By: Jiamin Chen,CEO and founder
On April 16th,1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote in a letter from a Birmingham jail, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. Fifty-seven years ago, Dr. King was fighting for civil unjust and equality for all Americans. Almost six decades later, our black brothers and sisters, deprived of their rights, are still being systematically oppressed Racial injustice still lurks under the cover of shadows and police brutality is no less rampant year after year, like an atrocious scene on repeat. Now, people globally are overwhelmed with indignation and distraught by yet another innocent black man ruthlessly killed. These People, incensed, coordinated several protests and demonstrations in desperate pursuit of change. With the escalating violence brought about in protests and some initiated by the police, first aid and knowledge of safeguarding is imperative to emphasize. In this article, you will read about the various dangers of protest and how to prevent/treat some of its effects.
Extensive sun exposure: With summer approaching, the weather has gotten increasingly hotter especially during the scorching mid-day sun.
10 am - 4 pm sustains the highest possibility of UV ray damage to the skin
Even on cloudy days too? Yes! UV rays can penetrate and damage your skin in several kinds of climate.
Long Term UV ray exposure causes breakdown of elastin fibers in your skin cells, causing the skin to lose its sag and age faster. In addition to these detrimental effects, UV rays can cause skin cancer in severe cases.
Protection:
Most importantly, wear sunscreen of SPF 15 and above
Apply the sunscreen around 20 minutes prior to going outside
Apply again at 2-hour intervals
Wear long sleeve shirts
Wear a hat or visor with sufficient coverage to shield your ears, head, and neck
Wear sunglasses that obstructs UVB & UVA radiations
Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water to cool down.
Treating sunburns:
Take pain reliever as needed like aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen, but don’t exceed recommended amounts
Apply cool compress over the affected areas
Take cool baths as needed
Apply moisturizer that contains aloe vera
Again, drink a lot of water to increase the speed in which the cell repairs
Tear gas: A mix of chemical powders released in the form of grenades, sprays, or canisters can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and the respiratory system. When deployed, the chemical binds to pain receptors TRPA1 and TRPV1 stimulating a signal transduction pathway, ultimately catalyzing a cellular response.
Effects on the eyes:
Watering
Burning
Itching
Blurry vision
Swelling
Effects on the skin:
Itching
Chemical burns
Redness
Blisters
Allergic reactions
Effects on the respiratory system:
Difficulties breathing
Difficulties swallowing
Salivating
Coughing
Choking
Vomiting
Nausea
Protection/Treatment:
Leave the area quickly to get fresh air
Seek higher attitudes as these vapors are dense and will stay close to the ground
When at home, remove clothing as soon as possible. Not over the head, instead, cut it off. Place them in a bag and safely dispose of them.
Any items contaminated must be meticulously washed, if it’s not washable, remove them and discard.
Take a shower with cold water along with soap to remove any remaining chemicals
Wash eyes with water for 10 to 15 minutes
If conditions worsen or persist, call emergency services
Pepper spray is a lachrymatory agent causing the eyes to tear up. It consists mainly of oleoresin capsicum oil that can be found in chilli peppers.
Burning
Coughing
Difficulties breathing
Redness to the eyes
Stinging
Treatment:
DO NOT rub the affected area as it could spread to other areas
Pour/Spray baking soda mixed with water, milk of magnesia (seem to be effective) to neutralize the acidic behaviors of the pepper spray
Washing away the oil: baby body soap mixed with water or other safe to use detergents
Wash hands thoroughly, if large areas of the body are affected, take a shower
Rubber bullets have been increasingly used by the riot police as a form to combat the rioting. However, reports have shown that instead of targeting those that are looting and those causing damage to properties, they are being aimed at peaceful protesters and journalists. Journalist Linda Tirado is said to have been shot in the eye by a rubber bullet, thus leaving her blinded. Serious injuries include but are not limited to, nerve damage, fracture of bone, blindness, and death. Regulations mandate that they be used at a reasonably safe distance of at least 21 feet, and aimed at lower limbs where the softer muscle tissues are, to decrease the chance of fatal injuries. If shot, victims must immediately seek emergency care.
Although the members of Destined Doctors all maintain different opinions on this movement, we universally condemn violence and the destruction of businesses and property. We have been hit tremendously hard already by the pandemic. Many businesses have not earned so much as a penny since the shut down and millions of families are struggling to make ends meet. The racial injustice we face today is severely heinous but we must not succumb to violence to get the change that we demand. Throughout history we have seen Dr. Martin Luther King, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, and countless other leaders of peaceful protests emphasize the importance of passive resistance. As the famous saying of Gandhi goes, “An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind”. We fight for injustices, we fight for racial discrimination, and we fight for a better reformed criminal justice system. But when we fight, we must use our voice instead of our fists. We must use our hearts instead of weapons. Here at Destined Doctors we stand in firm solidarity with our black brothers and sisters. Say their names.
Links to help the cause:
Sources: