Have you seen the comet of the century? If not, you will get another chance in 80,000 years. That really puts things in perspective in regards to our own presence on this Earth and how short our life really is. That’s why we should enjoy the present, the now.
The now is beautiful. Mid-autumn vibes, with days alternating between cold, rainy, windy, and sunny. Without realizing it, your light jackets have been buried by warmer clothes, and we are now all aboard the Autumn Express towards the end of the year. Not sure if you noticed, but time goes faster in the months before Christmas.
What did people talk about around the dinner table this week? Asbestos and child labor; the unspoken side of fertility treatment; and Emma’s justice.
The week started with the story that six children aged 12 to 16 have done illegal work with asbestos for the company LM Multiservices. There are strict rules for how old building materials, which contain the carcinogenic substance, must be handled. Not long afterwards, DR launched the documentary “Underdanmark,” which shows how internationals are mistreated on demolition sites and used for illegal asbestos work.
Around a million houses in Denmark still have asbestos roofs, which release asbestos fibers into the environment. Just inhaling a small concentration of asbestos fibers can lead to lung cancer 20 to 40 years later. If you have one and can afford it, it is recommended that you replace your asbestos roof. Once upon a time, asbestos was seen as a wonder of civilization, as it was indestructible and resistant to fire. It got to the point where it was used as a filter for cigarettes, in toasters, and in bed mattresses. As early as 1930, it was discovered that it leads to lung cancer, but it took another 40 years to be banned. Now, the asbestos roofs are decaying and can become a public health emergency if not handled properly soon.
Few people talk about what happens if fertility treatment is not successful. It can lead to depression and to giving up the dream of having a child. Now, several specialists are calling the regional councils to employ permanent psychologists in fertility clinics so that families going through a tough time can receive help at the right time. In Odense, they have already made the first step.
We end this week’s column with Emma’s story. A rape case that went wrong due to the police negligence.
Thank you for reading and sharing Last Week in Denmark!
P.S. – A lemur escaped from Aalborg Zoo and went for a curiosity stroll through people’s gardens. See here the adventure.
