You can always tell when someone is not from around here. They use the jargon incorrectly.
Well, I made that mistake. In my previous posts, I've mentioned the 'Kuwaiti Krud.' I thought that it was the gastrointestinal (G.I.) disease running through the camp. There is no name for that. The true Kuwaiti Krud is the cough or hack that comes right after these dust storms (which, by the way, is now going on 24 hours). As I type this, it is still depositing yellow talcum powder on absolutely everything including my throat.
This G.I. bug has affected three of my escorts and one of the members of my team. It usually lasts about 24 hours. How do you keep from getting it? Wash your hands every two hours. I hear you out there saying - what? Yeah, the number one way to prevent these sorts of things is washing your hands.
I have worked in military medical for over 20 years, so I'm familiar with DNBI (disease and non-battle injuries) and Preventive Medicine. These dudes here are very serious. They have installed permanent (concrete and plumbing), fixed, multi-station hand washing locations at both entrances to the Mess Hall. It also has several hand sanitizer dispensers to use after you have washed with good ol' soap and water.
Before I arrived, they had a guard stationed there to ensure that no one entered the building without washing up. What is the result? Very few people get it. DNBI is a fraction of what it was in previous wars. This truly preserves the fighting strength.
Some people still get it. I have no problem washing every two hours, because I have done it in the past as a health care provider. My hands have adapted to it. It's a little harder for non-medical types. Initially, your hands get chapped from all of that soap. But I would rather have chapped hands than be sick for 24 hours.
The short part of this story is that I probably won't get the G.I. bug. At least I hope that I don't. But, I will probably get the Kuwaiti Krud. Everyone seems to get it regardless of whether they use a mask, gaiter, cloth, or any other filter. That talcum powder is small. You can only hope to reduce it down to a manageable level.
My thanks to everyone who is praying for me.
"Out Here"
TRCNAK
We are all praying for you and proud of your support of the mission and our troops in harms way. I suppose I'll amend my sign off a little more for those in theatre now: 'Til next time brother... Stay Safe, Drink Water, Wash Your Hands and Stay On Target.
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