Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Health and Freedom We have been talking about health as a society much more these days than ever. The pandemic opened the door that has been partly opened for years but somehow, we have not seen it. We discuss well-being and immune system at the individual level; encouraging everyone to eat better, exercise, take vitamins, wear masks, and distance from others. We also discussed health and its lack in social groups considered to be vulnerable: black and brown communities, essential workers, and first responders. So many new directives and advices have been issued and so many people still defy them. The most frequent reason given for defiance is taking away our freedom. Let's think for a minute about what Freedom is a matter of circumstances and freedom is. By definition, freedom is a status of individual opinions. One common characteristic of making a free choice, deciding and doing what we every person's freedom is a physical ability to feel want. Many individuals in our society want to make that freedom. And that comes through one's health. choices without regards for others, even if they Thus, individual freedom can be reached only if we have good health. Freedom of a community or a potentially harm others. Their approach is such that they are free to or not to wear a mask and, if others nation can be gained only with good health of that worry, they, the others should protect themselves. community or nation. Nations with sick societies cannot have healthy economy or successful educational plan. Individuals who are healthy This would be a fine choice if it were a choice. But those others may not have that choice of protecting themselves. If they deliver you groceries or take depend on many others with services and goods. your blood pressure, even if they do wear a mask, non-mask wearing individuals still may spread the suffer lack of normal healthy relationships. virus through airborne particles around. And those particles travel, often far beyond 6 feet. So, there is no choice of protection. And if those others are not healthy, both groups This whole reasoning seems so simple and it should be common knowledge. But it is not. It is sort of like the door that is partially opened but And how about these non-wearing masks we do not see it. We are too focused on our own individuals? What happens to their freedom when internal world to notice how we depend on others. they get sick? See, the problem is that then it is too This year opened some doors to us. And while we late for protection. They get sick and they require assistance of those very same individuals whom they did not want to protect at first. And if they get are attempting to resolve the issues of pandemic, we are planning on vaccines and getting back to normal, let's not forget that we do need to make sick seriously, which is a high possibility, how free some major changes in our systems in order are they? Freedom is a choice to do whatever you to prevent any future unnoticed doors. These changes are mandatory if we really want to be free. As individuals and as society. Health and freedom want, right? What can you actually do when you are in a hospital bed, with tubes in your mouth? What can you do when you are too exhausted to lift your walk together. armand eat? How free are you if your fever prevents you from walking straight, let alone driving? Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Health and Freedom We have been talking about health as a society much more these days than ever. The pandemic opened the door that has been partly opened for years but somehow, we have not seen it. We discuss well-being and immune system at the individual level; encouraging everyone to eat better, exercise, take vitamins, wear masks, and distance from others. We also discussed health and its lack in social groups considered to be vulnerable: black and brown communities, essential workers, and first responders. So many new directives and advices have been issued and so many people still defy them. The most frequent reason given for defiance is taking away our freedom. Let's think for a minute about what Freedom is a matter of circumstances and freedom is. By definition, freedom is a status of individual opinions. One common characteristic of making a free choice, deciding and doing what we every person's freedom is a physical ability to feel want. Many individuals in our society want to make that freedom. And that comes through one's health. choices without regards for others, even if they Thus, individual freedom can be reached only if we have good health. Freedom of a community or a potentially harm others. Their approach is such that they are free to or not to wear a mask and, if others nation can be gained only with good health of that worry, they, the others should protect themselves. community or nation. Nations with sick societies cannot have healthy economy or successful educational plan. Individuals who are healthy This would be a fine choice if it were a choice. But those others may not have that choice of protecting themselves. If they deliver you groceries or take depend on many others with services and goods. your blood pressure, even if they do wear a mask, non-mask wearing individuals still may spread the suffer lack of normal healthy relationships. virus through airborne particles around. And those particles travel, often far beyond 6 feet. So, there is no choice of protection. And if those others are not healthy, both groups This whole reasoning seems so simple and it should be common knowledge. But it is not. It is sort of like the door that is partially opened but And how about these non-wearing masks we do not see it. We are too focused on our own individuals? What happens to their freedom when internal world to notice how we depend on others. they get sick? See, the problem is that then it is too This year opened some doors to us. And while we late for protection. They get sick and they require assistance of those very same individuals whom they did not want to protect at first. And if they get are attempting to resolve the issues of pandemic, we are planning on vaccines and getting back to normal, let's not forget that we do need to make sick seriously, which is a high possibility, how free some major changes in our systems in order are they? Freedom is a choice to do whatever you to prevent any future unnoticed doors. These changes are mandatory if we really want to be free. As individuals and as society. Health and freedom want, right? What can you actually do when you are in a hospital bed, with tubes in your mouth? What can you do when you are too exhausted to lift your walk together. armand eat? How free are you if your fever prevents you from walking straight, let alone driving? Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net