Residents throughout the Capital have been waking up to a dermatological disaster. Medical experts have linked an outbreak of skin discolouration in the central city to the recent addition of technologically enhanced Nyx proteins to the region’s water supplies.
The Nyx Network is a new venture by Wellington Water Co-operative that hopes to create a more fluid and personal connection to the digital world, increasing the sensory-digital experience for residents. This ‘contamination’ of waterways provoked a national debate in its initial trials, but the scheme was given the go ahead by Wellington City Council last month due to a compelling argument for the network’s roll in post-disaster situations – the benefits of which have been proven in the recent Eastbourne Earthquake. The fluidity of the protein-imbued water prevents any disruption of digital service, whereas traditional cables and transmitters can experience great amounts of interference.
Though the added proteins have been certified innocuous and pose no health threat to the public, the unforeseen cosmetic reactions have caused a stir in the Capital.
Skin discolourations ranging from a bright yellow flush to a dark red rash have appeared over the past week, and Wellington Hospital has been flooded by the water-afflicted. Josh Cameron, a nurse in the hospital’s Dermatology ward, assures us there is nothing to fear.
“The skin colouration is just that; colouration. We urge all of those affected to continue as normal and see a doctor only if their condition worsens.”
The side-effects of the proteins may not be detrimental to anyone’s health, but they have posed an issue for many Wellingtonians.
Local businesswoman Emma Williams has experienced a ruby rash on her arms, and says her new look has made it hard to go to work.
“My shop stocks the new anti-RF range of clothing. It seems like a pointless idea when even my skin is promoting the digital network! This kind of side-effect should have been identified long before Nyx was introduced to our water.”
However, not everyone is seeing the changes in a negative light. Style-conscious students of Cuba Street have been transforming their outfits to match their new hue, with a segregation of colours becoming apparent.
Large clusters of similarly affected people have been forming in the central city, as if the colour that has presented is acting as a signifier for a certain social group. Caught up in the segregation is Victoria University student Kate Marsh, who woke up with a silver-blue flush across her face just two days ago.
“I was hoping for blue! My friends got their colours last week, I don’t why mine took so long.” Miss Marsh states that within her colour group there is no bad-mouthing of other effects. “We just talk about our experiences and how we plan to use the side-effect to our advantage. I said we could dress-up as Beast and Mystique from X-Men!” Her comment touches on the recent superhero trend that is sweeping the nation, where the powers of characters from retro comics have become an actuality thanks to modern technology. Though dressing-up as superheroes may be fitting for the discoloured public, let us hope that Wellington doesn’t inherit the comic book crime that comes with it.
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