Bleeding is often the leading cause of death in accidents, here's how to help

Jacksonville, Fla., Times-Union

We have recently seen an increase in accidents and traumatic injuries in Jacksonville. Additionally, Florida has the highest rate of car accidents in the country involving other cars, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians. In 2023, there were approximately 400,000 car accidents in Florida, more than half of which resulted in injuries. Nearly 4,000 people lost their lives and hemorrhage is often the main cause of death.

Duval County has a higher accident rate than other areas because it is one of the largest counties in the state. As of December 15, 2023, Duval County has experienced more than 23,000 car crashes. More than 100 of these car crashes were fatal, while more than 15,000 resulted in injuries.

Ideally, our goal is to prevent accidents and injuries. However, with these increasing rates, it is imperative that bystanders have the tools they need to help as much as possible. Therefore, preparing for what to do in the event of an accident is a practical step in the process.

The good news is the Stop the Bleed training program, which can save lives by educating and training the public on simple steps to take in the event of an accident to prevent excessive blood loss. The free training is available online at StoptheBleed.org/training/online-course/.

Additionally, Stop the Bleed kits can be ordered online or in-store.

Accidents and injuries can happen anywhere and at any time: at home, at school, on the road and in public places. Bleeding may be the first presentation; by controlling it, we can save a life and possibly reduce comorbidities. By increasing awareness of Stop the Bleed training and increasing the availability of the correct kit in public places, we can save lives.

Monica Dobs, pediatrician, Jacksonville

Where are the women ?

As an independent voter, I am frustrated by the lack of common decency and vision that are essential to us today. Wars, the abundance of immigrants, the decline in women’s rights, crime, the unsolvency of Medicare and Social Security, and the financial outlook of our country.

Why are we short of good presidential candidates? Michelle Obama has no interest in running, yet she would have a good chance of winning. Former U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard could have been a great candidate, but now she hopes to land a position in Donald Trump’s cabinet if he wins.

Maria Shriver, another excellent presidential candidate who is not interested in the issue, has devoted herself to humanitarian work for decades and is now campaigning for a solution to Alzheimer’s disease.

She has all the potential to be the best president we’ve had in a long time. His cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is running for president and not having much success, so why not pass the baton to him?

If Joe Biden had the good sense to give Shriver his throne, I think she could win. People know her for her decades of service to our country. Whether it was in business as an American journalist or as the first lady of California, Shriver was at the forefront.

There are so many other women who could turn the tide of this country from hate to kindness. Stop the madness and division that surrounds our United States; unite us with actions, not words. How can we encourage women to run?

Lori Halpenny, Saint Johns

The legacy of racism persists

In the late 1970s, I attended a church program that focused on the works of black authors, and it profoundly changed my view of race. The exposure opened my eyes to the realities of racism in America, a truth that I had unknowingly perpetuated through ignorance.

As with any complex subject—economics, science, even medicine—lack of education breeds ignorance. Throughout history, and especially over the last four centuries, we have been bombarded with a narrative about Black people that is riddled with inaccuracies. This distorted view has fueled prejudice and continues to impact the lives of Black Americans today.

The legacy of racism persists in the form of:

These are not isolated issues, but interconnected threads woven from the fabric of historical injustice.

My journey of self-discovery through literature ignited a passion for understanding and dismantling racism. I urge everyone to actively seek out diverse voices and engage with the realities of racial inequality. Let’s unlearn the lies of the past and work toward a future where equity and opportunity are truly colorblind.

William Malone, Jacksonville

The “dystopian” state of Florida, without a doubt

As reported in that June 17 article, a lawyer representing education officials appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis responded to Judge Britt Grant’s assumption by saying, “In the classroom, the speech of the teacher is the speech of the government, and the government can restrict teachers from certain content–nationwide–and prevent them from offering opposing views, such as criticizing the governor.”

Do we live in a totalitarian state? When did the citizens of Florida give up our basic freedoms? It’s no wonder that U.S. District Judge Mark Walker blocked a key provision of the Stop WOKE Act, calling it “positively dystopian,” as in George Orwell’s novel “1984” where lies become truth.

Judge Grant then asked the ACLU attorney whether the Florida Legislature could intervene if a professor taught that “the moon landing never happened or that 9/11 was an inside job?” Although the attorney for the Florida professors challenging the law said that was the university’s responsibility, she should have turned the question around.

There are lawmakers in Congress and the Florida Legislature who apparently believe crazy and false conspiracy theories, such as “Italian satellites changed votes in the 2020 election” or “Nancy Pelosi is responsible for the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol.” What if a governor and lawmakers passed a law requiring teachers to teach one of these theories as legitimate?

The sole responsibility of the legislature is to provide a quality education to all students, so that all are equipped to be thoughtful and informed citizens, able to think, reason, and distinguish fact from fiction.

Roy Goldman, Atlantic Beach

A single fertilized egg is not a person

Peter True wrote on June 16 that abortion laws are not based on religion, but on observable and reproducible scientific “facts,” but without explaining them. He claims that human life begins at conception, and then proceeds to cleverly assign personhood (a clearly religious concept promoted by Christian lobby groups) to a single-celled fertilized egg.

This is a faith-based view, and there is no denying the massive presence of Christian protesters at abortion-related gathering places. The answer to True’s rhetorical quest for scientific evidence to allow abortion is that the laws are (and should be) based on fundamental medical and legal principles regarding women’s bodily autonomy and right to privacy .

The viability of the fetus, which depends entirely on the pregnant woman, should only be considered within the framework of personality. The crucial question is who decides (and overrides) a person’s autonomy, particularly if their religious views are contrary.

Here’s a simple – if crude – response to pro-lifers imposing their will on others: “If you don’t like abortion, fine; I do not have any.

I am troubled that so many pro-life advocates focus primarily on embryos and fetuses. Yet this concern disappears when real children are affected by the scourges of gun violence, pollution, hunger, lack of access to health care and poverty.

Michael Miller, Ponte Vedra Beach

New union rules are retaliation

Nate Monroe wrote an excellent op-ed on June 13, titled “Governor DeSantis’ Selective War on Unions Concerns the Future of Public Education.”

Unions, like private businesses, have their own political action committees. In Florida, our governor has shown that he will seek revenge if a union does not support him. In that case, the United Teachers of Dade opposed his re-election.

He then signed a law that removed the right of unions to automatically deduct their dues from teachers’ salaries. It also requires that the union reach 60% of its membership, under penalty of decertification.

He said he did it because it would save the state money. Coincidentally, the police and fire unions supported him, but they were magically exempted from the legislation. How does that save money? To me, this is clearly a case of retaliation.

He now says he’s going to raise teacher salaries (while speaking from a charter school). His goal is obviously to have all schools become charter schools, but we should just ask most teachers who have been there for a while how they actually benefit from his actions.

Unfortunately, we still have two years to fix it.

Bob Henning, Jacksonville

Praise of the Carlucci family

What a great Father’s Day post about Matt Carlucci and Joe Carlucci. Matt always does what he thinks is right. Joe is a promising young man who will follow in his father’s footsteps, but will also be his own person.

I can already see how Joe has done so much for his constituents, and he is just beginning his journey on the council. I am lucky to know the Carlucci family.

Melinda Jarman, Jacksonville