Page 12 - Boca Club News - June '24

Page 12, Boca Club News

Healthy Answers from page 11 How can you change public opinion and perceptions Awareness–Acknowledge that some individuals may
about the dangers of MSG? have sensitivities to MSG, but it’s important to distinguish
After an independent inquiry was set up by the FDA in Here are some steps that could help shift perceptions: between genuine physical reactions and unfounded fears.
the 1990s, it was labeled as “generally recognized as safe” Education–Point out scientific research that supports the Seeking advice–Healthcare professionals can play a
when used in normal amounts. Yet even today in America use of MSG, how it’s produced, and how it’s used in food to crucial role in dispelling myths and addressing concerns
MSG is thought to be a harmful substance. Interestingly, reassure people of its safety. about food additives.
Chinese restaurants in the U.S. often hung signs inside that Read labels–If you are concerned that you might have a Many of the reported symptoms associated with
announced, “No MSG used,” in an attempt to dispel the myth sensitivity to MSG, read food labels that disclose the presence MSG can have other factors that may play a role, such as
and distance themselves from the humiliation. and/or percentage of MSG. May be listed as hydrolyzed individual sensitivities, other food additives or psychological
You may ask, “Why is MSG so widely used?” The reason protein, autolyzed yeast, or flavoring. implications. By providing accurate information, addressing
is because it taps into our fifth basic taste, called umami, Information–Know about the natural occurrence of concerns and highlighting the benefits of MSG and umami,
which is less well known than such other tastes as saltiness glutamate in many foods and those that undergo fermentation, it’s possible to shift public opinion away from “Chinese
or sweetness, but provides the savory taste we all love. such as soy sauce and cheese. restaurant syndrome” and promote a more informed
Understanding–One of the five basic tastes associated understanding of this common food additive.
with glutamate is umami, along with sweet, sour, bitter and In conclusion, I had asked my husband to read this article
salty. All contribute to the complexity and enjoyment of the and his only comment was, “Why even worry; there’s not
food we eat. even one good Chinese restaurant in Boca Raton!”
Medical Matters: The Norovirus

By Richard Nagler, M.D., a member million cases globally annually. It is spread through contact Diagnosis is usually made by the symptoms alone, but the
of Broken Sound Club and retired with infected people, contaminated food and surfaces. virus can be identified in the stool. There is no cure and no
physician. After graduating from the However, infections with the Norovirus are infrequent vaccine. Antibiotics are useless. Every effort should be made
University of Pennsylvania and New on cruise ships as compared to that acquired in restaurants, to prevent an outbreak. Your hands must be washed frequently
York University’s School of Medicine, hospitals, nursing homes, resorts and schools. From 2006 with soap and water. Sanitizers are not as effective. Fruits and
Dr. Nagler served his internship and to 2019, out of 127 million cruise ship passengers on all vegetables should be washed. Sea food, especially shellfish,
residency at Baltimore City Hospital international cruise lines 26,000 were infected, which is should be thoroughly cooked to 145 degrees. All surfaces,
and Johns Hopkins. He followed that 0.2 %. For cruises originating in the U.S. the incidence of such as railings and elevator buttons, frequently cleaned and
with a Fellowship in Gastroenterology Noroviral infections last reported in 2021 was 1% annually. sanitized—as well as serving utensils—especially at buffets.
at Yale University School of Medicine, and was then Chief Most of these cases were on larger ships with longer voyages. Isolation of infected individuals is mandatory. It is
of Gastroenterology at Fitzimmons General Army Hospital Norovirus is the number one cause of food-borne illness important to sip fluids as best as one can and ingest soft bland
in Denver. He returned to the Yale Medical School for one in America. Of sudden onset, it causes gastroenteritis with foods slowly in small bites as tolerated. Contaminated food is
year as an Assistant Professor of Medicine before opening nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, headache, fever and rare on cruise ships sailing from American ports. The staff is
his own successful private practice in Internal Medicine body aches. Symptoms appear 12 to 24 hours after exposure trained to follow health and safety guidelines enforced by the
and Gastroenterology. During that time, he also served for and lasts one to three days. It is contracted by contact with CDC. They are dedicated to keeping public areas, especially
ten years as Chief of Medicine at Huntington Hospital in someone who has the virus and is shedding billions of viral high-touch ones clean. Galley crews are trained in food safety
Huntington, N.Y. particles, by touching contaminated surfaces such as railings and handling. There are regular inspections of food stored in
During the COVID pandemic people refrained from and elevator buttons where the virus can survive for days or freezers and refrigerators.
cruise ships as the proximity of contact with infected even weeks, and then touching one’s mouth or nose. Passengers are strongly urged to report illness and isolate
people was certain to encourage contracting the dreaded Contaminated food, especially raw oysters and other themselves immediately. After each cruise is completed,
disease. However, with the continued decline in COVID shellfish is a common source of the virus. Infected persons deep generalized cleaning is mandatory before the next
infections and increased immunity there has been a significant remain contagious for 48 hours after symptoms have sailing. Inspections are conducted with thorough checks to
renaissance in cruising. subsided. The vast majority of those infected make a full ensure compliance with the highest standards. That is why
However, there are other respiratory viruses, such as the uneventful recovery, but for pregnant women, seniors and the incidence of Noroviral infections on cruise ships is so
Flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), that can spread on the immunocompromised they can become very sick–mainly infrequent as compared to land-based areas of close quarters
cruise ships. Prior to the pandemic one of the major concerns secondary to severe dehydration with decreased urination, where such practices are often ignored or inadequate.
was the reported outbreaks of Noroviral infections on cruise dark colored urine, dry mouth, weakness, dizziness, fainting
ships. This highly contagious virus is very common, with 685 and, rarely, sudden death.
Legal: Issues Selling Older Condominiums

By Michael J Posner, Esq., a partner from Florida rather than their expensive homes/rentals in the Based on the results of the study, each Association must
in Ward Damon P.L., a mid-sized real Northeast. fully fund the reserves necessary to provide the funds for future
estate and business-oriented law firm The current condominium market in Florida has repairs. This reserve cannot be waived by owners and can be in
serving all of Florida, with offices in dramatically changed due to numerous factors, including the millions of dollars. This will result in many owners facing
Palm Beach and Lee County. They higher taxes resulting from the increase in value, an increase a large special assessment to fund the reserves, and if the study
specialize in real estate law and in supply, a decrease in demand, increases in the cost of finds substantial structural deterioration a more detailed phase
can assist buyers and sellers with insurance, higher interest rates and the collapse of the two inspection would be required, which will likely lead to
closing and financing of residential Champlain Tower Condominium in 2021 in Surfside. even more expensive costs to owners.
and commercial real estate including The reaction to the Surfside collapse was a substantial With the cost of funding the new reserves running anywhere
remote closings. They can be reached at (561) 594-1452 or change in how condominiums are required to handle reserves. from $5,000 to $50,000 per unit, many owners will not have
at mjposner@warddamon.com. The Florida legislature enacted sweeping new requirements the money to pay the cost up front. Most Associations will
For the past several years the real estate market has been related to reserves which have upended the condominium opt to finance the cost, spreading the expense over a period of
on a large upswing, with prices increasing dramatically market, especially older buildings built before 1992. years, along with the interest due on the loan. A five-year loan
through 2022. Demand was high and supply was limited, Prior to the passage of the changes in Florida law to cover a $50,000 special assessment will cost unit owners
causing values to soar. Florida was a popular destination for stemming from the Surfside collapse, condominiums were about $1,000 extra per month for sixty months.
out-of-state buyers, and the Covid pandemic accelerated that able to avoid having to fund required reserves by a vote of a As an example, a forty-year-old condominium that sold for
desire as many new remote workers realized they could work majority of unit owners. This resulted in keeping assessments $300,000.00 in 2020 cost a unit owner to pay approximately
low, which contributed to an increase in value as low $1,836.85 a month, made up of $1,011.85 a month for a
Southern Exposure Technologies assessments kept ownership costs low, making ownership mortgage payment on $240,000.00 at three percent; taxes of
Computer Install/Setup/Repair more attractive to buyers. Unit owners often voted to kick about $100.00 a month (the first year’s taxes are frequently
reduced due to a low prior value capped by Florida save our
the can down the road, hoping that the expense of required
(561) 315-0144 repairs would be paid by subsequent owners of their unit. homes law, and will go up by at least $100.00–200.00 a month
getsetgo.annie@gmail.com The failure to provide adequate reserves and the desire in year two); condominium insurance of about $75.00 per
* DSL, Broadband,Wireless Install to keep assessment low meant that many necessary repairs month; and common area assessments of $650.00 per month.
* Networking, Troubleshooting were delayed. The Champlain Condominium had knowledge That same condominium on the market today, if facing
* Instruction as far back as 2018 of serious structural defects, but the board large special assessments and weak reserves, will likely be
* Hardware/Software Installation delayed action due to the expense. Finally, a 15-million-dollar sold for at least $100,000.00 less. Even so, the monthly cost
* Virus/Spyware/Adware Fix of carrying that $200,000.00 condominium will be higher. The
* Cleanup/Maintenance/Backup project was approved, but the work was not started by the
* Business Consult/Startup/Move time of the collapse. total monthly cost will be approximately $2,414.48, made up
* Website Design/Maintenance As a result of the Surfside collapse the Florida legislature of $1,064.48 a month for a mortgage payment on $160,000.00
Call S.E.T. to install your “new computer, printer enacted a new requirement that all condominiums over at seven percent; taxes of about $300.00 a month (based on
and wireless network”! two stories and thirty years old must complete a milestone the greatly increased assessed value due to the $300,000.00
GET S.E.T. GO! structural integrity reserve survey no later than December sale in 2020); condominium insurance of about $150.00 per
REASONABLE HOURLY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY RATES 31st, 2024. The results of the study must be shared with all month and common area assessments of $900.00 per month
FOR SMALL BUSINESSES FOR AS LOW AS $50.00 AN HOUR, owners and posted online. (due to increased costs and higher insurance costs).
WITH A MINIMUM OF 6 HOURS A MONTH, This is an increase of $577.63 per month even though the
OR 2 HOURS A WEEK, OR ON AN AS-NEEDED The structural integrity survey must provide the estimated
BASIS RATE OF $75.00 P/HOUR. remaining useful life, and the estimated replacement cost unit value has greatly decreased. Add on the cost of the special
START YOUR NEW YEAR WITH SECURE BACKUPS, of the roof, load bearing walls or other primary structural assessment needed to cover the new reserve requirements and
QUALITY MAINTENANCE, ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND members, floor, foundation, fireproofing and fire protection despite a drop in price of one-third the market conditions make
PERSONABLE ON-SITE SUPPORT! these condominiums a tough sell. As a result, many underwater
(561) 315-0144 systems, plumbing, and any item with a deferred maintenance
CALL S.E.T. TODAY FOR YOUR COMPUTER NEEDS! or replacement cost that exceeds $10,000. owners will likely walk away from their units, resulting in more
mortgage or association foreclosures.