I actually do know what Cryptosporidium parvum is. As a student I worked in a lab that was doing a study on it to see if the bottling process for colas killed the parasite. This study was purchased by bottling businesses directly as a result of some of the deaths in Milwaukee. They didn’t want the lawsuits if people in Florida suddenly got sick and died from buying a cola or a beer that was bottled in Milwaukee.

At the time, it was secret and hush-hush because of worry of stock prices dropping if word for out. That was 20+ years ago. (Don’t worry everybody, the study concluded that the process killed the parasite. Your colas and beers are safe).

All because of farmers being too irresponsible or unable to keep their cattle out of the public water supply. Yet they sure as hell didn’t pay for the cleanup, the studies required for businesses that shared the water to safely continue operations, the medical expenses for everyone who got sick, and the funeral expenses for those who didn’t make it. Not to mention restitution for families who lost a provider.

Cryptosporidium is an extreme example, but it is not the only one. Salmonella, E.coli, Giardia, Typhus, and others can cause massive deaths were it not for government regulations and overwatch. Even so, every year there are Salmonella outbreaks. Imagine how many more outbreaks, disease, and death we would endure were it not for regulation, expertise, and resources provided to deal with it that we all contribute to.

Government and regulations are not the enemy. They are an ally and necessary for a healthy, functioning society.