【ビジ英徹底復習】 2023 L1 Give Blood

Hello everyone.

杉田先生の新著が4/7に発売です。
英語の極意
https://amzn.to/3TRi1ku

Summary:

Tim Blanco chairs A&A's corporate blood drive event, which aims to address the severe blood shortage in the United States, with the most common blood type, Type O, being particularly in demand. The shortage is due to a variety of factors, including pandemic challenges, demographic shifts, and staffing shortages. The American Red Cross is calling for donors and volunteers to support blood collection efforts. The lack of blood supply can lead to difficult decisions for doctors, including triage. Blood donation is a relatively painless process for donors, and it also provides a free mini-health screening. Giving blood can cause minor bruising, fatigue, and dizziness, but these are temporary effects.

Related Information:

In Japan, blood type is often associated with personality traits and is even used for matchmaking. This belief, known as the "blood type personality theory," is not based on scientific evidence but is still widely popular. For example, Type A individuals are thought to be diligent and perfectionists, while Type B individuals are seen as creative and free-spirited.

According to the American Red Cross, donating blood can have health benefits for the donor, including reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer. Blood donation can also help with iron overload in the body, which can be harmful.

Expressions:

familiarization course - A course designed to familiarize someone with a particular subject or process. For example, in the text, Tim Blanco mentions that he learned about blood types in a familiarization course he took.

We have nothing to offer but blood - as well as toil, tears and sweat. - This quote comes from a speech given by Winston Churchill during World War II. In the context of the text, it is used to emphasize the importance of donating blood.

not immune to - This phrase means not exempt from or not protected from something. In the text, Ide Kyohei uses it to explain that the blood business is not immune to staffing shortages caused by the pandemic.

tick bite - A bite from a tick, a small arachnid that feeds on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. In the text, Tayanita O'Locklear mentions that her former dormmate has a health problem caused by a tick bite.

manage to cope - To succeed in dealing with a difficult situation. In the text, Tayanita O'Locklear uses it to describe how her friend is managing to cope with her health problem.

stockpile - A large quantity of something that is kept in reserve for future use. In the text, the shortage of blood has led to calls for donors and volunteers to support blood collection efforts, and the American Red Cross is urging people to help stockpile blood products.

what's in it for - This phrase means what benefits or rewards someone can expect from doing something. In the text, Tim Blanco uses it to ask what benefits or rewards there are for donating blood.

tiny prick - A very small, quick and usually painless injection, such as the one used to collect a small sample of blood for testing. In the text, it is used to describe the sensation of giving blood.

pay homage to - To show respect, honor or admiration for someone or something. In the text, Ide Kyohei mentions that he knows his own blood type and his dog's, which prompts Tim Blanco to ask if cats also have blood types. Kyohei's response pays homage to the knowledge of Japanese people regarding their blood types.

minor bruising - A small area of discolored skin caused by bleeding under the skin. In the text, it is mentioned as a possible side effect of giving blood.

temporary lowering - A temporary reduction or decrease in something, such as blood pressure or iron levels in the body. In the text, donating blood can lead to a temporary lowering of iron levels in the body.

on an empty stomach - To do something without having eaten any food beforehand. In the text, it is recommended to eat a meal before donating blood, but not on an empty stomach.

race to - To hurry or rush to do something. In the text, the shortage of blood has led to a race to find donors and volunteers to support blood collection efforts.

Here are some websites related to the vignette about blood donation:

American Red Cross: https://www.redcrossblood.org/
Blood Centers of America: https://bca.coop/
AABB: https://www.aabb.org/
National Blood Clot Alliance: https://www.stoptheclot.org/
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/blood-donation-during-covid-19-pandemic

★Small Talk "ZA-TSU-DA-N"

下記の質問に答えてみましょう。
(1)Have you ever donated blood before?
(2)Do you know your blood type?
(3)What do you think about the current blood shortage?
(4)Have you ever known someone who needed a blood transfusion?
(5)Do you think more should be done to encourage blood donations?

★例えばこんな雑談を

Two Japanese English learners have just read a vignette on the shortage of blood supply and the importance of donating blood. Here is a conversation between them:

Hiro: Hey, Akira. Did you read the vignette about blood donation?

Akira: Yes, I did. It was interesting. I learned a lot about the blood shortage in the US.

Hiro: Yeah, it's a serious problem. The pandemic has made it worse.

Akira: I was surprised to learn that Type O is the most needed blood type. I'm Type A, which is the most common in Japan.

Hiro: Yeah, I'm Type B. It's important to know your blood type, especially if you ever need a blood transfusion.

Akira: That's true. In Japan, many people know their blood type. It's even on some official documents.

Hiro: Really? That's interesting. Do dogs and cats have blood types?

Akira: Yes, they do. Cats have three blood types, and dogs have a dozen or so.

Hiro: Wow, I didn't know that. Why is there a shortage of blood in the US?

Akira: There are several reasons. The pandemic has made it harder to collect blood, and there aren't enough trained healthcare workers to process the blood.

Hiro: That makes sense. It's sad to hear that some people have to wait for blood transfusions because there isn't enough supply.

Akira: Yes, it's a serious problem. Donating blood is important, and it's relatively painless.

Hiro: I'm going to look into donating blood. It's a small thing I can do to help.

Akira: That's a great idea. I'm going to do the same. It's a life-saving gesture for those who need it most.