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Post by Bean on Feb 17, 2020 12:55:10 GMT
Having a tank to fill does make it harder to spread the cost out, but you'd think they'd be happy to have a scheme whereby you could pay in installments in advance throughout the year.
Most energy companies here take your estimated annual bill and divide it into equal monthly payments, so winter isn't a big shock. The energy company we're with even pay interest in any credit balance (which increases the longer you stay with them) and it's far better than we get in our banks at the moment!
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Post by 3piggles on Feb 17, 2020 22:33:51 GMT
We've always done a monthly budgeted amount for electricity and natural gas, but home heating oil companies, who also provide propane, don't seem to want to do that. We used to prepay for oil for the winter, because we got it at the last of the summer prices, instead of the winter prices. The oil company got the money in early, so they had extra revenue to use to buy the home heating oil, and got a bit ahead of the game. This house is the first where we've had propane, as does everyone in the neighborhood. Most of the other neighbors said once we've established a usage pattern, the propane company will offer us a monthly budget plan. So far, nothing, and I have asked them for one. I can take last years bills, where we had a number of bitterly cold days, and divide that total by 12, and just start paying them monthly. I did that with the gas and electric bills. I set the budget amount. I might do that this spring, just try to get ahead, so we never get hit with a large bill. We got our income taxes done for free. We're members of AARP, and for once, it paid off. We paid $245 to get our taxes done last year, and we ended up owing money because hubby was still working. This year no work income, just social security, so we didn't have to pay anything to be told we didn't owe anything It's nice, because we have to buy a new router, and the one hubby wants is expensive, but it should help with all the streaming problems we have, plus be able to get the faster wi-fi from the provider. We got a letter from them a month ago saying they had updated all of their equipment, and our router was now outdated. I'll consider it a trade-off, not paying or owing, new router
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Post by Bean on Feb 18, 2020 8:37:03 GMT
Glad you've got the taxes out of the way - always a relief! Even better if it was for free.
I hope you can get the payment plan offered soon. It's strange that they can't find a way to accommodate people before they have a usage pattern. It wouldn't be too hard for them to figure out a plan that didn't leave them out of pocket.
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Post by 3piggles on Feb 18, 2020 18:54:16 GMT
We can't afford to pay for the current fill ups, plus the budget, but I think we tend to stop getting regular fill ups in April so I'll try setting up a budget then. Fingers crossed!
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Post by Bean on Feb 25, 2020 7:50:01 GMT
Yes, the warmer weather is sure to be here in a few months - that's what I keep telling myself when I'm out and about getting buffeted about by the wind and icy rain! Listening to music with headphones helps - if I can't hear the wind howling, but instead a happy tune, it doesn't feel quite so bad!
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Post by bazookagoof on Feb 25, 2020 23:36:25 GMT
Speaking of weather, it was in the 50's here last week, now it's down to the 30's and it's snowing. They say it's supposed to stick, but it's been three hours since it began and it's still too warm for it to keep.
I'm sure it will eventually, though. And, we're due for more snow later this week anyway. Good thing it's late February!
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Post by Bean on Feb 26, 2020 7:29:13 GMT
We had a bit of snow on Monday - only a few centimetres and although it caused a bit of chaos during the rush hour, it was gone by mid-morning (then of course, contributing to the flooding problems lots of areas are having). The kids are still hoping for a snow day before the winter is out!
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Post by 3piggles on Feb 26, 2020 20:32:30 GMT
Our wind hasn't been as bad as yours, and the warm weather was nice. Actually having a spring, instead of summer/winter/summer, etc. We used to have all four seasons, when I was a kid, but it's been a while since spring or fall were very seasonal. We're missing the snow overnight and tomorrow, and just getting rain. It will bring in colder weather, but the 50sF are supposed to return next week. It's been nice getting out to walk. I don't go very far, but at least I get out and get some fresh air. We had one day get up to 62F, which was really nice! It was finally as warm outside as it was inside
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Post by Bean on Feb 27, 2020 10:00:14 GMT
What's your media like about the coronavirus at the moment? There are several outbreaks in Europe so we're hardly getting anything else.
A lot of schools run skiing trips to northern Italy, and have had groups recently come back from the affected areas, so a few school have been closed down for deep cleaning (including in our region, so it's on the local news too).
It's hard to imagine that it will be contained.
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Post by amber89 on Feb 27, 2020 15:38:33 GMT
Austria had its first confirmed cases of coronavirus. The universities started sending information leaflets, workplaces the same. But, there is no panic at the moment, not in Vienna at least. In Tyrol, where the cases got confirmed the media is spreading panic and the people are starting to look suspicious at everyone who coughs or sneezes. Romania on the other hand is in full panic mode, with people emptying shops and spreading misinformation. Romania also had its first 1 or 2 confirmed cases. The media is doing a very bad job and is spreading this panic feeling. Denmark is so far free of the virus. The DTU students received an email with the precaution measures to be taken and we have hospital grade hand sanitizer in all bathrooms and canteens. Overall the media here is calm. On another note, I have finally received my online identity and I was able to order today my student travelling card. It's still quite pricey, but it will be overall cheaper than individual tickets every single time. From next month I can travel everywhere and not worry about costs. I can finally go to the city center every day if I feel like it. Copenhagen, here I come!!
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Post by 3piggles on Feb 27, 2020 21:07:13 GMT
I LIKEd the fact that you got your card, and can now travel to the city center. To be someplace with so much history, and not be able to even tour around a bit, is sad Here in New Hampshire, we haven't had a case of Coronavirus. Massachusetts has one, and he's reportedly doing well. Of course, our excuse for a president said the virus was contained in the US, and would be gone in a little while, only to be followed by the Center for Disease Control(CDC) announcing we should expect a full breakout of Coronavirus. So now, our poor excuse for a president has assigned his even poorer excuse for a vice president, a man who thinks all illnesses can be cured with prayer, to oversee a council on how to handle the Coronavirus. We're doomed! So far, the media hasn't been bad, though I don't watch FOX news, which is the fake news channel. I also haven't been reading any newspapers or magazines, so don't know if those are trying to create a panic. Basically, the CDC said to keep our hands washed, keep things we touch washed and sanitary, and try to avoid places where people might be contagious. Meanwhile, the state of Maine, which borders us, has a ballot referendum on the governments right to require students to be vaccinated, or not allow them to attend public schools. The anti-vaxxers are on a "Stop Big Pharma" campaign, as if this is all an attempt by big pharma to sell meds. Their opposition is claiming too many children with compromised immune systems can't attend school, because they'll get sick, possibly fatally. Others are claiming their children got sick in school because of all the unvaccinated children, and won't send their children to the public schools, if the unvaccinated children are allowed to attend. Not going to be a good result, however it goes, as the sides are radically opposed. Maine is one of the poorest states in the country, and can't afford an infrastructure of schools for the unvaccinated, and schools for the vaccinated. It also doesn't end there, as the unvaccinated go to the same supermarkets and clothing stores, movie theaters and malls. They spread their illnesses around as if that's their right, and a lot of people are really upset about it. It should be interesting to see how the vote goes. Amber, I hope you get to tour around Copenhagen, and just have some fun outings
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Post by Bean on Feb 28, 2020 8:56:17 GMT
Let me know how that vote goes. The idea of making vaccinations compulsory for nurseries/ schools has been mooted here, but I don't think it'll happen. Mind you, we are getting more of the sorts of non-conventional schools popping up that tend to have an anti-vaxxer clientele. You know, the kinds of schools where you don't have to do lessons if you don't feel like it, and the parents have to agree to not letting their kids watch tv or access computers at home! (In fairness I know some adults who it worked out okay for, expecially creative types, but also others who feel it's held them back because they never knuckled down and learned the basics of English and maths, or learned how to crack on even when they didn't feel like it!)
I'm a bit disappointed with our media, they're definitely trying to instill panic with all the related news stories. The NHS has been missing its targets (with things like the length of time people who turn up at A&E are seen in) for years, it's not a new story, and the latest results were out at the end of last year. But they're coupling all the panic with recycled headlines about how the failing NHS can't cope. Add that to stories about quarantine, stock market crashes, schools and businesses maybe having to close for a couple of months etc and they're definitely getting some people wound up.
Glad you've got the online stuff sorted, Amber, and I'm sure it'll be great to be able to get around more easily and cheaply. Any luck on the job front yet? I hope you're continuing to settle in well anyway.
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Post by 3piggles on Feb 28, 2020 22:44:55 GMT
The issue is that public schools are funded by tax money, and are open to all students. Even disabled students who can't be mainstreamed are placed in an appropriate school, and provided with transportation to and from school. So: 1. Even students with compromised immune systems have as right to safely attend public schools. 2. Anti-vaxxers also pay taxes, and their children have a right to attend the public schools.
For decades, since I was in school, we've had to get vaccinated for certain illnesses. How that became an option, and not a requirement, I don't know.
So, do taxpayers pay more taxes to pay for special "safe" schools for students with compromised immune systems, or schools to house the unvaccinated students, or do we pass a law requiring all students to be vaccinated, period, no exceptions.
There were exceptions for religious beliefs. I can only figure the anti-vaxxers fought the law saying religious beliefs were no more or less valid a reason than their fear of vaccines causing long term health problems for their children.
What a freaking mess! I think it's sad we're even considering allowing unvaccinated children in public schools. It's a health issue, and only a verified health reason should exempt a student from getting vaccinated.
I don't think the vote will be taken until November, but I don't know for sure. I also don't know if NH has a vaccine requirement. I believe Massachusetts does.
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Post by Bean on Feb 29, 2020 8:16:09 GMT
I was trying to think if anyone I grew up with had opted out of vaccines, or even just not bothered to get them? It's not something I can recall, but of course the conspiracy theories weren't rife then.
I've read a load of anti-vaxxer stuff, trying to understand it. While I definitely agree that the big pharmaceutical companies certainly don't have our best interests at heart when it comes to manufacturing drugs for treatments, I don't agree with that vaccination programmers have the same flaws and don't think their claims stand up to science at all. I couldn't find anything that made me think 'Oh okay, I have a different view but I can understand where you're coming from'.
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Post by 3piggles on Feb 29, 2020 15:53:49 GMT
I think the crux of the anti-vaxxer claims is that no drugs, vaccines or other, are tested over long periods, say 25-50 years, to establish what the long term effects might be. That would also include drugs/vaccines mothers took as children, and possibly passed on in a corrupted form, causing their child to have a disability.
It's true, especially with flu vaccines and others needed to help immediately, not later. Some vaccines, such as flu vaccines, aren't even tested the way antidepressants or arthritis meds would be.
Countering that argument are all the claims by people desperate for a new med to be released, but having to wait years for it to be approved.
I think the two best arguments for vaccines are, do you have the right to infect other people simply because the vaccine might have long term side effects, and do you as a parent have the right to force the risk of infection on your minor child? To me, the answer is no to both questions.
Anyone wanting a religious exemption can attend a religious school. Tax money should used to provide a blanket education for all, with the requirement that students obey the rules of conduct that help create a safe environment for everyone, and that they all be vaccinated against contagious diseases, for the same reason. Parents who don't want that for their children, whatever the reason, can pay extra for special schooling.
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Post by Bean on Mar 1, 2020 8:43:23 GMT
I know the metals used in vaccines (to stablise them) are contentious with the anti-vaxxers too. It's just that looking at all the scientific evidence, and all the lives they have saved, compared to the perceived problems, it doesn't weigh up for me.
That said, it must be awful to desperately believe that vaccines are harmful, but be forced into having your child have them. To some degree I can see the argument that there are always going to be loads of diseases and viruses around, and whatever we stop, more will evolve. Look what a mess we've made with the overuse of antibiotics. Also there doesn't seem to be an agreement on which illnesses are just part and parcel of life and which should be avoided - for example we don't vaccinate against chickenpox over here, but you do. If you start making it a legal requirement, you need to have a worldwide agreement.
I know quite a few people who don't have the annual flu jab, despite being in groups that are offered it for free, as they say they've become ill every time they've had it. People can tell them that it can't cause flu until the're blue in the face, and that a health immune system can cope with loads of vaccinations. Also that it's give at a time when there are loads of other lurgies about. But their experiences stop them from taking it up. What if they made that compulsory?
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Post by amber89 on Mar 1, 2020 11:38:34 GMT
I am taking now a course in vaccine production (it's actually quite hard, since i have no background in immunology whatsoever) and the last papers that i had to read were about the adjuvants (the alum salts). There are also other adjuvants in use (emulsions) and the industry is trying to develop different ones, better ones, especially for the more tricky diseases (malaria, tuberculosis, cancer...).
Even in our course we had a small debate about whether the Gouvernement has the right to impose mandatory vaccination for some diseases. I know that Germany has huge fines if parents refuse to vaccinate. In Austria one doesn't get the child support money unless all vaccines are done. We've had already enough outbreaks of measles and polio...I mean, those diseases can kill or leave life-long side effects.
Actually, the thing with world-wide consensus is a bit tricky. There are some diseases that afflict only some regions and unless one travels there a vaccine makes no sense. I also know that the West does not vaccinate against TB, because it's a developing country disease. Romania does the vaccine in the first 24h after birth, because for us it's endemic.
We don't vaccinate against chickenpox, we simply let it run it's course. For children is not so bad, but for adults can end bad. Personally i got chickenpox when i was 14 and i almost died from it. My brother had it first (he was 12) and gave it to me. I later on gave it to another colleague from my class. Both of them recovered after 2 weeks, it took me more than a month to recover. The immune system over-reacted, which is very common when getting the "childhood diseases" at an older age.
I am quite saddened that i wasn't able to get the HPV vaccine when i was a young adult. It was shortly before my departure from Romania and the 3rd dosis was nowhere to be found. I never got the full vaccination and most countries have programs only for children, not grownups. The vaccine is sh*t-expensive if i would want to do it. With all those newspaper articles back then (with girls dying or going in a vegetative state after getting the vaccine), my mom and me still decided that i should get it.
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Post by 3piggles on Mar 1, 2020 22:36:27 GMT
I believe US children are vaccinated against measles and Rubella, TB, tetanus and some other illnesses. Baz, correct me if I'm wrong. I haven't had a child to vaccinated since the early 80s.
The HPV is Under debate over here, too. It's not a required vaccine. I don't know if flu shots are required or not. Baz, do you know?
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Post by Bean on Mar 2, 2020 8:42:07 GMT
We have a comprehensive vaccination schedule, but none of them are compulsory.
The new(ish) HPV one is being rolled out to boys as well as girls now. I think uptake is shy of 90% but not far. It tends to be religious groups (mainly Christians and Muslims) who think it's unnecessary as everyone will only have one sexual partner in life, so to have it is basically saying you're intending to sleep around, which really wouldn't do! You just have to hope that those children still get some good information (when your kid is 16 here, you can no longer opt to remove them from sex education classes at school, which you can do at a younger age) and can make their own informed decision a few years down the line. Kids tend to just trust their parents though. (And I don't recall any of the sort of headlines about the dangers of it that you were exposed to in Romania, Amber!)
The flu vaccine (which is done via a nasal spray for kids) is now available for kids, and they do it in schools to increase uptake rates. Every year there are a minority of parents who go on about how our immune system needs to have things to flex its muscles on, so they won't be letting their kid have it - it's just the nanny state going overboard. Not one of them has ever actually had a kid with proper flu - those ones always do a quick U-turn!
That sounds like an interesting course Amber, please post about any interesting information you discover.
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Post by 3piggles on Mar 2, 2020 22:00:05 GMT
I've heard the horror stories about the HPV, but as with anything, figure the girls who have problems, already had problems. The vaccine just brought out the fact they had a problem. There will always be some who have a negative reaction to a vaccine, or to any type of medicine. That's unfortunate, but not a reason to not get the vaccine or take the meds. Just make sure the person taking the meds is healthy enough, beforehand.
We got our 4th possible coronavirus person, in NH. The other three tested negative. This one may, too.
It does seem strange to have to push people to wash their hands, just because it will help not transmit the virus. I wash my hands so often, it never occurs to me that some people don't. I also cook, so have to have clean hands to handle food, and not carry contaminates. It just seems like such a no brainer!
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