What up what up what up!?!?! Another episode of Ed-vise for the interested in the awesome and never ending search for knowledge!
Today’s bit o trivia: The Madness of Hats. SAY WHAT!?!? Ain’t no such thing as a “Mad Hat.” Oh contraire (intentional typo) my esteemed colleague. Aux Contraire. See in the 19th century, hat makers used a substance called mercuric nitrate to skin the little creatures of their fur to make felt hats. Well, mercury is toxic to the nervous system of humans along with just about every creature on earth. When that mercuric substance infects a hat maker, they developed a disease called Erethism. And they would show signs that the common fold couldn’t understand thus calling the person “mad.” And then they would coin the phrase “mad as a hatter” cause hatters were infected with mercury. The Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland… see the similarities?
Anyway…
Tech Talk Tuesday Ed-vise today
I just read an article this morning about the fatality rate of COVID.
Seems that the older you are, the more likely you are to die from the disease. If you’re 70 and get it… look out. Add to that the problems created by underlying conditions such as obesity and diabetes. Basically, your body can only do so much fighting before it taps out to something like COVID.
The article made a great point about explaining why developed or “rich” countries seem to endure much harsher stats than (what the ever Fearless Donny Trump calls “shit holes”) say, the African Continent.
I think it comes down to a few things. First, Africa always seems to have some epidemic going on. Often with devastating consequences. Thus, they already have the resources in place to handle the sick along with the discipline of how to prevent it. Second, life expectancy isn’t quite as high in Africa as in, say, the US or Western Europe. So, fewer older people. Last, a lack of technology i.e. the internet, prevent the amount of indoor time on devices which means getting outside into some fresh air. That high exchange rate of air keeps the virus count down.
I’m sure there’s more to it than that. But, Africa, on a large scale, seems to be doing pretty well. Nice job Africa! I’m just sayin
That’s it for today. Take care of yourselves. Check in on each other and remember a cross between a polar bear and a grizzly bear is a pizzly bear or a grolar bear… whichever.
Peace
Ed-vise 