Rub your eyes in disbelief—A partial number of Pennsylvania hospitals broke precedent, releasing the number of patients who contracted infections last year. The numbers: 11,600 patients infected and 1,500 dead! USA Today points to many factors, including the usual target of workers who allegedly don't wash their hands. No mention of overworked staff, or the need for a full supply of rubber gloves, adequate supervision, and ever present sterilization equipment.

Here we go again—“As U.S. public health officials begin planning for this year’s flu season, three companies are expected to supply vaccine for the country. But Chiron, whose entire supply of U.S.-bound flu vaccine was scrapped last year after contamination was found at it’s Liverpool, England, plant, now has trouble at a different facility.”—News item.

Gesundheit!—South Dakota—The percentage of state residents who say their health is fair at best and poor at worst has taken an unhealthy jump over the past decade. In 1993 the figure was 11 percent. By 2003 it had risen to 13 percent. Nationwide in 2003 it was at 16 percent. The stench of murder?

“U.S. Territory, Puerto Rico—Aguadilla Mayor Carlos Mendez called for the Legislature to investigate Guerrero prison where 15 people died while in custody the past nine months. The Department of Corrections recently concluded there were no irregularities in prison treatment, saying the deceased were drug addicts who suffered heart failure during the recovery process.”—USA Today.

Free prescriptions—We didn’t plan an entire collection of items on the sick society. Which is ok once in a while. But, in general, diversity is better. So, a big please: Send clippings to Pathfinder Books, 4229 South Central Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90011. E-mail to: thegreatsociety@sbcglobal.net  
 
 
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