Leonard Nimoy better known as Spock died at the age of 83 because of COPD

Leonard Nimoy better known as Spock died at the age of 83 because of COPD 

Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy, who lived long and prospered alongside his alter ego Mr. Spock, died Friday at his Los Angeles home. The creator of television’s most beloved pointy-eared, hyper-logical half-Vulcan, was 83. The death of the “Star Trek” star was confirmed by his wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, and his son, Adam.Nimoy had suffered for several years from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), which makes it difficult to breathe. 

“I quit smoking 30 yrs ago,” he tweeted last week. “Not soon enough. I have COPD. Grandpa says, quit now!! LLAP.” 

“LLAP” was Spock’s best-known catch phrase: Live long and prosper.


Leonard Nimoy lived up to his longtime catchphrase: Live long and prosper. Having achieved success in many arenas during his lifetime, the actor, director, writer and photographer has died at age 83. His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, reportedly confirmed his death to the New York Times, saying the cause was end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Most widely known for his performance as half-human, half-Vulcan science officer Spock on the classic sci-fi TV show “Star Trek” and its many subsequent film and videogame incarnations, Nimoy was also a successful director, helming “Star Trek” pics “The Search for Spock” and “The Voyage Home,” as well as non-“Star Trek” fare; an accomplished stage actor; a published writer and poet; and a noted photographer. He also dabbled in singing and songwriting.

SWINE FLU OUTBREAK !

SWINE FLU OUTBREAK

Just when we had put a dangerous outbreak of avian flu behind us, the recent news of a prominent government official, National Planning Commission Joint Secretary Bhaba Krishna Bhattarai has succumbed to swine flu.So far 17 have been victimized by it this year.

The news has taken the nation by storm. Swine flu has been detected before in Nepal, though it has not been detected in swine.

When it was first discovered in humans in 2009, it caused a nationwide panic, with people coming in droves to get checked for swine flu, and one school in Hetauda even instituting a rule on all students to wear masks. Because swine flu is highly contagious, spreading even from minimal contact and sneezes, the fear that it may become an epidemic was high.

However, times have changed since 2009. In the interim, swine flu has already spread in Nepal. It has become so common in humans that one in every four persons with flu is estimated to have swine flu. Most Nepalis have developed immunity to it, and thus walk around oblivious to the virus in their bodies even though people in many parts of the world continue to die from the flu.

To date, there has not been a single death in Nepal from avian flu, leading to the conclusion that it (avian flu) was effectively contained in Nepal. Bhaba Krishna Bhattarai’s death from swine flu has led to the opposite conclusion, but in fact, Bhattarai had not contracted the flu from local contagions. He had just come back from a trip to the US. And even in 2009, swine flu had been detected in incoming travelers from many different countries.

Though most of us are not in immediate danger from swine flu, it affects different people differently based on individual immunity powers. Children, the elderly, and those already suffering from diseases are vulnerable to it.

To them it may prove fatal, even though swine flu can be easily cured if detected in preliminary stages. Meanwhile, the government has not been proactive in providing the vaccine for swine flu, which have just arrived in the country after several years of order.

A faster reaction to such epidemics is definitely warranted, seeing that the viruses that cause flu mutate into new forms rapidly. A vaccine for one strain may soon be outdated when a newer, vaccine-resistant strain develops. In Nepal, the vaccine for swine flu is still not available over the counter, and though the government has pledged to provide it for free, most people have no idea how to procure it.

There is a need to raise awareness among the public about the danger that swine flu poses to us. Cases of flu and symptoms like fever, runny nose, sore throat, etc should not be taken lightly. But at the same time, it is important to avoid the kind of panic generated in 2009.

The knowledge of antidotes that are available in case the flu becomes serious must be widespread. Though we have relatively little to be afraid of from swine flu, it does not mean that the danger has been completely eliminated.

Precautions to be taken to prevent SWINE FLU

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay inside when sick
• Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
• Washing hands often helps protect one from germs
• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth
• Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.

Use mask to prevent SWINE FLU

Acid attack in Kathmandu raises questions over safety of girls

KATHMANDU, Nepal  – Sangita Magar’s completely swollen and partially disfigured face showed all the agony she has been going through.
Whenever she tried to speak, her swollen lips would prevent her from doing so. Tears would then roll down to her hospital bedsheet. Her mother Chameli Magar keeps wiping her itchy, sticky eyes but this brings no respite from her suffering. She just lay straight and helpless on the bed, closing her watery eyes.
Sangita Magar, 16, one of the victims of Sunday’s acid attack at Basantapur-based Minus Plus Institute, a tuition center for SLC-appearing students, receiving treatment at Kathmandu Medical College as her mother sits beside her with a solemn expression. (Shreejana Shrestha/Republica)
Sangita is just 16 and dreams of nothing else but scoring good grades in the upcoming School Leaving Certificate (SLC) exams. Her dream now seems elusive. She is the victim of an acid attack that took place at Basantapur, Sunday morning. She has sustained serious injuries to the abdomen, chest, right hand and leg.
She, along with two friends, came under acid attack while attending supplementary tuition near her rented rooms at Bansantapur. A masked man had stormed into the room to carry out the attack
“Our teacher was absent, so I was helping my friend Seema with accounting. Suddenly a man with a black cap came in at around 6 a.m. and threw a bottle of acid at us,” said Sangita. Her friend Hebu, who escaped injury in the attack, rushed her home.
Sangita’s father Prem Bahadur Magar said that he poured cold water on her head as she was hurting badly and rushed her to Bir Hospital. As the case was serious, she was referred to Kathmandu Model Hospital.
“As far as we know, our daughter is not in any relationship with anyone. She is a very quiet and homely person,” informed her father.
Throwing of acid at women and girls is quite rare in Kathmandu, unlike in the Tarai districts and across the border. The way Sangita and her friends were attacked in broad daylight in the capital reflects the grim situation of women and girls in the country.
Sangita has been living with her family in rented quarters at Basantapur for over seven years and does not hesitate to call it her home, a place where she feels safe and cozy. However, what happened on Sunday in the ‘hometown she admires’ is her worst nightmare come true
Sangita is in shock. But remarkably, the horrible incident has not deflected her from her aim of excelling in the SLC exams that start from 19 March. “Even after the acid attack she has been repeating that she wants to appear the SLC and study science later on,” said her mother in a tearful voice.