Did Somebody Say Plague?

[dvandom]

This week's amusing/scary Science News note:

A study performed here at Kansas State determined that when a fast food restaurant was set up within a fly's flight of agribusinesses like poultry farms, the antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria that develop on the farms (and normally stay there) spread to the flies that hang out at the eateries.

Personal connection: when I was at my dealership this weekend for an oil change, I noticed it was swarming with flies. I was informed that a poultry farm abuts on the dealership. And that a McDonald's was being built next door.

I don't generally eat at McD's, but I think I'll be taking special care to not eat at that one.

Comments

[dvandom.livejournal.com]

Precisely from the chicken poop to your fries.

[z4nd4r.livejournal.com]

So then it doesn't matter what McDonalds I go to, some fly -will- make it.

If that's the case, why eat at -any- restaurant? I've seen flies in the nicest of places. If you are going to be worried about this then you need to start saving up for your bubble. :P

[foomf.livejournal.com]

We may all want our bubbles soon.

Here's a bit of info most people don't know: there is a very good technology for preventing flies from getting into any building which has no openable windows. A fan blowing a 15-20 mph stiff breeze, aimed at the top 1/4 of the doorway, will keep flies out, and if they manage to get in some other way, will blow them out as soon as they get near. The fan must be in operation at all times when the door can be opened.

We had this setup at the Hungry Woodsman when I worked there in 1975. It was exceptionally effective; the back doors were kept open during the mornings and evenings when flies are most active (Medford Oregon, in summer, can be murderous hot) and the fans would be activated by opening the door. Even though there was a dumpster within 40 feet of the door, and we had raw meat and garbage scraps around while doing prep work, I never saw a single fly inside that whole summer. I saw them trying to get in, but they never realized that all they had to do was land on the ground and walk inside.

[jameel.livejournal.com]

My gut flora kick the ass of any alien bacteria. I hope I never regret the fact that they're antibiotic-resistant.