Beginning operations last month, the water battery, is a pumped storage hydropower plant that is equipped with agile, reversible turbines that offer new levels of flexibility, says Robert Gleitz, a delegate of the board of directors of Nant de Drance. With the flick of a switch, the plant can go from storing energy to providing electricity.

The massive project took 14 years to complete. Around 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) of subterranean tunnels were excavated through the Alps while the six turbines are stored 600 meters (1970 feet) below ground in a giant cavern, the length of two football fields, reported CNN. Nant de Drance repurposed two existing reservoirs, raising the upper one by 21.5 meters (71 feet) to double its capacity.  It now holds more water than 6,500 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

“We can take energy (from the grid) when it is too much and generate it again when it’s needed,” says Gleitz. Unlike many of the plants that preceded it, Nant de Drance uses variable speed pump turbines, says Pascal Radue, CEO of GE Renewable Energy Hydro which supplied equipment for the facility.

Nant de Drance returns around 80% of the electricity it takes it back to the grid, and stores around 20 hours of backup energy, says Gleitz.

Historically “open-flow” pumped storage hydropower stations, which are built on river systems and require dam construction, disrupt wildlife and damage ecosystems. In Switzerland, where the first pumped storage hydropower plant was built in 1890, almost half of total river lengths have been artificially altered, with very few Alpine rivers in a natural state.

River Wild: How To Survive Being Swept Away in a Strong Current

“The era of dam building is nearly over,” says Andrew Blakers, an engineering professor at the Australian National University. Blakers adds that these closed loop power plants take up a relatively small space given their energy security. He also estimates that to power a city with one million inhabitants for 24 hours would require around two square kilometers of flooded land, adding that pumped storage hydropower offers one of the highest efficiency energy storage solutions currently available.

Europe is hoping to become the “first climate-neutral continent,” and it has big ambitions for renewable energy. In 2020, just over one-fifth of the continent’s total energy came from renewable sources, but in May this year, the European Commission increased its 2030 renewables target from 40% to 45%.

To achieve this goal, new, high-capacity storage facilities are essential, says Blakers. The European Association for Storage of Energy estimates that the continent will need 200 gigawatts of storage by 2030 – more than four times its current storage capacity. In the decade between 2010 and 2020, just 8 gigawatts of storage was added to the grid.

The Power Grid Is Far More Vulnerable to Cyber Attacks Than Most People Realize

Switzerland’s water battery could offer stability to the highly unstable power grid across the continent, says Rebecca Ellis, energy policy manager at the non-profit International Hydropower Association. Nant de Drance has increased Switzerland’s installed energy capacity by 33%, says Ellis, adding that it “shows the leadership of Switzerland” in the transition to renewables.

In fact, In fact, from 2007 to 2021, private insurance claim lines with Lyme disease diagnoses rose 357% in rural areas and 65% in urban areas. This disease has recently taken a backseat to COVID-19, monkeypox, and many other new diseases, such as the Laygna virus. 

Related: Five Tick-Borne Diseases That All Americans Should Be Aware Of

According to the CDC, Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and, rarely, Borrelia mayonii. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks.  This disease is so common that 1 in 7 people have been infected with it and simply don’t know it.

If left untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. But Lyme disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics. It is often diagnosed off symptoms only, so if you live in an area with many ticks, be aware of them.

Early signs and symptoms (3-30 days After a Tick Bite)

• Untreated Lyme disease can produce a wide range of symptoms, depending on the stage of infection. These include fever, rash, facial paralysis, and arthritis.
  • Fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes may occur in the absence of rash
  • Erythema migrans (EM) rash (see photos):
  • Occurs in approximately 70 to 80 percent of infected persons
  • Begins at the site of a tick bite after a delay of 3 to 30 days (average is about seven days)
  • Expands gradually over several days reaching up to 12 inches or more (30 cm) across
  • May feel warm to the touch but is rarely itchy or painful
  • Sometimes clears as it enlarges, resulting in a target or “bull’s-eye” appearance
  • May appear on any area of the body
  • Does not always appear as a “classic” erythema migrans rash

• Later signs (Days to months after a tick bite)
  • Fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes may occur in the absence of rash
  • Erythema migrans (EM) rash (see photos):
  • Occurs in approximately 70 to 80 percent of infected persons
  • Begins at the site of a tick bite after a delay of 3 to 30 days (average is about 7 days)
  • Expands gradually over several days reaching up to 12 inches or more (30 cm) across
  • May feel warm to the touch but is rarely itchy or painful
  • Sometimes clears as it enlarges, resulting in a target or “bull’s-eye” appearance
  • May appear on any area of the body
  • Does not always appear as a “classic” erythema migrans rash
  • Photos of Rashes

The best way to help keep yourself safe is to prevent Lyme disease or a tick bite in the first place. You should know where ticks like to live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or even on animals. Spending time outside walking your dog, camping, gardening, or hunting could bring you in close contact with ticks. Many people get ticks in their own yard or neighborhood. Before going outside, you can pre-treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing, and camping gear and remain protective through several wash cycles. Alternatively, you can buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.

Reduce the tick population in your area by using pesticides. Use insect repellent when outside, and make sure you check for ticks in a timely manner once you return home.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more people in the U.S. die each year from extreme heat exposure than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes combined.

A “heat illness” is an illness caused by exposure to too much heat. The common types are heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Heat exhaustion is a milder of heat-related illness that could develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids.

Heatstroke is more specific and prolonged, which means the body is experiencing neurologic changes, like loss of consciousness and/or seizures. Heatstroke occurs when the body can no longer regulate its internal temperature and cool down. Heatstroke can cause the body’s temperature to reach 106 degrees Fahrenheit within mere minutes. Without emergency treatment, this condition can result in permanent damage or death.

To prevent a heat illness from reaching a dangerous point, know the signs:

• Heavy sweating
• Faintness
• Weak, rapid pulse
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea
• Headaches
• cool, moist skin with possible goosebumps while in the heat

Once you know the signs, if you or someone else is experiencing these, you can take immediate action to help. The Red Cross recommends you follow these steps:

• If they’re losing consciousness or vomiting, immediately call 9-1-1
• Relocate the person to an air-conditioned or shaded area
• Provide cool water they can drink slowly
• Apply ice or cold towels to the head, neck, groin, wrists, ankles, and underarms

Immersing someone in cold water is the best way to cool someone off rapidly. Make sure you are monitoring yourself and your children if you are in the heat for prolonged periods of time.

How To Prevent Heat Illnesses

Prevention of heat illnesses should be taken during the summer months. Be intelligent about your decisions. For example, is mountain biking 35 miles a wise decision when it’s over 100 degrees outside? Maybe not. That doesn’t mean you don’t go; shortens the trip, reschedule or change routes, so there’s more shade along the way. Look for ways to help yourself out.  Performing strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day is often how people come down with a heat illness. Simply be aware of the activity, temperature, and risk involved. Drink plenty of fluids both before and after the activity.

You can also employ the following techniques:

• Wearing looser, lighter clothing to help dispel the heat
• Avoid alcohol and heavy meals
• Avoid getting sunburned

You can generally try to stay cool on hot days by drinking fluids and keeping up with electrolytes. You can also do your best to ensure you have a way to cool off if the heat becomes a real concern. Sunscreen won’t protect you from heat illness; it will help prevent sunburn, which will help keep the body cool.

I’ve sought out CBD products in a quest to calm my anxiety and sleep a better. I try to live a healthy lifestyle, and I like natural wellness products. Every prescription drug I’ve tried for anxiety was pretty much guaranteed to give me most of the possible adverse side effects. On the flip side, CBD is a natural, plant-derived product used in folk remedies for thousands of years. Of course, cannabis was outlawed for decades for any use, even medical, which also halted any scientific research into it. Thankfully, that’s changed a lot over the past few years and is continuing to evolve.

I started with CBD products from my local drugstore, then moved online to find better quality and potency. Recently, I discovered 12,000 mg full spectrum CBD oil from Cannabiva. This amber tincture really is the strongest CBD oil in the world — it’s 40x more potent than the brand’s original CBD tincture and contains 400 mg of Cannabidiol per dropper.  CBD oil is considered “strong” when it has 50 mL per dropper or more. I was hoping this full spectrum CBD tincture could bring some much-needed chill into my life.

What’s Full Spectrum CBD?

CBD oil from Cannabiva uses whole-plant cannabis extracts. Cannabiva brand CBD extracts include the most critical phytocannabinoids according to their website. Their full spectrum products contain Cannabidiol (CBD) as well as:

• Cannabinol (CBN)
• Cannabigerol (CBG)
• Cannabichromene (CBC)
• Cannabidivarin (CBDV)

Cannabiva’s full spectrum CBD tincture also has small amounts of THC (less than 0.3%), which is the legal standard in places where THC is still banned. This blend promises to deliver entourage benefits that you just can’t get from any other CBD oil. And while this is the strongest CBD around, it won’t get you high no matter how much you take since the THC level is so low.

For zero THC products, look to other offerings from the brand, such as their pure CBD isolate oil line.

How Should You Take This CBD Oil?

This 12,000 mg full spectrum CBD tincture has a gorgeous amber color with a terpy richness and complexity. The oil is silky, and the smooth texture is like very high-quality coconut oil, with a light consistency. The CBD is blended using cold-pressed organic MCT oil, which brings its own health benefits (and is totally keto-compatible).

For the fastest absorption, put the CBD oil under your tongue and hold it there for 30 seconds. It absorbs quickly through the mucous membrane, and you should feel the effects in about 10 minutes. You can also mix CBD oil in smoothies or make other blends, but it absorbs a little slower that way, taking about 30+ minutes to go through the digestive process.

Cannabinoids: The Main Ingredient

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound known as a cannabinoid. It’s extracted from cannabis plants, which have many strains. A cannabis strain that contains 0.3% THC or less is classified as hemp — it doesn’t have the psychoactive ingredients that get you high. Still, it has plenty of CBD and other beneficial compounds.

The human body produces its own cannabinoids that help regulate mood, sleep, pain, and appetite via the endocannabinoid system. When you ingest the cannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant, they complement your own supply of cannabinoids, potentially helping you in the areas of sleep and mood, etc. It’s been said that the brain is like a symphony, and CBD helps bring it into harmony.

Terpenes: Flavorful Helpers

Terpenes give plants their aroma and flavor, but they also have health benefits — in fact, they’re the main ingredients in essential oils. One of the most common terpenes in cannabis is myrcene, which is also found in lemongrass and hops. An abundance of myrcene creates a cannabis strain that’s considered “indica” — it produces relaxing effects rather than stimulating you as a sativa strain might. And science seems to be backing this up. Lab studies show that myrcene has a sedating effect on rodents. Other terpenes in the cannabis plant have anti-inflammatory effects. There are hundreds of other medicinal compounds in the plant, too.

Because of the long ban on cannabis research, we don’t know precisely how all these compounds work together. Current studies show that taking full spectrum CBD, which is accompanied by hundreds of other compounds, including other cannabinoids, beneficial fatty acids, vitamins, and terpenes, is more effective than Cannabidiol alone. CBD and these other components act together synergistically and create a stronger effect than each ingredient could produce on its own. This is called “the entourage effect.”

The Benefits of CBD

When you ingest the cannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant, you complement your own supply of cannabinoids that your body already makes. Some potential benefits of CBD are lowered anxiety, improved sleep, and relief from pain. Those are the main reasons most people take CBD.

Based on small studies, some other possible CBD benefits indicate their usefulness as:

– A treatment for ADD/ADHD
– An aid in withdrawal from addictive substances
– A pain reliever for arthritis and other chronic pain
– An aid in the management of symptoms related to eating disorders
– A treatment for skin conditions like acne and eczema

CBD Lab Tested

Cannabiva is based in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada, at the border of California, the epicenter of the cannabis revolution. Their products contain organic USA-farmed cannabis tested by third-party, ISO-accredited labs three times: once at harvest, again after extraction, and once again when it’s in final-product form.

Their products are guaranteed free of pesticides, harsh chemicals, and heavy metals. That’s a critical factor because cannabis is, well, a weed — it can grow anywhere, including in areas with high pollution or the presence of heavy metals. Choosing a product with independent CBD lab test results is essential.

My Cannabiva CBD Experience

I’ve been taking Cannabiva 12,000 mg full spectrum CBD oil for about two weeks now. There’s a label on the bottle that tells you how much to take based on how much you weigh. The general advice is to start at a low dose of 25 milligrams to 50 milligrams for first time users and increase as needed. Cannabiva provides an easy to use dosage guide at their website to find the perfect dose for your body weight. I’ll be honest, I’m impatient for anxiety relief, so I used the higher end of the dose range for my weight from the get-go, using the under-the-tongue method.

Some CBD tinctures have a “green tea” or “herbal tea” flavor. Cannabiva’s full spectrum CBD tastes and smells unmistakably like cannabis. In fact, one night, I had a friend over and made CBD-infused cocktails from a recipe I found online — you add a few drops of the oil on top of the mixed drink — and it totally had a pronounced cannabis scent and flavor. This CBD oil is amazing for making cannabis-themed drinks because the scent profile really comes through.

You can expect to have cannabis breath if you take the oil straight, but the aroma wears off after about 10 minutes or so.

My husband is also interested in natural alternatives and tried Cannabiva with me. We both slept through the night the first time we took it, which is unusual for us. But the second night we took it, he woke up a few times. I slept like a baby that second night, too. Per the label, you’re supposed to take the oil every four to six hours or as needed.

After the first two nights, my husband let me have the Cannabiva all to myself because I’m the one with the anxiety and sleep issues. I felt effects immediately after taking it that first day. Now, about two weeks later, I’m feeling very chill overall. I’m more relaxed, though, not sedated. I’ve been sleeping longer and waking up fewer times throughout the night. I take smaller doses during the day and a larger amount in the evening about 30 minutes before going to bed. The larger dose makes me feel relaxed all over, like I just got out of a warm bath.

While my CBD experience was positive, as with any medicinal product, your experience will vary.

Cannabiva offers free samples you can try if you’ve never taken CBD before. All it takes is an email address. They don’t take any payment information on the sign up form, so it really is free to try their CBD. Their products are also backed up by a 90-day guarantee which I appreciated a lot. I am willing to buy from any company that stands behind their products.

Visit the Cannabiva Website

Visit the Ready Nutrition CBD Resource Center For More Articles Like this One

While cold drinks and frozen desserts might seem cooling, they often are not. Plus, most are full of sugar to the point that they affect you adversely. Instead, there are 12 foods that almost anyone can easily add to their diet to help stay cool without having to guzzle gallons and gallons of water.

1. Cucumber

Cucumbers instantly hydrate the body and bring down the body heat. Cucumbers are made up of around 96% water and that’s the highest water content of any food! They can also be grown in almost any agriculture zone, although they may need a greenhouse. Cucumbers are also very low in calories, so they won’t fill you up making you feel “heavy” and an excellent source of vitamins and fiber. Snack on them as a salad or with your favorite dip or blitz them into a juice with ginger and some lemon.

Boston Pickler Cucumber – High in Electrolytes and Potassium

2. Melons

Watermelons and musk melons sell like hot cakes in summer and there’s a reason for that! Our bodies instinctively know that the juicy melons will help keep us cool. Watermelons and canteloupe both contain 90% water, which isn’t quite as much as a cucumber, but they offer a little more sweetness for those who don’t prefer cucumbers.  Juicy and full of nutrients that the body needs, all melons make for great summer companions. Not only do they hydrate well, but boost the body with power-packed nutrients like Vitamin B, magnesium, potassium, and fiber.

3. Leafy Greens

The green leafy vegetables are high in nutrient value, and calcium and provide a good cooling effect on the body. Spinach, lettuce, Amaranth, Chinese cabbage, and kale are your summer talismans. They can be had in smoothies, salads, or as a side dish in a meal. Raw kale is 84% water and it has a strong flavor for those who love their salads!

Red Russian Kale – A Powerful Punch of Protein and Antioxidants

4. Buttermilk

The Indian drink of the summers is buttermilk and while that may seem odd, there’s a reason for it. Not only does buttermilk help keep you hydrated but it also is beneficial for digestion. Have it with roasted cumin seeds, fresh coriander and some ginger to add zing to your day.

How to Still Be Chill Without a Refrigerator

5. Mango

The king of fruits is your best alternative to reducing body heat. There are myriad ways of incorporating it into your diet. Have it raw, as aam Panna- that quintessential summer drink, as chutney or curry. Mangoes are great for digestion, cure heat strokes and boost energy.

6. Lemon

The easiest way to add flavor to your glass of water (even sparkling water) is to have it with lemon. They boost the immune system with vitamin C, make your skin glow, and add a healthy dose of hydration! They are about 88% water, so drink up as much lemonade made with plain water and little to no sugar, or add a dash of lemon to your juices and on top of your salads.

Grow Your Own Lemon Tree

7. Curd And Yoghurt

Packed with calcium, curd should be your go-to option for a healthy summer alternative to cold fizzy drinks. Rich with Vitamin B and gut-friendly bacteria, curd soothes the body from within. Add flavor to it by mixing it with mangoes, strawberries, and other fruits.

Making Fermented Milk…You Might Call it Yoghurt

8. Fish

To boost the protein content in your diet without depending on meats, turn to fish. Rich in good fatty acids, fish, makes for a tasty alternative. Since it generates less heat on consumption, you won’t feel lethargic and uncomfortably full, a feeling that usually we associate with after having chicken and meat dishes.

9. Avocado

Avocado is a superfood in the true sense. Avocadoes contain a high amount of mono-saturated fatty acids which help to remove heat and toxins from the blood. They are also easily digested, so your body will not need to create more heat to digest them.  Feeling satiated is also a key to helping stay cool. Avocadoes help you feel full for longer. In fact, a 2013 study found that overweight adults who added half a fresh avocado to their lunch were less likely to feel hungry after eating.

10. Coconut 

Coconut water is filled with electrolytes which help to keep you hydrated and cool. Rich in essential electrolytes, the power drink helps beat the heat during summer while keeping one hydrated and energetic throughout the day. It will keep you hydrated and boost your digestive capacity. This is a great alternative for those who cannot have the aforementioned dairy. The milk and meat of the coconut are both satisfying and cooling. Plus, coconut smells like a tropical oasis!

11. Mint

Mint is a cooling herb. The combination of mint and lime can make a very refreshing drink for summer. One of the easiest herbs to find fresh in the market, both peppermint and spearmint are the best for consumption during summers. Mint helps in digestion without raising body heat. It also relieves nausea and headaches and eases depression and fatigue. Making tea with mint leaves can help induce sweating to reduce body temperature.

You can take a jar of water and add crushed mint leaves to them to have throughout the day. Make sure you allow the mint leaves to soak in the water for an hour before drinking it.

Mint is also easy to grow and comes back bigger and better year after year!

12. Chamomile

This herb can cool the body, ease insomnia, calm anxiety, and soothe the digestive system. Great for the skin and scalp as well, it also soothes inflammation, rashes, insect bites, and even cuts and scrapes. The sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays can cause various skin problems. Chamomile tea is known for its antioxidant, soothing, and anti-inflammatory properties and helps treat it.

Hot Tea In The Summer?! Here’s Why You Should Try It!

Staying cool in the summer can be easy when we adjust our diet accordingly! Staying hydrated and cool naturally is much preferable, especially for those (like myself) who love to be outside, than staying inside a stuffy air-conditioned building all summer!

Spending time in an outdoor natural space or bringing nature into your everyday life can benefit both your mental and physical wellbeing. For example, doing things like growing food or flowers, exercising outdoors, foraging for wild food, or being around animals can have lots of positive effects. Being in nature can:

• improve your mood
• reduce feelings of stress or anger
• help you take time out and feel more relaxed
• improve your physical health
• improve your confidence and self-esteem
• help you be more active
• help you meet and get to know new people
• connect you to your local community
• reduce loneliness
• help you feel more connected to nature

Being in nature can come in many different forms. The important thing is to put your phone down, and enjoy what’s right around you!

Learning to keep bees or grow a pollinator garden are great ways to get outside and learn about nature while being in it. You can also find an animal you enjoy watching and just sit with a cold glass of water and enjoy them! I do this with my ducks. I love to just watch them play in their pond and simply be.

When I grow kale, bok choy, spinach, and arugula in my greenhouse, I use the plants for food, but never completely cut them back and kill them off. I work with nature, and allow the plants to flower and go to seed (and I’m still using the leaves at this point). This is what plants do naturally. In the fall, the flowers die off, and the seeds fall into the soil in my greenhouse and reseed themselves. By the end of April (in agricultural zone 4) I am having fresh bok choy, kale, spinach, and arugula! This simple thing gives me so much joy knowing that we can work with nature and don’t always have to micromanage it or plan to buy more seeds for everything.

We also like to walk around and look for wild edible plants. We have tons of yarrow and dandelion. Most people use toxic chemicals to remove dandelion or clover from their grass. We, on the other hand, let it all go mowing only a few times in June, then again in August. But even then, we only mow sections. We have honey bees and they love the early-season dandelions and mid-season clover we get. Again, we like to work with nature and let it do what it does best rather than turn nature into a perfectly symmetrical landscape with a weedless lawn.

Getting outside and weeding your vegetable garden is also a great way to connect with nature. You can see how your plants are doing and even learn about the weeds you are discarding. Maybe some of those are edible and can be added to your vegetable harvest for the day. You just never know what kinds of things you will learn to enjoy as you continually get some fresh air, and sunshine, and enjoy what the earth has provided to us.

Most Americans are vitamin D deficient. That means too many are staying indoors and not letting the sun give them this vital nutrient.  Lack of vitamin D is linked to rickets (soft, weak bones) in children and thinning bones in the elderly, but scientists also believe it may play a role in heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. This essential vitamin is made from cholesterol in your skin when it’s exposed to the sun. That’s why getting enough sunlight is very important for maintaining optimal vitamin D levels. The sun is the best source of vitamin D and it’s free! Supplements can give a small boost, but it’s hard to get enough from a supplement, and they can get expensive!

You could also eat vitamin D-rich foods, but it would take a lot of them, and there is only a handful with sufficient amounts. These include cod liver oil, swordfish, salmon, canned tuna, beef liver, egg yolks, and sardines. That said, you would need to eat a lot of them nearly every day to get enough vitamin D. So it’s vital to human health to get some sun. That will mean, getting out in nature! Sitting by a window is not good enough. The sun’s UVB rays cannot penetrate through windows. So people who work next to sunny windows are still prone to vitamin D deficiency.

According to scientific recommendations, wearing a tank top and shorts for 10–30 minutes three times per week during the summer should be sufficient for most people with lighter skin. People with darker skin may need a bit longer than this. You can take this time to walk or hike. You could weed the garden. You could simply just be outside, or you could grab your books and forage for a few wild edible plants.

Starting small and understanding what nature (including the sun) can offer us can be the key to health, wellness, and happiness!

During the infectious period of time, body fluids, respiratory secretions, and lesion material from people with monkeypox can contaminate the environment. Poxviruses can survive in linens, clothing, and environmental surfaces, particularly in dark, cool, and low humidity environments. In one study, investigators found live viruses 15 days after a patient’s home was left unoccupied. Studies show that other closely related Orthopoxviruses can survive in an environment similar to a household for weeks or months. Porous materials (bedding, clothing, etc.) may harbor live viruses for longer periods of time than non-porous (plastic, glass, metal) surfaces.

Orthopoxviruses are very sensitive to UV light. Despite the ability of Orthopoxviruses to persist in the environment, they are also sensitive to many disinfectants, and disinfection is recommended for all areas (such as home and vehicle) where a person with monkeypox has spent time, as well as for items considered to be potentially contaminated. Source

An EPA-approved disinfectant list has been made available to the public. Because disinfectants are a must for cleaning the home when monkeypox is present, stocking up on cleaners and disinfectants early on will be proactive. The disinfectants below are the most readily available cleaners that will clean surfaces and reduce viral spread. Shortages of the following products will likely occur more steadily once the virus spreads through communities.  Also, do not forget to stock up on gloves and respirators!

1. Hydrogen peroxide
2. Bleach
3. Oxyclean
4. Hand sanitizer

CDC Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfecting the Home

When people are isolated at home, those infected with monkeypox should regularly clean and disinfect the spaces they occupy to limit household contamination.

• ISOLATING ALONE IN HOME: People with monkeypox who are isolating alone at home should regularly clean and disinfect the spaces they occupy, including commonly touched surfaces and items, to limit household contamination. Perform hand hygiene afterwards using an alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) that contains at least 60% alcohol, or soap and water if ABHR is unavailable.
• ISOLATING WITH OTHERS IN HOME: People with monkeypox who are isolating in a home with others who don’t have monkeypox should follow the isolation and infection control guidance, and any shared spaces, appliances, or items should be disinfected immediately following use.

People who have recovered from monkeypox and whose isolation period has ended should conduct a thorough disinfection of all the spaces within the home that they had been in contact with. Follow the steps below to minimize the risk of infection to others in your home after recovery.

• If cleaning and disinfection is done by someone other than the person with monkeypox, that person should wear, at a minimum, disposable medical gloves and a respirator or well-fitting mask.
• Standard clothing that fully covers the skin should be worn, and then immediately laundered according to recommendations below.
• Hand hygiene should be performed using an ABHR, or soap and water if ABHR is unavailable.
• Focus on disinfecting items and surfaces that were in direct contact with the skin of the person with monkeypox, or often in the presence of the person with monkeypox, during isolation. If unsure, disinfect.
• Do not dry dust or sweep as this may spread infectious particles.
  • Wet cleaning methods are preferred such as disinfectant wipes, sprays, and mopping.
  • Vacuuming is acceptable using a vacuum with a high-efficiency air filter. If not available, ensure the person vacuuming wears a well-fitting mask or respirator.

• Clean and disinfect household in the following order:
  1. General waste containment
     1. Collect and contain in a sealed bag any soiled waste such as bandages, paper towels, food packaging, and other general trash items.
  2. Laundry
     1. Gather contaminated clothing and linens before anything else in the room is cleaned. Do not shake the linens as this could spread infectious particles.
  3. Hard surfaces and household items
  4. Upholstered furniture and other soft furnishings
  5. Carpet and flooring
  6. Waste disposal

Laundry

Used or contaminated clothing, linens and bedding materials, towels, and other fabric items should be contained until laundering. When at all possible, people with monkeypox should handle and launder their own soiled laundry. Laundry should not be mixed with that of other members of the household.

Follow these laundering procedures:

• Handle soiled laundry according to standard practices, avoiding contact with contaminates from the rash that may be present on the laundry.
• Soiled laundry should never be shaken or handled in a manner that may spread infectious particles.
• In-home laundry facilities:
  • Transfer soiled laundry items to be laundered in an impermeable container or bag that can be disinfected afterwards. Alternatively, a fabric bag may be used that can also be laundered along with the soiled items.
  • Wash laundry in a standard washing machine with detergent, following label instructions. Laundry sanitizers may be used but are not necessary.
• In-home laundry facilities not available:
  • When in-home laundry facilities (facilities not shared with other households) are unavailable, individuals should coordinate with their local public health department to determine appropriate laundering options.

Hard Surfaces (and non-porous car interiors)

Routinely clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and items (such as counters or light switches) using an EPA-registered disinfectant in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

• This includes surfaces like tables, countertops, door handles, toilet flush handles, faucets, light switches, and floors.
• Include interior surfaces of refrigerator, freezer, other appliances, interior cabinet spaces, or drawers if they have been accessed by the person with monkeypox.
• Items and surfaces within the home that have likely not been in contact with the person while sick with monkeypox do not need to be disinfected.
  • This includes clothing and items in drawers or boxes that have not been in contact with, or in the direct presence of the person with monkeypox.
• Wash soiled dishes and eating utensils in a dishwasher with detergent and hot water or by hand with hot water and dish soap.

Upholstered Furniture, Carpet and Soft Furnishing (and porous car interiors)

• If the person with monkeypox had direct skin contact and/or excessive drainage of fluids from rashes onto soft furnishings, such as upholstered furniture, carpets, rugs, and mattresses, steam cleaning can be considered. Discuss with state or local health authorities for further guidance.
• If the person with monkeypox had minimal contact with soft furnishings, disinfect the surface with a surface-appropriate disinfectant.

Waste Disposal

Generally, management of waste from homes, including those of people with monkeypox isolating at home, should continue as normal. Municipal waste management systems routinely collect and dispose of waste materials from individuals with infectious diseases and can do so safely using existing procedures.

• The person with monkeypox should use a dedicated, lined trash can in the room where they are isolating.
  • Any gloves, bandages, or other waste and disposable items that have been in direct contact with skin should be placed in a sealed plastic bag, then thrown away in the dedicated trash can.
  • The person with monkeypox or other household members should use gloves when removing garbage bags and handling and disposing of trash.
• If professional cleaning services are used, treat, and/or dispose of waste in accordance with applicable state, local, tribal, and territorial laws and regulations for waste management. For more information, the Department of Transportation has monkeypox-specific information in Appendix F-2 of the federal interagency guidance for managing solid waste contaminated with a Category A infectious substance.

Source

The concern is spreading among those who previously had little to no reason to worry. Those concerned about wildfires in their state can do more to prepare for the likelihood of wildfires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are methods for homeowners to prepare their homes to withstand ember attacks and minimize the likelihood of flames or surface fire touching the home or any attachments.

According to Hargo’s Land Management, who provide defensible space and land management services in one of the most active wildfire areas of the country, creating protective zones around your home can significantly reduce the chances of a total loss during fire:

Fire professionals have reported that up to 75% of homes that survived in burn areas completed some form of defensible space mitigation.

Source: Defensible Space Clearing

Research has shown that homeowners who protect against small flames and embers have a fighting chance to keep their homes. Embers are burning pieces of airborne wood and/or vegetation that can be carried more than a mile through the wind and can cause spot fires and ignite homes, debris, and other objects. The National Fire Protection Association said proper precautions must be taken to protect your home from embers.

Experiments, models, and post-fire studies have shown homes ignite due to the condition of the home and everything around it, up to 200 feet away from the foundation. This is called the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ). The HIZ can be split into three groups based on distance from the home.

1. IMMEDIATE ZONE (Zone 0)

This zone includes the home and the area up to 5 feet from the furthest attached exterior point of the home, defined as a non-combustible area.  This is the most important zone to take immediate action on as it is the most vulnerable to embers. Start with the house itself and then move outward into the landscaping section of the Immediate Zone. Prepare this zone by taking the following steps:

• Clean roofs and all gutters of dead leaves, debris, and pine needles that could catch embers.
• Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration.
• Reduce embers that could pass through vents in the eaves by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening.
• Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install 1/8 inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers.
• Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
• Move any flammable material away from wall exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn. Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.

2. INTERMEDIATE ZONE (Zone 1)

This zone spans the area  5-30 feet from the furthest exterior point of the home, extending beyond the immediate zone. Landscaping/hardscaping or employing careful landscaping or creating breaks that can help influence and decrease fire behavior in this zone. To prepare this area:

• Clear vegetation from under large stationary propane tanks.
• Create fuel breaks with driveways, walkways/paths, patios, and decks.
• Keep lawns, and native grasses mowed to a height of four inches.
• Remove ladder fuels (vegetation under trees) so a surface fire cannot reach the crowns.  Prune trees up to six to ten feet from the ground; for shorter trees, do not exceed 1/3 of the overall tree height.
• Space trees have a minimum of eighteen feet between crowns, with the distance increasing with the slope percentage.
• Tree placement should be planned to ensure the mature canopy is no closer than ten feet to the edge of the structure.
• Trees and shrubs in this zone should be limited to small clusters of a few each to break up the continuity of the vegetation across the landscape.

3. EXTENDED ZONE (Zone 2)

This zone stretches 30-100 feet out to 200 feet from the house. The goal here is not to eliminate the fire but to interrupt the fire’s path and keep all flames smaller and on the ground. Landscaping in this zone should include:

• Dispose of heavy accumulations of ground litter/debris.
• Remove dead plant and tree material.
• Remove small conifers growing between mature trees.
• Remove vegetation adjacent to storage sheds or other outbuildings within this area.
• Trees 30 to 60 feet from the home should have at least 12 feet between canopy tops.
• Trees 60 to 100 feet from the home should have at least 6 feet between the canopy tops.

Tree spacing will depend on which zone you are prepping for. The following image, courtesy of Calfire, shows how you can effectively create fire safe zones around your home and property:

The following video shows what a wildfire-prepared home really looks like and is good for insurance purposes if you live in a wildfire-prone area:

A home in Paradise, California, has become the nation’s first designated wildfire-prepared home after the owners took every precaution they could.  The designation was developed by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety as a way for homeowners to prove that they have taken scientifically proven steps to mitigate the risk of total home loss in a wildfire.

In order to receive a designation, homeowners must meet a list of requirements that fall under three main categories.

The first is having a “Class A” roof. A roof with this rating is made from material that is resistant to catching fire from embers. The second major category includes a list of materials and standards that should be used around attic spaces, including an eighth-inch mesh screen over vents and maintaining clear gutters. The third and most notable requirement is maintaining at least 5 feet of space between the home and any combustible materials for the entire perimeter of the building. That includes things like mulch, vegetation, and wood fencing.

“All of these ideas are things that we have looked at in the laboratory and in post-event,” said IBHS Chief Engineer Anne Cope.

It’s never too soon to think about preparations, especially if you live within a few hundred miles of where wildfires are common.

Additional Reading on Wildfire Preparations

Are You Ready Series: Wildfire Preparedness

Wildfire Preparedness Checklist

Inferno: How To Get Ready for a Rapidly Spreading Wildfire

How To Create a Wildfire Action Plan

Record Breaking Wildfires Will be the Norm in the Future

Back-Up for Your Back-Ups: 3 Fireproof and Waterproof Storage Containers

Heat has been a major component of violent crimes historically. In the United Kingdom, between April 2010 and 2018, there was 14% more violent crime at 20° Celcius than there was at 10º Celcius. In Mexico, there is more organized crime in warmer weather and some academics suspect this is because it creates a “taste for violence”. In South Africa, scientists have discovered that, for every degree that the temperature goes up, there is a 1.5% increase in the number of murders.

In Greece, one study found that more than 30% of 137 homicides reported in a particular region occurred on days with an average temperature of more than 25° Celcius.   When the first wave of protests erupted in Ferguson, Missouri, following the shooting of Michael Brown in August 2014, it looked as if unrest might spread to other American cities, echoing the “long hot summers” of 50 years before.

Throughout the 1960s, a seasonal pattern of racial riots developed across urban America, leading observers to hypothesize about an association between summer heat and urban unrest. The Kerner Commission, tasked by President Lyndon Johnson with investigating the causes of the more than 150 riots that broke out in 1967, lay the blame on a toxic combination of poverty and racial politics. However, the Commission also noted that anger in urban America was being stoked by the uncomfortable heat of summer.

Related: Anatomy of a Breakdown

This trend of increased violence during extreme heat conditions has led more researchers to look into the correlation between the two. In fact, a 2014 U.S. Department of Justice report accumulated data for nearly two decades that experts say lead to more people becoming violent crime victims during June, July, and August.

In a recent study, researchers suggest that rising temperature increases some violent crimes, such as intentional homicides,3 sex offenses, and 4 assaults. In a retrospective study in seven US cities, every 5° Celcius rise in daily mean temperature between 2007 and 2017 was associated with a 4·5% increase in sex offenses in the following 0–8 days. A nationwide analysis in Japan between 2012 and 2015 found that ambulance transports due to assault increased linearly with the rise in daily temperatures. Violent incidents also showed a seasonal distribution by which most crimes happened in the summer or hot seasons than in winter. Hence, interpersonal violence in hot weather is likely to continue and increase in the future with increasing temperature due to climate change. In a 2014 paper, Matthew Ranson found that there could be an additional 22 000 murders, 1.2 million aggravated assaults, and 2.3 million simple assaults because of heat rises in the USA by the end of this century as compared with 2010.

Two Theories Can Explain Why Warmer Temperatures Lead To More Aggressive Behavior

There are two main theories that can help explain a positive association between ambient temperature and violent crime. According to The Lancet, the first theory, known as biological theory or temperature-aggression theory, explains that hot weather induces interpersonal violence by increasing discomfort, frustration, impulsivity, and aggression. However, this theory does not explain the increases in violent crime in areas where the temperature has risen from cold to warm, as temperature rise in this range is unlikely to cause uncomfortableness.

The second theory known as routine activity theory, suggests that changes in ambient temperature can alter people’s routine activities (eg, outdoor events and social contacts) and increase interpersonal conflicts or create suitable crime environments. Evidence for this theory can be found in a separate study conducted in 2021. Researchers at Stanford University detailed in Heat, Crime, and Punishment, the relationship between heat impacting the behavior of all individuals involved in criminal events, such as the defendants and police officers alike. The researchers found that with temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, arrest rates increased by approximately 5 percent relative to days between 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit with a day above 100 degrees Fahrenheit increasing violent crimes by more than 10 percent. Both aggravated assaults and assaults increase by between 10 and 20 percent at high temperatures. Lastly, Stanford University researchers found that arrests increase by up to 15 percent on extremely hot days, driven by increases in violent crime rather than by changes in police behavior.

Mental Health Is Also Affected

According to another study, one’s mental health is also affected by bouts of extreme heat. That research found that increased heat is associated with suicide, psychiatric hospital visits and ER visits, and increased anxiety, depression, and stress. Studies have also linked higher summer temperatures to decreased happiness.

Why is any of this important? If preparedness is a mindset, it is important to factor in the psychology and frame of mind of those who you may encounter in emotionally flared situations brought on by heat. Knowing this can help you diffuse the situation you are in and find safety. As well, given other factors like a global pandemic, production, and good scarcity, inflation, socio-economic issues, political strife, war, famine, etc., All these add to stress factors that could only lead to further increased crime.

How To Defuse Emotional Conflict

Keeping your emotions in check requires mental training on your part and is something you can practice daily in different situations.

Resist the mimic reflex. People tend to mimic the behavior of others, especially during a tense, emotional situation. The first step in defusing a conflict is to remain calm. If you remain calm, you can move on to the next step in neutralizing the conflict. Talk about the process rather than the conflict.

Focus on their interests. If you can focus on what other people want from the situation, you can keep their emotions from boiling over.  Listen to understand rather than listen to respond and focus on solving the problem or walking away.

Learning to diffuse and stay calm can help you avoid getting into situations that can quickly spiral out of control. As the temperatures keep rising, it’s important to keep our emotions in check and know how we can help rather than adding to the already stressed situation.

Additional Reading:

The Heat is On: How to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning

10 Blackout-Proof Preps You Need To Get Through Extreme Weather Emergencies

7 Inexpensive Ways To Cool Off Without Air Conditioning!

Are You Ready Series: Heat Safety

Remember to choose seeds and varieties that do well in your agriculture zone. If you like in an area that gets random frosts overnight in July, you may want to consider sowing these seeds in a greenhouse or making sure you can protect them overnight.

When planting these seeds, you need to keep a couple of things in mind such as the days to maturity of the variety you have chosen and the declining amount of sun as you move towards fall.

Here are 10 seeds you can start growing:

Beans – I have had no success and ever actually harvested a single green bean in our zone, 4b. However, I am still trying different varieties and may stumble across something that works in the future! Early Contender and Blue Lake Bush varieties tend to be the most popular varieties to grow in the summer.

Beets – Beets will withstand a frost! They are a root vegetable, and when their leaves are frosted only slightly, the root of the plant (the beet) will remain unharmed in most cases.

Carrots – Similarly, carrots can also withstand a light frost since they are also a root crop. When growing carrots, avoid the waste of “thinning” by using the plants you have thinned in a salad. Not only are those greens tasty and satisfying, but you also won’t be tossing away perfectly good food just to get bigger carrots.

Chard – This is a  versatile hearty leafy green that can be canned, cooked down, frozen, or added to a salad! It’s also great to use as a wrap, offering more flavor than most of the lettuce varieties.

Lettuce – In cooler areas, a mesclun mix of seeds is often preferred because most of those varieties will be cold tolerant. We can harvest lettuce from a mesclun mix until the end of October in agricultural zone 4b! If you are really wanted to get some lettuce growing during the summer months, try Black Seeded Simpson varieties.

Mustard Greens – Spicy and delicious, these can be cooked with Southern dishes or a welcome addition to any salad in the fall.

Peas – In some areas, you will need to choose peas that are a cold hearty variety.

Potatoes – A staple in anyone’s garden and prepper pantry, potatoes are hearty and delicious, store well, and we have had luck with them tolerating a straight-up freeze, down to 20 degrees! The leafy tops will freeze away, but your potatoes will be just as good under the soil. Harvest and store them for use over the winter! Nothing is more satisfying than using your own potatoes year after year!

Radishes – Another root vegetable. Watch for worms and bugs as the moisture levels increase. These can also be susceptible to rot, but will definitely survive a mild frost as well!

Spinach – This is one you can just plant and use while allowing to go to seed. I have had tremendous luck with spinach reseeding itself if you allow it to flower and let nature take its course. You can obviously still eat the spinach as it begins to make seeds. Sometimes it’s best to work with nature and let it do its thing! This is one crop that will give you years worth of satisfaction and you only will need to plant it once!

We have had success with most of these seeds, even planting them later in the year. Remember, successful gardening is determined by many factors, and there is no one size fits all plan to net you the most produce. But trial and error will teach you so much as long as you are willing to continue to learn from the lessons mother nature is teaching.