Yeah, I think he's got the same thing. It's a summer issue, I'm thinking. We're all in areas getting some heat lately. There are many species of thrips so they aren't all exactly the same, but the damage they do looks somewhat similar. Mine are so tiny I can't see them, and even with a good macro shot, they appear to be little more than tiny cucumber shaped bodies with a mouth for sucking out plant juice. Dust-sized.
I also agree with the rest of your comment. The plants look great! Going to be a nice harvest.