Photo in Wikipedia in article on Alligator. Photo attributed to Bignuts.Alliator in zoo.
Newspapers and other media reported that a woman went towards an alligator and was killed.
Several comments from the public worldwide were about the woman being stupid.
Yes, by definition half the people are under the half way mark of human intelligence. Children under ten, or under twenty, lack experience. They lack knowledge and are more vulnerable to wildlife and accidents because of the child's size.
A second vulnerable group are the elderly with dementia.
A third vulnerable group are those who are born with or develop low intelligence through accidents.
As legislators and health inspectors and citizens we have a duty of care towards them, and the public and emergency services who risk their lives thrying to save the endangered.
Do you seriously think that anybody of low intelligence should be killed aligators? What if it's your relative or enighbour, or granny? What if you are funding or managing the local hospital or mortuary or insurance company.
If it costs money to keep the mentally deficient or mentally fragile confined, then we think it is kinder to leave them in the community, doing simple jobs. But they are a danger to themselves - and other who try to rescue them.
Many of these events are predictable.
As people get older, a proporiton of them develp dementia.
Allowing people to drink during the working day before 6 pm (when they should only drink safely at home, without walking or driving home). Luckily the husband and wife did not go to help her or there would have been three fatalities. They threw a rope.
Should we give everybody an annual intelligence test? Questions including, should I fondle a lion or an alligator?
Instead, or in addition, should we invest more in fences around ponds and lakes and rivers and canals and clifftops?
What are the options?
Confine those of low intellience.
1 Barrier Rope & Rescue Ropes For Humans
Install more ropes and life belts.
Bild more fences.
2 Barriers For Animals
We have fences around fields to confine sheep and bulls. Fences in farms and in Australia go on for miles.
Have bells and other items like scarecrows to keep wildlife in the water.
3 Cull wildlife.
Move wildlife out of urban areas.
4 Ban alcohol / restrict access and times.
(Like many muslim countries and the US in the Prohibiton era.)
Ban alcohol during working hours. (We used to have fewer hours when alcohol could be served in the UK.)
A moral rule used to be no alcohol and no valueble diamond jewellery worn before 6 pm - which prevented accidents and loss of valuables in working hours.)
5 Cage communities
Build gated communities with walls to keep out wildlife.
What Has Worked
In Australia they discovered that most deaths from drowning take place not in the ocean but to small children in homes with back yard swimming pools. So they brought in legislation that all back yard pools should have high fences and lockable gates.
In Rockville, Maryland, swimming pools were reured by the local council (inluenced by their insurance requirments) to have tennis court style high fences, and two lifeguards on duty during opening hours. Putting up warning signs is good. But if the young and old of low intellence, bavado, following dares, or drunk, have access to danger, ywe need to think of prevention by a second backup system.
How You And I Can Spread Safety Messages
Currently Covid-19 is causing legislation all over the world. The public and the media are supporting safety messages on Facebook posts and bogs.
At Toastmasters International we are occasionally asked in the Table Topics session (impromptu speeches), what would you do if you were king or president or could pass any law? I shall start a new notebook, or a page in my diary, listing the changes I would like to see, and plan to give this speech at the next opportunity.
Be Prepared To Speak
I might have to wait 6 months. But the moment will come. In fact, as President of Braddell Heights Advanced, currently on line at 7 pm every Wednesday, I can give the opening speech. I now have my topic.
Come along to hear it. Next Wednesday on learncool.sg contact the president of VPE if you wish to attend. You, too, have a story to use to illustrate a point if you are called upon to give an impromptu speech or comment. Plan your quick, succint comment on alligators crocodiles, covi-19 and any safety issue
Useful Websites
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8293063/I-guess-wont-words-woman-killed-alligator.html#reader-comments
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_alligator_attacks_in_the_United_States
About the Author
Angela Lansbury
Author
Author, Author! About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author, trainer and speaker. (Not related to the actress.)
Author of twenty books including: Quick Quotations; Who Said What When.
See books and profiles on Lulu.com and Amazon, such as Wedding Speeches & Toasts. Also watch videos on YouTube.
See other posts on singers and statues and languages and destinations.
LANGUAGE TEACHER/TRAINER
If you want to learn to speak the Queen's English, or Received Pronunciation. join me at my online toastmasters club,
Braddell Heights Advanced. Wednesdays, 7-9 Singapore time which is seven hours ahead of London, England.
On learncool.sg
I am also a member of
Singapore Online.9-12 pm, Singapore time, Fridays. In 2019-2020 I am also a member of
Tampines Changkat Advanced. Tiarel.
Harrovians, London. HOD London.
Toastmasters International Find a Club
lulu.com/shop/angela-lansbury/who-said-what-when/paperback/product-21713991
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