Rethink That Drink

 Did you know that limiting your alcohol intake could improve your health?

You’ve probably heard that you should drink alcohol in moderation and avoid binge drinking. But what does that mean?

Some people should not drink any alcohol. Pregnant women should not drink at all, as alcohol can damage the fetus.  Children below the age of 14 should not drink any alcohol, as their body systems are still developing. People taking certain medications should not drink any alcohol at all.

Men’s and women’s bodies process alcohol differently. Women should drink no more than 1 “standard drink” a day and no more than 7 standard drinks in a week. Men up to age 64 should drink no more than 2 “standard drinks” a day and no more than 14 standard drinks in a week. 

After age 64, both men and women should drink no more than 1 “standard drink” a day and no more than 7 standard drinks in a week. This is because the effects of alcohol change as the body ages.

How much is a “standard drink”? It is:

• 12 oz. of regular beer, usually about 5% alcohol 

• 8-9 oz. of malt liquor

• 5 oz. of table wine (12%)

• 1.5 oz. of 80-proof hard liquor

Binge drinking is bad for everyone. It means drinking to excess, which is:

• More than 3 drinks on one occasion for women of all ages and men over age 64

• More than 4 drinks on one occasion for men under age 64

Binge drinking can lead to liver damage, pancreatitis, and other health issues.

If you are drinking more than the recommended amount of alcohol, here are some strategies to help you cut down.

• Eat before and while you drink. This lets your body absorb the alcohol more slowly.

• If you drink at home, always measure your drinks to be sure you aren’t overpouring.

• Never top off your drink. You can’t keep track of how much you have had.

• Drink a nonalcoholic beverage between alcoholic drinks. This helps dilute the effect of the alcohol.

If you have concerns about your drinking habits, please consult with your health care professionals.

Tech Tip - You Need More than One Email Address

It may sound counter-intuitive, but having multiple email addresses will actually cut the clutter in your email inbox. 

You should have at least two email accounts: one for your personal email and one for when you are asked to provide an email to sign up for something.  You are much more likely to get spam email from signing up for something online than you are from your family and friends. You can safely ignore most everything that goes to that email account.

You should also have a professional email account for any work or volunteering you do. That way you aren’t likely to lose important communications because they are mixed in with updates from your family or jokes from your friends.

Your Second Life avatar may need his or her own email as well. That’s helpful if you are keeping SL separate from RL. If you have a virtual business, it is also helpful to use a separate email for your avatar.

Keeping separate the various types of email messages you may get is much simpler when they go into separate email accounts.

Is Your ID Real?

We’re not accusing you of using counterfeit identification. But by May 7, 2025, if you are a US citizen, you may need to have a REAL ID.  

What is a REAL ID?

In 2005, Congress passed the REAL ID Act, which set new standards at the federal level for sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses. These standards are minimum security standards recommended by the 9/11 Commission. REAL IDs will be required to access certain federal facilities, enter nuclear power plants, and (affecting many of us) passing the TSA screening to board federally regulated commercial aircraft within the US. The REAL ID Act is being enforced by the Department of Homeland Security.

Why do I need a REAL ID if I already have a driver’s license or identification card?

While there are acceptable alternatives to REAL IDs, a non-compliant driver’s license is not acceptable where REAL IDs are required.

A valid passport is considered a valid alternative to a REAL ID. You can use either a passport or a non-compliant driver’s license to travel domestically.

You will not need a REAL ID to enter some federal facilities where it is not required (such as the public areas of the Smithsonian Museum). 

How do I apply for a REAL ID?

Requirements vary from state to state, but usually you will need to provide documents that show:

• your full legal name

• your date of birth

• your Social Security Number

• your principal residence address (2 proofs required)

• your lawful status

Your state may have set additional requirements. You can find out your state’s requirements here:

https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/are-you-real-id-ready#REALID-MAP

You may already have a REAL ID. 

Does your state-issued driver license or identification card have a gold or black star at the top right like the ones in these pictures? Those ID cards will be accepted as REAL ID-compliant.

Enhanced Driver’s Licenses from the states of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington are also accepted as REAL ID-Compliant, even if they do not have the star logo.

 

Where can I get more information about REAL ID?

The official Homeland Security webpage about REAL ID is here:

https://www.dhs.gov/real-id

ADA Protections for Persons with Visual Impairments at Work

Persons can be visually impaired at any age, for many reasons and at many levels from low vision to total blindness. While some work in jobs for which they do not need accommodations, many do need to use assistive technology to perform job tasks.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) makes some guarantees about employment that apply to persons with visual impairments. You don’t have to reveal your visual disability. There are certain types of questions an employer can’t ask when you are applying for a job, although they can ask medical related questions after you’ve received a conditional job offer. Your employer cannot explain to your coworkers why you are using a reasonable accommodation to fulfill your job tasks. 

For more information about the ADA’s rules concerning an employer’s questions about your disability, confidentiality, and reasonable accommodations for job applicants and employees, look at this new publication which includes illustrative examples for each point from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

“Visual Disabilities in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act”

 

https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/visual-disabilities-workplace-and-americans-disabilities-act

Displays and Exhibits for Healthinfo Island for December 2023

You can teleport to any of the eight displays and exhibits using the SLURLs in this notecard. Click on the poster with the same name as the title of the poster set, and you will get a notecard that contains all the text of the posters plus descriptions of the images.

If you click each poster inworld, you will get a private message with additional information and live links.

 

Central Pavilion of Healthinfo Island

Check out the calming breathing exercise on the back wall!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/128/126/24

 

Dec 3- International Day of Persons with Disabilities

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/195/158/22

 

Dec 1-7 is Crohn's & Colitis Awareness Week

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/188/181/24

 

Polypharmacy in Older Adults With Hypertension

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/172/155/22

 

December is Impaired Driving Prevention Month

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/114/79/24

 

December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/98/40/26

 

Emotional Regulation

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/50/28/28

 

ICD, ICF, ICHI – How the WHO Looks at Health

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/24/23/30

 

Good Food Practices & Tips

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/21/63/32

 

Thanks to Mook for assistance with the posters this month.