I read a news report today that said a Californian woman had been struck down by bubonic plague. She may have contracted it via a flea from a rat that transferred to her dog and then to her. It seems we now have a cure for bubonic plague because the report ended with the news that she was in hospital doing fine.
According to the World Health Organisation “…3,248 cases were reported worldwide between 2010 and 2015, resulting in 584 deaths.”
The plague was first introduced into the US back in 1900 when steamships arrived with rats aboard. Except for the sinking ones, I assume. There was a particularly awful outbreak in 1924-25 in Los Angeles. This was the Pneumonic plague. There are three types: bubonic, pneumonic and septicemic. Pneumonic is the worst because it can be transmitted from human to human and can be fatal within 18 hours if left untreated.
Though there are three distinct types, they all come from infected rats. One of the best bits of advice I’ve found regarding the plague is to kill as many rats as you can. Clearly, a very American attitude. “If you can’t beat it, kill it!“
In the meanwhilst, the Corona plague rumbles on here in the 21st century and the world continues to hide behind bits of cotton and avoid touching others.
Today was shopping day and Waitrose was by no means busy but it was full of face coverings. Except for certain members of staff. The ones behind the counters for instance. This makes perfect sense. Lucky bastards.
Once more I was in and out in about ten minutes. Which was good because I’d already managed to get wet from the walk in then proceeded to get soaked on the walk home.
There’s a couple I see most days who generally comment on my choice of headwear. This has become their morning weather predictor. If I wear my straw hat, it’s obviously going to be sunny all day. My baseball cap means rain.
Today they were both wrapped up in plastic, and she was wearing a particularly surreal rain hat. Imagine a colourful, flower decorated top hat with wide brim and very high crown. Naturally, I was in shorts, t-shirt and baseball cap.
This passed between us as I walked by them.
ME: Well, you two are dressed for the rain! THEM: You're not! ME: No, I'm dressed for the summer.
And the rain didn’t really let up for most of the day. This was especially annoying given I had to take the girls to the vet in the afternoon, giving me my third soaking of the day. By dinner time the extension was littered with dampness in the form of my clothes.
Of course, Mirinda took the girls to the castle and back while I made dinner and didn’t get wet at all.
At first, I thought we were getting the tail end of Storm Ellen but, it seems, she has only just visited Ireland and is heading for Wales. So, we have her to look forward to. Goody.
