SD-PI

Damned if you do, Damned if you don't

We are faced with a situation as regards to horses. The previous scare was the West Nile Virus.This is a form of encephalitis, and is fatal to about 50% of horses. You can inoculate against it. It is carried by mosquitos, like malaria. Mosquitos are where it is wet, or there is standing water.
But now, it has been dry for so long. Most mosquitos do not have a chance. The dryness though releases what is known as " Dryland Distemper". It i carried by flies, and exists in soil. The flies carry it, and if the horse has a scratch, they will become infected. They will then be sluggish, fatigued, and have pus pockets that break open.
This is similar to the fire situation. Firemen have job security. If it doesn't rain, they say things are so dry that we are indanger of wildfires.
If it rains a lot, they say that due to the grass and brush that grew from the rains, we are in danger of fire.
Which reminds one of the ignition source of some wildland fires: LIghtning. It is somewhat silly for weather forecasters to warn of " Dangerous Lightning". Is there any other kind?

posted by Ramonan @ 10:38 AM