Health

For me it is WNV, which will be at record levels nationwide and which is already infecting. If I hear one more (almost always a GUY) tell me that mosquitoes don't bite them, I will have to pull out a "tongue-extractor" which is just what it sounds like! So, said the first fatality (neuroinvasive WNV encephalitis) in my county this year, according to his family. "Never use the stuff because they never bite me!"

And while Colorado does not have the major numbers of Lone Star Ticks that are linked to Alpha Gal syndrome, it is coming--we certainly have plenty of other pathogen-transmitting ticks.

If you are in the South, the Southeast, The Middle Atlantic States, the Northeast, the Upper Midwest, The Midwest and are not using tick/flea/mosquito repellents for yourself, your dog, your cats (and similar for livestock), you are fucking nuts. With climate change, the amount of pathogens, whether parasites, viruses, bacteria, rickettsia or immune-inducing serious conditions transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and the larval forms of flies, you may as well buy stock in these repellents and impregnated clothing if you want to be able to enjoy the outside again--and I DO. We are going to have to coexist with these serious pests, so may as well get used to it and learn how to protect yourself, your animals, your family. Think you, who never goes hiking or mows the lawn or your declared "indoor only" cat is safe? I've got news for you. You are not and they are not. Not from ticks, fleas, (heartworm from mosquitoes) or any other pathogen that can and DO come inside.