These past weeks/months we’re witnessing natural and man-made disasters, the recent mass shooting in the US of yet another brainwashed fanatic, political upheaval in Spain, all seem to denote an “Apocalypse now”. Makes one think of what we believe in and what can we truly prevent? History may be forgotten and media definitely shapes what we perceive as important.  Of course language and culture continue to shape how we “see” things, thus our own media literacy needs to be cultivated as well as media advocacy for prioritizing health topic areas.

In some countries one even has to be careful of every word they say or post in public lest they offend the leadership — take for example North Koreans living in fear of deportation, corporal punishment or worse, death, if speaking out; or Miss Turkey 2017  losing her crown over her past July tweet about “martyrs” and her menstruation that was perceived as anti-government (!) The fact that the US is a target from one side of the world (N. Korea sees strike on US as ‘inevitable’) to the other countries building their own nuclear programs  (Iran), never mind ongoing terrorism and unfortunate reality of a new (some repeated) bio terror — in the range of Ebola, anthrax, and even resurgence of Asian swine or H1N1 flu type epidemics.

In a recent circulating Facebook interview by animal activists with people living in more “democratic” communities, the latter asked interviewees about whether they would eat a cat over a dog (yes I’m familiar that in some cultures, in Asian custom, they do eat “Fido” or at least those collections from the streets) , and what makes us continue to eat animals asking about humane versus inhumane ways? Well dears, if we’re seeing more Burger joints open up marketing “fresh” meat seems people must like this protein thing and it’s an easy way to make money (McDonalds built an empire). So a bit of alternative fund streams may be as important to discuss.

Hurricanes Harvey,  Irma, Maria, have caused continued problems in communities in many US cities and territories including Puerto Rico. Here 70,000 inhabitants may have permanently lost many of their homes as the dam has broken and tons of water has flooded the low lying areas below. Thank goodness for helping hands… It’s as if we need a wake up call to nature’s delicate balance, as I was recently reminded by a restaurant’s cool decor in Bielefeld, Germany (and yes contrary to the myth Bielefeld does exist today)… a tree without  leaves seeming like an eerie synthetic jail? Last month the blog focused on heat waves, now we’re seeing destruction by wind, water, or internal fire as also high Richter scale earthquakes are demolishing Mexico and China  — possible link between Kim’s launching of weapons in N. Korea? And yes Mr. Trump the change of heat on land leads to climate changes on the sea, etc. as written informatively in a September National Geographic Article.

There was also an unfortunate oil spill “accident” along the Saronic coast of Attica (possibly intentional as the petrol was illegal…) in the already economically deprived Greece this past week that not only reflects the depressed feeling of people, has caused death to animal life and to all the beach bars and restaurants losing money daily… and no people, one doesn’t just “recover” it takes years and side health effects will occur!

‘Good’ international news this week with a twinge of bittersweetness?

• Seems that they’ve discovered antibodies to HIV at about 99% but does this mean less condom use trends again?
• It’s a good” thing that the current First Lady Melania Trump — despite her expensive clothes which seemed to be highlighted, criticized in media  — indeed following Michelle Obama’s gardening efforts at the White House ….here’s one positive effort from the Obamas that hasn’t yet been eliminated by current administration of D. Trump!
• Lastly Ms. Donatella Versace in memory of her brother Gianni Versace (one of the most talented designers of his time) brought forward Super models from the   1990s in giving us “Freedom” (we miss you George Michael) showing that beauty is timeless… well it helps to have a higher income level to pay for better food, exercise programs, access to medical and related health or beauty treatments but whose thinking of all that? Hmm…

Some common themes emerge — continue efforts in disease prevention and health education and promotion including focus on scientific & media literacy. All  are important if we are to be civically engaged and make wiser and more health literate decisions. Stay tuned…