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Show Thursday, June 17, 2004 THE PYRAMID Helmets that fit right can save lives NAP- S- Parents and children buckled chin straps, all of which are getting a failing grade when increase the risk of head injury it comes to helmet use. Fewer in the event of a fall. Wearing than half, about 41 percent, of helmets properly can make a all children ages 14 and under world of difference. wear helmets when participatHelmets are a simple solution ing in wheeled activities and to a serious problem. According more than a third, or 35 percent, to the National SAFE KIDS of kids who use helmets wear Campaign, helmets can reduce them improperly. the risk of brain injury in a bike Adult riders, often seen as accident by up to 88 percent. role models for children, fared worse, with only 39 percent helLinda Armstrong Kelly, mothmet use. e er of Tour de France These figures are based on a winner Lance Armstrong, is an hew national field study conambassador for safe riding. ducted by the National SAFE She offers parents a simple, KIDS Campaign for Bell Sports. three-stecheck list called More than 8,000 children and Eyes, Ears and Mouth to help nearly 1,400 adults were ob- them achieve proper fitting helserved while riding bicycles, mets for their children and skates, skateboards and scoot- themselves. ers. Eyes; the rim of the helmet ' o 'The most common mistakes should be s in helmet use include tilted helabove the eyebrows: mets, loose chin straps and un- - Ears; the straps should form a V just beneath the ear lobe: Mouth; the buckle should be flush against the skin under the chin; when the rider opens his mouth, it should feel snug on the chin and hugging the head. Helmet manufacturers are working to make helmets easier to use so consumers can achieve and maintain proper helmet fit throughout the ride. protect tender skin under the p chin. Parents and riders should always read the detailed tips on proper fit in the helmet owners manual that comes with most helmets. To learn more abut helmet safety, visit finger-width- www.Bell-BikeStuff.co- jHope for people with the Allergies and jleading cause of blindness NAP- S- According to a study published in Optometry - The Jour-- , nal of the American Optometric Association, a lutein supplement d may help improve vision for people who have dry macular degeneration, the most prevalent form of the disease. As many as six million Americans have vision loss because of j d ; macular degeneration (AMD). The number of people ; with t his unbeatable disease is e expected to double in 2030. The exact cause of AMD is unknown but risk factors for the disj ease age, being Caucasian, diets high in fat content and smoking. ' Symptoms for advanced AMD include straight lines in the field of vision, such as telephone poles, appear wavy, j Type in books, magazines and newspapers appears blurry; and ' dark or empty spaces may block the center of vision. Lutein is a naturally occurring molecule found in dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and collard greens. . The Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial (LAST) study is ' the first to record actual improvement in several key visual functions among patients with AMD. "The findings strongly indicate the need for larger studies involv; ing more participants over a longer period to ascertain more defin-- , itive findings. However, we encourage people with AMD to discuss nutrition , strategies with their doctor now and consider whether taking a vit- amin supplement containing lutein might be right for them, said j Gerrard Grace, chair AMD Alliance International. In the LAST study, 90 AMD patients were supplemented daily with a supplement capsule containing 10 mg of crystalline FloraGlo lutein, 10 mg crystalline lutein in an OcuPower mixed antioxidant ; formula or placebo for 12 months. Patients who took the lutein s supplement experienced significant improvements in several symptoms including glare recovery, conJ age-relate- age-relate- ! J j . i ! j I bacterial infection America at or visit www.preventblindness.org or www.amdalliance.org. More information about lutein is available ! i My Corner Guzzlegate flowerpots, clogged rain gutters, rain barrels, toys and puddles. How do people get infected with West Nile virus? Most people get infected through the bites of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected blood. It has been reported that an area has West Nile virus and a mosquito bites someone, are they likely to get sick? No. Even in areas where the virus is circulating, very few mosquitoes are infected with the virus. Even if the mosquito is infected, less that one percent of people who get bitten and become infected will get severely ill. The chances someone will become severely ill from any one mosquito bite are very small. Can you get West Nile encephalitis from another person? No. West Nile virus is not transmitted from Can you get West Nile virus directly from birds? No. There is no evidence that a person can get the virus from handling live or infected birds. conHowever, people should avoid tact when handling any dead animal. What are the symptoms of West Nile virus infection? Most people who are infected with the West Nile virus will not have any type of illness. It is estimated that about 20 percent of the people who become infected will develop West Nile fever. The symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body ache and occasionally a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands. The symptoms of severe infection, or West Nile encephalitis or meningitis, include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. Less than one percent develop severe infection. How long does it take for symptoms to show up after a mosquito bite? Usually three to 14 days. person-to-perso- NAPS-- - and ear pressure. If you have these symptoms and they do not improve or worsen, you may have a bacterial infection. Many antibiotics are highly effective against bacterial sinusitis, wiping out the infection so you can feel better and get back to your normal routine. The Sinus and Allergy Health Partnership, a consortium of experts in treat d ing upper respiratory infections, just released new guidelines to help doctors better diagnose and treat sinusitis infections. These guidelines outline the most effective antibiotic choices. If you have been diagnosed with bacterial sinusitis, talk to your doctor about choosing the most effective antibiotic, one that is recommended by the moth-er-to-chi- ld moth-er-to-chi- ld e. g, Make sure to ask your doctor about convenient dos ing options and antibiotics with extended spectrum. The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires- .William Arthur Ward There is no need to show your ability before everyone. -- Baltasar Gracian income taxes decline Utah individual income tax revenues declined 2.7 from 2000 to 2002 desite combined inflation and population and growth of more than nearly the entire revenue decline is attributable to very high income households experiencing a significant reduction in income, primarily capital gains. This analysis compares income from 2002, the most recent Utah State Tax Commission data available that breaks state income tax revenue by income class and income source, and income from 2000. Total income of households earning more than $250,000 decreased 25.2. The number of households with income exceeding $250,000 decreased 13.7. In 2000, households earning more than $250,000 of all housecomprised 1 holds and earned 16.5 of all income. By 2002, the percent of households earning more than $150,000 decreased to 0.85 and income earned by these households had decreased to 12.6 of total state income. The total number of tax returns increased 2.2. The number of returns for incomes between and $100,000 $250,000 increased 6.1, and the number of returns for incomes between $75,000 and $100,000 increased a significant 9.9 The increase in returns in these two brackets was largely due to the aforementioned decrease in the number of returns for total incomes exceeding $250,000. Much of the overall decrease is attributable to dee income creases in such as interest, dividends and capital gains. While aggregate wages actually increased 4.5 from 2000 to 2002, total income decreased 1.83 Changes in sources of income are demonstrated in the following chart. 8, Guzzlegate is the moniker given to the scandal about a handful of legislators and other public officials who apparently were on mileage reimbursements or were using government-providecars for more than incidental personal use. In the wake of this scandal, it is a good time for all government entities in the Beehive State to review the perquisites provided elected officials and public employees at taxpayer expense. Many have already begun (He process of review. u Were learning that most local entities dont provide many automobiles to executives and when they do, most dont allow them for personal use. It appears mileage reimbursements is the most common way of handling travel for government purposes. However, Salt Lake County has always been the outlier when it comes to spending money. Their automobile policies have also been very liberal and very loose. ' News of the scandal expanded from Sale Lake County CFO 'Randy Allens use of a county SUV for two family Lake Powell trips, to criminal charges against County Auditor Craig Sorensen for using his county credit card to gas up his personal vehicles, to Curtis, Wayne Harper and Shimplicating three legislators-Gre- g se e is with a county, city and employment eryl School district, respectively. These legislators allegedly used vehicles or mileagereimbursement for their taxpayer funded employment while also receiving taxpayer mileage reimbursement from double-dippin- g d -' full-tim- the legislature. Curtis has resigned his position as legal counsel to the Mayors Office. Currently House majority leader and once expected to be the next Speaker of the House, Curtis has now been criticized along e 'with a few other legislators for getting paid by their employer and by the legislature for some of the same vork days. ! A few years ago Attorney General David Wilkinson filed suit 'against two public employees who were serving in the legislature, arguing that state employees are constitutionally prohibited from Serving in the legislature. The district court ruled in Wilkinson vs. role into the inteEvans that the courts should take a rnal workings of the legislative branch of government. Judge 'Saw ay a said the legislature should enforce its own rules and then dismissed the case. Wilkinson was expected to take the decision to bid by Paul the Supreme Court but was defeated in his Van Dam. The case is still open but isnt going anywhere. Subsequently, the House of Representatives narrowly seated Representatives Mont Evans and Janet Rose who were both state employees. To date, neither the House of Representatives nor the 'Senate have refused to set a public employee. Neither Evans nor 'Rose currently serve in the legislature but many other state, coun-l- y , city and public education employees do. 'There was also a similar lawsuit against school teachers serving in the Utah legislature including Rob Bishop who ultimately served 'las Speaker of the House of Representatives and is now a U.S. Congressman from the first district. ,i 'In Jenkins vs. Bishop the court would not rule on whether teach-ef-s are members of the executive branch. They opted not to rule, biting Article VI, Section 10 of the Constitution which provides that, Each house shall be the judge of the election and qualifications of new members. full-tim- long-sleeve- How do doctors test for West Nile virus infection? If someone has been determined to be at risk and has symptoms of West Nile virus infection, their doctor will draw a blood sample and send it to an approved laboratory for confirmation. How is West Nile virus infection treated? There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus infection. In more severe cases, intensive supportive therapy is needed, often involving hospitalization, IVs, airway management, respiratory support, prevention of secondary infections and good nursing care. Does West Nile virus illness during pregnancy pose a risk to the fetus? In 2002, one case of transmission was reported. The infant was bom with severe medical problems. In 2003, over 70 women acquired West Nile virus illness while pregnant. Over 40 of them delivered live infants, because of concern that transmission can occur with possible health effects, pregnant women should take precautions to lower their risk. Are infants at higher risk than other groups for illness with West Nile virus? No. West Nile virus illnesses in children younger than one year are not common. In 2002, 2,500 cases were reported to Control Disease Center, (CDQ and only six of these were children under one year-of-agCan West Nile virus be transmitted through breast milk? There has been one documented case of an infant becoming infected through breast milk. However, CDC recommends that breast feeding continue because the risk for West Nile virus transmission is unknown. Any breast feeding woman who is ill or having difficulty breastfeeding for any reason should, as always, consult their physician. If a woman is pregnant or breast-feedinshould they use insect repellent containing DEET? Yes, Insect repellents help people reduce their exposure to mosquito bites. There are no reported adverse events from the use of repellents containwomen. ing DEET in pregnant or breast-feedin- g Do birds inifected with West Nile virus die or become ill? West Nile virus has been identified in more than 100 species of birds found dead in the U.S. Most of these birds were identified through the reporting of dead birds by the public. Avoid touching dead birds with bare hands. If someone wants to dispose of them, they should use gloves or an inverted plastic bag to place the dead bird in a garbage bag or call the local Division of Wildlife Resources. Utah individual with AMD. To speak with a specialist about AMD, call Prevent Blindness Allen-who- SALT LAKE CITY- - How can West Nile virus infection be prevented? Dusk and dawn are when mosquitoes that carry the virus are most active, so take precautions to prevent mosquito bites by using mosquito repellents that contain DEET. Adults should use repellents containing DEET at percent concentration; children should use repellents containing 10 percent or less. Do not use on children under the age of two. d Wear protective clothing, such as shirts and long pants while outdoors; drain standing water around the house since that is where mosquitoes lay eggs. This includes tires, cans, bare-hande- Allergies are nothing to sneeze at. This allergy season seems to be shaping up as one of t he worst in recent history, according to allergists across the country. While this may spell irritation in the form of itchy eyes, headaches and runny nose, it can also be even more. Allergies can cause bacterial infections, including sinusitis. There are approximately 31 million cases of sinusitis reported every year. While not sinusitis can disrupt your lifestyle. People suffering from sinusitis miss an average of four days of work every year. Many sinusitis infections are viral and resolve on their own; they cant be treated with antibiotics. trast sensitivity and visual acuity compared with patients taking However, bacterial sinus inthe placebo. fections may require antibiThe LAST study creates an imperative for larger studies of otics to get better. lutein and antioxidant nutritional therapies as an intervention for The symptoms of sinusitis can include nasal drainage AMD, said Bruce P. Rosenthal, O.D., AMD Alliance board member and chief of low vision programs for Lighthouse International, a or congestion, facial presglobal organization involved in research, education, advocacy and sure, lessened ability to rehabilitation services for vision impairment. smell, fever, cough, fatigue These findings show great promise in the quest to help people at www.luteininfo.com. ' Questions and answers about West Nile virus 30-to-- They have added easy-fi- t feafit tures such as systems that help keep helmets in place on the head, easier adjusting straps and buckles that five-tim- one-to-tw- 9 gov-ernme- nt non-intrusi- non-wag- The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher Arthur Ward OUR FAMILY SERVING YOUR FAMILY FOR OVER 42 YEARS 563 N. Main, Nephi S3a23aQ823 honda.com Honda be a responsible rider always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing and PLEASE RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT. 0BFY THE LAW AND READ YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL THOROUGHLY. F0URTRAX 0NIY FOR R'DERS 16 YEARS OR OLDER. PROFESSIONAL RIDER SHOWN ON CLOSED COURSE. fixed APR financing up to 60 months through American Honda Finance Corporation upon approved credit 6 9 Payment example 60 monthly payments of $19 75 for each $1000 financed. Offer good on any new and unregistered 2004 and prior model year AIV Check with participating Honda Dealers for complete details. Offer ends July 31, 2004. FourTrax and Rancher are trademarks o' Honda Motor Co Ltd 2004 American Honda Motor Co . Inc (604) RANCHER AT RECOMMENDED j Ul, Beauty without grace nook without the Waldo Emerson bait.-Ral- ph is the Successful people are very lucky. Just ask any failure.-Mich- ael Levine There is no need to show your ability before everyone.-Baltas- ar Gracian U |