If you speak out against Boeing, you’re Boeing to have a real bad time.


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At least, that’s how it seems given the recent flood of news stories concerning Boeing whistleblowers. The first of these stories to make waves was the man who allegedly killed himself the day before he was supposed to give further testimony against the company, something that’s roused serious suspicion amongst his family and friends.


Then, there was the other guy who claimed that, while speaking out against the company, his tire was found with a big ol’ bolt in it.


Now, another Boeing whistleblower has kicked the bucket. Gosh, it’s like the title “Boeing whistleblower” is cursed or something.



According to the Seattle Times, Joshua Dean, “one of the first whistleblowers to allege Spirit leadership had ignored manufacturing defects on the 737 MAX,” died after battling a sudden, rapidly-spreading infection.


“Dean became ill and went to the hospital because he was having trouble breathing just over two weeks ago. He was intubated and developed pneumonia and then a serious bacterial infection, MRSA,” the Seattle Times writes.




Now, a lawyer representing Dean is refusing to speculate about a link between the deaths of the two whistleblowers. That is undoubtedly the responsible thing to do.


However, all I’m going to do here is say that pneumonia can be contagious, and MRSA is pretty easy to spread accidentally or *cough cough* intentionally.


“MRSA is usually spread in the community by contact with infected people or things that are carrying the bacteria,” writes the CDC. “This includes through contact with a contaminated wound or by sharing personal items, such as towels or razors, that have touched infected skin.”



Of course, our main thoughts and concerns are with Dean’s family, who I’m sure have had an incredibly hard time these past few months.


But given everything that’s been going on with Boeing whistleblowers, I’d recommend that they avoid getting too close to anyone with a Boeing nametag on.