Northside News – Page 58 – A free community newspaper

Dr. Marc Siegel, Ask the Vet

Health

Marc Siegel

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March 30, 2021

Dear Dr. Marc,

I’m really looking forward to getting outside with my dogs now that the weather is warming up. I plan on doing a lot of camping this spring and summer. Anything I should be doing now to prepare?

Stacey J.

Hi Stacey,

Great question. I’m sure a lot of people and pets are anxious to spend more time outside. It’s been a long, cold winter. Here are some things you can start doing now to prepare:

Make sure your dog is up-to-date on heartworm and flea/tick preventatives. Although heartworm is relatively rare in the area, we see a lot of intestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Most heartworm preventatives protect dogs from these intestinal parasites. Ticks are a common external parasite in Wisconsin, and they can carry nasty bacteria like Lyme and Ehrlichia. Many tick preventatives now come in oral chew tabs and are highly effective in preventing bites.

There are also a couple of vaccinations you should consider if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors. The first is a vaccination for Leptospirosis. Lepto is a bacterium that lives in stagnant water and is spread through wild animal urine. If your dog does any swimming in lakes or drinks from puddles, consider getting this vaccine. The other vaccine is for Lyme disease. As I mentioned above, tick preventatives are the most important way to combat Lyme, but if your dog spends a lot of time in the woods, then this vaccine would provide an extra layer of protection.

It is important to remember that every dog is unique and might not need everything mentioned above. Be sure to contact your vet to start planning now.

Have questions for Dr. Marc? Send an email to info@isthmusvetcare.com.

Captain Brian Austin, North District Police

Safety

Brian Austin

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March 30, 2021

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Captain Brian Austin, North District Police

Greetings, Northside community,

It is certainly nice to see warmer weather show up in Wisconsin. As we enter spring, two significant financial events will occur that historically bring out thieves. The first is filing of income tax returns. The second is the passage of the next stimulus bill and direct payments to help people cope with pandemic-related hardship. With these two things comes an increased threat of identity theft.

Simply put, identity theft is when someone steals your personal information to commit fraud. Thieves can use your information to apply for credit, file taxes or get medical services. Here are some tips to minimize your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft:

Keep your Social Security number secure, and don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet.
Don’t share any personal information (birthday, Social Security number, bank or credit card numbers) just because someone requests it.
Review all credit card and bank statements to make sure there aren’t fraudulent purchases.
Shred financial documents before discarding them.
Create complex passwords that thieves will not be able to guess.
Review credit reports once a year to look for unauthorized credit accounts. You can order your free credit report from Annualcreditreport.com.
Freeze your credit files with Equifax, Experian, Innovis, TransUnion, and the National Consumer Telecommunications and Utilities Exchange for free. Credit freezes prevent someone from getting approval for a credit account or utility services in your name.

Finally, we have seen an increase in phishing calls from people purporting to be with the IRS. They may claim that you owe back taxes, and they may threaten you with arrest if you don’t immediately pay via debit card, wire transfer or gift cards. Understand that the IRS will always contact you by mail before calling you about a tax situation.

Nutrition Nugget

Health

Taiya Bach

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March 30, 2021

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Dear Diary…

You have probably heard of the idea of keeping a food diary: writing down (or typing) everything you eat. Why is it beneficial to track your food intake? It can help you identify problem foods that trigger unwanted symptoms (gas, diarrhea, bloating, reflux); it can be used as a weight loss tool; or it can highlight holes or lacking components and nutrients in your diet (calcium, iron, fiber).

Studies suggest recording what you eat can help you focus and be more aware of what you are putting in your mouth. This, in turn, aids in accountability. You don’t want to have to record that candy bar or second handful of cheese curds in your diary.

Tips for keeping a food diary:

Be detailed. Include portion size, time of day and location the food was consumed. This allows you to look for trends. Are you eating with friends or maybe in front of the TV? Are you eating out of a bag or a bowl (bowls can limit over-eating)?
Add a column for mood. Are you bored, stressed or sad? Add another column for symptoms after eating.
Don’t forget drinks and condiments. These can sneak up on you.
Record right after eating. Waiting until the end of the day can lead to a forgotten snack or two.
Be honest. You don’t have to share your diary with anyone you don’t want to.

There are many food diary smartphone apps if you’re not the paper and pencil type. Check out MyFitnessPal, Chronometer, MyPlate, MyNetDiary or See How You Eat.

While the old-fashioned food diary may seem boring, I encourage you to revisit the concept if you’re looking to make changes. It’s a good and easy place to start.

Taiya Bach is a registered dietitian with the UW-Department of Nutritional Sciences.

Syed Abbas, District 12 Alder

Elected Officials

Syed Abbas

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March 30, 2021

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Dear Neighbors,

We have passed the one-year mark since the pandemic first gripped our city. It’s been a hard year for many people. If you are continuing to experience housing insecurity or financial hardships, please call 608-315-5151 to find out about resources available.

With the dissemination of the vaccine and restrictions being lifted, there is a sense of relief in the air along with spring. I feel a renewed sense of optimism in our communities.

Businesses are reopening, schools are beginning to go back “in-person,” parents are feeling less stretched, and there is less uncertainty about the future.

District 12 is seeing many new developments. I’m collaborating with the city, Northside Planning Council and Brentwood Neighborhood Association on a mobile neighborhood connection center which will provide services for disconnected communities, bringing resources to them.

Raemish Farm is in the process of rezoning. I’ve been working hard and organized several public meetings, collaborating with the Raemish Work Group. It is currently unclear if the developer wants to proceed with the project, but a new developer may be taking it over. I will keep you posted via my City of Madison District 12 blog. Please subscribe if you are not already.

In February I organized a neighborhood meeting to discuss the Oscar Mayer rezoning plan. Neighbors expressed their desire to keep Hartmeyer zoning as Conservation Land (CN) to protect the delicate ecological system and environment.

Elections are on April 6. I look forward to working with you.

Larry Palm, District 12 Supervisor

Elected Officials

Larry Palm

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March 30, 2021

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It seems that everything is moving pretty fast with COVID-19. The arrival of a third vaccine has accelerated the possibility of ending the pandemic.

Public Health Emergency Order #14, which allows increased indoor gatherings and restaurant and tavern capacity, will be in effect by the time you receive this newspaper. In addition, the CDC is beginning the process of understanding what a vaccinated future will be like.

I still advise that all wear a sufficient mask when out and about — even if you are fully vaccinated. And, of course, when you have an opportunity to be vaccinated, please do so.

The federal government recently passed the latest COVID-19 relief bill, the American Rescue Plan. It includes $65.1 billion in allocations to counties, which will again have specific guidance on the use. Previously we used funding to support rental assistance, small business assistance and other county pandemic responses.

There are other benefits to the plan: extending the $300 federal unemployment boost until September, another stimulus check, a one-year increase in the child tax credit, and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding (including for shuttered venues and restaurants).

Other changes include an increase in the federal COBRA health insurance subsidy, childcare assistance and block grants for mental health services and substance abuse.

A reminder that Dane County has recently established the Behavioral Health Resource Center (BHRC), a resource for mental health and/or substance use care, regardless of insurance, finances, age, identity, ability or legal status. Anyone can call the BHRC phone line at 608-267-2244, Monday‒Friday, 7 am‒7 pm.

Please mask up, vaccinate and stay safe. I welcome your feedback, questions or comments and am available at 608-520-3066 or palm.larry@countyofdane.com.