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The following is a "fact sheet" concerning SDS copied down from the anthology The Touch, created by Steven-Elliot Altman, which was provided to the authors who submitted works for the book--rather than being a specific canon with an actual plot and characters, it offers the basic premise for the authors to create their own worlds with, which I have taken and ran with as well:
THIS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY NOTICE FROM THE CENTER FOR DEPRIVERS CONTROL
What does it mean to be a Depriver?
A Depriver is someone who, for reasons still under scientific investigation, possesses and employs a defense mechanism that can drastically incapacitate other human beings.
Deprivers are prohibited by law from touching other human beings due to the inherent adverse effects of their touch.
Deprivers need special attention and care during most activities that most of us take for granted. A brush with someone on the bus could have life-threatening results.
Hopefully, this safety notice will answer several of your questions and help you protect yourself and your loved ones from any negative contact.
Things to know if you or someone you love is a Depriver:
Some people don't even know they're Deprivers.
Depriver tendencies often develop soon after puberty.
Deprivation affects both the spinal column and brain centers directly.
Deprivation can occur immediately after contact with a Depriver individual, or for up to two hours after contact has been made.
You can be deprived of sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, memory, pain, balance, or sense of direction.... indefinitely.
There is currently no cure for the Depriver condition.
If you are a Depriver or suspect that you may have a Depriver tendency:
Call the Depriver hotline immediately and register, a qualified technician will tell you how to proceed.
If you must make physical contact with a child or pet in a life-threatening situation--wear gloves and avoid skin contact.
Do not donate blood, receive blood, or become an organ donor.
Frequent misconceptions about Deprivers:
Deprivers gain something from you when they touch you.
Not true. Although the senses of a deprived person are diminished, the Depriver's senses are not in any way enhanced.
After you've been deprived you'll become a Depriver.
Not true. Deprivation has never been observed to cause genetic mutation or the development or display of any Depriver tendencies.
Once you're deprived, that's it.... you're deprived forever.
Not true. Most deprivations are temporary, only one out of ten afflictions have been labeled permanent. Blindness, unfortunately, appears to be the easiest permanent affliction due to the delicateness of the optic nerves involved; the deprivation may actually expire yet the damage is often extensive.
Scientists have already developed a suppressant.
Not true. There is no known Depriver inhibitor.
Using public facilities after a Depriver has used them is dangerous.
Not true. Deprivation occurs only after skin on skin contact has been made.
Only certain types of people can be Deprivers.
Not true. Anyone could be a Depriver. Anyone.
Steps to take if you or a loved one has been Deprived:
Safely remove yourself from the situation, as not to cause repeated exposure. Repeated exposure may compound the sensory deprivation or extend its duration.
A typical deprivation lasts from forty-five minutes to two days, may clear suddenly and often leaves no permanent side effects.
Call your local Depriver hotline and allow a qualified technician to direct you.
Do not attempt to travel. In a deprived state, you may make poor or incorrect sensory choices that could be life-threatening. The major percentage of fatalities occur when a deprived person makes a panicked attempt at transit. A minor optical deprivation could cause a slip or fall. An audio deprivation could be dangerous in any and all traffic situations.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1) Can a Depriver affect more than one of my senses?
At this point, there are no documented case studies of multi-depriver capabilities, however there is much speculation in this field.
2) Can Deprivers deprive each other of their senses?
Yes.
3) What about people who get purposely deprived by Deprivers just for the experience?
There are thrill-seekers out there who will seek out Deprivers to see "what it's like." They usually seek a Depriver whose deprivation duration is relatively short for obvious reasons.
4) Are there any side effects of deprivation?
Some report that it is consciousness expanding, but there is no empirical evidence to suggest any benefits beyond those attainable in a man-made sensory deprivation tank.*
*However, it has been frequently reported by patients who have been deprived that afterwards, also for an indeterminate duration, they will notice a blue-colored, prismatic afterimage, or aura around other Deprivers. In simpler terms, once you've been deprived, you may now recognize a Depriver in a crowd.
Stay safe, don't touch strangers!
A message from your National Health Affiliates