A Cold Reality

I am currently under the weather with the cold crud. (Under the weather—another “where did that come from?” term.)

Bad news for domestic engineer guys—if you still board a plane now and then, you will be more susceptible to colds. At least I am.

I am no disease wonk but I suspect that it has something to do with immunities. The more we build them up, the more resistant we are. Going to work every day and hanging with other upright mammals expectorating airborne germs builds resistance over time. DEG’s hang out with their dog during the day and unless you are exchanging saliva regularly with Fido you are probably pretty safe.

Board a plane and all bets are off, especially if exchanging saliva. I haven’t kept track but Id’ wager that I’m batting 500 over the last 7-8 years, meaning I have come down with a cold on half of my plane trips. My memory is faulty but I’m pretty sure I never exchanged saliva with anyone other than PJ. This is really a bummer, especially in the summer, if you are exposed to enough germs on the first flight of the vacation.

This time I caught it on a return flight from Minneapolis.

I have no sage suggestions for prevention (Airborne has proven ineffective) but I am ready to wear a surgical mask on future flights. Not your everyday accessory, but at my age why should I care? A healthy vacation matters more.