Test on the subway

[hypatia-66.livejournal.com]

It seemed like a good idea, to spread a benign bacterium on the New York subway to see where it went in the event of an attack. Then some plague bacteria went missing... Who is carrying them? (Wonder what gave me the idea?)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/23080048

Napoleon and Illya

Comments

[hypatia-66.livejournal.com]

I hadn't forgotten it - a terrifying and deadly nerve gas attack. I looked up similar events when thinking about where to take this story. It was interesting to discover that tests using bacteria were actually carried out in New York at the time MFU was being made, so it fitted rather well.

I'm currently reading Daniel Defoe's 'Journal of the plague year", which is about the Great Plague of London in 1665. The panic that is setting in over the Corvid-19 virus is very similar to what happened in 17th-century London. That plague was followed by the Great Fire of London in 1666, which did for it, but I don't suppose a worldwide conflagration would be a helpful response to the present virus.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Conflagration would definitely not be a helpful response. Let's hope some loon doesn't think of doing it.
Very interesting research!

The nervousness here (and 'I'm sure elsewhere) is growing. Now medical consultants are talking about regional quarantines, such as what is happening in northern Italy,

The media can be helpful when passing on useful information about what to do BUT they're also very good at revving up a nervous population to a near panic. They're talking about things like toilet paper, paper towels, Lysol, hand sanitizer etc. flying off the store shelves.

I was in a local grocer yesterday and they were well stocked with everything but hand santizer. The media does the same fear mongering (in order to get good ratings) when a blizzard or hurricane is nearing certain areas.

All we can do is use common sense and stay home if we're able.

[hypatia-66.livejournal.com]

Absolutely right. Keep calm and carry on. We have two rail journeys, an opera, an exhibition and a long distance bus journey booked for next weekend. I have a slight apprehension about being quarantined somewhere I don't want to be (!), so I'll have to make sure my neighbours will come in to water all my plants if we get stuck.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

I don't really travel except locally in my car, but next week I begin moving to my new apartment. The next two weeks are going to be a bit stressful and don't want to have to worry about getting sick. I'm in the age group that's at a higher risk and have preexisting conditions. Thankfuly move isn't far from my current apartment.

Stay safe in your travels!

[hypatia-66.livejournal.com]

Yes, keep safe. Good luck with the move; I'm sure it'll be a relief when you're installed.
We are also in risk categories - my husband is 84 and I've had lung disease. I get a flu jab every year but it knocks me out if I ever get it. The vaccination doesn't always work. However, the facts are that of those in risk categories that catch Corvid-19, over 90% survive. Quite reassuring.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

A 90% survival rate is good news! Post some pictures of your travels!

[hypatia-66.livejournal.com]

I'm flattered by the suggestion. I'll see what I can do but I doubt if there'd be much to interest anyone. We're visiting old haunts in Bristol (very briefly) and Oxford, which everyone has seen photos of. If we get the bus to visit relatives in Thame (pron. Tame), a very pretty town near Oxford with every style of architecture from medieval to modern, I might manage a photo or two.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

It's always interesting to see photos of where people have been. Those of us who aren't able to travel appreciate the view. "D