What is the deal with the Chinese seed packets? 🌱🌿 ✉

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What is the deal with the Chinese seed packets? 🌱🌿 ✉

The news media and state agriculture departments want you to be very weary about unsolicited seeds received in the mail from China.

Mostly a hoax, probably from an isolated incident somewhere in the country, it makes the perfect conspiracy to boost the prominence of state agriculture departments which are mostly ignored outside of farming community. It also raises the spotlight on invasive species which are problematic all over.

Here is the deal. Most likely, he packets are just random junk being mailed to boost promotion on Ali Express and Alibaba and claim they’re selling more of legitimate products than they really are.

Alibaba verifies international sales by postage counts, and currently international mail is very cheap from China as it has developing world status with the international postal union.

They won’t ship the package at the discounted rate if it’s empty.

One time I ordered something from Ali Express and it was delayed. They mailed me a note saying with a single piece of jumper wire in it to comply with postal regulations.

Ali Express is wonderful for electronic hobbyists who don’t mind waiting, fantastic deals on things like resistors, capacitors and microcontrollers. But there are also some scammy businesses on that site, so buyer beware.

Metal phone cases are potentially unsafe when plugged in. Plastic cases are much safer. ⚡

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Metal phone cases are potentially unsafe when plugged in. Plastic cases are much safer. ⚡

While it’s true that neutral – which the metal cases are connected to normally carries no voltage and that USB positive is a safe 5 volts, transformer insulation sometimes fails and some cheap chargers like inexpensive camping lamps use capacitive droppers that are fully referenced to 120 volts.

Most of the time, transformers are safe and there is no concern. UL and Intertek standards require good separation and proper insulation with high voltage breakdown testing to ensure that you don’t get shocked and die.

But why risk it?

Donald Trump suggests delay to 2020 US presidential election – BBC News

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Donald Trump suggests delay to 2020 US presidential election – BBC News

Donald Trump has called for November's presidential election to be postponed, saying increased postal voting could lead to fraud and inaccurate results.

He suggested a delay until people can "properly, securely and safely" vote.

There is little evidence to support Mr Trump's claims but he has long railed against mail-in voting which he has said would be susceptible to fraud.

A Sunscreen Evangelist Explains Why You Need To Get On Board

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A Sunscreen Evangelist Explains Why You Need To Get On Board

7/20/2020 by NPR

Web player: https://podplayer.net/?id=109932014
Episode: https://play.podtrac.com/npr-510338/edge1.pod.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/npr/lifekit/2020/07/20200720_lifekit_life_kit_-_sunscreen__-_final_midroll-3a5ac3a4-561c-4f0a-8659-1fda72effe35.mp3?awCollectionId=510338&awEpisodeId=892062631&orgId=1&topicId=1066&aggIds=676529561&d=1228&p=510338&story=892062631&t=podcast&e=892062631&size=19605846&ft=pod&f=510338

No matter your skin tone, sunscreen keeps your skin safe from harmful UVA and UVB rays. But to use it right, you need to know a few things: What SPF to use, how often to reapply and the difference between chemical and physical sunscreen. This episode explains what to look for on the back of a sunscreen bottle and how to use it effectively.

Good information ℹ to know when spending so much time at the beach. UV-A protects from skin aging and UV-B from painful burns and skin cancer. Sprays don’t work. Mineral and physical sunscreens don’t have the toxic chemicals but they are nasty to apply especially if you don’t rub them in your hands first to get it on evenly.

I didn’t know even the basics!