> > They act as if being cold and wet will get me sick, which it won't, despite common belief to the contrary. There's nothing wrong with standing in the rain.
>
> Kind of. It's certainly true that rain does not manufacture bacteria and viruses on its way down; the idea that being in the rain will cause you to come down will cause you to be infected with them is an idea that would be evidence of stupidity if it wasn't so prevalent as to be ingrained in one's head from such an early age, it takes a conscious relevation to kick it.
>
> On the other hand, exposure to cool dampness weakens one's natural defense against catching something or other, and dampness is more conducive to transmitting bacteria than dryness. (Pneumonia isn't out of the question either; prolonged exposure to coolness and dampness can do just that -- but you'd essentially have to be out far longer than would be comfortable for that to be a danger.)
>
> In today's modern medical age, where diseases don't run so rampantly and cold aren't so serious in the first place, this is a caveat I would give no consideration to whatsoever. As long as you make sure you get warm and dry when you come in, there won't be any health problem there wouldn't have been otherwise.
>
> So, yeah, it's annoying, and I hate it, too.

Today I went outside in the rain and walked around and danced and sang quietly and often paused, closed my eyes, and faced up, just soaking in the rain and enjoying it. I was out there for 45 minutes or maybe even an hour. I changed into warm, dry clothes and had a bowl of hot oatmeal. Is that OK?

-eric "Rain, don't go away, stay again another day..." sleator
Mon 21 Feb A.D. 2000