Fiction (from a story):
…Jane Doe lived on North Street Drive when the CJD first would have manifested itself… Unlike its ‘partner-in-crime’ vCJD, Jane Doe’s form is not linked in any way to contaminated beef. Said Tom Hahn, of the National Cattleman’s Beef Association, “people are scared of the littlest things these days. They hear one mention of this ‘mad cow disease’ thingy and they assume the whole U.S. is infected. Well, that’s not true. I think that… the facts of Jane Doe’s case prove that beef is indeed very safe to eat-and indeed, a necessary part of a healthy diet. While it doesn’t prove anything, I think it’s telling that Jane Doe was never known to eat beef. Maybe it was the lack of beef in her diet that brought this on, and maybe it wasn’t. Me, I certainly wouldn’t want to take the chance.” …
Not Fiction (from the New York Times “First US Case of Mad Cow Reported”):
“Only the brain, spinal cord and related parts can spread the disease to humans, [agriculture secretary] Veneman said, and she added that she intended to serve beef to her family at Christmas.” (New York Times)
I’m tingling all over. I can’t wait to find out if Santa filled my Christmas stocking with steak, just like I’d asked. I can only hope. Tomorrow I guess I’ll find out.
Please, Santa, please.