# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=375 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 376 --- ## [Why is the ICU so expensive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-icu-so-expensive/848753)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2020, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-icu-so-expensive/848753 "2020-04-08T05:12:28Z")
Bumped into a neighbor who spent a post-op night in the ICU. The bill was $90,000. Not for the surgery, but for the ICU alone. Round the clock medical personnel and high-tech equipment cost a lot, I suppose. But what… --- ## [When a bill is submitted to Congress, why are provisions completely unrelated to the bill allowed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-bill-is-submitted-to-congress-why-are-provisions-completely-unrelated-to-the-bill-allowed/850466)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2020, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-bill-is-submitted-to-congress-why-are-provisions-completely-unrelated-to-the-bill-allowed/850466 "2020-04-08T01:42:32Z")
Hello Everyone, It seems that the stimulus package has been approved and funds will be distributed to citizens to help with individuals financial loss during this National emergency. My question is, I’m seeing all kin… --- ## [What’s a good bleach mixture for cleaning cat boxes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-a-good-bleach-mixture-for-cleaning-cat-boxes/851058)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2020, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-a-good-bleach-mixture-for-cleaning-cat-boxes/851058 "2020-04-07T18:02:36Z")
So, the weekend chore is to clean the cat boxes. The feline overlords have … ways … to express their displeasure if the sanitary arrangements do not meet their high standards, and as their humble servant I wish to satisf… --- ## [Credit Card Issuer Shenanigans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-issuer-shenanigans/830848)
**Author:** [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2020, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-issuer-shenanigans/830848 "2020-04-07T18:01:25Z")
We have one credit card with a low balance that we are using to repair credit rating. This card was originally offered with a purchase under a 12 month no-interest on original charge offer. All new charges were subject t… --- ## ['A galloping horse always has at least one foot on the ground' Cite?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-galloping-horse-always-has-at-least-one-foot-on-the-ground-cite/851204)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2020, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-galloping-horse-always-has-at-least-one-foot-on-the-ground-cite/851204 "2020-04-07T16:33:19Z")
Well known story that in 1878 Leland Stanford commissioned a set of photographs to try to prove that a horse does indeed become airborne at certain points, a point with which some of his colleagues dissented. The GQ: W… --- ## [why has my phone stopped sending pics to my computer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-my-phone-stopped-sending-pics-to-my-computer/851227)
**Author:** [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2020, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-my-phone-stopped-sending-pics-to-my-computer/851227 "2020-04-07T14:33:07Z")
So, I’m one of those people who use my phone (Samsung Galaxy) for basically three things, calling and messaging people, navigation, and taking pictures. I was probably the last person in North America to get a smart phon… --- ## [How do I get unemployment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-unemployment/851135)
**Author:** [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2020, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-unemployment/851135 "2020-04-07T14:24:09Z")
I am part of the wonder that is the furloughed workforce and I am filing for unemployment until my job calls me back. Because of the new bill I know that the amount I’m getting is whatever my state (Florida) gives me, a… --- ## [What's this duck-like bird?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-duck-like-bird/850623)
**Author:** [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2020, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-duck-like-bird/850623 "2020-04-07T13:43:41Z")
Littlest R sent her mother this photo, asking what this bird is. Any of you out there able to identify it? --- ## [Looking for solution to a VPN issue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-solution-to-a-vpn-issue/838723)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2020, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-solution-to-a-vpn-issue/838723 "2020-04-07T13:22:33Z")
I was using NordVPN but one downside of a popular VPN is that a lot of websites will recognize the IP addresses they use and I got quite a few sites that would not connect because they recognized I was on a VPN so it was… --- ## [Why aren’t fatty acids considered amphiphilic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-aren-t-fatty-acids-considered-amphiphilic/851262)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2020, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-aren-t-fatty-acids-considered-amphiphilic/851262 "2020-04-07T13:03:17Z")
Fatty acids are generally considered hydrophobic, while phospholipids are considered amphiphilic. Since they both have hydrophilic ends with OH bonds, why the different classification? I’m assuming it has to do with a … --- ## [Can't get webcam to function](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-get-webcam-to-function/851230)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2020, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-get-webcam-to-function/851230 "2020-04-07T11:16:28Z")
I decided it was time to access my laptop’s built in webcam. I went through settings and gave all the necessary permissions, chose the native camera in device manager. Opened a Zoom test window that showed that camera wa… --- ## [Linguistics: Word order in languages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linguistics-word-order-in-languages/846178)
**Author:** [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2020, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linguistics-word-order-in-languages/846178 "2020-01-13T22:23:21Z")
Is there a categorical distinction between languages in which sentence word order is critical, vs not? Years ago somebody told me that in German, you can say in effect: “Throw the horse over the fence some hay.” …but … --- ## [Websites not compatible with Microsoft Edge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/websites-not-compatible-with-microsoft-edge/851231)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2020, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/websites-not-compatible-with-microsoft-edge/851231 "2020-04-07T03:05:08Z")
More and more I am getting websites that don’t seem to work with Microsoft Edge(my current browser of choice). I’m not just talking about minor little websites-I just tried to access the NFL site and all I got was the b… --- ## [Question on building a gate in a fence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-building-a-gate-in-a-fence/851239)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2020, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-building-a-gate-in-a-fence/851239 "2020-04-07T02:01:31Z")
I need to build a gate this week and I was going to do make the frame out of 2x4s but then I thought wait, don’t I want the gate to be a light as possible? I have some 2x2s that I can use as the frame and cut the weight… --- ## [UK pronunciation: urinals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-pronunciation-urinals/850924)
**Author:** [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2020, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-pronunciation-urinals/850924 "2020-04-07T01:43:49Z")
I’m watching an episode of Secrets of the Royal Kitchens on my local OTA PBS channel (WTTW, Chicago) now and there was a bit where what I think urinals were mentioned. It was in the context of a stinky royal kitchen at … --- ## [Are laptop touchpads normally turn off-able?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-laptop-touchpads-normally-turn-off-able/850939)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2020, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-laptop-touchpads-normally-turn-off-able/850939 "2020-04-07T00:39:07Z")
That’s where the heels of my hands go when I type. And touchpads were created by Satan. --- ## [Best App for Driving for Fun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-app-for-driving-for-fun/851218)
**Author:** [@molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/molten)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2020, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-app-for-driving-for-fun/851218 "2020-04-07T00:32:24Z")
I want to know what neighborhood I am in and the compass direction which I am going. Waze doesn’t show the neighborhood, google maps does show this, but the screen turns off after some seconds. --- ## [Scam likely warning from T Mobile](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-likely-warning-from-t-mobile/851215)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2020, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-likely-warning-from-t-mobile/851215 "2020-04-06T23:53:44Z")
Hello Everyone, Every week or so I get a call on my cell phone that shows up on caller id as “Scam Likely”. Because I’m bored I answer the call, prepared to describe what I’m not wearing to the scanner on the other end … --- ## [Allowing application through Firewall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allowing-application-through-firewall/851131)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2020, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allowing-application-through-firewall/851131 "2020-04-05T21:57:35Z")
To pass the time during the current crisis, my friend and I (both ‘self-isolating’) want to play Heroes of Might and Magic 3 Multiplayer over the Internet. :cool: On our first attempt, Windows Firewall blocked the progr… --- ## [Energy converted to apparent mass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-converted-to-apparent-mass/851141)
**Author:** [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2020, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-converted-to-apparent-mass/851141 "2020-04-06T14:55:04Z")
I recall that if an object is at or near the speed of light. Additional energy added will mostly or completely be converted to mass. Does that really act as mass? Does the object exhibit a gravity field equivalent to a … --- ## [Hesitation and vacuum system - car, not household cleanliness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hesitation-and-vacuum-system-car-not-household-cleanliness/850662)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2020, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hesitation-and-vacuum-system-car-not-household-cleanliness/850662 "2020-04-06T14:00:59Z")
I have a hesitation/miss or something in my truck under certain conditions. Specifically, beginning a climb on a steep hill. Its fairly violent. Googling indicates that a vacuum leak may be the issue and, in fact, I some… --- ## [Ancestory.com/23and Me- USA only thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancestory-com-23and-me-usa-only-thing/851014)
**Author:** [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2020, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancestory-com-23and-me-usa-only-thing/851014 "2020-04-06T12:07:57Z")
With some extra time on my hands was pondering the the companies that do research your ancestry and if it is available world wide. Was thinking like if some armed service people who served overseas and messed around wit… --- ## [Travel Ban](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-ban/849311)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2020, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-ban/849311 "2020-03-12T03:34:16Z")
When was the last time the US banned all travel from another continent? Yes, I realize that the UK is the exception to the rule. --- ## [vaping lung damage and coronavirus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaping-lung-damage-and-coronavirus/848556)
**Author:** [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2020, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vaping-lung-damage-and-coronavirus/848556 "2020-03-26T23:40:09Z")
Does anyone else remember the “epidemic” of lung damage due to vaping that was in the news towards the end of last year? How many of the coronavirus casualties were vapers? (I read smokers are considered a higher risk,… --- ## [How are these artists solving the latency problem with Virtual performances?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-these-artists-solving-the-latency-problem-with-virtual-performances/851158)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2020, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-these-artists-solving-the-latency-problem-with-virtual-performances/851158 "2020-04-06T03:20:37Z")
I have first hand experience with latency. Took weekly vocal lessons using Skype for 11 months… It worked great until we tried performing together. For example, Sing this scale… She played it and I sang afterwards. It … --- ## [Can I cash a money order that I made made to someone else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-cash-a-money-order-that-i-made-made-to-someone-else/851029)
**Author:** [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2020, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-cash-a-money-order-that-i-made-made-to-someone-else/851029 "2020-04-05T21:39:04Z")
Am I able to cash a money order from MoneyGram I bought but already wrote the person’s name in? I have the receipt. Always wondered this --- ## [Simple pulley problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pulley-problem/851111)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2020, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-pulley-problem/851111 "2020-04-05T18:39:24Z")
I admit, I’ve had at least two margaritas and a couple of glasses of wine, and my mind isn’t functioning on all cylinders at the moment. :o Assume a 100 kg weight suspended from a pulley that is fixed to the overhead. … --- ## [How Did I Remap my Keyboard? Ho do I Fix it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-i-remap-my-keyboard-ho-do-i-fix-it/851126)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2020, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-i-remap-my-keyboard-ho-do-i-fix-it/851126 "2020-04-05T16:38:38Z")
I have the strangest computer problems. I am using a laptop with an external Bluetooth keyboard. I have had this setup for years. The one new thing I did do was I downloaded “Go To Meeting.” Then my problems began. As … --- ## [Lawyers, legal scholars etc. - explain court case citations to me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawyers-legal-scholars-etc-explain-court-case-citations-to-me/850957)
**Author:** [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2020, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawyers-legal-scholars-etc-explain-court-case-citations-to-me/850957 "2020-04-05T15:07:19Z")
I’m not a lawyer, but I spend quite a bit of time reading legal history and legal cases. For the most part, it’s pretty easy for me to find what I need, and I generally identify cases by the names of the parties. Because… --- ## [At what point does my image/name not mine to control](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-my-image-name-not-mine-to-control/850981)
**Author:** [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2020, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-my-image-name-not-mine-to-control/850981 "2020-04-05T14:22:31Z")
I’ve often wondered at what point can someone start taking photos of someone to sell, write autobiographies, or make a movie about them. I understand that newspapers and TV news can do stories about you if you’ve done so… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=374) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=376)