Studying plagues and weird diseases is a casual hobby of mine, so I feel like I can safely say Florida's collapsing infrastructure is likely a (one of many, but still the biggest) direct cause of this. As the article points out, robust people don't get leprosy. You develop the disease if you have a depressed immune system, either from an autoimmune disease, or because you were recently very sick and your white blood count is low. However, leprosy itself doesn't really "thrive" in a civilization unless it's . . . well . . . dirty.
So central Florida, where all the swamps are, yeah, I can see it existing there. You can't sanitize a swamp. Add to it increasing numbers of people with limited access to affordable healthcare, and sure, there's going to be an uptick of stuff you don't normally see elsewhere.
But keep in mind the population of the rest of the state. People who, through the natural course of aging, get sick more often. Are at higher risk of cancers. Need to take medications that require the immune system to be a little weaker. We're going to see this spread like wildfire through the retirees and snowbirds. Lots of them can afford the medications, but lots of them cannot.
So the question I have for DeSantis is: which religious camp do you fall into when it comes to leprosy? Do you believe it's a sign that the afflicted are sinners and deserve their bodies to rot and fall apart (if so fuck you), or do you believe that the afflicted are all the more holy for their suffering, and a lesson to the rest of us for the torment that awaits us for not conforming to your standards (also if so fuck you)?
Basically, I'm counting down to DeSantis finding just the right spin for withholding the antibiotics.
Also, fun fact: Thalidomide is a popular choice for chronic/recurrent cases. Just thought I'd toss that in there.
You're so right. “Move here and maybe get leprosy” is probably not a draw. They need to change the slogan to "Move here and definitely get leprosy! And a free leprosy infected armadillo!"
I see Florida is taking the race to bottom seriously with their latest moves. Ron DeSantis is really championing Florida's place as the worst American state.
Florida, where everything is trying to kill or hurt you: the weather (heat and hurricanes), the shoddy buildings, he crappy education system, the healthcare system, leprosy and malaria, insects, reptiles, Republicans, and the insane political system that creates voters who keep electing dipshits like Ron DeSantis.
What more could any young up-and-coming academic ask for than hurricanes, leprosy and possibly THE most anti-intellectual public climate in this, the United States of No-Nothin'?
Studying plagues and weird diseases is a casual hobby of mine, so I feel like I can safely say Florida's collapsing infrastructure is likely a (one of many, but still the biggest) direct cause of this. As the article points out, robust people don't get leprosy. You develop the disease if you have a depressed immune system, either from an autoimmune disease, or because you were recently very sick and your white blood count is low. However, leprosy itself doesn't really "thrive" in a civilization unless it's . . . well . . . dirty.
So central Florida, where all the swamps are, yeah, I can see it existing there. You can't sanitize a swamp. Add to it increasing numbers of people with limited access to affordable healthcare, and sure, there's going to be an uptick of stuff you don't normally see elsewhere.
But keep in mind the population of the rest of the state. People who, through the natural course of aging, get sick more often. Are at higher risk of cancers. Need to take medications that require the immune system to be a little weaker. We're going to see this spread like wildfire through the retirees and snowbirds. Lots of them can afford the medications, but lots of them cannot.
So the question I have for DeSantis is: which religious camp do you fall into when it comes to leprosy? Do you believe it's a sign that the afflicted are sinners and deserve their bodies to rot and fall apart (if so fuck you), or do you believe that the afflicted are all the more holy for their suffering, and a lesson to the rest of us for the torment that awaits us for not conforming to your standards (also if so fuck you)?
Basically, I'm counting down to DeSantis finding just the right spin for withholding the antibiotics.
Also, fun fact: Thalidomide is a popular choice for chronic/recurrent cases. Just thought I'd toss that in there.
Yeah, bet those masks are looking pretty good NOW, huh?
Sure.
TO COVER UP THE LEPROSY.
♫ Why did Flori-die, boys?
Her Gov. was DeSantees.
She died a lot of COVID,
And sheer stupidity.
She poked a fight with woke, boys,
She fucked with Disney, don't you see?
Malaria and leprosy, boys,
What's next? Theocracy. ♫
Is it time to compare New College’s survival to a head of lettuce yet?
ronny d's administration promotes lots of things: leprosy...bigotry...ignorance...environmental degradation, but no income tax so it's all good.
You're so right. “Move here and maybe get leprosy” is probably not a draw. They need to change the slogan to "Move here and definitely get leprosy! And a free leprosy infected armadillo!"
I see Florida is taking the race to bottom seriously with their latest moves. Ron DeSantis is really championing Florida's place as the worst American state.
It couldn't be worse, it's Florida.
How about 100 degree f ocean water temp, doesn't get any better than that!
Florida, where everything is trying to kill or hurt you: the weather (heat and hurricanes), the shoddy buildings, he crappy education system, the healthcare system, leprosy and malaria, insects, reptiles, Republicans, and the insane political system that creates voters who keep electing dipshits like Ron DeSantis.
Australia is breathing a sigh of relief that Florida has now taken the lead on that too.
And Burmese pythons!
Florida...If the ocean's not warm enough for you, just toss another book on the fire!
Endemic LEPROSY? JFC. God is TRYING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING, Floridians.
Well, the Q-loons *do* keep bleating 'It's going to be Biblical...'
What more could any young up-and-coming academic ask for than hurricanes, leprosy and possibly THE most anti-intellectual public climate in this, the United States of No-Nothin'?
Insurance companies that refuse to insure your house...
Alligator hazards.
Yes, the Sunshine State has everything.
Except for Sunshine laws.
Name the situation we might have once thought was impossibly ghastly, and it's a fair bet the Republican Party is right onto making it happen.
I guess the Zombie Apocalypse will begin in Florida then.
Come for the malaria, stay for the leprosy?
just wait until your usual suspect religious grifters get wind of this.
So, New Mexico is making college free and Florida is actively dumbing down their K-12 curricula and driving away the good college professors.
It's frustrating that the impact of these decisions won't be fully felt for years.
govern like there are no consequences - seems to be the current strategy
Guess they figure that the state will be wiped out by hurricanes, sinkholes, or politics. Nothing to lose.
Anyone who can choose to move to either of those states has a VERY easy decision to make.
This is OT, but why hasn’t there been an article about Greg Abbott getting rid of the libraries in Houston schools? Or did I miss it?
HERE YA GO...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jul/29/houston-school-district-libraries-book
I swear I saw it too, but I can't find it....sorry my dementia has left me unable to be servicey.