by Joe Janes 

A message from the Office of the Mayor

Lori E. Lightfoot

Chicago

Our Chicago hospitals have been filling up again as the cases of bullet wounds is on the rise. The best defense we have against these spikes in deaths is knowledge. According to the CDC, bullet wounds are caused by bullets likely discharged from guns. The only way to be catch one of these bullets is if they are airborne, in which case they can enter through the nose, the throat, the eyes, any part of the body, really.

Where do bullets come from? The truth is any human can carry bullets.  And that alone is not anything to be concerned about. Bullets are harmless without a gun, their natural receptor. 

How can you tell if you have a gun? You might have a gun and not even know it. A simple test you can do at home is to run your hand along the sides of your torso, lower back, and legs. If you feel a lump under the sweat glands or along the calf, you might have a gun.

How do you prevent you or your family from being shot by a bullet? Avoid crowded places, such as movie theaters, schools, concerts, and shopping malls. The best thing you can do is stay indoors. But that’s also not a guarantee. People have been known to catch bullets in their homes. If you have a gun and go outdoors, wear a mask.

How do you know if you have been shot a bullet? There are some telltale symptoms. Achiness, throbbing pains, light-headedness, unfamiliar holes in your flesh and bleeding. If you think you’ve been shot and don’t need a hospital, go home and crawl in to bed. Rest. Drink plenty of liquids. If the liquids leak out of any part of your body not designed to process it, go see a doctor.

Bullet wounds can be lethal, but not always. There are some people who have been shot multiple times with only minor long-term side effects. However, elderly people and infants should try to avoid being around guns as much as possible. Schools are a virtual breeding ground for bullets. Once one student has been shot, it’s possible more will quickly follow. Don’t be surprised if that school closes its doors and sends everyone home for a day or two. 

While there is cause for concern, there is no reason to panic, yet. Gunshot wounds are a lot more common than you might think.  Last year in this country alone over 44,000 people died from common, run-of-the-mill gunshot wounds. They can vary in intensity, which has made it difficult to create an effective vaccine to combat them. 

The only known cure is thoughts and prayers, so the very best thing you can do is stay far away from bullets.

Stay safe! 

Stay home! 

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