Are You Going RV Camping This Summer?

When people are asked to recall the best times of their lives, vacations and other trips are often mentioned.

The places they visited during those excursions are a big part of the memory. But there’s something even larger and more meaningful in those recollections.

And that’s the people they went with and the interactions they had with those folks. Whether it was family or friends or both, some of our strongest memories involve the time we spent with them.

One of the best ways to bond with the most important people in our lives is a road trip. And one of the best ways to get where you’re going on a road trip is in a recreational vehicle.

Surprising statistics

If you own or rent an RV, there’s a good chance you’ll use it this summer for one or more family trips. And you won’t be alone. Check out these statistics:

40 million people in the U.S. go RV camping each year.

9 million American families own RVs.

16,000 campgrounds and parking facilities throughout the U.S. support RV camping.

Between 500,000 and 1 million people live in their RV.

Americans spend an average of four weeks per year using their RV.

Americans drive their RVs 4,500 miles per year on average.

89% say camping is the primary reason for their RV purchase.

54% of RV owners take pets with them when they use RVs.

Tips for RV campers

You may be an experienced RV’er or you may be brand new to it. So, these tips will either be good reminders or some things you might not have considered before.

Choose your campsite wisely. Find out in advance what those sites offer. Including electric hookups and other amenities you may want or need. Such as bathrooms and showers, WiFi, etc.

When planning your trip, make sure your route includes truck-friendly rest stops. That way you’ll have sufficient parking space. You’ll probably need at least two adjacent parking spaces for other stops you make.

Know your rig’s height. Jot it down on a piece of paper and keep it on the dashboard. Take note of the clearance signs on overpasses before you proceed.

Pack a basic tool kit. Make sure it includes items such as screwdrivers, drills, different-sized bits, screws and wrenches. There may be minor repairs needed during your trip.

Observe campsite boundaries. There are no physical barriers between your RV and someone else’s at campsites. But they exist nonetheless. Show respect for others’ space when you’re walking around the campsite.

Keep it clean. Don’t toss garbage such as paper plates and plastic cups in a campfire, which can emit a bad smell. Dispose of those items and others properly, in approved garbage receptacles.

Control your noise. Many folks go to an RV campsite to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. The last thing they want to deal with is excessive noise including loud music and yelling. Follow the rules regarding hours of operation for generators.

Leash your pets. Unless you have the most perfectly behaved dogs in the world, keep them leashed when you’re near other campers. Keep them from barking excessively. And, obviously, clean up after them when nature calls.

Be a good neighbor. Some RV campers like to chat it up with neighbors while others want to be left alone. Respect their choice. Either way, watch out for their safety, especially when you see people who look suspicious.

Make absolutely, positively certain your campfire is 100 percent extinguished when you leave the site. One of the leading causes of forest fires is abandoned campfires.

Know when to check out. Most sites have specific checkout times. So follow them to avoid late fees and avoid inconveniencing others entering the campsite. Request extensions in advance.

Don’t forget to pack…

Needless to say, you should create a checklist including everything you’ll need on your trip before you leave.

On the one hand, you want to pack lightly to keep the overall weight down. On the other hand you don’t want to forget something you’ll end up needing.

Among the many items to pack are flashlights and batteries, a first-aid kit, and an emergency weather radio. Plus pillows, blankets and extra clothing.

Having a portable source of backup power is also critical. Ideally, you’ll have a lightweight yet powerful generator to keep your electrical devices running.

Have fun this summer. And hopefully, some of that fun will involve time away with family or friends on an RV trip.

Inflation Means Rising Grocery Store Prices

Inflation is rearing its ugly head in America.

Gasoline prices are up 56.7 percent. Pre-owned cars and light trucks are 37.9 percent more expensive than they were a year ago. Car insurance is up 16.9 percent.

Food and rent also cost more than they did 12 months ago. With energy prices rising, the same is true of utilities.

All this means many Americans are forced to spend a higher percentage of their income on things they need just to get by.

High Food Prices Will Be Here a While

One nutrition policy expert says food prices have gone up “substantially” in the past year. The cost for food eaten at home has gone up 3.7 percent from last year. That’s more than double the average annual increase.

Phil Lempert is founder of SupermarketGuru.com. He predicts that higher food costs are here to stay for a while.

“I think food prices are going to continue to increase for probably a good year, year and a half,” he said. “Our costs are going to go up for food production.”

Due to the need for food transportation, the increase in oil and gas prices has also bumped food prices up. Just in the past month gas prices have soared by about 18 cents per gallon.

Bacon, Beef and Bread, Oh My

Here are some specific examples of rising food prices. The average price of a lb of bacon in January 2020 was $4.72. Now it’s $5.11. A lb of ground beef rang up at $5.02. Now it’s $5.26. A loaf of bread was $2.44, but now it’s $2.66

Those might not seem like huge increases. But they all add up by the time you reach the cash register. And these prices continue to rise.

Adding to the problem for shoppers is the scarcity of sales. A smaller percentage of items are being offered with promotions and coupons.

And it doesn’t help that there are still millions of people out of work due to the pandemic.

The ‘Why’ Behind Inflation

Why are prices for just about everything going up? I’ll let the economists wrestle with that one. But one of the big problems is the logjam created in the world’s supply chain by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even if the pandemic disappeared today, there would be long-term consequences from the 2020 drop in global shipping. It’s the first time that’s occurred since 2009.

Those logjams result in more demand than supply. And that always means higher prices. Especially for food and oil.

The increase in the number and severity of storms has had a negative impact on planting timelines and crop yields. Crowded conditions for agricultural laborers resulted in sick workers. And that slows production.

In addition, government subsidies for corn production for biofuels take some corn out of the food supply. More than one-third of the U.S. corn crop is used to make ethanol. That means less corn to eat and higher prices.

Going in Debt Just to Eat

So, how are Americans handling the growing inflation rate? Unfortunately, many are going in debit – or further in debt – just to pay for necessities such as food.

Families earning $30,000 to $70,000 annually are already spending between 25 and 33 percent on food, rent and utilities. That’s according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

That percentage jumps to 47 for families earning $15,000 to $30,000. And for those earning $15,000 or less, the percentage leaps to 116.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, some of the poorest Americans spend 36 percent of their income on food alone.

‘It’s a Disaster’

Families who have to borrow money to pay for necessities could be hurt for years. Even if inflation drops in the near future.

Another serious issue with inflation is that some families are forced to purchase less expensive food than they normally would. And that means they get less nutrition.

Geri Henchy is director of nutrition policy at Food Research & Action Center. She said, “The impact for low-income people is they have limited budgets.

“Which makes it that much harder to buy enough food. And it makes it that much harder to buy healthy food. It’s a disaster.”

Self-Sufficiency Is the Key

How does one reduce the amount of money they spend on food? The answer is pretty simple. But it does require time and effort.

Growing our own food in a backyard garden is the single best way to cut costs at the grocery store. It’s become crucial to do this as times become increasingly more challenging.

You won’t be able to grow everything you normally buy at the store, of course. But you can grow vegetables and fruits that can feed your family in-season and out.

And the best thing about growing your own food is you can use seeds from your current crops to plant for next year’s harvest.

Deal of the Week?

Our Deal of the Week will give you food independence like nothing else.

I’m talking about our Victory Garden Seed Collection – with 8 delectable varieties of heirloom quality seeds – now 50% OFF!

For a very limited time, you can grab out now-legendary survival seeds for half-off, and when you get 2 or more, you’ll get FREE SHIPPING!

These are no ordinary seeds… but “super survival” seeds passed down from our forebears, who knew how to till the soil and make it yield. Now you can plant, grow, and harvest thousands of pounds of fresh, organic produce – right in your own backyard!

You’ll get a “rainbow” to enjoy with lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, corn, cauliflower, and kale. No green thumb required.

Folks, inventory is extremely limited on this deal. Once these Seeds are gone, they’ll be part of history – for good. Stock up and make sure everyone you care about has the kind of food independence this nation was built on. So why not “sprout hope that spans generations?”

For more deals like this one, be sure to check our Deal of the Week. Here you’ll find the hottest survival essentials at incredible values that change every week – limited inventory items at rock-bottom prices you won’t want to miss!

Some Traveling Tips… In Case You Forgot How

We’re all creatures of habit. Some more so than others, but all of us tend to do the same things in the same ways. That’s what we’re comfortable with.

But as people age, they sometimes forget exactly how they did something. Especially if it’s been a while since they’ve done it. They’ll pick it up again quickly once they get back into the groove. But that first time after a “layoff” can be slow.

Most of us were doing a fair amount of travel prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Maybe not a lot, but at least two or three times a year.

We got into a set routine of preparing for these vacations and business trips. We knew exactly what to pack and which bag to put it in. It became second nature to us. But many of us haven’t traveled for over a year.

If we’re planning some time away this summer, preparing for those trips might take a little longer. And there’s a chance we might forget to pack something we always used to pack without thinking about it.

Don’t leave home without… sleep

The item that comes to mind for me is a power bank. We take a variety of electrical devices with us on trips – cellphone, Kindle, games, etc. The last thing we want is for them to run out of juice when we need or want them.

I’ll give you my recommendation for an easy-to-carry, portable and affordable back-up power device in a moment.

First though, I’d like to provide you with some travel tips. Just in case you’ve forgotten them since the last time you traveled.

Regardless of how you’re traveling – air, auto, train or boat – get plenty of sleep in advance. Going into a trip in a tired state is a bad way to start. You won’t be thinking as clearly as you should be and your enjoyment level will drop off.

Travel by car

If you’re traveling by car this summer, make sure you put together an emergency supply kit to keep in the trunk. Here are five items I’d suggest including.

Water. A no-brainer, right? Three gallons of clean drinking water should do the trick. If your water is in gallon containers, make sure you have plenty of smaller empty water bottles you can fill up and drink out of.

Non-perishable food. You could survive for three days without food if you had to, but why do that? During a crisis, your body will need strength, so pack some items with a high calorie content. Don’t worry about fat content right now.

First-aid kit. This kit should include bandages, anti-bacterial wipes, burn salve and wound-closure strips. Plus over-the-counter painkillers and lip balm. As well as a three-day supply of any meds you take regularly.

Clothing. Include any items you would take on a three-day trip. Including socks and underwear, pants and shirts. Plus sweaters, a windbreaker and a heavy coat. As well as gloves and hat. Don’t forget a pair of hiking boots.

Outdoor kit. If you have to leave your vehicle at some point during a crisis, you’ll want some objects to help you survive. Including fire-starters, paracord and a flashlight. And a hunting knife, tent, poncho, compass and duct tape.

Make sure the bag itself is sturdy because you may have to lug it around. You don’t want anything falling through a hole or getting wet from the elements. It needs to be large enough to hold all but large water containers. But light enough to carry.

Enhancing your road trip

Your auto trip could be enhanced by following the four tips listed below.

Eat healthy snacks. You’ll probably stop for one or two good meals per day on your road trip. But you’ll also want to take along some in-between-meal snacks for nourishment and alertness. Make sure those snacks contain plenty of vitamins and nutrients. Nuts, fruits and vegetables will provide what you need.

Stay hydrated. Although it will probably require an extra restroom stop or two each day, it’s important to keep yourself hydrated on the trip. Water and fruit juices are best. Caffeinated beverages should only be consumed if you need them to stay awake. They can be dehydrating.

Plan interesting stops. There’s nothing that breaks up a long road trip like a few fascinating stops. It’s easier to stay upbeat when you have 100 miles to the next sight-seeing opportunity than 1,000 miles to your destination. Taking photos at each stop will enhance the vacation memory book you create.

Chew and smell. By chewing gum, your blood circulation will improve despite your sitting posture. There are plenty of sugar-free gum choices out there. Also, having a peppermint scent handy is a good idea. Just take a whiff if you feel you’re becoming more tired than you want to be.

Travel by boat

Many people are taking cruises again. If you’re one of them, here are four tips to make your trip more enjoyable.

Study the ship in advance. You might not be able to board a cruise ship in advance to check it out. But you can take virtual tours. Knowing where everything is on the ship ahead of time will save you considerable time in trying to find things. Especially if it’s a 15-deck ship.

Know your ports. Knowing what a port offers in advance will go a long way to enjoying your eight hours or whatever it might be before you have to be back on the ship. Pick out three or four things you want to do at that port before you get there. Then make the most of your time.

Pack intelligently. Limit yourself to what you believe you’ll need, leaving room in your suitcase for items you’ll want to purchase to bring back home. Pack clothes for the weather at various ports. Don’t forget a poncho.

Check out alternative eating venues. Many folks on cruises – especially first-timers – automatically head to the main dining room or buffet each meal time. But many cruises have specialty restaurants you might enjoy. Especially during longer cruises when variety is more important.

Travel by train

Some folks prefer to travel by train. Here are a few suggestions if you’re going that route.

Watch for deals. As with other transportation businesses, the train industry likes to entice travelers with deals. Start your search for a deal well before your departure date, then lock it in. Acquiring your tickets in advance should save you money and take that task off your plate.

Choose your accommodations carefully. Depending on how long your train trip will last, this is an important consideration. The longer the ride, the more comfort you will require. Maybe you can sleep one night in a coach seat, but any more than that and you should probably book a bedroom that includes a private toilet.

Check a large bag, hold onto a smaller one. When you’re packing, put items that you won’t need during the ride in one large bag and then check it. That way it’s secure and you don’t have to worry about lugging it around each time you venture from car to car. Keep items you’ll need during the trip in a smaller bag.

Study your rest stops. Rest stops on train trips are great, as they give you a good chance to stretch your legs and see a few sights before re-boarding. Know where those rest stops are and what they offer in advance. That way you’ll know exactly where you want to head and what you want to see when you get off the train.

Travel by plane

As with other modes of transportation, it may have been awhile since you’ve flown. Here are a few reminder tips if you plan to get on a plane.

Carry your vaccination card. If you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19, be ready to prove it. Rules are changing all the time, and you never know when you may be asked to show it. If you’ve decided against vaccination, call ahead to the airline and any hotels where you’re planning to stay to see what their policies are.

Keep a hand sanitizer in your carryon. In an airport and on a plane, you’ll be in close contact with many people. And you’ll be handling a number of things you don’t normally hold. Such as tray tables, beverage cups, etc. Use hand sanitizer whenever you feel the need.

Don’t wear open-toed shoes. Even if you’re going somewhere hot, wear solid shoes that cover your toes on a plane. You’ll do a lot of walking in an airport and there are too many things inside a plane on which you could stub your toes. You can always change into more comfortable footwear when you arrive at your destination.

Avoid big crowds. Once you reach your destination, find things to do that don’t involve large crowds. Some of those things are the most rewarding. And if you do want to engage in a popular activity, consider going earlier or later than most folks do.

Patriot Power Cell

As promised, here’s information about that portable power bank I mentioned. Keeping electronics powered up is essential, no matter where you go or how you get there.

The Patriot Power Cell is a pocket-sized power plant you never want to be without. It has two USB ports. So you can charge two electronic devices at once, including your cellphone.

It features a “ruggedized” design that repels water and protects against drops. It even includes a flashlight. Its built-in solar panel allows you to charge it with the free power of the sun.

The Patriot Power Cell has become so popular that most people buy them in 4-packs. That way they can keep two at home and the others in their vehicles. Or give a couple to family members.

MacGyver Survival Hacks You Shouldn’t Try at Home

If you ever saw the movie Beverly Hills Cop, you might remember the scene in which Eddie Murphy stalled out a car by placing a few bananas in its tailpipe.

Actors who played Angus MacGyver might have seen the film. The stars of the TV series named MacGyver did the same types of things. Except one of them used a potato for the tailpipe trick.

Stalling out a car in that fashion was one of many methods MacGyver used to beat the bad guys in the action-adventure series that aired on CBS for five seasons (2016-21).

The show became so popular that ordinary people started saying they were going to “macgyver” something. They meant they were going to use an unconventional strategy to solve a problem.

Instead of employing guns or other weapons, MacGyver was known for building improvised solutions to problems using only materials he had on hand. Let’s take a look at some of them. But don’t try these at home. Or anywhere else.

Constructing a gas mask

Next time you want to render your enemies unconscious with gas, make sure you have a soda bottle handy.

That and some wet newspaper were all MacGyver needed to accomplish the task of protecting his lungs while his enemies passed out.

Just cut a plastic soda bottle to fit your face, leaving a small opening for breathing. Shove wet newspaper into the opening so gas doesn’t get through.

This method will work for some but not all gases, so choose your weapon carefully. For example, it will not protect against pepper spray or tear gas.

Starting a fire

Even if you have a fire starter when you’re lost in the wilderness, your efforts could be spoiled by damp wood.

That’s the situation MacGyver faced in an episode after crash-landing in the woods. He solved his dilemma by slicing sap from a pine tree trunk and sprinkling it over his kindling.

Say what? Yep, pine sap is highly flammable. If you build a cone of wood, place a bunch of sap into it and light it, you’ll have a fire.

Be careful not to use too much sap, though, or you may have more fire than you intended.

Making a laser microphone

Would you like to listen in on a neighbor’s conversation while they’re in their house? Here’s how to do it.

Aim a beam so that it bounces off the window of the room they’re in and returns to hit a light-sensitive photocell wired to a speaker. It could translate the window’s vibrations back into sound waves.

When MacGyver was doing this, he got his laser from a CD player and his photocell from a solar light. To keep his laser steady, he used chewing gum to adhere it to a car.

In real life, the device might not be sensitive enough. You’d probably want to add an amplifier to the process. Not to mention a bodyguard to help when your neighbor comes out to confront you.

Designing a sky spy

When you’re squaring off with enemies on the ground, it’s difficult to get a true picture of where everyone and everything is. A bird’s eye view would be much preferable. That’s what MacGyver got after constructing a makeshift hot-air balloon.

He suspended an aluminum foil platform from a dry cleaning bag with a wire hanger. He then attached a cellphone to the bottom of the platform for live-stream video of the ground below. He also placed a can of Sterno on top.

After he lit the flame, the bag filled with hot air and started floating up. This allowed the phone to serve as an airborne camera.

As a concept, this works. But the show’s technical consultant admitted that in reality the weight of the phone and fuel would be too much. According to Popular Science magazine, replacing the Sterno can with jellied alcohol could make it work.

Don’t count on foam in a free fall

Several of these MacGyver hacks are clearly unsafe. But none are as dangerous as this one.

He jumped out of a fourth-story window in a body bag filled with fire extinguisher foam to cushion his fall.

The show’s technical consultant said that surviving such a fall would require precise timing and plenty of luck.

Otherwise, the more likely result would be death, destruction and dismemberment. Probably not something you want to take a chance with.

More ways to MacGyver stuff

Here are a few more ways MacGyver used his wits and materials he found to save the day. Search online to find more details if you’re interested.

Constructing infrared-detecting glasses with a camera’s infrared filter, a microscope screen and an LED light array

Repairing blown fuses with chewing gum wrappers

Removing a stripped screw with a rubber band

Using a bobby pin to open locks, handcuffs, etc.

Have you ever “macgyvered” something? If so, feel free to let us know what you did and how you did it in the comments section at Patriot Headquarters.

And the winner of our 4th of July Sweeps is…

Congratulations Dorothy V!

Dorothy, you can rest assured that you’ve got maximum peace of mind with your

1-Year Kit, full of scrumptious meals you can count on to keep you full and satisfied when the SHTF. We hope you enjoy it with gusto!

And just a heartfelt note from yours truly…

I’d like to thank every Patriot who entered our Independence Day Sweepstakes, and especially all our folks who grabbed one of the best “power deals” we’ve ever done. You make it possible for us to do giveaways like this, and we’re ever so grateful.

You’re the reason we do what we do, on sacred American holidays like the Fourth of July and every day in between. Thank you for being part of the 4Patriots Family!

More “Manly” Energy – Even As You Age

No one wants to look in the mirror and see a faded old man. You want strength and virility. Unfortunately, time isn’t always on your side.

Fact: men’s T-levels drop with age. They can plunge as much as 50%! Men who lose energy as they age can point directly at those decreasing levels.

Not too long ago men had to accept the effects of lower T-levels. Less stamina. Feeling weak and cranky. And there was nothing they could do about it.

Thankfully times have changed! We now know that eating cleaner, getting more rest and adding a “T-booster” like Ultimate Male™ can do wonders.

This formula contains a potent combination of 7 different herbs and nutrients to boost your “free T” levels. It will improve your love life, increase your stamina and provide longer-lasting energy. You can even support rebuilding lost muscle and burn away stubborn fat.

Don’t Avoid the Annual Checkup

Why is something like this needed? Because men are infamous for avoiding the doctor’s office. We tend to ignore unusual symptoms rather than getting them checked out.

An annual checkup is essential to keep an eye on issues we know we have. As well as some we’re not yet aware of. But too many of us skip this important step. Sometimes year after year.

Seeing our doctors at least once a year is crucial for good health. But there are many additional things we can do for our health during the other 364 days of the year. You already know most of them, but a quick review can’t hurt.

They include eating nutritious foods, getting plenty of exercise and watching our weight. Plus taking vitamins, breaking unhealthy habits and protecting our skin.

Eat Right and Stay Active

Eating right means consuming plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. As well as whole-grain products and fiber-rich foods including beans and leafy greens. Lean cuts of meat and fish such as salmon provide protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

As much as possible, avoid packaged and processed foods. They often contain excessive amounts of sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, artificial additives and calories.

How and how long you exercise depends on a variety of factors. Including your age and health condition. But aim for 30 minutes per day, five days a week.

Aerobic exercise could be anything from a brisk walk or running to swimming, tennis, basketball or other sports. And don’t forget muscle-strengthening activities, including weight lifting.

Moderation Key to Wellbeing

Losing extra pounds is not just about looking better and fitting into your clothes again. It can be essential for avoiding serious health issues.

If you’re getting all the vitamins and minerals you need through your diet, kudos to you. But many of us aren’t. Vitamin supplements can help.

Breaking bad habits is another way to improve our health. Quitting smoking is a no-brainer. As is avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol and drugs.

Protect your skin from too much sun exposure. When outdoors, use sunscreen and spend some time in the shade.

Men’s Health

The medical community encourages men to:

Know your preventable risks
Schedule routine tests for early detection of disease
Learn your risk factors
Document your family history with your physician
Making a commitment to have a health checkup
Considering lifestyle changes to improve their health
Talking to their physician about next steps
Taking a walk with a father, brother, son, friend or co-worker

Do You Want to Be the Ultimate Male?

Taking care of our health is a year-round proposition.

As you know, the Patriot Health Alliance offers a wide variety of health-related products. One that is dedicated to men’s health is Ultimate Male.

Common toxins – including those found in drinking water, prescription pills and over-the-counter drugs – can lower testosterone levels. Which can trigger fatigue, weight gain and problems in the bedroom.

But Ultimate Male raises testosterone and dopamine levels while lowering estrogen levels. And adds four proven potency boosters.

Will Delta Variant Send U.S. Reeling Back to Square One?

At the peak of the coronavirus pandemic in America, 300,779 new cases were reported in a single day. On January 8, 2021, COVID-19 appeared to be spiraling out of control.

As of June 27, less than six months later, the seven-day average for daily new cases in the U.S. had fallen to 11,881.

This dramatic drop – accompanied by the loosening of restrictions and facemask mandates – was attributed to several factors. Including the number of Americans who had been vaccinated and an increased adherence to safety protocols.

So, are we now out of the woods? Will the biggest news story of the past two years finally fade into the background? Are we about to get back to “normal?” Or is this merely the calm before the Delta variant storm?

Will We Fall in the Fall?

The jury is still out on this. The numbers are certainly encouraging. I never thought I’d say that 11,000-plus Americans testing positive for a disease on a daily basis is “encouraging.” But by comparison, it is. And those numbers are dropping.

But what’s going to happen this fall and winter when people start spending a much larger percentage of their time indoors?

What will those numbers look like when people return to work in close quarters with each other? And when grade school, high school and college students start closely interacting again?

And even before then, will the rapidly emerging Delta variant prove too much for vaccines to handle? Or perhaps crush unvaccinated segments of the population? Right now it’s all up in the air. But medical experts have their opinions.

Delta Variant Causing Concern

In May, the World Health Organization labeled the Delta variant (formally known as B.1.617.2) as “a variant of concern.” It is one of four variants to emerge from India during its recent COVID-19 surge.

Of course, there are other variants being watched closely. Including the Alpha strain from the U.K., the Beta strain from South Africa and the Gamma strain from Brazil. The Alpha strain has been the dominant variant in the U.S.

But the Delta variant is at least 60 percent more transmissible within households than the Alpha strain.

That’s why medical experts are predicting the Delta variant will soon become the dominant strain in America. And now there’s a Delta Plus variant beginning to spread.

‘Worst We’ve Seen So Far’

In China, patients infected with the Delta variant have seen their symptoms develop faster and grow more severe than those infected with other variants.

Dr. Eric Topol is founder of the Scripps Research Translational Institute. He calls the Delta variant “the worst we’ve seen so far.”

The U.K. government had planned to reopen England on June 21. But then Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced it would be delayed at least one month.

Here in the U.S., Delta variant cases were doubling every two weeks as of this writing. It may account for 20 percent of infections nationwide.

Dr. Anthony Fauci said, “It’s essentially taking over.” He added that the Delta variant is the “greatest threat” to the nation’s efforts to eliminate COVID-19.

Vaccines Find Delta Challenging

Dr. Michael Osterholm is director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. Here’s what he said.

“I think that with the data we have, there’s a good chance that (the Delta variant) could take over… as the primary variant just because it’s more infectious. It’s going to create a real additional challenge.”

So far, approved vaccines in the U.S. are proving to be generally effective against the Delta variant. But not as effective as they’ve been against the Alpha strain.

Eleanor Riley is the University of Edinburgh immunologist. She said the vaccines provide “somewhat less protection against infection with the Delta variant.”

Keep That Mask Handy

Ali Mokdad is a public health researcher at the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in Seattle.

He expects the number of new cases in America to rise this fall and winter as people spend more time indoors and in close proximity to each other.

But he added that mask wearing could go a long way to keeping the number of new cases from rising dramatically.

“Come winter… we expect a rise in cases and we’ll be swimming upstream,” he said. “We have a problem coming. Please, wear your mask.”

‘Breakthrough Cases’

As I’ve mentioned numerous times, we neither recommend nor discourage people from getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

We believe this is a personal decision. People should make it based on what they believe to be best for themselves and their families. But we do report vaccine-related statistics and comments from medical experts.

For example, 3,791 fully-vaccinated people in Massachusetts had tested positive for COVID-19 as of mid-June. The number seems high on the surface. But it represents only one in every 1,000 fully-vaccinated individuals.

And a vast majority of those “breakthrough” cases were asymptomatic. Or very mild and brief in duration.

What About the Seasonal Flu?

Lost in all the talk about the pandemic has been the seasonal flu. Last season was a light one for the flu. Although it appears some health agencies ignored it while focusing on the coronavirus.

Both the number of reported cases and deaths from flu were far below average in 2019-20. It’s assumed precautions taken against COVID-19 worked well to prevent the flu’s spread.

Medical experts also speculate the coronavirus may have outcompeted or interfered with the flu. Does that mean flu will return with a vengeance this fall and winter? Some medical personnel think so.

Richard Webby is an influenza specialist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. He said, “The worst flu season we ever had may be coming.”

One epidemiologist predicts it will be “a doozy of a (flu) season.”

Please do whatever you can to protect yourself from the coronavirus and all other respiratory diseases. Staying healthy should be our top priority.

Everything You Wanted to Know About Berries… and More

We all know what berries are. We see them growing on trees, shrubs and vines. And there are usually plenty available in our local grocery stores and farmer’s markets.

They’re usually small, round, brightly colored and juicy. They’re sweet, sour or tart.

Generally berries don’t have pits. But they often contain seeds or pips, and pulp. The edible ones are usually delicious. Whether eaten plain or used in pies, cakes, preserves or jams.

The most common berries for us in America are strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries.

Berries have been around the block

Now that I’ve whetted your appetite for a bowl of flavorful berries – preferably a mixed group with plenty of your favorites – I want to take a look at a different aspect of berries. Namely, unusual facts about these popular fruits.

First though, a bit of history. Berries have been feeding animals and humans since long before mankind took up agricultural activities.

Even when hunter-gatherers were focused on bringing meat back to the tribe, they feasted on berries along the way. Ancient Romans believed berries had medicinal qualities.

In addition to eating them off trees, Native Americans mixed berries with meat and fats while preparing pemmican.

By the 14th century, strawberries were being grown in French gardens. The first commercial crop of blueberries was produced in the early 1900s.

A black raspberry and a red blackberry?

That’s the extent of most people’s knowledge about berries. But today I want to share with you some additional juicy tidbits.

Let’s start with the coloring. Did you know that blackberries don’t start off as black? And that raspberries aren’t always red?

Blackberries begin life as red. They become black over time as they ripen. Don’t assume that a red berry you come across in the forest isn’t a blackberry.

Raspberries are usually red, but not always. They also come in yellow, gold, purple and black. The sweetest of the bunch are gold.

Good for what ails you

The ancient Romans were right. Some berries do have medicinal properties. They support digestive and heart health, and improve blood sugar. They also fight inflammation and strengthen immune defense.

Strawberries can help alleviate headaches. They contain natural salicylates. That’s an active ingredient in aspirin. It’s just one of many ways Mother Nature helps us take care of physical problems naturally.

Strawberries can also brighten your smile. They contain malic acid, which is a natural teeth whitener. If you mix them with baking soda, you might be able to stop buying whitening strips.

Berries can also help you stay better organized. The USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging says berries boost brain activity. They can activate a natural housekeeping mechanism and protect brain cells from free radicals.

Miscellaneous berry oddities

And now for a few miscellaneous oddities about berries. Most fruits continue to ripen after being picked. Not so with raspberries. They stop growing, so they should be eaten quickly.

And how about this? Some pilots “blow dry” cherries following rain so they don’t split open while growing.

Just as no two snowflakes are exactly alike, the bumps on blackberries and raspberries are always different. They’re actually tiny fruits growing together.

Called drupletes, the number of these humps is directly related to how many times bees have landed on the berry flower to pollinate it.

More fun berry facts

Even though we don’t refer to them as such, bananas, avocados, pumpkins and tomatoes are considered “true berries.” That’s because they grow from flowers containing just one ovary.

At first glance it may seem like bananas grow on trees. But they actually grow on a plant. The tiny black spots you see inside your bananas are sterile seeds.

Avocados need pollinators just like other berries do. The brown pit inside an avocado is actually a seed. An average avocado tree can grow 150 avocados.

Pumpkins grow from seeds on vines. Due to their weight, you won’t see them hanging on those vines for long. Pollinators are needed to help them grow.

Seeds grow in the innermost layer of tomatoes. They are technically considered berries due to their structure.

This is berry interesting

The tiny hairs on raspberries and blackberries are called “styles.” They protect the berry from damage and can be eaten.

A strawberry plant can clone itself numerous times. It’s one of the ways it can reproduce. The other is through pollination.

Bloom is what gives blueberries its dusky shade of blue. It helps seal in moisture as a natural barrier.

There are more than 200 different varieties of raspberries. And an average of 200 tiny seeds on the outside of each strawberry.

Wrapping it up

Some berries are poisonous to humans. Including nightshade and pokeweed. Others are poisonous when unripe but edible when ripe. Such as white mulberry, red mulberry and elderberry.

The study of blackberries is called batology. The study of bats is called chiropterology. Go figure.

The folks who promote blueberries have their act together. They’ve designated April 28 as National Blueberry Pie Day. And July 11 as National Blueberry Muffin Day.

Finally, the word “berry” comes from the Old English “berie,” which originally meant “grape.”

I hope you learned a few things about berries today. I know I did while doing the research. Maybe that knowledge will help them taste even better to us than they already do.

Wildfire Season Is off to a Sizzling Start

If you live west of the Mississippi River, you’ve probably seen or been affected by at least one wildfire. Unfortunately, many of you have experienced a number of them.

And even if you live east of the Mississippi, you’ve probably had to deal with a house fire. Or known someone who has.

Today I’m going to focus mainly on recent and current wildfires that have devastated parts of the U.S.

But I’ll circle back to house fires briefly. And then let you know about a product that could end up saving your life. No matter what kind of fire you might encounter.

Conditions Lengthen Season

During the 1950s, wildfire season was considered to be five months long. It began with the first large fire and ended with the last one.

Hot, dry and windy conditions in recent decades, especially in Western states, have extended the season to seven months. Typically the worst months for wildfires are in the summer.

States with the most or worst wildfires tend to be California, Arizona and Texas. In recent years, Colorado, Oklahoma, Washington, Oregon and others have joined the group.

Other states with high incidences of wildfires are to the east. Including Florida and North Carolina.

Ahead of Last Year’s Pace

As of this writing, there have already been 30,219 wildfires in America this year. They’ve burned 1,389,087 acres of land. That’s according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Last year was a record-setter for wildfires. And yet at this point in 2020, there were 6,413 fewer fires and 180,599 fewer acres burned than this year. That means we could set another dubious record in 2021.

Active large fires are currently raging in Arizona (16), Utah (5), Alaska (5), Colorado (5) and California (5). As well as in New Mexico (4) Montana (3), Oregon (2) and Utah (2).

Record-high temperatures in the Pacific Northwest and northern California are fueling some of these fires.

Reservoir Levels Dropping

As we approach mid-July, homes and landscapes are being destroyed. Roads are being closed. People are being displaced. Some folks are just barely escaping with their lives.

Some wildfires grow so big they actually develop their own weather systems. They create clouds and can impact wind. That makes it extremely difficult for firefighters to contain them.

Making things worse is the lack of water to fight fires. All of California is at some level of drought. One-third of the state is in “exceptional drought,” the most severe classification. Two million people in the San Francisco Bay Area are under a water shortage emergency.

Water levels in the San Gabriel, Morris and Cogswell reservoirs have dropped significantly. The Lake Oroville reservoir water level is so low that its hydroelectric power plant could be shut down for the first time since it opened in 1967.

Crop and pasture loss is already happening. And when it finally does rain, lightning strikes sometimes start wildfires.

From Lush to Parched

This is all too familiar territory for those who lived through the 2020 wildfires. Before and after pictures of the Angeles National Forest bring as many tears to residents’ eyes as smoke from the fires did.

In just 12 months – June 2020 to June 2021 – the 655,000-acre forest went from lush and green to brown and parched. And that’s just one of many forests.

Last year, more than 10 million acres of land were burned in Western states. At least 10,000 buildings were razed and more than 40 lives were lost.

Property damage accounted for more than $16 billion. And another $3.6 billion was spent on fire suppression efforts.

Be Prepared for a Wildfire

If you live in wildfire country, there are a few things you can do to better prepare for a fire that could come toward you in a hurry.

Move combustible items away from windows and walls.

Store all lawn furniture and wooden items indoors.

Get rid of dried leaves, branches and wood in your yard.

Keep lawn sprinklers and irrigation systems handy.

Prepare an emergency kit.

Have an escape plan mapped out.

The Solution Is Simple

As I mentioned earlier, even if you don’t live in the West or in other states where wildfires keep worsening every year, you could be the victim of a house fire.

No matter where you live, it’s crucial that your smoke detector and fire alarm batteries are always working. My recommendation to ensure they are is the 4Patriots Platinum USB-Rechargeable Battery Variety Pack.

Murphy’s Law dictates that your batteries will die just when you need them most. And when you open that kitchen drawer, you’ll find every type of battery except the one you need.

The simple solution is to switch to rechargeable batteries. That way you don’t have to worry about them dying. And with our variety pack, you’ll have five different battery types (AAA, AA, C, D and 9-volt) ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Why depend on single-use batteries that will die at the worst possible time when you could use batteries that recharge up to 500 times?

In addition to your smoke detector and fire alarms, you can charge your radios and flashlights with these rechargeable batteries. As well as emergency lights, TV remotes, toys and other items. And all your batteries are protected in hard-shell storage cases.

Summer Means It’s Time to Go Camping Again

Summer is here, which means people all over the United States are heading outside again.

This is especially good news for people who were cooped up indoors for so long due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Camping, hiking, fishing… you name it – it’s a great way to spend your time over the next several months.

That said, camping comes with inherent risks that you need to be aware of.

Fire

Camping and fire go hand in hand. Fire not only provides heat for cooking and protection from wild animals – but is the perfect place for memorable conversations. It can also create problems if not done properly.

Before you even start gathering wood, ensure the area where you are camping is not under a fire restriction ban. You don’t want to be responsible for thousands of acres of destruction due to an out-of-control forest fire.

Ensure the area where you plan to build your fire is clear of dry brush and deadfall, both around and above.

Dig a fire pit at last one foot deep and ideally surround the perimeter with rocks. Again, this is to mitigate/control the fire from moving away from the intended location.

Don’t overfeed your fire. Less is more when you build a campfire. You can always add more fuel, but be conservative.

Never leave your campfire without thoroughly extinguishing it with water and smothering it with dirt. If possible, wait an additional 30 minutes – called reflash watch.

Water Filtration

If you plan to drink from an outdoor water source (river, stream, lake), you need to make sure you are consuming “safe” water. That means no bacteria and particulates that can ruin your week.

I have personally dealt with giardia on two occasions and it is not fun.

The first time my doctor failed to properly diagnose (didn’t request a gram stain lab) and he was convinced I had leukemia. And to be honest, I felt like I was dying.

Nope, it was giardia and after a week of the antibiotic Metronidazole (Flagyl), I felt like a million bucks.

There are several ways to make water safe to drink:

Boil it for at least five minutes.

Use a filtration pump – make sure it removes microorganisms (giardia).

Use a filtration straw – again, make sure it removes microorganisms.

Take purification tablets, which are my personal preference due to their small size and weight. Get the 2-stage type. The first tablet kills the bacteria and the second tablet removes the taste of the first. This entire process takes only 30 minutes.

Use a UV water filtration (SteriPEN) device. It takes only a few minutes. Just remember one of my favorite sayings: “If it takes a battery, it’s gonna crap out exactly when you need it.” Pack extras.

Flash Flooding

With severe summer weather in full swing, you need to consider the possibility that a nearby water source could turn into a deadly wall of water traveling at an incredible speed.

Take this into consideration when you choose your campsite. Better to be on higher ground and walk to the water source than risk getting swept away by it. Get at least a three-day weather forecast and always keep an eye on the sky.

In the summer of 1976, Colorado’s Big Thompson Canyon had a flash flood due to a severe thunderstorm higher up in the canyon. Twelve inches of rain fell in less than four hours. The victims, including 143 dead, had seen little or no rain when the flood rushed down the canyon in a wall 20 feet high.

Rule #1: Climb to safety whether on foot or in your car (get out), get moving and CLIMB!

If you find yourself swept up by these rushing waters, position yourself so you are on your back with your feet in front of you. If you hit rocks, your feet will absorb the impact much better than your head would. Then swim to the nearest shore.

Enjoy the great outdoors this summer. Just be prepared for the life-threatening situations that can present themselves.

Be a survivor… not a statistic,

Cade Courtley

Former Navy SEAL / 4Patriots Contributor

Author: 4Patriots Contributor