The blanket defense, now adopted by many Gaelic football teams, was widely criticized as the death of the game when Donegal instituted the near-impenetrable "rearguard unit" (and won All-Ireland with it). It created a game in which, as one blogger wrote, try to smother their opponents into submission." Fortunately, over the years, teams have found ways to subtly get around the intricate combination of man-to-man and zone play.
A blanket defense against mosquito-borne illnesses, such as encephalitis, using aerial spraying of pyrethroid pesticide (it's likely some areas will employ it against Zika-carrying skeeters) turns out to be a game changer, too-and not in a good way. We need to find ways to get around the collateral damage caused by this spraying.
A new study presented at the recent Pediatric Academic Societies 2016 meeting looked at the repercussions of a New York state program of annual aerial pesticide deployment used to counter mosquito-borne encephalitis. The researchers discovered that kids born in that area have a 25 percent greater risk of developing autism spectrum disorders than kids living in areas where ground-dispersed pesticides were used to control mosquitoes. That's a gigantic increase in risk!
So sound the alarm in your area if aerial pesticide spray is used. We are bombarded with so many chemicals that are not studied and know so little about what effects they may trigger (alone or in combination) that it takes vigilance and a loud voice to help make this a healthier environment for future generations.
Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of "The Dr. Oz Show," and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into "The Dr. Oz Show" or visit www.sharecare.com.
(c) 2016 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.