Thank You Very Much

Tomorrow I expect to sit with my extended family at my sister’s house and consume copious quantities of yummy food. After that, my and her kids will destroy her house in cute ways that will delight the grandparents. Good times. That in itself is a reason for gratitude. Given the fact that most humans who have ever lived spent every winter nearly starving to death, the abundance of food and material comfort at our disposal is nothing short of miraculous. And the fact that we’re all healthy...
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A Second Vaccine against Pneumonia Recommended for Seniors

If you're over 65, there’s a new vaccine you should know about. But before I explain the vaccine, let me introduce you to the bacterium that the vaccine protects you from. The little blue ovals in the above picture are Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. You might have guessed by its name that S. pneumoniae is a leading cause of pneumonia, and you'd be right. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, usually manifested by fever, productive cough, and shortness of breath. Pn...
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