Anime Fights STDs, Medieval Leprosy Lives & Mailing Meth: The Dispatch #40
The Dispatch looks at how Japan is using one Anime in Particular to fight the rise of STIs and HIV in young Japanese women. Then, we jump to Britain where it has been discovered that medieval leprosy didn't die out like the black plague did, and in fact lives on through an unlikely host: squirrels! And finally, crafty drug dealers in the New Zealand city of Queenstown and the surrounding area are using the mailboxes of vacant homes to traffic their crystal meth.
#3: You’ve Got Meth
Jediism, Horses on Meth and KILLER GAME SHOWS: The Dispatch #42
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting Central Otago in New Zealand’s south, you’d remember their world famous pinot-noirs and scenic bike trails. Unfortunately, however, they are slowly gaining a reputation for another substance that is just a bit stronger than red wine: crystal meth. Packages of the extremely addictive drug are being delivered to the mailboxes of unoccupied holiday homes, resulting in a dramatic increase in local drug crime and addiction. According to Sergeant Malcolm Inglis of the Queenstown Police, the home owners are not connected to the drugs, but their property is likely being monitored online by traffickers. Whatever the case, it has been a bit of a shock for residents and officials of the region, known more as a tourist mecca and adventure sports hot spot than a drug trafficker’s paradise. And you thought spam in your mailbox was annoying…
#2: Lepro-squirrels
Medieval and Middle Age Britain had some of the best – well, worst – of the diseases: The bubonic plague, medieval leprosy, etc. The plague tried to make a comeback in 2015 and 2016, but medieval leprosy was yet to resurface. Until now, actually. According to a recent report done by the Global Health Institute at Switzerland, the disease may have never even left Britain, and was lurking in the DNA makeup of one of Mother Earth’s most docile creatures in squirrels. According to the report, one pathogen detected in squirrels matched the disease bacteria found in 700 year old human remains from Winchester, England. And, while it was known that leprosy can be passed from human to animal thanks to a 2011 study - shout-out armadillos - the prevalence of the disease in animals was still considered extremely low. Now thanks to this study, we can say with certainty that the disease exists in numbers, in a creature other than humans.
#1: Moon, Crystal, Condoms!
The often hyper-sexualized medium of anime has dispatched one of its most widely known ambassadors to win love by daylight and keep the sex clean by moonlight. Sailor Moon has teamed up with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in a campaign to fight off one of her sternest enemies yet: STIs. Sailor Moon and her team are looking to diminish the rise of syphilis and HIV among young Japanese women before that evil spreads across the country. By way of condoms, fliers and pink heart-shaped informational packages, Sailor Moon’s famous catchphrase has been reworked from “In the name of the moon, I will punish you!!” – to: “If you don’t get tested, I will punish you!” So, are you disappointed that you missed out on Eva Braun’s undies? For your bi-weekly dispatch of offbeat news stories and Top 10 lists published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
