Posts by Austin Garcia

Amanda Hughes37 said:Quote:>

Austin Garcia says: That many kids in one classroom without masks—or even close to social distancing? Impossible. Schools are clearly the epicenter here... maybe everyone was just asymptomatic.🤔 😁>

They’ve been "Model B" from day one, but that doesn't change the fact that half the school is basically living in the building... they have 24 students crammed into one room.
I honestly have no clue. All I know is that I am at my absolute breaking point—mentally and financially.

For him, the worst part is celebrating his second birthday in a row without any friends. It’s just wrong—they show up for the party, yet they spend every single day parading through the park or riding bikes together with their significant others.

I wonder if he might consider inviting just a handful of classmates over for a party? Maybe just the kids without any adults around, since they already spend hours together every day, and with this beautiful weather lately, they could even spend the whole time outside...

Amanda Hughes37 said:We had one case of the flu because a teacher tested positive and one student caught it... back in the first semester. There are 24 kids in the class.

With that many kids in a classroom without masks, and almost no one testing positive? It just doesn't seem possible, though school districts can be such a headache... perhaps everyone was just asymptomatic 🤔 😁

Drew Johnson2 said:"

Amanda Hughes37 As stated by:
Well, thanks to you ladies for all the advice—now that we’ve finally managed to break through this fever and make it through the night... but regarding those masks, my boy was just a little kid last year so he didn't bother wearing one in class, though apparently, that hasn't changed even now that he's in fifth grade... they still make them wear them during computer lab because the seating isn't set up like a standard classroom, even though they sit shoulder-to-shoulder in their regular classes anyway, and he mentions that the teachers are actually wearing masks in the classroom too...

It seems, quite clearly, that it all just comes down to whoever happens to be in a mood for pulling someone's leg at any given moment...
I suppose I should feel some sense of satisfaction seeing them get mocked like this... though, on second thought, perhaps I shouldn't be so quick to celebrate such a spectacle...🤔

My kids only have to wear them during finals, though at their school, the policy shifts depending on the class size and how much breathing room there is between desks... In their case, there are only fifteen students in a massive classroom, so everyone basically has their own private island of a desk. They haven't dealt with any outbreaks or flu season spikes yet, so I’m honestly quite relieved they don't have to bother with them otherwise...

It’s pretty similar to how things are handled here as well, where everyone has plenty of personal space and isn't required to wear masks in class, plus we haven't seen any flu outbreaks in the classrooms either...

In my younger third-grade class, there are no masks, though we did have one case of the flu recently... but that wasn't even due to the children, rather it was because of the teacher who visits once a week...

Amanda Hughes37 said:I asked around—at my fifth grader's school, they only wear them in the hallways and during computer lab.
Two older kids work part-time as servers for a few hours, and one girl hasn't been able to clear up a cold sore above her lip for a month... I don't know if the mask is making it worse, but I doubt it's helping.

Anyway, my little one was throwing up last night—headache, sore throat, the whole bit. The pediatrician sent me out for syrup and Biorell, $50 which is quite a list (if you catch my drift)😁... she even had me check the color of his throat with my phone flashlight and told me to call back if things didn't improve in three days.
As for the fever, she said only bother with meds if it hits 101.3...
She also checked if we’d tried home remedies, hit up an Urgent Care, or tested positive for COVID.

Now he’s sitting at 102.2 and I can't help but think about Gabriel from Memphis☕

I don't typically give my kids anything unless their fever goes above 100.4, since they're both under 12 and we've always handled things okay this way. If it's hovering near 100.4 and they seem genuinely unwell, I'll step in with something. But I wouldn't suggest rushing out unless you feel like this isn't your typical seasonal bug. Every parent knows their own child best...
I know all about little Gabriel 😢
If your gut tells you to go to the ER, then go. I really don't care if people label me as a "crazy" or "panicked" mom if I feel like something is truly wrong and my child needs professional medical expertise beyond just a hug and a thermometer...
Parents usually have a good sense of when extra help is needed 🙂

Amanda Hughes37 said:It’s not always about what was said—it’s more about the delivery.

There’s a massive gulf between saying, "Look, kids need to wear masks because it's the mandate for indoor spaces; hopefully, these restrictions end soon," and some condescending remark paired with an emoji that makes your skin crawl.

And let’s be honest—no parent wants to hear a teacher basically say, "I couldn't care less about the curriculum or how you feel about remote learning; if we have to stay online to keep the school safe, fine, whatever."

Teachers should be the first ones to realize just how brutal these last two academic years have been. When you factor in the questionable living conditions kids face at home, or how parents are struggling with the pandemic, fluctuating incomes, and sheer exhaustion... you just want to hear from someone with a shred of empathy. Someone who won't turn everything into a middle finger to everyone else's life... It’s a shame things aren't handled with more grace.

On another note, over here, the finals that were supposed to happen before the break have been pushed back until after the holidays.

It’s a bit different at my university. We just started our fourth block today, and they already announced an exam for Wednesday. For this specific course, they had their last session online right before winter break and took the exam during the final hour of class. Now, they have one lecture today and then the actual exam on Wednesday...
If these students don't realize that life isn't always going to be perfect and that there isn't always a clear structure to follow, they might struggle to find their way in the real world...

wanderingbadger44 said:Surgeons, anesthesiologists, surgical techs, scrub nurses... they’re all dropping like flies because they can't catch a breath under those masks.

If you or someone in your family ever needs surgery, I’d honestly suggest asking them to operate without a mask, just to ensure the doctor has enough oxygen to stay sharp during the procedure. You really don't want to risk a slip of the scalpel just because their breathing was restricted.

My goodness, you truly realize how much kids can change once you see who their parents actually are...

Bravo! That is such a brilliant comparison! 🤦

My goodness, kids seem so well-behaved and bright when you realize who is teaching them...

I personally wear my mask whenever it's necessary, but seeing how these so-called "professors" are educating people with logic like this... 😢

copperpuma11 said:It doesn't exactly roll out smoothly for them. People still have this outdated idea that it's just a hobby for wealthy socialites or ladies with nothing better to do with their time.

It’s like when you go in for that pre-employment screening and have to sign off confirming you aren't out of your mind. You know, that sanity check before they hire you.

I honestly feel like things would be much smoother if there were some sort of filtering process in place...
I am certainly not trying to put teachers on a pedestal, but looking back at the last few forum threads regarding high school graduation, it seems like they are constantly being asked to bend over backwards... and over the last couple of years, quite a few educators have really stepped up to the plate. From handling strikes to managing the shift to remote learning, there has been so much patience and flexibility shown on paper, even though every time they return to the classroom, they are buried under a mountain of exams and oral tests just to make up for missing grades. Even a principal once mentioned to me, haha, how she understood 🙄 your situation, but it feels like the priority shifted toward simply finishing the curriculum and collecting grades rather than actually focusing on the students and their well-being...
And in our area, remote learning hasn't really progressed much since a while ago, especially considering everything with the virus and the earthquake. But ultimately, students need to realize that their teachers have their own lives, their families, and their own anxieties too... I think the kids will eventually understand, and that is how it should be...

velvetskipper11 said:People like this definitely shouldn't be working in schools.

My mom’s been teaching at her school for 30 years—30 years—and I don't think she's caught so much as a sniffle once. So, honestly? This isn't about anyone else; it's a "you" problem. If you're getting sick every single year, your immune system is clearly struggling—God knows what kind of lifestyle you're leading if that's the case. And then, on top of that, you want to force kids into masks just so you can feel safe? We already know the science shows that's harmful both physically and mentally. It's just a weak excuse to shield yourself at their expense. Good grief. 🤦

People should definitely be required to pass a psych test before landing a job at a school. They ought to start on fixed-term contracts for the first few years—just enough time to see if the role actually fits their mental state and emotional intelligence levels.

And honestly, it shouldn't just be a one-time thing at the start; regular assessments would be so beneficial. There are certain teachers who seem to completely burn out after only a couple of years on the job 🙄
I can't help but recall a statement made by a certain "educator" here, claiming everything remains under control at an educational institution as long as there aren't more than half bad teachers. Apparently, having up to fifty percent subpar staff is acceptable, and only when it exceeds that threshold should any action be taken 🤦
It really serves as proof for how many treat this as nothing more than a paycheck—hardly a noble calling or a passion they choose to highlight unless it's convenient for them...
It is quite difficult to witness when they fail to engage in the shaping of young minds, missing the chance to provide guidance that could mean the world to some, or to offer the kind of encouragement that helps others solidify their life plans and gives them momentum... children often form deep bonds with their mentors, seeing them as much more than just someone who puts up with them because it's a job...
I don't want to sound hyperbolic, but the lives of these children do depend on them, as they serve as such vital components in the process of molding independent individuals...
Of course, I am certainly not referring to everyone, as I personally know several wonderful day teachers, but there are enough people who remain perpetually dissatisfied with everything that the students end up being the ones who suffer...

Nicholas Wells74 said:What does that abbreviation actually stand for... st post Should it go before the diagnosis name...?

I would say that this suggests they are still questioning the diagnosis, though nothing has been officially confirmed just yet...

St post I noticed on my specialist report that the diagnosis listed was actually provided by a doctor who doesn't even specialize in that specific field...

But then again, I can't be entirely certain that my interpretation is correct either...

So, you would start by describing the current condition and then follow up with the specific procedure that was performed... even if it happened quite a long time ago, since that part is essential to the patient's medical history...

wiredpuma5 said:Hello.

I’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis, which has forced me into a cycle of hormone therapy. For six months, I was on continuous birth control, then they switched me over to Visanne, which relies on a progesterone component. Honestly, the contraceptive phase brought every side effect imaginable—the chest pressure was particularly unbearable. Interestingly, even though I suffer from migraines, those vanished completely, though my neurologist strictly forbade me from using typical treatments for them. Since switching to Visanne, however, I feel as though I’ve hit menopause prematurely. What worries me most isn't just the physical shift, but this crushing fatigue. I can't tell if I'm sliding into depression or if this exhaustion is just a byproduct of everything else, perhaps stress. To make matters worse, I have to stay on these medications until menopause because the endometriosis is attacking my bowels—essentially causing perforations. Having barely survived two bouts of sepsis, I honestly don't know how much more of these side effects I can handle. Surgery isn't an option for me right now, either. I feel somewhat desperate, and quite irritable. Does anyone have any advice? My doctors seem to be at a loss...

Wait, why did they tell you to take Visanne all the way until menopause?
I'm also living with endo and I'm currently on Visanne myself, though they haven't been a huge help either—not that the birth control was any better. I'm not sure how long I'll be on them, but I've heard several times that people shouldn't take them for more than a year or maybe eighteen months at most...
The last time I was on them, it was for a full year, and then they told me a break was absolutely mandatory.

quietdriver4 said:I’ve already posted here about my experiences with the pill, but now I find myself needing another perspective.

So, last Friday, I went to see my OB-GYN. I specifically scheduled this appointment to have a serious talk with her about stopping my birth control—basically to make her realize that I just don't want to be on them anymore. To put it bluntly, they make me feel terrible, and after doing some digging, I’ve developed a massive distaste for the whole idea of consuming them. I’ve started working out more consistently and have switched entirely to a whole-foods diet, even diving into keto because so many women I know swear by it for fixing hormonal imbalances and PCOS. My doctor actually confirmed that diagnosis during my exam and even gave me a nod of approval for sticking to the diet, which was a big deal considering how ice-cold she usually is... 😉 .

BUT, there's always a "but"... 😢 She told me straight up that she doesn't plan on letting me come off the pill and insisted I keep taking them. Obviously, she can't actually force me, but she managed to completely undermine my confidence in the decision I walked in with. According to her, my reasons aren't "strong enough" to justify stopping.

So, I’m wondering... what actually counts as a "good enough" reason to stop, assuming there isn't some catastrophic medical emergency? The side effects I'm currently dealing with are scary enough, but the thought that things could potentially get worse is even scarier. Plus, I really dislike the idea of constantly pumping this much synthetic chemistry into my body. I have this deep desire to actually solve the underlying issue rather than just using medication to mask the symptoms and push them to the sidelines.

I read your post from November, and unfortunately, based on my own experiences, I have to say that gynecologists don't really seem to care about our mental well-being at all...
I have been battling endometriosis for over ten years now, enduring countless surgeries and even more rounds of hormone therapy...
Unfortunately, none of those supplements provided any relief for me, as I’ve been battling a rather severe and chronic illness... I don't know exactly what health issues you're facing, though that isn't really the point here. In our medical system, doctors identify a problem and prescribe a treatment, and if one doesn't work, they just suggest trying another one as if they were handing out candy, which is how they spoke to me... Even after seeing various specialists and private practitioners, my mental well-being was never truly taken into account. If you spend any time researching online, you'll find endless articles and studies explaining how an illness or its treatment impacts the psyche and destroys one's quality of life, but that information seems to only exist on paper... In reality, they aren't interested in playing psychologist or actually sitting down to talk through things with a woman about how she's feeling. They understand that therapy can have side effects, yet when you bring up your mental state, they brush it aside like it's irrelevant. If you report heavy bleeding, they might react, but if you mention feeling depressed, it’s treated as secondary as long as there isn't a massive hemorrhage or you haven't fainted... It's such a shame that this is how mental health is handled in America, where they try to sweep everything under the rug for as long as possible...
Managing my condition requires some kind of hormone therapy just to keep things somewhat under control, so if the treatment doesn't feel quite right for me personally, they usually end up choosing whatever option seems like the least of all evils...
It’s quite possible that things are working out just that same way for you too...
I gave the alternative route a shot, but it didn't seem to do much for me... so it looks like I'm heading right back to the prescription meds again...
Regarding my mental well-being, I’ve been trying to take matters into my own hands quite a bit lately. Focusing on the things I truly love—the activities that bring me a sense of peace—really goes both ways, and I find that applies to others too... For me, centering everything around my family has made the whole process much easier to navigate. It can be such a struggle when you feel like therapy isn't an option unless things get significantly worse, though I suppose if there's another alternative that actually works, then maybe that's enough, provided it isn't a severe case, which I wouldn't know since it didn't quite do the trick for me...

Susan Rodriguez77 said:I have a quick question because my gynecologist hasn't gotten back to me yet.

I need to schedule a surgery, and my doctor gave me a list of referrals for various tests. I was wondering if I should go ahead and book the surgery date first, or if I need to complete all the testing and see the anesthesiologist before requesting a surgical slot...
Thanks

Typically, you secure the surgery date first, and then you move forward with the required tests, making sure everything stays current within a month... if you finish the tests now but don't get a date until February, for instance, you might end up having to redo them all...

It seems a bit unusual that the hospital would specify which tests are needed without providing a scheduled date...

I thought I might follow up on my previous post, just in case any of this proves useful to someone else...

After a bit of back-and-forth over the phone, I finally got word from the hospital that they'll be testing the Rebro, though they did mention I should check back in tomorrow or the day after since things are shifting so quickly...

What’s the current status in New York City regarding testing requirements for patients scheduled for surgery who need a negative result before admission?
The test can't be more than 48 hours old, yet it seems like we're waiting days just to see the results... I was wondering if there is a specific protocol in place for handling these types of tests...
I haven't found any answers on my phone, and even after sending out several emails, I haven't heard a single thing back yet...

The digital referral for bloodwork at the local clinic takes about a month to process... whereas those old-fashioned paper ones they still use can take up to three months

Alex Morales3, wanderingpanther68, thanks so much!

cosmicdriver42 said:Hi everyone,
I have a red referral issued on August 19, 2020, and I believe it's valid for three months, but does anyone happen to know for sure?...

There shouldn't be any issue with it being valid 🙂. I actually turned in part of my own referrals just before the policy changes on September 30th, and they accepted them without a second thought, so I assume everything is fine... As for the rest of my paperwork, we'll just have to wait and see how that unfolds...

I have a quick question regarding scheduling appointments now that paper referrals are being phased out starting October 1st... Previously, I always avoided booking through the clinic directly because their computer systems would show the earliest available slot anywhere from two months to a full year out, depending on the procedure. However, if I just sent an email on the same day, I could usually snag an appointment within two or three weeks... From what I’ve read, we can still manage our own scheduling, but we might need to contact the hospital once the request is submitted, though there isn't much detail online. Has anyone here had any experience navigating this new process yet?