The Danger From Above

Rain. It cleanses the air and gives sustenance to the grass and trees and flowers. The sound of rainfall can be very soothing. And there is a great deal of pleasure to be found in taking a walk in the rain. (Gene Kelly showed us the joy of singing in it!) But many people are not aware that walking in the rain of the 21st century can be a very dangerous pastime.

Rain originates in the clouds above us. Often in the clouds above the clouds above us. As it falls through the layers of the atmosphere on its way to earth, it passes through masses of microorganisms, most specifically xenasorisis (zee-na-sor-i-sis) and anhiaphysis (an-eye-a-fuy-sis). These microorganisms are produced when the insecticide that is sprayed on our crops dries and becomes a fine powder and then rises with the wind. This dust then mingles with the more humid upper atmospheric air and merely hovers above us until rain drives it earthward again.

When we go for a walk in the rain, whether intentional or as the result of being caught without an umbrella, we get wet. The danger arises if we allow ourselves to remain wet. As the water sits on our skin, almost immediately the microorganisms in the water begin to interact with the bacteria that is always present on our skin’s surface. The result of this interaction is a weakening of the skin’s outer layer, the epidermis (ep-i-der-mis). If we do not instantly dry off any skin that has gotten wet and this interaction is allowed to continue (xenasorisis and anhiaphysis are only viable in a moist environment), then the weakening effect will travel to the lower, or subepidermal, areas, permanently altering our skin’s structure. We will become hypersensitive to minor nicks and scrapes, the skin’s surface tearing like a tissue.

All living things need water. But we humans need to restrict ourselves to water found on earth, not coming from above.