This is how far we have fallen. People in the desert in need of water and food. People trying to provide these necessities are criminals. Pardon me while I resign from Christianity.
Ever heard of food science?
Leaving a can of beans out in the open desert presents a contamination problem that can kill off an entire group of people being bussed in by a coyote-smuggler who fails to provide the people who paid him, water and sustaining food.
Food left out even in a designated space is subject to spoilage.
Microbiology facts 101 for those who are not aware of food spoilage propensities
:All bacteria reproduce by dividing into two cells. The two cells then divide to become 4, 4 become 8, and so forth. Under ideal conditions, this doubling may occur as frequently as every 15 minutes, so that within 5 hours there will be more than a million cells from the original single cell. If there are 1000 original cells instead of a single one, there will be over 1 billion cells in 5 hours.
Yeasts and molds (1-celled problem organisms) Yeasts and molds grow on most foods, on equipment, and building surfaces where there are small amounts of nutrient and moisture. Since bacteria grow faster, they greatly outnumber yeasts and molds in most foods. However, bacteria find conditions of low pH, moisture, or temperature and high salt or sugar unfavorable. In such environments, yeasts or molds predominate. Thus, they can be a problem in dry foods, salted fish, bread, pickles, fruits, jams, jellies, and similar commodities.
Botulinum clostridium (can of beans, honey, etc.) Special condition: uncommon in kitchen, common in soil.) Botulism can be spread in several different ways. The bacterial spores which cause it are common in both soil and water. [1] They produce the botulinum toxin when exposed to low oxygen levels and certain temperatures. Foodborne botulism happens when food containing the toxin is eaten. Infant botulism happens when the bacteria develops in the intestines and releases the toxin. This typically only occurs in children less than six months old, as protective mechanisms develop after that time. Wound botulism is found most often among those who inject street drugs. In this situation, spores enter a wound, and in the absence of oxygen, release the toxin. It is not passed directly between people. The diagnosis is confirmed by finding the toxin or bacteria in the person in question. About 10% of the people who get botulism die from it. It is particularly hard on people under the age of 6 and over the age of 60, plus anyone who has autoimmune issues already (diabetes, cancer, arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc.)
salmonellosis, salmonella poisoning sources: uncovered cuts on hand or arm of food handler, soil, touching pets, diaper changing, eating with unwashed hands from earlier wiping, etc. Food sources: meats, canned meats, chicken, overripe fruit, salads prepared in same bowl as chicken or other meat, food that falls on ground or touches soil. Diarrhea symptom, fever, nausea, vomiting, etc. Lasts several days. Rest mandatory.
Aflatoxins are labeled as a human carcinogens that have been found to cause liver cancer in animals and humans, according to the Environmental Health Trust website. Severe aflatoxin poisoning has been reported in many poor countries around the world. Acute aflatoxicosis, the syndrome resulting from exposure to aflatoxins, is characterized by vomiting, abdominal pain, pulmonary edema, convulsions, coma and death, notes the Cornell University website. Aflatoxins are found not only in peanuts, but also in many other foods, including corn, milk, eggs, meat, nuts, almonds, figs and spices.
Other microorganism issues: Travellers’ diarrhea is caused by many different bacteria (including E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter), parasites (including Giardia, Crytosporidium, Cyclospora and others) and viruses (such as norovirus and rotavirus).
You really don't want to know these above mentioned diseases, but feel free to look them up, and any that I mentioned. My microbiology professor at Oregon State, before he got into teaching, served as an agent for the Oregon State Health Department division that dealt with deaths due to microbial infections. Travellers out in the open spaces are subject to dying from some of the diseases above that in a home setting where people have a family doctor, can escape lethal consequences provided they don't die before going to the doctor in some cases like botulinum and certain forms of
e. coli. Even some fungi can kill as in the case of peanuts contaminated with
Aspergillus flavus.
I've seen some pretty high-and-mighty hostility directed to the courts, but believe me, if those people get off with a hand slap, I hope the court orders all of them in their do-gooder group to take and pass with a A+ course in Food and Medical Microbiology before they ever leave another can of beans out in the desert just waiting to kill somebody who is starving.
My prayers are up that this border issue get resolved asap. And a blessing on the courts for stopping and making some people think about the consequences of their actions on unattended food left out in the desert.