Was Benjamin Franklin Correct?

If there’s one thing I will remain hopeful of as this pandemic passes, it’ll be that the world will start to take their health more seriously. There are many statistics floating around the CDC website, the most startling one I have seen is that in 94% of Coronavirus deaths, the person suffered from at least 1 underlying condition. Obesity related diseases, including heart disease were two of the most common conditions.

We can follow social distancing guidelines, wear masks in public or wait for a vaccine. I’m not writing to argue the merits of any of those. That’s a topic for someone else to discuss.

What I must make clear is that those are all reactive to our current circumstance. At some point you’re going to find yourself closer to strangers and keeping your mask at home.

“This too shall pass.”  But then what?

What about after this virus runs its course? What about the next “thing” to challenge us? Our health? Our “sickcare” system? Our society as a whole?

Will you give yourself every opportunity to fight off a virus and work to build a strong mind, body and immune system? Or will you smack yourself in the forehead and realize you didn’t learn your lesson during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic?

We’d love to help you, but we can’t help all of you. And some of you, we just won’t be a good fit to work together. We can tell you all the benefits of being consistent with exercise and improved nutrition. We can help you be accountable to your actions, or lack of action.

However, you need to make the choice to change. I’m willing to bet that others are watching you now. Either you’re inspiring them with your efforts; or you’re letting them down by choosing not to act and make your health a priority.

When Benjamin Franklin famously said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” he was talking about fire safety, not health.

Let’s pretend for a moment, that Mr. Franklin posted that to his Twitter account last week. Only this time he’s talking about your health.

What are you going to do now? Who are you taking with you?