Science: Health: Disease
I have a cold/the flu   (+4)  [vote for, against]
and don't normally look, sound and smell like this.

A pin-on button, that serves as fair warning and apologia, for when you need to leave the cocoon while under the weather.
-- FlyingToaster, Dec 10 2015

This fits the situation perfectly. I'd wear one. [+]
-- the porpoise, Dec 10 2015


We understood that the established procedure was to dress in sackcloth and ring a large bell, while declaiming "UNCLEAN ! UNCLEAN ! ", so as to warn the uninfected of your approach.
-- 8th of 7, Dec 10 2015


Quarantine
-- pocmloc, Dec 11 2015


Quarantine Tarantino ?
-- 8th of 7, Dec 11 2015


A tissue hanged of a pin on the clothes would be a convenient standard [+]
-- piluso, Dec 11 2015


In parts of Asia, it's just common courtesy to wear a surgical mask, although it could mean many things, including "I am a doctor."
-- 4and20, Dec 11 2015


Why is it "a cold" but "the flu"?
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 12 2015


One's an adjective and one is a noun.

What do I win?
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Dec 12 2015


//"the flu"// is well known to be the result of the influence (Italian "influenza") of the planets, as described by astrologers. It is unitary, in the full hippy-hermetic-buddhist sense.

Such variations as bird flu and swine flu are therefore the result of dangerous interference between animal-based Chinese astrology and the Western zodiac.

You knew that, right?
-- pertinax, Dec 13 2015


// What do I win? //

Five dollars, but you have to somehow mention Hitler and/or Nazis.
-- 8th of 7, Dec 13 2015


Also, there are lots of different colds., but only one flu. Just like there are lots of different Nazis, but only one Hitler.
-- pocmloc, Dec 13 2015


// there are lots of different colds., but only one flu.// Definitely not. There are many flus. I think [pertinax]'s comment (//Italian "influenza"//) is nearer the mark.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 13 2015


Impossible, otherwise it couldn’t be called //the// flu. One would instead say “I have //a// flu”.
-- pocmloc, Dec 13 2015


I have a whole bunch of flooz.
-- lurch, Dec 13 2015


sp: I have a whole bunch of floozies.
-- DrBob, Dec 14 2015


No, that would make me sick.
-- lurch, Dec 14 2015


//Impossible, otherwise it couldn’t be called //the// flu. One would instead say “I have //a// flu”.

That's my bet. The "the flu" turn of phrase probably originated from the 1918 pandemic.

Like I'm sure when birds talk about "the" meteor, there's an unwritten understanding they all mean the one that wiped out their ancestors.
-- the porpoise, Dec 14 2015


// there are lots of different Nazis, but only one Hitler.//

For some reason I am imagining this as a chant at a football match. "Only one Hitler! There's only one Adolf Hitler! One Adolph Hiiiiitler!" etc. That's quite bad isn't it? It is, isn't it?
-- DrBob, Dec 14 2015


So, I'm wearing a mask : mostly to "show the flag" so to speak, but I have an almost non-existent cold (no fever), so this would actually come in handy.
-- FlyingToaster, Apr 03 2020


This whole covid business is really starting to feel like 1930s Germany.
-- tatterdemalion, Apr 03 2020


No, you're just tuned to the Disney channel by mistake. All those stormtroopers are just actors.
-- 8th of 7, Apr 03 2020


I was talking to a couple kids (20-30s) today, who were convinced that this was a major historic thing. Had to explain that while neither I, nor my parents had experienced it, my grandparents would have.
-- FlyingToaster, Apr 04 2020


That's a sad comment on how very little history that age group knows.
-- 8th of 7, Apr 04 2020


//this was a major historic thing//

What was? The 1930s? Spanish flu? The common cold?
-- pertinax, Apr 04 2020


//That's a sad comment//

It goes beyond sad & well past the realms of pathetic.
-- Skewed, Apr 04 2020


"Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it"
-- 8th of 7, Apr 04 2020


^ Favourite saying of History teachers, worldwide.
-- FlyingToaster, Apr 04 2020


No, that's "Those who do not learn their history are condemned to repeat it, until they remember it."
-- 8th of 7, Apr 04 2020


Yes, but on the other hand, you don’t recall events and influences of even the last twenty minutes.

Yes, you have had your tea. No, it's not time for dinner yet. No, that's not a comedy show on the TV, that's the President of the United ... well, yes, it is a comedy show, but it's not meant to be. No, you do have to wear those special undergarments ...
-- 8th of 7, Apr 04 2020


"... and with that admission, Your Honour, we submit that the case against [CH] is proven beyond reasonable doubt."
-- 8th of 7, Apr 04 2020


//I’m more disgusted by people my own age who don’t recall events and influences of even the last century.//

I've been promoting the preventative measures whenever possible, and adopting them when I can.

Problem is I'm set in my ways and there seem to be tradeoffs ; f'instance I remember to wear a mask all the time, and am getting used to the 2m distancing thing... but now I'm forgetting to put my seatbelt on :/
-- FlyingToaster, Apr 04 2020



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