Our COVID-19 infested world is well-suited for the Alaskan Bush People!
A favorite reality documentary TV series of mine has been “Alaskan Bush People”. The series depicts the life of a family who live far from civilization in the Alaskan wilderness. The family is composed of a couple and their seven children who refer to themselves as “the Brown wolf pack.” The way that the Browns live their lives has been fascinating to me. It reminds me of the lives of the American pioneers who settled in the wild central plains in the late 18th century.
That which used to puzzle me for some time was how they used to take care of their health, hygiene, and urgent medical needs. But then I realized that there are doctors who are equally passionate about living and making a living in the wilderness. Interestingly, a little while later I learned about a unique and relatively new branch of medicine, the so-called “wilderness medicine” that, in part, piqued my curiosity. As it is not my intention to focus on wilderness medicine, I suggest that if interested you read the article cited at the end for further information.
From what I have mentioned so far, it is apparent that the wild world is no place for the wimps. Those who live under primal conditions do not seek medical care for a long list of procedures that we all take for granted. It is apparent that elective procedures, scheduled vaccinations, and annual checkups wouldn’t make much sense in the wild. I could envision the Brown family brushing off most of their ailments such as common cold, allergies, and minor physical injuries. I can also imagine them seeking medical support only for serious health conditions such as physical accidents, appendicitis, kidney stones, tetanus, rotten teeth, parasitic diseases, and serious animal bites.
I must confess that I adore these people, and at times even envy their lives. If you’re an Alaskan bushman, you’re the man…the only man! You’re the strongest! You shape up your world as it pleases you! You hunt your own game and you accept no handouts! You need no one to tell you what to do and what not to do! You want the government out of your land and your life! You love the classic picture of our country! You are a 21st century American who loves our country … wild and barren… the same way that our predecessors found it back then!
Dr. E
Dr. Eftekar (Dr. E) is the founder and head coach of the Center for Conquest of Longevity and Northwestern Medical Review. A unique attribute of Dr. E is his well-rounded academic background that, in addition to the science of medicine, extends over several other disciplines such as physiology of aging and longevity, philosophy of science and medicine, and integrated kinesiology.