A friend and colleague posted this tweet yesterday. I agree with the importance of what he shares here:
Public health folks: I know that we are not all experts on Israel & Palestine. But we ARE experts on what happens when water & electricity are shut off, when borders are closed, when food & medicine are unattainable. Speak on these things. This is why we study what we studied.
I know people whose family and friends are living in this region, and they are deeply afraid.
I try to imagine what the fear, trauma, and powerlessness must feel like on the ground. On Monday, I posted an article on social media about hospitalized people in Gaza who were unable to be evacuated with the 24-hour notice. Medical personnel were unable to move them safely. On Tuesday, 500 people were killed in a strike that landed on a hospital.
What is the psychological terror like of being hospitalized, waiting with knowledge that a building could collapse upon you at any moment? That feels nearly unfathomable, but that is real for people right now. And then…the building does. Who will tell the stories of those patients and those medical personnel?
What is the psychological terror like of being a hostage, unsure if you will be free again, or if you’ll see your families and friends again, yet fully aware that a full blown war is now underway and escalating while you’re still trapped in the same place? That feels nearly unfathomable, but that is real for people right now. Who will tell the stories of those hostages?
And, of course, many people watch with fear at a distance as well, also feeling powerless.
I am hoping, praying, and advocating for a cease fire. We can also call our elected officials to advocate for this. I want to encourage us to do that.
No one is free until we are all free.
No one lives in peace until all have peace.
And wherever you are today in thinking on these realities — whether close and connected, or much farther away — please take good care and know that you are valuable, as are all people in that region. We are often more connected than we realize.
—Renee Roederer
Smuggling Grace 