Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 6:20 pm Post subject: “Spongebob Squarepants” and the New York Times
Question: what do “Spongebob Squarepants” and the New York Times have in common?
Answer: Jellyfish!
In the space of two days, there was a Times Op-Ed article by a doctor who was stung by jellyfish and whose resulting treatment showed how ignorant first responders were of the best treatment...and an episode of Spongebob Squarepants where Spongebob befriends a horde of partying jellyfish... and is rewarded with many stings when he tries to get them to leave his house.
Coincidence? Not to a blog writer. The connection will be made clear in a moment. First, though, a few thoughts on the Times article, by Dr. Jerry Avorn, a medical researcher who focuses on the effectiveness of treatments.
One of several important points brought up by Dr. Avorn is the gap between what's known in general and what those closest to a problem know and can use.
In two minutes of internet research at home, Dr. Avorn found a study confirming that hot water is the best therapy. Yet none of the earnest first responders had any idea of this information. They poured distilled water on the sting and applied ice packs, which Dr. Avorn's internet research confirmed actually promotes the body's absorption of jellyfish toxin. Ouch!
While we focus immense resources on basic medical research, in many cases getting the right information about treatments to the right people in the field--and ensuring they use it--is the most urgent problem. Improving the delivery and application of information may be mundane, yet it may represent the biggest opportunity to improve global health. Are you listening, Gates Foundation?
So, the connection: the “Spongebob” episode ends with Squidward taking a hot bath to relieve his jellyfish stings. The first responders at an island beach didn't know the best treatment, yet it was well-understood by the writers of a cartoon show.
My 4 year old niece watches that show all the time. Kinda grows on you after while.
Altho' I've never tried it. Here we claim, which is a spice... meat tenderizer. Since must beaches don't have that ready and available, rubbing beach sand on it seems to have helped me in the past.
Interesting to note that when I was younger you hardly ever saw the critters. Now as soon as the weather gets in the 80's and 90 degrees outside and water heats up, that's all I manage to see floating in with the tide.
It's also amazing to walk down the beach and look down beside the jetty at the jelly-fish...they glow in the dark, a blue fluorescent color.
As far as jellyfish are concerned, the best remedy is ....................... stay away from them.
I do try. It's just not always easy to spot them until you get stang.
Once 4 year old little niece have experienced sand and beach water it's not always easy to keep them out of it without them throwing one of there little fits. When you get them there they never want to go home.
My 4 year old niece watches that show all the time. Kinda grows on you after while.
Altho' I've never tried it. Here we claim, which is a spice... meat tenderizer. Since must beaches don't have that ready and available, rubbing beach sand on it seems to have helped me in the past.
Interesting to note that when I was younger you hardly ever saw the critters. Now as soon as the weather gets in the 80's and 90 degrees outside and water heats up, that's all I manage to see floating in with the tide.
It's also amazing to walk down the beach and look down beside the jetty at the jelly-fish...they glow in the dark, a blue fluorescent color.
My 4 year old niece watches that show all the time. Kinda grows on you after while.
Altho' I've never tried it. Here we claim, which is a spice... meat tenderizer. Since must beaches don't have that ready and available, rubbing beach sand on it seems to have helped me in the past.
Interesting to note that when I was younger you hardly ever saw the critters. Now as soon as the weather gets in the 80's and 90 degrees outside and water heats up, that's all I manage to see floating in with the tide.
It's also amazing to walk down the beach and look down beside the jetty at the jelly-fish...they glow in the dark, a blue fluorescent color.
It's 80 -90 here all the time...
but the jelly fish is not here all the time....
You have no seasons???
All four seasons; Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter???
Rain or snow???
Sometimes I think the jelly fish and sharks are a sign from Allah. Never had problems with them until water pollution get to be a high risk for sea life esp our clams, oysters, crabs, etc. The pollution in our water ways had put these critters at a high risk of breeding properly and very near destroying large populations of sea life. Destroying them with a toxic type bacteria. I'm not a scientist so I don't understand these things very well myself.
To get different temperatures we have to move locations...
Farmers are not satisfied with an all summer the year round weather, so they even use lights to lengthen daylight to shorten vegetable growth cycle.
Soon the plants will fight back.
You travel alot???
What countries have you seen???
Have you ever been to the United States of America???
I couldn't imagine not living without rain (April showers bring May flowers) or snow. The most snow we get is about the middle of January, something like that. The majority of winters I have known we get about 5 inches of snow. Lasts maybe about 3 days and then the sun melts it away. All businesses and schools shut down with the exception of my business. They expect you to show up for work come rain or sunshine.
Our really hot summer season is July and August. The heat really doesn't bother me, it's the humidity that gets to me here.
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“Spongebob Squarepants” and the New York Times
