One
No newsletter this week. Just two images that speak for themselves.
Last Friday, from 140,000 miles out, astronaut Reid Wiseman pointed a camera back at home. And there we are, glowing in space. On the left is saharan Africa, upside down.
NASA mission control shared this as “a reminder that no matter how far we go, we are still one world.”
This captures a core public health principle. The air we share, the pathogens we pass, the climate around us— none of it stops at a state line or a political boundary. What threatens one of us can move through all of us. What protects one of us protects the rest.
These images remind us that our mutual dependency is a biological fact.
This is an especially timely message, as we face growing hostility to public health values of shared responsibility and collective wellbeing.
And while we’re getting inspiration from space, here’s a California’s spring poppy bloom from a NASA satellite. Our wildflowers are indifferent to the news cycle, and they’re having a banner year. There are superblooms around the state– hopefully you can get out there and take it in.
I’m taking the week off for spring break with family. We’ll see you next week!
Matt
Dr. Matt Willis is the author of Your Local Epidemiologist in California. A California native, he’s served as a primary care physician, CDC epidemiologist, and public health officer for Marin County, where he guided the pandemic response. He lives in Marin with his family and their dogs Teddy and Ramona.
Breathtaking! Thank you.
Thank you Matt! Needed this...as all of us here needed it. Bringing hope in your newsletter was perfect....love both photos...each so different and each so very beautiful!