Immi-Emmi-grating Students, Targeting Inauguration Protesters, Itchy Chiggers

Pound rate down to £1 to Euro 1.08

Migration figures released today show a fall in net migration by 81,000, to 246,000. This is particularly reflected in the ten Eastern and Central European nations, where 62,000 said goodbye to the UK whilst only 26,000 arrived. The fall in the value of the pound, the feeling of uncertainty created by the impending Brexit, and feeling less welcome in the UK no doubt contributed. But there are still more people coming to the UK than leaving.

One Brexiteer myth was however dispelled by UK exit figures. 97% of students who came to the UK on a visa left again after completion of their studies. Rather that the often touted figures of several tens of thousands of students adding to net UK migration every year, the figure was actually only 5,000 and likely to be even less.

An inspirational interlude today was the story of the 16 year old student, Inês Alves, who escaped the Grenfell Tower fire, took her GCSE exams the next day and received top marks in the GCSE results today.

Federal prosecutors in the US have been pursuing protesters at President Trump's inauguration. They have requested access to the details of protesters who registered with the disruptj20.org website hosted by Dreamhost. This was contested and came before Judge Robert Morin of the DC Superior Court. After weeks of deliberations, Dreamhost is not required to hand over the million plus details of people who simply visited the site. The US Attorney's office in DC proposed a revised search warrant to the court, that it is only focused on potential criminal acts associated with the protests, not political views or the lawful activities of peaceful protest. Judge Morin has stated that he will supervise the process, that the authorities have to minimise the number of individuals scrutinised and show how they are distinguishing between innocent users and those planning criminal activity.

Harvest mite larva. photo Alan R Walker

Following a query from my mother, I found myself finding out more about the harvest mite. In the UK and parts of Europe , a microscopic mite, Trombicula autumnalis, can cause an intensely itching rash on humans and animals, known also as chiggers. The adult, eight legged mites actually predate other small insects and other arthropods.

Their six legged larvae, however, have a different food source - animal skin. The 0.2 to 1 mm long larvae wait in grass and wooded areas for an animal or human to brush by. they latch on and rush to find a warm, moist place on the body. There, they inject enzymes into the skin to digest the skin cells, which they then eat. On humans, they rapidly drop off after feeding.

The body begins to react to the microscopic damage and digestion, creating extremely irritating pimples or rashes. the sooner you treat them the better. Cortisone and calomine are supposed to reduce the itching, as is dabbing with alcohol, but apparently days of itching will follow.

Because the mites are so small and are able to penetrate gaps in clothing or between clothing and boots, one of the recommendations for minimising human infection is to wear wellington boots and loose clothing if working or walking in an area known to harbour the mites and spend as little time as possible there (don't sit or lie down). you should then rush back and shower and soap thoroughly and was all worn clothes.

Where control is suggested, this normally involves moving lawns, clearing dead vegetation and allowing air to circulate. This promotes a drier environment, which is less favourable to the mites.

Treating infested areas is a controversial solution. One article, by Piedpiper at http://www.the-piedpiper.co.uk/th5i.htm, suggests that harvest mites are often present in hotspots with clear areas nearby. It recommends putting out squares of black paper across a garden or affected area. These warm up more than the surrounding grass and the mite larvae climb onto them. If you see a lot of pale yellow to red spots, the local area can be treated, minimising the damage to insect and arthropod life in the wider area.

I think my precaution would be to wear either a full biohazard suit or an astronaut' space suite.