HealthScene Serenity for the Holidays e have been following developments in the Ebola story, including the first cases of individuals entering the country with the disease and health care workers becoming infected through contact with patients. Extensive resources are being mobilized in our community and others because of the deadly nature of this disease. Fear is a common response, often resulting in overreaction. Debate continues about what is needed and finding the balance between public safety, responsibility and liberty. At the same time, there is complacency about diseases that claim more lives every day than Ebola will claim in the coming year. I’m referring to influenza, heart disease, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases and obesity related conditions, just to name a few. W Ebola as we tend to ignore the more common threats? Ebola is a new threat. We are drawn to the new and unfamiliar, compared to the commonplace. Man bites dog is news; the opposite is not. We react emotionally, not based on more mundane rational thought. Ebola control is seen as largely the responsibility of others. This includes our public health officials, immigration policy and the government in general. Decisions are beyond our individual control and when events go awry, we are not personally responsible. It is appropriate to expect our leaders to implement the measures that protect us in balance with our individual liberties. We hold them accountable to do a good job. We expect cooperation to protect the public welfare. 2921 Greenbriar Dr., Springfield, IL. Past President Ill. State Medical Society Dr. Craig Backs, M.D. Internal medicine Springfield Scene Magazine Tenth Anniversary Issue/Nov/Dec 2014 avoiding contact with others when we are sick, getting a flu shot, eating healthy, exercising, taking medications as prescribed, controlling our use of substances, getting help, controlling urges, and saying “no” are an individual responsibility. This is particularly difficult, but even more important, around the holidays. St. Frances of Assisi captured the contrast in this way: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. “ Happy (and Serene) Holidays! ~SSM~ All of these conditions have known risks The control of the other conditions I we can avoid and interventions that are listed is, in contrast, affected by our own effective. So why the discussion about individual decisions. Hand washing, 28