Saturday, September 20, 2014

How to manage epidemics and a better deal for greyhounds

Hero teases me from a height. Who says three legged cats can't somersault in the air and land in places you can't reach them?!

We’ve made it to the weekend folks, although it promises to be a busy one.

If you’ve not yet enrolled in the Coursera epidemics course, this might tempt you: the organisers have updated the course to include information about current infectious disease outbreaks including Ebola and MERS (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome). You don’t have to be a vet or doctor to enrol – just willing to learn. (Why am I spruiking it? I think the more people are informed, the less they will react out of fear and the less the threat of infectious diseases = better world).

To enrol in the course (which is free), click here.

A better deal for greyhounds

Jeroen van Kernebeek, Australian Director of Grey2K USA Worldwide, this week delivered a petition to end greyhound racing to MP John Kaye. The petition, with 6,340 signatures, will be presented to NSW Premier Mike Baird.

Mr Baird is due to respond to the recommendations of a parliamentary inquiry this coming week.

Accompanying Jeroen was Nora from Greyhound Rescue and rescued Greyhound Millie (you can see photos of their visit here). Millie has a prosthesis
You can read the news story about Millie’s prosthesis here.

And for the ladies...

On another less serious note, for those of you into themed clothing (and in my view there is not enough of it), Black Milk Clothing is on the verge of releasing these outbreakleggings (perfect to wear whilst doing the epidemics MOOC).

I confess that I succumbed to temptation and purchased their puppy dress last month.