Latest news with #Spanishflu
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Artist celebrates growing old with ‘Feeling Our Age' exhibit in Laguna Niguel
Kathleen Cosgrove used to be a lobbyist, but when she turned 50 she sold her business and went to art school, trading persuasion for paintbrushes. Cosgrove, raised in Berkeley in the 1960s, believes both pursuits are connected. 'It's all about the same thing, and that is feeling like I want to make the world a better place, pining for social justice and human rights,' she said. 'I had that ingrained in me at a very young age, and it stuck with me all the way through. The only thing that's really changed is that art has become my voice, and that's really what this project is all about.' That project is the 'Feeling Our Age' exhibition, featuring 60 portraits of women ages 60 or older from around the country and all walks of life. Cosgrove, who is based in Vancouver, Wash. and also has a studio in Portland, painted all of the artworks. She also asked each woman who sat for a portrait to write a personal essay about her experiences as she grew older. The 'Feeling Our Age' exhibit will be on display at the Watermark Laguna Niguel senior living community through the end of June. Cosgrove, 73, said the project was partially born from the coronavirus pandemic. The loneliness of that time meant something specific to her, as her maternal grandmother contracted the Spanish flu during World War I and suffered brain damage from it. 'She was locked away in an insane asylum in South Dakota and I never met her,' Cosgrove said. 'It's just so wrong. [The COVID-19 pandemic] triggered a lot of personal emotion in me.' She found Watermark Laguna Niguel while looking for a place for a friend who had fallen and suffered a brain injury. Cosgrove ended up chatting with Troy Hollar, Watermark's national director of marketing and sales. 'We really had the same viewpoints about how people have been mistakenly treated, that ageism does exist, and how Watermark works to not only redefine the image of older people but to give them opportunity,' Cosgrove said. 'The portraits are one thing, and they're great, but each woman wrote a personal story about how it feels to be their age and what they aspire to at this point in their life. Those are all in their own words, and that, to me, is so inspiring. It just makes you feel good, and I hope it has inspired some of the people at Watermark as well.' The World Health Organization projects that one in six people worldwide will be 60 or over by 2030. But studies have shown that older workers often are victims of ageism in the workplace. The 'Feeling Our Age' collection is displayed throughout the property, said Sundeep Jeste, executive director of Watermark Laguna Niguel. It has sparked family members of residents, as well as members of the general public, to visit the property and check it out after an opening reception on May 15. Cosgrove also led abstract art workshops with residents. 'The pictures and the images really encapsulate the diversity of the community, what we strive for and what we're all about here,' Jeste said. 'Their stories are really a reflection of not only the residents living here, but also the team. It's really cool to see that come to light.' Jeste added that he's talked with Cosgrove about having local artists have a sort of residency at the retirement community in the future. Watermark and Cosgrove also put together, 'Feeling Our Age, Sixty Over Sixty,' a book featuring each of the portraits and essays. Cosgrove said pulling together this collection of strong women has been life-changing for her. She feels the project resonates with the facility's residents because she herself is the same age, 'not some young whippersnapper,' she said. 'I was a little bit cranky about the personal isolation I was feeling [during the pandemic] and how I felt that older people were being treated,' she said. 'That was my response to what was going on, so I figured that if that's how I felt, other people must feel that way too. '[The project] really made me shift my way of thinking and the way I approach my own life. I'm not quite so cranky anymore.'
The Star
3 days ago
- Health
- The Star
From pandemic to endemic: Do you know what these terms mean?
For many of us, the year 2020 might have been the first time we were introduced to epidemiological terms such as 'pandemic', 'epidemic', and even 'endemic', as Covid-19 began to spread its devastating effect around the world. You may vaguely understand that these terms refer to infectious illnesses, but what do they really mean and what differentiates these terms? Key terms defined 'Pandemics', 'epidemics' and 'endemic diseases' are defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) based on the rate of disease spread. What makes an epidemic and a pandemic different is not the severity of the disease, but the scale of its spread. Hence, a pandemic is not necessarily worse than an epidemic or an endemic disease. Pandemics do have the largest potential to cause worldwide disruption, but this depends on the specific disease and how we manage it collectively. Here are the definitions of these terms: An endemic disease is consistently present in a specific region or population with a fairly stable prevalence or frequency. This makes the spread of the disease predictable. For example, malaria is endemic to some parts of Africa due to the continent's higher average temperature, while dengue fever is endemic to tropical and subtropical regions like Malaysia. Another example is hepatitis B, which is endemic worldwide, with higher endemicity in Africa and Asia. An epidemic is a sudden and rapid increase in the number of disease cases above what is normally expected in a specific region or population. It can happen when a new disease appears in the population or when an endemic disease becomes more prevalent or widespread. An epidemic disease is not necessarily contagious and may refer to other diseases or health issues with a prevalence higher than the projected occurrence in a population. Examples include the Zika virus epidemic in Brazil (2015-2016), the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa (2014-2016), and the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States due to the increasing use of opioids and overdose cases in the past decades. A pandemic happens when a disease spreads across multiple countries or continents, impacting a large number of people. A disease may be declared as a pandemic if it spreads at a very fast rate, with more new cases reported every day. An ongoing epidemic may turn into a pandemic if it spreads beyond the originating region or population. Properties of the pathogen, population immunity or severity of the disease are not factors in determining whether or not a disease is a pandemic. Examples include the Covid-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (2020-2022), and the swine flu (2009) and 1918 influenza pandemics (also known as the Spanish flu pandemic, 1918-1920), both caused by the H1N1 influenza virus. Other important terms There are also other terms that may be used to describe the spread of disease in a population, such as: This is when a disease happens rarely or occasionally. Examples include tetanus, which tends to happen only in unvaccinated individuals, or foodborne illnesses such salmonella or Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) infections. This is when there is a persistent presence of a disease at a higher level in a population compared to other populations. For example, in parts of Africa, as many as one in five adults has HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), hence the disease is considered hyperendemic in those places. This is when a disease occurs at a higher rate in a specific geographical area or time period, but the exact cause may be uncertain. For example, a cluster of cancer cases that arises after a chemical contamination event or a nuclear plant accident. This has the same meaning as an epidemic, but is typically used to describe a disease spread that is more limited geographically. Is Covid-19 endemic? This is a question that has been asked many times since the world started reopening after the Covid-19 pandemic. To answer this, we need to understand what it means for Covid-19 to be endemic. For Covid-19 to be considered endemic, its continued presence in the population must be at a certain predictable level or trend. The closest example is influenza, which is typically present at an expected level throughout the year in Malaysia. Yet, being endemic is not necessarily a good thing as the disease can still have severe effects on patients. Plus, it is possible for an endemic disease to turn into a pandemic again. Covid-19 is no longer categorised as a pandemic and was officially considered as having become endemic in Malaysia on May 1 (2025) after a three-year transition period that began on April 1, 2022. Regardless, continued surveillance and vigilance are necessary to prevent another pandemic from happening. Other than practising personal hygiene, taking Covid-19 vaccine booster doses is also part of the preventive measures recommended to everyone, especially high-risk groups such as the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions or weakened immune systems. Whether it's endemic or an epidemic or pandemic, let's continue to prioritise our health and safety! Datuk Dr Musa Mohd Nordin is a consultant paediatrician and neonatologist, and Dr Husna Musa is a paediatrician. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Paediatric Association's Positive Parenting programme in collaboration with expert partners. For further information, please email starhealth@ The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader's own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Town's menswear shop to shut after 157 years
The owner of a men's clothing store that is set to shut after serving a town for 157 years says its success is due to never being "one look, one age". Neil Warwick, 61, will shut the doors at Warwicks of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire on 28 June due to retirement, as none of his family wants to take over. The fifth generation owner of the independent store claimed it was the oldest retailer in the county and had always adapted. "I was brought up coming in the shop as a lad and came and helped during the school holidays, it's been part of my life," he said. "We were a profitable, well patronised business. I've been here 41 years full-time and five years part-time, and I think now is the time to enjoy my time." The shop was opened in 1868 by his great, great, grandfather Samuel Warwick and then passed down to five other Warwicks - Harry, Cyril, his father Alan, and then to Neil and his brother David. He said when David died in 2019 it made him realise he wanted a "new adventure" and there were "other things in life". "My dad carried on until he was 82, my grandfather 85. I have no-one to pass it on to. "It really wants someone in their 30s to carry on and take it forward." The shop used to make its own suits but stopped in the 1960s when ready-made wear became popular. It also sold school uniforms until 15 years ago, when online retail really took off. James Taylor has worked in the hire department for several years. "A lot of things have changed over the years, but a lot of time for the better," he said. "For me it's about getting the rapport, having a chat and repeat customers coming back for a dinner suit, a wedding suit. I've seen a few people get married a few times over the years." Ian Wood, 93, from the town, went to school with Neil's father, Alan. He said he had shopped there since the 1930s and it was where he purchased his school uniform and hired his wedding suit from. "It's very sad, it's a great loss to the town," he said. "The corner - Warwick's corner - will look very sad. It's really been a part of Wellingborough." Mr Warwick added: "Our store was never about one look, one age - we were a wide, broad church to people. "It's hard to buy a suit online so people still like to try things on. Online it can't be fitted. "Our business has seen Covid, the Suez Crisis, World War Two, World War One, Spanish flu and the Boer War, and we've still been here." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Jewellers to close premises after nearly 50 years Council leader to meet traders over market changes China store goes into liquidation
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Town's menswear shop to shut after 157 years
The owner of a men's clothing store that is set to shut after serving a town for 157 years says its success is due to never being "one look, one age". Neil Warwick, 61, will shut the doors at Warwicks of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire on 28 June due to retirement, as none of his family wants to take over. The fifth generation owner of the independent store claimed it was the oldest retailer in the county and had always adapted. "I was brought up coming in the shop as a lad and came and helped during the school holidays, it's been part of my life," he said. "We were a profitable, well patronised business. I've been here 41 years full-time and five years part-time, and I think now is the time to enjoy my time." The shop was opened in 1868 by his great, great, grandfather Samuel Warwick and then passed down to five other Warwicks - Harry, Cyril, his father Alan, and then to Neil and his brother David. He said when David died in 2019 it made him realise he wanted a "new adventure" and there were "other things in life". "My dad carried on until he was 82, my grandfather 85. I have no-one to pass it on to. "It really wants someone in their 30s to carry on and take it forward." The shop used to make its own suits but stopped in the 1960s when ready-made wear became popular. It also sold school uniforms until 15 years ago, when online retail really took off. James Taylor has worked in the hire department for several years. "A lot of things have changed over the years, but a lot of time for the better," he said. "For me it's about getting the rapport, having a chat and repeat customers coming back for a dinner suit, a wedding suit. I've seen a few people get married a few times over the years." Ian Wood, 93, from the town, went to school with Neil's father, Alan. He said he had shopped there since the 1930s and it was where he purchased his school uniform and hired his wedding suit from. "It's very sad, it's a great loss to the town," he said. "The corner - Warwick's corner - will look very sad. It's really been a part of Wellingborough." Mr Warwick added: "Our store was never about one look, one age - we were a wide, broad church to people. "It's hard to buy a suit online so people still like to try things on. Online it can't be fitted. "Our business has seen Covid, the Suez Crisis, World War Two, World War One, Spanish flu and the Boer War, and we've still been here." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Jewellers to close premises after nearly 50 years Council leader to meet traders over market changes China store goes into liquidation
BBC News
19-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Wellingborough's Warwicks menswear shop to shut after 157 years
The owner of a men's clothing store that is set to shut after serving a town for 157 years says its success is due to never being "one look, one age".Neil Warwick, 61, will shut the doors at Warwicks of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire on 28 June due to retirement, as none of his family wants to take fifth generation owner of the independent store claimed it was the oldest retailer in the county and had always adapted."I was brought up coming in the shop as a lad and came and helped during the school holidays, it's been part of my life," he said. "We were a profitable, well patronised business. I've been here 41 years full-time and five years part-time, and I think now is the time to enjoy my time."The shop was opened in 1868 by his great, great, grandfather Samuel Warwick and then passed down to five other Warwicks - Harry, Cyril, his father Alan, and then to Neil and his brother David. He said when David died in 2019 it made him realise he wanted a "new adventure" and there were "other things in life". "My dad carried on until he was 82, my grandfather 85. I have no-one to pass it on to."It really wants someone in their 30s to carry on and take it forward."The shop used to make its own suits but stopped in the 1960s when ready-made wear became popular. It also sold school uniforms until 15 years ago, when online retail really took off. James Taylor has worked in the hire department for several years."A lot of things have changed over the years, but a lot of time for the better," he said."For me it's about getting the rapport, having a chat and repeat customers coming back for a dinner suit, a wedding suit. I've seen a few people get married a few times over the years." Ian Wood, 93, from the town, went to school with Neil's father, Alan. He said he had shopped there since the 1930s and it was where he purchased his school uniform and hired his wedding suit from."It's very sad, it's a great loss to the town," he said. "The corner - Warwick's corner - will look very sad. It's really been a part of Wellingborough." Mr Warwick added: "Our store was never about one look, one age - we were a wide, broad church to people."It's hard to buy a suit online so people still like to try things on. Online it can't be fitted. "Our business has seen Covid, the Suez Crisis, World War Two, World War One, Spanish flu and the Boer War, and we've still been here." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
