The “R” myth stems from the days prior to widespread refrigeration. The days without an “R” such as the late spring and summer months (May – August) are when foods such as oysters would spoil quickly without refrigeration.

Historically, the same would be true for when individuals would travel for recreation in the woods. The wetter, warmer spring and summer months tends to promote environmental conditions favorable to an increase in mosquito and tick populations and the corresponding viral, bacterial and parasitic agents they carry.

Pete