Fatal Accident With Metal Straw Highlights a Risk
Found on New York Times on Sunday, 14 July 2019
A British woman was impaled by a metal straw after falling at her home, a coroner said in an inquest this week that highlighted the potential dangers of metal straws. Such straws have surged in popularity as cities, states and even countries have banned single-use plastic straws.
Many people with disabilities rely on straws to drink, Ms. Sauder said, but could have difficulties finding them in states and cities, such as California and Seattle, that have banned or restricted single-use straws.
While his is an unfortunate accident, it does not really prove anything. If plastic straws are essential for people with disabilities, then the solution is simple: provide them on prescription. That still reduces he junk of single use plastic by an immense amount; those used by disabled people won't be much of an issue. All that aside, media needs to stop with fear mongering: you can kill yourself in many various ways that would normally never happen; that's why it is called an accident. Teach people to think a little instead of wrapping everything in bubble-wrap.