Mary's Blog I Love You

In a recent decision from New York State’s Third Department of their Appellate Division, workers’ compensation claims from employees working from home must be decided using the long-standing definitions of what constitutes a “short break” or what is “work-related” or personal. The decision came from the recent case, In the Matter of the Claim of Christopher Capraro, Appellant, versus Matrix Absence Management et al., Respondents. Workers’ Compensation Board, Respondent. In 2016, the claimant, Christopher Capraro, ordered office furniture to use in a home office for his new job. His employer informed Capraro that the company would not reimburse him for the furniture as they had already provided him with the necessary computer equipment for the role. When the unassembled furniture was delivered in boxes on June 13, 2016, Capraro attempted to haul them into his home. In the process, he injured himself. In 2017, Capraro filed for workers’ compensation benefits, claiming the injury sustai...

The CDC and FDA have announced two mysterious outbreaks this week. At this time, no particular food item(s) have been identified and no recalls have been announced. Could this mean another Leafy Greens Ecoli Outbreak? Outbreaks Abound – What We Know Outbreak #1  21 people in 8 states are ill 8 people have been hospitalized 1 person (from Michigan) has died. Illness onset dates range from June 6, 2020 to October 5, 2020 The patient age range is from 2 to 75 years Of 16 people who gave information to investigators, eight were hospitalized One person developed HUS Investigators have identified and illness cluster at a restaurant that was not named The patient case count by state is: California (7), Florida (1), Illinois (1), Michigan (2), New Jersey (1), Ohio (7), Utah (1), and Wisconsin (1). Outbreak #2 23 people in 12 states 10 people have been hospitalized Of 15 people who gave information to investigators, 10 were hospitalized, including two who developed hemoly...

In response to supply chain shortages amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in late May the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released, without warning, new temporary guidance that allows manufacturers facing those supply chain shortages to substitute ingredients without changing food labels .  For those with food allergies, this is a very scary thing! Without further ado – FDA Guidelines for Food Allergens: Limits to Regulation Are Not Sufficient to Calm Concern There are limits to the substitutions that manufacturers are allowed to make.  Under this emergency order, manufactures are not allowed to substitute for known allergens without changing the label.  Some ingredients are known to cause “adverse health effect, including food allergens, gluten, sulfites, or other ingredients known to cause sensitivities. Certain substitutions are not allowed, such as: milk eggs fish shellfish peanuts tree nuts wheat soy sesame celery lupin buckwheat molluscan ...

Who doesn’t enjoy a good juice bar?! I certainly enjoy a delicious smoothie from time to time.  Unfortunately, even fresh fruits and vegetable can become contaminated with Salmonella. Currently, officials are investigating a juice bar salmonella outbreak, that has left two people hospitalized in Woodbury, MN. Approximately 700-1000 Salmonella infections are reported each year in Minnesota. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Contaminated food does not usually show signs of contamination. It appears totally normal and does not look, smell, or taste spoiled. According to the CDC infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile. Officials are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B linked to the NéktƏr Juice Bar in Woodbury, MN. At least 9 people have been affected by the outbreak, 2 of which ended up in the hospital. However, most people infected with Salmo...

It’s almost Halloween! In a normal year, we all know what sort of celebrations this would entail. Unfortunately, this year is not normal. It’s COVID Halloween. There’s an ongoing public health crisis. Uncontrolled community spread of the novel coronavirus is ongoing. As of this writing, cases are up, and deaths, previously wrestled down from peak levels, have climbed back up above the thousand a day mark. So, given the facts, what can we get away with? What sort of things should you be doing, according to public health experts, and what sort of things are best avoided? Location, location, location This article will contain general recommendations. What’s safe to do, however, depends on how many cases of COVID are in your area. Different localities will have different restrictions. No blog article, no matter how informative or well-written, should replace the guidance of local health experts or officials. First and foremost, look to them. Listen to your local health department and me...

Deli meats are the cause of 10 illnesses and one death in the United States this month. According to the latest CDC notice, the agency and the FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to deli meats. One person, in Florida, has died. Here is everything you need to know about this Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak: The Outbreak According to the CDC, 10 people infected with the outbreak strain of  Listeria  have been reported from Florida, Massachusetts, and New York. All 10 ill people were hospitalized. One death has been reported from Florida. During its interviews, the agency found that 9 of those who are ill reported  eating Italian-style meats, such as salami, mortadella, and prosciutto. They reported purchasing prepackaged deli meats and meats sliced at deli counters at various locations. A specific type of deli meat, brand, and common supplier has not yet been identified. There are no recalls at this time. What is Lis...

For people with undiagnosed focal epilepsy, the possibility of having a subtle seizure while driving is a very real and dangerous one. These seizures could happen at any time and are characterized by intense moments of déjà vu or hallucinations , according to MedPage Today . But because these seizures are not similar to those experienced by other epileptics, those suffering from subtle seizures may not realize they have epilepsy. Because of this, focal epilepsy sometimes takes years to diagnose. Doctors believe that in that gap between the first seizure and diagnosis, the potential for serious car accidents occurring is a danger for the whole community. Johns Hopkins calls focal epilepsy a brain condition that only affects one half of the brain at a time. It can affect the frontal, temporal, parietal, or occipital lobe. The intensity and consequences of the seizure depend on which lobe exhibits it. However, subtle seizures are not as noticeably and physically disruptive as motor seiz...