I think this has to do with numerous birds found dead around Indiana lakes. I heard but haven’t confirmed that they are dying from eating poisoned Gypsy Moths.
If masks worked then there is no need for social distancing. If social distancing worked then there is no need for masks. If both of them worked then there is no need for lockdowns.
“… Birds have been dying in alarming numbers across the South and the Midwest, leaving scientists baffled about the cause.
Ongoing reports of major die-off have come from Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C., with no clear cause of death. The unknown affliction is impacting multiple species of songbirds that feed on the ground. A growing concern among researchers is that this avian disease will spread to other birds, including game birds and waterfowl.
Kentucky has been hard hit, according to a Facebook post by the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “We are receiving reports of sick and dying birds with eye swelling and crusty discharge, as well as neurological signs. Other states have reported similar cases. No definitive cause of death has been identified at this time. To date, sick or dead Blue Jays, Common Grackles, and European starlings have been reported, but other species may be affected as well.” The seemingly blind birds shake like they are having a seizure, and they do not avoid interaction with humans before they die. That behavior is not normal in wild animals, but it has been documented in other instances.
Investigations are underway, but the mass deaths will take scientists time to process. Last year, hundreds of thousands of birds died in New Mexico. Wildlife biologist Laura Kearns from the Ohio Division of Wildlife, suspects the cause may be from an infectious disease, pesticides, or cicadas.
Until the cause of the bird deaths is determined, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources recommends the following precautions:
Bird feeders and baths should be cleaned immediately with a 10 percent bleach solution, then weekly thereafter.
People should avoid handling birds (wear disposable gloves if handling).
Keep pets away from sick or dead birds as a standard precaution.
In a study published in Ornithological Applications, researchers found that declines in native plants — and the resulting drop in insects — may be causing the number of terrestrial, insectivorous birds to fall.
“Invasive species have penetrated ecosystems and replaced native plants just about everywhere. Human-dominated landscapes make up a huge area,” said Doug Tallamy, a professor of entomology and wildlife ecology at the University of Delaware who conducted the study with his University of Delaware co-author Greg Shriver. “When we allow that to happen, it decreases the insect populations our birds need.”
Recent research has shown that the U.S. and Canada have lost 39% of their birds in the last 50 years. Ninety percent of them were terrestrial birds that require insects to eat and feed their young.
The presumption in the fallacious “logic” of can’taddworthbeans is the same as saying two dogs and two cats make four cats (or dogs). Masks are distancing are not the same.
Masks work. They, when properly designed and properly used (a really big caveat given how many fools wear the mask below their nostrils) will reduce expectorants carried on your breath. My wife makes essentially triple layer masks. They have two layers and and 2.5 micron filter in between. That’s going to reduce the flow of small droplets which carry viruses significantly.
Social distancing, and by that, I mean more than just being 6 feet from someone, It includes not having too many people in a confined volume. Especially a volume in which air circulation does not bring air from outside. Recirculating the same virus laden air is a not good to avoid the virus.
Masks and distancing do work well together. A mask reduces the volume and velocity of expectorant going out. It can also intercept expectorants trying to enter. The distancing allows some of the exxpectorant carrying the virus to fall below the level of inhalation.
All of this easily proven with a mirror. Stand at various distances from the mirror and cough (or sneeze, better yet). Where do the expectorant droplets land on the mirror as a function of distance? How many fewer land as a function of distance? Repeat with a mask. (and compare results when the mask covers the nostrils and when it doesn’t)
That’s science, not relying on assumptions, but based on measurement. Try it instead of bleeting the nonsense of sheep.
This virus really wants to get into your lungs, why make it easy?
I see that 2AndFour above is a logic idjit who doesn’t understand the concepts of “partially effective” and (ironically) addition.
I suspect that Varvell is trying to make fun of the fact that the Delta and Delta+ variants are potent enough so even with my vaccination, I prefer to go masked if inside… because more than half the adults in this county are entirely unvaxxed.
Kurtass Premium Member almost 3 years ago
I think this has to do with numerous birds found dead around Indiana lakes. I heard but haven’t confirmed that they are dying from eating poisoned Gypsy Moths.
Kurtass Premium Member almost 3 years ago
And get your vaccination, fool.
2AndFour almost 3 years ago
If masks worked then there is no need for social distancing. If social distancing worked then there is no need for masks. If both of them worked then there is no need for lockdowns.
superposition almost 3 years ago
“… Birds have been dying in alarming numbers across the South and the Midwest, leaving scientists baffled about the cause.
Ongoing reports of major die-off have come from Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C., with no clear cause of death. The unknown affliction is impacting multiple species of songbirds that feed on the ground. A growing concern among researchers is that this avian disease will spread to other birds, including game birds and waterfowl.
Kentucky has been hard hit, according to a Facebook post by the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “We are receiving reports of sick and dying birds with eye swelling and crusty discharge, as well as neurological signs. Other states have reported similar cases. No definitive cause of death has been identified at this time. To date, sick or dead Blue Jays, Common Grackles, and European starlings have been reported, but other species may be affected as well.” The seemingly blind birds shake like they are having a seizure, and they do not avoid interaction with humans before they die. That behavior is not normal in wild animals, but it has been documented in other instances.
Investigations are underway, but the mass deaths will take scientists time to process. Last year, hundreds of thousands of birds died in New Mexico. Wildlife biologist Laura Kearns from the Ohio Division of Wildlife, suspects the cause may be from an infectious disease, pesticides, or cicadas.
Until the cause of the bird deaths is determined, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources recommends the following precautions:
Bird feeders and baths should be cleaned immediately with a 10 percent bleach solution, then weekly thereafter.
People should avoid handling birds (wear disposable gloves if handling).
Keep pets away from sick or dead birds as a standard precaution.
…"
https://www.fieldandstream.com/conservation/birds-dying-south-midwest/
mourdac Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Birds now. Bees have been experiencing massive die offs. Natural selection or upset ecosystems?
b.john71 almost 3 years ago
It’s Harris’s fault the bird-brains listened to her and died laughing. TtT
Radish the wordsmith almost 3 years ago
Perhaps a balance has been tipped and the earth is dying.
Republicans don’t care, they are too busy destroying democracy in the USA.
martens almost 3 years ago
In a study published in Ornithological Applications, researchers found that declines in native plants — and the resulting drop in insects — may be causing the number of terrestrial, insectivorous birds to fall.
“Invasive species have penetrated ecosystems and replaced native plants just about everywhere. Human-dominated landscapes make up a huge area,” said Doug Tallamy, a professor of entomology and wildlife ecology at the University of Delaware who conducted the study with his University of Delaware co-author Greg Shriver. “When we allow that to happen, it decreases the insect populations our birds need.”
Recent research has shown that the U.S. and Canada have lost 39% of their birds in the last 50 years. Ninety percent of them were terrestrial birds that require insects to eat and feed their young.
https://wildlife.org/bird-declines-tied-to-fewer-insects/
Valiant1943 Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Specious reasoning at its best. So if you need to have major surgery, the surgeon shouldn’t a mask, gown, or gloves?
Valiant1943 Premium Member almost 3 years ago
P.S. Get the shot and wear the mask.
Radish the wordsmith almost 3 years ago
“Biden didn’t “fall short” of July 4 vaccination goal — he was sabotaged by Republican trolls"
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/7/7/2038818/—Biden-didn-t-fall-short-of-July-4-vaccination-goal-he-was-sabotaged-by-Republican-trolls?utm_campaign=recent
ferddo almost 3 years ago
Bird Flu can be serious, but it is rare – fewer than 1000 cases per year. Varvel makes a false equivalence to COVID, in order to scare up more chaos…
ndblackirish97 almost 3 years ago
So what’s the mysterious bird illness out there that this cartoon is mocking?
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member almost 3 years ago
The presumption in the fallacious “logic” of can’taddworthbeans is the same as saying two dogs and two cats make four cats (or dogs). Masks are distancing are not the same.
Masks work. They, when properly designed and properly used (a really big caveat given how many fools wear the mask below their nostrils) will reduce expectorants carried on your breath. My wife makes essentially triple layer masks. They have two layers and and 2.5 micron filter in between. That’s going to reduce the flow of small droplets which carry viruses significantly.
Social distancing, and by that, I mean more than just being 6 feet from someone, It includes not having too many people in a confined volume. Especially a volume in which air circulation does not bring air from outside. Recirculating the same virus laden air is a not good to avoid the virus.
Masks and distancing do work well together. A mask reduces the volume and velocity of expectorant going out. It can also intercept expectorants trying to enter. The distancing allows some of the exxpectorant carrying the virus to fall below the level of inhalation.
All of this easily proven with a mirror. Stand at various distances from the mirror and cough (or sneeze, better yet). Where do the expectorant droplets land on the mirror as a function of distance? How many fewer land as a function of distance? Repeat with a mask. (and compare results when the mask covers the nostrils and when it doesn’t)
That’s science, not relying on assumptions, but based on measurement. Try it instead of bleeting the nonsense of sheep.
This virus really wants to get into your lungs, why make it easy?
Radish the wordsmith almost 3 years ago
I found a couple of dead gophers and mice, perhaps several diseases are going around.
Concretionist almost 3 years ago
I see that 2AndFour above is a logic idjit who doesn’t understand the concepts of “partially effective” and (ironically) addition.
I suspect that Varvell is trying to make fun of the fact that the Delta and Delta+ variants are potent enough so even with my vaccination, I prefer to go masked if inside… because more than half the adults in this county are entirely unvaxxed.
RonaldHeater almost 3 years ago
Yeah… It’s called Twitter Flu…
Max B almost 3 years ago
Yeah, I’m definently gonna listen to some random, old-ass cartoonist, as opposed to people with decades of experiance in this field.