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How long does back pain last? And how can learning about pain increase the chance of recovery?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-wallwork-1361569">Sarah Wallwork</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lorimer-moseley-1552">Lorimer Moseley</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> Back pain is common. One in thirteen people have it right now and worldwide a staggering 619 million people will <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7186678/">have it this year</a>. Chronic pain, of which back pain is the most common, is the world’s <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7186678/">most disabling</a> health problem. Its economic impact <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92510/">dwarfs other health conditions</a>. If you get back pain, how long will it take to go away? We scoured the scientific literature to <a href="https://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/196/2/E29.full.pdf">find out</a>. We found data on almost 20,000 people, from 95 different studies and split them into three groups: <ul> <li>acute – those with back pain that started less than six weeks ago</li> <li>subacute – where it started between six and 12 weeks ago</li> <li>chronic – where it started between three months and one year ago.</li> </ul> We found 70%–95% of people with acute back pain were likely to recover within six months. This dropped to 40%–70% for subacute back pain and to 12%–16% for chronic back pain. Clinical guidelines point to graded return to activity and pain education under the guidance of a health professional as the best ways to promote recovery. Yet these effective interventions are underfunded and hard to access. <h2>More pain doesn’t mean a more serious injury</h2> Most acute back pain episodes are <a href="https://www.racgp.org.au/getattachment/75af0cfd-6182-4328-ad23-04ad8618920f/attachment.aspx">not caused</a> by serious injury or disease. There are rare exceptions, which is why it’s wise to see your doctor or physio, who can check for signs and symptoms that warrant further investigation. But unless you have been in a significant accident or sustained a large blow, you are unlikely to have caused much damage to your spine. Even very minor back injuries can be brutally painful. This is, in part, because of how we are made. If you think of your spinal cord as a very precious asset (which it is), worthy of great protection (which it is), a bit like the crown jewels, then what would be the best way to keep it safe? Lots of protection and a highly sensitive alarm system. The spinal cord is protected by strong bones, thick ligaments, powerful muscles and a highly effective alarm system (your nervous system). This alarm system can trigger pain that is so unpleasant that you cannot possibly think of, let alone do, anything other than seek care or avoid movement. The messy truth is that when pain persists, the pain system becomes more sensitive, so a widening array of things contribute to pain. This pain system hypersensitivity is a result of neuroplasticity – your nervous system is becoming better at making pain. <h2>Reduce your chance of lasting pain</h2> Whether or not your pain resolves is not determined by the extent of injury to your back. We don’t know all the factors involved, but we do know there are things that you can do to reduce chronic back pain: <ul> <li> understand how pain really works. This will involve intentionally learning about modern pain science and care. It will be difficult but rewarding. It will help you work out what you can do to change your pain </li> <li> reduce your pain system sensitivity. With guidance, patience and persistence, you can learn how to gradually retrain your pain system back towards normal. </li> </ul> <h2>How to reduce your pain sensitivity and learn about pain</h2> Learning about “how pain works” provides the most sustainable <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj-2021-067718">improvements in chronic back pain</a>. Programs that combine pain education with graded brain and body exercises (gradual increases in movement) can reduce pain system sensitivity and help you return to the life you want. These programs have been in development for years, but high-quality clinical trials <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2794765">are now emerging</a> and it’s good news: they show most people with chronic back pain improve and many completely recover. But most clinicians aren’t equipped to deliver these effective programs – <a href="https://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(23)00618-1/fulltext">good pain education</a> is not taught in most medical and health training degrees. Many patients still receive ineffective and often risky and expensive treatments, or keep seeking temporary pain relief, hoping for a cure. When health professionals don’t have adequate pain education training, they can deliver bad pain education, which leaves patients feeling like they’ve just <a href="https://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(23)00618-1/fulltext">been told it’s all in their head</a>. Community-driven not-for-profit organisations such as <a href="https://www.painrevolution.org/">Pain Revolution</a> are training health professionals to be good pain educators and raising awareness among the general public about the modern science of pain and the best treatments. Pain Revolution has partnered with dozens of health services and community agencies to train more than <a href="https://www.painrevolution.org/find-a-lpe">80 local pain educators</a> and supported them to bring greater understanding and improved care to their colleagues and community. But a broader system-wide approach, with government, industry and philanthropic support, is needed to expand these programs and fund good pain education. To solve the massive problem of chronic back pain, effective interventions need to be part of standard care, not as a last resort after years of increasing pain, suffering and disability.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/222513/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-wallwork-1361569">Sarah Wallwork</a>, Post-doctoral Researcher, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lorimer-moseley-1552">Lorimer Moseley</a>, Professor of Clinical Neurosciences and Foundation Chair in Physiotherapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-long-does-back-pain-last-and-how-can-learning-about-pain-increase-the-chance-of-recovery-222513">original article</a>.

Body

How long does back pain last? And how can learning about pain increase the chance of recovery?

Body

How risky is it to give card details over the phone and how do I reduce the chance of fraud?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paul-haskell-dowland-382903">Paul Haskell-Dowland</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ismini-vasileiou-1031778">Ismini Vasileiou</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/de-montfort-university-1254">De Montfort University</a> Paying for things digitally is so common, most of us think nothing of swiping or tapping our card, or using mobile payments. While doing so is second nature, we may be more reluctant to provide card details over the phone. Merchants are allowed to ask us for credit card details over the phone – this is perfectly legal. But there are minimum standards they must comply with and safeguards to protect consumer data. So is giving your card details over the phone any more risky than other transactions and how can you minimise the risks? <h2>How is my card data protected?</h2> For a merchant to process card transactions, they are expected to comply with the <a href="https://docs-prv.pcisecuritystandards.org/PCI%20DSS/Standard/PCI-DSS-v4_0.pdf">Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard</a>. This is a set of security requirements designed to protect cardholder data and the trillions of dollars of transactions each year. Compliance involves various security measures (such as encryption and access controls) together with strong governance and regular security assessments. If the information stored by the merchant is accessed by an unauthorised party, encryption ensures it is not readable. That means stealing the data would not let the criminals use the card details. Meanwhile, access controls ensure only authorised individuals have access to cardholder data. Though all companies processing cards are expected to meet the compliance standards, only those processing large volumes are subject to mandatory regular audits. Should a subsequent data leak or misuse occur that can be attributed to a compliance failure, a <a href="https://www.csoonline.com/article/569591/pci-dss-explained-requirements-fines-and-steps-to-compliance.html">company can be penalised</a> at levels that can escalate into millions of dollars. These requirements apply to all card transactions, whether in person, online or over the phone. Phone transactions are likely to involve a human collecting the card details and either entering them into computer systems, or processing the payment through paper forms. The payment card Security Standards Council has <a href="https://docs-prv.pcisecuritystandards.org/Guidance%20Document/Telephone-Based%20Payments/Protecting_Telephone_Based_Payment_Card_Data_v3-0_nov_2018.pdf">detailed guides for best practice</a>: <blockquote> A policy should be in place to ensure that payment card data is protected against unauthorised viewing, copying, or scanning, in particular on desks. </blockquote> Although these measures can help to protect your card data, there are still risks in case the details are misplaced or the person on the phone aren’t who they say they are. <h2>Basic tips for safe credit card use over the phone</h2> If you provide card details over the phone, there are steps you can take to minimise the chance you’ll become the victim of fraud, or get your details leaked. 1. Verify the caller If you didn’t initiate the call, hang up and call the company directly using details you’ve verified yourself. Scammers will often masquerade as a well-known company (for example, an online retailer or a courier) and convince you a payment failed or payment is needed to release a delivery. Before you provide any information, confirm the caller is legitimate and the purpose of the call is genuine. 2. Be sceptical If you are being offered a deal that’s too good to be true, have concerns about the person you’re dealing with, or just feel something is not quite right, hang up. You can always call them back later if the caller turns out to be legitimate. 3. Use secure payment methods If you’ve previously paid the company with other (more secure) methods, ask to use that same method. 4. Keep records Make sure you record details of the company, the representative you are speaking to and the amount being charged. You should also ask for an order or transaction reference. Don’t forget to ask for the receipt to be sent to you. Check the transaction against your card matches the receipt – use your banking app, don’t wait for the statement to come through. <h2>Virtual credit cards</h2> In addition to the safeguards mentioned above, a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/virtual-credit-card-numbers-guide/">virtual credit card</a> can help reduce the risk of card fraud. You probably already have a form of virtual card if you’ve added a credit card to your phone for mobile payments. Depending on the financial institution, you can create a new credit card number linked to your physical card. Some banks extend this functionality to allow you to generate unique card numbers and/or CVV numbers (the three digits at the back of your card). With this approach you can easily separate transactions and cancel a virtual card/number if you have any concerns. <h2>What to do if you think your card details have been compromised or stolen?</h2> It’s important not to panic, but quick action is essential: <ul> <li> call your bank and get the card blocked so you won’t lose any more money. Depending on your situation, you can also block/cancel the card through your banking app or website </li> <li> report the issue to the police or other relevant body </li> <li> monitor your account(s) for any unusual transactions </li> <li> explore card settings in your banking app or website – many providers allow you to limit transactions based on value, restrict transaction types or enable alerts </li> <li> you may want to consider registering for <a href="https://theconversation.com/your-credit-report-is-a-key-part-of-your-privacy-heres-how-to-find-and-check-it-116999">credit monitoring services</a> and to enable fraud alerts. </li> </ul> <h2>So, should I give my card details over the phone?</h2> If you want to minimise risk, it’s best to avoid giving card details over the phone if you can. Providing your card details via a website still has risks, but at least it removes the human element. The best solution currently available is to use virtual cards – if anything goes wrong you can cancel just that unique card identity, rather than your entire card.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/216833/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paul-haskell-dowland-382903">Paul Haskell-Dowland</a>, Professor of Cyber Security Practice, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ismini-vasileiou-1031778">Ismini Vasileiou</a>, Associate Professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/de-montfort-university-1254">De Montfort University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://theconversation.com/how-risky-is-it-to-give-card-details-over-the-phone-and-how-do-i-reduce-the-chance-of-fraud-216833">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

Do you use predictive text? Chances are it’s not saving you time – and could even be slowing you down

Typing is one of the most common things we do on our mobile phones. A recent survey suggests that millenials spend <a href="https://www.provisionliving.com/blog/smartphone-screen-time-baby-boomers-and-millennials/">48 minutes</a> each day texting, while boomers spend 30 minutes. Since the advent of mobile phones, the way we text has changed. We’ve seen the introduction of autocorrect, which corrects errors as we type, and word prediction (often called predictive text), which predicts the next word we want to type and allows us to select it above the keyboard. Functions such as autocorrect and predictive text are designed to make typing faster and more efficient. But research shows this isn’t necessarily true of predictive text. A <a href="https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2858036.2858305">study</a> published in 2016 found predictive text wasn’t associated with any overall improvement in typing speed. But this study only had 17 participants – and all used the same type of mobile device. In 2019, my colleagues and I published <a href="https://doi.org/10.1145/3338286.3340120">a study</a> in which we looked at mobile typing data from more than 37,000 volunteers, all using their own mobile phones. Participants were asked to copy sentences as quickly and accurately as possible. Participants who used predictive text typed an average of 33 words per minute. This was slower than those who didn’t use an intelligent text entry method (35 words per minute) and significantly slower than participants who used autocorrect (43 words per minute). <h2>Breaking it down</h2> It’s interesting to consider the poor correlation between predictive text and typing performance. The idea seems to make sense: if the system can predict your intended word before you type it, this should save you time. In my most <a href="https://doi.org/10.1145/3411764.3445566">recent study</a> on this topic, a colleague and I explored the conditions that determine whether predictive text is effective. We combined some of these conditions, or parameters, to simulate a large number of different scenarios and therefore determine when predictive text is effective – and when it’s not. We built a couple of fundamental parameters associated with predictive text performance into our simulation. The first is the average time it takes a user to hit a key on the keyboard (essentially a measure of their typing speed). We estimated this at 0.26 seconds, based on <a href="https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2470654.2466180">earlier research</a>. The second fundamental parameter is the average time it takes a user to look at a predictive text suggestion and select it. We fixed this at 0.45 seconds, again based on <a href="https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/1240624.1240723">existing data</a>. Beyond these, there’s a set of parameters which are less clear. These reflect the way the user engages with predictive text – or their strategies, if you like. In our research, we looked at how different approaches to two of these strategies influence the usefulness of predictive text. The first is minimum word length. This means the user will tend to only look at predictions for words beyond a certain length. You might only look at predictions if you’re typing longer words, beyond, say, six letters – because these words require more effort to spell and type out. The horizontal axis in the visualisation below shows the effect of varying the minimum length of a word before the user seeks a word prediction, from two letters to ten. The second strategy, “type-then-look”, governs how many letters the user will type before looking at word predictions. You might only look at the suggestions after typing the first three letters of a word, for example. The intuition here is that the more letters you type, the more likely the prediction will be correct. The vertical axis shows the effect of the user varying the type-then-look strategy from looking at word predictions even before typing (zero) to looking at predictions after one letter, two letters, and so on. A final latent strategy, perseverance, captures how long the user will type and check word predictions for before giving up and just typing out the word in full. While it would have been insightful to see how variation in perseverance affects the speed of typing with predictive text, even with a computer model, there were limitations to the amount of changeable data points we could include. So we fixed perseverance at five, meaning if there are no suitable suggestions after the user has typed five letters, they will complete the word without consulting predictive text further. Although we don’t have data on the average perseverance, this seems like a reasonable estimate. <h2>What did we find?</h2> <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/12/graph-text.jpg" alt="" />Above the dashed line there’s an increase in net entry rate while below it, predictive text slows the user down. The deep red shows when predictive text is most effective; an improvement of two words per minute compared to not using predictive text. The blue is when it’s least effective. Under certain conditions in our simulation, predictive text could slow a user down by as much as eight words per minute. The blue circle shows the optimal operating point, where you get the best results from predictive text. This occurs when word predictions are only sought for words with at least six letters and the user looks at a word prediction after typing three letters. So, for the average user, predictive text is unlikely to improve performance. And even when it does, it doesn’t seem to save much time. The potential gain of a couple of words per minute is much smaller than the potential time lost. It would be interesting to study long-term predictive text use and look at users’ strategies to verify that our assumptions from the model hold in practice. But our simulation reinforces the findings of previous human research: predictive text probably isn’t saving you time – and could be slowing you down. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-you-use-predictive-text-chances-are-its-not-saving-you-time-and-could-even-be-slowing-you-down-170163" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Technology

Being stressed out before you get COVID increases your chances of long COVID. Here’s why

Stress is part and parcel of modern life. When we’re on the verge of a new challenge or a significant event, we can experience stress mixed with excitement and a sense of challenge. This form of “good” stress, or <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-eustress-3145109" target="_blank" rel="noopener">eustress</a>, is important for growth, development, and achievement. However, prolonged stress and overwhelming or traumatic events can negatively impact our health. These forms of “bad” stress – or distress – can make us sick, depressed, anxious and over the long term, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3341916/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increase our risk</a> of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, dementia and even <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6877941" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cancer</a>. Distress can also affect our ability to <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/postcovidconditionslongcovid.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fully recover</a> from COVID. Ongoing symptoms for a month or more is referred to as long COVID. Those affected can experience fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, loss of taste and smell, difficulty sleeping, anxiety and/or depression. For some, these symptoms can last for many months or even years, making it impossible to return to pre-COVID life. In a <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2796097" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harvard University study</a> published last month, people suffering psychological distress in the lead up to their COVID infection had a greater chance of experiencing long COVID. The researchers found those with two types of distress (depression, probable anxiety, perceived stress, worry about COVID, and loneliness) had an almost 50% greater risk of long COVID than other participants. So how might distress impact the body’s ability to fight infection? First, we need to look at inflammation <a href="https://stories.uq.edu.au/imb/the-edge/inflammation/what-is-inflammation/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Inflammation</a> is the body’s way of responding to an infection or injury. When the <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000821.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">immune system</a> encounters a virus, for example, it launches an attack to neutralise infected cells and store a memory of that virus so it can respond faster and more effectively the next time. Many things can cause inflammation, including bacteria and viruses, injuries, toxins and chronic stress. The body has many different responses to inflammation, including redness, heat, swelling and pain. Some inflammatory responses can occur silently within the body, without any of these typical symptoms. At other times, inflammation can mobilise energy resources to cause exhaustion and fever. During inflammation, immune cells release substances known as inflammatory mediators. These chemical messengers cause small blood vessels to become wider (dilate), allowing more blood to reach injured or infected tissue to help with the healing process. This process can also irritate nerves and cause pain signals to be sent to the brain. What does distress have to do with inflammation? In the short term, stress <a href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2021/01/feeling-stressed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">causes</a> the release of hormones that suppress inflammation, ensuring the body has enough energy resources available to respond an immediate threat. However, when experienced over an extended period of time, stress itself can cause low grade “silent” inflammation. Chronic distress and related mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, are all associated with elevated levels of inflammatory mediators. In fact, the repeated exposure to mild, unpredictable stress is enough to elicit an inflammatory response. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/490261/original/file-20221018-15212-eoxhg1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/490261/original/file-20221018-15212-eoxhg1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/490261/original/file-20221018-15212-eoxhg1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/490261/original/file-20221018-15212-eoxhg1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/490261/original/file-20221018-15212-eoxhg1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/490261/original/file-20221018-15212-eoxhg1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/490261/original/file-20221018-15212-eoxhg1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Fatigued woman rests her head against a wall" /><figcaption>Repeated exposure to stress can produce an inflammatory response. <a class="source" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/pV_ixbLn4QU" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stacey Garrielle Koenitz Rozells/Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure> Pre-clinical (lab-based) <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/mp2013155" target="_blank" rel="noopener">studies</a> have shown chronic mild stress can cause depression-like behaviour by promoting inflammation, including activating immune cells in the brain (microglia). When anti-inflammatories were given during the mild stress exposure they prevented depression-like behaviour. However if given after the event, the anti-inflammatories were ineffective. When inflammation is ongoing, such as with extended periods of distress, the immune system changes the way it responds by reprogramming the immune cells. Effectively, it switches to “low surveillance mode”. In this way, it remains active throughout the body, but downgrades its responsiveness to new threats. Because of this, the response may be slower and less effective. Consequently, the process of recovery can take longer. For a virus like COVID, it’s possible that prior exposure to distress may similarly impair the body’s ability to fight the infection and increase the risk of long COVID. How might distress affect recovery from COVID? There is still much to learn about how COVID infection affects the body and how psychological factors can impact clinical outcomes in the short and long term. COVID has far-reaching effects across multiple body systems, affecting the lungs and heart to the greatest degree, and increasing the risk of blood clotting and stroke. Because the virus resides within human cells, an immune system switched to “low surveillance mode” as a result of psychological distress may miss early opportunities to destroy infected tissues. The virus can then gain an advantage over the defence (immune) system. Conversely, distress can suppress the early response, tipping the balance in favour of the invader. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/490269/original/file-20221018-23-yyoxhq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/490269/original/file-20221018-23-yyoxhq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=411&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/490269/original/file-20221018-23-yyoxhq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=411&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/490269/original/file-20221018-23-yyoxhq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=411&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/490269/original/file-20221018-23-yyoxhq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=516&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/490269/original/file-20221018-23-yyoxhq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=516&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/490269/original/file-20221018-23-yyoxhq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=516&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Man sits on a ledge over a busy street" /><figcaption>An immune system already switched to low surveillance mode might miss early opportunities to destroy the virus. <a class="source" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/kFVmYjK6hZ8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Whoislimos/Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure> So what can we do about it? Vaccines work by helping to train the immune system to find the target sooner, giving the immune system the advantage. Behavioural interventions that improve the ability to cope with stress <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9075982/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">decrease inflammation</a> and may help to enhance the immune response to COVID. It’s also important to be aware that exposure to COVID <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889159120316068" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increases the risk</a> of depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions. Knowledge of this two-directional link is the first critical step to improving clinical outcomes. A lifestyle medicine approach that helps to reduce levels of distress and address mental health symptoms has important downstream benefits for physical health. This is likely to not only be the result of direct effects on the immune system itself, but also through related <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15598276221084250" target="_blank" rel="noopener">improvements in health behaviours</a> such as diet, exercise and/or sleep. Further research is needed to better understand the impact of distress on the immune system, mental health and COVID outcomes, and to highlight ways to intervene to prevent long COVID and support recovery. Written by Susannah Tye. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/being-stressed-out-before-you-get-covid-increases-your-chances-of-long-covid-heres-why-190649" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. <img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/190649/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> Image: Getty Images

Mind

"Last chance to see": Touching reason for kids' world travels

A couple has gone above and beyond for their children to see the world before they lose their vision. Canadian couple Edith Lemay and Sebastien Pelletier have four children, Mia, Colin, Laurent and Leo, of which three were diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of rare eye diseases that affect the retina, and which makes cells in the retina break down slowly over time, causing vision loss. The devastating news shocked the parents, and they tragically now expect their children Mia, Colin and Laurent to be “completely blind by mid-life”. As a result, the young couple first focused on helping their children with basic life skills – before they were told to help with their imaginative memories as well. “I thought, ‘I’m not going to show her an elephant in a book, I’m going to take her to see a real elephant’,” Mrs Lemay said. “And I’m going to fill her visual memory with the best, most beautiful images I can.” Plans were soon put in place to take the entire family out for trips and help them experience their best life before losing their vision. “With the diagnosis, we have an urgency. There’s great things to do at home, but there’s nothing better than travelling,” Mr Pelletier said. “Not only the scenery, but also the different cultures and people.” Unfortunately, due to Covid the family had to delay their trip but as soon as travel restrictions eased they headed off to Namibia, where they got up close to elephants, zebras, giraffes and more. They then flew to Zambia, Tanzania and Mongolia before heading off to Indonesia and Turkey. “So we’re really trying to make them see things that they wouldn’t have seen at home and have the most incredible experiences,” Mr Pelletier explained. The parents said they hope these adventures would help them realise how fortunate they are, despite the challenges they face. “No matter how hard their life is going to be, I wanted to show them that they are lucky just to have running water in their home and to be able to go to school every day with nice colourful books,” Mrs Lemay said. “And we never know what’s going to impress them. We will tell ourselves [they will think] something is wonderful and then they see puppies in the street and it’s the best thing in their life.” Images: Instagram

International Travel

Your chance to finally live in a tree house!

A lot of homes are described as “once in a lifetime opportunity” but this one certainly takes the cake. An actual tree house just three hours from Los Angeles is up for grabs after hitting the market for a solid USD $3.8 million (AUD $5.4 million). Sitting on 6.69 acres in Pismo Beach, the house has parts of the tree it's built on enveloping the main living area, twisting from beneath and through the ceiling like the fictional Kraken. Despite being built in the 1960s, the different home has been perfectly maintained to ensure its intricate features remain. The land contains five different dwelling units that include one bedroom, one bath tree house, a large museum with a studio and one bedroom apartment. There is also a carriage house with a two bedroom apartment, and a studio apartment-with two car garage. And a main house with two bedrooms, one and a quarter baths with rock fireplace and wrap around decking, a shed/studio with full bath-each one with private views. Each of the homes contains wooded settings and private yards and decks thanks to the glorious oak tree. If that’s not enough to entice you, the properties include two sea train containers that are perfect as workshop areas as well as a Zen yoga platform to reclaim your inner peace. Images: Zillow

Real Estate

Here’s your chance to live like a gangster in the Godfather mansion

Fans of The Godfather have the chance to live like a Corleone for a month, with the house featured in the iconic gangster movies opening its doors to one lucky person and up to four of their friends. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Francis Coppola’s The Godfather, AirBnb is offering up the Staten Island mansion featured in the films to rent for one month but there’s a catch: there’s only one reservation available. Between August 1-31, the lucky guest can enjoy the 1930s home and its luxe amenities, including a large saltwater pool, a basement pub, a game room, and a gym. As with AirBnb’s previous unique stays, the chosen guests will need to organise getting to and from the mansion, since travel isn’t included in the price. Since the five-bedroom, seven-bathroom abode is usually a family home, stays are strictly limited to five people or fewer with no outside guests allowed. The stay comes after another home featured in the trilogy <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/movies/a-castle-from-the-godfather-is-up-for-grabs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hit the market</a> earlier this year, and is still available to purchase for a whopping €6 million ($NZD 9.77 million). To be in the running for a stay you can’t refuse, apply to book by 5am NZST on Thursday, July 28 via <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/654402388376149877?irgwc=1&irclid=3SIwdd0duxyNUNxXd%3AQSRQA0UkD3DW0Zty2mSQ0&ircid=4273&sharedid=the-godfather-mansion-airbnb&af=&iratid=9627&c=.pi73.pk4273_1957199&irparam1=&source_impression_id=p3_1658895629_%2Bdy%2FFjhhdAmPq55R" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Airbnb website</a>. Images: Getty Images / AirBnb

Real Estate

If you’re renting, chances are your home is cold. With power prices soaring, here’s what you can do to keep warm

If you’re feeling the cold this winter, you’re not alone. About a quarter of all Australians have trouble keeping their homes warm enough in winter. That figure is likely to soar this year, due to poor quality housing and the rapidly escalating energy crisis. Renters are particularly at risk, but our research has shown many home owners are in the same boat as well. We’ve collected data over the last few years on how many Australians have cold homes, find it <a href="https://theconversation.com/forget-heatwaves-our-cold-houses-are-much-more-likely-to-kill-us-83030">difficult to stay warm</a>, and can’t afford their heating bills. What counts as cold? The World Health Organization recommends a <a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-CED-PHE-18.10">minimum home temperature</a> of 18℃ for health and wellbeing. About a fifth of Australian renters, for example, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-022-01136-5">have cold homes</a>. Our <a href="https://able.adelaide.edu.au/housing-research/research/healthy-housing-cre/cold-in-australian-homes#0">current research</a> has shown this applies to home owners as well, with 26% of people across all housing types unable to stay warm at least half of the time during winter. Australia’s energy crisis is likely to see soaring rates of energy poverty, meaning being unable to keep your home warm or cool enough. Here’s why this is such a problem – and what you can do about it. <h2>Cold homes affect our health</h2> If you’re cold at home, you have a higher risk of developing <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00484-017-1379-0">respiratory problems</a>and <a href="https://journals.lww.com/jhypertension/fulltext/2014/08000/Stronger_association_of_indoor_temperature_than.8.aspx?casa_token=TFv1eApy3hQAAAAA:9tc6eHiZCAk72mWgrmcgSxQT7kLczUDd7XNpXvNvoIFcMF6pJPSGpORK3SI-Veu4oc994saGXCWuJFBCs3pYN4g">high blood pressure</a>. People in the coldest homes face a higher risk of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935114003661?casa_token=vWpvR-oc8iMAAAAA:q72pW312N2oWIm1Gf9jpTTGUr3sH8uM_DankOAVzziVRT8_OPPnPjxJzDIC_x5j4Pr7O_Uuq">dying in winter</a>. Cold can have a flow-on impact on our health system, which is already struggling. Australia’s south-east has had the coldest start to winter <a href="https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2022/06/09/cold-winter-weather-australia/">in decades</a>. Melbourne hasn’t been this cold this early since 1949, while Sydney hasn’t seen these temperatures in early June since 1989. <h2>Double trouble: cold weather and the energy crisis</h2> If you’ve been hit by the recent cold snap, chances are you’ll have been reminded how cold your home can get. This is not a surprise given how badly <a href="https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/research-data-and-insights/research/energy-efficiency-and-reducing-emissions/household-retrofit-trials">existing homes</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-still-building-4-in-every-5-new-houses-to-no-more-than-the-minimum-energy-standard-118820">new housing</a> perform in keeping an even temperature. The cold has made many people doubly worried, because the energy required to heat our leaky, poorly insulated homes is about to get <a href="https://theconversation.com/expect-more-power-price-hikes-a-1970s-style-energy-shock-is-on-the-cards-183911">very expensive</a>. Early results from <a href="https://able.adelaide.edu.au/housing-research/research/healthy-housing-cre/cold-in-australian-homes#0">our survey</a> of over 350 Australians found 25% of people were experiencing shortages of money to the point they will be unable to adequately heat their homes. One third of our respondents said energy was unaffordable. Some reported making trade-offs, such as skimping on food or healthcare to pay energy bills. These people are experiencing energy poverty, where a household is unable to properly heat or cool their home or face significant financial difficulty doing so. While data about energy poverty in Australia is patchy, we know around 180,000 households <a href="https://vcoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Persistent-Energy-Hardship-FINAL-Web-Single-Page.pdf">in Victoria</a> had persistent bill payment issues as of 2018, and 45,000 households were consistently unable to heat their homes. <h2>Energy price increases hit lower income households hardest</h2> Lower income households are more at risk from the cold. That’s because they’re more likely to live in homes that are in <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10852352.2016.1197714?casa_token=D_2YbBQ9wRkAAAAA%3A5Z_XqM42cmGunbSwhVJ-EaaHrtV4w3nORhDq9ZoaqAMBx700PldV7_9VVPdAWy7mm2hi3KYLOij3">poor condition</a> and hard to heat. One quarter of low income households told us they struggle to stay warm. Insulation may be a key factor, with 25% of our respondents reporting their rental properties did not have insulation. Insulation matters, because heat escapes homes through <a href="https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/glazing">single-pane windows</a>, or poorly insulated walls and ceilings. As a result, poorly insulated homes <a href="https://environmentvictoria.org.au/resource/10-tips-warm-house/">cost more to heat</a>. This makes life harder for low income renters, given they have little control over insulation or other home modifications. Worse still, heaters that are cheap to buy are often the most <a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/top-tips-improve-home-energy-efficiency/#:%7E:text=Shoot%20for%20the%20stars%3A%20Top%20tips%20to%20improve%20your%20home's%20energy%20efficiency,-26.11.21%20By&text=Compared%20to%20a%206%2Dstar,amount%20of%20electricity%20we%20use.">expensive to run</a>. While an efficient reverse cycle air conditioner would save money and heat the space better over the longer term, it is often difficult for renters to negotiate installation with property managers or landlords – especially given the intense competition for rentals at present in many cities. That can mean renters will suffer in silence, unwilling to ask for something that will make their lives better. <h2>What can renters do?</h2> Low income renters face real threats from energy poverty this year. While we need systemic change to improve the outlook for Australia’s renters, there are low-cost DIY ways to improve how <a href="https://www.yourhome.gov.au/">your house retains heat</a> this winter. The first step: check your current heating appliances are working efficiently. Many people don’t clean the filters on their reverse cycle air conditioners. This makes them less efficient, and can drive up energy bills. Poorly sealed windows and doors make it hard to stay warm. Using <a href="https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/heating-and-cooling/insulated-curtains.htm">thermal curtains</a>, and keeping them closed makes a big difference. Putting a piece of plywood or even a scarf between the curtain rail and the wall to make a <a href="https://environmentvictoria.org.au/2011/07/05/take-the-chill-out-of-winter-with-diy-pelmets/">DIY pelmet</a> also helps keep the heat in. If you have single glazed windows, consider <a href="https://renew.org.au/renew-magazine/buyers-guides/window-buyers-guide/">window films</a> as a way to improve performance for a fraction of the cost of double glazed windows. <a href="https://blog.csiro.au/draught-proof-house/">Sealing the cracks</a> around windows, under doors and around the wider home is also important. Silicon or expanding foam can be used for gaps and cracks. Draughts under doors can be stopped with door seals or door snakes. Close the doors to your bathroom, laundry and other rooms not in use to keep the heat where you need it most. Hanging a blanket over a doorway can also be a cheap way to seal off a room and concentrate heat. It’s also worth checking what rebates and concessions your state government or council is offering. These might include energy efficiency improvements or extra help with heating costs. If you’re renting, your home must meet <a href="https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/energy-efficiency/minimum-rental-standards">minimum standards</a>, so make sure you check what you are entitled to as these vary by state. Everyone deserves a warm home. Our health and well-being depend on it. Building new, energy efficient homes is only part of the answer. We also have to make our 10.8 million <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/price-indexes-and-inflation/total-value-dwellings/latest-release#:%7E:text=Total%20value%20of%20dwelling%20stock,-Download&text=Range%3A%206400000%20to%2010400000.&text=End%20of%20interactive%20chart.&text=The%20preliminary%20estimate%20of%20the,in%20the%20December%20quarter%202021.">existing dwellings</a> warmer. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/if-youre-renting-chances-are-your-home-is-cold-with-power-prices-soaring-heres-what-you-can-do-to-keep-warm-184472" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Home & Garden

Want to cut your chance of catching COVID on a plane? Wear a mask and avoid business class

A Florida court recently <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-19/florida-judge-voids-us-mask-mandate-for-planes-other-travel/100998116">overturned mask mandates</a> on planes in the United States, saying the directive was unlawful. That decision is now <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/covid19-masks-on-us-flights-justice-department-appeals-easing-of-rules/a960d39c-dff4-4198-935c-c5b5c5b40551">under appeal</a>. Before that, Australian comedian Celeste Barber <a href="https://twitter.com/djokaymegamixer/status/1514836909620572162">told her social media followers</a> a passenger sitting next to her on a recent flight took off her mask to sneeze. So wearing masks on planes to limit the spread of COVID is clearly a hot-button issue. As we return to the skies more than two years into the pandemic, what is the risk of catching COVID on a plane? And does it really matter where on the plane you are? <h2>So many variables</h2> It’s impossible to give a precise answer about your risk of catching COVID on a plane as there are so many variables. For instance, not all countries and <a href="https://twitter.com/British_Airways/status/1503729049050353665">airlines</a> require passengers to wear masks or <a href="https://www.nationalworld.com/lifestyle/travel/where-can-i-travel-without-a-vaccine-countries-that-allow-unvaccinated-passengers-and-entry-requirements-3528913">be vaccinated</a>. Some countries and airlines require a negative COVID test within a certain timeframe before flying, others have <a href="https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/covid19/vaccinated-travellers/temporary-visa-holders/leaving-australia">scrapped that requirement</a> entirely. Then there are different rules that may apply if you’re flying domestically or internationally, or <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19/international-travel/proof-of-vaccination">leaving or entering</a> a country. That’s before we start talking about the virus itself. We know more recent variants have emerged (Omicron and the sub-variant BA.2, for example), that are <a href="https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/critical-intelligence-unit/sars-cov-2-variants">much more easily transmitted</a> than the original virus or the Delta variant. We don’t know how transmissible future variants or sub-variants will be. So we can only talk in general terms about the risk of catching COVID on a plane. All up, your risk <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1477893921001745">is very low</a>, but the measures airlines put in place help achieve that. You can also reduce your personal risk further in a number of ways. <h2>Air flow and HEPA filters</h2> Air flow is designed to largely <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1477893920304117">travel vertically</a>, from the ceiling to the floor, to reduce the potential spread of contaminated air through the plane. The height of the seats acts as a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8013760/">partial barrier</a> to air movement from rows in front and behind you. Cabin air is also replaced <a href="https://cdn1.sph.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2443/2020/10/HSPH-APHI-Phase-One-Report.pdf">every two to three minutes</a> with a half-half mix of recycled and fresh air. To see <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7588538/">how this works in real life</a>, researchers looked at how the virus spread on a long-haul flight when an infected person (the index case) sat in business class. Twelve of 16 people who were infected on the plane sat within a few rows of this person; another was a flight attendant. This suggests limited spread of contaminated air through the rest of the plane. Recycled air is also filtered through high-efficiency particulate air (or HEPA) filters. These remove <a href="https://cdn1.sph.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2443/2020/10/HSPH-APHI-Phase-One-Report.pdf">more than 99%</a> of viral particles, further reducing the risk of droplet or airborne transmission. <h2>Masks</h2> Well fitted masks or respirators (worn properly) can reduce your risk of contracting COVID on a flight. That’s why many airlines say wearing a mask is a condition of flying. For example, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ina.12979">modelling</a> of several known transmission events on planes demonstrates an advantage if both the infected person and others around them wear masks. <h2>Vaccination</h2> Some countries, such as Australia, require entering travellers to be <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19/international-travel/proof-of-vaccination">fully vaccinated</a>. This <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(21)00648-4/fulltext">lowers the risk</a> of someone becoming sick with COVID. <h2>Pre-flight COVID testing</h2> Not all flights require a negative COVID test before boarding. For those that do, the time frame before a flight varies, as does the type of test required. However, we know tests do not detect every single COVID case. A range of factors can influence test sensitivity (ability to detect COVID). These include the type and <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/covid-19-rapid-antigen-self-tests-are-approved-australia">brand</a> of test you take, whether you have <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8761676/">symptoms</a>, your <a href="https://ebm.bmj.com/content/early/2022/01/04/bmjebm-2021-111828">age</a>, and the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8761676/">viral variant</a>. You can also still test negative two days before a flight and catch COVID in the meantime. <h2>Sanitisation</h2> Airlines may do additional cleaning of high-touch areas, and overnight disinfection, to reduce the spread of COVID through touching contaminated surfaces. However, the risk of transmission by this route is <a href="https://cdn1.sph.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2443/2020/10/HSPH-APHI-Phase-One-Report.pdf">low</a> compared to the risk of catching COVID through breathing in infectious droplets and aerosols. <h2>When and where are you most at risk?</h2> The closer you are to the infected person Most transmission occurs within <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1477893920304117">two to three rows</a> of an infected person. If you sit next to someone who is coughing or has other symptoms you might ask to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7665738/">move seats</a> if spare seats are available. <a href="https://cdn1.sph.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2443/2020/10/HSPH-APHI-Phase-One-Report.pdf">Distance</a> yourself from others if you can, particularly when getting on and off the plane. You might also avoid sitting close to the toilets as passengers will hang about in the aisles waiting to use them, particularly on long flights. The longer the flight The risk increases with long- versus <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33650201/">short- or medium-haul</a>flights. During long-haul flights passengers are also more likely to <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ina.12979">recline their seats</a>. This somewhat reduces the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8013760/">protection upright seats</a> provide in reducing air movement between rows. If you or others are not wearing a mask or wearing it properly You can breathe infectious particles in and out via your nose as well as your mouth, so don’t wear your mask under your chin or nose. The risk also increases when everyone takes off their masks during food service. You might choose not to eat or drink on short flights to avoid this. Alternatively you might bring a snack to eat before food service begins, or <a href="https://cdn1.sph.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2443/2020/10/HSPH-APHI-Phase-One-Report.pdf">eat after</a> those around you. If you contaminate your food or your face You can catch COVID through touching your food or face with contaminated fingers. Sanitise your hands regularly and <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9176589">train yourself</a> to not touch your face. If you are in business class Based on limited reports, the transmission risk appears higher in business class. This is possibly because of <a href="https://globalizationandhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12992-021-00749-6">more interruptions to mask wearing</a> due to greater service of food and drinks. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared in <a href="https://theconversation.com/want-to-cut-your-chance-of-catching-covid-on-a-plane-wear-a-mask-and-avoid-business-class-180333" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

International Travel

Rare chance to buy Whitney Houston’s former home

The former home of Whitney Houston is available to buy for the first time in over a decade - and you’ll only need $US 1.6 million ($AU 2.1 or $NZ 2.3 million) to snap it up. Along with its claim to fame, the home includes something made with Houston in mind: a personalised built-in recording studio which she often used. The singer and Bodyguard star bought the ranch in Mendham, New Jersey, in 1993 for $US 537,000 (or $US 1.06 million today) and reportedly used it as her guest house for 17 years. It was then sold to the current owners for $US 940,000 in 2010, according to the <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/04/06/whitney-houstons-nj-home-and-studio-lists-for-1-6m/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NY Post</a>, two years before her death aged 48. With just one storey, the sprawling three-bedroom, four-bathroom home sits on a five-acre property which also includes a hot tub, tennis court, and backyard with enough room for a pool or “playing your favourite team sport”, according to the <a href="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/detail/180-l-84435-zxe5rr/1-cross-way-mendham-nj-07945" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listing</a>. There have been some renovations inside since Houston’s time, including converting the indoor pool into a three-season great room which opens out to the backyard. But, the owners say the recording studio has remained mostly untouched, having been used as a “sound-proof home office” with tributes to the iconic singer on the walls. The primary suite, last renovated in 2016, comes with its own dressing room and ensuite and is located in a private side hallway in its own ‘wing’. In the east wing, there is a den, two bedrooms, and a full bath. Images: Getty Images, Sotheby’s International Realty

Real Estate

Giddy up! Now’s your chance to own an ENTIRE frontier town

Aspiring cowboys - and cowgirls! - with dreams of kicking back in a saloon could make them a reality, with an entire frontier town <a style="background: transparent;margin: 0px;padding: 0px;border: 0px;vertical-align: baseline" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/buy-an-entire-old-west-town-near-denver-for-66-million/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hitting the market</a> for just $5 million).The Colorado property, which comes with its very own saloon, general store, chapel, shooting range and operational hotel, is spread over 130 hectares and located less than 3.5 hours away from Denver, according to the <a style="background: transparent;margin: 0px;padding: 0px;border: 0px;vertical-align: baseline" href="https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/36710-County-Road-CC-36_Saguache_CO_81149_M24368-94926" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listing</a>.Having been painstakingly developed by two brothers who purchased the property in 2005, who <a style="background: transparent;margin: 0px;padding: 0px;border: 0px;vertical-align: baseline" href="https://nypost.com/2022/01/24/own-this-entire-old-west-town-outside-denver-for-4-7m/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> sunk $11.6 million into the property, the modern recreation of the old west has been seeking a buyer since October 2021.It was previously auctioned off by the brothers in 2011 for just under $2 million, before being sold twice more in 2016 and 2018, according to Fox31 Denver KDVR.“They left no detail unconsidered,” listing agent Adrienne Haydu told KDVR, noting that the ceiling tiles of the saloon and hotel were imported from Italy.“It’s old-town charm with all the conveniences of modern amenities. All the buildings are actual buildings and not just a fake facade. It’s a great horse property.”The property also comes with an outdoor stage, dance hall, two original Hoaglund Stagecoach cabins, a barn and stable able to house 18 horses, a bunkhouse, and a mini golf course.There are even campervan connection hookups and the “luxury” Ponderosa Lodge, which includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, Amish hickory flooring and an indoor stream fed by a waterfall in the living room.Outside, there are two ponds, two creeks, and three wells.As well as offering a chance to reenact the wildest of Wild West dreams, the property also has the potential to be used for more lucrative ventures, including “boutique retreats, a wedding venue or a festival” according to the listing.Images: Realtor.com

Buckley’s Chance is a classic film about a boy and a dog

In a classic tradition, Buckley’s Chance is a film which explores the close relationship between a boy and his dingo in outback Australia – and Bill Nighy comes along for the ride. Filmed in Broken Hill, Buckley’s Chance was in cinemas in June of this year but you can now stream it on Amazon Prime Video. Well-known British actor, Bill Nighy plays a leading role alongside Milan Burch who plays the role of the young boy, Ridley. And yes – there’s a new screen star – the dingo called Buckley. After the loss of his father, Ridley is forced to move to the Australian outback to live with his estranged Grandfather (Nighy). While exploring the outback, Ridley becomes lost and befriends a dingo excluded from its own pack. A strong bond is formed as the two try to make their way home. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/np7WgFqtNzE" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Based on the Aussie slang – “You’ve got Buckley’s” The phrase – “You’ve got Buckley’s” is a much-used piece of Aussie slang and it refers to a convict called William Buckley who escaped in Victoria in 1803 and lived among the Aborigines there for the next 30 years. At the time, it was thought no-one could ever survive in the Australian bush on their own and this is how the term “Buckley’s” came about. As Ridley’s grandfather, Spencer (played by Nighy) is trying to run a sheep station and he doesn’t really need his son’s grieving widow and her son around, complicating his life. But guilt over his estranged son forces Spencer to make an effort, teach the kid a little outback survival and lore. He even pulls out his gun every time he sees a dingo and aims at them. Ridly is horrified and asks him why he’s shooting a dog. “They may look like a dog, Ridley, but they’re more wolf than dog,” says Spencer. The kid isn’t convinced. So, when the chance comes to rescue a fine specimen of the breed trapped in a fence, he makes a new friend. He names it after grandpa’s ranch, “Buckley’s Chance”. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/57369d9a67a44e3d96c40dacbbcaee1b" /><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.53564899451555px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844021/buckleys-chance-7-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/57369d9a67a44e3d96c40dacbbcaee1b" /> As this all happens, we see some lovely and exotic outback scenery. On the negative side, Nighy’s Aussie accent isn’t too good, so it’s up to the other supporting actors to get that right. Still, this is a sentimental and kid-friendly movie. The film’s other well-known actors include Kelton Pell, Victoria Hill and Martin Sacks. Overall, Buckley’s Chance is a thrilling tale for all the family about fun, friendship and family. Buckley’s Chance showed in Australian cinemas in June of this year and now you can rent it from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Buckleys-Chance-Bill-Nighy/dp/B09CLPWMHG">Amazon Prime Video</a> for $6.99. Photos and Video: Transmission Films and YouTube

Movies

Five of the best things to watch right now

From Bill Nighy in Buckley’s Chance to David Attenborough’s new documentary, Pamela Connellan brings you the scoop on the latest and greatest must-watch shows. 1. Buckley’s Chance A new Australian film, starring well-known British actor, Bill Nighy, and set in the Australian outback, has just started showing in cinemas here. Called Buckley’s Chance, the film also stars Milan Burch, who plays the role of the young boy, Ridley, along with a new screen star – a dingo called Buckley. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4WGivlcmmrs" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> After the loss of his father, Ridley is forced to move to the Australian outback to live with his estranged Grandfather (Nighy). During Ridley’s adventures, he becomes lost and befriends a dingo excluded from its own pack. A strong bond is formed as the two try to make their way home. The film also stars beloved Australian actors Kelton Pell, Victoria Hill and Martin Sacks. Buckley’s Chance is a fascinating tale for all the family about fun, friendship and family, filmed on location in Broken Hill and the surrounding Australian outback. The film is directed by Canadian director Tim Brown (Treasure Hounds, Devil in the Dark, Bite) and produced by Brown with Gilbert Adler (Valkyrie, Superman Returns, Constantine, House on Haunted Hill), Scott Clayton Guest House, The Driver, Joey and Ella) and Andrew Mann (Danger Close: Battle of Long Tan, Gold, The Chaperone). Buckley’s Chance is now showing in Australian cinemas… 2. A Perfect Planet Sit back and enjoy this new five-part documentary from David Attenborough <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xxibm1ODEpI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> In this new five-part documentary from Sir David Attenborough – called A Perfect Planet - he explores the impact powerful natural forces have on the earth’s existence. He also looks at how the effect impending climate change will have on the earth in the future. The documentary shows how life on planet earth flourishes as result of a perfect balance of a whole array of factors. Filming for the series took place over four years, across 31 countries, with crew navigating difficulties in extreme temperatures and remote locations. The series covers volcanoes, the sun, weather and oceans, with the final episode focusing on the human impact on the environment. A Perfect Planet was shown on the BBC earlier this year to critical acclaim and it was one of the most popular programs on the BBC’s video on demand service, with the highest viewing figures in the platform's history. Reviewers praised the series, especially the content about weather and climate change as "perhaps the series' most dramatic scenes." A Perfect Planet, season 1, is <a href="https://www.9now.com.au/">streaming now on 9Now</a> and new episodes are released on Saturdays at 7.30pm… 3. The Pact – a story about five friends bound together by a fragile pact of silence – is now streaming on Stan <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vggtMuD-Ehc" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> An unexplained death and suddenly five friends are bound together by a fragile pact of silence. What really happened that night in the woods? The six-part thriller, The Pact, is now steaming on Stan. When a young brewery boss is found dead, a chain of events is triggered that draws four of his employees; Anna (Laura Fraser; Breaking Bad), Nancy (Julie Hesmondhalgh; The A Word, Broadchurch), Louie (Eiry Thomas; Keeping Faith) and Cat (Heledd Gwynn; Ordinary Lies) into a fragile pact of silence, bound by a secret which will change their lives forever. Anna’s police officer husband, Max (Jason Hughes; Three Girls), investigates Jack’s (Aneurin Bernard; Dunkirk) unexpected death alongside his fierce superior DS Holland (Rakie Ayola; Noughts + Crosses), unaware that his own wife and her best friends are at the heart of a conspiracy. While brewery worker Tish (Abbie Hern; The Twilight Zone) becomes increasingly suspicious of her co-workers, Jack’s estranged father Arwel (Eddie Marsan; Ray Donovan) struggles to conceal dark family secrets. What really happened that fateful night? You’ll need to watch The Pact to find out but it’s clear, this is a gripping, contemporary thriller. Written and created by Pete McTighe who’s also worked on Doctor Who, this series comes with everything a thriller needs – mystery, intrigue and the elusive shock factor. The Pact is streaming now on Stan… 4. Wolfgang – a documentary about the well-known chef – will stream soon on Disney+ <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xDlGkFoj1TY" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Wolfgang is a documentary film which tells us the inspiring, true story of Wolfgang Puck, a man who survived a troubled childhood filled with a series of challenging obstacles but whose perseverance led him to become one of the most prolific chefs of our time and a household name. From Emmy Award-winning director and producer, David Gelb, this is an inspiring and emotional film which is now streaming on Disney+. As a teenager in Austria, Wolfgang Puck used his love of cooking to escape the harsh rule of his stepfather. A local apprenticeship allowed him to train at a revered French restaurant, before landing in America at the young age of 24. In the 70s in Hollywood, Puck began working at Ma Maison, crafting an original menu around fresh ingredients, making the once-tacky eatery a popular, acclaimed restaurant. Still, the lack of acknowledgement from Ma Maison’s owner pushed Puck to take the biggest risk of his career and open his own restaurant called Spago. Incorporating everything Puck knew about the restaurant trade, Spago was an instant hit and famous clientele came to enjoy his new American cuisine and his lively personality. Almost by accident, Puck created the concept of a ‘celebrity chef’ with his many television appearances. He built a global empire of restaurants, cafes and products for home cooks but at the same time, all of this hard work did take its toll on his family life and we see how this unfolds. Wolfgang will stream on <a href="https://www.disneyplus.com/en-au">Disney+</a> on June 25th… 5. Spicks and Specks has returned to our screens It’s been a long time – a whole decade in fact – since we've seen the very funny ABC TV music quiz show Spicks and Specks but luckily, the series has returned earlier this year for a brand new season! Ten new episodes have been released every Sunday night. Everyone we know and love is returning including Adam Hills as the trivia master and Alan Brough and Myf Warhurst as the team leaders. As well, there’s a whole new range of guests making us laugh as they try to answer questions and sing songs for their team. Artists like Alice Skye, The Teskey Brothers, Vika & Linda and Missy Higgins have all taken part. Plus comedians like Anne Edmonds, Nazeem Hussein, Luke McGregor and returning faves Dave O’Neil and Denise Scott are all onboard for the ride. You can catch the new season of Spicks and Specks <a href="https://iview.abc.net.au/?&WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=Corp_TV%7cAdWords:%2Biview_b_g_339709145936_&gclid=CjwKCAjwt8uGBhBAEiwAayu_9blDVROZfKeir8NyAsMUi78Fp4de3p04q6D0vBaDJX7EZNJnTU7f9RoCpQMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds">on ABC iView...</a>

Movies

Chance of COVID emerging naturally is “one in a million”

As COVID-19 vaccinations continue to be administered and the number of coronavirus cases remains low in Australia (or New Zealand), scientists are looking to answer one remaining question: where did the virus come from? The lab leak theory Dr Steven Quay, the chief executive of biopharmaceutical company Atossa Technologies and former faculty member at Stanford University’s School of Medicine, said the probability of SARS-CoV-2 emerging naturally was “literally one in a million”. Presenting at a conference organised by the Hudson Institute in Washington DC alongside astrophysicist Professor Richard Muller, the pair accused Chinese scientists of concealing the origins as a manufactured virus. The increased interest in the origin of the virus comes after the US government ordered its intelligence agencies to investigate the origins of COVID-19. Dr Quay said the <a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-convened-global-study-of-origins-of-sars-cov-2-china-part">report conducted by the World Health Organisation</a>, tabled in March, had “censored” the earliest cases of COVID-19 outside of the Wuhan wet market. “This is not science, this is obfuscation,” he added. Professor Muller said there were concerns scientists who pursued the “lab leak” theory would be “blacklisted and labelled an enemy of China”. An alternative theory Others theorise that the Wuhan Institute of Virology had been performing “gain of function” experiments - where a virus is manipulated to make it more infectious. This kind of research has been conducted at labs around the world, according to Professor Dwyer. “The institute haven’t published anything significant on gain-of-function studies. I’m not an expert in that area, but my understanding is they weren’t doing gain-of-function work that has been obviously traceable.” Flaws in the theory Though some have labelled the WHO report as inconclusive, the 17 international experts who produced the report concluded the most likely origin of the pandemic came from the virus jumping between species - possibly from bats to pangolins - and then to humans. Professor Dwyer, director of public health pathology in NSW and one of the experts who contributed to the report, said the key flaw in the lab leak theory was there was no evidence the Wuhan Institute of Virology had the virus before the pandemic. “The laboratory leak, for that to be the origin … meant they must have had the virus to begin with, and we don’t have evidence of that,” he said. “The lab leak sits there, but you need some sort of evidence to take it further.” The institute had been working to find and publish papers on new bat coronaviruses, including a virus that is the closest known match to COVID-19 so far, and Professor Dwyer said it was unlikely the institute would have had SARS-CoV-2 and not published anything about it. “They are a pretty prominent research institute. They publish a lot of very good papers and have collaborations with people around the world. If they had it, there was no reason to hide it from a scientific or intellectual point of view.” Additionally, some have argued that the lack of an identified intermediate host for the coronavirus supports the lab leak theory, with science journalist Nicholas Wade claiming the SARS intermediate was found within four months of that outbreak. But, Professor Dwyer said it actually took 15 years to find the animal source of SARS. “These things can take time,” he said. “We felt transmission from bat to some sort of intermediate animal to humans was the most likely because it has occurred before - and not just once before, but several times. “Based on history, based on things like what markets are like in Wuhan and other neighbouring countries … that seems to be the most likely scenario for it to develop.”

Legal

Rare chance to buy ritzy house with murderous past

A ritzy home on the water of one of Brisbane’s most fabulous suburbs has hit the market, but it’s dark, murderous past has continued to haunt its walls. What was once a party house filled with socialites on the banks of the Brisbane River, turned into a murder scene in the 1950s when Hamilton resident Sylvia Joyce Clare Ferguson was convicted of the murder of her rich husband Roy Ferguson. The idyllic four bedroom Spanish-style home sits at 2 Grays Road, Hamilton, was a sight then and even now it continues to hold against the multimillion-dollar estates that surround it in the blue-chip suburb. With views of the river, city and Story Bridge – it’s not wonder why this listing is believed to go as quick as it possibly can. A True Crime episode by The Courier-Mail’s Kate Kyriacou explored the deep mystery of the little blue house, saying that Roy and his brother Jack owned pubs near Newcastle and Forbes, a poultry farm in Charleston, New South Wales and other properties, as well as directorships in various companies including breweries. Mrs Ferguson was a simple barmaid in Newcastle when she met Roy. They eventually settled down with each other and moved into the waterfront home in Hamilton, Brisbane. The scandal began when she was jailed along with her lover and a friend over Mr Ferguson’s murder. She protested her innocence from prison years later. The home retains so much charm with a library and multipurpose room, indoor living and entertaining space as well as a living room with a fireplace. The master suite has its very own floor with ensuite, a separate powder room, walk in robe, a living area and a balcony looking out over some of the best river views in Brisbane. The home last sold over 15 years ago and was described as being “like nothing else you will find on the market”, realestate.com.au wrote in the listing. “Boasting a character facade and traditional interior with decorative ceilings, beautiful timber floors, stained glass and classic chandeliers throughout, this is an exclusive offering with endless opportunities to make this home your own.” The property is set to go to auction on Saturday March 20 at 10am.

Real Estate

Now's your chance to own a ghost town in remote WA, deserted 70 years ago

Urban explorers and the paranormal curious, listen up — you could soon the be proud owner on an entire abandoned town in remote Western Australia. The former township of Cossack, on the coast, is now up for sale after laying abandoned for 70 years. The ghost town, established in 1863, was once a thriving hub for the pearling industry, located on the Butchers Inlet. However over time, the population left to be absorbed into larger towns, eventually deserting the area completely. Today, Cossack's historic buildings all lay abandoned, trapped in an eerie timewarp. Tourists pass through, using the nearby hiking trails and paying a visit to the beautiful beaches — the town is surrounded by a coastal reserve. As well as 12 historic buildings and nearby Jarman Island, the town boasts archaeological sites dating back to the 1870s, some of which contain evidence of the impact of European settlement on the Aboriginal communities. The WA Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage are seeking buyers with proposals that will bring social and economic benefits to the region, so the idyllically-located town may just be a future tourism hotspot.While no price tag has been assigned to the town, proposals that prioritise innovative low-impact tourism ventures will be top of the list, with things like eco accommodations, camping, dining venues, museums and galleries that will help support the regeneration of the town among the governement's criteria. Those keen to place a bid can do so before November 20, at 2pm, with proposals and registrations of interest to go to LJ Hooker Commercial Perth. <div class="styles__Wrapper-sc-2o34ro-0 cmwkBV"> <div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"> Written by Katherine Scott. This article first appeared on <a href="https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/a-wa-ghost-town-deserted-70-years-ago-is-now-on-sale/44e8a83b-18fc-4c23-b84b-cfe9cd84b150">Honey</a>. </div> </div>

Domestic Travel

9-month-old’s saving chance: Court order prevents hospital pulling the plug

A Texas court has allowed a family to place a temporary restraining order on a hospital wanting to take their 9-month-old baby off life support. Tinslee Lewis was born with congenital heart issues and has been under the care of the Cook’s Children’s Hospital for the better part of her whole young life. Her family is rejoicing after a court order has allowed them to buy more time to find a hospital who is willing to keep their baby on life-saving machines. The child was born with Ebstein Anomaly, a rare heart defect meaning there is an abnormality in the tricuspid valve. The disorder separates the right atrium from the right ventricle so normal blood flow cannot occur. In some rare cases, the disorder can cause the right atrium to swell, and even result in congestive heart failure. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftrinity.lewis.3551%2Fposts%2F2476561655891273&width=500" width="500" height="586" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> While Tinslee has already undergone numerous surgeries for the disorder, for the past several months the young infant has been kept on a ventilator. The doctors worry the 9-month-old baby’s health will not improve and that she is “suffering”. However, her family could not agree less. "We are a family who believes where there's just a little air, there's hope," Beverly Winston, the infant's relative, told CBS DFW. "Regardless of your reason, what the law is -- she deserves the chance to fight for her life, and she has a troop who will help her 100 percent and above." Ahead of the court’s ruling, the hospital has issued a statement explaining the doctor’s conclusions. “Tinslee Lewis is a beautiful baby who has captured the hearts of many at Cook Children’s since her premature birth nine months ago,” a statement from the Cook Children’s hospital read, according to CBS DFW. “In the last several months, it’s become apparent her health will never improve,” the statement continued. “Despite our best efforts, her condition is irreversible, meaning it will never be cured or eliminated. Without life-sustaining treatment, her condition is fatal. But more importantly, her physicians believe she is suffering.” “To maintain the delicate balance necessary to sustain Tinslee’s life, and to prevent her from pulling out the lines that are connected to the ventilator, doctors have had to keep her constantly paralyzed and sedated. “While Tinslee may sometimes appear alert and moving, her movements are the result of being weaned off of the paralyzing drugs. We believe Tinslee is reacting in pain when she’s not sedated and paralyzed.” The hospital says they have reached out to nearly 20 hospitals who have all declined to accept the infant as a patient. Tinslee's life support was due to be switched off on the 17th of November, however a judge sided with her family with preventing from doing so. Another hearing is scheduled on November 22. “I thought that they were going to pull the plug on my baby,” Trinity Lewis, the baby’s mother, told Fox 7 Austin. “I didn’t think she was going to still be here today, and that’s what I’m grateful for.”

Caring

Kyrgios' best chance as top seeds tumble at the US Open

The tennis world is in shock after three of the top 10 male stars have tumbled at the US Open in the beginning round. Dominic Thiem (4), Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) and Roberto Bautista Agut (10) all faced unthinkable lossed in New York on Tuesday. World number 43, Russian Audrey Rublev upset eighth-seeded Tsitsipas on 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(7), 7-5 Tuesday and knocked him out and will go on to the second round. Fourth seed Dominic Thiem, who was dubbed the young gun, went down in four sets to Italy’s Thomas Fabbiano 6-4 3-6 6-3 6-2 - meaning Gael Monfils is the highest-ranked player remaining in his quarter of the draw. What left crowds stunned was the death of 10th seed Roberto Bautista Agut. The Spanish star made it to the quarter finals of the Australian Open and the semi-finals at Wimbledon this year, however he fell five sets to Mikhail Kukushkin 3-6 6-1 6-4 3-6 6-3. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> alright, people. Thiem, Tsitsipas, and RBA all gone. who is making the semifinals out of one of the wildest Grand Slam sections of all time? <a href="https://t.co/K7jdLR5lO0">pic.twitter.com/K7jdLR5lO0</a> — Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dimonator/status/1166463262961131520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2019</a></blockquote> Thiem and Tsitsipas’ incredible losses meant they both had first-round defeats in back-to-back grand slams - similarly to Wimbledon. Nick Kyrgios who is one of the toughest opponents, will continue on to compete for the championship title. The 24-year-old Australian has an even wider door to make it to a major semifinal. The knock out of three of the top ten seeds in the opening rounds could mean Nadal's path to the US open crown becomes much easier.

International Travel

Why grandparenting is a second chance

How could I forget just how full-on it is looking after a baby? It wasn't that long ago, surely, I was run ragged looking after a toddler and a baby, yet managing to fit it all in – juggling the day job, the other family demands, the finances, the social life? Without any of those distractions now, looking after a baby should be a doddle. But of course I hadn't factored in what we now fondly call "baby time". Baby time means you're totally absorbed in feeding, burping, changing nappies and burped-on baby clothes, entertaining, feeding and burping again, reading to, calming and trying to encourage sleep pretty much the whole time you're on your own with said baby. It all comes back to me now – no time to go to the toilet, to take a shower, not even time to make a cup of tea let alone drink it. Until they go to sleep, then it's rush around and tidy up, put the washing out, feed the dog that's been ignored all morning, put the jug on and – hey, ho – the baby's awake again. More baby time. And in between the feeding and burping, the nappy changing and getting out the much-tried and true Where's Spot? it all came back to me. The old tricks we used to divert attention from the tears that followed a loud noise (the neighbour's car horn) or the dog hanging around the bottom of the high chair – so much more interesting to grandson Ollie than the choo-choo train delivering the little plastic pouch of mushed-up lamb and polenta (we never had fancy flavours like that in my day, sadly). I'm even picking up new tricks – like how to open and close the pushchair with its secret catch (causing only one broken nail and several swear words); how to clip in the car seat (one pinched finger and more cussing); or how to start the baby monitor and the electronic shusher and tippy-toe out of the room (preferably without Ollie noticing). One thing hasn't changed since my time parenting: you can't make babies go to sleep when they don't want to. Things seem much more regimented now: feed time, play time, bath time, calm time, sleep time. We were much more relaxed about schedules when I was a mum. I think it was a generational thing – a reaction perhaps to the generation before ours when Dr Truby King proscribed a tightly maintained schedule for babies, with no cuddling or contact if they cried instead of going to sleep. Babies, of course, tend to set their own schedule, and it's likely to change weekly if not daily. Baby time expands to meet the baby's needs. All we can do as grandies is go along with what they want and hope their mum won't disapprove when she returns. Grandmothers, of course, can indulge baby's whims; grandmothers can do things that mums can't do – like find treats, sing silly songs, remember lyrics we thought we'd forgotten, play old fashioned music like the Eagles and dance to it, with the baby in our arms, in the early afternoon when no one is watching. We get a new lease on life, and some of those forgotten feelings of tenderness, responsibility and unconditional love all come back again with interest. We're being given a second chance and we can do it so much better this time because we can give the gift of endless time. Not something mums have so much of – not in my day, and not now. There are some downsides to being a grandma though. Like all the bugs that babies pick up from their cousins who've picked them up from nursery school; and like having to put locks on cupboards containing the family heirlooms, and put all the household detergents and cleaners up high and far, far away from the kitchen sink where they're most useful. And then there's the way, when Ollie's mum or dad come to collect him, he goes out the door without a backward glance. As if the last few hours of silly songs, dancing and endless repeats of Spot and Ride a Cock Horse to Banbury Cross never happened. But then, on the other hand, I can get on with all the chores that have gone on hold the whole baby time he's been here. That's the other big plus about being a Grandma – no matter how much you love them, how delightful they can be, you can always hand them back. Written by Felicity Price. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>.

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Rare chance to buy Whitney Houston’s former home

Giddy up! Now’s your chance to own an ENTIRE frontier town

Buckley’s Chance is a classic film about a boy and a dog

Five of the best things to watch right now

Chance of COVID emerging naturally is “one in a million”

Rare chance to buy ritzy house with murderous past

Now's your chance to own a ghost town in remote WA, deserted 70 years ago

9-month-old’s saving chance: Court order prevents hospital pulling the plug

Kyrgios' best chance as top seeds tumble at the US Open

Why grandparenting is a second chance