izard: (Default)
Here is some very basic excel math:

Imagine an average American guy who is super-dedicated to building wealth. He is so average guy that he starts working when he turns 18, retires at 68 and earns median US salary. He manages to invest ~50% of his after tax income ($20k annually) at steady conservative after inflation rate of 4%. In the end he builds wealth of ~$3,215,000. $1,000,000 he saved and $2,215,000 compound interest. Nothing fancy here, this is a staple of all investment consulting sales pitches. American dream at it's finest: everyone can become a millionaire by retirement, by the power of compound interest.

Here is the equity part of the story. How much $ would it take for a rich parent to pass the same wealth to his son who was born on the same year as the average guy? This second guy won't be saving and investing at all, but he would have a birthday gift of N dollars his parents started investing at the same rate on his behalf when he was born. How large must be N to have $3,215,000 at 68 years old?
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izard: (Default)
The only way to get Hep B is via contact with infected human blood.

Back in Germany, they recommend Hep B vaccination for certain high-risk groups: those who can come into close contact with infected blood as part of their work such as police officers, social workers, prison guards, and staff at psychiatric wards. They also recommend it for patients in psychiatric wards, prison inmates, and intravenous drug addicts. These recommendations highlight the risk of exposure in these settings.

Here in Beaverton, US, a child must be vaccinated against Hep B in order to attend a kindergarten and elementary school. Does it mean the school district officials think that close contact with infected blood is as likely event in the school setting as it is in German prison?

Also here in US CDC recommends Hep B vaccination for newborns. I have to admit that German STIKO since 2020 also recommends Hep B vaccination for children starting 2 months old. But unlike in the US, Germany doesn't mandate this vaccine for school admission, reserving such a mandate for highly contagious diseases like measles.

As far as I understand, Hep B is a pretty safe vaccine, so in risk to benefit analysis risk is pretty low. However, I think benefit is even lower for children who are not likely to come into close contact with infected blood. Am I missing something?
izard: (Default)
I have not been to San Jose city center for almost 20 years. Now as I come to Cupertino quite often, and San Jose is just few minutes away...


I was surprised to discover the European feel of it. The pic above looks like a street in Barcelona!
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izard: (Default)
I can't help but notice the difference when driving in Germany and here in US.
Is there something on the roads that is better here in US? Yes! I like how traffic lights are hanging over intersection, so the traffic light for each lane is clearly visible. In Germany sometimes traffic lights are difficult to see and the driver has to move the head around a lot. Also having cities planned in 19th and 20th century, not 500 years ago helps a lot.

Everything else.. Well, here is the list of most annoying things:
1. Stop signs are often placed so that it is impossible to see vehicles coming from left. So one has to stop at the stop sign, then drive ~5 meters forward, stop, look left and then go.
2. Manholes on highways. This is simply unthinkable on Autobahns.
3. General poor quality of highways comparing to Autobahns. Uneven patches, etc. Not too bad actually.
4. Drivers! I think zip merge is too complex concept for locals. A lot of ppl do not yield for oncoming traffic when turning left. Overall I think drivers in Oregon are OK. Not Germans but OK :)
5. No autobahns without speed limits. OK I can live with that, USA is not Germany, OK.
6. Oregon thing: U-turns ban :(

Hey yeah!

Feb. 17th, 2021 08:50 pm
izard: (Default)
Is it a good time to move?
visa
Regardless, with current regulations we should fly within 4 weeks. See you there soon!

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