July 4th – a time to celebrate the birth of the U.S. with the Founder’s adoption of the Declaration of Independence. It’s an opportunity to spend time with family and friends that will be remembered for years to come. And a time to recall the memories of past July 4th celebrations. So what do you remember? The 2020 COVID-19 July 4th? Or memories of other years, from back in the day when you were a young child or as a mature adult or something in between?
Fireworks played center stage in my childhood memories of July 4th. It was a tradition to watch the Clawson fireworks – always sitting on the same very high wall surrounding the parking lot of a nondescript office building. I am certain the wall would not seem as high today! The July 4th fireworks tradition continued with my son, although a different city’s display and a blanket on the grass. There is also the memory of the infamous foot burn at age eight from my brother’s sparkler – which marked my last sparkler encounter!
How will you be spending the 4th? With family and friends? Or binge watching a Netflix series or movies, reading a book, or catching-up on projects at home? My July 4th agenda includes OWL and a little Justice at 6:00 pm. No, not the wise bird, but rather the Overwatch League (OWL) and the Washington Justice, the professional esports organization run by my son. Admittedly, I don’t understand most of the game. So during the game, I will text him questions that only a boomer would ask. Undoubtedly this will be a 4th to remember! You can check it out on YouTube here.
This Weekend Reading series reflects the founding principles of our country, such as freedom, as well as this memorable passages from the Declaration of Independence:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
America was founded on principles that we continue to strive for today. Central among these is quality, affordable health care for all.
This Weekend Reading series begins with #Freedom. The article about Timothy Snyder, author of the book Our Malady is not to be missed. Next check out #Unalienable Rights, with articles on health care as a human right and the need to eliminate health disparities. In #Life, explore the impact of burnout on American workers. Last but not least, #Pursuit of Happiness provides some ideas for an enjoyable 4th!
I hope you enjoy the following:
1. #Freedom
lwos.LIFE : Timothy Snyder on the Maladies of the US Healthcare System
Think Global Health: Vaccine Certificates—A Price Worth Paying for Freedom
Forbes: Why Healthcare Needs A Civil Rights-Style Movement
USA Today: ‘Medical freedom’ isn’t an American value. The Founders promoted vaccines and public health.
2. #Unalienable Rights
STAT: Health care is a human right in times of crisis. Why not every day?
HealthDay: AHA News: Why Everyone Should Care About Health Disparities – And What to Do About Them
The Conversation: A medical moonshot would help fix inequality in American health care
U.S. News & World Report: Death Rates Are Rising Across Rural America
3. #Life
The Atlantic: By Now, Burnout Is a Given
The Seattle Times: America’s workers are exhausted and burned out — and some employers are taking notice
USA Today: If you keep putting work before health and happiness, you may be suffering from internalized capitalism
Vox: The doctors are not all right
4. #Pursuit of Happiness
NPR: Stuck In A Rut? Sometimes Joy Takes A Little Practice
Partygameideas.com: Watermelon Games
Yahoo: This Fourth Of July, You May Want To Skip The Sparklers
Screen Rant: 10 Best 4th Of July Movies
BHG.com: 18 Party Hacks to Help You Throw the Ultimate 4th of July Bash
Best,
Suzanne
Suzanne Daniels, Ph.D.
AEPC President
P.O. Box 1416
Birmingham, MI 48012
Office: (248) 792-2187
Email: [email protected]
