| Author | Message | ||
     Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 5519 Registered: 1-2004  |
The other day when I went to the pool I spoke with Paul and asked due to all the children and adults allergic to peanut products maybe the pool could have a'peanut free' area where no peanut products would be allowed. Paul made a good point after he told me he couldn't. He said if he were to do it anyone with a food allergy would demand an area free of whatever they're allergic to. Edit to add: I think Paul's point is a good one. I do not think he was being mean about it in any way... | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 4321 Registered: 5-2001  |
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| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese  Post Number: 1715 Registered: 7-2004  |
JTA, I can't believe that you actually asked for a peanuts free area at the pool. Well, I got a good laugh, so at least one positive thing came from it. | ||
| Jersey girl Citizen Username: Critterlover Post Number: 77 Registered: 2-2004 |
While it is true that every allergy-prone person may ask for a similar allergen-free area, what comes to my mind, and is much worse, is a parent taking his or her child to the supposed peanut-free area, and feeling very relaxed about the whole event... and then POW! having their child react suddenly and perhaps severely to some miniscule amount of peanut reside, peanut oil perhaps, which could be invisible when located on the underside of a table. It could have been left behind by a child who had this somewhat invisible but definite peanuty stuff on his/her hands. Maybe a wet cloth was used to clean a peanut-y table, then mistakenly transferred to this area, to this table, and used to clean it. Maybe a kid eating a Reeces did that wipde the hands along the edge of the table thing, or used a beach towel to wipe her hands, and then left it behind in that area...the supposedly peanut- free area. Suffice it to say we do not want to even imagine the health crisis that could easily occur. It is a risk not worth taking, imho. Parents of allergic children need to be on the constant alert for those allegens, in order to avoid them at all times. Granted, it is exhausting. Been there, so I know. But forbidding a certain food to others is not the solution to your need for extreme watchfulness. In fact, I think having a peanut-free area could lend a false sense of security to both parents and children. It would be a totally natural and innocent thing to have happen. Just think: "Ahhh, a beautifully clean, peanut free picnic table. Here ya go, sweetie, here is your hot dog. Sit down right here while Mommy goes for the drinks." And in those few minutes, that top-notch, always "on" , red-alert parental management could be unavailable for even a few minutes, with some drastic and most unfortunate results for the child and parents alike. the old adage of ''Better safe than sorry'' comes to mind. Jersey girl | ||
| Josh Holtz Citizen Username: Jholtz Post Number: 504 Registered: 4-2004 |
If JTA gets a "Peanut Free Zone" then I want a "Dairy Free Zone" due to my Lactose Intolerance. I want an area where I can be free of envy towards those who are consuming Ice Cream and Pizza around me. | ||
| Illuminated Radish Citizen Username: Umoja Post Number: 4 Registered: 6-2006 |
Do you even have any kids? More importantly, do they have peanut allergies? And if they did have peanut allergies, and going to the pool is so dangerous maybe they shouldn't go to the pool. Basically my question is, why is this relevant to you? Why did you feel the drive to run home and post and tell us this? You're basically asking to have rocks thrown at you. | ||
| gertie Citizen Username: Gertie Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2006 |
She does it all the time. Every conversation she has winds up here. | ||
| FlyingSpaghettiMonst Citizen Username: Noodlyappendage Post Number: 190 Registered: 11-2005  |
Every village has a town busybody. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 5522 Registered: 1-2004 |
Cheesy- I only asked because of the thread someone else started. I told Paul I didn't agree with it but I was asking because it was a concern of some people whith children who are allergic to peanuts. Hey, at least I do see both sides of an issue and will try to advocate for something wven if I don't totally agree with it. I do have to admit the smoking thing came up too.  | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 5523 Registered: 1-2004 |
Ill- It was relevant to me because it was a concern to some parents. I don't have a problem asking Paul if something like this is possible, maybe the parent would. I know this is done in some schools, thought it could be done at the pool. I don't agree with something like this because I think it can create a false sense of security. gertie- For someone who only registered this month with two posts to respond the way you have leads me to believe you have another MOL name. What have you contributed of substance to the board lately? FSM- You're just upset because I turned down your advances!!!! Anyway, this busybody has to go cheer on a baseball game! See Ya! | ||
| Old and Gray Citizen Username: Pastmyprime Post Number: 394 Registered: 2-2005 |
What happened to the days of no seat belts, riding a bike without a helmet, and playing tackle football??? | ||
| Glock 17 Citizen Username: Glock17 Post Number: 1315 Registered: 7-2005  |
Old and Gray, those days are right up there with unfiltered cigarettes, asbestos, and lead paint. | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 1717 Registered: 7-2004 |
"Do you even have any kids? More importantly, do they have peanut allergies?" No, and No. "Basically my question is, why is this relevant to you?" I don't have to have children to want a snack at the pool. | ||
| extuscan Citizen Username: Extuscan Post Number: 663 Registered: 6-2001 |
New Hampshire has no bike helmet law, no seat belt law, and you don't even have to insure your car. Plus I'm sure you could find a good tackle game here if you wanted! -John ;) | ||
| flugermongers Citizen Username: Flugermongers Post Number: 664 Registered: 5-2001  |
Not gonna venture an opinion into the peanut free zone either way, but I'd like to point out that lactose intolerace isn't deadly from sitting next to a person w/ ice cream, a peanut allergy can be. And, I believe it is one of the more common allergies... as opposed to say, someone's future request for a stuffed grape-leaf free zone. I thought pools don't allow snacks near the water? Would containing an allergy like that even be possible? I wouldn't trust it, like the person above said. But I'm not sure why everyone jumped down JTA's throat - they don't serve peanuts on flights anymore.. though that's a contained area and a different situation -- JTA's idea may not work, but dang, why does everyone jump down everyone's throat on this message board when one has an idea? (grr I hate those new airplane pretzels though) | ||
| Glock 17 Citizen Username: Glock17 Post Number: 1320 Registered: 7-2005 |
omg the butter twists? HOW COULD YOU NOT LOVE THOSE? SO GOOOD.  | ||
| Jersey_Boy Citizen Username: Jersey_boy Post Number: 1241 Registered: 1-2006  |
I think everyone is jumping down JTA's throat because she opened her mouth. J.B. Here come's mine... | ||
| Geri Fletcher Citizen Username: Gerif Post Number: 51 Registered: 10-2005 |
I think it was nice of JTA to ask about it. She was there, got her answer and decided to post it. No need to be mean. | ||
| Cali6buff Citizen Username: Cali6buff Post Number: 44 Registered: 4-2006 |
It is a ridiculous question, and encourages the "Lowest Common Denominator" society we are currently breeding. I applaud anyone who has the courage to draw the line. | ||
| argon_smythe Citizen Username: Argon_smythe Post Number: 837 Registered: 5-2001 |
Seems to be a lot of new people posting suddenly so you should realize there's a good deal of history behind some of these posts. Some people think JtA is exceedingly nice and some people think JtA transcends the bounds of niceness into some other realm entirely, which has most recently been categorized as "busybody" land. The "nice" comes from the fact she tries to help. The "busybody" comes from the fact that she rarely actually consults with the person or people she is trying to help to make sure her actions will actually be helpful to them before she charges off to action. She also has been known to attempt to solve problems for which she does not have the required knowledge or skill to accomplish. This particular case is fairly benign but there have been a few doozies best left buried in the past. There's a lot to be said for good intentions and one saying in particular comes to mind. But hey, at the end of the day, she's not malicious or mean-spirited, though it's safe to say if she does choose to help you on something, there's I guess a 50/50 shot you'll actually be the better for it. On the other hand, the exploits sure make for some entertaining reading and this town would probably be a less interesting place without them. As for the peanuts, I'm on the fence. A peanut allergy is most definitely not like "every other allergy" out there, it will be a long time before people come to grips with that. I feel bad for people who have to deal with this allergy, it's very misunderstood. It would probably be better if it were merely subject to ignorance but unfortunately it seems to invite ridicule, and you know there is never a situation when ridicule is not mean-spirited. So you won't find me mocking a person's disability. However from a practical standpoint banishing peanuts from the universe just isn't going to be a realistic alternative. | ||
| combustion Citizen Username: Spontaneous Post Number: 157 Registered: 4-2006  |
flugermongers - Lactose intolerance isn't deadly, but dairy allergies are. Shellfish allergies can be deadly too. However, I don't advocate allergen free zones. It's up to the parents to be vigilant in watching their children when they're young, and teaching them to watch out for themselves when they get older. That way they might actually have a chance learning how to cope with their disorder and become normal functioning adults. (thread drift alert!!!) This is America, however, and we do like to push our responsibilities onto everyone else. That is why if you buy a paint stripping gun, which heats to over 1500 degrees Fahrenheit, you will notice a warning sticker to NOT use it as a hair dryer. The company has to label it that way. If they didn't some idiot would try to dry their hair, end up in a burn ward, and sue both the manufacturer and the store that sold it to them. And what does this lead us back to? Personal responsibility. | ||
| composerjohn Citizen Username: Composerjohn Post Number: 852 Registered: 8-2004  |
I think I started this debate on peanuts. Sorry!  My 3 year old son has a horrific peanut allergy. If he ingests any bit, his throat will swell shut in about five minutes or less. I am always EXTREMELY careful with him, never allowing him to be a dangerous situation. He knows peanuts are bad, and we're teaching him to always ask before eating. Since he's been diagnosed (in October 2004), he hasn't had a single reaction. I don't think peanuts should be banned from the pool. If people are aware of the issue (and I think most are on some level), things will be okay. My son needs to learn to live in a world with peanuts, because they will always be around. To the people who mock peanut allergies: you suck | ||
| Former Cowgirl Citizen Username: Formercowgirl Post Number: 132 Registered: 3-2006  |
As I posted on a previous thread: CJ: As a parent of a child with a peanut and walnut allergy I highly empathize with you. I also find that adults who do not have a peanut allergy or parent a child with food allergies have no clue how serious it is and are really often unsympathetic. They find the nut-free rule at our school very inconvenient for them. You would not believe the amount of children with peanut allergies or life threatening food allergies these days. This is not lactose intolerance (ie. I am so bloated from that fettucini alfredo...) And it's not as simple as preparing your child's food and wiping down the table before he eats there. I have to monitor my child's interactions with strange children at the park because there have been instances where a child is holding a peanut butter granola bar and tries to grab my child's toy, hand or sippy cup. I've also been at the dancing goat where children are running wild on the stage, peanut butter sandwich in hand, trying to touch my child. At 3 1/2 my child now has learned to ask every adult or child who hands him anything that's not raw, "are there nuts in this?" I take full responsibility for parenting my child, but I don't think a little sympathy and care from others is too much to ask, especially considering how many children this is affecting these days. I appreciate JTA's research into this, despite the fact that she didn't necessarily agree with it. I think it shows kindness and caring. JMHO | ||
| Glock 17 Citizen Username: Glock17 Post Number: 1368 Registered: 7-2005 |
It's not that a nut-free rule at school is inconvinient...it's that it is downright impossible to enforce. Say a kid who had some nut-product for breakfast sneezed and killed his classmate...what are you supposed to do? | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 3488 Registered: 5-2004  |
Which is more likely? A kid comes into school after just eating a peanut better sandowich for breakfast, and sneezes on the one kid who is allergic? Or a kid brings in a sandwich and accidentally sits next to a kid with a bad allergy? It's not about completely elimitaing risk. it's about minimizing it. What you're suggesting is akin to saying, some people won't wear their seatbelts, so there is no reason to have a seatbelt law. Or, since there will always be some way that someone will be able to kill another person, there is no point to making murder illegal. Minimizing the chances, not eliminating them. | ||
| Elaine Harris Citizen Username: Elaineharris Post Number: 195 Registered: 12-2004 |
This is actually a very interesting issue. This is the issue that divides those who believe in "micro-management" versus those who believe in "macro-management." The people who believe that 999 children should not eat peanut butter in school because 1 child is allegic versus the people who believe that the minority of 1 must yield for the majority. This is the same issue that creates knee jerk laws. I found it interesting to note that most people who posted in response to JTA were "macro-managers." The reason I find this interesting is because if you polled most of the people, they would be self-described as liberals. In point of fact, they are not. | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 3489 Registered: 5-2004 |
Elaine, Except the impact (I know, people hate that as a verb) that having peanuts nearby, to a peanut allergic person, is vastly different from the impact on the 999 people not being allowed to have peanuts at school. I'm not taking side on this issue (though I have my personal beliefs). But it's illogical to equate potential loss of life to the incovenience of being peanut-free. | ||
| Elaine Harris Citizen Username: Elaineharris Post Number: 196 Registered: 12-2004 |
While, of course, I can see your concern that potential death is far more serious than not having peanuts, your concern does not make my analysis of the issue illogical. It could be extended to virtually everything. For example, if a child dies on a ride at Disneyland, should all children be prevented from going on the ride? The issue is not about inconvenience, it is about how a society manages the concept of "majority rules." And please note, I have not offered my opinion, either. | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 3491 Registered: 5-2004 |
But we do not live in a country where majority rules absolutely*. That was a major part of the development of our political system - to protect the minority. And while your example is slightly related, an accident on a Disney ride is likely an unforeseeable event. I guarantee if a child dies on a Disney ride, that ride is shut down, examined in detail, and any flaws or threats remedied before it is reopened. They don't simply say, "well, one kid died, but look a the thousands who have ridden this before and not gotten hurt." Disney does everything they can to NOT kill people, even the minority of people for whom riding might be deadly. *edited to add "absolutely" | ||
| Elaine Harris Citizen Username: Elaineharris Post Number: 198 Registered: 12-2004 |
OK, how about vaccines? Some children die from them. | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 3492 Registered: 5-2004 |
But vaccines provide a significant offsetting benefit. I can't imagine you intend to equate the benefits of peanut butter to those of a vaccine. I do appreciate your desire to equate this to some other type of "majority rules" position, but it's not that simple. | ||
| combustion Citizen Username: Spontaneous Post Number: 182 Registered: 4-2006 |
From the Food Allergy Network(http://www.foodallergy.org/), "Although an individual could be allergic to any food, such as fruits, vegetables, and meats, there are eight foods that account for 90% of all food-allergic reactions. These are: milk, egg, peanut, tree nut (walnut, cashew, etc.), fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat." So does this mean that we should BAN all eight of these foods from our public schools? While food allergies are deadly, it is up to the parents to educate and protect their children. This includes educating the teachers in prevention and also treatment. If a child in a local school developed a wheat allergy, would the school try to ban all wheat products? What about milk? Should we ban that from schools too? It's unrealistic to expect the majority to forgo all these food items because a minority are allergic to them. | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 1733 Registered: 7-2004 |
All food should be banned, as well as all sports, and all good times. (Actually, give Corzine a few more days and this may come to pass.) | ||
| combustion Citizen Username: Spontaneous Post Number: 184 Registered: 4-2006 |
Ouch! | ||
| Elaine Harris Citizen Username: Elaineharris Post Number: 199 Registered: 12-2004 |
I yield the floor to Combustion. | ||
| Former Cowgirl Citizen Username: Formercowgirl Post Number: 133 Registered: 3-2006 |
It's an interesting debate, though I obviously have very personal views at this point. I may have argued differently 4 years ago. And some of you may feel differently once you have a child, grandchild, niece or nephew with a peanut allergy which may be very likely as the rate of peanut allergies just keeps growing and growing. Note below that officials are beginning to consider this a matter of public health. Excerpted from an article posted at: http://allergies.about.com/cs/peanuts/a/blaaaai120903.htm Peanut allergies in children increased two-fold over a five year period from 1997 to 2002, according to a study in the December 2003 Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI). Scott H. Sicherer, MD, and Hugh A. Sampson, MD, from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, along with Anne Muñoz-Furlong from the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), conducted a cross-sectional telephone study of 13,493 people using a standardized questionnaire. The study assessed rates of peanut and tree nut allergies over a period of five years. Participants were asked a series of questions regarding allergies and seriousness of reactions. Prevalence rates were similar overall to those in the initial study. However, it is significant to note that reported peanut allergy in children increased two fold from .4 percent in 1997 to .8 percent in 2002, since this type of allergy typically develops in childhood and is usually not outgrown in adulthood. Based on these facts, one could predict that the number of peanut and tree nut allergies may grow larger over time. "This study confirms what we've been hearing from growing numbers of families, school administrators and other institutional leaders -- food allergy is increasing," said Anne Muñoz-Furlong, founder and CEO of FAAN. "This is a public health and food safety issue that affects all of us. Public policy must change to meet the needs of these patients. Continued food allergy education, improved labeling practice and improved emergency treatment programs -- especially where children are involved -- are more critical than ever." Given that reactions to peanut and tree allergy can be severe, the fact that self-reported peanut and/or tree nut allergies are reported by over 3 million Americans should indicate an increasing health concern. } | ||
| Cali6buff Citizen Username: Cali6buff Post Number: 46 Registered: 4-2006 |
Another angle on this debate (and if you look up a little, you can find my opinion), is the self-importance angle. This attitude is rampant these days. To extend the 1000 kid analogy - I am allergic to peanuts; therefore 999 people should not be allowed to eat them. It is about "minimizing risk", within reason. The above statement is unreasonable. | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 4356 Registered: 5-2001 |
The self importance angle - like when a dozen people want a sculpture and expect the entire town to pay over a quarter million dollars for it? | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 3495 Registered: 5-2004 |
MHD, no one will die becuase the sculpture was put in. I'm very much agasint it, but it won't kill anyone. I have a niece who is allergic to eggs. She cannot have any food with eggs in it. Her parents are very concious of what hse eats, and she knows to ask (she is eight). However she will not have a reaction because someone who ate eggs for breakfast sits near her. It you have egg on your hands and you touch her, she will not die from it. Peanut allergies are unique in the severity of that reaction, as far as I know. The incconveinece of not being able to eat peanuts at school is minimal. People are arguing this just to argue. Is giving up peanuts at school such an inconvenience that you would be willing to risk your neighbor's kid's life so that your kid can eat that PB&J? | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 4357 Registered: 5-2001 |
Rastro - Sorry. I wasn't taking a position one way or the other on the "peanut issue", I was just implying that "self-importance" is a common problem on a variety of issues. Sorry for the thread drift. | ||
| Cali6buff Citizen Username: Cali6buff Post Number: 47 Registered: 4-2006 |
I'm not arguing just to argue. I think the fact that is needs to be argued is embarrassing. There shouldn't be a peanut free, egg free or anything free zone. There are peanut free, egg free and whatever free children. And they know it, just as you stated. | ||
| Glock 17 Citizen Username: Glock17 Post Number: 1372 Registered: 7-2005 |
Rastro, it's not that we don't want to give up certain foods. And it's not that we don't sympathize with the allergic peoples. It's that it is foolish to think that someone (if the cases are as bad as you say they are) who could die from someone else breathing would be safe in a public school. No more peanut products in the vending machines? No more peanut based breads or dishes? It doesn't make sense. People would no doubt have peanut based products with them, or had them at home. What if someone sneezed? | ||
| composerjohn Citizen Username: Composerjohn Post Number: 857 Registered: 8-2004 |
I agree completely with Rastro. If my son is exposed to peanut butter, he will have a serious reaction. If he ingests any bit (even tiny crumbs), he could die in in minutes. That is very scary. This is not an issue of "self-importance". It's an issue of survival. | ||
| Glock 17 Citizen Username: Glock17 Post Number: 1375 Registered: 7-2005 |
Well then, if it is really as serious as you say it is, don't take them to the pool. | ||
| composerjohn Citizen Username: Composerjohn Post Number: 858 Registered: 8-2004 |
Glock - my son isn't safe. As long as peanuts are around, he'll need to be very careful. And to answer your question: if someone ate a PB&J sandwich and sneezed on him, there's a good chance his throat will swell shut. We'd have to use an Epipen injection and call the ambulance. Hopefully the exposure wasn't bad, otherwise he might be in serious trouble. ADDED: as I said earlier, my son can't live in a bubble. He needs to learn to survive in a peanut world. I never said peantus should be banned from the pool. All I ask is that parents be aware and considerate of the problem. | ||
| combustion Citizen Username: Spontaneous Post Number: 186 Registered: 4-2006 |
Education and awareness I agree with. If a child has a peanut allergy, then teach the lunch room monitors how to deal with this, make sure that they understand the importance of immediately calling an ambulance in case of exposure. If the child's doctor has prescribed an Epi-Pen, make sure all of the school staff are trained in when and how to use it. You cannot, however, expect people to cut out a lunch room staple. Here's a scenario. Local school has a child, Pete, with peanut allergies. The school bans all peanut products. Meanwhile, another kid, Joe, has an Aunt visiting for a week. Auntie decides she'll give her host's a break one morning, getting little Joe ready for school. Not knowing any better, Auntie makes Joe a PB&J sandwich, the same thing her mother always made for her. At school, while eating his lunch, Joe somehow comes in contact with Pete. Because the school is allegedly "Peanut Free" none of the lunch monitors are vigilant, none know how to appropriately deal with the resulting anaphylactic shock. Pete's family would have lost a child due to a false sense of security. Now Joe's family would possibly be facing a wrongful death suit. Can you see where I have a problem with this? The reality is that children with food allergies are going to be at risk for exposure for their entire lives. What's next, peanut free Middle Schools? Peanut free High Schools and Universities? A peanut free workplace? Also, peanut allergies are not unique in the severity of the reaction. There are other foods that children with food allergies can react to that are just as swift and deadly. The only difference is that peanut allergies seem to be more common. Is there an increase in food allergies? Yes. One possible reason is the decrease in breastfeeding. Although there is a new movement in breastfeeding, a lot of mothers still bottle feed, supplement breast milk with bottled and/or give their children solids way too soon. This is opening up your child to life threatening allergies, diabetes, hypertension and obesity later in life. Why do mothers do this? Answers from some of my friends who bottle fed were convenience, not wanting their breasts to sag, the baby will go hungry if only fed breast milk, and "it's icky." Please don't jump down my throat, I know there's going to be someone out there with a case of a child who was exclusively breastfed until 1 year of age who still developed food allergies. Not ALL food allergies are caused by not breastfeeding. But the increase in overall cases that we're seeing can definitely be linked to it. | ||
| Elaine Harris Citizen Username: Elaineharris Post Number: 201 Registered: 12-2004 |
Very interesting, Combustion. I am not a scientist, nevertheless, I have a theory that the problem may also have to do with sugar. Most peanut butter has corn syrup added to it. Most processed foods found in the supermarket have corn syrup added to it. This gratuitous sweetener must be a major contributing factor to the obesity problem in America, as well as other health issues, such as allergies. I also remember a very sad story about a college girl in Boston who died after eating chili. Unbeknown to her, the chili was thickened by adding peanut butter. Obviously, this issue is very complex. Who would have figured that? | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 3509 Registered: 5-2004 |
Elaine, the allergy is to peanuts, not just peanut butter. A child who has the allergy is not allergic to peanut butter, but to peanuts. But I very much agree that the sugars in absolutely everything we eat contribution to our obesity problem. Combustion, I can't speak for the generation between, but my parents generation did not breastfeed anywhere as much as our generation does. It was considered better for the baby to bottle feed than to breast feed. Now, of course, the pendulum has swung the other way, and everyone says breastfeeding is better. I'm curious what study you used to link breastfeeding and allergies. Given your certainty in the link, I assume there is s study that you got your info from. | ||
| combustion Citizen Username: Spontaneous Post Number: 194 Registered: 4-2006 |
Unfortunately, everyone does not think it's better to breastfeed. I know many (mostly younger) women who don't breastfeed due to the stupid reasons I posted above. Allergies are on the rise. Why are children suddenly developing these allergies? It takes eons for evolutionary changes to be seen, so don't try to blame genetics. There has to be an environmental reason. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0816/is_8_20/ai_106557903 http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBJulAug98p100.html http://breastfeed.com/resources/articles/bfallergies.htm http://allergies.about.com/cs/breastfeeding/a/aa073100a.htm http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_allergies.html http://www.drgreene.com/21_552.html http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/faq.html http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T041800.asp | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 5579 Registered: 1-2004 |
If nothing else, something each and every one of us who do not have a child or loved with a life threatening allergy, should do is be very grateful we do not have to live with the concern, fear or having to take the every day precautions the parents of children who's lives can be threatened by simple every day joys most of us take for granted have to. I don't know what the answer is. I do see both sides of the situation. There are no winners or winning sides in the food debates when it comes to banning something or not in schools, at the pool etc. I think for me, when I hear what parents have to go through to protect their children with allergies I think to myself "There but the Grace of God go I..." | ||
| Cali6buff Citizen Username: Cali6buff Post Number: 48 Registered: 4-2006 |
Rastro is dead on. My generation was not breastfeed (I'm 33). Generations after us have a higher rate of breastfeeding and a higher rate of allergy. I certainly don't think breastfeeding causes allergies. But I also have a tough time believing it prevents them based on the above statement, and resent inclusion into the ranks of fatherhood. | ||
| argon_smythe Citizen Username: Argon_smythe Post Number: 843 Registered: 5-2001 |
People equate trying to control peanuts in certain settings where lots of children will tend to congregate with "banishing all food" or "banishing all fun" and the like are really off the wall. This is the same line of reasoning that compels people to say gay marriage will lead to people marrying their dogs. I am at once amazed at how many people actually have peanut allergies, how many people still don't understand the consequences of these allergies, and how incredibly earth-shatteringly important free and unimpeded access to peanuts seems to be to people. | ||
| susan1014 Supporter Username: Susan1014 Post Number: 1646 Registered: 3-2002 |
For all of the arguing here, I see the schools handling this fairly sanely. My daughter has class with someone with a bad peanut allergy. He eats at a separate table pushed up to the end of a standard lunch table, so he has his own peanut-free space but can sit with friends. Most parents are very careful when sending in food (if homebaked, we always send an ingredient list). Even so, there has been at least one goof with a sent-in treat. I don't think that we can realistically manage to ban everything that causes allergies, but I do think that we need to do quite a bit to accomodate kids with dangerous allergies. I'm hoping that the schools (and pools) can manage this without taking away some of my daughter's favorite lunch options, but will respect it if they decide that they must do otherwise. At the end of the day though, parents of kids with peanut allergies can never safely assume that everyone around them is going to get it right. So the first defense is going to have to continue to be asking many questions, being ready with the epipen, etc. (For my college friend, the problem was walnuts in the quiche, made by the dinner shift cooks, served by the lunch shift cooks, who had not been told about the nuts -- she took her drugs, ran all the way to the infirmary for more drugs, and spent a very unpleasant afternoon there. Then she gave up her dining contract and cooked for herself for the rest of college.) | ||
| combustion Citizen Username: Spontaneous Post Number: 201 Registered: 4-2006 |
See, this is a good solution to the problem. The child's needs are being met, but there aren't any unrealistic expectations regarding the other children bringing in dangerous food. One of the problems with making a school "peanut free" is that most parents would stop sending in peanut butter, but not realize that they have to be vigilant about reading EVERY ingredient on EVERY food item that they are sending in. What your daughter's school is doing is a very good example of taking measures to ensure the child's safety while not going to extremes. | ||
| Former Cowgirl Citizen Username: Formercowgirl Post Number: 134 Registered: 3-2006 |
I agree that making a school peanut free does not solve the problem (there is peanut oil in some potato chips and various other snack foods...there are peanuts in cookies and pastries that parents who aren't conscious of peanuts would never know to look for.) But, again, this thread only goes to prove my point that some people are so FOCUSED on maintaining their own freedom and civil liberties, that sensitivity and compassion go right out the window. To those people, I just ask that you open your minds a little and walk a few steps in your peanut allergic neighbor's shoes. And understand that while this still may be a minority problem, it IS growing. FYI for the science buffs: my son was exclusively breastfed for 9 months and has nut allergies, environmental allergies and asthma (the last 2 of which are hereditary.) However, he has never had an ear infection!  | ||
| doulamomma Citizen Username: Doulamomma Post Number: 1640 Registered: 3-2002 |
cali6buff, Increased breastfeeding rates are not all that has changed in the last generation...we eat much more processed food now, made in factories where it may be impossible to avoid cross-contamination; obviously there are environmental changes, changes in pesticide use, overuse of antibiotics and on and on. Though I don't have stats to backup my feeling, I'm quite sure that formula fed kids are not avoiding peanut allergies or other food allergies more than b'fed kids (and know that it's likely just the opposite overall) |
