The Manila Times

Can never be won and must never be fought

DR. CARL E. BALITA

FORMER US vice president Al Gore noted in his 2007 Nobel Prize acceptance speech that “scientists calculated that nuclear wars could throw so much debris and soot into the air that it would block life-giving sunlight from our atmosphere, causing a nuclear winter.” He enjoined the world’s resolve to halt the nuclear arms race.

Studies on impacts

A study co-authored by 19 scientists from five countries, incorporating the latest models of global climate, crop production and trade, examines the likely impact of a limited nuclear war between nuclear-armed enemies India and Pakistan and predicts large fires enough to emit soot into the stratosphere and cause declines in global mean temperature and precipitation for at least five years with adverse consequences on global food security unmatched in modern history. Deaths are presumed to be in tens to hundreds of millions. It is thought that each country has 150 nuclear warheads. The study appeared in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

There are more studies that calculate unimaginable damage if and when nuclear war is engaged. The forecast is gloomy. On its extreme pessimism is the alarming planetary extinction.

What can be done if and when…

Alarmist as this may sound, it is always prudent to be aware of the courses of action one may take if and when the worst-case scenario comes with prayers that it won’t. We are neighbor to China and host to US “bases” amid tension in Taiwan which is a few miles away, while the Russia-Ukraine conflict escalates cascading global impact. The danger of these nuclear heads which may be unleashed by a push of a button is far more dangerous than a virus that silently mutated (or was designed to mutate) to cause a pandemic.

Science prescribes that the principles of distance, time and shielding should be remembered. The more distance between you and the fallout particles, the better. An underground area such as a home or office building basement offers more protection than the first floor of a building. The heavier and denser the shielding materials — thick walls, concrete, bricks, books and earth — between you and the fallout particles, the better. Fallout radiation loses its intensity fairly rapidly. In time, you will be able to leave the fallout shelter. Radioactive fallout poses the greatest threat to people during the first two weeks, by which time it has declined to about 1 percent of its initial radiation level.

Make a family disaster plan, just like the usual disaster. There should be designated fallout shelters. Potential shelters can be places such as basements, tunnels, or the windowless center area of middle floors in a high-rise building. Public information must make available multiple options in which the public will receive a notification about a nuclear or radiation emergency.

Build an “emergency preparedness kit” with basic supplies for two weeks at home. This includes water, non-perishable easy-to-prepare food, communication tools, first aid kits, medications and medical items, sanitation and hygiene items, and extra cash. Copies of personal documents and maps of the area should also be at hand. Other items must be available like whistle, N95 or surgical masks, tools/supplies for securing your home, etc.

During a nuclear explosion, if an attack warning is issued, take cover as quickly as you can, below ground if possible, preferably built of brick or concrete, and go inside to avoid any radioactive material outside. Go as far below ground as possible or, if that is not possible, to the center of a tall building. If possible, turn off fans, airconditioners, and forced-air heating units that bring air in from the outside.

During the time with the highest radiation levels it is safest to stay inside. Shelter away from the radioactive material outside. Radiation levels are extremely dangerous after a nuclear detonation but the levels reduce rapidly. Expect to stay inside for at least 24 hours. In some circumstances, you may need to shelter in place for as long as one month.

If you were outside during or after the blast, get clean as soon as possible to remove radioactive material that may have settled on your body. Remove your clothing to keep radioactive material from spreading. Removing the outer layer of clothing can remove up to 90 percent of radioactive material. When possible, take a shower with lots of soap and water to help remove radioactive contamination. Do not scrub or scratch the skin. Wash your hair with shampoo or soap and water. Do not use conditioner in your hair because it will bind radioactive material to your hair, keeping it from rinsing out easily.

While sheltering-in-place you can take actions that will help protect emotional well-being during a shelter-in-place emergency. Remain informed through reports from credible sources. Pay attention to your emotional health. Know that others are also experiencing emotional reactions and may need your time and patience to put their feelings and thoughts in order. Monitor your physical health needs. Focus on positive actions you can take right away, such as obtaining accurate information and providing support to others.

John F. Kennedy was quoted as saying that “every inhabitant of this planet must contemplate the day when this planet may no longer be inhabitable. Every man, woman and child lives under a nuclear sword of Damocles, hanging by the slenderest of threads, capable of being cut at any moment by accident or miscalculation or by madness. The weapons of war must be abolished before they abolish us.” Well, they have not abolished them. The alarmists in us should engage in reflection, action and a lot of prayers not only for the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, but also for the courage to change the things that we can, in search of the wisdom that knows the difference.

Opinion

en-ph

2023-03-17T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-17T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://manilatimes.pressreader.com/article/281646784372424

The Manila Times