smells like killer bees

lyons, colorado. the day after christmas, 2005.

in the 14th century, the black death single-handedly erased over 1/3 of europe's population. according to boulder county public health, "the first dead black squirrel was observed on wednesday, may 18, 2005. since that time, several additional black squirrels have died, and BCPH received positive test results for one carcass yesterday (may 25)."

hysteria.

no children or domesticated animals are allowed in the local park.
pets are kept inside.
houses and yards are saturated with insecticide.
pants are tucked into socks.

believe me. i don't think disease is funny. there actually may be a chance that somebody's cat could become infected.
then what?
i'll tell you. mama takes kitty to the vet and kitty is ok.

plague is a bacterial infection. cureable by antibiotics.
we've come a long way since the 14th century. these days, people get sick and go to a doctor- or go to the hospital. those days, each family member of a confirmed victim were 'quarantined' for 30 days. in the same room. plague kills 2-6 days after infection. do the math.
on average, worldwide -between 10 and 14 die because of the boubonic plague.

in order, these are the current 15 leading causes of death:
diseases of the heart, malignant neoplasm, cerebrovascular disease, chronic lower respiratory disease, accidents, diabetes mellitus, influenza and pneumonia, alzhemier's disease, nephrosis, septicaemia, suicide, chronic liver disease, primary hypertension, parkinson's disease, and pneumonitis due to solids or liquids.

sorry, no plague.

something had to be said.