“Water is the driving force of all nature.” – Leonardo da Vinci
Water. The giver of life … and the taker of life. Such a conundrum as so many in our neighborhoods and on our planet have faced catastrophic loss of life and upheaval.
At the same time, as we know, and as I have written about in this column over the years, water is life-giving and something that we must rely on daily. Without adequate water intake we will face dehydration in a short period of time, which can lead to changes in our brains that can run from temporary to permanent.
As we have experienced both in our local communities throughout Hamilton County and the state, water can destroy and disable our homes, businesses, topography, and psyche. This is a worldwide phenomenon that affects all of mankind. For those folks who are without flood insurance particularly, the realization of the financial cost to replace and repair can be significant. For those who are sifting through remains of sentimental keepsakes and items, the loss certainly takes a toll and can result in a grieving process, which may take some time and support to process.
Another result of excess water in our homes and businesses is the threat of mold. Mold and mold spores can set up almost immediately and should be removed if possible 24 to 48 hours after onset. Inhaling mold spores can trigger asthma attacks and severe allergic infection.1 This is particularly dangerous for the elderly, children, and those with compromised immune systems. There is quite a bit of information provided by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) online as well as other sources. Remediation is critical and recommended as soon as possible.
We quite literally cannot live without clean water. We depend on our government to provide us with the life-giving resources for drinking, bathing, washing our clothing, and all manner of daily living. Those third-world countries without that access suffer from devastating health problems including cholera, typhoid fever, and other chronic conditions including organ damage.2
We are privileged to live in a country where our drinking water is nearly always safe from disease-causing parasites and bacteria. Clean water is a blessing.
We also live in a world where water can be the most devastating and life-altering catastrophe known to man. I hope that if you have been affected by our recent rains and flooding that you and your family are first and foremost safe, and that you will find the help and resources you need. For more information on those resources, you may contact Hamilton County Flood Assistance at (317) 645-3261 and you may call 211 for flood damage assistance.
Please be aware that, sadly, there are those in our world who would take advantage of flood victims, so please contact law enforcement if you feel you have been approached in this manner.
Volunteers, you are many and you are awesome. Above all, dear readers, stay strong and be well.
1 epa.gov
2 cdc.gov
Sharon McMahon, CNWC
The opinions expressed in this article are not intended to replace advice of your personal physician or licensed health professional. Please consult your physician for any issues you may have related to nutrition or fitness activity.
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