Headscratchers / Earth Abides

• It's never pointed out exactly which way the conversation went to discover the newcomer had all of the STDs, leading one to wonder if the information was volunteered or if the guy was asked.
  • Some STDs (notably herpes, syphilis, and gonorrhea—the three most common during the 1940's) if left untreated present very visible physical signs and symptoms, including pustules, open sores, and rashes covering the face and body. Ezra appears to be the only one to have made the connection, so he may have been previously acquainted with the issue in some manner (World War II military training films on the issue were very graphic).
  • The book also states that Charlie had been drinking heavily when he opened up to Ezra, and probably was a little more free about the information than he intended to be.