Labor and Working – Page 84 – The Tarbabys Blog

Lyme is not the only disease to worry about this tick season. What you need to know this spring.

Yahoo! News

Lyme is not the only disease to worry about this tick season. What you need to know this spring.

Cases of babesiosis — a tick-borne disease that can cause flulike symptoms — are on the rise in the Northeast, according to the CDC.

Laura Ramirez – Feldman, Reporter – March 30, 2023

A black-legged tick waving its front legs at the tip of a blade of vegetation. — The black-legged tick, otherwise known as the deer tick, can spread Lyme disease and babesiosis. (Reuters)

Spring is in full swing, and that means more sunlight, warmer temperatures and more time spent outdoors. It also means that for most of the United States, tick season has begun. Although tick exposure can occur year round, these insects are most active during the warmer months, starting in April.

Some states with greater tick activity have started to urge citizens to take precautions when enjoying the outdoors. Ticks carry several types of disease — Lyme disease being the most common — but health experts say Americans should be aware of a rise in other tick-borne illnesses in some regions of the country, including babesiosis.

What is babesiosis?

Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by a parasite called Babesia microti and spread by the black-legged tick, otherwise known as the deer tick. In the U.S., the disease is more commonly found in the Northeast and Midwest, where deer ticks are abundant.

A bite from a tick carrying this parasite can infect red blood cells. While not everyone who is infected develops symptoms, some people can experience flulike symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle pain and fatigue.

Severe cases of babesiosis are rare, but the disease can be fatal for some people, particularly those who are immunocompromised, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency also notes that the disease can lead to health complications, including acute respiratory distress and kidney failure.

Cases of babesiosis are increasing in the Northeast

This month, the CDC warned about a significant increase in tick-borne illnesses in the U.S. A study conducted by the agency found that U.S. tick-borne disease cases had risen by 25%, from 40,795 cases reported in 2011 to 50,856 in 2019. During the same period, “a total of 16,456 cases of babesiosis were reported to CDC by 37 states, including 16,174 (98.2%) reported from the 10 states included in this analysis,” the report noted.

Cases of babesiosis in particular climbed significantly in eight Northeastern states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Three New England states — Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont — saw the fastest growth in cases, which prompted the CDC to add them to the list of places where the disease is considered endemic (meaning it is consistently present).

“It’s certainly something that is of concern,” Griffin Dill, tick lab coordinator at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, told Yahoo News. “It hasn’t reached the kind of case numbers that we’re seeing with Lyme disease or anaplasmosis quite yet, but it is certainly on the rise and something to be aware of.”

Although babesiosis cases are increasing, Lyme disease continues to be the most commonly reported tick-borne disease in the U.S., with approximately 35,000 cases reported to the CDC each year.

Dill and his team provide tick identification and testing services in Maine. By testing ticks that people bring to the lab, his team can identify the type of pathogens the insects could be carrying. Dill explained that this tool is an important one because it provides people with “a piece of risk information about the ticks on their property.” It also gives researchers a better understanding of the geographical spread of ticks and the diseases they carry.

The recent CDC report, Dill said, confirms what he’s been seeing in his lab.

“Just over the past five years that we’ve been doing this, we’ve seen an increase over time in the infection rate for Babesia,” he said. “So even just in a relatively short, five-year time frame, we’re seeing increases in the parasite within the tick itself, which then can correspond to increases in human cases as well.”

Experts believe that the actual number of cases is probably higher, because babesiosis is not reportable in all states. A main concern about the increased prevalence of the disease is that the parasite that causes it can be transmitted via blood transfusions. This, the CDC said, could pose a threat to the blood supply.

“Persons who acquire babesiosis through contaminated blood have been shown to have significantly worse health outcomes and a higher risk for death than do those who acquire the disease from a tick bite,” the agency said in the report.

However, government health agencies have already taken steps to protect the blood supply from the tick-borne disease. Since 2019, the Food and Drug Administration has recommended screening for the parasite at blood donation centers in 14 states and Washington, D.C., where the disease is more prevalent.

A collection of purple cells, one enlarged with a much darker purple blotch. — Blood sample showing the Babesia parasite. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

Why are tick-borne diseases on the rise?

The CDC hasn’t explained why cases of babesiosis and other tick-borne diseases are up, but tick experts have a few theories as to why this may be happening.

Researchers say global warming is a contributing factor. Ticks thrive in warm and humid weather, usually anywhere there is lush greenery. As winters get warmer and shorter, the pests can stay active year round, causing more infections.

Dill said that seasonality patterns of black-legged ticks have almost disappeared.

“Normally, we get kind of a break in tick activity during the winter months, when it’s cold, it’s snowy, but with warmer weather [and] warmer temperatures, we can and do see them active year round, unfortunately,” he said.

The changes in climate and weather patterns have also had an impact on the geographic range of ticks. The habitat of black-legged ticks and other tick species is expanding, Dill explained.

“The black-legged tick, we’re certainly seeing them advance further and further north into northern New England and into Canada,” he said.

Another type of tick that has been on the move in the past two decades is the lone star tick. These ticks can spread an unusual disease called alpha-gal syndrome, which causes an allergic reaction to mammal meats such as beef, pork and lamb. They were historically found in the Southern U.S., but Stephen Rich, director of the New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, said they are moving north, and farther inland. Their population is also growing.

“There are spots like Long Island, N.Y., where basically the lone star ticks have almost replaced the ticks that transmit Lyme disease — the black-legged ticks. So they’re definitely moving northward,” he said.

Both Dill and Rich said climate change is not the only reason why ticks and tick-borne diseases have spread throughout the country.

“We can’t say that it’s not global warming. But the stronger evidence is that this has to do with the way we manage our landscapes,” Rich said.

The way we like to see our properties, with stone walls and lawns with wooded edges, turns out to be perfect for deer and for deer ticks or black-legged ticks. “We’ve cultivated landscapes that are perfect for ticks and tick-borne diseases,” he added.

A live specimen of the lone star tick (A. Americanum) in a lab in Morrill Hall at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2017. — The lone star tick gets its name from the single, silvery-white spot on the female’s back. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

How to prevent tick-borne disease

The best way to protect yourself from babesiosis and other tick-borne illnesses is to avoid getting bitten by a tick.

These critters live in grassy, brushy and wooded areas, so you are more likely to have encounters with them when going outside to garden, walk your dog or go camping or hiking.

To prevent tick bites, Dill recommends that people create a layer of protection.

“That barrier can be something as simple as just wearing protective clothing, so wearing long pants and tucking those pants into your boots or into your socks, just anything that’s going to prevent a tick from actually getting to your skin,” he said.

Using repellents is also a good option. Certain repellents are designed to be used on clothing; others can be applied directly to the skin. The CDC recommends using Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellents. If you are not sure which product to use, the EPA has a search tool that can help find the best fit for you.

Checking your body for ticks after spending time outdoors is also highly recommended.

“Just make it a routine to look over your body and see if you have ticks,” Rich said, adding that people should check their children and pets as well.

Finally, if you do find a tick on yourself, the experts said there’s no reason to panic, because not every tick is carrying a disease. If the insect has bitten you, the CDC recommends removing it with fine-tipped tweezers and cleaning the bite area with rubbing alcohol or with soap and water.

Rich told Yahoo News that people should also consider saving or photographing the tick so a professional can evaluate it and determine if it is carrying harmful bacteria. He recommended the University of Rhode Island’s TickSpotters program, which offers free tick identification service, as one place where this can be done.

If you develop a rash or fever after getting bitten by a tick, the CDC recommends that you consult a medical professional.

“I think awareness is kind of the key there,” Dill said. “We don’t want people to be afraid of these illnesses and … prevent people from going outdoors and enjoying outdoor activities. But be aware and take some precautions when recreating outside.”

Sir Nick Faldo: LIV players have quit their job – and now they want a bonus

The Telegraph

Sir Nick Faldo: LIV players have quit their job – and now they want a bonus

Jim White – March 30, 2023

Nick Faldo - Nick Faldo: LIV players have quit their job – and now they want a bonus - Getty Images/Luke Walker — Nick Faldo – Nick Faldo: LIV players have quit their job – and now they want a bonus – Getty Images/Luke Walker

Sir Nick Faldo is back. And he is as full as ever of opinions, on everything from the BBC, through the height of tees, to LIV Golf. His return, however, may come as a surprise, because last August he bade farewell from the commentary box at the American network CBS, for whom he had covered all the big golfing events (and a few smaller ones) for 16 years.

As goodbyes go, this was one that looked pretty permanent, an adieu so tearful that he and his fellow pundits ran out of tissues. Yet, barely seven months on, the 65-year-old has returned to be part of Sky’s coverage of the Masters from Augusta. And one thing is for sure: his time away from the microphone has not dampened his opinions.

Take his view of LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed breakaway tour run by his old Masters sparring partner Greg Norman.

“All this ‘we’re going to supercharge the excitement’,” he says of LIV’s claim it is a golfing game-changer. “Well, we haven’t seen any excitement because nobody’s watching.”

As for the LIV players breaking off to do their own thing and then insisting on competing in a tournament such as the Masters, Faldo is not holding back.

“Hey, if you want to go and do something different, fine. But this [playing in the Masters] is a bit like: You had a job in a store and now you’ve got a new one, then you’re calling the store demanding you get a bonus. I’ve got nothing against these guys, the grass is greener on the other side and all that. But don’t get all uppity if people object when you come back.”

Lest anyone accuse him of being the Roy Hodgson of television punditry, unable to keep away even after saying he was off, the great three-time Masters winner wants to make it clear he never said he was retiring. Just pulling back.

“I wanted to cut down from full-time commentary. It was too much,” he says. “It’s a great job, don’t get me wrong. But you’re basically flying twice a week. You check out of a hotel and they say: See you again next year. And sure enough, another year goes by and you’re checking in again. And hey, that just hit me and I was like: I’m off. I have other things to do with my life.”

There is, he says, plenty to do: he has a course design business and is involved in a tournament in the Far East trying to fast-track new players on to the DP World Tour – which he calls the “hashtag growing the game.”

Then there is his farm in the middle of Montana, from where he is speaking to Telegraph Sport. Though he is quick to point out “farm” may be something of an exaggeration: He is definitely no golfing Jeremy Clarkson.

“He’s doing it properly and as he goes he’s highlighting the bloody difficulty of being a farmer in Britain. So good on him,” he says of Clarkson. “I’m just about getting my boots muddy. Most of my time seems to be spent feeding the dogs. Really, we’re just doing it all for the scenery.”

And he describes the view from the window as he speaks, the uninterrupted mountain range, the river where he fishes, the several feet of snow that has lain thereabouts all winter.

“Yeah, that’s been a surprise,” he says of the four months of deep-freeze conditions. “Augusta will make a nice change.”

Though it is not just the lush fairways and magnolias that are drawing him back down to Georgia. It is the golf. The lure of being involved once again in a sport which he has played and commentated on for the past 46 years.

“I want to do the big stuff,” he says. “I want to be there for the Majors.”

In the United States, he became a much-loved fixture of the CBS golf coverage, his light touch, dry humour and refusal to take himself seriously were hugely admired. Which might come as a surprise to Sky viewers in Britain who remember him as a golfer of almost terrifying intensity. Where did that comedy come from? After all, he was not joking when he hunted down Greg Norman on that final day in Augusta in 1996 to win his third green jacket.

“I felt insulted when people said I invented my broadcasting style to disguise the fact I was such an arse,” he says. “I read people saying it was an act to come across as a nice guy. Actually, it is me. I credit my dad for this. He loved his amateur dramatics, and I think it brings out the theatre in me. Make it quick, make it funny. And it’s a show, that’s the other thing to remember: It’s entertainment. I always thought, ‘Well if I entertain myself, then hopefully that comes across.’”

When he talks about what is needed at Augusta, he knows precisely what he is talking about. “Way back from my first year of TV, I said, ‘All right, don’t sit here and wish you were out there. Just say what you see and let the pictures tell the story’.”

‘Golf is a global sport and Augusta is its showcase. The BBC should be there’

Not that Faldo is lacking in opinion. There is, for instance, his take on the fact that, barring a late stay of execution, the BBC will no longer broadcast so much as edited television highlights from Augusta. After all, it was watching the Beeb’s coverage of Jack Nicklaus winning the 1972 edition on his parents’ new colour television that first lured the teenage Faldo into the game.

“Well, it’s not right,” he says of BBC Television’s probable absence. “It’s a global sport and Augusta is its showcase. They should be there. Very simple, they really should be there.”

Then there is his dismay at the manner in which equipment advances have changed the nature of the game, particularly the distance of drives. “I come from an era when only about five golfers could hit over 300 yards. Now everyone can. We had drivers that had a sweetspot the size of a pea. Now they are the size of Montana.”

His solution is a simple one, a lot simpler than the PGA’s mooted idea of altering the ball, which is causing such unrest in the locker room. “I mean it sounds a silly thing, but it’s the size of the tee peg,” he says. “They wallop these drives from tees about a foot high. Make them play off the ground and instantly they won’t be able to hit the ball into the next time zone.”

And then there is LIV Golf. Initially he said he did not want to talk about LIV. But once he starts, there is no stopping him.

“I’m not against them. They decided the grass is greener on their tour. Fine. The gripes I get is when he [Norman] said these things about doing it to grow the game of golf. We’ve all been here 40 years or more, hang on mate. The fact is they got a ridiculous cash offer, which for some of them was the right thing to do.

“But as we said, it’s gone very quiet. So good luck with changing the game.”

Nick Faldo interview: LIV players have quit their job - and now they want a bonus - Getty Images/Christian Petersen — Nick Faldo interview: LIV players have quit their job – and now they want a bonus – Getty Images/Christian Petersen

Faldo will doubtless let his opinion be known when he attends the Champions Dinner the night before the Masters starts. This is a unique social gathering in which only those who have previously worn the Green Jacket may attend. Norman will not be there as, largely thanks to Faldo, he never won it. But there will still be a significant representation of LIV players.

“That is going to be a great evening,” he says. “Six of them [LIV golfers] are champions. There could be a few fireside stories after that. Apparently we’re using plastic knives and forks this year. Just in case.”

Doing This One Thing Every Day Could Lower Your Risk of Dementia

Parade

Doing This One Thing Every Day Could Lower Your Risk of Dementia

Beth Ann Mayer – March 30, 2023

Plus, the habit that comes in second—according to a neuropsychologist.

More than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Disease, the most common form of dementia, according to a 2023 Alzheimer’s Association report. The report also notes that Alzheimer’s starts about 20 years or more before a person develops memory loss or other hallmark symptoms of the devastating disease.

Damage to the brain cells causes dementia. Genetics can play a role, so it’s not possible to prevent it 100 percent. But research discussed at the 2019 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference indicated that lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

“Research shows that keeping our mind sharp by continued learning and cognitive challenge can help our brains remain healthier as we age,” says Dr. Jessica Caldwell, Ph.D., the director of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Prevention Center at Cleveland Clinic.

It’s like lifting weights—you do it to keep your muscles strong.

“Although the process of keeping your mind sharp is different from keeping your muscles strong, the phrase ‘use it or lose it’ can be applied to the brain as well as the body,” Dr. Caldwell says. “The types of thinking-based activities involved in keeping your mind sharp—for example, attending classes, learning languages and debating topics—may also offer benefits for our mental health, as we feel a sense of accomplishment, and may offer opportunities to socialize, which is another way of reducing dementia risks.”

But you may be surprised by her top daily tip for reducing dementia risk.

What Is the No. 1 Tip for Keeping the Mind Sharp?

You may have heard that exercises like crossword puzzles, word searches or Sudoku can help keep the mind sharp. And while they certainly won’t hurt, the very best way to prevent cognitive decline is a different type of exercise: physical exercise.

“Some people are surprised to hear it, but we know that exercise has both immediate and long-term brain benefits, from increasing brain chemistry that supports the health of your brain cells to reducing factors such as chronic bodily inflammation, which can be harmful to the brain,” Dr. Caldwell says.

Physical activity also has some sneaky perks for cognition.

“Exercise also has benefits for the brain that are indirect—for example, improving mood and sleep, reducing stress, supporting heart health and increasing chances to socialize, all of which, in turn, reduces risks for poor memory with age,” Dr. Caldwell says.

Beyond prevention, a 2020 study conducted on mice indicated that exercise may even reverse age-related cognitive decline, but more research is needed on duration, frequency and exercise types to fully understand how this applies to humans. A review of previous research from the same year also suggested that physical activity could reduce cognitive decline and lower behavioral issues in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. The authors suggested moderate-intensity (or greater) aerobic exercise would have the most significant effect on cognition.

How Can I Get More Exercise To Keep My Mind Sharp?

Though more research is needed on exercise and cognition, Dr. Caldwell says the American Heart Association’s guidelines provide a good baseline.

“The goal for exercise for brain health for life is at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise [per week], and for healthy adults, more is better,” Dr. Caldwell says.

If you aren’t currently exercising, talk to your doctor first. From there, Dr. Caldwell says you can increase your physical activity—and your chances of making it a habit—with two big tips.

“First, pair exercise with something you like or already do. Think stationary biking while watching a favorite program or walking while listening to a podcast episode,” Dr. Caldwell says. “Second, find a partner for accountability and motivation.”

Your accountability partner can motivate you from afar. “Even if you can’t find an in-person partner for runs or visits to the gym, checking in with a long-distance friend regularly about fitness goals can offer support and make it more likely that you will stick with your goals,” Dr. Caldwell says.

What Are Other Ways To Reduce Cognitive Decline Risk?

Regular physical activity is important, but Dr. Caldwell says fighting cognitive decline requires a multi-prong approach.

She says it’s also important to prioritize getting seven to eight hours of continuous sleep. “Sleep is when we cement new memories into long-term storage, and also when our brains have a chance to clear debris, including the types of proteins that build up in Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr. Caldwell says.

Research published in 2021 underscores the importance of sleep for brain health. The study, which was conducted on 8,000 British people aged 50 and over, indicated that people in their 50s and 60s who got six hours of shuteye or less per night were 30 percent more likely to be diagnosed with dementia than their peers, who were getting a least seven hours of sleep nightly.

Alcohol intake is another lifestyle habit to evaluate. “Our bodies process alcohol differently as we age, and drinking more than seven drinks per week has been linked to risk for dementia,” Dr. Caldwell says.

Finally, don’t put your mental health on the back burner. “Depression is a risk factor for dementia, and those feelings of sadness and lack of interest that can come with depression can also make it difficult to engage in other brain-healthy behaviors,” Dr. Caldwell says.

What Are Signs of Cognitive Decline?

You can’t remember if you brushed your teeth today. Should you be concerned? Probably not.

“Anyone can make a memory mistake at any age—some forgetfulness is normal,” Dr. Caldwell says. “Signs of memory decline would include forgetting what happens frequently, such as needing several reminders throughout the day about a conversation you had that morning. Another sign would be forgetting essential information, such as forgetting the name of a loved one or an event you looked forward to.”

If you notice these signs, Dr. Caldwell suggests seeing a doctor. “A primary care doctor may give you or your loved one a short memory test—one that takes about five minutes,” Dr. Caldwell says.

From there, your doctor may suggest additional testing or appointments. Dr. Caldwell says this workup may include bloodwork, a brain scan, a referral to a neurologist who specializes in memory problems, or a referral to a neuropsychologist, like Dr. Caldwell.

“This is a specialist in memory and other thinking skills, who will administer several hours of paper or computer tests to better understand if you or your loved one are having a change in your thinking compared to others your age,” Dr. Caldwell explains.

No matter what type of appointments and tests you or your loved one get, the goal is to get to a diagnosis—whether that is normal memory, some mild changes called mild cognitive impairment, or more significant changes, called dementia.

“Memory changes can appear for many reasons, and your doctor will talk with you about possible reasons for your diagnosis, though figuring that all out may take time,” Dr. Caldwell says.

Next up: This Supplement Could Lower Dementia Risk By 40%

Sources

Dr. Jessica Caldwell, Ph.D., director of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Prevention Center at Cleveland Clinic.

Parkinson’s disease symptoms disappeared with exercise, man claims: ‘Use it or lose it’

Fox News

Parkinson’s disease symptoms disappeared with exercise, man claims: ‘Use it or lose it’

Melissa Rudy – March 29, 2023

Parkinson’s disease has no cure, but multiple studies have shown that exercise can alleviate symptoms and slow progression.

A recent review published in Cochrane Library — led by Dr. Elke Kalbe, professor of medical psychology at the University of Cologne, Germany — analyzed data for nearly 8,000 people around the world with Parkinson’s.

Researchers found that those who participated in any type of physical activity showed “mild to large improvements” in motor skills and quality of life compared to those who didn’t exercise.

IS PARKINSON’S DISEASE, ‘WORLD’S FASTEST GROWING BRAIN DISEASE,’ MOSTLY PREVENTABLE? STUDY OFFERS CLUES

For Scott Hanley, a 57-year-old native of Belfast, Ireland, the benefits have been life-changing. After two years of what he described as “stumbling in the dark with Parkinson’s,” he started a new workout routine. He credits it with completely stopping his symptoms.

When Hanley was first diagnosed, his Parkinson’s was still in the early stages — level 2, with level 5 being the most advanced. But over time, he started to notice more symptoms.

“I had something called dystonia, where multiple parts of my body would go rigid, leaving me incapacitated,” he said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

“I would be walking along, and suddenly my right foot would just lock out or stick to the ground and I would fall over.”

Hanley’s doctors put him on medication with plans to review his symptoms every six months.

Scott Hanley (shown here) is a 57-year-old native of Belfast, Ireland, who is living with Parkinson’s disease. For him, the benefits of exercise have been life-changing.

“They said I could expect a progression of the disease and that there was precious little we could do about it,” he said. “And I found that hugely frustrating.”

After a couple of years of struggling with worsening symptoms, Hanley said his mindset shifted.

“My tolerance for putting up with Parkinson’s had run out,” he said. “I decided to try something else.”

At the time of his diagnosis, his physical health wasn’t the greatest, Hanley admits.

“I was overweight, I wasn’t active and my diet wasn’t good,” he said.

After reading a few success stories, he decided to try CrossFit classes, which incorporate strength and conditioning exercises at a high intensity.

The workouts focus on building cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, coordination, agility, balance and accuracy, according to the CrossFit website. Typical movements include burpees, deadlifts, rowing, squats, medicine ball throws, pull-ups and barbell presses.

For Hanley, the key was that the exercises all had a cognitive element. He had to really think about each movement.

“When we work different parts of the body, they get stronger. So I figured, why not try to make the brain stronger?” Hanley said. “I didn’t want to just go for a run or ride a bike — I wanted to challenge my brain pathways with physically intense exercise.”

PARKINSON’S DISEASE AFFLICTS THOUSANDS MORE AMERICANS THAN PREVIOUS ESTIMATES: NEW STUDY

Within six months, Hanley said his symptoms had disappeared — even without any medications.

During one period last year, Hanley injured his shoulder and couldn’t work out for four weeks. By the end of that month, he started getting tremors in his hand and his foot began to “stick” again while walking.

Scott Hanley - CrossFit — Just a few months after starting CrossFit classes, Hanley (pictured on a rowing machine) said his symptoms disappeared.

After he returned to the gym, the symptoms went away again.

“That’s what really validated the benefits for me,” Hanley said.

Blake Bookstaff, an entrepreneur in Knoxville, Tennessee, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s when he was just 47, he told Fox News Digital in an interview.

Some of his early symptoms included a change in gait, involuntary hand movements and “frozen shoulder,” which is when the tissues around the shoulder joint become inflamed and make it difficult to lift the arm.

Medications helped lessen the symptoms somewhat, but Bookstaff decided to try ramping up his exercise for greater benefits.

“I saw something on the news about Rock Steady Boxing, which is a franchise that offers workouts for people with Parkinson’s,” he said.

He contacted the owner and scheduled a personal training session — which he now does twice a week.

Scott Hanley split — “When we work different parts of the body, they get stronger — so I figured, why not try to make the brain stronger?” said Hanley, pictured here in both frames.

In the sessions, the trainer focuses on functional movements to help Bookstaff in regular day-to-day activities, such as standing up from a chair or getting in and out of a car.

“The compound exercises that combine multiple movements have been the most effective for me,” he said. “For example, when I’m boxing and I have to think about throwing different types of punches and hitting moving targets, I can actually feel my brain opening up, as if the cobwebs have been lifted.”

MICHAEL J. FOX SAYS HE DOESN’T FEEL SORRY FOR HIMSELF BECAUSE OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE: ‘NO REGRETS’

During weeks when he doesn’t work out, Bookstaff notices that his body becomes stiffer and harder to move.

Robert D’Egidio, a physical therapist at Atlantic Rehabilitation in Gillette, New Jersey, has seen firsthand how exercise can slow and modify symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

“It directly improves ease of movement for activities of daily living, reduces symptoms such as tremor and rigidity, and improves gait features for more normalized stepping and balance,” he told Fox News Digital.

Julie Pilitsis, M.D., a neurosurgeon at Marcus Neuroscience Institute in Boca Raton, Florida, agreed with that assessment.

“Exercise is the best thing that people with Parkinson’s can do to take care of themselves,” said Pilitsis, who specializes in functional neurosurgery and Parkinson’s disease, in an interview with Fox News Digital.

“It has some of the most dramatic effects on limiting disease progression. It helps with stiffness, mind-body connection and fitness, just to name a few.”

“A good mantra for all of us, but particularly for those with Parkinson’s, is ‘use it or lose it,’” she added.

The Cochrane review found that any type of physical activity — from strength training and endurance to swimming, dance and yoga — can help improve motor skills and quality of life for people with Parkinson’s.

Group fitness — The Cochrane review found that any type of physical activity can help improve motor skills and quality of life in people with Parkinson’s.

“We observed clinically meaningful improvements in the severity of motor symptoms for most types of exercise,” said Dr. Moritz Ernst, first author of the review and a member of Cochrane Haematology, in a press release on the Cochrane website.

“These included dancing, training to improve gait, balance and movement, multi-exercise training and mind-body training.”

Physical therapist D’Egidio recommends doing any aerobic exercise with moderate intensity that will elevate the heart rate 20 to 30 beats above the resting rate for 30 to 40 minutes, three times per week.

EARLY ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE COULD BE DIAGNOSED THROUGH EYE EXAMS, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS

“We have observed consistently in our clinic that more intensified exercise has a direct impact on disease symptoms,” he said. “Exercises should include a variety of functional movements, multidirectional movements and some resistance [strength] training.”

For best results, he suggests mixing up the workouts throughout the year.

People with Parkinson’s, however, should pay close attention to any adverse effects and reduce intensity as needed, D’Egidio added.

Boxing workout — Compound exercises, such as boxing, have been the most effective at alleviating the Parkinson’s symptoms for one man (not pictured).

“Exercise should be discontinued if disproportional pain results from an activity, such as sharp pain in the back, neck, knees and shoulders, or if the person has chest pain or breathing difficulties not consistent with the level of exertion being used,” he said.

Neurosurgeon Pilitsis noted that above all, good judgment should come into play. If there are balance issues, for example, high-impact activities may not make sense.

“Sometimes medications or difficulty swallowing can make the patient a bit dehydrated,” she said. “If you aren’t feeling well, are going through a period where you are recovering from illness or surgery, are dehydrated, or it is very hot outside, it is better to take it slow and adjust your routine.”

Experts agree that it’s always best to get a doctor’s clearance before starting any new exercise program.

While individual exercise may help keep symptoms at bay, having a comprehensive health care team is the optimal way to manage Parkinson’s disease over time, E’Egidio believes.

“This includes a movement disorder specialist, primary care provider, neurologist (to assist or support), physical therapist and/or occupational therapist with neurological background, speech therapist (as needed), support groups, community services directed at Parkinson’s disease and access to exercise facilities or equipment,” he said.

Nearly one million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson’s disease, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

By 2030, it is expected to affect 1.2 million people. Parkinson’s is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease, after Alzheimer’s.

DeSantis has one thing in common with trump, they do nothing constructive: No One Is Talking About What Ron DeSantis Has Actually Done to Florida

Time

No One Is Talking About What Ron DeSantis Has Actually Done to Florida

William Kleinknecht – March 29, 2023

Florida Governor DeSantis Kicks Off His "Freedom Blueprint" Tour In Florida — Florida Governor DeSantis Kicks Off His “Freedom Blueprint” Tour In Florida

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during an event spotlighting his newly released book, ‘The Courage To Be Free: Florida’s Blueprint For America’s Revival at the Orange County Choppers Road House & Museum on March 08, 2023 in Pinellas Park, Fl. Credit – Joe Raedle—Getty Images

Media coverage of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s all-but-announced candidacy for president is already in full frenzy, and so far the script is exactly as his handlers would like it to be. The governor regularly opens up new fronts in the culture wars, sowing alarm over critical race theory, transgender rights, or border policies. In response, liberal pundits fall into the trap of accentuating the very issues DeSantis has chosen to fire up his base.

Omitted from the public debate about DeSantis’s policies is almost any discussion of his actual record of governance—what exactly he has delivered to the citizens of his state, especially those without seven-figure incomes and lush investment portfolios.

Even a cursory dip into the statistics of social and economic well-being reveals that Florida falls short in almost any measure that matters to the lives of its citizens. More than four years into the DeSantis governorship, Florida continues to languish toward the bottom of state rankings assessing the quality of health care, school funding, long-term elder care, and other areas key to a successful society.

Florida may be the place where “woke goes to die”—as DeSantis is fond of saying—but it is also where teachers’ salaries are among the lowest in the nation, unemployment benefits are stingier than in any other state, and wage theft flourishes with little interference from the DeSantis administration. In 2021, DeSantis campaigned against a successful ballot initiative to raise the state’s minimum wage, which had been stuck at $8.65 an hour. Under DeSantis’s watch, the Sunshine State has not exactly been a workers’ paradise.

DeSantis weaponizes the cultural wars to distract attention from the core missions of his governorship, which is to starve programs geared toward bettering the lives of ordinary citizens so he can maintain low taxes on the wealthy and corporations. Florida is the ideal haven for privileged Americans who don’t want to pay their fair share of taxes. It has no income tax for individuals, and its corporate tax rate of 5.5% is among the lowest in the nation. An investigation by the Orlando Sentinel in late 2019 revealed the startling fact that 99% of Florida’s companies paid no corporate income tax, abetted by tax-avoidance schemes and state officials who gave a low priority to enforcing tax laws.

This is a pattern that shows up in the statistics of many Republican-led states, which on average commit fewer dollars per-capita to health care, public education, and other crucial services compared to their blue counterparts, while making sure corporations and wealthy individuals are prioritized for tax relief. Arizona cut taxes every year between 1990 and 2019, following up with a shift to a flat tax this year that will cost its budget $1.9 billion. Meanwhile, its public-school spending ranks 48 among the 50 states.

In Florida, the state’s tax revenues come largely through sales and excise taxes, which fall hardest on the poor and middle class. A 2018 study by the left-leaning Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found that Florida had the third least-equitable tax system of the 50 states. In the state’s “upside-down” tax structure, the poorest 20% of Florida families paid 12.7% of their income in taxes, while the families whose income was in the top 4% paid 4.5%, and the top 1% paid 2.3%, according to the study.

Florida taxpayers get less for their money than residents of many other states. The Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation that studies health-care systems globally, found in its 2022 “scorecard” that Florida had the 16th worst health care among the 50 states. It’s no wonder that Florida ranks below the northern blue states in life expectancy and rates of cancer death, diabetes, fatal overdoses, teen birth rates, and infant mortality.

Largely because of DeSantis’s obstinacy, Florida is one of 10 states that have refused to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, an act of political spite that has cost those states billions in federal health care dollars and cost thousands of people their lives. More than 12% of Floridians are without medical insurance, a worse record than all but four other states. Despite having the country’s highest percentage of retirees, Florida has the worst long-term care among the 50 states, according to the American Association of Retired Persons.

Public schools fare no better than health care in DeSantis’s Florida. Not only did Florida rank 49th in the country for average teacher pay in 2020, but the Education Law Center, a non-profit advocacy group based in New Jersey, found in a 2021 report that the state had the seventh-lowest per-pupil funding in the country. Education Week, which ranks states public school annually, looking beyond mere test scores, placed Florida 23rd in its 2021 report, a lackluster showing for a large and wealthy state.

It says something about the state of our political discourse that Florida’s denuded public sector was not more of an issue in last year’s gubernatorial campaign. In endorsing DeSantis’s Democratic opponent, Charlie Crist, the Tampa Bay Times spent so many column inches on the incumbent’s demagoguery, vindictiveness, and authoritarian tendencies that it never even got to the minutiae of his governance. “No matter what you think about the state of the Florida economy or its schools or its future…,” the paper wrote, “the choice really is this simple: Do you want the state governed by a decent man or a bully?”

To be fair to the media, DeSantis and his allies manned the trenches of the culture wars so ferociously that it was all reporters could do to keep up with all the bomb throwing. How do you delve into the state’s tax policy when your governor is flying planeloads of migrants to Martha’s Vineyard or declaring war on Disney for issuing a statement in opposition to the state’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay Law”?

But that is very much the point of wedge issues, as they have been wielded by scurrilous politicians for decades, to anger and distract voters so they won’t notice the actions of public officials that mainly benefit the wealthy and are against the public interest.

As the 2024 election draws closer, DeSantis must not be allowed to accomplish nationally what he did in his state—cloak his service to the wealthy by frightening working people with stories about transgender recruiting and “socialist” college professors. There are unmistakable signs that Americans are focused on what an activist government can do for the public good, as evidenced by Floridians’ vote to increase the minimum wage.

The failure of DeSantis to better serve the most vulnerable citizens of his state is his weak underbelly in a national campaign.

Video shows guards walking away during fire that killed 38 migrants near US-Mexico border

USA Today

Video shows guards walking away during fire that killed 38 migrants near US-Mexico border

Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Christine Fernando and Jeanine Santucci USA TODAY March 29, 2023

Surveillance footage from inside the immigration detention center in northern Mexico near the U.S. border where 38 migrants died in a dormitory fire appears to show guards walking away from the blaze and making no apparent attempt to release detainees.

The fire broke out when migrants fearing deportation set mattresses ablaze late Monday at the National Immigration Institute, a facility in Ciudad Juarez south of El Paso, Texas, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said.

Authorities originally reported 40 dead, but later said some may have been counted twice in the confusion. Twenty-eight people were injured and were in “delicate-serious” condition, according to the National Immigration Institute.

The security footage, which was broadcast and later authenticated by a Mexican official to a local reporter, shows at least two people dressed as guards rush into the frame, then run off as a cloud of smoke quickly filled the area. They did not appear to attempt to open cell doors so migrants could escape the fire.

Authorities were investigating the fire, the institute said. The country’s prosecutor general has launched an investigation, Andrea Chávez, federal deputy of Ciudad Juarez, said in a statement. Mexico’s National Human Rights Commission also was alerted.

What caused the fire?

López Obrador said the fire was started by migrants inside the facility after they learned they would be deported.

“They never imagined that this would cause this terrible misfortune,” López Obrador said.

The immigration institute said it “energetically rejects the actions that led to this tragedy,” without further explaining what those actions may have been.

Video shows guards leaving as fire starts

The video footage shows the area in the facility filled with smoke within seconds, obscuring the view of the camera. In the video, two people dressed as guards are seen rushing into the frame, then walking quickly off as migrants remain behind bars. At least one migrant is seen kicking at a cell door while flames grow.

Mexico’s interior secretary, Adán Augusto López, told local journalist Joaquín López Doriga he was familiar with the video.

Katiuska Márquez, a 23-year-old woman from Venezuela and her two children, ages 2 and 4, were looking for her half-brother in the aftermath of the fire.

“We want to know if he is alive or if he’s dead,” she told The Associated Press. She wondered how all the guards who were inside made it out alive and only the migrants died. “How could they not get them out?”

Migrants from Central, South America caught in blaze

The institute said 68 men from Central and South America were staying at the immigration facility at the time of the fire. Authorities were working with other countries to identify the dead.

Victims were identified as being from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador. Guatemalans made up the largest contingent, according to the Mexican attorney general’s office.

Guatemalan Foreign Affairs Minister Mario Búcaro said 28 of the dead were Guatemalan citizens.

“We are going to look to find those responsible for this,” Búcaro said.

A migrant cries leaning on an ambulance as a person she knows is attended by medics after a fire broke out at the Mexican Immigration Detention center in Juarez on Monday, March 27, 2023.

Photos show mass law enforcement response in Ciudad Juarez

Photos showed ambulances, firefighters, Mexican soldiers and vans from the morgue swarm the scene. Rows of bodies were laid out under silver sheets in a parking lot outside the facility. Survivors were carried on stretchers into ambulances. A woman wept while leaning her head against an ambulance.

Mexico border fire sheds light on systemic issues, advocates say

Global human rights organizations called for stronger protections for asylum seekers and expressed outrage over the fire, which they said sheds light on systemic issues related to the detention and treatment of migrants.

The fire serves as a “reminder to the governments of the region of the importance of fixing a broken migration system,” said Ken Salazar, U.S. ambassador to Mexico, in a Twitter statement.

The immigration institute has struggled recently with overcrowding in its facilities. About 20 migrants, officials and human rights workers described a southern Mexico immigration detention center run by the institute as crowded and filthy, according to an investigation by The Associated Press in 2019.

The “extensive use of immigration detention leads to tragedies like this,” Felipe González Morales, the United Nations special rapporteur for human rights of migrants, said in a Twitter statement. He said immigration detention “should be an exceptional measure” and not generalized.

Human rights organizations have warned for years about the risks people from Central and South America face when trying to apply for asylum in the United States, Rafael Velásquez, Mexico director for the International Rescue Committee, a global human rights organization, said in a statement. The dangers have increased, and humanitarian infrastructures in the country have been “increasingly strained” amid “historic numbers of new asylum claims” and stricter border policies.

“The news of the fire at the migrant detention center in Ciudad Juárez is devastating,” Velásquez said. “This is proof of the extremely urgent need to ensure that there are systems in place to provide safety for people in need of international protection.”

Mounting tensions in Ciudad Juarez

Tensions between authorities and migrants had apparently been running high in recent weeks in Ciudad Juarez, a major crossing point across the border from El Paso for migrants entering the United States. Shelters in the city are full of migrants waiting for opportunities to cross or who have requested asylum in the U.S. and are waiting out the process.

On March 9, more than 30 advocacy organizations and migrant shelters wrote an open letter denouncing the criminalization of migrants and asylum seekers in Ciudad Juarez and accusing authorities of excessive force in detaining migrants.

Mexico’s migrant facilities have seen protests from time to time as the American government has pressured the country to ramp up efforts to reduce the number of migrants coming to United States.

Frustrations reached a fever pitch this month when hundreds of migrants, most of them Venezuelan, heard false rumors that the U.S. would allow them to enter and tried to cross an international bridge to El Paso. In October, migrants rioted at a Tijuana immigration center, and in November, dozens rioted at the country’s largest detention center in the southern city of Tapachula.

A girl lights candle during a vigil for the victims of a fire at an immigration detention center that killed dozens in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. According to Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, migrants fearing deportation set mattresses ablaze at the center, starting the fire. (AP Photo/Christian Chavez) ORG XMIT: XMC156

View from above: Aerial video shows Fort Myers Beach scars six months after Ian

Fort Meyers News Press

View from above: Aerial video shows Fort Myers Beach scars six months after Ian

Mark H. Bickel and Ricardo Rolón, F. M. News-Press March 29, 2023

The News-Press has provided special coverage for the six-month anniversary of Hurricane Ian. The Category 4 storm hit Southwest Florida on Sept. 28, 2022, leaving behind catostrophic damage and killing more than 160 people.

For a different perspective, Ric Rolon, a visuals journalist for The News-Press, piloted a drone that flew high above the beach recently and captured what things are lookings. While ongoing recovery efforts continue, the view remains one of a location that was pounded unmercifully by Hurricane Ian’s storm surge and winds.

GOOD-BYE IAN: Retired: There will never be another hurricane named Ian

This perspective is a unique layer to the coverage we have been providing and will continue to provide as Southwest Florida makes strides for a full recovery.

You can check out our coverage of the six-month anniversary of Hurricane Ian HERE.

House Democrat calls Republicans ‘cowards’ in tense exchange over gun violence

NBC News

House Democrat calls Republicans ‘cowards’ in tense exchange over gun violence

Tim Stelloh, Alexandra Bacallao and Kyle Stewart – March 29, 2023

A heated debate erupted on Capitol Hill when Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a former middle school principal, yelled at his GOP colleagues Wednesday and repeatedly called them “cowards” for not supporting stricter gun measures in the wake of the Nashville school shooting.

The exchange between Bowman, D-N.Y., and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., occurred just outside the House chamber and was widely circulated on social media after several journalists posted video of it.

Bowman, a former principal at Cornerstone Academy for Social Action in the Bronx, can be heard yelling: “They’re all cowards! They won’t do anything to save the lives of our children at all!”

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., speaks about gun violence off House floor at the U.S. Capitol, on March 29, 2023. (NBC News)

He continued: “Pressure them, force them to respond to the question: Why the hell won’t you do anything to save America’s children? Let them explain that all the way up to Election Day on 2024.”

Several lawmakers walk by Bowman without engaging, before Massie stops in front of him and says there has never been a shooting at a school where teachers were allowed to carry guns.

“More guns leads to more death,” Bowman responds. “Look at the data. You’re not looking at any data.”

Massie, who in 2021 tweeted a holiday photo with family members holding guns and text asking Santa to “please bring ammo,” then asks Bowman whether he would co-sponsor legislation he introduced last year to repeal a federal ban on guns in school zones. Massie has pointed to data from a controversial gun researcher to argue that such bans are ineffective.

At one point in Wednesday’s exchange, Massie can be heard telling Bowman to “calm down.”

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., speaks about gun violence to Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., from left, at the U.S. Capitol, on Wednesday. (NBC News)

“Calm down? Children are dying,” Bowman responded. “Nine-year-old children. The solution is not arming teachers.”

Six people, including three children, were killed at a school in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday. Three 9-year-old students, a custodian, a substitute teacher and the head of school were killed.

Police said the suspect shot through the locked doors of The Covenant School and was later killed in a confrontation with officers.

Congress has not advanced any new gun bills since the shooting, and Republicans have largely opposed any Democratic-backed measures to address gun violence.

A spokesperson said in an email that Massie had “accepted the challenge” from Bowman and explained the data he has used to argue for a repeal of gun-free school zones.

“When confronted with the facts, Mr. Bowman tried to shout Rep. Massie down,” the spokesperson said.

Bowman’s office declined to comment. In a tweet posted after the exchange, Bowman posted the video and used an expletive to say Republicans will do nothing to address gun violence.

“We can’t calm down,” he said. “People are dying everyday while we wait.”

The Ultra-Processed Canned Foods No One Over 40 Should Be Eating Anymore

She Finds

The Ultra-Processed Canned Foods No One Over 40 Should Be Eating Anymore

Georgia Dodd – March 28, 2023

Canned food is convenient, budget-friendly, and shelf-stable. It’s a way of processing food to extend its shelf life. The canning process is usually done within hours after picking. Some examples of canned foods include canned peaches, pears, corn, beans, noodle soup, evaporated milk, tuna, and so much more. But not everyone loves canned food. It has a reputation for being over-processed and less flavourful than its fresh and frozen counterparts. Some canned foods contain harmful chemicals that can have a detrimental effect on gut health, increase blood pressure, and the high sodium content may also lead to water retention that can cause weight gain.

To learn more about the worst kinds of canned food for women over 40, we spoke with Michelle Saari, registered dietitian and founder of The Dietitian Prescription. She said that the most ultra-processed canned foods no one should be eating anymore are canned fruit in syrup and canned meats that’ve been cured (like pork, beef, and fish). This is because they have an incredibly high sugar and sodium content which can lead to health problems like weight gain, diabetes, increased blood pressure, and more. Read on to learn more!

Canned Fruit

Canned fruit like peaches, pears, and pineapple can be a convenient alternative to fresh fruit. But, not all canned fruit are created equally. Fruits that are canned in syrups can be especially unhealthy because of their incredibly high sugar content. Saari says, “While fruit does have natural sugars called Fructose when the fruit is canned in syrup it’s just added sugar. The added sugar is typically corn syrup, which if the body doesn’t use it just turns to fat. It doesn’t provide any added nutrients, it’s simply there to sweeten up the fruit, which by nature is already sweet.” Adding excessive sugar to your diet provides barely any nutritional value.

Saari says that it’s ok to have canned fruit every once in a while. “It’s fine to have a sweet treat every so often, but if we’re looking at eating for long-term health, we should limit it. Instead of reaching for canned fruit, reach for either fresh or frozen. Frozen fruit can provide the same nutritional value as fresh, but will save you some money!” she explains. Check out the best types of fruit to eat for a healthier body over 40.

Canned Meat

Another canned food that Saari recommends women over 40 avoid is canned meat. Canned meats, she says, can have an incredibly high amount of sodium. “If you choose a canned meat like pork, for example, you may be getting half of your daily recommended amount of salt in one serving,” she notes. “A recommended daily salt amount would be 2,300 milligrams, for someone with heart disease this number will be even lower. Canned meat can have as high as 1,400 milligrams of sodium.” Yikes! And, experts point out that canned tuna is usually packed with oil that is high in saturated fat and alarmingly high mercury content which can lead to neurological side effects.

When it comes to long-term health, canned meats like pork, beef, and fish won’t provide you with the nutrition your body needs. “If you need less expensive protein options, look for canned beans, lentils, and legumes as an alternative. You can find these in the canned vegetable aisle. These will have little to no sodium, and will provide protein and fiber, which can actually have cardiovascular protective factors,” Saari explains. We guess it’s best to just avoid canned meats and opt for fresh meat from the grocery store.

At the end of the day, Saari says that while canned foods by nature get a bad rap. However, there are some canned foods that can actually provide the same nutritional value as their fresh counterparts. “If you want to buy canned vegetables, fruits, or meats, just look at what they’re ‘soaking’ in. For canned fruits look for some that are not canned in syrup, this is typically right on the front label. For canned vegetables, you want to select those that have no added sodium. The same goes for canned meats, look for the low to no added sodium options,” she recommends. Noted!

The US housing market is crashing and soaring at the same time. It all depends on where you live.

Business Insider

The US housing market is crashing and soaring at the same time. It all depends on where you live.

Matthew Fox – March 28, 2023

A for-sale sign home in Washington state — Mortgage rates could fall as low as 5% this year but may not be enough to significantly boost home sales.Thomas Northcut/Getty Images

The US housing market is crashing and soaring all at the same time as pockets of the market see divergent trends.
Home prices on the West Coast have plunged as much as 10%, while homes in the East have surged.
The home price trends have been driven by mortgage rates, little supply, and broader economic trends.

The US housing market is experiencing both a crash and a boom at the same exact time, and it all depends on where you live.

According to data from Black Knight, home prices on the West Coast are plunging at the same time home prices on the East Coast are surging. The split between rising fortunes or sinking home values essentially depends on whether the home is located east or west of the Rocky mountains.

From January 2022 to January 2023, home prices fell 7.5% in Seattle and dropped 10.3% in San Francisco. At the same time, home prices surged 12% in Miami and jumped 9.3% in Orlando. Even Buffalo, NY saw home price values rise 8.3% on an annual basis in January.

Except for Austin, Texas, 37 of the biggest metro areas east of Colorado saw home prices rise year-over-year in January. Meanwhile, all 12 of the major housing markets west of Texas saw home prices fall over the same time period.

Such a split in the US housing market is unprecedented. In the US housing crisis of 2007 and 2008, home prices dropped in 134 out of the 153 metropolitan areas, and the select few pockets of strength saw home prices stay essentially flat, not rise like they are today.

“We’ve never seen anything quite like this where it’s so stark, west to east,” Black Knight vice president Andy Walden told The Wall Street Journal.

The unprecedented nature of the bifurcated housing market is driven by a number of factors that stem from the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a boom in housing demand at a time when the supply of homes was limited.

Fast forward to today, and supply is still low, while mortgage rates have soared to levels not seen in more than a decade, making it more expensive for prospective home buyers. That means housing markets that have a supply of relatively affordable homes, such as Buffalo, NY and Hartford, Connecticut, have seen steady price gains.

But in areas of the market that were already suffering from sky-high home prices, like in San Francisco and Los Angeles, there has been room for home prices to fall. And a wave of layoffs at high-profile technology companies that are mostly concentrated in West Coast cities has removed potential buyers from the market and has likely sparked an uptick in homes for sale.

To be sure, West Coast home prices had room to fall after experiencing dizzying gains over the past decade. Home prices in San Francisco soared 112% between 2012 and 2020, nearly doubling the national gain of 58% during that same time period, according to data from S&P Dow Jones Indices.

The pain seen in West Coast housing prices might take time to spread to the East Coast, if it does at all, given that the supply of homes remains extremely limited. At the same time, the millennial generation and Gen Z represents a large swath of prospective buyers that could help keep any future price declines limited.

That’s as long as mortgage rates don’t surge even higher. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was at 6.42% last week, well below its one-year high of 7.08%, according to data from Freddie Mac. That represents some relief for prospective home buyers.