Survey of State Marriage Laws Related to Same-Sex Marriage

"In 2015, the Supreme Court held in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex couples may exercise thefundamental right to marry in all states and that states must accordingly recognize marriages validly performed out-of-state. Many states still have unenforceable constitutional amendments or state statutes that ban marriage for same-sex couples. This Sidebar provides, in table form, a survey of current state constitutional amendments and state statutes that either prohibit or allow same-sex marriage. Other compilations may categorize the constitutional or statutory text differently; for example, two states do not explicitly define “marriage.” The Sidebar does not discuss or address the effect of judicial opinions, like Obergefell or prior state supreme court or lower federal court rulings, on these state statutes. The table also provides a list of various state provisions that concern religious protections relating to marriage. This includes laws that provide that a religious official or organization may not be required to solemnize a marriage if doing so would conflict with or violate a religious tenet.

Table 1. Survey of State Constitution Amendments and State Statutes Either Prohibiting or Allowing Same-Sex Marriage.."
Same-Sex Marriage Laws 

Workplace Mental Helath and Well Being

"Growing up in Miami, I often spent my after-school hours and weekends in the small clinic that my father and mother ran. As I watched my immigrant parents work, I could see that their jobs provided them with not only a paycheck, but also purpose, dignity, and community. The connection between their work and their mental health and well-being was clear. And they knew it. For all the financial hardships and social struggles they faced during those years, their work allowed them to support their family, connect with others, and find meaning. Their work helped them thrive.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the nature of work, and the relationship many workers have with their jobs. The link between our work and our health has become even more evident.

Today, more and more workers are worried about making ends meet, dealing with chronic stress, and struggling to balance the demands of both work and personal lives. The toll on their mental health is growing. The pandemic also sparked a reckoning among many workers who no longer feel that sacrificing their health, family, and communities for work is an acceptable trade-off. Organizations are also increasingly aware of another trade-off: when the mental health of workers suffers, so does workplace productivity, creativity, and retention.

The pandemic has presented us with an opportunity to rethink how we work. We have the power to make workplaces engines for mental health and well-being. Doing so will require organizations to rethink how they protect workers from harm, foster a sense of connection among workers, show them that they matter, make space for their lives outside work, and support their long-term professional growth. This may not be easy. But it will be worth it, because the benefits will accrue to both workers and organizations. A healthy workforce is the foundation for thriving organizations and a healthy community...
Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., M.B.A. Vice Admiral, U.S. Public Health Service Surgeon General of the United States.."
Workplace and mental healthh 

What Happened at FTX and What Does It Mean for Crypto?

"On Friday, November 11, FTX Trading Ltd. (FTX)—one of the world’s largest and most well-known cryptocurrency exchanges—announced that it had “commenced voluntary proceedings under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code” in Delaware. Included in the proceedings were FTX US and Alameda Research, a crypto trading company closely affiliated with FTX. The collapse of FTX is the most recent and perhaps most consequential of a spate of crypto company failures this year. This Insight examines the collapse and its implications.

What Is FTX and What Happened?

FTX was an international cryptocurrency platform that offered trading in both the spot market and derivative contracts of cryptocurrencies and allowed customers to store their cryptocurrency holdings with FTX. At its most recent valuation in fall 2022, it was believed to be worth about $32 billion—a valuation that proved to be inaccurate.

According to one news report that had seen FTX investment materials from the day before the bankruptcy announcement, the company held $900 million in “easily sellable assets” compared to $9 billion in liabilities. According to the bankruptcy filing, it had over 100,000 creditors and between $10 billion and $50 billion in liabilities.

Exactly what FTX did internally to cause its failure is unclear. However, the chain of events leading to the public loss of confidence and bankruptcy began with the publication of a report on November 2 by CoinDesk, which reported that two of Alameda Research’s three largest assets (representing nearly 40% of its total assets) were the FTX-related token FTT. (FTX issued FTT tokens to provide discounts on trading fees. FTT had been worth $22 per token, fell precipitously throughout the FTX ordeal, and is currently trading at $1.29 as of the date of this Insight.) Soon after, on November 6, Changpeng Zhao, the CEO of rival exchange Binance, tweeted that his exchange would sell its roughly $2.1 billion of FTT, essentially sparking a run on FTX. According to one report, FTX experienced $5 billion of withdrawals on November 6. After FTX initially denied solvency issues, FTX and Binance tweeted days later that Binance signed a non-binding letter of intent to help FTX solve its “significant liquidity crunch.” By Wednesday, November 9, the deal was off

 For some, the vast quantity of FTT on the balance sheet of Alameda was suspect. Since CoinDesk’s initial report, various media outlets have reported that an Alameda Research executive said FTX had transferred customer funds to prop up Alameda. U.S. and Bahamian regulators are reportedly investigating FTX.."
FTX and Crypto .

Turkey Day Myths

"Quit food safety confusion cold turkey this Thanksgiving! While this holiday is a great time to spend with family and friends, it’s also time to bust some myths.

Myth 1: Refrigerating a whole cooked turkey is safe

False! Always carve your turkey after cooking. A whole cooked turkey will not cool quickly enough, thus putting it at risk for bacterial growth. Carve the turkey into smaller pieces so it cools faster in the refrigerator.

Myth 2: Thawing a turkey on the counter is safe.

Never thaw a turkey on the kitchen counter. Once a turkey has sat at room temperature beyond two hours, it enters the Danger Zone, where bacteria grow rapidly. Thawing a turkey in a refrigerator is safe. Allow approximately 24 hours of thawing time for every four to five pounds of turkey. Turkeys are also safely thawed in a microwave and cold water. When using the cold-water method, allow 30 minutes per pound of turkey and keep it in the original wrapping. Change the water every 30 minutes and cook immediately after thawing.

Myth 3: My pop-up timer is enough to know if my turkey is fully cooked.

Pop-up timers are disposable thermometers used to measure a turkey’s temperature. These timers are a great tool. However, don’t forget to check in the three recommended places as well. The turkey’s internal temperature must reach 165 F in the following locations: the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the thigh, and the innermost part of the wing. Use a food thermometer in addition to a pop-up timer to check the turkey’s internal temperature.

Remember the four steps to food safety:

• Clean: Wash hands before touching food.
• Separate: Keep raw meats and poultry away from fruits and vegetables.
• Cook: Turkey is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165 F.
• Chill: Refrigerate any leftovers within two hours..."
  Turkey 

Complaint Bulletin: An analysis of consumer complaints related to crypto-assets

"Crypto-assets are increasingly offered and marketed to consumers, including being incorporated into other products. Even large financial firms have begun offering and marketing crypto-asset custodial services to certain customers. As these offerings have increased, so too have consumers’ complaints to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) related to crypto-assets.

This report analyzes complaints related to crypto-assets submitted to the CFPB. This report finds that fraud, theft, hacks, and scams are a significant problem in crypto-asset markets, as are transaction problems, including frozen accounts and inability to access assets.

FULL REPORT

View bulletin.."
Crypto-Assets 

Diet Is a Factor in Contact with Glyphosate

"Learn more on the role of diet in human contact with glyphosate, a widely used herbicide in the United States.

An estimated 81% of the U.S. population has had recent exposure to glyphosate, a chemical found in some weed killers, according to a new study, “Exposure to glyphosate in the United States: Data from the 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.”

People can be exposed to glyphosate through diet, skin contact, and breathing in particles from the air. Fruits, fruit juices, vegetables, and cereals are possible sources of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide in the United States.

The study represents the largest evaluation of glyphosate exposure of its kind in the United States and the country’s first to provide information on the levels of glyphosate in urine by race/ethnicity and sex for adults and children 6 years and older.

Researchers noticed that fasting influenced both adults’ and children’s levels of glyphosate in urine. Longer times between eating can help determine whether food contributes to exposure to environmental chemicals. Participants who had not eaten for eight or more hours had lower levels of glyphosate in their urine—suggesting that food is an important source of contact with the chemical.

The presence of glyphosate in a person’s urine indicates exposure; it does not by itself mean that the chemical causes disease or an adverse effect. Research studies, separate from the data presented in the paper, are required to determine which urine levels are safe and which may be associated with disease or an adverse effect.

Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum, systemic herbicide and the active ingredient in glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs). Since their introduction in the late 1970s, the volume of GBHs for weed control in the United States has grown about 100-fold. Studies conducted in the United States and other geographical regions, including Europe, have reported similar levels of glyphosate in human urine samples.."
Glyphosate 

COPD: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

"Are you often short of breath when doing things like running errands or climbing stairs? Learn if you are at risk for having COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, makes breathing hard for the 16 million Americans who have been diagnosed with it. Millions more suffer from COPD but have not been diagnosed and are not being treated. COPD can limit your ability to work or even do simple daily tasks. COPD can also make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Could you have COPD?

The main cause of COPD is tobacco smoke, so if you smoke or used to smoke, you are at a higher risk of having COPD. Exposure to air pollution in the home or at work, family history, and respiratory infections like pneumonia also increase your risk.

How is COPD diagnosed?

COPD is diagnosed using a simple breathing test called spirometry.

How is COPD treated?

If you have COPD, the most important steps you can take to reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life are:

• Quit smoking. For people who smoke, the most important part of treatment is to stop smoking.
• Avoid tobacco smoke and other air pollutants at home and at work..."
  COPD 

What is C. diff?(Clostridioides difficile)

"C. diff (also known as Clostridioides difficile or C. difficile) is a germ (bacterium) that causes diarrhea and colitis (an inflammation of the colon).

It’s estimated to cause almost half a million infections in the United States each year.

About 1 in 6 patients who get C. diff will get it again in the subsequent 2-8 weeks.

One in 11 people over age 65 diagnosed with a healthcare-associated C. diff infection die within one month.

Risk Factors for C. diff

C. diff can affect anyone. Most cases of C. diff occur when you’ve been taking antibiotics or not long after you’ve finished taking antibiotics.

There are other risk factors:

• Being 65 or older
• Recent stay at a hospital or nursing home
• A weakened immune system, such as people with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or organ transplant patients taking immunosuppressive drugs
• Previous infection with C. diff or known exposure to the germs

Symptoms of C. diff

Symptoms might develop within a few days after you begin taking antibiotics.

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Stomach tenderness or pain
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea.."
  C. diff 

5 Things to Know About Naloxone

"1. Naloxone saves lives.

Naloxone, for example Narcan®, is a medicine that can help people who are overdosing on an opioid. Opioids include prescription medications, heroin, and fentanyl. Sometimes other drugs, including cocaine and methamphetamine, are mixed, or laced with fentanyl.

Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of an overdose from opioids, including:

• Heroin
• Morphine
• Oxycodone (OxyContin®)
• Methadone
• Fentanyl
• Hydrocodone (Vicodin®)
• Codeine
• Hydromorphone
• Buprenorphine
  
  
  2. There are two ways to give naloxone.

  Naloxone can be administered by bystanders and is available as a(n):

  

  Nasal Spray
  Prefilled devices that spray medication into the nose.

  
  

  

  Injectable
  Medication (solution) given by injection into a muscle or under the skin.

  For more information on the different forms of naloxone and how to use them please visit the Lifesaving Naloxone.
  3. Naloxone is safe. Naloxone will not harm someone if you give it to them and they are not overdosing on an opioid.

  
  

  Naloxone can be given safely to people of all ages, from infants to older adults. This includes an adolescent or young adult who may have unintentionally taken an opioid.

  During an overdose, a person’s breathing can be dangerously slowed or stopped, causing brain damage or death. It’s important to recognize the signs and act fast, even before emergency workers arrive..."
  Naloxone 

2022 National Defense Strategy

"President Biden has stated that we are living in a "decisive decade," one stamped by dramatic changes in geopolitics, technology, economics and our environment. The defense strategy that the United States   pursues will set the Department 's course for decades to some. The Department of Defense owes it to our All-Volunteer Force and the American people to provide a clear picture of the challenges we expect to face in the crucial years ahead--and we owe them a clear and rigorous strategy for advancing  our defense and security goals.

The 2022 National Defense Strategy (NDS) details the Department's path forward into that decisive decade-- from helping to protect the American people, to promoting global security, to setting new strategic opportunities , and to realizing and defending our democratic values. For the first time, the Department conducted its strategic reviews--the NDS, the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) and Missile Defense Review (MDR) --in an integrated way, ensuring tight llinkages between our strategy and our resources. The NDS directs the Department to act urgently to sustain and strengthen U.S. deterrence, with the People's Republic of China(PRC) as the pacing challenge for the Department. The NDS further explains how we will collaborate with our NATO Allies and partners to reinforce robust deterrence in the face of Russian aggression while mitigating and protecting  against threats from North Korea, Iran, violent extremist organizations, and transboundary challenges such as climate change.."
National Defense Stragety

Online Consumer Data Collection

"Large amounts of consumer data can be collected, processed, and analyzed by operators of websites and mobile applications (apps) and third parties, which are entities other than the website or app primary operator (e.g., data brokers). Operators collect data for multiple purposes, including providing services, selling user data to third parties, or sending targeted ads directed to specific individuals.

The value of consumer data often comes from identifying users and linking their data from various sources to a common identifier. Operators can identify individuals using their personally identifiable information (PII)—such as name, address, or date of birth—and other identifiers, such as those associated with a particular device. Some federal laws prevent entities from collecting or sharing specific types of PII or identifiers in certain circumstances. However, in recent decades, the ubiquity of non-PII (data not directly linked to an individual’s identity, including anonymized or aggregated data) and the emergence of new data collection and tracking tools have made it easier to identify individuals.

Consumer data can be collected using various data collection and tracking tools, such as cookies, pixels, device and browser fingerprinting, application programming interfaces (APIs), and software development kits (SDKs). These tools can continuously collect different types of data, including identifiers, even when the consumer visits a different website or app. Some of these tools are necessary for websites and apps to provide services, and others typically are used for online advertising. Some of these tools can be used to help develop a website or app and offer services provided by other operators, which can increase competition. They also can be used to collect large amounts of data, particularly by third parties, causing some to raise consumer data privacy concerns.."
Consumer Data Collection