The "It’s Okay To Be Smart" video was written and hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.D. He does a stellar job of explaining the Zika virus and its transmission. I'd only add a couple of things: 1) Aedes aegypti mosquitoes lay eggs on the walls of water-filled containers. Eggs stick to containers like glue and remain attached until they are scrubbed off. The eggs can survive when they dry out—up to 8 months. When it rains or water covers the eggs, they hatch and become adults in about a week. Source: http://blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2016/03/zikaandwater My point? For 1/2 million travelers to Rio [if we don't cancel the Games] here is how easy this can become a global pandemic: Condensation on the outside or inside of containers; tiny pools of water left behind (especially on or in those plastic travel kit containers) will be ideal locations for microscopic eggs to be transported back to home countries. And no, people won't be able to see them unless they have a microscope. Remember, the Aedes aegypti mosquito is practically domesticated and prefers to live indoors (which is why the "winter in Rio = almost no cases of Zika" argument doesn't hold up). 2) Dr. Hanson did not mention that a dozen species of mosquitoes (in Canada, alone) can acquire and transmit the Zika virus. Instead, he mentioned the main one that can travel further north, Culex pipiens. "About 'a dozen species' already here could be potential vectors, or disease carriers, of the Zika virus" ~ Dr. Fiona Hunter, Brock University medical entomologist Source: https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2016/02/19/canadian-scientists-to-study-zika-virus-to-see-if-mosquitoes-here-can-spread-it.html Yet I am extremely disappointed with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) lately. In this June 3rd, 2016 interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoHt47CYtuI Dr. Thomas R. Frieden repeatedly says that women who are pregnant should not travel to where Zika is spreading. He mentions that men should wear condoms upon their return from such areas. BUT, he never mentions that men should not travel to areas where Zika is present in mosquitoes or in the population. There are lots of "we don't know", "we are trying to determine" and "for how long, we don't know" statements which leaves the door wide open for comments from people like John Smith [could the name be any closer to John Doe?] who posts things like: "Why, is he pregnant? It is only serious to people who plan on having a baby shortly after returning home." See screenshot: https://plus.google.com/u/0/107889574670988423996/posts/W43hgzwLXWJ Or this person, who goes by Irina Avilov who posts: "Zika pffft. Unless pregnant gives you a head ache and flu symptoms for a few days. Never happens anywhere else but Brazil now does it? I'd love to visit Rio Olympics or not." See screenshot: https://plus.google.com/u/0/107889574670988423996/posts/ekLnvf5vKpN To which I replied: "FACT: We don't know how long Zika remains in the body. It invades the nervous system (incredibly alarming), remains in semen longer than blood (for months, not sure how long), and evades detection by 80 percent of those infected. It is not the symptoms that are troubling; but rather the lack of symptoms. And for some reason, mainstream media (and even the CDC) doesn't want to admit that it's spread by mosquitoes and men. As I've stated before: all the women could stay on the moon for the duration of the Olympics (as presently scheduled) and we'd still have a global pandemic." Truthfully, I spend all of my free time trying to educate the public (and the media) on the falsehoods spread by those I feel are IOC and/or WHO shills. It's no wonder that Rory McIlroy stated, "... even if I do contract Zika, it's not the end of the world. It takes six months to pass through your system and you're fine." Note: Rory McIlroy has since opted out of the Olympics, citing Zika concerns. [I wrote to Mr. McIlroy on June 3rd, and numerous athletes, so I am relieved to hear he changed his mind]. Sadly, it's obvious that there is adult bullying of anyone (including athletes) that is "afraid" or "terrified" of Zika. [I believe we should be though – people can recover from all of the other things. But we don't know that is possible with Zika and we don't know all of its ramifications]. For example, "John Smith" started mocking people with posts like: "I'm amazed there still is a few people able to stand on their own two feet is Brazil by the sound of things. RUN! The zika is coming, the zika is coming!" See screenshot: https://plus.google.com/u/0/107889574670988423996/posts/AWbXznvqSxy It might seem subtle to some, but it's clear to me. There are groups of people trying to downplay and use group psychology on the public to incite them to deny any valid concerns about Zika or the mosquitoes that spread it. Here is the "most liked" comment on yesterday's CBC article by Sophia Harris: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/rio-brazil-olympics-zika-virus-1.3648197 "Michael Geraldson It's not Zika that is deterring me. It's one of the highest crime rates in the world, corrupt officials, overpopulation and lack of infrastructure that are keeping me from even considering it." And I am seeing articles that highlight what Gabby Douglas said: "It's the Olympics. Mosquitoes? Like, whatever. I'm going. This is my shot. I don't care about no stupid bugs." Even pregnant Savannah Guthrie is a target. I read a post that states: "Savannah is all for Islamic terrorists entering our country but is afraid of little bugs." But the most brilliant post I've read of late was this one by WebJohnson: "The fact that no supposed health organizations have made statements that the Olympics represent a grave danger to women around the world is proof that men in positions of power and drunk on massive amounts of money control these organizations. That the leaders of these supposed health organizations are mere lackeys and servants of the very few, very rich men who stand to profit from the Olympics and who run the pharmaceutical companies that will churn out hundreds of billions of dollars in Zika medicine once this epidemic is transported worldwide. It is laughable that the President of the United States asks for tens of billions of dollars and yet does absolutely nothing based on common sense to prevent the spread of this disease that we are now becoming responsible for raising babies who will never grow up and will always be bedridden. Putting tens of thousands of people's lives at direct risk of being infected so they can come back to the US and spread the disease must be giving the pharmaceutical company CEO's hard ons so bad they have to see a doctor. This would be funny if not for every baby born with the small head/brain syndrome this disease causes is a living soul trapped in a permanently vegetated body. It is a guarantee of a lifetime of torture for the mother and the baby. Yet the people in power sit on their hands because big money is to be made and no one wants to stop big money. I hope every baby born like this is measured against your souls when you leave this h*ll hole." Source: http://wtop.com/sports-columns/2016/06/rio-shows-that-like-fifa-the-international-olympic-committee-needs-sweeping-change I'll be in touch, Rose NEW: Visit my new Facebook page devoted to keeping the public and athletes fully informed: https://www.facebook.com/StopZikaFirst Authors note: I cannot use italics or hyperlink. Ergo, links are not hidden. How your signature helps: each time a supporter signs a petition, an email is automatically sent directly to those being petitioned (governments, companies and individuals). When hundreds or even thousands of emails arrive in their inboxes, the message is impossible to ignore. CC Dr. Attaran