This builds on the chronic and unacceptable realities in our society. Black America bears the brunt of economic hardship. And it struggles infinitely more to recover.

A case study in how data can be used in a racist way. POTUS basked in the glory of the recent jobs report. In fact, the lower global unemployment rate is completely driven along racial lines. You can't believe your eyes. Always look one layer deeper.

Very thoughtful piece in the Atlantic by @megangarber .

The word of the year in 2017 was "Tribalism". Some very high people want to scare you with images of fear, chaos, and destruction. In fact, the protest movement is highly unified in its message. What message do you want to believe?

14 - Skopos currently has its chance of passage at 3%. Do you think we can change that?.

13 – There is a House Bill introduced by Hakeem Jeffries (NY 8th district): HR 4408 – Eric Garner Excessive Use of Force Prevention Act of 2019. This bill would criminalize Air Chokes at the federal level.

12 – Personally, I believe that this kind of chokehold is cruel and unusual (inhumane). Because it elicits such a high level of fear and panic.

11 – Suffocation, choking, being buried alive, drowning. A knee on a neck, not letting up. This level of fear penetrates straight to the primal core of our survival instinct. Death due to air choke is slow and excruciating. Imagine 8’ 46’’.

10 – For this reason, the most terrifying human experience has been succinctly identified by @tweetsauce as “a rise in blood CO2 caused by a real or perceived unstoppable external threat”.

9 – *But* normal subjects with intact amygdalas did not panic with CO2 inhalation. Because they knew that the threat was artificial. This research uncovered a central role for the amygdala in telling the difference between a mock versus real external threat.

8 – These patients were studied in the lab. When they breathed CO2 provided by an external unseen operator, all patients experienced fear panic for the first time.

7 – Now, the amygdala is an almond-sized nucleus in the brain responsible for mediating fear. Patients with bilateral amygdalar degeneration (Urbache-Wiethe syndrome) do not experience fear, even due to terrifying real-life events such as robbery at knife-point.

6 – A properly applied Blood Choke renders unconsciousness within 10 – 20 seconds. An Air Choke does not produce unconsciousness until the very last moments – usually several minutes. During this time, the victim becomes distressed due to buildup of CO2 and acid in the blood.

5 – As you can see, meticulous training is needed to prevent a Blood Choke from accidentally turning into an Air Choke. Air chokes are prohibited in most precincts, but not everywhere. I really doubt this training is being provided in a cohesive and standardized manner.

4 – And the following graphic also summarizes the two strategies:

3 – The following table summarizes the two strategies:

2 – There are two types of chokeholds used by police departments. The Air Choke is meant to cut off airflow to the lungs. The Blood Choke is meant to cut off blood flow to the head. These holds were adopted from the martial art of Judo.

I have encountered so many misconceptions. A basic fact is that A, B, and C are necessary for life. Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. This mini-thread explores the concept of Airway versus Vascular chokeholds.

This is such a complex topic. When police departments review their policies on Use of Force, let’s make sure they are in line with the Minneapolis PD’s motto:

Disclaimer: I am not a forensic pathologist or expert on Use of Force in custody. I am presenting my viewpoints as a lung doctor, leaning through osmosis and gaining new perspectives of the confluence of my profession with the rest of society.