Friday, August 11, 2023

Bud Light Backlash

Bud Light, a popular beer brand, has recently been embroiled in controversy. The backlash began in April 2023 when Bud Light sponsored transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney by celebrating Mulvaney’s one-year anniversary of “womanhood”. This partnership sparked negative commentary among conservative social media personalities, politicians, and celebrities, many of whom used transphobic rhetoric to attack Bud Light for turning to “woke” advertising and playing off of the current political climate. Since then, Bud Light sales in the US have dropped, and the anti-LGBTQ+ backlash has spread to other companies. On social media, Bud Light critics called for a "boycott" of the brand, in addition to Anheuser-Busch's portfolio of products, which include Budweiser, Busch, Stella Artois, Michelob Ultra and Hoegarden. Others shared videos of themselves shooting beer cans and lighting beer boxes on fire. In the months that followed, Anheuser-Busch has released a statement acknowledging the controversy. The company's CEO expressed his intentions in a letter posted to the Anheuser-Busch website on April 14. Mulvaney has also responded to the matter. This controversy highlights the ongoing debate over the role of companies in social and political issues. Some argue that companies should remain neutral and focus solely on their products and services, while others believe that companies have a responsibility to take a stand on important issues. Regardless of one's stance on this particular issue, it is clear that the actions of companies can have a significant impact on public opinion and consumer behavior.

Saturday, May 13, 2023

COVID Vaccines: What You Need to Know

COVID-19 vaccines are one of the most effective tools to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The vaccines can prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. They can also reduce the spread of the virus in the community.

There are four approved or authorized vaccines in the United States:

- Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines. They use messenger RNA (mRNA) to teach your cells how to fight the virus. They require two doses given 3 or 4 weeks apart.
- Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine. It uses a harmless piece of the virus's spike protein to trigger an immune response. It requires two doses given 3 weeks apart.
- Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine is a viral vector vaccine. It uses a modified version of a different virus to deliver instructions to your cells to fight the virus. It requires one dose.

All four vaccines are safe and effective, and have undergone rigorous testing and monitoring by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They have been shown to reduce the risk of COVID-19 by more than 90% in clinical trials and real-world studies.

The vaccines are also free and available to anyone who wants one, regardless of their insurance or immigration status. The Biden administration and drugmakers Pfizer and Moderna have announced programs that aim to help uninsured Americans access COVID shots for free even after the public health emergency ends.

The public health emergency, which was first declared in January 2020 to combat the novel coronavirus, ended on Thursday, May 12, 2023. This means that some of the restrictions and benefits related to COVID-19 testing, treatment, data reporting, health coverage, and telemedicine will change.

For example, international travelers entering the country are no longer required to be vaccinated, removing the last of the restrictions on travel put in place beginning in 2020. However, they still need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of departure or recovery from COVID-19 within the past 90 days.

Consumers can still order free home tests through COVIDtests.gov , but access might change because the Biden administration has paused buying tests and supply may be limited. Medicaid enrollees will continue to receive free tests until Sept. 30, 2024; Medicare enrollees will no longer receive free at-home tests, but lab tests are covered; private insurers are no longer required to pay for eight home tests a month; and uninsured people may be able to get testing through pharmacies and community-based sites under a CDC program.

People who have received a COVID-19 vaccine should continue to follow CDC's recommendations for protecting themselves and others from COVID-19. These include wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, washing hands often, and staying home when sick.

People who are eligible for a booster dose should get one as soon as possible to increase their protection against COVID-19 variants. Booster doses are recommended for people aged 12 years and older who completed their primary series of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at least five months ago, or J&J/Janssen vaccine at least two months ago.

People who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine should get one as soon as possible to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19. Vaccines are widely available at pharmacies, clinics, health departments, and other locations across the country. People can find a COVID-19 vaccine near them by visiting Vaccines.gov , calling 1-800-232-0233 , or texting their ZIP code to 438829 .

COVID-19 vaccines are a safe and effective way to end the pandemic and return to normal life. By getting vaccinated and following public health guidelines, we can all do our part to stop the spread of the virus and save lives.

Friday, May 12, 2023

Cashews: A Nutritious and Versatile Seed

Cashews are one of the most popular and widely consumed seeds in the world. They are native to South America, but are now grown in various tropical regions across the globe. Cashews have a rich, buttery flavor and a crunchy texture that make them a delicious snack and a versatile ingredient in many dishes.

Cashews are not only tasty, but also nutritious. They are rich in healthy fats, protein, fiber, and minerals, such as copper, magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, and selenium. Cashews also contain antioxidants, plant compounds that protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Cashews have been linked to several health benefits, such as:

- Improving heart health. Cashews are high in unsaturated fats, which can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Cashews also contain arginine, an amino acid that helps relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
- Supporting weight loss. Cashews are low in sugar and high in fiber and protein, which can help you feel full and satisfied for longer. Cashews also have a low glycemic index, which means they do not cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels after eating.
- Enhancing blood sugar control. Cashews can help regulate blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing oxidative stress. Cashews also contain compounds called anacardic acids, which may have anti-diabetic effects.
- Promoting bone health. Cashews are a good source of magnesium and manganese, two minerals that are essential for bone formation and maintenance. Magnesium also helps regulate calcium levels in the body, while manganese prevents bone loss and fractures.
- Boosting brain function. Cashews provide copper, iron, zinc, and selenium, which are important for brain health and cognitive performance. Copper helps produce neurotransmitters and protect brain cells from oxidative stress. Iron supports oxygen delivery to the brain and prevents anemia. Zinc and selenium play roles in memory formation and mood regulation.

Cashews can be enjoyed raw or roasted, salted or unsalted, whole or chopped. They can also be processed into cashew butter, cashew cheese, cashew milk, or cashew cream. Cashews are commonly used in South Asian cuisine, whole for garnishing sweets or curries, or ground into a paste that forms a base of sauces for curries (e.g., korma), or some sweets (e.g., kaju barfi). It is also used in powdered form in the preparation of several Indian sweets and desserts.

Cashews are also widely used in vegan and gluten-free recipes, as they can provide a creamy texture and a nutty flavor to dishes such as soups, salads, dips, spreads, desserts, and baked goods. Cashews can also be sprouted to increase their nutritional value and digestibility.

Cashews are generally safe to eat for most people, but some may have an allergic reaction to them. Cashews belong to the same family as poison ivy and poison oak, and contain a substance called urushiol that can cause skin irritation and rashes. The urushiol is mostly found in the shell of the cashew seed, which is removed before consumption. However, some traces of urushiol may remain on the cashew kernel or be transferred during processing.

Therefore, people who are allergic to cashews should avoid eating them or any products that contain them. Symptoms of cashew allergy may include itching, swelling, hives, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, or anaphylaxis. If you experience any of these symptoms after eating cashews or products containing them, seek medical attention immediately.

Cashews are a nutritious and versatile seed that can offer many health benefits when consumed as part of a balanced diet. They can be eaten as a snack or used as an ingredient in various dishes. However, people who are allergic to cashews should avoid them or any products that contain them..

Elon Musk's Controversial Views on Russia and Ukraine Spark Outrage

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has recently stirred up controversy with his views on the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The billionaire tech mogul has posted a Twitter poll suggesting a possible peace deal that would involve Ukraine giving up Crimea and some of its eastern regions to Russia, and remaining neutral in world affairs. He also claimed that this was "highly likely to be the outcome in the end" and warned of the risk of nuclear war. Musk's proposal was met with harsh criticism from Ukrainian officials and supporters, who accused him of siding with Russia and betraying Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Some even told him to "f--- off" and vowed to boycott his products. On the other hand, Musk's poll was welcomed by the Kremlin and Russian state media, who praised him for looking for a peaceful way out of the situation and called him "Elon Muskovsky". Musk defended his poll by saying that he was only trying to "reduce suffering" and that he had no personal stake in the matter. He also denied having any recent contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite a claim by a political analyst that they had spoken directly about Ukraine. He said that he had only spoken to Putin once, about 18 months ago, and that the topic was space. However, Musk's relationship with Russia has raised some eyebrows, especially after he was spotted at Qatar's World Cup final on Sunday with a pro-Putin Russian TV presenter named Nailya Asker-Zade. Asker-Zade is one of the hosts of a show called 60 Minutes on Russia's state-owned channel Rossiya 1, which has been sanctioned by several Western countries for spreading propaganda and misinformation. She has also expressed support for Russia's annexation of Crimea and its intervention in Syria. Musk has not commented on his appearance with Asker-Zade, but some observers have speculated that he may be trying to improve his business ties with Russia or gain access to its space program. Musk has previously expressed interest in launching rockets from Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and has invited Putin to join him for a chat on Clubhouse, a social media app. Musk's controversial views on Russia and Ukraine have sparked a debate on social media and among experts about his motives and influence. Some have praised him for being a visionary and a peacemaker, while others have condemned him for being naive and irresponsible. Some have also questioned his credibility and reliability as a source of information and inspiration.

Saturday, February 12, 2022

Who created Wordle?

The popular web-based word game Wordle was created by Welsh-born software engineer Josh Wardle, who named it after himself. Wardle initially created the game to entertain his partner and family, but made it available to the public in October 2021. The game experience a viral surge in popularity in late December, with 300,000 players by January 2nd, and soaring to over two million players just a week later. In late January 2022, Wordle was purchased by The New York Times for an undisclosed seven-figure sum.

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Largest cities in Texas

The 100 biggest cities in Texas by 2021 population.

Rank City Population
1 Houston 2,310,432
2 San Antonio 1,508,083
3 Dallas 1,330,612
4 Austin 950,807
5 Fort Worth 874,401
6 El Paso 679,813
7 Arlington 395,477
8 Corpus Christi 325,780
9 Plano 287,064
10 Laredo 259,151
11 Lubbock 253,851
12 Irving 239,783
13 Garland 238,418
14 Amarillo 198,955
15 Grand Prairie 192,565
16 Brownsville 182,271
17 Mckinney 182,055
18 Frisco 177,020
19 Pasadena 153,350
20 Killeen 145,686
21 Mesquite 143,456
22 Mcallen 141,968
23 Midland 138,549
24 Denton 136,195
25 Waco 135,858
26 Carrollton 135,834
27 Round Rock 124,434
28 Abilene 124,156
29 Pearland 122,078
30 Odessa 119,702
31 Sugar Land 118,709
32 Beaumont 118,151
33 Richardson 116,432
34 The Woodlands 113,819
35 College Station 113,686
36 Lewisville 106,386
37 Tyler 104,789
38 Wichita Falls 104,279
39 League City 103,310
40 Allen 101,699
41 San Angelo 100,031
42 Edinburg 95,847
43 Conroe 84,358
44 Bryan 84,096
45 Mission 83,567
46 Longview 81,653
47 Atascocita 81,557
48 New Braunfels 79,438
49 Pharr 78,073
50 Baytown 76,635
51 Flower Mound 76,555
52 Cedar Park 74,814
53 Temple 74,762
54 Missouri City 74,557
55 Georgetown 71,004
56 North Richland Hills 70,202
57 Mansfield 69,557
58 Victoria 67,055
59 Harlingen 65,129
60 Rowlett 63,793
61 San Marcos 63,220
62 Pflugerville 61,737
63 Spring 60,976
64 Euless 55,763
65 Port Arthur 55,109
66 Leander 53,716
67 Grapevine 53,317
68 Desoto 53,090
69 Galveston 50,241
70 Wylie 49,759
71 Bedford 49,323
72 Texas City 48,569
73 Cedar Hill 48,560
74 Keller 46,813
75 Little Elm 45,967
76 Burleson 45,862
77 Haltom City 44,223
78 Rockwall 44,101
79 Channelview 43,055
80 The Colony 43,005
81 Kyle 42,706
82 Sherman 42,432
83 Coppell 41,645
84 Huntsville 41,592
85 Schertz 41,199
86 Weslaco 40,464
87 Friendswood 39,688
88 Duncanville 39,415
89 Lancaster 39,214
90 Farmers Branch 39,039
91 Hurst 38,976
92 Mission Bend 37,979
93 Rosenberg 37,059
94 San Juan 36,744
95 Texarkana 36,688
96 Del Rio 35,846
97 Lufkin 35,465
98 Waxahachie 35,376
99 La Porte 35,246
100 Deer Park 33,855

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

What does the Q in Q-Tip stand for?

The Q in Q-tip stands for quality. Q-Tips were created by American Leo Gerstenzang, who came up with the idea after watching his wife attach wads of cotton to toothpicks to clean their infant's ears. Q-tips were originally named Baby Gays and was later renamed to Q-tip Baby Gays before it was finally shortened to its current and most famous name Q-tips. Though the Q-tip name is a brand owned by Unilever, it is still used by many people as a name for generic cotton swabs.