Beech Tree News Network

I am a reader, and when I have time, I read about whatever comes to mind. Recently, I have read about deadly jobs in the United States, about the connection between obesity and covid-19, and about our pandemic economy. Some of those readings are mentioned below.

First, Hurricane Laura, like every big storm, caused great damage in addition to injuries and deaths. My oldest grandson was one of the linemen sent to restore electricity in Louisiana. Linemen are taught safety measures, but often work in dangerous situations. Thinking along that line, I read Najja Parker’s article “These are the deadliest jobs in America, study says”

Parker listed the 25 most dangerous jobs, and the ten most dangerous are below: 

1.Fishers and related fishing workers

2.Logging workers

3.Aircraft pilots and flight engineers

4.Roofers

5.Refuse and recyclable material collectors

6.Structural iron and steel workers

7.Driver/sales workers and truck drivers

8.Farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers

9.First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service and groundskeeping workers

10.Electrical power-line installers and repairers

I read an article from a different year that listed the deadliest jobs in a different order – likely based on the fatalities; however, the job types remained on that year’s list as well. All of these jobs are necessary. I just wish they were safer.

Second, a 2018 Daily News article (“Adults aren’t adding height but still putting on pounds,” December 23, 2018, 9C) by Mike Stobbe of The Associated Press said, “The average U.S. adult is overweight and just a few pounds from obese,” and adults in the U.S. aren’t getting any taller. Recently an NBC report stated the following: “Some people may remember getting the freshman 15 in college. Well, now there's the COVID or quarantine 15 – pandemic-induced weight gain that has doctors concerned about the health risks” (https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/doctors-warn-about-pandemic-weight-gain/2393770/?ocid=uxbndlbing).

Additionally, health officials have warned that those who are overweight and obese are at a higher risk of COVID-19 (https://www.news-medical.net/news/20200324/Overweight-and-obese-people-at-higher-risk-of-COVID-19.aspx). 

Wow. Like many others, to get near my preferred weight (recommended by my health-care provider), I have to be aware of my choices daily. Maybe this is another incentive for me to do better.

Third, an article in The Washington Post written by Daniel W. Drezner discussed the potential effects of our pandemic economy on the November election (https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/08/18/flying-blind-economic-effects-pandemic/). 

Drezner concluded: “Half of the country is about to experience severe deprivation and stress, and we have no idea how that will affect their lives or their votes. Welcome to 2020.” Wikipedia stated: “The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States has been largely disruptive, adversely affecting travel, financial markets, employment, shipping, and other industries,” and said, “the U.S. also added $3.1 trillion to the public debt in just 4 months” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_impact_of_the_COVID-19_pandemic_in_the_United_States ). 

In another Washington Post article, Heather Long explained that some economists are calling the current economic situation “a K-shaped recovery” because of the diverging economic prospects for the rich and poor (https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/13/recession-is-over-rich-working-class-is-far-recovered/). 

Basically, the gap between the rich and the poor is widening even more. I doubt that many are surprised. Last week one of my brothers speculated that the flu pandemic of 1918-1919 had some economic effect(s) that moved the U.S. economy toward the October 24th (1929) stock market crash and the following Great Depression. I know of absolutely no evidence to support my brother’s thought; however, I don’t totally discount the theory either.

Though the readings related to the deadliest jobs, the obesity-covid connection, and the pandemic economy are concerning, awareness permits us to make better decisions. Joan Didion said, “You aren’t sure if you’re making the right decision – about anything, ever” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/decision-quotes_7). 

Nonetheless, when we better understand the world around us, I believe we can make better choices.