In the 1950s Americans were told to hide under tables if a nuclear bomb went off — an infamous warning that became the butt of endless jokes. Now amid a high terror alert, New York is giving its residents the same advice.
On Thursday New York published its new household preparedness manual, telling residents what to do in case of any number of disasters, ranging from earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, terrorist attacks, collapsing buildings, chemical spills to dirty bombs. [...]
Ten pages into the document, the city offers one quarter of one page of pithy advice on what to do.
"If you are in a building collapse or explosion, get out as quickly and calmly as possibly," it suggests, before adding, "If you can't get out of the building, get under a sturdy table or desk." [...]
What to do if exposed to radiation? Well, it depends on where you are. If you're outside, the city suggests you go inside. And if the event happens inside, going outdoors might be a good idea.
Helpful is hardly the word. For some reason my faith in the US government is not enhanced by this document.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
Sometimes the very obvious IS the best advice. I always felt safe curled up under my desk during the drills of my youth. Ah, the Cold War, when the sharp edge of real nuclear danger clarified existence. But then Vietnam muddied the waters ...