21 November 23-29, 2023 Sixth ...
COMMUNITY NEWS | HEALTH
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hate and discrimination, which remains a threat to our neighborhoods, towns, and cities. Dozens of anti-hate events were hosted during the UAHW across California from November 12-18 by local government and community partners from poetry slams to rallies and more that followed the announcement by CRD of the release of new preliminary statistics showing approximately 513 reports of hate to California vs Hate, the state’s anti-hate hotline and resource network, in the first six months since its official launch. In the first six months since its official launch, CA vs Hate has been contacted by hundreds of individuals. Key preliminary statistics from May through October include: CA vs Hate received 513 reports of hate acts across California. Of those reports, 233 were made over the phone and 280 were made via the online portal. More than 60% of all individuals who reported an act of hate accepted care coordination services, including direct and ongoing support accessing legal aid or counseling. More than 75% of California’s counties were represented in the preliminary data, up from approximately 40% in the first month following the official launch. Among the reasons cited for the report of hate, race (27%) and ethnicity (18%) continued to be the most reported bias motivations, followed by religion (13%) and sexual orientation (11%).
Approximately one in six reports were made by a witness or advocate. Most reports were made by an individual who reported being targeted for an act of hate. This is in addition to reports that hate crimes have continued to rise in recent years in California, reaching their highest levels since 2001 — jumping more than 20% from 2021 to 2022. “California continues to lead the charge in pushing back against hate,” shared CRD Acting Director Mary Wheat. “From civic engagement at the grassroots level to historic statewide investments, the Civil Rights Department is proud to be part of a new generation of leaders in the fight for greater inclusion and equity for all. During United Against Hate Week, we encourage all Californians to take advantage of existing resources — like California vs Hate — to push for change from the ground up for all our communities.” Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee Assemblymember Phil Ting emphasized that “with hate crimes increasing in California and different views spurring debate that sometimes turns hostile, movements like United Against Hate Week become more vital.” “It is my hope that providing awareness about nonprofit services available to victims or other resources, such as the Civil Rights Department hate crime reporting hotline, we can spread the message that hate is not okay and that there is support available for those
who need it,” trust Ting. “Berkeley is proud to have a founding role in United Against Hate Week,” announced Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín. “Over the last few years, we have seen this event grow exponentially, yet there is still so much work to be done. Now more than ever, in the face of growing hate crimes, we must take a stand to bring our communities together against hatred.” “Black people are disproportionately impacted by hate crimes in California, which is why the NAACP California Hawaii State Conference is proud to participate in the sixth annual United Against Hate Week,” disclosed Rick L. Callender, ESQ., CA/HI NAACP President. “The NAACP CA/HI State Conference, in conjunction with our 57 branches across California, is dedicated and committed to eradicating hate within our state through community action and by supporting bills such as AB 449 (Ting), the CA vs Hate Hotline, and our collaborative efforts with the CDSS Stop the Hate grant.” Initially created by local government and community leaders in the Bay Area in response to white supremacist rallies in Berkeley and San Francisco, UAHW is an opportunity for local residents to take action in their communities under the simple, yet powerful principle that, when cities and their residents work together against hate, we can restore respect and discourse, embrace the strength of our diversity, and build inclusive and equitable communities for all.
CA vs Hate is a non-emergency, multilingual hate crime and incident reporting hotline and online portal. Reports can be made anonymously by calling (833) 866-4283, or 833-8-NO-HATE, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT or online at any time. Hate acts can be reported in 15 different languages through the online portal and in over 200 languages when calling the hotline. For individuals who want to report a hate crime to law enforcement immediately or who are in imminent danger, please call 911. For more information on CA vs Hate, please visit CAvsHate.org. This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to https:// www.cavshate.org/.
Queries From Readers
Heart of Hope
One of the great advances in medical science is the discovery that Ultraviolet C (UVC) rays effectively kill bacteria, and neutralize viruses, fungi and molds. This has led to the introduction of UVC lamps for cleaning and sterilization of medical/ dental instruments and accessories. The expanded use was approved by the US-FDA to PHILIP S. CHUA include sterilizing food items, baby pacifier, bibs, utensils, cups, toys, toothbrush, nail cutters, etc., even cell phones, headsets, and earbuds, chargers, cords, CPAP masks and tubing. How long does it take to sterilize? Disinfection using UV light is called ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), which has been found very effective killing power against a broad spectrum of bacteria. Viruses, fungi, and spores require repeated treatments, perhaps 15 minutes instead of 5 minutes, the standard time of irradiation it takes to kill for bacteria. What are the common types of UV rays? The 3 spectra of UV wavelength are: UV-A (320 to 400 nm), UV-B (280-320 nm), and UV-C (200-280 nm). UV-C has the strongest germicidal power and popularly used as mercury lamps to inactivate microorganisms in food items, baby eating utensils, bibs, pacifier, CPAP masks and tubing, medical/ dental instruments, toothbrushes, combs, shavers, hair curlers, jewelries, watches, keys, cellphones, headsets, earbuds, paper money and coins, and practically anything that fits into the UV-C sterilizer bag or box. How does UV-C light kill microbes? The UV-C rays inactivate/kill microorganisms by destroying their nucleic acid and disrupting their DNA, disabling their vital cellular function and ability to replicate. And all it takes is between one 5-exposure for bacteria, and three 5-minute exposures for viruses, fungi, and molds. This same UV-C light is used to disinfect and sanitize our drinking water and food items (meats, especially chicken, fruits, vegetables, and seafoods) as a standard safety procedure in the United States
and other countries in the world. Could these UV-C lamps sterilize a room? Yes, UV-C lamps can sterilize an entire room, and routinely used daily to sterilize hospital operating rooms, ICU, individual rooms, to reduce HAI (hospital acquired infections) which victimize in 2 million patients every year, with an estimated death of 90,000 as a result. In the past two decades, there was an increase of 36 percent of HAI in the USA, with an economic burden up to $45 Billion a year. The latest advance is the Robot sterilizer technology, also using UV-C lamps, for all rooms in the hospital. Is UV-C light safe? Used properly, UV-C lamps or irradiation are safe for humans and animals. As long as the UV-C rays do not hit the eyes or the skin, no injury will result. This is why UV-C lamps are self-contained in a zippered tote, bag, locked box, preventing any leak of rays. They are turned on only after the container lid is zipped or sterilizer door is closed securely. As for the UV, UV-C operating room, all other rooms, sterilization, the area is sealed to prevent exposure to people, with signs indicating the room is being sanitized and warning that UV sterilizer lamps are on and dangerous to the eyes and the skin. What blocks UV rays? Most any solid material, like cardboard, aluminum foil, wood, concrete, etc. block UV rays. If you do not see any UV light at all, it means the rays are effectively blocked. Dark eyeglasses do not totally block UV lights. How much microbes are in our home? It is mind-boggling but there are trillions of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, molds, algae, protozoa) in every home, no matter how we clean it in the conventional way. Indeed, there are more microbes in one home than all humans (8.1 Billion current world population) in the galaxy. While not all of them are pathogens, a significant number of them can cause illnesses of varying degrees, some silent infections, resulting in continuous inflammation in our body system we do not even know or sense. This inflammation increases our risk for the development or aggravation of cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic illnesses, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer. Any form of inflammation in us is the enemy of our body, negatively impacting our immune system. Besides microbes, stress, tobacco, vaping (e-cigs), alcohol, lack of exercise, loneliness, bitterness, also cause inflammation within us.
Could UV-C lamps be useful at home? Do a due diligence on this subject and discuss it with your physician about the benefit of adding this sterilization method in sanitizing your home to prevent illnesses in your household, by eliminating or minimizing viruses (colds, herpes simplex) bacteria, fungi and molds through UV-C sterilization. The home UV-C sterilization bag (about 8x10x8) emits no ozone and could be used to sterilize almost any item at home (baby’s food utensils, bibs, pacifiers, toothbrush, etc.), following the accompanying instructions on safe handling of this sterilizer. The UV-C bulbs last for about 9,000 to 12,000 hours’ use, roughly one year. This small portable collapsible (for travel) bag sanitizer is available at a discounted price on amazon. For info, email: steriletote@hotmail.com When was UV sterilization first used? UV light has been used for more than 5 decades by the food manufacturing industry with excellent effectiveness, preventing illnesses and deaths from ingestion of infected food items. Actually, the first use of UV-C as germicidal agent was in the late 1800 and has been utilize for sanitizing drinking water and food items for 219 years now. The method, which is effective against E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria and other foodborne pathogens in meats, vegetables, fruits, etc., also helps preserve food items longer. It is a legal requirement for the food industries to follow the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) controls, using UV-C as an acceptable method. It is clear that UV-C sterilization method for CPAP masks and tubing, food items, and practically any item is most effective and safe in our fight against infection, even in our home. Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, conferred by then Indiana Governor, later Senator, and then presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, David Letterman, Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
