General
A cold is a determined perseverer
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Writer Frits Abrahams notes he contracts approximately 150 colds in his lifetime, yet remains surprised by each occurrence despite expecting them. He details the physical discomforts, such as excessive mucus production and sleep disruption, and critiques the inefficacy of common remedies like paper tissues, which leak, and expired nasal drops. Abrahams highlights the social dilemmas posed by colds, including whether to cancel appointments or kiss loved ones without warning. Recalling a past experience at a hockey World Cup in Malaysia, he mentions a sports doctor providing a pill that eliminated his symptoms in one day, jokingly referring to it as his only encounter with doping.
Ozetta summarises; the reporting is the newsroom's