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Here in Ireland the aurora borealis is a sight worth seeing. Last year when I first noticed it I was captivated by the mystical green color in the night sky and today I’ll probably stay up until midnight in hope of catching another glimpse.
The aurora borealis also has a less attractive side to it. It’s basically the consequence of a solar storm or coronal mass ejection. These can disrupt radio transmissions and cause damage to satellites and electrical transmission line facilities. In a worst case scenario, these can result in massive and long-lasting power outages in some areas.
CNN’s main page is dedicated to solar storms and how it may affect the power grids, GPS, radios and satellites.
In the case of Fox News, the main article is about Ebola and how mutations may end up in an even worse epidemic. If the virus becomes airborne we are suddenly talking about a much greater threat than it already is. With such high mortality rate and no vaccine on the horizon the consequences of such a global pandemic could be disastrous.
As always, I recommend caution and common sense, but these are the headlines today and it would be unwise to not acknowledge ongoing events and potential threats.
What can you do?
Prepare, as always.
By now most of you should be well prepared regarding essential supplies, which would come into play in both events mentioned. I’m talking about plenty of long shelf life food, plenty of stored water, means of cooking, lanterns and flashlights, batteries, first aid kit and medical supplies and a firearm for self-defense.
In the case of a disruptive coronal mass ejection we are looking at sensitive electronics getting fried and having to be ready to bug in and deal with power outages.
In the case of Ebola, it would also be advised to bug in, stay put and avoid contact with people until the risk of contagion is significantly reduced. In a worst case scenario this could mean bugging in for months at a time, so long term food supplies are essential as well as hygiene and medical supplies.
FerFAL
5 comments:
Don't forget your kerosene heaters! I can't thank you enough for your sound advice on that. I'm all ready and set for this winter.
Thanks Kelfa23, glad you like them. I still go to the garage during summer and turn them on just to watch the flame a bit. I love kero heaters. :-)
Can kerosene heaters be used in the house safely? Do you have to leave a window partially open?
Can kerosene heaters be used in the house safely? Do you have to leave a window partially open?
The number one strategy and most effective defense against ebola (or any serious infectious disease) is do not bring it into your country. Oops! We failed that test already. As sad as it is for friends and relatives of those aid workers who got ebola we should have never brought them into the country to treat them. Now the risk is here. Maybe nothing will happen, maybe we will dodge that bullet but it was so unnecessary to put the entire country at risk to save 3 or 4 lives. Especially since their health was improving before they were airlifted back to the states. So while the aid workers families and hospital administrators are high fiving themselves over their apparent success if ebola breaks out we will know who caused it.
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