How Did Hunger Become Food Insecurity?
By Joan Opyr, 11-16-06 Yesterday, I woke up with a wicked sore throat, and so I went to see the doctor. The nurse asked me how long my throat had ached, whether or not my ears hurt, if I had a runny nose, and if I’d been coughing. I watched over her shoulder as she typed my answers into the office computer. Somehow, “No, I haven’t been coughing” became “Patient denies coughing.” I found this both funny and mildly irritating. Patient denies coughing implies patient is forgetful; patient is confused; patient is a big fat liar. Do you mean coughing or hacking? What about rasping? Is coughing the same as violently expelling air past one’s vocal chords with a phlegmish sort of hyugh sound? I guess it depends on what the meaning of “is” is. Honestly, why would I, the patient, deny coughing? What’s in it for me? I wasn’t coughing. I am still not coughing. Do people routinely lie about coughing? Is coughing the new adultery? Sure, I hate the foul taste of Robitussin, but I’ve been known to dri
