How to stay safe from the germs of summer

+ stories about Independence Day, from history to science US Edition - Today's top story: Summertime can be germy: A microbiologist explains how to avoid getting sick at the barbecue, in the pool or on the trail [View in browser]( US Edition | 4 July 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Top headlines - [How ‘We the people’ has changed since 1776]( - [The mass inoculation that swept revolutionary Boston]( - [Pyrotechnics chemist explains how fireworks work]( Lead story Ah, summer. It’s the season of backyard barbecues under blistering sunshine. Crowded beaches perfumed with liberal sunscreen. Campsites alive with critters big and very, very small. Frolicking along with you in the great outdoors? You guessed it − germs ready to cut into your summer fun. Reading headlines about pathogen-driven infections – from flesh-eating bacteria to mosquito- and tick-riding viruses – can be scary as you consider going for a swim, hitting the trails or even just gathering with others in the backyard. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to avoid seasoning your kebabs with an extra dash of Listeria. Microbiologist Bill Sullivan of Indiana University offers some [tips to keep you from getting sidelined over the summer]( by a wayward illness. “With these precautions in mind, you’re sure to have a terrific time, uninterrupted by the germs of summer,” he writes. [ [Miss us on Sundays? Get a selection of our best and most popular stories (or try our other weekly emails).]([]]( Vivian Lam Associate Health and Biomedicine Editor Taking precautions against outdoor pathogens can keep you from getting sidelined over the summer. galitskaya/iStock via Getty Images Plus [Summertime can be germy: A microbiologist explains how to avoid getting sick at the barbecue, in the pool or on the trail]( Bill Sullivan, Indiana University Common summer activities can expose you to a host of infectious diseases. But there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself from pathogens ranging from E. coli to T. gondii. Economy + Business - [Fireworks sales have fallen back to Earth after years of explosive growth – here’s why]( Jay L. Zagorsky, Boston University Setting off fireworks at home was as much a pandemic trend as buying a Peloton. Politics + Society - [Why some Americans seem more ‘American’ than others]( Katherine Kinzler, University of Chicago The US and other countries have a legal definition of citizenship, yet human psychology and identity politics result in ingrained biases over who truly belongs. - [The Declaration of Independence wasn’t really complaining about King George, and 5 other surprising facts for July Fourth]( Woody Holton, University of South Carolina A scholar of early US history celebrates the country’s birthday with six under-appreciated ideas about the founding document. - [What is the difference between nationalism and patriotism?]( Joshua Holzer, Westminster College Nationalism and patriotism are sometimes treated as synonyms, but they have very different meanings. - [‘We the People’ includes all Americans – but July 4 is a reminder that democracy remains a work in progress]( Joseph Jones, West Virginia University The meaning of the Constitution’s preamble, which begins with the words ‘We the People,’ has evolved over time as voting rights have expanded. Science + Technology - [As American independence rang, a sweeping lockdown and mass inoculations fought off a smallpox outbreak]( Woody Holton, University of South Carolina In the summer of 1776, Boston offered smallpox inoculation to everyone and required those who declined to leave town or stay in their homes. - [How do fireworks work? A pyrotechnics chemist explains the science behind the brilliant colors and sounds]( Paul E. Smith, Purdue University Hidden underneath the bright colors and celebratory nature of fireworks is a combination of ancient chemistry and modern pyrotechnical recipes. Today's graphic 📈 [A map of the United States with each state color-coded according to the number of lead water service lines. The Great Lakes states, Florida and the Northeast have some of the highest numbers of lead service lines, according to EPA estimates from 2023.]( From the story, [Fireworks sales have fallen back to Earth after years of explosive growth – here’s why]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [Giving Today]( [New!] • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Follow us on social media: • [Bluesky]( • [Mastodon]( • [Threads]( • [Nostr]( • [LinkedIn]( • [Instagram]( • [Facebook]( • Or [get a daily text from us]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to [help you make sense of our complex world](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. 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