-7 degrees windchill and the whales have arrived!

 A brief note today.  We spent all day in front of the computer completing 20 sections on healthstream.com.  An online hospital competency platform that covers everything from HIPAA to bloodborne pathogens to disaster protocols to what you are supposed to do with an active shooter in the hospital.  Then, after each block, there was a competency exam.  But, we completed them all and we are now ready to fine-tune our skills with the dental software tomorrow.  

We also got a thumbs up to travel to Selawik on Monday.  Weather looks good, (for now), our dental assistant has been chosen, the clinic should be usable and there is a place to sleep.  Will be nice to start seeing patients!

Now, my title......after a balmy 30 degrees the last few days, it started to snow yesterday and the wind really picked up today.  High of 20 but with the wind, the wind chill registered -7!  We could really feel it walking between the hotel and the hospital.  Jeans, ski jacket, neck wrap and wool hat didn't cut it.  It was COLD.

Whales?  Another factor to consider which patients (and employees) show up for care or employment.  Whales are starting to migrate in, which means people need time off to hunt!  For many in the villages, it is their main food source for the year.  Can't miss that opportunity, a toothache can wait.......

Yes, there are cars, trucks and loaders in Kotzebue but you see 
a lot of snowmobiles (called snowmachines up here), quads, and 
Polaris RZR's.  No helmets, no speed limits, no age requirements.
Just going from point A to point B.