'Mootta' Terror!

We call it 'Mootta' here and the Americans call it bed bug. The similarity ends there!

We take moottas for granted,a part and parcel of our life; similar to the presence of mosquitoes in Cochin which could give us sleepless nights, not when they bite but when they refrain from the bite, on a supposedly mosquito dry day; (that would never dusk). For Kochiites mosquito bites are simply a pre-requisite for sleep!

You go to a B-class cinema here and moottas are very much a part of the cinematic experience. They consummate the whole experience and add a new dimension to it: After all, we are generous human beings topping the knowledge/value-chain and are deemed to contribute to the existence of various species! Thus, in the cinema halls, we live up to a biological mandate or destiny, at least for the sake of it and in a very passive manner.

So far so good…!

Far away so bad…!

Bed bugs are threatening the very existence of a city now! The famed New York city! The city’s sprawling magnificence is its USP and people spend generously on tour trips to New York. Tourism industry there has a $30bn market!

But the terror of blood-sucking-vampire-like-imagery associated with bed bugs is preventing tourists from visiting the city! Clearly, the Americans are panic stricken! Worst of all, it is the holiday season in America!

The ‘assault’ cannot even be termed as an infestation. For instance, only one bug was found in the famous department store in New York! Stray incidents of bug-finds were reported by the newspapers and were soon followed by a landslide reaction of panic.

Recordonline.com begins a report, “Bloodsucking nocturnal monsters are spreading throughout the United States.”

The news portal goes on to report that the infestation has nothing to do with cleanliness and social status. (Aside: you be of any class, the bed bug socialism is sure to reach you). The report in its flow, quotes a pest-control expert,” Within the next 12 months, you probably know, or will know, somebody close to you that's been affected by bedbugs.” The expert is experiencing a sudden spurt in business and is able to charge upwards of 2500 bucks for an Anti-bug Operation!

Taunton Daily Gazette quotes, "It sounds like you can get them anywhere, any time of day and not know it until you get home,"

We don’t need further explanation...! In fact MSNBC is running an article on “How to avoid bed bugs when you’re in a hotel”. And guess what, twitter is full of #bedbug tweets!

Ignorance and panic!

Bed bugs were almost eradicated from America in the early 20th century. Two generations have passed since then. Now, with bed bugs reappearing, probably dropped in by tourists, the Americans are losing sleep. Considering the fear factor associated with bed bugs, the matter is not laughingly silly!

The problem according to Dr. Kevin Ochesner (Psychology, Columbia University) is that the Americans are ignorant of bed bugs’ activities. Their ignorance readily associates the poor blood-sucking, apple-seed-sized insects with something diabolic that induce panic and worry. Also, Americans' fantasizing of the subject spreads like a wild fire manifesting as rumours and gossips.

The whole thing stands complete when media chips in with its own news versions. After all, fear sells! My limited browsing of some US newspaper stories told me everything about bed bugs but that they are relatively harmless!

Dr. Ochesner advises the Americans to learn some quick facts about bed bugs and get rid of the fear!

May be we Indians could play some consultant role here. With years of specialized knowledge in 'bed bug management' to our credit, we can take it up as a BPO engagement and even run a dedicated call centre to reach out. This time around, no US citizens would consider themselves ‘Bangalored’ since on every count, it is a humanitarian mission! Even Obama will not politicize!

Now, if you really want to panic, want to establish that bed bugs pose a huge problem, then this Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study is suggested.

Also, try out this NY Times report for some interesting information on bed bugs!

Dating and bed bugs

What bed bugs mean to your date?

An interesting Face book apps survey in the wake of bed bug menace portrayed some creepy facts:

1. Respondents who have changed their usual dating spots because of bed bugs: 35%
2. Those who would leave their date, if they noticed a bed bug bite on their partner: 56%
3. Respondents who would cancel a date on partner’s admission of bed bug infestation: 45%
4. People who would cross-check with their date before going date's place once more, if the date had bed bugs in his/her place: 47%
5. People who would get out of their bad date citing bed bugs for an excuse: 45%