If given the alternative between two courses of action, one of which puts shoes on peoples' feet through "imperialism" and one of which results in them getting Guinea worm, morally serious individuals should not have one iota of doubt as to which is the correct course of action.
However, looking through the wikipedia page on guinea worm [1] it seems that people are infected by drinking contaminated water and most of the prevention revolves around filtering water. Its true that part of the worms lifecycle involves infected people stepping in drinking water, but owning shoes is unlikely to prevent that.
0: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schistosomiasis
1: http://www.givewell.org/international/top-charities/schistos...
Wikipedia said that guinea worm is in water. People drink the water, and the parasite makes its way to the leg or foot, and bursts through the skin, causing a burning sensation.
People put their foot or leg in water to cool the burning, and eggs enter the water. Cycle repeats.
I don't more about it than what I just googled (of course) but it seems to me that the primary cause of contamination is drinking contaminated water, so I'm not sure why it's relevant here. I understand your point though, but is it the best example of disease?
I'm pretty sure it's contracted from water, not being barefoot.
Having shoes helps stop parasites like hookworm from entering your body by being stepped on, since they can't just burrow through the skin of your foot.
You probably don't want to look up hookworm pics either; parasites are scary disgusting things.
Plus, patio11 is well-known here.
Guinea worms enter the body by drinking bad water. You wear Tom's shoes on your feet not on your fucking mouth!
Please take the time to do some research before you tell everyone here you have Tom's Shoes.