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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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What a Wonderful Ride!

Another year is drawing to a close. It’s too hard to comprehend how fast time goes by. I’m just so grateful I have enjoyed every moment of this year. Although there have been ups and downs, I learned, I’ve grown, and cherish them all. This column will be the shortest of the year, as I only want to say thanks to everyone connected to us at Natural Awakenings. Speaking for my staff, my family, and myself I want to extend to our readers, advertisers, distributors, and the rest of the world, wishes of peace. Something I hope 2014 brings more of to our planet.

I know that sounds overwhelming when we reflect on the atrocities that happen on a daily basis. It is sometimes hard to think we can make a difference, but we can. Others have. It all starts with me, it starts with you, and it starts with love. Years ago, when I was in a dark spot in my life, someone told me, “If you come from love, you have the most powerful emotion we as humans possess. So always start from love, empathy, and compassion and you will never be wrong.” I’ve never forgotten that. It has proven to be great advice. It is not always easy, I can’t always do it, but I can’t give up, because that is the man I strive to be. What better vision for the world than peace.

Please enjoy your holiday season. We look forward to a positive peaceful new year, and the January issue of Natural Awakenings.

In peace, love and laughter,

Joe

publisher's letter
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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