks to get the money .
It puts a lot of power into the hands of the management and it would not be difficult at all for someone to manipulate the amounts the workers have earned .
I ’ ve written many times about the importance of allowing children to handle their own money .
It teaches them responsibility and life skills that will serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Learn more about talking to your kids about money in this article . )
My daughters have had access to money since they were in kindergarten , and possibly before .
Now , how are you going to give a five-year-old access to money if it ’ s all electronic ?
Are they going to end up with their own bank accounts and debit cards ?
That hardly seems realistic .
There is also the option of gift cards , but that means the money can only be spent at certain places , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saving your money to put it toward a Big Goal .
Forget lemonade stands , gifts from Grandpa , or putting change in a piggy bank – these will all be things of the past .
Eight million households in the United States are “ underbanked ” or “ unbanked.
” This means that they don ’ t have any kind of bank account due to fees , bad credit , or other obstacles .
These people rely on check-cashing businesses that already take a hefty fee to give them the pay they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do when this is no longer an option ?
Most of the people who are unbanked or underbanked are living under the poverty line already .
This would mean that they can no longer pick up side-gigs to make ends meet , they can ’ t do odd jobs , and getting them any kind of assistance will be more difficult .
Slate reports how the coin shortage is affecting these Americans : And this is just a coin shortage .
Imagine how difficult it would be if our society became completely cashless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power in access .
So , we can see this isn ’ t an ideal situation for any of us .
But even these things are relatively minor in comparison to the potential for abuse against citizens in a cashless society .
If every single dime you bring in is tracked and recorded , you will have no financial privacy , and you ’ ll also be at far more risk .
Many of us keep some cash savings around the house for emergencies .
Even if there is a bank holiday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the money sitting around to take care of any incidentals while we are unable to access our banked money .
But what happens when things are cashless ?
All that money we ’ ve stashed away over the years would have to go into the coffers and we ’ d lose a certain amount of control .
It ’ s all well and good when times are okay , but what happens when there ’ s a Cyprus-style event and the government decides a bail-in is in order ?
If you don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , billions of dollars were seized from depositors to protect the small country ’ s banking system .
This was done to make good on an $ 11.6 billion dollar debt owed to creditors outside the country .
If you think that sounds far-fetched – like something that could “ never happen here , ” it ’ s incredibly important to note that we already have language that allows for bail-ins here in the United States .
After the bailouts for the economic crisis of 2008 , Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which prohibits government bailouts but allows bail-ins .
So , yes , the money in your account could indeed be used to save a floundering bank .
Not only that , but think about the outrageous phenomenon of civil asset forfeiture .
If you aren ’ t familiar with it , that means that an entity can seize your property or money even when you have not been convicted of a crime .
Civil asset forfeiture provides billions of dollars to the US Government and local police departments every single year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if your wealth was all in one place .
And let me take it just one step further before I take off the tinfoil – think about how many websites , YouTube channels , and social media accounts have been purged and demonetized over the past few years .
Is it that much of a stretch of the imagination that this could be taken a step further ?
That perhaps unpopular opinions could be fined and money immediately be withdrawn from the accounts of those who dissent with the status quo ?
Maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theorist .
But are you actually paranoid when “ they ” are really out to control you ?
What do you think ?
Do you think we ’ re headed toward a cashless society ?
Are you concerned about this ?
Have you considered how you ’ d deal with this situation if it were to occur ?
Share your thoughts 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Tags : `` featured , cashless society , cashless system , effects of a cashless society , featured , spending money in a cashless society , What is a cashless society


consciouslifenews--2020-08-29--Russia Declassifies Footage Of Biggest Nuke Ever Tested: “Mushroom Cloud 7 Times Higher Than Everest

Russia Declassifies Footage Of Biggest Nuke Ever Tested: “Mushroom Cloud 7 Times Higher Than Everest”

Russia has for the first time released full declassified footage of the Soviet Union ’ s monster nuclear bomb known as the ‘ Tsar Bomba ’ hydrogen bomb ( codenamed “ Ivan ” ) .
Widely considered to be the most powerful nuclear weapon ever created and tested , it was detonated 4,000 meters above a sparsely populated archipelago in the Barents Sea on Oct. 30 , 1961 as part of a secretive test nevertheless detected by US intelligence .
The bomb had a yield of an estimated 50 megatons , or the equivalent of 50 million tons of TNT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been released , just days ago the Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation published a 40-minute full documentary featuring the new declassified video of the bomb detonation after being dropped by a Tu-95 Bear bomber on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Russia ’ s nuclear industry .
As shown in the new footage , the physical dimensions of the Tsar Bomba was unprecedented at a length of 26 feet and height of 7 feet .
BBC had previously profiled it as “ too big to use in war ” given the thermonuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wipe out any nearby Soviet outpost along with the enemy ( the Soviet long-range bomber that dropped it was said to have been impacted by the shock wave even though it was already at least a couple dozen miles away at the moment of detonation ) .
Aspects of the Tu-95V Soviet bomber that dropped it over the Arctic test site had to be modified to accommodate it .
The new footage features never before seen images of the massive bomb being carefully transported by train .
As details , the footage reveals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blast which produced a shock wave felt at least 75 miles away and created a mushroom cloud that reached 42 miles into the air , or seven times taller than Mount Everest : The ‘ covert ’ Soviet test ended up not being so secret after all , given reports say the blast and resulting mushroom cloud were visible up to 621 miles away , further shattering windows in nearby Finland .
Below is the full declassified video published by Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation : READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE…..


consciouslifenews--2020-08-29--Morning Inspiration: How To Let Your Light Shine (Motivational Video)

It 's been said that nothing will change for you unless you change .
This shows the essence of allowing @ @ @ @ @ the passage of your life .
It 's good to find out how you can @ @ @ @ @ the world and do everything in your power to accomplish it .
“ As someone @ @ @ @ @ are about to go and do , I can tell you from experience that the @ @ @ @ @ is the most valuable currency there is .
How will you serve the world ?
@ @ @ @ @ your talent can provide ?
That 's all you have to figure out .
Do @ @ @ @ @ the way of the light that shines through this form .
Risk being seen in @ @ @ @ @ Jim Carrey Watch this motivating video featuring inspiring messages from different people .
Tags : @ @ @ @ @ , how to accomplish goals , how to effect change , how to let your @ @ @ @ @ use your talents

Source: Mulligan Brothers MOTIVATION
It's been said that nothing will change for you unless you change. This shows the essence of allowing your innate being to dictate the passage of your life. It's good to find out how you can best leave your mark on the world and do everything in your power to accomplish it.
“As someone who has done what you are about to go and do, I can tell you from experience that the effect you have on others is the most valuable currency there is. How will you serve the world? What do they need that your talent can provide? That's all you have to figure out. Don't let anything stand in the way of the light that shines through this form. Risk being seen in all of your glory.” Jim Carrey
Watch this motivating video featuring inspiring messages from different people.
Be motivated today!!


consciouslifenews--2020-08-29--Maeng Da Kratom- All You Need to Know

Maeng Da Kratom- All You Need to Know

We all had heard of the drug that is entering the market as well as causing a commotion today known as kratom .
However , some people do n't know is that certain strains make a humongous difference when it comes to how much of an advantage they have for the user .
Keep into consideration , it also depends on what you are taking the kratom for , as well as the dosage you take like other herbal drugs out there .
It is fascinating to know that the Maeng Da Kratom is responsible to offer an excellent dosage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than other strains out there .
It is also one of the best as far as helping along with energization and alertness and provides some pain relief .
According to recent scientific studies , it has been reported that kratom helps you just as much as caffeine does .
Moreover , in lower doses , it can improve your concentration levels as well as can act as a nootropic by allowing you to have more endurance .
It can even help in eliminating the harder opioid drugs on the market too .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kratom includes : Keep into consideration , the many varieties of Kratom , Maeng Da Kratom is known as vendors and suppliers .
They also come in white/red , white/green , and pure white vein Kratom .
White vein Kratom is also mixed with red and green vein Kratom in order to create powerful blends with high alkaloid content .
Kats Botanicals Green Maeng Da is the perfect combination of 20 % white vein and 80 % green vein Kratom powder .
The recipe can also change amongst suppliers and vendors .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bunut region .
Farmers handpick the leaves at precise times and they are most fresh and high-quality .
Red Maeng Da uses a blend of 40 % white vein as well as 60 % of red vein powder .
leaves for this variety are sourced in the south of Brunei , in Indonesia .
It is fascinating to know that a unique blend of red , as well as white vein Kratom , helps in order to restore your inner calm and find center and balance in life .
Furthermore , many users @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , the clean , smooth variety is extremely potent .
Beginners start small in doses , and users switching to Red Maeng Da and prepared for an adjustment .
Once you try Red Maeng Da , it will likely become a staple in the Kratom cabinet .
It is essential to know that white Maeng Da leaves are harvested from the West Kalimantan region in Indonesia and southwest of Brunei .
Kats Botanicals sources these leaves from plantations located more than six different districts in this region .
It also contains a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 30 % green vein Kratom .
The particular variety is dried indoors for two days and then dried in sunlight for about 4-5 hours .
The Capsules or the Powder ?
A lot of people do enjoy taking the powder .
However , there are quite a few benefits of taking the capsules .
For starters , people are not going to get quite as high of a dose but they can take a lot more capsules that means they wo n't last as long as they would the powder .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beneficial in lower doses as the recent research has shown , so you can just take a couple of times .
By taking Maeng Da kratom capsules , you are allowed to save yourself a lot of trouble .
Keep in mind that the low doses are just as beneficial rather than higher doses of kratom , and when it is used properly , there is no need to worry about any of the negative side effects of the drug .

We all had heard of the drug that is entering the market as well as causing a commotion today known as kratom. However, some people don't know is that certain strains make a humongous difference when it comes to how much of an advantage they have for the user. Keep into consideration, it also depends on what you are taking the kratom for, as well as the dosage you take like other herbal drugs out there.
Benefits of Maeng Da Kratom
It is fascinating to know that the Maeng Da Kratom is responsible to offer an excellent dosage, which is a lot different rather than other strains out there. It is also one of the best as far as helping along with energization and alertness and provides some pain relief. According to recent scientific studies, it has been reported that kratom helps you just as much as caffeine does. Moreover, in lower doses, it can improve your concentration levels as well as can act as a nootropic by allowing you to have more endurance. It can even help in eliminating the harder opioid drugs on the market too.
Some of the other benefits that Maeng da kratom includes:
Getting rid of headaches.
Helping muscles to relax.
Helping to eliminate depression.
Reducing stress.
Increased awareness and mental clarity.
Maeng Da Kratom Varieties
Keep into consideration, the many varieties of Kratom, Maeng Da Kratom is known as vendors and suppliers. They also come in white/red, white/green, and pure white vein Kratom. White vein Kratom is also mixed with red and green vein Kratom in order to create powerful blends with high alkaloid content.
Green Maeng Da
Kats Botanicals Green Maeng Da is the perfect combination of 20% white vein and 80% green vein Kratom powder. The recipe can also change amongst suppliers and vendors. The leaves of kratom are sourced in the Bunut region. Farmers handpick the leaves at precise times and they are most fresh and high-quality.
Red Maeng Da
Red Maeng Da uses a blend of 40% white vein as well as 60% of red vein powder. leaves for this variety are sourced in the south of Brunei, in Indonesia. It is fascinating to know that a unique blend of red, as well as white vein Kratom, helps in order to restore your inner calm and find center and balance in life. Furthermore, many users also find it enhances their motivation.
However, the clean, smooth variety is extremely potent. Beginners start small in doses, and users switching to Red Maeng Da and prepared for an adjustment. Once you try Red Maeng Da, it will likely become a staple in the Kratom cabinet.
White Maeng Da
It is essential to know that white Maeng Da leaves are harvested from the West Kalimantan region in Indonesia and southwest of Brunei. Kats Botanicals sources these leaves from plantations located more than six different districts in this region. It also contains a 70% white vein as well as a 30% green vein Kratom. The particular variety is dried indoors for two days and then dried in sunlight for about 4-5 hours.
The Capsules or the Powder?
A lot of people do enjoy taking the powder. However, there are quite a few benefits of taking the capsules. For starters, people are not going to get quite as high of a dose but they can take a lot more capsules that means they won't last as long as they would the powder. At the same time, kratom is more beneficial in lower doses as the recent research has shown, so you can just take a couple of times.
By taking Maeng Da kratom capsules, you are allowed to save yourself a lot of trouble. Keep in mind that the low doses are just as beneficial rather than higher doses of kratom, and when it is used properly, there is no need to worry about any of the negative side effects of the drug.


consciouslifenews--2020-08-30--Our Personal Paradigm: An Exploration of Biocentrism [VIDEO]: Robert Lanza

Biocentrism is a theory that states that we are absolutely creating the world around us and furthermore , that the world around us is just a construct all in our mind .
It severely challenges science ’ s current status quo which supports that of the Big Bang which burst forth everything we know and everything we are into existence .
Sounds simple enough , but is there more to it than that ?
I absolutely feel that there is and I also believe that although both sides try , neither science nor religion can fully answer the question regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundamental level , the Big Bang Theory doesn ’ t really explain much , does it ?
While science will take it further and get into entropy and syntropy , expanse and contraction , matter , and the formation and gases , planets , stars , etc.
, religion will simply say that “ God did it ” .
And regardless of it all , neither of them gets into the deep nature of our reality in regards to how the beginning of creation is the connection to Consciousness .
In this video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fields of regenerative medicine and biology , explains the theory of Biocentrism and compares it to current theories on reality .
He really gets into the nature of existence in regards to the Mind , the Observer , and physical reality in our external world .
He speaks on how nothing can be perceived that isn ’ t already interacting with our consciousness , so it .
I find that so interesting as Biocentrism walks a close parallel line to Quantum Theory , and yet they are worlds apart from one another ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where they stand in regards to things existing independently .
In Quantum Theory , things only exist when they are being observed , while in Biocentrism ; things exist independently and yet remain infinitely connected in the web of Consciousness .
Would you say I ’ m crazy if I said I think it ’ s possible that both could be right of the time ?
Lol , I ’ ll call my new theory , “ Awesome Chaos ” .
Has a nice ring to it , no ?
🙂 Tamara Rant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a Licensed Reiki Master , a heart-centered Graphic Designer , and a progressive voice in social media activism & awareness .
She is an avid lover of all things Quantum Physics and Spirituality .
Connect with Tamara by visiting or go to Tamara posts new original articles to CLN every Saturday .
This article was originally created and published by Conscious Life News and is published here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Tamara Rant and ConsciousLifeNews.com .
It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution , author bio , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` featured , big bang theory , Biocentrism , featured , how to be the observer , Quantum Theory of Consciousness , Tamara Rant , you create your own reality

Biocentrism is a theory that states that we are absolutely creating the world around us and furthermore, that the world around us is just a construct all in our mind. It severely challenges science’s current status quo which supports that of the Big Bang which burst forth everything we know and everything we are into existence. Sounds simple enough, but is there more to it than that? I absolutely feel that there is and I also believe that although both sides try, neither science nor religion can fully answer the question regarding the origin of life.
On a fundamental level, the Big Bang Theory doesn’t really explain much, does it? While science will take it further and get into entropy and syntropy, expanse and contraction, matter, and the formation and gases, planets, stars, etc., religion will simply say that “God did it”. And regardless of it all, neither of them gets into the deep nature of our reality in regards to how the beginning of creation is the connection to Consciousness.
Video Source: scienceandnonduality
In this video Robert Lanza, a scientist in the fields of regenerative medicine and biology, explains the theory of Biocentrism and compares it to current theories on reality. He really gets into the nature of existence in regards to the Mind, the Observer, and physical reality in our external world. He speaks on how nothing can be perceived that isn’t already interacting with our consciousness, so it must exist somewhere.
I find that so interesting as Biocentrism walks a close parallel line to Quantum Theory, and yet they are worlds apart from one another (pun intended) when it comes to where they stand in regards to things existing independently. In Quantum Theory, things only exist when they are being observed, while in Biocentrism; things exist independently and yet remain infinitely connected in the web of Consciousness.
Would you say I’m crazy if I said I think it’s possible that both could be right some of the time? Lol, I’ll call my new theory, “Awesome Chaos”. Has a nice ring to it, no? 🙂
Tamara Rant is a Co-Editor/Writer for CLN as well as a Licensed Reiki Master, a heart-centered Graphic Designer, and a progressive voice in social media activism & awareness. She is an avid lover of all things Quantum Physics and Spirituality. Connect with Tamara by visiting Prana Paws/Healing Hearts Reiki or go to RantDesignMedia.com
Tamara posts new original articles to CLN every Saturday.
Follow Tamara on Facebook, and Twitter
This article was originally created and published by Conscious Life News and is published here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Tamara Rant and ConsciousLifeNews.com. It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author bio, and this Copyright/Creative Commons statement.


consciouslifenews--2020-08-30--How Families Can Boost Kids’ Mental Health During The Pandemic

The choice between in-person learning , where available , and remote learning is a fraught one for parents .
Children experience joy and connection when they learn alongside other kids , but they risk being exposed to the coronavirus .
Remote learning at home can protect kids from COVID-19 , but does it set back their social-emotional development ?
It may feel like a stark choice between mental or physical health .
But as a family therapist and professor of educational psychology who studies resilience in families under stress , I can assure you there ’ s no single schooling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kid or dooms a child to despair .
In fact , much more than schooling context , children ’ s mental health relies on high-quality relationships within families .
No matter what the schooling situation , there are four key components that belong in a child ’ s mental health toolkit .
The good news is that parents can support all of these areas as part of in-person , remote or small-pod learning.Spending time with other children can benefit children ’ s mental health , though it ’ s not clear that group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some research from before the pandemic found that home-schooled children experience more academic success and better mental health compared to kids in school , especially when families maintain ties to religious institutions and community groups .
Other studies show no differences or suggest that home-schooled children fall behind their peers , especially when structure at home is too loose .
And of course processes within schools during the pandemic will change how children interact .
Mental health and physical health are inextricably linked .
Physical activity , good nutrition and sleep are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear bedtime routines and a consistent schedule – especially during times of unease like now .
Children need to go to bed at a similar time each evening and wake up at a similar time each morning .
This guidance applies across ages .
Though it ’ s normal for sleep schedules to shift in adolescence , consistency remains critical .
Research increasingly shows that poor sleep hygiene is a central issue in symptoms of depression , anxiety and other mental health problems .
Children of all ages incorporate information from both family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identity .
School exposes students to others with similar and different viewpoints or backgrounds and lets them confront social rules .
Research with home-schooled children shows that interacting with other home-schooled kids is good for their mental health .
Peer relationships , especially in adolescence , are related to self-esteem .
Overall , positive peer relationships throughout childhood can help students adjust in school , while bad experiences leave the strongest mark on mental health .
But it ’ s kids ’ empathy and pro-social behaviors , like helping someone in need – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – that help them build and maintain their friendships .
If you ’ re worried about kids being isolated while learning remotely , remember that parent-child attachment is the most important source of self-esteem and a positive sense of self for children .
Focusing on reciprocity is one way families can help kids explore identity .
Parents should ask open-ended questions and show curiosity about children ’ s opinions and interests .
Family rituals , like a special weekly dinner , family game night or a loving bedtime ritual , can support family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense of self , contributing to better mental health .
Parents can try to engage in 20 minutes of joyful , focused interaction with their kids each day and consistently observe and promote their children ’ s positive attributes .
Skills that allow children to understand their emotions and make choices about how they respond to them are crucial building blocks of good mental health .
Families can practice regulating emotions with their children , supporting strategies to understand and manage frustration , anger and sadness when those feelings become unmanageable .
Experiencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health .
Children are likely to experience complex emotions in the coming months .
At school , kids may have a hard time separating from family or difficulty when confronted with new safety measures and expectations .
In addition , existing school-based risk factors like bullying may exacerbate mental health issues .
Children at home may feel disconnected and pick up on stress within families facing work and income challenges .
Ongoing issues in families like parental mental health problems and family violence can also put children at risk .
Outlets for creative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dance , can support positive emotional development and coping , as well.When children face emotions that are unfamiliar , dysregulated behavior – which can include sleeplessness , aggression or listlessness , for example – may be a first indicator for adults , who can step in with emotion coaching .
Parents can regularly check in with children to take their “ feelings temperature ” and suggest ways to practice coping .
A big piece of good mental health is being able to see yourself as a part of a whole .
The parent-child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn to view themselves as interdependent – a person who is connected to previous generations and present networks .
Responses to the pandemic can threaten the usual sense of community .
To help make up for any isolation , whether due to remote learning or physical distancing measures , families can provide opportunities for children to consider others ’ feelings and practice giving and receiving emotional support .
Parents must attend to their own mental health ; research shows that if parents struggle with depression , aspects of children ’ s social-emotional development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socially – can also suffer .
Challenges abound , but the tools are consistent Kids who were vulnerable before the pandemic remain vulnerable .
But mental health risk factors are largely the same for children whether in school or learning from home .
[ Sign up for The Conversation ’ s newsletter . ]
Any changes , even happy ones , can create stress .
Good mental health is the ability to adapt .
The strategies in this toolkit can help children adapt and cope with stress , whether due to the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special needs or interpersonal problems within a family .
Some children need to be in school .
Their learning needs may be complex or their homes may not be safe , and they depend on school to buffer problems at home .
But the argument that all children in general must be at school to ward off a mental health crisis just is not true .
Wherever and however kids are learning this year , families can support students so they continue developing as mentally healthy individuals .
This article is republished from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Read the original article .


consciouslifenews--2020-08-30--Why We Should Be More Optimistic About Human Nature

In the novel , a group of young boys is shipwrecked on an island and eventually turn savagely against each other .
The book is a cautionary tale about humanity ’ s underlying cruelty and the need for civilization to tame our darker impulses—a message that resonates with many people today .
But that ’ s not what happened to a real-life group of shipwrecked kids in 1965 .
Unlike the fictional characters , they developed a game plan for survival that was cooperative , fun , and peaceful , resulting in lifelong friendships .
In other words , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when left on their own—far from it !
Dutch historian Rutger Bregman recounts this story in his new book , arguing against the unreasonably dim picture of humanity .
The key message in Bregman ’ s book is that humans are basically good when left to their own devices .
That ’ s not to say there aren ’ t characters who will act badly , especially if encouraged ( or manipulated ) to do so or when under duress .
But the vast majority of us are happy to work together cooperatively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only possible conclusion to make from the scientific and historical evidence .
And , he argues , it ’ s something we desperately need to understand if we want to work together toward creating a better society for all .
How we get it wrong Some of the most famous evidence for our pessimistic view of human nature comes from the Stanford Prison Experiment done by Philip Zimbardo in the early 1970s .
In this experiment , Zimbardo brought students into a lab and had them act out roles as prisoners and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as guards began acting too harshly toward prisoners , and it had to be shut down .
The experimenters concluded that people are sadistic underneath veneers of normalcy and can easily be manipulated to do harm .
But Bregman points out that the results came about because the “ guards ” were encouraged from the start to be harsh toward “ prisoners.
” By enacting their roles , they thought they were contributing to science—a kind and helpful intent .
Also , one student “ prisoner ” in the experiment , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be removed , confessed to faking his hysteria in order to get back to studying .
The whole study and its conclusions were misrepresented .
“ What ’ s fascinating is that most guards in the Stanford Prison Experiment remained hesitant to apply ‘ tough tactics ’ at all , even under mounting pressure , ” writes Bregman .
In fact , a later “ prison experiment ” mounted by the BBC , where guards were not told what to do , had very different results .
The guards soon became reluctant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became friendly with “ prisoners ” instead .
Actually , research suggests that people are quite unwilling to harm others—even in war situations—without strong coercion , which explains why leaving people to their own devices would produce different results .
Bregman takes readers through many experiments and events that seem to point to our flawed natures and debunks them one by one .
For example , we learn that the famous story about Kitty Genovese—a woman who was brutally raped and murdered in Queens , New York , while neighbors supposedly did nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coverage of her death .
It turns out that the ’ s claim about 37 heartless bystanders was false , and people did come to her aid , including a neighbor who held her while waiting for an ambulance to arrive .
Still , this story of unconcerned bystanders is retold over and over as proof of human indifference and , like the Stanford Prison Experiment , graces many social psychology textbooks .
Therein lies the problem .
Why does it matter ?
The danger in continuing to repeat false conclusions from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narrative that doesn ’ t serve us .
People hearing these findings start to believe that sadists lurk among us and they can ’ t trust others when most of the time they can .
It also supports the idea that only through strict social control from on high—dictatorships or police states , for example—can we stop our communities from devolving into chaos .
According to Bregman , it ’ s important to understand that our true nature is ( mostly ) good because it can encourage us to create institutions with less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And these ways of organizing ourselves can have better outcomes .
For example , he highlights the home nursing program Buurtzorg , created first in the Netherlands , in which nurses cut out the management and created a cooperative that has been cost-effective and provides better patient care .
He mentions city governments in Brazil that enacted public budgeting processes—where citizens had more say in how city funds were spent—that resulted in more health care spending , fewer infant deaths , and more civic engagement .
And , he writes , schools that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and allow students to be more in charge of their education , help improve students ’ intrinsic motivation—one of the most important factors for learning .
The “ tragedy of the commons ” —the idea that public resources shared by many ( like air , water , and land ) can be depleted if people use them in a self-interested way—has long been an influential idea in economics .
But Bregman points to the work of Elinor Ostrom , the Nobel Prize-winning economist , who studied how people around the world manage the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Her research paved the way for understanding that once certain elements are present , people act cooperatively and don ’ t require social control—a finding that resonates with many economists today .
This positive view of human nature can inform us about how police should handle crime prevention and prison reform , too , writes Bregman .
Too often people believe that getting “ tough on crime ” and giving harsh prison sentences are what lead to crime reduction .
But , Bregman argues , police departments that follow tough-on-crime tactics ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase incarceration rates without reducing crime .
Meanwhile , prisons that treat their prisoners humanely—by keeping sentences short and focusing on creating a more natural , community-based system inside the walls of the prison—prevent more crime and recidivism and are more cost-effective than those that don ’ t .
The book is full of other fascinating examples of places and programs being remade based on human goodness and trust .
Bregman ’ s take-home message is that our better nature will win out if we can only recognize its ubiquity .
That means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even groups of people who look , think or act differently from us whom we might be prejudiced against .
One way to do so , research suggests , is to work on building positive contact across groups—like friendships and cooperative work relationships—that will increase our trust for others .
Bregman lists several other tips at the end of his book that people can use to see the goodness in humanity—things like “ When in doubt , trust first , ” “ Temper your empathy , train your compassion , ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take the view that we are born to be good , we can make a society that is fairer and freer for all , he says .
That doesn ’ t take optimism ; it just takes paying attention to science and experience .
“ To believe that people are hardwired to be kind isn ’ t sentimental or naïve .
On the contrary , it ’ s courageous and realistic to believe in peace and forgiveness , ” he writes .
Tags : `` featured , featured , human nature , optimistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the novel Lord of the Flies

By Jill Suttie | Greater Good Magazine
In the novel Lord of the Flies, a group of young boys is shipwrecked on an island and eventually turn savagely against each other. The book is a cautionary tale about humanity’s underlying cruelty and the need for civilization to tame our darker impulses—a message that resonates with many people today.
But that’s not what happened to a real-life group of shipwrecked kids in 1965. Unlike the fictional Lord of the Flies characters, they developed a game plan for survival that was cooperative, fun, and peaceful, resulting in lifelong friendships.
In other words, the boys didn’t turn into devils when left on their own—far from it!
Dutch historian Rutger Bregman recounts this story in his new book Humankind, arguing against the Lord of the Flies’ unreasonably dim picture of humanity. The key message in Bregman’s book is that humans are basically good when left to their own devices.
That’s not to say there aren’t characters who will act badly, especially if encouraged (or manipulated) to do so or when under duress. But the vast majority of us are happy to work together cooperatively. This, he writes, is the only possible conclusion to make from the scientific and historical evidence.
And, he argues, it’s something we desperately need to understand if we want to work together toward creating a better society for all.
How we get it wrong
Some of the most famous evidence for our pessimistic view of human nature comes from the Stanford Prison Experiment done by Philip Zimbardo in the early 1970s. In this experiment, Zimbardo brought students into a lab and had them act out roles as prisoners and guards. Soon the experiment turned sour, as guards began acting too harshly toward prisoners, and it had to be shut down.
The experimenters concluded that people are sadistic underneath veneers of normalcy and can easily be manipulated to do harm. But Bregman points out that the results came about because the “guards” were encouraged from the start to be harsh toward “prisoners.” By enacting their roles, they thought they were contributing to science—a kind and helpful intent. Also, one student “prisoner” in the experiment, who supposedly “broke down” and had to be removed, confessed to faking his hysteria in order to get back to studying. The whole study and its conclusions were misrepresented.
“What’s fascinating is that most guards in the Stanford Prison Experiment remained hesitant to apply ‘tough tactics’ at all, even under mounting pressure,” writes Bregman. In fact, a later “prison experiment” mounted by the BBC, where guards were not told what to do, had very different results. The guards soon became reluctant to take on their authoritarian roles and became friendly with “prisoners” instead.
Actually, research suggests that people are quite unwilling to harm others—even in war situations—without strong coercion, which explains why leaving people to their own devices would produce different results.
Bregman takes readers through many experiments and events that seem to point to our flawed natures and debunks them one by one. For example, we learn that the famous story about Kitty Genovese—a woman who was brutally raped and murdered in Queens, New York, while neighbors supposedly did nothing to help—is largely fiction, perpetuated by the New York Times coverage of her death. It turns out that the Times’s claim about 37 heartless bystanders was false, and people did come to her aid, including a neighbor who held her while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.
Still, this story of unconcerned bystanders is retold over and over as proof of human indifference and, like the Stanford Prison Experiment, graces many social psychology textbooks. Therein lies the problem.
Why does it matter?
The danger in continuing to repeat false conclusions from flawed research is that it feeds a narrative that doesn’t serve us. People hearing these findings start to believe that sadists lurk among us and they can’t trust others when most of the time they can. It also supports the idea that only through strict social control from on high—dictatorships or police states, for example—can we stop our communities from devolving into chaos.
According to Bregman, it’s important to understand that our true nature is (mostly) good because it can encourage us to create institutions with less hierarchical structures and less stifling leadership. And these ways of organizing ourselves can have better outcomes.
For example, he highlights the home nursing program Buurtzorg, created first in the Netherlands, in which nurses cut out the management and created a cooperative that has been cost-effective and provides better patient care. He mentions city governments in Brazil that enacted public budgeting processes—where citizens had more say in how city funds were spent—that resulted in more health care spending, fewer infant deaths, and more civic engagement. And, he writes, schools that are less punitive and more cooperative, and allow students to be more in charge of their education, help improve students’ intrinsic motivation—one of the most important factors for learning.
The “tragedy of the commons”—the idea that public resources shared by many (like air, water, and land) can be depleted if people use them in a self-interested way—has long been an influential idea in economics. But Bregman points to the work of Elinor Ostrom, the Nobel Prize-winning economist, who studied how people around the world actually manage the commons when left to their own devices. Her research paved the way for understanding that once certain elements are present, people act cooperatively and don’t require social control—a finding that resonates with many economists today.
This positive view of human nature can inform us about how police should handle crime prevention and prison reform, too, writes Bregman. Too often people believe that getting “tough on crime” and giving harsh prison sentences are what lead to crime reduction. But, Bregman argues, police departments that follow tough-on-crime tactics (like arresting people for minor violations) increase incarceration rates without reducing crime. Meanwhile, prisons that treat their prisoners humanely—by keeping sentences short and focusing on creating a more natural, community-based system inside the walls of the prison—prevent more crime and recidivism and are more cost-effective than those that don’t.
The book is full of other fascinating examples of places and programs being remade based on human goodness and trust. Bregman’s take-home message is that our better nature will win out if we can only recognize its ubiquity.
That means recognizing the potential for goodness in everyone, even groups of people who look, think or act differently from us whom we might be prejudiced against. One way to do so, research suggests, is to work on building positive contact across groups—like friendships and cooperative work relationships—that will increase our trust for others.
Bregman lists several other tips at the end of his book that people can use to see the goodness in humanity—things like “When in doubt, trust first,” “Temper your empathy, train your compassion,” and “Avoid the news.” If we take the view that we are born to be good, we can make a society that is fairer and freer for all, he says. That doesn’t take optimism; it just takes paying attention to science and experience.
“To believe that people are hardwired to be kind isn’t sentimental or naïve. On the contrary, it’s courageous and realistic to believe in peace and forgiveness,” he writes.
About the Author


consciouslifenews--2020-08-30--Fight Rages On To Save Centuries-Old Giant Philippine Rosewood Tree

MINDANAO , Philippines — For centuries , a giant Philippine rosewood tree has stood as an iconic landmark along a stretch of the Pan-Philippine Highway that runs outside the rustic southern town of San Francisco .
Known locally as , and formally as , this particular specimen is believed to be 300 years old , dating back to the Spanish colonization of the Philippines .
It survived a strong typhoon in 1942 here in the village of Alegria in what is today the province of Agusan del Sur , on the southern island of Mindanao , and is considered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : it stands at 56 meters ( 184 feet ) , the height of a 13-story building , and its diameter close to the base is nearly 4 meters , or 12 feet , or about the length of the average car .
It holds significant cultural value and has become an iconic representative of a species that is losing ground in the Philippines .
Threatened by illegal logging and , the traditional practice of slash-and-burn agriculture , the toog is included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to habitat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruby-tinged wood is prized for making furniture and musical instruments , among others .
While it has survived the test of time and the fury of nature — from floods to typhoons to earthquakes — the Alegria toog tree could soon become a thing of the past : it ’ s threatened with a slow death after officials decided to cut its upper half .
Without its crown , where the leaves thrive , the tree would be deprived of food , which would eventually kill it .
The decision to slash the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts confirmed that it ’ s infested with fungi and termites .
Having been left unchecked and untreated over time , the problem has led from a small cavity in the trunk to a hole large enough for a person to enter .
In April 2019 , Marcelina Pacho , a pathologist and tree surgeon who assessed the health of the Alegria toog , noted that a basal cavity measuring 1.5 meters ( 5 feet ) wide and 3 meters ( 10 feet ) high had formed at its base .
Pacho didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut down ; instead , she suggested a course of fungicide treatment and the extraction of the decaying wood , which could then be filled in with concrete mix reinforced with gravel , cinder block , and rebar .
Following Pacho ’ s assessment , the ERDB ’ s Forest and Wetland Research , Development , and Extension Center ( FWRDEC ) conducted biomechanics and structural analysis of the Alegria toog .
The agency reached a different conclusion , recommending the cutting down of the tree due to the high risk it posed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properties .
( It stands 9 meters , or about 30 feet , from the highway . )
In its findings released in July last year , the FWRDEC said the trunk structure was continuously deteriorating due to mycelial infection and only two of its eight major buttresses were holding it steady .
The decision to cut down the Alegria toog triggered an outcry from local residents , conservationists and tree lovers across the country .
It ’ s considered sacred by the Indigenous Manobo tribe , who believe it houses the spirits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has also become a major tourism draw for the town of San Francisco .
In September 2019 , the iconic tree was saved from being cut down after officials yielded to public appeals to allow treatment for the decaying tree .
But almost a year later , the local government said it hadn ’ t seen any improvement in the toog ’ s health and scheduled it to be cut down , for a second time , on Aug. 7 .
Again , the decision sparked protests that forced officials to suspend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ dialogue .
By Aug. 10 , officials headed by Solomon Rufila , the mayor of San Francisco , and members of the municipal council , following the stakeholders ’ consultative meeting , changed tack .
Instead of cutting down the tree entirely , they decided to reduce its height by cutting off the top half , including its leaf canopy .
Leaves produce food for their host plant through photosynthesis , so scalping the crown of the Alegria toog is a sure death sentence , albeit a slow and painful one , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palijon , a renowned tree surgeon and former forestry professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños ( UPLB ) , said the tree would gradually die if the upper portion is cut , according to a report by news portal MindaNews .
Lawrence Tinampay , a spokesman for the San Francisco municipal government , told Mongabay that officials had decided to trim the tree — the actual amount to be cut is still unknown — so the public can still see the legacy tree ( or at least its trunk ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a municipal landmark .
He agreed with the assessment that because the leaves of the tree , all on the topmost portion , would be cut off , the tree would eventually die .
Jurgenne Primavera , a renowned marine scientist , and native of Agusan , blamed officials for their failure to curb the deterioration of the tree , which the municipal council recognized as a “ protected tree ” through a 2012 ordinance .
“ It ’ s a result of poor governance , ” she told Mongabay .
Primavera , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Enthusiasts , a social media group with some 14,000 members , said that up until the 1990s , there was still a wide swath of vegetation surrounding the tree .
In 2005 , the community had begun to encroach on the area as people cleared away the vegetation to build their houses , she added .
Leonilo Tandog Jr. , the San Francisco disaster risk reduction officer , said there are proposals to retrofit the tree with a support structure that will not only prevent it from falling over but will also double @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming to San Francisco .
The town offers views of Mount Magdiwata and Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary , a protected area spanning 15,000 hectares ( 37,000 acres ) of complex freshwater marshes and watercourses with numerous shallow lakes and ponds .
The local consortium Save the TOog tree Please ( STOP ) , headed by Mauro Bravo Jr. , urged the government not to cut the Alegria toog and instead allow the recommended scientific treatment to save it .
The group called for a third-party scientific reassessment of the state of the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she believes the tree can still be rehabilitated , citing the case of a tree ( ) in the town of Magallanes , in neighboring Agusan del Norte province .
Declared a Philippine centennial tree in 1998 , the bitaog ’ s two big branches broke down due to fungal rot in June 2017 .
Through a regimen of tree surgery , fungicide treatment , and regular checkups , the bitaog tree is still alive today .
Primavera said officials in San Francisco should do the same for the Alegria toog .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no need to cut it , ” she said , adding it ’ s also important to conduct further studies to improve its physical and structural stability .
Officials have not yet set a date for cutting the tree “ to a safe height , ” pending further instruction from the DENR .
For now , the STOP local consortium and Filipino tree conservationists say they ’ re committed to keeping the flame of protest glowing to save the centuries-old Alegria toog from being destroyed .

By Bong S. Sarmiento | Mongabay | Waking Times
MINDANAO, Philippines — For centuries, a giant Philippine rosewood tree has stood as an iconic landmark along a stretch of the Pan-Philippine Highway that runs outside the rustic southern town of San Francisco.
Known locally as toog, and formally as Petersianthus quadrialatus, this particular specimen is believed to be 300 years old, dating back to the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. It survived a strong typhoon in 1942 here in the village of Alegria in what is today the province of Agusan del Sur, on the southern island of Mindanao, and is considered the oldest and tallest tree of its species: it stands at 56 meters (184 feet), the height of a 13-story building, and its diameter close to the base is nearly 4 meters, or 12 feet, or about the length of the average car.
It holds significant cultural value and has become an iconic representative of a species that is losing ground in the Philippines. Threatened by illegal logging and kaingin, the traditional practice of slash-and-burn agriculture, the toog is included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to habitat loss and unsustainable harvest. Its sturdy ruby-tinged wood is prized for making furniture and musical instruments, among others.
While it has survived the test of time and the fury of nature — from floods to typhoons to earthquakes — the Alegria toog tree could soon become a thing of the past: it’s threatened with a slow death after officials decided to cut its upper half. Without its crown, where the leaves thrive, the tree would be deprived of food, which would eventually kill it.
The decision to slash the height of the Alegria toog came after experts confirmed that it’s infested with fungi and termites. Having been left unchecked and untreated over time, the problem has led from a small cavity in the trunk to a hole large enough for a person to enter.
In April 2019, Marcelina Pacho, a pathologist and tree surgeon who assessed the health of the Alegria toog, noted that a basal cavity measuring 1.5 meters (5 feet) wide and 3 meters (10 feet) high had formed at its base.
“The presence of few mycelia, the vegetative part of fungus, and the fungal odor are indicators or signs of wood decay,” said Pacho, who was formerly associated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB). “Rotting wood can be crumbled as well as the presence of moisture further indicated that the decay is in the advance and active phase.”
Pacho didn’t recommend that the tree be cut down; instead, she suggested a course of fungicide treatment and the extraction of the decaying wood, which could then be filled in with concrete mix reinforced with gravel, cinder block, and rebar.
Following Pacho’s assessment, the ERDB’s Forest and Wetland Research, Development, and Extension Center (FWRDEC) conducted biomechanics and structural analysis of the Alegria toog.
The agency reached a different conclusion, recommending the cutting down of the tree due to the high risk it posed to residents, commuters, and surrounding properties. (It stands 9 meters, or about 30 feet, from the highway.) In its findings released in July last year, the FWRDEC said the trunk structure was continuously deteriorating due to mycelial infection and only two of its eight major buttresses were holding it steady.
“The mechanical and structural strength and stability of the toog tree has already been compromised,” said Conrado Marquez, the FWRDEC head.
The decision to cut down the Alegria toog triggered an outcry from local residents, conservationists and tree lovers across the country. It’s considered sacred by the Indigenous Manobo tribe, who believe it houses the spirits of their ancestors. Over time, it has also become a major tourism draw for the town of San Francisco.
In September 2019, the iconic tree was saved from being cut down after officials yielded to public appeals to allow treatment for the decaying tree.
But almost a year later, the local government said it hadn’t seen any improvement in the toog’s health and scheduled it to be cut down, for a second time, on Aug. 7. Again, the decision sparked protests that forced officials to suspend the activity and call for a stakeholders’ dialogue.
By Aug. 10, officials headed by Solomon Rufila, the mayor of San Francisco, and members of the municipal council, following the stakeholders’ consultative meeting, changed tack. Instead of cutting down the tree entirely, they decided to reduce its height by cutting off the top half, including its leaf canopy.
Leaves produce food for their host plant through photosynthesis, so scalping the crown of the Alegria toog is a sure death sentence, albeit a slow and painful one, according to scientists and officials. Amando Palijon, a renowned tree surgeon and former forestry professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), said the tree would gradually die if the upper portion is cut, according to a report by news portal MindaNews.
“If you notice the tree is devoid of lateral branches from the base to the general crown level which is normal architecture of the tree,” Palijon said. “This means that this will not assure the tree will produce sprouts that will develop into branches that will subsequently form the crown that is needed to make it function physiologically.”
Lawrence Tinampay, a spokesman for the San Francisco municipal government, told Mongabay that officials had decided to trim the tree — the actual amount to be cut is still unknown — so the public can still see the legacy tree (or at least its trunk) at its exact location as part of a municipal landmark.
He agreed with the assessment that because the leaves of the tree, all on the topmost portion, would be cut off, the tree would eventually die.
“The toog tree will be cut off to a considerable height that it will no longer pose a danger to the lives of residents and commuters, and their properties,” Tinampay said. He denied allegations the government had been negligent about conserving the tree. The “time has come to choose between safety and heritage, and with the decision to cut it to a considerable height, local officials have achieved both ends,” he said.
Jurgenne Primavera, a renowned marine scientist, and native of Agusan, blamed officials for their failure to curb the deterioration of the tree, which the municipal council recognized as a “protected tree” through a 2012 ordinance. “It’s a result of poor governance,” she told Mongabay.
Primavera, a pioneering member of Philippine Native Tree Enthusiasts, a social media group with some 14,000 members, said that up until the 1990s, there was still a wide swath of vegetation surrounding the tree. In 2005, the community had begun to encroach on the area as people cleared away the vegetation to build their houses, she added.
Leonilo Tandog Jr., the San Francisco disaster risk reduction officer, said there are proposals to retrofit the tree with a support structure that will not only prevent it from falling over but will also double as viewing decks to keep the tourists coming to San Francisco. The town offers views of Mount Magdiwata and Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area spanning 15,000 hectares (37,000 acres) of complex freshwater marshes and watercourses with numerous shallow lakes and ponds.
But “we cannot compromise public safety,” Tandog told Mongabay.
The local consortium Save the TOog tree Please (STOP), headed by Mauro Bravo Jr., urged the government not to cut the Alegria toog and instead allow the recommended scientific treatment to save it. The group called for a third-party scientific reassessment of the state of the health of the Alegria toog.
Primavera said she believes the tree can still be rehabilitated, citing the case of a bitaog tree (Calophyllum inophyllum) in the town of Magallanes, in neighboring Agusan del Norte province. Declared a Philippine centennial tree in 1998, the bitaog’s two big branches broke down due to fungal rot in June 2017.
Through a regimen of tree surgery, fungicide treatment, and regular checkups, the bitaog tree is still alive today. Primavera said officials in San Francisco should do the same for the Alegria toog. “The toog tree can be saved, no need to cut it,” she said, adding it’s also important to conduct further studies to improve its physical and structural stability.
Officials have not yet set a date for cutting the tree “to a safe height,” pending further instruction from the DENR. For now, the STOP local consortium and Filipino tree conservationists say they’re committed to keeping the flame of protest glowing to save the centuries-old Alegria toog from being destroyed.