February 22, 2017
Report 1: Aileen introduced the topic of antibiotics in a general way and we discovered to our delight that we had two doctors in attendance.We talked briefly about antibiotics, resistance, superbugs and the difference between bacteria and viruses. Mabel offered Cipro as an example of a drug whose overuse/misuse had rendered it far less effective than it used to be. In fact, more than 37% of bacteria is now resistant to the drug.
In small group:
I took Ahmad, Beata, Nagale, Mary, Mona and Mabel so we had a nice mix of returning students and a high level of conversation. We read the Post piece first and Mabel was invaluable in supplementing the article's message and explaining some of the more specialized medical vocabulary. A few examples are diagnostic tools, synergy, immunity, MRSA and mutation, the last of which she made plain to all of us by sketching a simple and illuminating diagram.
We talked about malpractice lawsuits and how doctors' fear about those might affect the care they give to patients. Mabel stressed the importance of education about such issues as antibiotic misuse and related, the idea that our system often leaves doctors far too little time to spend with each patient. Hence, a trusting rapport can be difficult to achieve.
We also discussed the pattern of viral epidemics worldwide and Mabel told us that Zika is not a new virus but actually first reared its head in 1948. It is the new knowledge about its relationship to macrocephaly that made its avoidance such a cause celebre in the last cycle.
We spoke about the need for more investment in research and development of antibiotics as the last one was introduced eight long years ago! That brought up a discussion of the vocabulary word philanthropy and in particular, the work being done in Africa by Bill and Melinda Gates to combat malaria etc.
Other vocabulary we touched on: "clutch" used to mean vital or crucial, robust, abnormal, lawsuit/to sue, bloodwork, to raise, to hasten, relief vs. recovery, to infect, to comply and void. To name a few!
It was a great and lively group and a perfect size-- while we nearly finished both articles, we still had plenty of time for meandering discussion. I, for one, learned a lot. —Tamara
Report 2: After brief introductions we divided our group of thirteen students into two smaller groups with Aileen and Tamara facilitating. We were fortunate to have a medical doctor in each group as the topic we discussed (article title) was “Antibiotics are becoming less effective, and their overuse is making them dangerous.” The entire group expressed serious concern about a possible, perhaps likely time in the near future when more and more “bugs” will become drug resistant. The topic prompted high interest and engagement.
All joined in with personal experiences as we read aloud and discussed the article. There was high concern about how antibiotic “wipes” are everywhere which contributes to bacterial resistance. Many mothers even use wipes when changing diapers which shocked John (France). Frederique, an OB/GYN doctor from France, cautions her patients to wash their children with just soap and water -which is sufficient. She noted the large increase in early puberty in studies of girls worldwide which some have partially attributed to the plethora of antibiotics, including in home cleaning products. Also, people can eat foods from farm animals who ingest these drugs for growth and to prevent illness.
We learned from John that in France, children are not vaccinated before entering school. Mona (Germany, but has lived in many countries) said that in the United Kingdom, only those over sixty-five or in hospitals are vaccinated. We wondered if there were studies to examine the rate of childhood infections in those countries compared to those in the US where the vast majority of school children are vaccinated.
In France and in some other countries, Frederique shared, patients are given an entire box of antibiotics even when they require fewer pills - a waste which encourages overuse. Youngsoo said that in South Korea, over-the-counter drugs are extremely limited, so people have to obtain prescriptions for medications which anyone can purchase in the US.
For several years there was a slogan posted all over France stating “Antibiotics Are Not Automatic” to raise awareness of their overuse. This seemed to help but the slogan is no longer ubiquitous.
Some of the vocabulary/phrases/idioms which arose from the article included: “hasn’t hit home,” “too much of a good thing,” comply, rely on, plain (soap), livestock, vulnerable, “fill the void,” compounding the crisis, ointment, (nasal) swab, purchase, effective, efficient, avoid, resist, crisis,MRSA infections.
The group expressed an interest in reading/discussing articles about US issues including culture, government, and those which introduce new vocabulary. —Aileen
Report 3:
As usual, discussion was friendly, uninhibited, lively and free-ranging. Leo started us out with a description of a miniseries he had seen on Netflix about Sor Juana, a self-taught genius and seventeenth century nun who is famous throughout Latin America. The miniseries illustrates how Sor Juana, in her letter to Sister Philotea and in her life, contradicted the then-current attitude that women should not be educated.
Diana’s perplexity about how to deal with a Muslim Uber driver who had objected when she filed a broken nail while riding in the back seat of his taxi opened up a long discussion of acceptable and unacceptable grooming habits in the USA and other countries. From there ensured a comparison between Uber and DC taxi drivers, then drunk driving laws in our countries. Most amazing was Brazil’s zero tolerance law under which eating a liqueur-filled chocolate candy produces a high enough score on a breath-o-lyzer to incur a fine. In Europe blood alcohol level testing apparatus is required in new cars. In Germany it did not used to be polite to say no to a birthday champagne toast, but now it is normal. Another new habit is the seat belt, though in Naples people wear reversible t-shirts with a seat belt imprinted on them to get around the law.
At the end of our time together we did discuss politics, starting with the notorious Milo Yiannopolous who has been censured for saying that sex with a thirteen-year-old is not pederasty and then moving to the disturbing upsurge in hypernationalism, racism, and isolationionism. Julia who is from Germany was offended that race is being tracked at her children’s schools.
There is so much enthusiasm for this group of old-timers that do not wish to be taught that there will most likely be a free discussion group in most meetings held Mondays and Wednesdays. —Susan
