[EAS] California WEA

[Ed Czarnecki]

Also agreeing with Suzanne and Richard.  There is a difference between public information and public alerts, even if sometimes that difference can be sometimes subtle and nuanced.

Out of convenience, some jurisdictions are using the same alerting tools for both roles.  This information is in most cases best suited to a public service advisory and/or news coverage.

To quote from FEMA's website "WEAs are messages that warn the public of an impending natural or human-made disaster. The messages are short and can provide immediate, life-saving information."  

I have to agree that this seems to be a misuse of the system.

-----Original Message-----
From: EAS <eas-bounces at radiolists.net> On Behalf Of Richard Rudman

I am in agreement with Suzanne.

The bright, shiny warning object that WEA has become should not be an easy way out for issues like this require a concerted multi media public heath and government agency public relations campaign. Likewise this would not IMO be a proper use of EAS. 

If the intent was to "motivate"" people not observing proper COVID-19 safety protocols to do so, WEA messages are not going to change their minds.