To Mow or Not to Mow...

Kiki Sanford (0:01)

This is Twist. This Week in Science, episode number 1078, recorded on Wednesday, October 7th, 2026, to mow or not to mow? Is that the question? I'm Dr. Kiki, and today we will fill your head with prizes, plague and panic. But first, thanks to our amazing Patreon sponsors for their generous support of Twist. You can become a part of the Patreon community at patreon.com/thisweek in Science. Disclaimer, disclaimer, disclaimer!

Step right up to the biggest show on Earth. We've got pandas and hurricanes, space weapons, and more!

If this is today, just wait for what's in store. Or, just check out This Week in Science, coming up next.

Blair Bazdarich (1:36)

Good science to you, Kiki.

Kiki Sanford (1:39)

And a good science to you too, Blair, and everyone out there. Welcome to another episode of This Week in Science. We are back again to talk about all the science that we thought was interesting, that we hope you'll be interested in. We think you'll be interested in it. There's some good stuff today.

Oh, we missed a week, but I put up a rerun. I hope it was okay for everyone who was watching on the live streams. Apologies for both of us in different cities getting sick at the same time. Who knew?

Who knew that would happen? But you all heard me the week prior talking about my sick son. So it's these kids in school. Doesn't matter how old they are, they're going to get the parents sick. I know.

Blair Bazdarich (2:24)

And Kiki got me sick through the Internet. So...

Kiki Sanford (2:28)

A chip. Kiki.

Blair Bazdarich (2:32)

Cover your nose. Those ones at zeros can really get you.

Kiki Sanford (2:35)

Oh, those little bits. I know. Little binary bits are going to come and get you.

But those little bits are not the same as the viruses that are really out there. Everyone, COVID is out there and it's going to be an early flu season. So this is one of those public service announcements to you that you've probably maybe hopefully seen elsewhere. But please get your flu and COVID vaccines.

Blair Bazdarich (3:03)

Shot, shot, shot, shot, shot, shot.

Kiki Sanford (3:07)

Shot, shot, shot, shot, shot, shot, shot, shot, shot. That's right. Get them. That's what we're going to do. Go get them. I'm going to go get them.

I've got an appointment in the books because I don't want to ruin Christmas again.

Blair Bazdarich (3:21)

Oh, God. I know. Well, I was ready to make an appointment or I was actually just going to go to a walk-in, and then my son got sick and then I got sick. So I was like, oh, so I guess I have to wait a few weeks.

Kiki Sanford (3:34)

Tight.

Just make sure you're not with a fever. Yeah.

Blair Bazdarich (3:40)

I think that's pretty much what they ask, but it's funny because I mean, everyone has their own reactions to it too. So in my household, I'm fine. I could take a COVID vaccine, flu vaccine, same in one arm, go back to work later that day, go to work the next day. I'm all good.

But sweet Brian, he's out for 24 to 36 hours after a COVID shot, every single time, no matter what.

Kiki Sanford (4:07)

He has a very strong immune system.

Blair Bazdarich (4:10)

Yes. Well, he has to. He works in the hospital.

But so plan accordingly. Better to be out for 24 to 36 hours than 7 to 10 days.

Kiki Sanford (4:24)

Right. And many times we have our psychology is so in the moment. I don't want to today, tomorrow, right now. I don't want it to hurt. Right.

But think about if we can put our mental thinking cap on for long-term thinking, what are the things you want to do? How do you want to be protected? What things do you not want to miss? You know, maybe you'll be sick for a couple of days, as opposed to, like Blair said, 7, 10, 14, maybe longer. Long COVID. Long COVID.

You know, so it's that preparation and planning that not only helps you, it helps your families and friends and the people that you interact with throughout this wonderful viral season. Tra la la la la.

Blair Bazdarich (5:11)

The most festive time of year.

Kiki Sanford (5:12)

I know, but it is, it's October now, it's spoopy season.

Blair Bazdarich (5:16)

Yes. I love it.

Kiki Sanford (5:18)

This is our favorite time of year, I think, coming in.

Blair Bazdarich (5:21)

I may have had my Halloween wreath up since mid-September.

Luckily, my apartment complex did not write me up. I think they were like, we're going to give her this one.