Hello, dear readers! Welcome to a bonus letters column. It’s officially flu season, and it’s time to get serious about flu shots. For those who are eligible, the updated COVID-19 shot also offers important protection. The vaccines are available from your doctor and at most national chain pharmacies. It’s never too late to get a flu vaccine, so we’ll be back with gentle reminders throughout the season. And now, on to your letters.
District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Kendra Briggs was quite understanding with the 15-year-old who had pepper-sprayed a man while a friend pummeled him, and while others in her group tried to steal his car. The young perpetrator has had a difficult life, Briggs noted. “I know you are not unfamiliar to trauma,” the judge said.
Dear Doctors: I have had a UTI several times and know the symptoms. This last time, when I went to urgent care, they said they needed a urine culture before they could treat me. It was another day of being uncomfortable before getting the meds I needed. Do you know why that was done?
DEAR HARRIETTE: This year has been extremely busy for me and my core friend group. No matter how much we try, it seems like every time we try to pick a time we can all be available to catch up and do something together, we fail. I recognize that being busy is not always something people can change, but still, isn’t it important to make time for the ones you love? One friend in particular often puts us off for months at a time or simply doesn’t respond. If we happen to make plans without her, she doesn’t take it well. The other day, we were all finally out to dinner, and I casually mentioned that sometimes it takes months to plan with her, and she got really defensive and accused me of “talking crap.” Did I overstep? Or is she being sensitive? – Busy Schedules
In ordinary times, the arrival of a new archbishop of Canterbury would be a headline that stood alone, especially if England’s monarch had just approved the first woman to serve as the symbolic leader of the Anglican Communion.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I am one of the many people who have lost their job this year due to the pushback against diversity, equity and inclusion programs. I have an advanced degree and decades of experience in my field, and it doesn’t seem to matter. I am having a difficult time finding work in this environment. What’s worse is that some of my “friends” and colleagues have been saying that they think people of color have been wrongfully advanced and have taken their jobs. Some are questioning my credentials, saying I probably wouldn’t have gotten as far as I did without a handout. I am shocked. I worked more than 20 years to build to my level. How does this anti-DEI mindset get to wipe out my entire career? What can I do or say to defend myself ? – Under Attack DEAR UNDER ATTACK: I am sorry that you are in this situation.
• A dying houseplant isn’t a dead one, and there are steps you can take to give it a second chance at life. Start with the roots: Unpot the plant and look at the stems and roots. If you see any green stems, and if the roots are pliable, the plant has a good chance to recover. Just shake off the excess soil, trim the dead roots and repot with fresh soil. Use a slightly larger pot to give it room to grow, and make sure there are drainage holes.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My manager has a habit of scheduling meetings that often run long, and they frequently overlap with other commitments on my calendar. Most of the time, these overlapping commitments are networking chats with colleagues. I know that my primary responsibility is to prioritize my manager and my team’s work, but I feel like I’m constantly in the awkward position of having to cancel or reschedule those networking meetings at the last minute.
Dear Doctors: I was on the couch with my right leg on an ottoman when our black Lab rammed into the inside of my knee. The next day, it really hurt to extend or turn my knee. (Not painful to the touch, though, which seemed weird.)
My cat, Felix, is lying at the foot of the bed. I wiggle my toes. Felix puts his teeth around them, and I can feel the little points of his incisors. He lets me know he could bite – but he does not. That’s because both Felix and I have learned a lot.