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  2021-05-20

  US to German Vaccine Memorandum

  The attached is a letter from the Rheinland-Pfalz state secretary that explains and validates the COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card that the CDC gives out with vaccinations. Many US military members in Germany received the vaccine, but our vaccine cards were not recognized by local German establishments as German and other European vaccine cards looked very different. In Germany, people were not allowed to eat inside restaurants if they were not vaccinated. By carrying the attached letter with our CDC-issued vaccine cards, we were able to visit local establishments.
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  2020-10-09

  Japanese Pokémon Cards Keep Me Sane.

  I chose to write about how Japanese Pokémon cards have helped to keep me sane. While it might seem silly at first, I am serious about this topic. I’ve been diagnosed with severe anxiety, and at one point went outside in a thunderstorm holding an umbrella because my mom wasn’t home when she said she would be. Being only 6 at the time, I didn’t really understand that her job doesn’t always end at the same time everyday since she is a professor at UWSP. Going back to the anxiety and Covid, I’ve gotten much better at handling my anxiety since then, but I cannot help but worry about my family. Due to my anxiety, I need to get confirmation that they are ok before I can fully relax. I am currently in my 3rd semester of Japanese. I’m also a huge nerd, so I really like Pokémon. I saw a video on youtube of a guy opening Japanese Pokemon cards, and it clicked in my head that I could distract myself by using Pokemon cards. Since I didn’t take any classes over the summer, I used that time to practice my Japanese by translating the cards to English and comparing them to the English versions of the cards from pictures I found online. Because I was able to do that , I was able to make it through my summer mostly anxiety free. It did cost a bit, roughly $50 US dollars for 20 packs of 7 cards, but it really did help keep me sane while the world went to hell and back.
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  2020-10-07

  マスクがスマート化　スマホと連動し通訳機能も(2020年10月7日) - The mask has become smarter. The interpreter function is also linked with the smartphone (October 7, 2020)

  This is a news in Japan, where mask technology is becoming more advance. A mask now can translate multiple languages. I think this mask was developed in order for Japan to open up borders safely and have visitors from different countries. マスクの進化が止まりません。感染対策に加え、外国語の翻訳ができるマスクが登場しました。気になるその性能は。 　音声を認識するスマートマスクが開発されたと聞き、その機能を試しました。まだ開発段階のものですが、自分のマスクのひもを通して一体化。スイッチを入れて専用アプリでスマホと連動させると、話し言葉が文字に。そして、通訳機能も。さらには、同じアプリを共有している場合は相手のスマートフォンに声を届けることも可能です。まさにコロナ禍のイノベーション。今月末まで、クラウドファンィングで1個4378円で応援購入することができます。 The evolution of the mask does not stop. In addition to infection control, now masks can translate foreign languages has been developed. What is the performance you care about? I heard that a smart mask that recognizes voice was developed, and tried its function. It's still in the development stage, but it's integrated through the string of my mask. When you turn on the switch and link it with your smartphone with the specific app, the spoken words become letters. And an interpreter function as well. Furthermore, if you share the same app, you can have your voice reach the other party's smartphone. This is exactly the innovation during Corona. Until the end of this month, you can buy one by crowdfunding for 4378 yen.