8 chapters across the catalog
As public health officials monitor bird flu and rising dengue fever cases in Honduras and Malaysia, a case of the plague was reported in Colorado. While the media often uses such reports to incite fear of new lockdowns, the plague remains endemic in the western United States. Historical data shows that similar cases occurred in 2015 without causing widespread public alarm or policy changes.
A report in the Journal of Environmental Law suggests that the European Union may require cats to be tethered outdoors to protect biodiversity. This leads to a discussion on the historical role of cats in controlling rodent populations, specifically during the Black Death. One host shares an anecdote about a neighborhood mouse infestation that occurred after a local feral cat colony was removed.
Dr. Drew Pinsky, Los Angeles Public Health Crisis
Dr. Drew Pinsky warned of a "medieval" public health crisis in Los Angeles, citing outbreaks of typhus and the potential for bubonic plague due to rodent infestations. Pinsky criticized the city government for focusing on housing while ignoring chronic mental illness and addiction among the homeless population. The discussion highlights the breakdown of basic sanitation and the risk of a major measles outbreak in the city.
Urban Decay and Trash Management in California Cities
Major California cities are facing crises related to homelessness, trash accumulation, and rodent infestations, with some reports warning of a potential bubonic plague outbreak in Los Angeles. Businesses are reportedly paying individuals to illegally dump trash on existing street piles to avoid high recycling fees.
Bubonic Plague in Oregon, Rodent Transmission
A teenage girl in Bend, Oregon, contracted the bubonic plague, likely from a flea bite during a hunting trip. NBC News reports that while rare, there have been 16 cases in the US this year, primarily transmitted through rodents like rats and squirrels. The disease remains treatable with antibiotics if caught early, but it still poses a threat in certain wild areas.
CNN reports on a "Terror Laptop of Doom" found in an ISIS hideout containing documents on weaponizing the bubonic plague and ricin. The hosts mock the report as sensationalist filler. They also consider "Tech Obsessive Compulsive Disorder" (TOCD) as a name for the modern smartphone addiction.
The hosts deconstruct a CNN interview between Jake Tapper and Harald Doornbos regarding a laptop allegedly captured from an ISIS safe house. The laptop reportedly contained manuals for weaponizing the bubonic plague. Curry and Dvorak mock the "Terror Laptop of Doom" branding and the lack of encryption on the device, suggesting the entire story is a staged intelligence plant.
Miami International Airport Shutdown and Bio-Terror Scare
Miami International Airport was shut down for several hours after screeners found a suspicious package belonging to a scientist with a prior conviction for shipping bubonic plague. CNN reported the incident as a potential pipe bomb threat, though it was later cleared by the bomb squad. The hosts suggest the event was a staged "setup" to coincide with National Preparedness Month and instill fear of biological warfare.
