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The ‘Z’ Factor

All the commotion — and rightly so — over the lack of in-person graduation ceremonies during the COVID-19 pandemic brought back a funny memory. My son graduated from Wheeling Park High School in 2004. The commencement ceremony was held at WesBanco Arena, an appropriate venue for his size class and all the relatives and friends who came to witness the event. It was a hot day in May and the arena was a bit on the warm side. As regular readers of this column know, my last name begins with the letter Z. On the day of our son’s graduation, we waited and waited and waited some more as ...

If Atrial Fibrillation Is On and Off, Why Are Meds Full Time?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a male, 71, with a bovine aortic value that was installed 11 years ago. I went into atrial fibrillation six years ago and had an electric shock to stop it. That lasted a week, and was followed by an ablation, which kept me out of atrial fibrillation for five years. I went into atrial fibrillation again last year, and the shock I got is still working. I am now on Xarelto as before, but my cardiologist will not allow me to quit this time, even with electronic surveillance equipment. His only explanation is that the risk of stroke as a result of going back into ...

Guilt Remains 40 Years After Job Reference Was Withheld

DEAR ABBY: About 40 years ago, I did someone an injustice, and I have felt guilty ever since. I worked for a consulting firm in Washington, D.C., that fired an accounting clerk who was in my small office. I didn’t know why she was fired, and I never heard a cross word exchanged between her and her supervisor. She seemed to be capable and friendly. A prospective employer called me for a reference, and because my company told me that it did not respond to requests for references, I didn’t give her one. Ever since, I have wished I had shared what I knew about her. If I was allowed a ...

There’s More to a COVID-19 Test Than Positive or Negative

DEAR DR. ROACH: Considering things I’ve heard on the news regarding the accuracy of the COVID-19 tests for both the virus and the antibodies, what are the chances of a false positive or false negative? I understand that there are different “brands” of tests, for lack of a better word, and some are better than others. Would it be wise to get tested with more than one brand just to make sure? — A.W. ANSWER: Many lay people tend to think of diagnostic tests as perfectly accurate. The doctor does a test for a condition, and if the test is positive, you have it, and if it’s ...

Favorite Son’s Jabs at Brother’s Wife Causing Family Friction

DEAR ABBY: I married “Darius” two years ago. I have had problems with my brother-in-law ever since Darius and I first began dating five years ago. From my husband’s perspective, his parents have always favored his younger brother, “Adonis.” “Anything goes” is their attitude where he is concerned. Adonis takes things without asking, lies and constantly makes disrespectful comments toward us. He was never reprimanded as a child, and now he’s an adult (24), the sniping continues. A few months ago, he showed up unannounced at my home and insulted a guest who was ...

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors of Humans, Wildlife

Fences are the best way to prevent deer and other foraging animals from damaging gardens, landscape plants and orchards, but they can be expensive, and difficult or time-consuming to install. There are other wildlife deterrents, but they might not work as well, so be prepared to share. The ...