Concerns in New York preventive warning about nuclear attack

New Yorkers are used to all sorts of warnings of potential dangers: bad weather, public health issues, and mass shootings.

However, a new public service advisory for surviving a nuclear attack has raised concerns among some people.

The city’s emergency management agency released a 90-second video this week recommending people stay indoors and wash themselves to remove radioactive dust and ash. The video begins with a computerized image of a desolate street with damaged buildings in the background.

A presenter says while looking at the camera: “There has been a nuclear attack. Don’t ask me how or why. Just know that a huge one has happened.”

Faced with this, many New Yorkers asked themselves: “why now?”

Christina Farrell, deputy commissioner for emergency management for the city, said the video is not linked to any specific threat. She said her goal is to raise awareness of something most people haven’t given much thought to.

“There is no fundamental reason why this is the time for us to spread this,” Farrell told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “It’s just one more tool to be prepared in the 21st century.”

He said the agency’s goal is to empower people in the face of a scary topic, noting that despite the mixed reactions to the video, “people have thanked us that we’re addressing the issue.”

“I don’t know if there will be the perfect time to talk about nuclear preparedness,” he added, saying that city officials have long had talks about implementing guidelines for an atomic problem. The city’s emergency response program, Ready New York, has been in existence since 2003.

Mayor Eric Adams has said he doesn’t think the video is alarmist, telling reporters Tuesday, “I’m a firm believer in better safe than sorry.”

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