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West Nile Virus
I saw the notices posted around Peters Canyon lake on the July 4th weekend. West Nile Virus killed its first California victim here in Orange County. Am I afraid? I keep this in mind:
Authorities are telling people to be cautious – try to avoid being out when you are most likely to be bitten by a mosquito. During the two hours after dusk you should be extra careful, they say – use insect repellent and make sure there is no standing water.
I also don’t fit the profile: I don’t have any immune system disorder or an organ transplant like the 57 year old man who died here in June. Besides that, the chaparral is dry: the only body of water here is chlorinated. Chances are that I will show no symptoms if I contract it.
We’re not talking about a Biblical plague: we’re talking about a disease which only affects a few and only a small percentage of those die.
I plan to take the CDC’s advice: stay inside after dusk when I am in vicinity of Upper Newport Bay.
Posted: July 24th, 2004 under The Orange, West Nile Virus.
Comments: 6 |
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Comments
Comment from Kathryn Cramer
Time: 7/26/2004, 5:35 am
When West Nile arrived here, we had people going to the emergency room because they’d been bit by mosquitos. I rudimentary understanding of statistics is very handy in such times.
Comment from Joel
Time: 7/26/2004, 5:23 pm
Kathryn, yet another example of our shoddy “professional journalist” education. All this talk in the news fails to put across the actual significance of the “epidemic” which is quite low.
Comment from Aurora
Time: 7/27/2004, 3:30 am
Okay, guess my humor fell flat there.
I had a lot of caffeine that night. It happens.
Comment from Joel
Time: 7/27/2004, 1:59 pm
Aurora, I smirked when I read it. 
Trackback from Metroblogging Orange County
Time: 9/27/2004, 11:20 pm
West of Denial
The price we pay is mass histrionic behavior. And is that good for our health?
Time: 7/25/2004, 4:16 am
*gasp* Joel! How dare you not cower inside your home! Buy industrial strength mosquito netting. Napalm your backyard. DO NOT GO OUT! THE TERRORISTS HAVE BROUGHT THE INFECTED MOSQUITOES TO AMERICA because they hate Democracy!
Buy stock in Raid and Black Flag! Go about your business and SPEND SPEND SPEND, but watch out for those terrorist mosquitoes!
*puts on beekeeper suit* BRING EM ON.
My name is Dumbass Von Dipshit, and I voted for Bush. If you don’t like it, go Cheney yourself.