[EAS] Preparedness and Survival Generalities

[Mike McCarthy]

Let's not mix the missions of self-preservation responsibility with the
virtue of public responsibility rescue. The fact folks are out there
extending their life and limb to help those in immediate distress and
peril are to be commended for their efforts.

And its precisely my point in how the government can be overwhelmed or
prohibited from executing their mission by any number of obstacles and the
public at large steps up every time. I will admit this "rescue by public"
is a virtue of the "urbanite" environment's collective manpower resource. 
Double edged sword however. They will also eat through emergency rations
more quickly. Then what...anarchy on the street when the water, food, and
TP are gone...among other less savory things.

And my original point remains unchallenged. People need to drink clean
water, eat suitable food, and continue taking their prescribed medications
(never mind basic bodily functions). No one, urban or rural, will do that
for long if they are not prepared for these basic necessities before
government responds and relief efforts reach the impacted area(s). It's
that simple.

This event is simply unprecedented in scope and magnitude of impacted
population and geography. And all resources are stretched beyond the
planners imaginations. This could very well be bigger than Katrina when
it's all done.

But will pale in comparison to something even bigger like a major Tsunami 
hitting an urban metro. Or worse...a nuke. Then what? Local government
rural and urban will be equally paralyzed. Who will survive the immediate
event and how?

I am neither urbanite (despite being born in the city and raised in
suburbia), nor rural (despite my wife being a farm girl) predisposed. I
see and appreciate both sides. But we always have a case of water, pop-top
canned soup, and box of crackers handy along with a go bag.

MM

On Mon, August 28, 2017 4:24 pm, Botterell, Arthur at CalOES wrote:
 That's
> not self-admiring macho out there, that's genuine courage.  So again,
> when I hear about this alleged dwindling of responsibility, I have to
> ask, "what are we talking about?"
>
> Art