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Feature
    One Step Closer To Omega
   ack in the spring of
2020, when the world was first introduced to the virus known as "COVID-19," I never thought that 20 months later the term would still be a part of our daily lex- icon.... I was wrong.
Since that time, not only have we had to co-exist with the deadly pathogen, but we've had to do so while also continuing to deal with all of its mutating forms. Versions of the original COVID such as Delta, Lambda and Mu have all invaded our space with different degrees of severity. And, with the newly discov- ered Omicron variant ap- pearing to be resistant to current vaccines, it seems
that the way of life we've grown accustomed to re- cently (quarantining, mask wearing, social distancing, gaining excessive weight, etc.) will continue to be the norm for the foreseeable fu- ture.
While it's still unclear how much worse this new variant of COVID will be, compared to its previous in- carnations, the fact that it even exists at all is an indica- tor that this virus, wherever it came from, will continue to evolve until it transforms it- self into the perfect killing machine.
Using the Greek alphabet that scientists are already uti- lizing to identify each new
strain this probably means that we should be on the lookout for varieties symbol- ized by the letters Pi, Rho, Sigma, Psi and, by the time we get to Omega, I imagine it will signal game over for those of us who managed to survive the multiple on- slaughts of pandemics.
Of course, there's always hope that mankind will ulti- mately find a way to fend off this microscopic enemy. But, if we don't, and staying in- doors and avoiding any human contact turns out to be our only option, take com- fort in knowing that some forward-thinking computer programmers planned for such a scenario by creating something called the "meta- verse" (do your research) for us to enter virtually as the real world increasingly be- comes too much to handle.... How convenient.
Reality On Ice is © by the Florida Sentinel Bul- letin Publishing Com- pany. You can contact Mr. Barr at: cbar- ronice@gmail.com.
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     Talk Show Hosts: False Prophets
 ast weekend, we listened in horror to a talk show be- tween a local politician and his co-host wherein their conversation implied opposition to people getting vac-
cinated for the flu or COVID-19.
In addition, the conversation alluded to the government’s
purchase of millions of vials of COVID-19 vaccine being stored in warehouses and speculated on why people have to get so many shots for COVID-19, among other speculative talk about so many Blacks choosing to register and voting as Democrats.
Some of the comments were erroneous and sounded as if they were trying to promote refusal to take COVID-19 and flu vaccines. We certainly hope listeners will do their own fact- checking and talk to their doctors before listening to talk- show commentators.
Certainly, survivors of the COVID-19 disease, such as the 36-year-old single mother (of five children) who hasn’t been able to work for a year because of a heart damaged by COVID; the parents of a 46-year-old son who died of COVID damage to his heart, or the 47-year-old father who had to have his leg amputated because of COVID damage to his circulatory sys- tem, would beg to differ with the show host and his guest.
We encourage our readers to not listen to radio and tele- vision talk show hosts or anyone who are anti-vaxxers (people who suggest that you not get vaccinated for diseases). Conse- quently, at least 10 known anti-vax radio and television hosts have died of COVID related illnesses nationwide.
Talk show hosts are responsible for fact-checking their statements and not leaning on their own knowledge and spec- ulation. Giving information that has the power to cause peo- ple to die is irresponsible.
Since nearly a million people have died from COVID-re- lated illnesses, we encourage our readers to get vaccinated. Long-lasting side effects of contracting COVID are enough reason to RUN to get vaccinated – heart, lung. liver and kid- ney disease; hands, arms, feet, and leg amputations; short- ness of breath, joint and chest pain, memory lapses, loss of smell and taste, stroke, anxiety, temporary paralysis, and many other long-term illnesses.
We encourage our readers to listen only to medical doc- tors and scientists about your health decisions. Numbers do not lie. Less than six deaths have been associated with the COVID-19 vaccine, while nearly a million people have died of COVID.
What does common sense have to say on this issue?
   Dress For Success Holiday Soiree Set For Thursday
 BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
On Thursday, December 9, 2021, Dress for Success Tampa Bay (DFS) will have its annual Holiday Soiree.
This year’s theme is ‘The Power of Giving Begins with Me’. The event will be held at Dillard’s at International Mall from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p. m..
Dress for Success Tampa Bay is an affiliate of a global organization with nearly 150 affiliates in 25 countries. The Tampa Bay affiliate has been in service for more than 23 years and has served over 25,000 women.
The main goal of Dress For Success (DFS) Tampa Bay is empowering women in the community and helping them get back on their feet no matter the situation. The donation of clothes is part of the formula for success; how- ever, programming is essen-
PATSY GREENE ..Chair of event
tial to the immense success of DFS Tampa Bay. With partners such as Career- Source, education and train- ing are key elements.
DFS has helped local women with everything from voter registration to the de- velopment of PWGs (profes- sional women’s group.) PWGs work as a combination of networking and a help line for women as they face vari- ous work situations.
DFS is also sensitive to changes to the work world. These days, the clients need scrubs and Crocs just as much as suits.
DFS has also increased the number of clients that are seniors going back to work. .
This year’s soiree will be the last year for DFS board member and event chair, Patsy Greene. Mrs. Greene has served the max- imum number of years and is grateful for time and collab- oration, working with the women. She was the chair for the 2017 and 2018 Soirees. The 2019 and 2020 Soirees were chaired by pharmacist and fellow board member, Donna Douglas.
The cost to attend is a $40 donation. Tickets must be purchased in advance. More information can be found at https://tampabay.- dressforsuccess.org/get-in- volved/events/soiree-save-th e-date-dec-9-2021
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