Berks County Medical Society Medical Record Summer 2020 - 19

over striding, overly excited or just overly dramatic when they see
even a slight incline in front of them. I want to tell them to relax, the
hill will end regardless of how hard or easy, how fast or slow they go.
Some runners will be dressed to the 9's with Gore-Tex sweats suits,
a Garmin chronograph and wearing the latest New Balance running
shoe. Others will be in Converse sneakers and cut-off jeans. It really
does not matter how one is dressed for running; it's the running itself
that matters.
There are some other things that these new runners should be
aware of. Runners are very supportive of each other. Whether we
are running together or running alone, we communicate with each
other. Runners are friendly that way. Communication does not have
to be verbal. Many times it is a simple nod of the head or a wave of a
hand. Sometimes we even communicate by just making eye contact.
I hope these new runners see the light and continue to hone this
emotion-based coping skill after this crisis is over. I hope they find
the same peace in running that I have. With understanding and
recognizing stress, with using our coping skills, both solution-based
and emotion-based, we will get through this... together.
And being together, I want to take the time to really see the
people with whom I am sheltering in place. They are the most
important people in my life. They are the same people I saw every
day before this crisis, but now I see them in a different light. As I
see sickness and the loss of life around me every day I realize how
randomly sickness and death can strike. I see how fragile and
precious life can be. It worries me that my solution-focused coping
could bring this illness to these people I love. And then my mind
goes to the possible changes that our civilization may have to endure
due to this crisis.
A friend of mine and I have been getting together when possible
for a socially distanced walk. He is a psychiatrist and, in my
opinion, brilliant. Our conversation turned to a topic another friend
noted in an email to my colleagues and me. He pointed out how
civilization has continued to evolve throughout history and will
continue to evolve into the future. That got us to thinking about a
question. When did civilization begin? One philosopher believed
that civilization began with the beginning of language. This would
be considered essential for communication and the transfer of ideas.
An anthropologist believed that civilization began with the use of
tools. Tools for hunting, planting, making shelter, even for fighting.
While these milestones are definitely important, and I admit I may
be biased here, I think a physician gave the best answer to this
question. He said that civilization began when the first human
survived a broken leg. In the animal kingdom a broken leg would
mean certain death. But for a human to survive meant that one or
more other humans circled around the injured, protected him from
being preyed upon, and nursed him back to health, all while putting
themselves at risk of an outside attack. From that day forward,
every civilization has been measured based on how that society treats
those in need.
Remember to take the time to thank the people on the front line
of this crisis... the grocery store worker, the mail carrier, the cafeteria
staff, the restaurant owner/worker, the orderly, the cleaning staff, as
well as the nurses and doctors. None of them wear capes, but they
all wear masks and gloves. These are the times that define who we
are. They are the ones who are advancing our civilization.

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Berks County Medical Society Medical Record Summer 2020

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