reader feedback
You talk, we listen! Here’s what you had to say about previous issues of id. Thanks for your feedback and suggestions. Keep ’em coming.
SUPERCUTE HEROES
I absolutely loved your article in the July issue on “Superhero Squirrels,” especially the spread of Iron Man and a red squirrel… they’re two of my favorite things! Squirrels are such amazing little creatures that lead stressful and dangerous lives. We have a few squirrels on our end of the street that we dubbed with monikers: There’s Standing Steve (he scurries about and frequently stands up on his hind legs, observing his surroundings much like a meerkat), Freaky Fred (who will “attack” and “rabbit-kick” anything that he comes across, whether it be a fellow squirrel, a chipmunk, a tree branch, or a corn cob), Teasing Tina (a smaller female that plays chase with all the males), and Alan, the cool dude that lives in the tree in our front yard. Thank you for highlighting the “little” guys and giving them a well-deserved spotlight! Kristen Cox, Waterford, MI
Thank you for getting in touch to share your thoughts on the “Superhero Squirrels” article, we’re very glad that you found it delightful. Squirrels are a favorite among the staff here as well, and any chance we get to cover them it’s a good time. This concept in particular was a lot of fun to put together. It was enjoyable to hear about the squirrels in your corner of the world, and we hope everybody everywhere gets a kick out of their local distichous-tailed neighbors— as long as they stay out of the attic, because that is never a good time!
PILGRIMAGE LOGISTICS
As the month for the annual Hajj is nearly here, it reminds me of a question I had about your article that ran in the July 2020 issue: Where do the millions of Muslims who go on the pilgrimage to Mecca every year go to the bathroom? With such a tremendous quantity of people convening in one place, it’s hard to imagine how all their basic needs get met in the midst of so much activity. I know some part of the journey can be spent in a hotel, but some of it is spent in a tent in the desert, which makes the provision of facilities a matter of vital importance. Justin Wilson, Tampa, FL
The Hajj is one of Earth’s biggest annual migrations. (The biggest is Chunyun, the month when Chinese people around the world head to China for the Lunar New Year festival.) To accommodate the needs of all the pilgrims who make the journey to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, large sanitary islands with showers and toilets are provided for the tent city in Mina. To regulate the enormous amount of water consumption, special measuring systems are used that are produced in Germany.