As vintage car collectors, it is of utmost importance to do your research. It pays to know the nitty-gritty of these cars, the difference between each type, and so forth. You can go through the internet for some relevant information.

However, since they are vintage, the majority of the important data are offline. Often in books and movies.

If you have been collecting vintage cars for years, you will notice that these cars have been used widely in movies, particularly for the crime genre. In fact, these types of cars must have gained more popularity because of these films.

Crime fiction films are common adaptations of crime fiction books. According to pop culture, crime is one of the most attractive genres of fiction. This genre, along with romance and science fantasy, has been the focus of best-selling books. 

The main reason for its popularity is it gives a different kind of excitement. Readers and viewers feel on edge, always ready for action as they immerse themselves in the story.

They even like to play detective, making guesses at every turn of their favorite whodunit plot. Additionally, crime books also generally have a good and fulfilling portrayal of justice.

Unfortunately, these favorite plots may also happen in real life. According to FBI statistics, around 1.3 million violent crimes occurred in 2019 alone. This number is already 0.4% greater than 2015’s crime rates.

Aggravated assault, robbery, rape, and murder are among the top violent crimes apparent until today.

But unlike in the books and movies, real crimes often remain unresolved, with no justice served to the victims. Culprits buy their way out or just aren’t found. 

While fictional crimes leave a significant impact, real-life crimes are seemingly a part of the normal. Sometimes, we even reduce violent crimes to mere numbers instead of full-blown stories in need of proper closure.

Luckily, professionals and lawmakers continuously take action to avoid such unfortunate encounters. Existing laws now cover discrimination and even stalking. One particular law, the Tarasoff Ruling, focuses on preventing violent crimes by protecting the potential victim.

Most laws concern the general public and law enforcement officers. However, the Tarasoff Ruling focuses on a more specific group, particularly mental health professionals.

If you want to learn more about this law, then you’re in for a treat. Today, we’ll be sharing with you some of the frequently asked questions about the Tarasoff Ruling.

What is the Tarasoff ruling?

The Tarasoff rule states that a mental health professional should protect potential victims against a severe threat. The court says that providers can breach patient confidentiality to keep a potential victim from harm.

Tarasoff ruling has since been adopted across many US states.

Why is the Tarasoff case important?

The Tarasoff case determined that patient-therapist confidentiality is not absolute. Since the ruling, there are certain situations where mental health professionals can override client privilege. It is part of their duty to protect potential victims.

What states have tarasoff laws?

States requiring therapists to warn or protect (mandatory duty) are:

1. Alabama
2. California
3. Colorado
4. Idaho
5. Indiana
6. Iowa
7. Kentucky
8. Louisiana
9. Massachusetts
10. Michigan
11. Minnesota
12. Missouri
13. Montana
14. Nebraska
15. New Hampshire
16. New Jersey
17. New York
18. Ohio
19. Pennsylvania
20. Puerto Rico
21. Tennessee
22. Utah
23. Vermont
24. Virginia
25. Washington
26. Wisconsin

On the other hand, the cities below do not require providers to breach confidentiality (permissive duty).

1. Alaska
2. Arizona
3. Arkansas
4. Connecticut
5. District of Columbia
6. Florida
7. Hawaii
8. Kansas
9. Mississippi
10. New Mexico
11. Oklahoma
12. Oregon
13. Rhode Island
14. South Carolina
15. South Dakota
16. Texas
17. West Virginia
18. Wyoming

In Maine, Nevada, North Carolina, and North Dakota, therapists are not obliged to notify potential victims.

Who is Tatiana Tarasoff?

Tatiana Tarasoff is a university student killed by graduate student Prosenjit Poddar in 1969. The two went out on several dates until Poddar developed an unhealthy obsession with Tarasoff. After she rejected him, Poddar went through psychological counseling.

There, he confessed his desire to kill Tarasoff to his therapist. Even as the therapist tried to deescalate the situation, his stalking behavior persisted. The culmination of Tarasoff’s murder happened in October 1969.

Where is Prosenjit Poddar now?

Poddar has been deported to India after serving five years in prison. It was the final result after the lawyer appealed the conviction. Sources say that he has a wife and daughter.

What is the difference between the duty to warn and the duty to protect?

According to the 1974 Tarasoff decision, mental health professionals have a duty to warn identifiable victims.  Additionally, they must protect or reveal confidential information to relevant parties, like the police.

These are initially applicable in the context of injury or homicide. However, it may also apply in a warning and protection against the following:

1. HIV/AIDS
2. Child abuse
3. Incest
4. Battery
5. Self-injury
6. Abortion

What does tarasoff mean?

It refers to a court decision that limits a client’s right to confidentiality. It came from the last name of university student Tatiana Tarasoff who was killed in 1969.

How did the 1976 Tarasoff decision differ from the 1974 Tarasoff decision?

The 1974 decision required therapists to notify a potential victim of the threat to their life. The 1976 rehearing said that mental health professionals take the necessary steps to protect the threatened individual. Thus, therapists should not just warn but also protect.

What does the duty to protect mean?

If a therapist concludes that their patient intends to commit an act of violence, they should protect the other individual. Therapists should take the necessary precautions to prevent harm. They can either reach out to the concerned party or the authorities.

What is not confidential with a therapist?

The American Psychological Association gives four situations where a therapist may breach confidentiality. First, the client presents an imminent threat towards themselves or to others. Second, there is a billing-related situation that requires disclosure.

Third, information sharing is necessary among multiple healthcare providers. Lastly, disclosing the information is part of the patient’s treatment.

What are patients’ rights when it comes to mental health services?

A patient seeking mental health treatment has the right to privileged communication with a therapist. However, that is not absolute as the Tarasoff ruling has established.

Patients also have the right to receive medical care in an emergency, informed consent, and continuity of care, among others.

What does the phrase duty to warn mean?

It calls on therapists to notify a potential victim identified by their client. The duty to protect acknowledges that there are exemptions to client confidentiality.

What were the two competing issues the California Supreme Court had to figure out how you balance in the tarasoff cases?

They had to strike a balance between patient confidentiality and protection of the public interest. The court determined that “protective privilege ends where social peril begins.” It means that a therapist should breach confidentiality to prevent clients from harming themselves or others.

Is Texas A tarasoff state?

No. The Tarasoff decision was not formally adopted in Texas. There, mental health providers do not have a duty to warn and protect potential victims revealed by their clients.

What is the ruling in Tarasoff v Regents of the University of California?

A therapist should protect the potential victim once they learn that their patient intends to carry out a threat to another person. The California court held a professional’s dual duty, which they can fulfill through the following.

1. By notifying the victim,
2. Reporting the threat to the authorities and
3. Taking whatever measures to get the victim out of harm’s way.

Conclusion

Since you’re now well-versed with the Tarasoff Ruling, you can now help others by educating them a bit about it too. Although there’s a thing called therapist confidentiality, the imminent danger to a third party trumps any non-disclosure agreements.

Tarasoff Ruling is just some of the many laws you may need to learn about when writing a novel. This rule can make any crime novel much more exciting as it can be a major plot point. 

But really, this rule is essential in saving lives. This piece of information can be of great help in crucial situations. If you have a therapist of your own, you may want to ask them more about this topic.

And if they don’t know about this, you should encourage them to read up on it. It may not be as commonly used as other major laws, but it still can save lives.

Additionally, if you or someone you know is exhibiting dangerous symptoms, think about this law. You can talk them into seeking medical attention. Just make sure you’re also suggesting them to a therapist who’s aware of the Tarasoff Ruling.

We hope you won’t have to use this law in any way, but it’s better to be well-educated than ignorant.

With all the apparent crime fiction in popular media, there shouldn’t be any more space for it in the real world. But real crimes are just as abundant as their fictional counterparts. So, it’s always important to learn about laws and precautions, to always remain safe and vigilant. 

Through proper education and compliance to simple rules such as Tarasoff Ruling, the country can move forward and lower crime rates. Sooner or later, we’ll be able to confine crimes where they belong—solely for fiction.

For some of us, a car collection is the many hot wheels toys that our mom used to buy us, while for some of us, it may mean the real deal, a list of costly and very elegant cars. Cars ranging from Audi’s to Ferrari’s, Vintage to Modern, the very wealthy indeed have a collection worth more than gold.

Continue reading “Car Collection: Will It Help Your Mental Health?”

With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to threaten people’s health, keeping you and your family safe is a top priority. You have to make sure that your house or the other places that you often go to are free from the virus, including your vehicle.  

 

Reminding us of the importance of vigilance during this trying time is Peter Jay Hotez, M.D., Ph.D., the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College dean. He said, “the way we deal with the uncertainty is we have to cover all of our bases.” Therefore, all of us have a part in keeping each other safe from the pandemic. 

 

Take Proactive Measures 

Before we go in length on how you can protect your car from COVID-19, you must guard yourself first and follow proactive measures so that your vehicle won’t also be infected. If it’s not essential, refrain from going outside. Always carry an alcohol-based sanitizer with you, wear a mask, and avoid visiting crowded places. Or, if you must leave the house, be sure to wear the right protective gear. 

 

Also, do not get in a vehicle with a person who has or a person suspected of having COVID-19. Avoid having a possible COVID-19 patient as a passenger, unless it’s detrimental. If you need to drive the patient to the hospital, wear protective gear, and immediately disinfect your car. Here are some helpful ways on how to do that.   

Disinfecting Your Vehicle

Before attempting to clean and disinfect your car, make sure that you’re wearing proper and protective clothing. Although you must be used to wearing shorts and t-shirts when washing your vehicle, it will be best to dress conservatively to avoid your car’s surface to have direct contact with your skin. Wear a long-sleeved top and jeans, or any clothing that can cover your whole body. 

 

Just like when you go outside, wear a face mask, and always bring alcohol with you. You can apply alcohol first before wearing the gloves for more certainty. Ensure that no other people are near the vehicle when you’re disinfecting, especially when they are not wearing protective gear. After preparing yourself, you may start cleaning your car. 

 

Step #1: Like how you regularly clean your vehicle, you can start dusting the floor mats by using a vacuum cleaner. Be sure that you clean all the corners. You may also use the vacuum in clearing the seats. Afterward, dispose of the dirt from the vacuum cleaner carefully. Use a bin bag and prevent other people from getting near it.       

 

Step #2: Prepare a large tub of water and put a regular detergent or a liquid soap inside. Take the floor mats, or any other removable fabric in your car and soak them in the tub. Leave it for half an hour or more, and dry them out in the sun. 

 

Step #3: Use another soap-based solution in cleaning the non-removable fabric of your car. Use a sponge and squeeze it first before rubbing it in your vehicle’s inner parts so it won’t drench in too much water. Be meticulous and scrub every corner. 

Step #4: Prepare an alcohol-based disinfectant and put it on a different sponge. Use it to scrub the other essential components of your vehicle. For your guide, here are the most frequently touched parts of your car.

• Car keys and fobs
• Steering wheel
• Gear shift
• Seat belts and seat belt fasteners
• Outside and inside door handles
• Buttons and controls such as the power ignition, window switches, radio, GPS, etc.
• Car seats and booster seats
• Air ventilators
• Headrests
• Grab handles
• Seat pockets
• Cup holders
• Roof lining

 

Step #5: It’s now time to clean your vehicle’s exterior. Create a soap-based mix again and use a sponge to scrub the outside. Let the soap sit for 5 minutes before washing it. Prepare a dry cloth to remove excess water after.

 

Step #6: Discard the gloves, mask, and other disposable materials you used. Your clothes and sponges should go straight into the laundry and take a lengthy shower. 

Stay Alert

Continue being vigilant even after you disinfect your car. Always keep sanitizing wipes in your car so you can clean surfaces immediately. Before riding your vehicle, rinse your hands for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Guarantee that all passengers will do the same. Be alert and disinfect thoroughly when touching gas pumps, parking meters, ATMs, or charging stations outside.  

 

During this scary time, everyone has to be extra careful and mindful of their habits. We will get through this, as long as each of us does our part in stopping the spread of the disease.

COVID-19 has severely impacted our way of life, and there is no doubt that this pandemic will significantly affect the development of both national and international policies. Interwoven into such far-reaching policies are several private sectors, the automotive industry is one of them. This article discovers how vehicle production, vehicle exportation, and vehicle sales have all changed significantly.

Among the essential things to consider, however, was presented by Laura Hawryluck, MD. She states that “the need for social support is greatest in times of adverse situations and events such as the current pandemic; hence, severing social support as part of an imposed quarantine or isolation strategy can threaten an individual’s sense of connectedness and may take a considerable toll on mental health.”

Major Challenges To The Automotive Realm Due To COVID-19

Many industries have received significant blows financially and are having a hard time staying afloat. Fears of a global recession are just around the corner, and numerous problems are currently surfacing. Among the issues faced by the vehicle industry, there are four that ultimately stand out.

 

• Limited Supply Of Parts 

 

Suppliers worldwide have come to a complete halt in production lines due to mandatory policy or voluntary closure for safety reasons. On top of this, stricter legal and trade regulations have increased the shortage of supply and decreased distribution channels.

 

• Temporary Closure Of Manufacturing 

 

Quarantine measures and reduced workforce policies have forced most manufacturing establishments to close. The need to secure liquidity has also brought about closure.

 

• Decline In Capital And Liquidity

 

The circulation of cash reduced overall due to the pandemic. It has resulted in an extreme drop in demand for vehicles.

 

• Drop-In Fresh Vehicle Sales

 

Implementation of several measures such as stay-at-home orders, curfews, closure of factories, and reduction of workforce and operating hours, and the need to prioritize the bare necessities such as food and shelter have all contributed to the sharp decrease of total sales.

Situations Across the Globe

Research has provided critical details for the key countries in the automotive scene. In general, most states have shut down in response to the pandemic, looking into ways to make a safer working environment once operations resume. 

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have all shut down operations in North America after a particular American electric vehicle company ceased operations as per a shelter-in-place order. This widespread halt also happened in all of the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

In China, the Chinese plants and most leading OEMs, having been the first to suffer from the pandemic, have moved forward and restarted operations to bounce back from significant losses experienced during the shutdown period. 

In Europe, all OEMs have shut down production for several weeks, and most have announced a short-time work and overtime reduction for specific departments.

Responses by the Automotive Industry, Constituents and Partner Entities

Sacrifices and quick decisions were necessary to ensure the survival of the automotive industry. As such, they enacted the following:

1. Safety Measures – First and foremost, employee safety was established. The key to thwarting COVID-19 is to flatten the curve, and to effectively reduce the rate of infection, leading automotive entities worldwide have decided to redirect their efforts to making ventilators, disinfectants, face masks, and other protective equipment.
2. Supporting Companies, Jobs, And Income – Governments and other financial institutions have activated stimulus packages and loan offers to safeguard the industry and to maintain stability in the global economy.
3. Stimulating The Economy – The International Monetary Fund, an international agency partaking in a total of 193 economies, recently convened and committed to the protection of lives, the safeguarding of people’s jobs, the revival and growth of private sectors, and the elimination of disruptors to trade and global supply chains.
4. Social Dialogue, Brainstorming, And Policy Development – The best way to keep the confidence and build trust is to enable policy measures that allow communication between crucial figures who represent different populations in society. In several countries, proposals have been made to emergency collective agreements to protect every individual from the economic drought brought about by the pandemic.

Conclusion

COVID-19 took all of us by surprise, but several countries and organizations stood up to the task. In the automotive industry, leading vehicle manufacturers have taken a step beyond what is usually expected of them to help steer the global economy in the right direction. The responses made have been nothing short of masterful, and we must unite as one to defeat the pandemic.

My father taught me how to drive his pickup truck at the age of 13. It was at that time that I fell in love with driving. Listening to the sound of the engine humming was such a thrilling experience. Feeling the entire car vibrating due to its power always put a smile on my lips, too. And whenever I would pull out of the garage, I could not help but wonder when I would be able to drive beyond the farm and go on real adventures.

That time came when I finished college and got a job in the metro. Before I left, my father said that he could get me a new car, but I insisted that I would pay for it with my salary. I had no idea about the automobile prices back then; I only had this dream of buying a brand-new vehicle with my hard-earned money. So, when I went to the dealership with Dad and realized that they were more expensive than what I envisioned, I almost backed out and thought of just keeping my money.

The reason why I told you that little story is that I know that many first-time buyers of new cars can be as naïve as I had been about pricing, etc. You may think about the color or model that you want, but that may be the least of your worries when you see the dealer. That is especially true if you have only started working and, therefore, do not have a lot of savings.
My advice to you is to:

Conduct An Online Research

The first thing that you should consider doing is conducting online research about the car models that suit your budget. A lot of dealerships have websites these days, and they tend to post their price lists there. If not, you can request it.

Doing so will help you see your options at the comforts of your home. There won’t be a dealer who will keep on telling you to get this or that car. You can also see reviews about their performance.

Go To Different Dealerships

Another wise move is to visit more than one dealership once you know what you wish to buy. The reason is that the prices tend to vary for the same model depending on the location of the dealer. The difference may not amount to thousands of dollars, but saving a couple of hundreds will still be amazing.

Think If You Genuinely Need A Brand-New Car

In case you have done your rounds and still don’t think that you can afford a brand-new auto, try to figure out if it has to be brand-new. After all, there are times when people sell their barely used cars at dealerships. If you find something like that and it is within your budget, perhaps it will suffice for now. You can always sell that later to buy a new model once you have enough money anyways.

Final Thoughts

The thought of getting a brand-new car with your own money can undoubtedly boost your confidence level. You can say, “Wow, I’m genuinely an adult now! I don’t need my parents’ money to buy anything!”
While that’s amazing indeed, a part of adulting is accepting when your savings cannot cover what you want to get.

There is a perfect time for everything. If you cannot buy the auto that you are eyeing right now, then there may be a better one for you in the future. See this as a final advice from someone who has been in your shoes not too long ago.
Regardless, congratulations on getting your first car!

I believe that every man or woman who watched movies like RV and Meet The Fockers have thought of what it is like to travel all over the country in a roving home. This kind of vehicle, after all, is elegant in its own right. It is not as handsome as a Lamborghini or Porsche model, but I do not doubt that the owners of the latter would be willing to leave them in exchange for driving a motorhome for a day.

One of the reasons is that an RV is the complete package in the literal sense. It has four wheels, so the ride will certainly be smooth. It is big but will still not look out of place on the freeway. Not to mention, when you get a standard-sized motorhome, you can put a bed, dining table, small kitchen, and even n bathroom in it. Talk about luxury and convenience at its best!
Now, some people cannot decide if they should spend their hard-earned money on a roving vehicle. After all, the fancier the fixtures are inside it, the pricier it is. Despite that, here are a few benefits of owning an RV.

You Don’t Need To Pay For Airfare

The primary advantage of having a motorhome is that you will not feel scared of driving it from one state to another. With its size, you will not worry about truck drivers not noticing you on the road even in the middle of the night. The amount of gas that it will consume undoubtedly costs less than the roundtrip plane tickets for your entire family.

You Can Stay Anywhere Without Booking A Hotel Room

Do you feel discouraged from traveling when you think about the price of a decent hotel room per night? Well, you need not worry about that anymore when you have an RV. It will be as if you are carrying your accommodation when you go all over the country with it. You won’t have to wonder if the sheets are clean because they are yours.

Your Family Can Travel In Comfort

Furthermore, the reason why some people decide to buy a roving vehicle is to be able to travel in comfort.
If you want to visit Idaho from California, for instance, it can take hours before you reach your destination. Your butt – as well as your kids or parents – will be sore in a regular car before you even see the sign that you are already in Idaho. But if everyone is in the RV, they can lay down on the mattress and not feel too exhausted.

Final Thoughts

A motorhome is only expensive at first. Apart from the actual car, after all, you need to customize the carriage portion at the back. You can think of it like furnishing a small apartment and adding everything that you may need in it. E.g., mattress, dining table, shower, sink, and perhaps a mini refrigerator.
However, like an apartment, too, you only have to think about gas afterward and get all the benefits mentioned above. So, to answer question in the title, if you have a lot of extra money laying around, and you love traveling across the country, you should get an RV.
Cheers!