There has been a long standing stigma surrounding the topic of breastfeeding in public. People, most often men, have found this to be too tantalizing, sexual and overall distracting for them to go about their daily lives. Breastfeeding is a natural occurrence. It is a mother feeding her baby breakfast, lunch or dinner. Most people wouldn’t respond well if they were approached when eating and told that the way they were eating was too sexual or distracting and that they should eat somewhere “more private.” This is just a fraction of the nonsense people put breastfeeding mothers through.

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A program in Merced will soon provide clean needles to drug users in an attempt to reduce the transfer of diseases, according to doctors.

Needle-exchange programs have shown some success. When Baltimore’s program launched more than 20 years ago, 63 percent of those with HIV were IV drug users. By 2014, the only 7 percent were IV drug users, contributing to one of the nation’s largest drops in new HIV cases, according to the Baltimore Sun.

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A code red extreme heat alert has been issued for Monday through Thursday as temperatures are expected to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, officials said.

"As Baltimore continues to experience very high temperatures this week, all residents should take precautions to protect against hyperthermia and dehydration," Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen said. "Heat is a silent killer and a public health threat, particularly for the young, the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions. I urge everyone stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay in touch with your neighbors, especially seniors and medically frail individuals who live alone."

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A Code Red Extreme Heat Alert has been issued for Tuesday with the heat index expected to rise above 100.

The heat index combined both air temperature and relative humidity. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory and it will be in effect from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

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