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Updated rules on preparedness for nuclear explosion

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Re: Updated rules on preparedness for nuclear explosion

#41

Post by mbg721 »

cpncrunch wrote: post #11
throwawaylinux wrote: post #9

If you have just survived a nuclear explosion and find yourself in need of assistance, call 911 and be sure to let the operator know if you have or believe you may have COVID-19. Absolute insanity.

"Many people may already feel fear and anxiety about the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). The threat of a nuclear explosion can add additional stress" Ah, yes, a little additional stress from the nuclear explosion over and above covid. It's hard to know if this was written with a straight face or not.

"If possible, please position the nuclear blast between yourself and COVID-19 in order to minimize proximity to COVID."

Re: Updated rules on preparedness for nuclear explosion

#42

Post by throwawaylinux »

soared wrote: post #18
throwawaylinux wrote: post #9

If you have just survived a nuclear explosion and find yourself in need of assistance, call 911 and be sure to let the operator know if you have or believe you may have COVID-19. Absolute insanity.

Seems pretty reasonable though. Wearing masks and some amount of social distancing isn’t that hard, and reducing other strains on the medical system during nuclear war seems prudent.

Oh I totally agree with you, my problem with it is that they missed out some pretty basic fundamental advice. Like if there's a nuclear winter and subsequent collapse of society it's very important to huddle together for warmth in groups of no more than 3 while your nomadic tribe follows the migrating buffalo herds. See it sounds obvious now but it's easy to miss these trifling details.

Re: Updated rules on preparedness for nuclear explosion

#43

Post by wanderer_ »

creativeCak3 wrote: post #30

I am genuinely asking; how worried should we be? I'm really freaking out about this...

Not extremely. Helpful stuff to know, but there is, right now, no real reason for anyone to launch an attack of this scale.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_assured_destruction

Re: Updated rules on preparedness for nuclear explosion

#44

Post by Clubber »

mbg721 wrote: post #31
throwawaylinux wrote: post #9

If you have just survived a nuclear explosion and find yourself in need of assistance, call 911 and be sure to let the operator know if you have or believe you may have COVID-19. Absolute insanity.

During the Cold War, I believe the official British advice to be broadcast to the populace in the event of nuclear attack was "First, go make tea," because it was the most ingrained and instinctive thing every Briton knew how to do, and would best maintain calm. Whatever this advice says about Americans, I would like to fix it and elect the opposite of the thing perpetuating it, please.

It's the news. Fear is their business model and they're all hurting, so they gotta ratchet it up to keep the dollars coming. The whole Appleby's advert in the middle of the Ukraine raid siren is the epitome of what they do. They also have a lot of sway in getting pols elected. It only works when people get fooled by it. The spell will break soon I hope.

Re: Updated rules on preparedness for nuclear explosion

#45

Post by kragen »

tshaddox wrote: post #34
eggsmediumrare wrote: post #3

Seems weird to be concerned about social distancing in the event of a nuclear explosion.

Why? In relative terms, yeah, obviously, but a respiratory virus breakout in a fallout shelter certainly isn’t any less troubling than a respiratory virus breakout at a workplace or music festival.

A covid outbreak in March 02022, when everyone is already vaccinated and the dominant strain of covid is the omicron strain (which, even without vaccination, is only as fatal as the regular flu instead of an order of magnitude worse), is dramatically less troubling than a covid outbreak six months ago, and it isn't worth mentioning in the context of fallout safety rules, except to say not to worry about covid.

Re: Updated rules on preparedness for nuclear explosion

#46

Post by geraldalewis »

The comments here are silly.

You can absolutely prioritize your risks, which means you’re not precluded from taking sensible precautions if you’re able to. This isn’t rock/paper/scissors. If you’re far enough away from the point of impact and the winds are right, Covid might be more of a threat than a nuclear bomb.

If you’re two states away from where a bomb goes off, and insist on open-mouth kissing strangers as they cough on you, that’s up to you. But also you can just throw on a mask and step a few feet back from folks and be a little safer.

Also, really bad scenarios can often stem from a couple of things going wrong all at once. So just be safe and use as much good judgment as the situation allows. And lean on easy, automatic, strategies to help you not compound issues.

Re: Updated rules on preparedness for nuclear explosion

#47

Post by wanderer_ »

tshaddox wrote: post #27
wanderer_ wrote: post #17

Nothing about avoiding population centers? My reaction to nuclear attack would be to hightail it into the woods. Take some supplies, wait it out, and try not to be a burden to emergency services. As for fallout and the like, I would just have to hope. Being far from potential targets and away from major jet streams (or whatever I'm not a meteorologist) would be my way to go.

How are you going to survive in the woods? In many places and times of year this would be very difficult for all but the most intensely prepared or experienced people. And is it even good advice?

I am rather experienced. Eagle scout, that sort of thing. Maybe I should have been more clear: That wasn't advice, just what I think I would do.

Re: Updated rules on preparedness for nuclear explosion

#48

Post by alatkins »

tshaddox wrote: post #24
throwawaylinux wrote: post #9

If you have just survived a nuclear explosion and find yourself in need of assistance, call 911 and be sure to let the operator know if you have or believe you may have COVID-19. Absolute insanity.

Note that this is not a direct quote. That bit about COVID-19 appears in a big paragraph about what to do if you’re sick or injured. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a shared boilerplate across lots of government websites about emergencies. This whole page mentions COVID-19 a few times but really isn’t as ludicrous or reminiscent of satire as people here are making it out to be.

> If you are told by authorities to evacuate to a public shelter, try to bring items that can help protect yourself and your family from COVID-19, such as hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol, cleaning materials, and two masks per person. Children under two years old, people who have trouble breathing, and people who cannot remove masks on their own should not wear them.

I beg to differ.

Re: Updated rules on preparedness for nuclear explosion

#49

Post by colanderman »

The sections mentioning COVID have been in place for over a year: http://web.archive.org/web/20210326031042/https://www.ready....

i.e., from a time when almost no-one was vaccinated, and the strains of COVID going around were much deadlier. It's absolutely reasonable for the guidelines of that time to try to prevent fallout shelters crammed with thousands of people from all coming down with COVID simultaneously -- and particularly trying to protect aid workers.

Re: Updated rules on preparedness for nuclear explosion

#50

Post by Clubber »

creativeCak3 wrote: post #30

I am genuinely asking; how worried should we be? I'm really freaking out about this...

Having been one who grew up during through the cold war in the 80s, it's just something you have to accept. I remember in 4th grade on the playground, the kids (me) were debating with the teacher whether it was better to stand outside and get nuked or go inside and live through the aftermath.

Having said that and having lived through all this before and nothing happened, I wouldn't worry too much. Also read Alas Babylon, it's pretty good and related.

On a side note, we could also get hit by an asteroid at any time with no notice, so there's always something to make you unease if you dwell on it.

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