I’d like to take a moment and welcome any and all new readers of this blog. I’m happy you’re here, and I’m looking forward to spirited discussions on issues of science and public health. At this time, I’d like to remind everyone to read the About section and the Commenting Policy as well. I know that some of the topics discussed are very serious and capable of making a person very passionate and even angry. Nevertheless, let’s try to keep it civil, that we may communicate better.
That said, I’d also like to point out to you the original idea of this blog. I originally started writing a short story titled “The Poxes.” The story is all drafted on paper and pretty much concluded in my head. I have just been slow in committing it to the web because I want something that is meaningful and good, though I still think it’s not as polished as it could be. So, if you want to read that story so far, I invite you to click on The Poxes Story page atop this blog.
Other than that, I’d like to wish a Happy Easter, Passover, and/or Sunday to everyone.
The Poxes Blog 
In between the interruptions of life, I’ve been perusing The Poxes short story.
It needs proofreading in its current state, while spelling is correct, it falls awry of spellchecker fallacy.
As an example: “Ben held Lynn’s had as they walked down the street”, had in place of hand.
Found a few up to that point so far.
If we can find a way to do markup on it, I’d happily help with the story. I’ve long found errors jarring when reading a story, it would be a pleasure helping out.
Interesting thought about marking it up. Kind of like an open-source editing. Maybe I should open the comments on those posts and you all can point out errors that way?
Sounds workable. When’s the next installment expected?
Probably later this week. It’s all hand-written on a notebook that I carry with me all the time, so I’ll have to transcribe that (and edit it, of course). I’ll open the comments then.
Here’s a quick set of hacked together suggested corrections for the story so far:
From
The virus just floated in the air, for hours if the contagious person what in an unventilated place. Soon thereafter, someone would walk and inhale the viral particles. Ninety-nine people out of one hundred that were exposed an non-immune would become sick.
To
The virus just floated in the air, for hours if the contagious person was in an unventilated place. Soon thereafter, someone would walk in and inhale the viral particles. Ninety-nine people out of one hundred that were exposed and non-immune would become sick.
From
Vaccination Day didn’t help matters at all. As more and more children were born and were not vaccinated, the number of vaccinated children against measles continued to fall.
To
Vaccination Day didn’t help matters at all. As more and more children were born and were not vaccinated, the number of vaccinated children vaccinated against measles continued to fall.
From
When Vaccination Day happened, he was ordered to travel immediately from Africa and brief everyone on what could have happened and what steps needed to be taken. He then led the team that investigated the incident.
To
When Vaccination Day happened, he was ordered to travel immediately from Africa and brief everyone on what may have happened and what steps needed to be taken. He then led the team that investigated the incident.
From
That is the kind that Ben always thought about.
To
That is the kind of thing that Ben always thought about.
From
Combine the human potential for evil and destruction with the natural tendencies of pathogens to mutate and evolve, and you had a very worries United States Government.
To
Combine the human potential for evil and destruction with the natural tendencies of pathogens to mutate and evolve, and you had a very worried United States Government.
From
Between his grief for his wife, whom he found dead on the cough the previous night, and making the arrangements for the funeral, Carlos did not notice that Samantha and Becky were acting different.
To
Between his grief for his wife, whom he found dead on the couch the previous night, and making the arrangements for the funeral, Carlos did not notice that Samantha and Becky were acting different.
From (Consistency issue)
Nathaniel did this by growing the bacteria in a small microbiology lab in his basement.
To
Nathaniel did this by growing the bacteria in a small microbiology lab in his garage.
From
The following morning, a thirteen year-old teen who had been at the emergency department the day fore didn’t feel so good.
To
The following morning, a thirteen year-old teen who had been at the emergency department the day before didn’t feel so good.
From
And then, when Nathaniel Saw that Dr. Weinberg was scheduled to testify against the use of vaccines, Nathaniel knew he had to move fast on his plans for Dr. Weinberg.
To
And then, when Nathaniel saw that Dr. Weinberg was scheduled to testify against the use of vaccines, Nathaniel knew he had to move fast on his plans for Dr. Weinberg.
From
He wasn’t in the judgmental mood to strike up and argument with Pablo.
To
He wasn’t in the judgmental mood to strike up an argument with Pablo.
From (Spacing for readability)
…praying by their child’s bedside.Take heed of this moment and never, …
To
…praying by their child’s bedside. Take heed of this moment and never, …
Ahhh!!! Too much! Too much! You’re going to give me writer’s block!
Perhaps, you can find someone you know and trust to edit for you.
Obviously won’t be me, for all that you know, I’m a methanogen. 😉