It's not rhetorical: sometimes it's true that the most brilliant solutions emerge from the most complex situations. Remember the hand sanitizer dispensers placed everywhere during the pandemic? Well, the Netherlands has decided to give a new life to these "touch points", and for an equally noble cause, by converting the former disinfectant dispensers into free sun cream dispensers.
From Covid to cancer: a leap, indeed, a pass of cream
Many people, perhaps too dazzled by the summer sun, still tend to forget that excessive exposure to UV rays can be dangerous.
The data tells us that even in Central Europe, an area known for its not exactly tropical climate (net of climate change), cases of skin cancer are increasing. More than 7 million Europeans in total has or had a skin cancer. And Holland is no exception. This is why the VieCuri hospital in Venlo-Venray, in collaboration with the Dutch Cancer Society, has decided to do something.
Sun cream point: in Holland, protecting yourself is free!
By converting hundreds of disinfectant points into sunscreen dispensers, it must be said, the Netherlands is declaring a hand-to-hand war on skin cancer. It's a clever way to recycle existing structures while promoting an important message.
The objective of this initiative is to raise people's awareness of the importance of protecting their skin from the sun, especially during the summer months. A simple gesture like swiping on a little sunscreen could make the difference between healthy skin and the risk of developing a skin cancer. Simple, immediate, incisive.
When in Italy?
Even in the Bel Paese (which among other things suffers from even higher exposure) it would be really smart to develop such an action.
Perhaps in collaboration with the Regions and local health authorities: after all, we could define this initiative as a sort of "holistic cure", right? Ultimately, when it comes to health, a little prevention saves healthcare systems billions.
While waiting for someone to wake up in these parts too, don't forget to give yourself a nice protective coat of sunscreen. Your skin may be thanking you, literally.
