The latest internet craze: the Lying Down Game

Have you heard about the latest internet craze? Photos of people lying down in random places are posted on the social networking site Facebook. In my opinion, it's silly and ridiculous and a total waste of time. I can't imagine taking part myself but can see where the trend might appeal to bored teenagers or university students. I certainly would never expect this behavior from people while they are at work and especially not from health-care workers but unbelievably, it has occurred within the NHS: Seven NHS staff suspended over Facebook 'Lying Down Game' picturesSeven doctors and nurses have been suspended from duty at a hospital accident and emergency department after taking part in the latest internet craze: the Lying Down Game. (link via timesonline) What on earth were they thinking? They are supposed to be professionals. I am appalled. There is no excuse for their outrageous behavior while at work in a hospital. It makes me wonder about the future of society when doctors and nurses think it's okay to take part in a silly game like the Lying Down Game while they are at work. What do you think about the Lying Down Game? What do you think about this incident?

High-heeled leather boots for toddlers

Last November, I posted my highly critical views about the fad for high heels for babies. I sincerely hoped it was just a passing fad and people would be sensible and refuse to buy the inappropriate shoes but unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case. In fact, the American company, Heelarious is still doing business and even worse than the high heeled shoes, has launched a new range of knee-high leather boots for toddlers. (link via telegraph.co.uk) I'm appalled at the very idea. In my opinion this trend is not only very inappropriate but quite offensive. Babies and young children should not be sexualised. What do you think about the high heeled shoes and the leather boots for toddlers? Do you agree with my views or do you think I'm overreacting and that this fashion is just harmless fun?

High Heels for Babies?

I think this new trend is very disturbing: A new collection of high-heeled shoes has been launched - for babies. I don't consider the shoes cute or fun and the play on words for the name of the company, Heelarious, makes me see red! They are not hilarious - they are hideous. I think the shoes are deliberately suggestive and help to sexualize a baby. Why on earth would any parent want that? What are your thoughts?

Roadside shrines & "ghost bikes"

I've considered writing about roadside shrines lots of times but I always seemed to forget until I noticed it's the subject for an article titled, Time to rethink roadside shrines, written by Alex Manson-Smith (a freelance journalist) in The Guardian today. I have to say that I completely agree with her views. I think all the shrines by the roadside are very morbid, distasteful and also very distracting for motorists. Indeed, it would be a very sad irony if a shrine that was in place to mark a death, actually caused another one. I'm not sure why this sad trend continues because when I've remarked to friends about it, they all seem to feel the same way. And yet, not only does this tradition seem to be here to stay but recently I read about another kind of shrine that is appearing at danger-spots. White 'ghost bikes' pay tribute to dead riders in danger spots across Britain. (link via mailonline.co.uk) The bikes just seem very ghoulish to me. I'm very surprised to learn that the spooky Ghost Bikes aren't just being seen in Britain but they are appearing in many other countries too. What are your thoughts about roadside shrines and ghost bikes?

Health stories in the news

Here is a selection of recent health stories in the news that merit a discussion: With society now obsessed by the desire to prolong life, Elizabeth Grice asks if we have lost the art of dying well and examines practical steps to change our attitudes. (link via telegraph.co.uk) As pointed out in the article, women in labour have a labour partner or a birth companion to support them during childbirth so should the dying have a "death companion"? A weight-loss drug that was refused a licence in the US because of fears it could cause depression and suicide has been approved for use in the NHS in England and Wales. (link via guardian.co.uk) How can that be right? Forty per cent of girls aged 9 or 10 have been on diets, an expert claims. We look at a trend that is also increasing among boys (link via timesonline.co.uk) This trend is very sad and also very dangerous. Is it due to pressures from society - particularly the media - or is it because so many parents are insecure and always trying a new diet? An aircraft-style safety test is to be implemented in all British hospitals to reduce the risks of surgery, using a simple checklist that has been proved to save thousands of lives. (link via independent.co.uk) I think this report is fascinating! It's such a simple idea and as pointed out in the article, research has shown checklists dramatically improve patient care – at virtually no cost. Hospitals have been accused of rationing IVF by denying the treatment to smokers, in a move that will reignite debate about the right to NHS care. (link via guardian.co.uk) In my opinion, I don't think the NHS should be offering IVF treatment to any woman. While I'm sure it's distressing for women who are experiencing fertility problems, infertility is not a medical condition that requires urgent treatment. When I read about people with cancer being denied certain cancer drugs because they are too expensive on the NHS, it makes me angry to think the NHS provides IVF treatment. Thoughts? Overcrowding of wards and staff shortages are contributing to a worldwide boom in hospital infections that are putting patients at risk, researchers say. (link via independent.co.uk) Those contributing factors in hospital infections make sense but I can't see any easy solutions. The NHS is already financially stretched. Experts have raised concerns about a UK-based online medical service which offers the contraceptive pill without the need to see a doctor. (BBC News) Do you think women should have to get a prescription to buy birth control pills?

Beauty salons for little girls (as young as two!)

I just read a news article titled, Salons boom as girls yearn to grow up fast about a new trend that I find very disturbing. The article is about "Tantrum, a luxurious child-only salon" in London (and similar ones appearing outside London) but mentions that these beauty salons that cater to very young girls are already popular in the USA: Tantrum, which opened as a hairdressers six months ago, has just started offering manicures and pedicures in response to demand. 'We're getting customers who come in and ask more and more whether we offer these other services,' said co-owner Latasha Malik. 'Manicures are very popular. [Parents] ask about pedicures, they ask whether we can style and blow-dry hair for young girls, have a bit of make-up put on.' Malik said British parents were still 'conservative' compared to Americans. So far his youngest customer for a manicure or pedicure has been six, whereas salons in Los Angeles and New York regularly treat children as young as two. (link via guardian.co.uk) This kind of trend makes me feel extremely sad for all those innocent little girls. I can't believe anyone would condone this, apart from very greedy salon owners (and apparently without any moral conscience) who came up with the idea to cater to children. The fact that there is "a demand" for this kind of service doesn't mean that it should be happening. I think parents should have been told there is a minimum age and that would be that. I would really like to know how on earth parents can believe that taking their little girls to be transformed to look much older and womanly is acceptable. These parents are deluding themselves if they think it's just a bit of fun. Their little girls are being encouraged to look much older than they are, and behave that way too. I'm not an expert but I am certain that this is a very unhealthy trend. Shame on the parents and (especially) shame on the salon owners. Would you consider taking your (very young) daughter to a salon? I sincerely hope not. Please don't give in to pressure from your children. You are the parent. Just say NO!