Many people still believe that cold weather or cold air causes the common cold. Even the name, 'cold' in English, 'raffreddore' in Italian, implies that it's somehow a result of getting cold. But it's not true. There is no such thing as the common cold in Antarctica because it's caused by a virus...
So why do we associate the common cold with winter? Because there is a connection: in winter, people spend more time indoors, in close contact with each other, in places where there is little air circulation, and the viruses spread.
Where else would I find this perfect little illustration of a hidden indirect explanation for an observed correlation? It's in The Italian Job, an intelligent book comparing the English and Italian football (soccer) cultures by Gianluca Vialli (former Azzurri striker and Champions League star) and Gabriele Marcotti. (Yes, I'm gearing up for the World Cup.)
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