Build a Better Mine

This year’s flu, in spite of the preventative shots, has completed its round through our family.

From reports, we had it mild - attributed to the above shots we all got - and no one was “out sick” for more than a couple of days. My course came on slow, then hit hard for 48 hours with 101+ fever before quickly ramping back down again, ending with a leftover cough and congestion for a couple of days.

A friend who skipped the shot was in bed - as in “cannot sit up” - for several consecutive days. She reported a total sick time of nearly three weeks. And that’s “so far.”

That’s some very impressive devestation from such a tiny critter, one that evolves fast and in ways we cannot predict which is why we get new shots every year that, even then, aren’t always completely effective. (This year’s effectiveness is quoted as 66%.)

These little buggers could teach arms makers a thing or two. For hundreds of years, their history has been a continuous series of one-upmanship as rock progressed to brass, to iron, then firearms, better armor, bigger cannons, steel reinforced bunkers and so forth.

Put some smart mines in the harbor that mimic this ability to replicate using scavenged detritus and mutate rapidly in unpredictable ways, and you’d really shut down an enemy’s Navy, either trapping them at the dock or by stopping their resupply ships.

Of course, winning a war too easily doesn’t do much toward future sales.

And there would be that annoying “Don’t *ever* go in or near the water” warning to be taught to the young’uns.

If you haven’t been hit, keep washing your hands, wiping down that shopping cart handle and running away from anyone who sneezes or coughs.

Or get the shot, kiss a sickie and get it over with.

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, you know?