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The 1918 Flu Epidemic on the Eastern Shore by Angela Rieck

March 26, 2020 by Angela Rieck 2 Comments

The 1918 “Spanish” influenza (ironically most scientists believe it started in the United States) is the most famous pandemic in America. While we are living through our own pandemic, it is interesting to learn how our predecessors fared in the 1918 and 1919 influenza outbreak.

The 1918 virus differed from the current virus COVID 19. The 1918 virus was an influenza and was especially lethal for those between the ages of 10 and 30. Death from the 1918 flu came rapidly, usually within a week, some victims died the same day. Within three days, pneumonia often followed and without antibiotics and ventilators, it proved fatal in 25% of the cases. Those exposed to the spring 1918 influenza were immune to the deadly fall influenza.

Scientists still do not understand why the 1918 disproportionately impacted the young since most flu viruses’ prey on the very young and very old. There are two theories. One is that the flu produced a dangerously strong immune response called cytokine storm causing a lethal overreaction. Other scientists believe that the older generation had been exposed to other flus, thus building antibodies. Conversely, the COVID 19 virus is fatal to those with weakened immune systems and those over 60.

To learn how the 1918 pandemic impacted the Eastern Shore I researched newspaper articles, thesis papers, Public Health Statistics, the Internet and books on the 1918 Flu Epidemic. While I was fortunate enough to find local papers from 1918 and 1919 stored in the Library of Congress, none were from Talbot or Kent county. (The Star Democrat is missing digitized versions from those years.) However, there are similarities among the counties.

Overall, I was struck by how little was reported. There were few news stories; most not on the front page. Articles were devoted to the war effort, shortages, crime and local news.

The first onslaught of this flu in the Spring of 1918 was virtually ignored, and for good reason, there were no influenza deaths in that Spring in either Kent or Talbot Counties, and only 5 reported cases. There were two minor stories about a soldier’s flu, both on page 2.

“If your friend or your relative or your best beloved has a runny cold, don’t kiss him or don’t kiss her and don’t kiss them. They may have the “Spanish Flu.” Bacteriological investigation of the cases which have gotten into this country seem to indicate that there is nothing new or mysterious about this malady. Some of the cases are of what we would call grippe, some of common colds. The only serious thing about it, according to the New York Commissioner of Health, is its tendency to a resultant complication of pneumonia.” Evening capital and Maryland gazette, Annapolis, August 30, 1918.

Our predecessors could not have known what was coming. Scientists now believe that over the summer the virus mutated into a deadly strain.

Everything changed in late September and early October when the first reports about this deadly influenza came out of Camp Meade in late September. Eventually 25% of the 14,000 soldiers were infected and 800 died. Of those who contracted pneumonia, the death rate climbed to 27%. On September 27th the draft was halted.

From September 24th to October 5th, the disease spread rapidly on the Eastern Shore. By October 5th the Surgeon General proposed shutting down schools and all social gatherings. Movie Theaters and shows followed several days later. Factories remained open to support the war effort. By October there were 871 cases of the flu and corresponding pneumonia in Talbot County and 73 deaths. In Kent County there were 371 cases and 61 deaths.

INFLUENZA HAS THE COUNTRY IN ITS GRIP! MANY HUNDREDS DIE OF PNEUMONIA CAUSED BY THE DISEASE Schools, Churches, Theatres And Other Crowd-Drawing Places Closed. Spanish Influenza, or the old fashioned “grip,” is raging ail over the country and many deaths are occurring daily as a result of pneumonia developments. Influenza has been brought to the Eastern Shore from Baltimore. Philadelphia, and Wilmington by our people visiting in those cities. In some of the towns on the Shore, a number of deaths; have occurred and in other towns hundreds of the people are seriously ill. Schools, moving picture shows, churches, and all places where the public gathers in any very considerable number have been closed to prevent the spread of the disease. In Worcester County there are a great many people ill and every precaution should be taken to prevent an epidemic. Every caution against the spread of influenza must he observed by the public. The Health officers warn because of the importance in this wartime effort to keep all our industrials up to the fullest capacity of their productiveness for the national interest. Snow Hill Democratic Messenger, October 5, 1918.

The surgeon general distributed guidelines. Precautions included isolating the sick, cleaning their utensils in boiling hot water and soap, hand washing, wearing masks, and gargling.

HEALTH BOARD TELLS HOW TO HALT EPIDEMIC. Stop the spread of influenza and pneumonia by obeying these ten new rules issued yesterday by the Board of Health. I—Cough and sneeze in your handkerchief only. Spitting is dangerous and unlawful. 2 —Glass and eating utensils must be sterilized by washing in boiling water. Your lips must not touch the mouthpiece of a public telephone. 3—Waiters should not touch your bread, the edge of your glass, cup, plate, knife, bowl or spoon 4 Wash your hands and face several times a day. Don’t shake hands. 5. —Pneumonia and influenza germs come from mouth and nose. Wash your face. 6 —Do not kiss your child on the lips. 7 —Do not visit one who has the “flu” or pneumonia. 8 — Do not go to school or to work if you have a cold. 9 Avoid over-work, over-eating, worry, fatigue, lack of sleep. Keep your windows open, rain or shine. 10—Get a competent doctor the minute you feel sick. Report quickly all cases of either disease to the Department of Health. The Daily Banner, Cambridge MD (October 1918 & January 1919).

Imagine how it must have felt to suddenly hear about a previously unknown flu that in 10 days was killing our strongest population. While the front page was filled with obituaries about those dying from the flu, news about the influenza was relegated to inside pages. Unlike our 24-hour media cycle, there was little speculation, no summaries of deaths and frequent assurances that this was no different from other flus. Even though in some cases, entire families were afflicted.

The worst was yet to come, 25% of all deaths on the Eastern Shore were attributed to the 1918 flu, and these deaths occurred from October through December.

Conflicting messages were widespread, for example on October 11th, the Cambridge Daily Banner reported that the Philadelphia Public Health director, Dr. Krusen, pronounced that the worst was over, the cold weather would kill the virus. (He also gave permission for a large parade to sell war bonds on September 28th.) However, on page 3, The Daily Banner also announced closings for the flu.

WORST IS PAST IN “FLU” EPIDEMIC Clear Cold Weather Will Greatly Aid In Fighting Disease. Philadelphia, Oct. S. —Clear, cold weather, which Director Krusen says is the best destroyer of influenza germs, gave the city and state authorities unmeasured assistance in Philadelphia’s fight against the grip epidemic. “I feel we’ve reached pretty nearly the top now,” said Director Krusen. “Our organization is being amplified and perfected. Aid is coming from all sources and we soon will be able to be optimistic.” The Daily Banner, Cambridge, MD, October 08, 1918

That same day, another paper, The Midland Journal (Rising Sun) reported 20,000 new cases in the past 48 hours.

Obituaries of dozens of citizens who died from the flu were printed on the front page. Children, soldiers, health care workers, politicians, even Woodrow Wilson (whose stroke was believed to be caused by the influenza), succumbed to this disease.

By October 12th, the consensus was that the flu was waning, and by October 25th most schools and social gatherings had reopened. But that optimism was short-lived.

Despite the optimistic predictions, the death toll continued for the rest of 1918, by the end of 1918, there were 118 deaths in Kent County and 133 in Talbot County. All told, 9% of the population got the flu in 1918 Talbot County and 6% in Kent County.

By December 13th, a third wave appeared, and it became apparent that the reduction in cases had been due to the quarantine, not the cold weather. Reopening schools and meeting halls gave the influenza access to more victims. Schools, theaters and meeting places were closed again and did not reopen until the end of January 1919. By January, coal was scarce because coal miners had been decimated by the virus. Deaths continued to mount until February and by March, it was gone.

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC. It seems we cannot get rid of influenza in Worcester County. Alas the disease has broken out again in several sections of the county. This is not only true in Worcester, but in many other sections of the State and the nation. Democratic Messenger, Snow Hill, December 14, 1918.

Health Notice Owing to the apparent increase in influenza among school children and teachers, I deem it best to close the schools for the present week. The moving picture theatre will also be closed for the same period of time. While there is not as great danger attendant upon children collecting in crowds in the open air, I feel that it is my duty to urge parents to prohibit their children from going in crowds to skate. If we find that crowds collect anywhere, we may be compelled to take some steps to prevent it. During this period, as well as at all times, people should be very careful when coughing or sneezing, and hold something in front of their mouth when compelled to cough or sneeze. It is in this manner that, diseases, especially influenza, is spread. Visiting should not be practiced at this time, especially where any one is sick, unless you go to offer your assistance, then in cases of influenza, a mask should be worn, when working about the patients. E. E. WOLFF, M. D. City Health Physician. The Daily Banner., January 14, 1919, Cambridge.

Of course, where there was uncertainty, there were conspiracy theories. It was rumored that the Germans deliberately brought this disease to America.

Is This Mysterious Infection a New Kind of German Offensive? Is this new disease which has already killed hundreds and stricken thousands of our soldiers and civilians a new German war offensive? If not, how did it happen that this epidemic appeared so suddenly and extensively in such widely scattered cities and army camps throughout the country? Smitten as from a bolt from a clear sky thousands of Americans have been suddenly prostrated in many widely separated parts of the country, during the past ten days, by a disease which is called, apparently for want of a better name, “Spanish Influenza.” Naturally, under all circumstances, there is much speculation regarding the matter. Perhaps because there seems to be a rather natural disposition to ascribe about everything that is perfidious in the world today to Germany, some have ventured the guess that the disease may have been introduced and spread by German agents.

This theory, however, is generally considered as being hot only entirely groundless but really absurd, for it seems hardly conceivable that, if Germany undertook an offensive of this kind, she would choose such a mild and humane sort of disease. A much more plausible explanation would seem to be the simple fact that the recent cold snap caught the country entirely unprepared for such severe weather and, as a result of our unheated dwellings and other buildings and the inadequate clothing that was being worn, large numbers of people in different sections of the country contracted colds, which developed in many cases into pneumonia and resulted in an unusual number of deaths. Almost always at this season of the year colds are frequent and they often result fatally, and it may well be that, but for the high tension of these strenuous war times, this epidemic would not have attracted unusual attention. In any event there seems to be no occasion for special alarm or panic about the matter, for the disease is evidently one which the American medical profession is perfectly able to handle, and, moreover, effective measures are being taken, wherever it appears, to check it and destroy its power. The Midland Journal, Rising Sun, October 4th.

Prayer, quarantines, and hope were NOT the only alternatives available to residents of the Eastern Shore. There were advertisements for patent medicines to cure the flu. Most remedies involved a laxative. Quinine (used for malaria) was tested and found ineffective.

Spanish Influenza or Grip by Dr. Lee H. Smith. An old enemy is with us again, and whether we fight a German or a germ, we must put up a good fight, and not be afraid. The influenza runs a very brief course when the patient is careful, and if we keep the system in good condition and throw off the poisons which tend to accumulate within our bodies, we can escape the disease. Remember these three C’s—a clean mouth, a clean skin, and clean bowels, to carry off poisons from the system and keep the bowels loose, daily doses of a pleasant laxative should be taken. Such a one is made of May-apple, leaves of aloe, root of jalap, and called Dr. Pierce’s Pleasant Pellets. Hot lemonade should be used freely if attacked by a cold, and the patient should be put to bed after a hot mustard footbath. The Prince George’s Enquirer and Southern Maryland Advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) November 22, 1918

Some doctors continued to recommend whiskey.

Is Whisky Good For “Flu?” Dr. A. A. Cairns, Chief Medical Inspector of the Bureau of Health, of Philadelphia, flatly differs with Coroner William B. Knight on the statement that whisky is an essential in fighting the influenza epidemic. Giving his personal opinion of whisky as an influenza Remedy, Dr. Cairns said: “There are many physicians who do not use whisky at all in the treatment of influenza cases. In fact, whisky has been taken from the American Pharmacopeia as a medicine. Whisky is an old- time remedy that has gone out of practice.” The Midland Journal, Rising Sun, October 25th.

In hindsight it was a serious mistake to lift the quarantines so quickly. However, given that the medical treatment at the time, which lacked antibiotics for pneumonia, ventilators and oxygen; there may have been very little that could have changed the course of the disease. It was a vicious virus, and doctors, to this day, do not understand the reason for its power. People died, not for the lack of facilities, but for the lack of medical knowledge (viruses were not discovered until the 30’s). Vaccines were tried, but failed.

During this pandemic, residents were distracted by World War I. Newspapers reported on bond rallies, rationing and supporting the war effort. There was little time to ruminate on the deadly virus. Eastern Shore residents were lucky in their isolation, without the 24-hour news cycle, they were able to live their lives and pray that the deadly virus would not descend upon them.

How many people on the Eastern Shore died from the 1918 flu? The virus attacked so rapidly that some deaths were misclassified. Worldwide estimates range from 50 to 100 million people…that is a very wide range. It is estimated that over a half million Americans died. The most deaths occurred in second wave in the fall. The third and final wave from December through February was less deadly because scientists believe that the virus mutated to a less virulent form.

Ultimately the flu was devastating, in Talbot County 13% of the population and in Kent County almost 10% of the population had been infected. (This may be an underestimation, since does not include the higher incidences of Tuberculous that have been attributed to the influenza.)

Lessons for us, are fewer. We are lucky that COV19 is not as deadly as the 1918 influenza. Public health experts are advocating isolation to “flatten the curve” and hope that the COVID 19 mutates benignly. Some experts are questioning that approach because of the impact on the economy and the small population who is seriously impacted. Vaccines and treatments are being vigorously studied, but treatments are months or years away.

All that we can do is wait and hope and pray as generations did before us. While medicine has changed, humans have not.

Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

A Happy Note for Tough Times by Angela Rieck

March 19, 2020 by Angela Rieck Leave a Comment

In his book, The Power of I Am, Joel Osteen proposes that our day is determined by how we finish this sentence, “I am…” If we finish it with tired, we will be tired; worried, we will be worried. In these uncertain times, I am forcing myself to say: “I am grateful” or “I am looking for joy”. With that mindset, I can get through this.

I want to share my joys in hopes that you can discover your own.

I have been given many gifts, and one of them is a love for animals. It is a special gift indeed. In these quiet times, I have my dogs for love, companionship, humor and joy.

Today I also have a great story. Do you remember my column Saving Jocko? It was about fostering a purebred Havanese dog, named Jocko. Jocko spent his life in a tiny cage breeding beautiful puppies to be sold on the Internet. When he arrived at my home, he was fearful, unhouse-trained, and terrified of a large world that included outdoors, homes, people; normal for us, but utterly unfamiliar to him. I knew that it would take a long time before he could put his past behind him.

Housetraining was particularly challenging. When I gave him a treat for peeing outside, he had no idea why he was getting the treat. In his three years, he had learned that It didn’t matter what he did, he was doomed to live in crate when he could barely stand, covered in urine and excrement. So, he didn’t understand the concept of giving him a treat for doing something good. For him, treats were rare and random events. It took 8 months, but finally he was able to understand cause and effect and to become house trained. Along the way, he became very affectionate and is a dog park favorite since he approaches each dog owner looking for cuddling.

Today he got adopted.

A couple at the dog park had been watching his progress, knowing that one of their dogs was dying of congestive heart failure. This couple has had more than their share of tragedies. He is widower and she is a widow. Her husband died a year ago, under horrible circumstances and she was bereft. When she lost her two little dogs this year, it had become unbearable. His dog is grieving over the loss of her canine companions.

Enter Jocko.

It was a perfect arrangement. My dog, Gus, was jealous of Jocko so there was a constant battle for my lap. I had fallen in love with Jocko, but I knew there was a better home for him, where he could get a lap 100% of the day.

Of course, my little mischief maker, Gus, is now miserable that Jocko is gone, when they met at the dog park and the two of them began jumping around in joy, playing, snuggling. Go figure.

But this story is about how two people and a dog found each other and found comfort from each other. They already adore him, and he has found his perfect forever home.

That should bring a smile to your face.

Chesapeake College: Partners Against Plastics by Angela Rieck

March 5, 2020 by Angela Rieck Leave a Comment

Discovering local initiatives to reduce, reuse and recycle plastics is like walking through a maze. Each time I think that I have a good understanding about what is going on, I find a new pathway. At every stop on this journey I leave more knowledgeable and more impressed with the ingenuity of local people trying to solve this problem.

This week, I had the pleasure of talking with Ms. Tina Jones, Vice President for Administrative Services at Chesapeake College about their efforts. In only fifteen months, the college has significantly reduced its use of single-use plastics and improved recycling, all at minimal cost.

We need to do three things to reduce our plastics footprint: eliminate single use plastics, create a demand for recycled products by using them and get smarter about recycling.

To tackle the plastics problem Ms. Jones knew that she had to: (a) make it easy and (b) take advantage of the partnerships that she had. She had a head start knowing that the population at Chesapeake College is environmentally motivated; still she recognized acceptance required using incentives and making it easy.

First step: they got smart about recycling. They made recycling easy for students and faculty, by consistent placement of recycling stations and putting them near vending machines. They also offer a recycling station for the community.

To reduce the use of plastic water bottles, they have water fountains throughout their buildings, most with a refillable station. The beverage vending machines sell drinks in only metal or glass containers. When traditional sources (e.g., Coke and Pepsi) resisted, they replaced them with newer products. In doing so, they increased sales.

They sell reusable drink cups to replace plastic disposable cups, co-branded with Chesapeake College. While each glass cost $2, the cost of beverages is discounted so that it pays for itself after two purchases. They utilize silverware, reusable baskets and washable trays instead of disposal products.

When they must use disposal products, they use paper cups for coffee, paper-based takeout containers, and paper straws. They replaced the “packaged assortment” plastic silverware with individual plastic items, so people can just select what they need.

They challenged the bookstore to eliminate plastic bags. Now students purchase a canvas tote for $1.98 and if it is returned within 3 weeks, students receive a full refund.

To increase the demand for recycled products, they use trash bags made up of recycled material.

Ms. Jones said that using partners enabled them to keep the costs down and make rapid progress. They challenged their food service supplier (Sodexho) with coming up with non-plastic alternatives. They partnered with Barnes and Noble to reduce single use plastic in the bookstores by cobranding canvas bags. These initiatives were so successful that Sodexho and Barnes and Noble are now offering these solutions to other educational institutions.

They partnered with Maryland Environmental Service to make their recycling more effective.

This is not their first environmental initiative; before tackling plastics, they reduced their energy consumption by 40%. On a sunny day they can produce enough electricity through renewable resources to meet their needs. Subsequently, they successfully tackled storm water and waste.

Reducing our use of plastics is a journey, an evolving project. While they have made substantial progress, there is still work to do with the ubiquitous coffee cup lid and with their vendors. For example, some vendors shrink-wrap textbooks with single-use plastic.

Ms. Jones said that the keys are mindfulness and patience.

It is easy to slip into our old habits. At the grocery store yesterday, I instinctively reached for a plastic produce bag, even though I carry reusable mesh bags for produce. Old habits die hard.

It Takes a Community…by Angela Rieck

February 20, 2020 by Angela Rieck 1 Comment

Ridding the world of single-use plastics is a goal, not a reality. But every step gets us closer.

I got interested in improving my own plastic footprint last summer. It began a journey of discovery.

Fortunately, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) started before me. In 2018, the CBMM president, Kristen Greenaway, and the president of the Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Ct. decided to set a benchmark for reducing single-use plastic for maritime museums and their communities.

Ms. Greenaway tasked Jill Ferris and Allison Speight with leading a team to device ways to eliminate single use plastics for the museum and events.

Thus began CBMM’s journey of awareness, frustration, education and enlightenment.

It isn’t as easy as it sounds.

First, they reviewed their own use of single-use plastics and developed internal solutions. For example, in what I think is a very charming application, they changed holiday gift giving to encourage reusable, regifted or thrift store purchases.

In looking at the museum at large they discovered some relatively easy solutions, e.g., paper bags instead of plastic bags in the gift shop; wire ties instead of plastic zip ties.

But others were more complicated. For example, the ubiquitous plastic water bottle. Visitors, guests and staff members need water, especially in the summer months. CBMM added a second water fountain, offered thermos’ for sale in the gift shop and are selling canned water. Yep, that’s right, water comes in cans and almost 50% of cans are recycled compared to only 8% of plastic bottles.

One of the most challenging areas to tackle has been events, especially the larger ones such as the Sea Glass Festival and Watermen Appreciation Day.

For smaller events they are purchasing glassware and dishwashers. But glassware is not practical for larger events.

They chose compostable silverware and dinnerware. But, like everything, it is not that simple. Many compostable products require commercial composting. It took a while, but they are in the process of locating a commercial composter.

But of course, recycling only works when items are correctly sorted. So, they need to make sure that visitors put their trash and recyclables in the appropriate bins. To be successful, they get dirty. Yep, that means dumpster diving into the recyclables bin to re-sort any inappropriate material and actively educating visitors.

They have discovered that there is a lot to learn and a lot of information to disseminate. To support the larger community CBMM has formed a Plastic-Free Roundtable that provides quarterly meetings and field trips for local organizations and community members. All working toward the goal of reducing our plastic footprint.

The work continues, because like me, they have discovered single-use plastic is hiding everywhere, from vendor supplies, to lunch boxes, to well-meaning visitors.

Ferris says that the most important takeaway is to look at the complete product lifecycle. When we purchase any item, we need to think about its entire cycle which doesn’t end when we consume it.

For those who are interested in seeing their progress, CBMM has posted a sustainability page to chronicle their journey.

They have learned what I am now learning, it will take a larger community to reduce our plastics footprint.

Fortunately, we have a great one here on the Eastern Shore.

Taking it Local…by Angela Rieck

February 13, 2020 by Angela Rieck 1 Comment

One of the great things about being able to write a column is the opportunity to learn from the community.

After my column on plastics, Jeff Horstman from ShoreRivers contacted me about their environmental advocacy program. The impact of ShoreRivers in supporting the health of our rivers is well-known, and it also serves as a local advocacy for reducing plastics, in particular, single-use plastics.

Single-use plastics are just what they sound like, plastics that have been developed to be used once, such as plastic bags, plastic water bottles, plastic wrap and all of that plastic packaging around our purchases. Single-use plastics are choking our rivers, oceans and landfills; and since they take over 1,000 years to decompose, our increasing use of plastics is being an environmental nightmare.

I spoke to Elle Bassett from Shore Rivers about their local advocacy on the Eastern Shore on behalf of plastics.

ShoreRivers is supporting a bill by Trash Free Maryland and sponsored by Del. Brooke Lierman (who sponsored the bill to eliminate Styrofoam) and Sen. Malcolm Augustine. This bill, called The Plastics and Packaging Reduction Act, prohibits stores from distributing plastic bags, requires stores to charge at least 10 cents for each paper bag and establishes a Single-Use Products Working Group to make recommendations for reducing single-use plastics. Hearings were scheduled in the House of Delegates for February 11th and will be held in the Maryland State Senate on February 20th.

Similar bills that have passed in California, New York, Vermont and Hawaii while DC, Connecticut, and other states such as Delaware, Maine, and Oregon have set restrictions on plastic bags.

According to Bassett, there is local activity as well. In 2011, Chestertown passed an ordinance banning plastic bags https://chestertownspy.org/2011/04/05/plastic-banned-in-chestertown/

Queen Anne’s county is the first in the state to ban the release of helium filled balloons thanks to the advocacy of Plastics Free QAC.

Talbot County does not yet have ordinances, but there is a lot of work being done by a myriad of local organizations and individuals.

Why is this so important? I mean what damage can a plastic bag do, right? According to Bassett, the rarest of all sea turtles, the Kemps Ridley Turtle was recently spotted in the Miles River. In the water, plastic bags look like jellyfish, a sea turtle’s favorite food. What if that turtle died trying to consume an inadvertent plastic bag that blew into the river? I for one, don’t want to kill anything that consumes jellyfish.

Over the next several columns, I am writing about local activities. Since I believe that only thing that I can change is myself…I have set a personal goal to learn as much as I can about them and chronicle them.

For those who wish to know more about advocacy programs through ShoreRivers, you may contact Elle Bassett directly at (443) 385-0511 X213.

Making a Small Difference by Angela Rieck

January 24, 2020 by Angela Rieck 3 Comments

After despairing about the world that we are leaving our children, I vowed to change the only thing that I could…myself. I began with my environmental habits.

My first mission: reduce my use of plastic. When I mentioned my mission to friends, many were interested and suggested that I write a column about it, to share what I have learned.

The first step was to educate myself…and I learned a lot, all the good that I thought I was doing, I wasn’t doing so good.

It quickly became clear that with a few simple changes I could reduce my plastic use by 12 pounds a year. Doesn’t sound like much does it? But when you think about how little plastic weighs, it actually is a lot…and imagine the impact if everyone did it!

Why is this important? Our plastics crisis has reached scary proportions. There are now 3 islands of plastic floating in the oceans, one island, dubbed the Great Pacific Garbage Path is two times the area of the state of Texas. Every year 12.7 million tons of plastic enters the ocean. Our seas, rivers and landfills are choking. Here are some of the sickening numbers:

2 million plastic bags are used every minute.
More than ½ billion plastic straws are used daily.
More than 480 billion plastic water bottles were sold in 2016.
500 trillion plastic cups are used per year.

The plastic isn’t going anywhere. It takes 1,000 years to decompose. My first inclination was to say that this problem was too big for me…but of course, that is the reason to do it.

So, I have simplified reducing plastic use into 3 basic areas; all easily “doable” without a major lifestyle change.

Reduce single-use plastic. Single-use plastic is just what it sounds, plastic that we use once and discard. Imagine if we reused all plastic, definitionally that would reduce our plastic use by half.

So, how to do it? Well we all know about bringing our own grocery bags, not using bottled water. But there is a lot more. I challenge you to walk down the supermarket aisle with an eye toward finding single-use plastic. You will be amazed at how much there is.

I now choose products that use the least amount of plastic. There are simple choices, for example, I don’t buy pre-bagged produce; I select my own and use re-usable produce bags (available through Amazon or any environmentally focused website). (You can also just bring in the produce bags that you used the last time and re-use them.)

Here is a simple example. Raisin Bread. I noticed that one brand was cellophane wrapped and then sealed in a bag, the other was directly sealed in the bag without the cellophane wrap. I purchased the one without the cellophane wrap. Then I reused the bread bag. Yea, it can be that simple.

There are opportunities at home as well. Rinse out plastic storage bags and re-use them. Use containers to store leftovers instead of plastic wrap.

I would love to hear other suggestions from readers.

Increase Demand for Recycled Plastic. There is also a recycling crisis. The amount of plastic recyclables dramatically outstrips the demand for recycled plastic. China is now refusing to take our plastic recyclables.

Let’s face it, most containers are plastic. I look for products sold in recycled plastic containers (e.g., shampoo, laundry detergent, frozen dinners). I also buy toilet paper, paper towels, etc., made from recycled paper. My goal is to increase the demand for recycled products.

Be Smart about Recycling. The last step is being smart about recycling. In the past, I tried to put everything in the recycling bin, only to find out that they were not properly prepared, so they were headed for the landfill. Our recyclables vendor, Republic, has a simple mantra—empty, clean, dry. Make sure that recyclables are empty, rinsed out and dry (I now put them in the dishwasher before I put them in the recycling bin). Here are some sites that help:

What can be recycled in your area:

Recycling locations on Kent County
Recycling locations in Talbot County

There is a lot more, of course, I bought shoes made of recycled plastic (that’s right, Rothys!). I use durable plastic storage bags (that can be cleaned in the dishwasher); beeswax cloth to replace plastic wrap (not loving it yet); containers to store leftovers rather than plastic wrap. It is easy to get creative.

WARNING: if you drank the “reduce plastics” Kool-Aid, do NOT throw out plastic containers, plastic bags, etc. that you already have, they are going to the landfill anyway. Just replace them with eco-friendly products when you run out.

There is a lot of information available on the Internet and online stores that offer eco-friendly products. More good news, eco-friendly products are available on Amazon.

It has been a fun learning experience. I am enjoying the challenge. I hope that you can be inspired to join and help make this right.

Running Around Race in the Justice System by Angela Rieck

January 16, 2020 by Angela Rieck 1 Comment

Columnist’s note: I am writing a series of columns in anticipation of the February 2020 publication of Margaret Andersen’s book, Getting Smart about Race: An American Conversation.

After my first column, I learned about two organizations that are hosting conversations about race right on the Eastern Shore!

In this column, I want to gain more insight from Margaret about the justice system. As a psychologist, I know that perceptions are facts to people…period.

Historically the justice system was complicit by enforcing Jim Crow laws, looking the other way at lynchings, disproportionately enforcing laws for blacks vs. whites, handing out longer sentences for black people and disproportionately targeting blacks at road stops.

The justice system has improved since the 1960s especially in the south. But it is still not a justice system for African Americans. There are hundreds of statistics showing disproportionate treatment by race. Here are just a few (and not the most egregious). Black American men are six times more likely to be incarcerated in their lifetime than white or Hispanic men. Black Americans are jailed on drug charges 10 times more often than whites, despite similar drug usage rates.

There are half a million people incarcerated because they cannot afford to make bail, most of them are African Americans. Sixty percent of the people in jail have not been convicted of the crime but are jailed because they cannot afford bail. Most have been charged with misdemeanor crimes; riding a bicycle on the sidewalk (yes!), driving without a license, petty larceny, bar fights, resisting arrest, etc. To avoid prison stays of up to 18 months while awaiting trial, 90% plead guilty. For those who ARE able to POST bail, only 2% of the cases result in a jail sentence. To recap, of those who cannot make bail, 90% plead guilty but of those who can make bail, only 2% end up being incarcerated.

These are statistics. The human stories that have sparked the “Black Lives Matter” movement are painful. The most disconcerting to me was the Sandra Bland story: A police officer pulled her over for failing to use her turn signal when she moved over to allow him to pass. After refusing to put out her cigarette, he arrested her using brutal force. Unable to make bail and overwhelmed with depression, she committed suicide in jail.

There are dramatically different perceptions between the blacks and whites about law enforcement. Black parents feel they must “give the talk” to their children about how to stay alive if they are stopped by the police. Yet, whites believe that these incidents, while reprehensible, are isolated and reflect only a few “bad apples.”

Question: How can we have a conversation about these different perceptions?

Dr. Andersen: The first thing I would say is that whites need to be aware that the high rate of incarceration for people of color, men especially, is based on the longstanding stereotype of criminality among Black (and now, Latino) men. Since slavery, black men have been perceived by whites as threatening—a painful irony, given that white men engaged in far more horrid violence against black people than black people did against whites. This is all too easy for people to forget (or, worse, be unaware of). The stereotype of men of color as a criminal threat continues to influence the discrimination that black and Hispanic men face in the criminal justice system. At every stage of the criminal justice process, men of color are discriminated against–likelihood of arrest, discrimination in sentencing, discrimination in administration of the death penalty, and so forth. Even starting early in school, research finds that young, black and Hispanic men are more likely to be disciplined–even for the same behaviors that young, white men engage in.

Question: Why are black rates of incarceration so much higher than for whites? What can be done to fix this?

Dr. Andersen: Social policies that incarcerate people for rather minor offenses (three strikes, you’re out and mandatory sentencing for drug offenses) have contributed to the mass incarceration of people of color–including women of color whose incarceration rates have been increasing. One way to alleviate this problem is to offer alternative forms of sentencing. Sentences such as community service can be more effective and are less likely to result in repeat offenses.

Question: What can our society do to reduce racism in the justice system?

Dr. Andersen: We desperately need policies that offer jobs for those with a felony record. To permanently disenfranchise people because of past mistakes leads to a potential lifetime of unemployment–which can then force ex-felons into the underground economy and, potentially, more crime. I wish we had a culture that was more forgiving, especially considering that so much of the behavior that lands people of color into jail and prison is youthful misjudgment. Ask yourself if you would want some misjudgment in your younger days to change the entire course of your life! To deprive young people of opportunities for work (and participation in voting and other civic behavior) only invites further problems.

To me, the criminal injustice system is one of the most heartbreaking issues of our time. Last year the Chesapeake Film Festival premiered The Sentence. Now an HBO documentary, it told the story of Cindy Shank, a mother of 3, who received a 15-year mandatory prison sentence. In her youth, she fell in love and lived with a drug dealer. Although she never did or sold drugs, she was convicted for NOT reporting him to authorities. Six years after the incident, the authorities arrested and convicted her. The film chronicles her story as a mother of three young children (one of them, six weeks old). It shows the extraordinary damage to her and her family.

There is hope. There are movements to reform the justice system. The movie Just Mercy chronicles the work of Bryan Stevenson, a native son of the Eastern Shore, who has dedicated his life to defend those wrongly condemned and those who did not receive proper representation. One of his first cases was Walter McMillian, who was sentenced to die in 1987 for murder, despite eyewitness testimony proving his innocence.

Other organizations have been created to help. One of my favorites is the Bail Bond project, which posts bail for minor offenses (less than $2000); 50% of those lucky recipients get their cases dropped and only 2% receive jail time.

In the meantime, the more we know, the more we can understand. Dr. Margaret Andersen’s book, Getting Smart about Race: An American Conversation will be published this February 2020.

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McCarthyism…Trumpism? By Angela Rieck

January 9, 2020 by Angela Rieck 1 Comment

PBS American Experience aired the story of McCarthyism this week. I was struck the similarities to our current environment.

McCarthyism began and was fueled by fear—fear of communism. The Eastern European countries and China became Communist regimes. North Korea invaded South Korea. From America’s perspective, its enemy, communism, was spreading like a virus. In our own country, some intellectuals, believing that greedy, rapacious capitalism was the cause of the depression, dabbled with Soviet-funded communism as a solution. The conservative press printed sensationalist stories about the spread of communism into America.

Trumpism was created and is fueled by fear—fear of losing our standard of living. So, he made immigrants the bogeymen. Many Americans have experienced a downturn in their standard of living while Wall Street has gotten richer and richer. High paying, skilled jobs have been moved offshore by greedy capitalists, leaving low-paying service jobs. Wages are declining and many fear that the cause is undocumented workers who are willing to work for lower wages. These Americans perceive that they are ignored or mocked. The conservative press prints outrageous stories about immigrants, their detrimental impact on society and how they are taking over America.

Enter Joe McCarthy. He was a failed junior senator, lacking a moral compass and worried about re-election. In a speech he gave at the Wheeling Women’s Republican club he claimed to have the names of 205 communists working in the government. It was a lie, but the conservative press picked it up.

Enter Donald Trump, a failed businessman lacking a moral compass. With over 3500 lawsuits brought against him, having declared bankruptcy, most of his empire came from selling his brand. Trump claimed that immigrants were coming to rape, murder and steal our jobs. The conservative press reported supportive stories while the mainstream press ridiculed him.

Joe McCarthy loved the limelight. He held televised hearings to harass and destroy the “elite” government insiders, accusing them of being members of the communist party. When he lacked evidence, he lied. His supporters marched in the streets. Aided by the conservative press, he searched for other high-profile government insider “communists” to humiliate and destroy.

Donald Trump loves the limelight, believing that any press was good press. He lied and harassed people on the election trail, creating the “lock her up” slogan about his opponent. His supporters marched in the streets, carrying obscene signs about his opponent and immigrants. The conservative press supported his accusations.

Joe McCarthy craved the spotlight. He investigated over 600 people in 15 months. He used lies, innuendo and outrageous statements to make the front page.

Donald Trump craves the spotlight. He uses lies, attacks, rumor, innuendo and outrageous statements to get attention.

What brought down Mr. McCarthy? Most of us believe that it was Edward R Murrow’s broadcast condemning McCarthy and his tactics. That awakened many, but it mostly spoke to those already opposed to McCarthy.

McCarthy’s downfall came when he went too far. He attacked the Army, Eisenhower’s “club”. Eisenhower had been content to ignore McCarthy; he wasn’t willing to lose the support of McCarthy’s followers. But after the attacks on the Army, Eisenhower worked with the senators to hold televised hearings to investigate McCarthy, shining a light on his misstatements, lies and innuendos. Still, his followers continued to support him. Ultimately, moderate fellow Republicans decided that “enough was enough” and courageously risked losing the support of his voters by censoring him. After that, McCarthy lost his spotlight and declined into alcoholism.

What have we learned from this? We have learned that the human condition does not change a whole lot, even as we think that we are getting more sophisticated. When fear is the motivator, bad decisions follow…always. But mostly, we learn that the press can’t fix this, only moderate members of Trump’s own party can. They must decide “enough is enough” and no longer fear his supporters. They must be the change.

Let’s hope they will.

Let’s hope that it is not too late.

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Traditions by Angela Rieck

January 2, 2020 by Angela Rieck Leave a Comment

Winner Home

Traditions and nostalgia are funny things. Nostalgia is really about forgetting, presenting the past in a glowing haze. Traditions are a little different. Sure, there is a lot of forgetting, some remembering, and, of course, intransigence.

The host of any family Thanksgiving dinner may bravely choose to try something new…but it is usually avoided. For me, Thanksgiving is about (in this order) turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, corn (or succotash), stuffing, sweet potato casserole, rolls and, of course, pies. Lots and lots of pies. (Others like to include creamed spinach, creamed onions and the ubiquitous string bean casserole.) Those brave cooks who try to mess with the formula are not rewarded. At best, new dishes are ignored, at worst, jeered.

Traditions allow us to celebrate our lives and carry them onto the next generation. Who, by the way, do not often comply…our Thanksgiving feast has been interrupted with healthy and vegetarian dishes…that are ignored by the grown-ups, of course.

Christmas traditions are unique to each family. Christmas for us meant cold weather; fragrant evergreens; warm beverages; soft, glowing candles; crackling fireplaces; hot, fragrant dishes, all to take the chill out. Christmas carols nonsensically reminded us of the cold (even though, of course, it was warm where Jesus was born), the snow, the icicles, the greenery.

So, after my husband died, and I began to spend my winters in Key West, Christmas became quite difficult. I missed the cold weather, the warming accoutrement and the heavy clothing; the soft, silly Christmas sweaters; fluffy scarves, lined gloves or mittens.

In Key West’s warm weather, evergreens dry out within a week. So, it is artificial everything, artificial trees, artificial wreaths, artificial decorations.

I needed to create new traditions. And Key Westers, being a little offbeat, had the answer…wacky outdoor holiday decorations. In warm weather, outdoor displays are not the challenge that they are up north. And since it is Key West, conventional rules do not apply. You will see Santa’s sleigh pulled by flamingos or he may be sporting a bathing suit.

Key West holds a contest every year for the most daunting display and many homeowners go all out (sometimes using cranes for their rooftop displays). They have everything: Santa, snow (from bubbles), holiday music blasting onto the street, reindeer, snowmen, wise men, nativity scenes, plywood cutouts of cartoon characters, inflatable displays, flamingos, Hanukkah themes, and lots and lots of multi-colored lights. So many lights, that they rival the infamous house in National Lampoon’s Christmas vacation. Residents decorate palm trees magnificently, fences sport falling icicle lights, projectile light displays create patterns on homes, and there are colorful lights, everywhere.

So, we have created a new tradition. On Christmas eve, we cycle around Key West admiring the homes. Many of the homeowners are outside to greet us and we share laughs and compliments. It is all in good fun, a new tradition, an alien one, given what I came to expect from Christmas.

I have a lot of traditions, old ones that I treasure (and sometimes yearn for) and new ones that I am creating.

And that is really life, isn’t it, celebrating our past and creating our future.

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