Conversation

Wondering where the tipping point with bird flu deaths in the USA will be, and how far past the point of no return we'll find ourselves. Damn viruses. If they were only a little bigger so we could see them coming. Like maybe the size of weather balloons.

"Mama, what's that big ugly gray thing?"

"Oh, sweetie, that's a bird flu virus. Quick-- let's go indoors and close the doors and windows."

"But Mama, one of the kids in my class was passing little ones out in school today. It looks just the same as that big one. I'll show you: it's in my backpack."