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Issue:
March 27, 2009
TSA TESTING MILLIMETER WAVE PASSENGER IMAGING
TECHNOLOGY [Top
Of Page]
The Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) will be testing millimeter wave technology in
place of walk-through metal detectors at six airports, and will monitor its
operational efficiency. Millimeter wave technology passes harmless
electromagnetic waves over the human body to create an image that looks
much like a fuzzy photo negative. It is also safe, as the energy emitted by
the technology is 10,000 times less than that of a cell phone. This system
will be used in airports in San Francisco,
Miami, Albuquerque,
Tulsa, Salt
Lake City and Las
Vegas. Millimeter wave
technology will be voluntary for passengers. Those who do not want to
receive millimeter wave screening will undergo the standard metal detector
screening and a pat-down.
Technology
such as millimeter wave imaging enables TSA to detect items such as
weapons, explosives and other objects, both metallic and non-metallic,
concealed under layers of clothing with no physical contact. Passenger
privacy is also ensured as the officer attending the passenger cannot view
the image and the officer viewing the image is remotely located and cannot
see the passenger. The image cannot be stored, transmitted or printed and
is deleted immediately after it is viewed. The facial area of the image is
also blurred to further ensure passenger privacy.
THE G-20 SUMMIT [Top Of Page]
On April
1, heads of state from 19 countries and the European Union, leaders of the
World Bank and International Monetary Fund, and over 1,000 officials and
civil servants will descend on London
for the 2009 G-20 Leaders' Summit
on Financial Markets and the World Economy.
As with
past global conferences, this meeting is expected to attract thousands of
activists and protestors, who will create a major security challenge for
authorities in the British capital. A wide coalition of anti-globalization
groups, environmental activists, anti-war protestors, anarchists, students,
unemployed workers and many others is expected to protest the countries,
firms, entities and individuals that they see as responsible for creating
the global financial crisis.
Many
experts believe that current economic conditions will make it easier for
activist groups to recruit "foot soldiers" to engage in
large-scale protests, confrontations, demonstrations and other disruptive
activities. As discontent mounts on a global scale, British officials fear
that the summit will generate the worst public disorder in the UK
in over a decade. Most recently, several media outlets reported that
security officials are stepping up already stringent security measures,
amid new fears of "guerrilla-style raids" on hotels and other
buildings where government and corporate leaders will be staying during the
two-day summit.
Business
groups are warning staff not to schedule important meetings in London on April 1 and 2, and London police have warned
businesses in LondonCity
and eastern London
of potential difficulties with protesters. The security threat that the protestors
pose is a real one; activists are planning such events as "Storm the
Banks" and "Bash a Banker" in online forums. The sheer
number of protestors and their ability to communicate quickly and
effectively using mobile phones could drastically expand the range of
problem areas in Greater London starting on March 28.
To
mitigate the effects of the protestors, thousands of uniformed police
officers will be on the streets. The Metropolitan, City and British
Transport Police forces have joined under a single command structure to
prepare for dignitaries' arrivals, their safe and efficient transportation
within London,
and their attendance at events in various locations.
At the
moment, British officials are reporting that they have no specific intelligence
of a terrorist attack and no intelligence of violent mass protests or
riots. However, if travelers' itineraries allow, SecurAssist recommends
avoiding London
altogether on the days in question and visiting at another time -either
before or after the summit.
Travelers
who will be in London
in late March and early April are encouraged to exercise extreme caution
when moving about the city. You should avoid the following areas and
events, all of which are likely to have high concentrations of protestors
and/or high-profile individuals:
- The ExCeL Centre in Docklands London, the summit
host venue
- The 'Jobs, Justice and Climate' parade, which will
proceed from Victoria Embankment, past Parliament and through Central
London to a rally in Hyde Park
on March 28
- A 'mass street party' near the Bank of England on
April 1
- 'Financial Fools Day, 'a blockade of financial
institutions on April 1
- The 'Climate Camp' gathering at the European
Climate Exchange in LondonCity
on April 1
- BP centenary celebrations at the BritishMuseum
on the evening of April 1
Travelers
are urged to actively monitor news reports for up-to-the-minute information
on developing events, incidents and affiliated disruptions in and around London.
They should make every attempt to avoid financial institutions, government
buildings, banks and major multinational corporate facilities -as well as
any large crowds in squares, parks and city streets -on the days in
question.
If you or
one of your employees plans to visit London
between March 28 and April 2, we encourage you to call SecurAssist at (609)
452-2471 for more information.
ASSISTANCE PLANS SAVE LIVES [Top
Of Page]
The
recent tragic death of actress Natasha Richardson has raised many questions
about how medical emergencies are handled during travel. Assist America
has received several inquiries about ways our global emergency services
program is helpful in a similarly critical situation away from home. Some
considerations:
- Unlike most other assistance companies, Assist
America has no exclusions for sports, so all services are still
provided if the urgency is a skiing accident.
- Monitoring of patient condition and care by
professional medical staff starts from the very first phone call to
our operations center.
- Our policy is to make sure the member is
transported to the closest, most appropriate medical facility by the
fastest and safest method possible. This fosters timeliness of care,
which can be vital during health emergencies.
- As soon as Assist America gets involved in a
medical emergency away from home, our experts-who are specifically
trained in travel and transport medicine-become an active part of the
decision-making process. Our specialists can make emergency care and
transport recommendations that even highly qualified doctors in the
field are not savvy about, such as elevation, pressurization, facility
capabilities and much more. We also advise the member and their family
about appropriate steps to take at a time when their focus may be
understandably diverted, and our unbiased advice is always made in the
best interest of the patient.
- If dependent children are left unattended because
of the member's injury, we will arrange for the care of those
children. We will also transport a loved one to the member's bedside
if they are expected to be hospitalized for more than seven
days.
- If the member is well enough to be discharged, but
still needs help, we will bring them home or to a rehabilitation center.
If the member passes away, we transport their mortal remains
home.
When a
travel medical emergency happens, it is always an advantage to have a
global emergency assistance services program. Assistance plans can make the
difference in quality and timeliness of care, which can truly mean life or
death.
FROM THE ASSIST AMERICA
CASE FILES: TROUBLED IN TAHITI [Top
Of Page]
A
backdrop of blue water and skies framed Rebecca* as she sailed along with
her husband, Jake, on a cruise through the South Pacific. On the morning of
the ship's docking in Tahiti, she left the sleeping room to meet Jake for
breakfast, but lost her balance and fell, fracturing her leg. She was taken
to the onboard physician's office and transferred by ground ambulance to a
hospital on the island. Jake called Assist America.
Our
medical coordinators immediately went to work, conferring with the hospital
about her condition. She needed a rather complex surgical repair to the
fracture, and the facility was not equipped or staffed properly to perform
it. Assist America
moved quickly, transporting Rebecca on a stretcher via commercial carrier,
together with Jake and a medical escort, to the closest hospital capable of
caring for her-in Los
Angeles, California-with
ground ambulance services at each end. She was admitted, and after several
days of preoperative care underwent a successful surgery.
Though
she was predicted to make an excellent recovery, Rebecca was still rather
fragile and would require weeks of rehabilitation for her leg. Assist America
transported her via private air ambulance and ground ambulance to a
respected rehabilitation center near her daughter's residence in Alabama,
where she would be living after discharge. Jake was by her side for the
entire trip. She arrived safe and sound. Another happy ending thanks to
Assist America!
*names
changed for privacy
CAMPING
SAFETY [Top Of Page]
With the
current economic recession, travelers seem to be eschewing hotels in favor
of cheaper accommodations-tents! According to a report from the Sporting
Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), the popularity of outdoor camping
rose 7.4 percent between 2007 and 2008, and overnight backpacking is up
18.5 percent. And it makes sense for today's cash-strapped populations:
State parks are among the least expensive places to sleep under the stars,
with fees ranging from free to about $10 per day.
The SGMA
estimates there are approximately 33.7 million campers in the United States
and that the number will increase this year as the weather warms. While
camping is a fun and inexpensive way to commune with friends, family and
nature, some simple measures can help ensure a safe and healthy experience.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests:
Get
vaccinated
Vaccinations
can help protect against certain diseases and conditions, so make sure
yours are up to date. Ask your doctor which vaccinations are
recommended-common ones include tetanus, whooping cough, meningitis and/or
hepatitis A. Make sure to discuss your medical history, destination and
other factors with your doctor.
Prepare
safe food
Pack foods in tight, waterproof bags or containers and keep them in an
insulated cooler. Wash your hands and cooking/preparing surfaces often.
Separate raw foods from cooked foods. Cook foods to proper temperatures
(i.e. ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160
degrees). Chill foods promptly.
Practice
fire safety
Use a campfire pit away from low hanging branches. Make sure it has a metal
fire ring or is encircled with rocks. Keep a bucket of water and a shovel
nearby to put the fire out. Never leave a campfire unattended, use
fireproof cooking equipment and before you leave, be sure to extinguish the
flames completely.
Keep
physical activities safe
Be sure to bring and use protective gear such as helmets, sturdy shoes and
life jackets for any activities you may participate in such as walking,
hiking, biking, swimming and/or boating. Never hike or swim alone. Learn
how to identify and avoid poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac.
Protect
against carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon
monoxide is odorless and colorless and can lead to illness or even death in
people as well as pets. Never use fuel-burning equipment such as gas
stoves, heaters, lanterns and charcoal grills inside a tent, camper or
other enclosed shelter. Rather than relying on fuel-burning appliances for
warmth, bring adequate bedding, clothing and consume extra calories and
fluids to prevent hypothermia.
Avoid
wild animals and protect family pets
Some wild animals carry diseases that are dangerous to people such as
rabies, hantavirus, Giardia infection and more. Avoid touching, feeding and
getting too close to wild animals. Keep foods stored in sealed containers
and out of reach of animals. Make sure family pets are vaccinated and watch
them closely. Check yourself and your pets for ticks and remove them
properly. Make sure pets have plenty of water, food and shelter.
Fight
bug bites
Mosquitoes, ticks and other insects can carry disease. Apply insect
repellent containing DEET to clothes and exposed skin. Also apply the insect
repellent permethrin to clothes to help keep ticks from attaching to them.
Be sure to follow the directions on the package. Check for ticks daily and
remove them properly. Wear long sleeves, pants and other light colored
clothing to help prevent and spot ticks more easily.
Prevent
temperature-related illness
To help prevent hypothermia during cool nights, bring adequate bedding and
clothing to stay warm. Use a plastic ground cloth under your tent to keep
dry. To help prevent heat-related illness during hot days, drink plenty of
alcohol-free and sugar-free fluids. Don't wait until you're thirsty to
drink. Wear layers of light-weight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
and rest often in shady areas.
Protect
yourself from the sun
The sun can have seriously damaging effects, even on cloudy days. Use a
broad-spectrum (against UVA and UVB rays) sunscreen and lip balm with at
least SPF 15. Seek shade, particularly between 10:00am-4:00pm, when the
sun's rays are the strongest. Cover up with clothing, a wide-brimmed hat
and sunglasses.
Be
prepared
Always be prepared for the unexpected. Before you leave, check the weather
report, learn about security at your campground and tell family and friends
what your plans are. Be sure to bring along a well-equipped first aid kit,
compass or GPS, map, flashlight, blankets, batteries, food, clothes and
medications. Know who to contact and where to go at the camp in case of a
problem. When you return home, check for ticks, poison ivy and other
problems. And always carry your Assist America membership card!
TEACHING
ABROAD: YOUTH HEAD OVERSEAS FOR JOBS [Top Of Page]
According
to a recent CNN report, new college graduates are searching for
alternatives to the tough recession job market, with many applying for paid
positions to teach English overseas in countries like South Korea,
Japan,
China
and Spain.
An
organization called Reach to Teach, which places applicants in overseas positions,
has seen more than a 100 percent increase in applications in the last six
months-with 3,784 applicants compared to just 1,488 during the same six
month period last year-as well as an uptick in current teachers abroad
extending their contracts for an extra year. It estimates that more than 70
percent of these individuals are from the U.S.
As more
and more young people travel-even live-abroad, it is important for them to
have a resource to turn to for health emergencies, which can be particularly
challenging and stressful in unfamiliar locales. Not only is a global
emergency assistance services plan vital, but knowing the details of the
program is paramount. Retail assistance and travel insurance products are
usually an expensive solution with many caps, limits and
restrictions.
Assist America
members are protected by a powerful array of global emergency services
during travel more than 100 miles from home for 90 days or less. So any
member who travels continuously or moves abroad to teach loses assistance
benefits in that location after 90 days. Luckily, there is an easy
solution. Assist America
offers expatriate coverage, which extends the 90 days to one year and
eliminates the 100 mile rule, on a renewable basis, for an affordable administration
fee.
There are
only two conditions for purchasing expatriate coverage:
- The traveler must be a current member of Assist
America through their benefit program, so a graduating college student
must still be declared a dependent on the parents' insurance policy or
must be an Assist America member through their own insurance benefit
plan.
- Coverage must be purchased prior to travel
For more
information about Assist America's expatriate coverage program, please
contact sales@assistamerica.com.
For the
latest, up-to-date information regarding key regions, click on the links
below:
AFRICA
EAST ASIA &
PACIFIC
EUROPE &
EURASIA
NEAR EAST
SOUTH
& CENTRAL ASIA
WESTERN
HEMISPHERE
Sources
for this document include, but are not limited to: CNN, ABC News,
AP, The CDC, The TSA, The U.S. State Department.
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