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Friday, July 29, 2016

Winter plans and Zika



It appears that the zika virus is now established in Florida. The article makes it sound like it's a very localized infection. Maybe it is, but to me it seems likely that it's more widespread. By the way, I was in that general area back in February.

This young sailing couple cut their Caribbean sailing adventure short due to zika. Their concern is that might want to have children in the near future. The more you know about zika, the more that looks like a good decision. It's a shame to have to end a fantastic adventure, but sometimes you have to be an adult.


My lovely wife and I are past the age of having children of our own. That removes one major worry. At first I thought our main worry would be flu like symptoms. While it sucks, that's something that can be dealt with.

Unfortunately, there are other concerns. While the science isn't all in on this one, it appears there may be other neurological issues associated with the virus. My lovely wife is already dealing with those sorts of issues so I suspect zika could make things much worse for her. Right now, we just don't know.

One thing I do know is that we go to places in Florida that are just lousy with mosquitoes. We either camp in the woods or anchor our sailboat near marshy areas. I'd even planned on going back to the Everglades. As it is, the park closes some primitive campsites part of the year due to the huge numbers of mosquitoes. Even in the “slow” season, mosquitoes will get you.

I'm carefully monitoring the zika situation. It's of serious enough concern that I'm going to make sure our house is totally prepared for winter. We just might sit this one out. Winter cold beats mosquito born disease.

-Sixbears

11 comments:

  1. Every nasty new disease that crops up in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama or Florida eventually winds up here. There are several in the mountains now that were not here when we moved to our land, in 1986.

    Like you, I have little relish for another mosquito transmitted disease. We have lots of mosquitoes here in summer.

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    1. That's not good. My guess is that if it's found in one place, it's in other places too. It's going to spread, and probably quite far north too.

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  2. wondercide natural products brand evolv tm natural and organic flea and tick control
    eco friendly repellent also for mosquitoes

    daughter says no mosquito bites since she got this.
    safe for all vertebrates.

    wondercide.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unfortunately, I get very nasty reactions to every natural repellent I've tried. It goes back to chemical exposure when I was a firefighter.

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  3. there are two reports out of Maine

    Wildflower

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    1. I hope it's from people who've traveled rather than from a local source.

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  4. Given the world and local USA political climate. Hunkering down at the homestead might be wise for this winter Mr Bear.
    Besides, your sailing adventures kinda sucked last you were down here !

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  5. Given the world and local USA political climate. Hunkering down at the homestead might be wise for this winter Mr Bear.
    Besides, your sailing adventures kinda sucked last you were down here !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, it was pretty good except for one bad night. :) We survived it so it could have been worse.

      There are a lot of people happy we'll be around more this winter, so that's good. Might just scoot down at the end of the winter if things aren't all that crazy. Keeping our eyes open on developments.

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  6. Unfortunate, but maybe you could sail south, but stop short of Florida.

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    1. That's a thought. I'd like to explore the ICW. Even had a nice chartbook of it . . . until the shipwreck. Might be time to get another.

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