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The parent describes a theoretical extreme, but it doesn't happen in reality. When have these things ever happened in wealthy countries? Has anyone ever starved

The parent describes a theoretical extreme, but it doesn't happen in reality. When have these things ever happened in wealthy countries? Has anyone ever starved to death during an emergency in modern times? Has there ever been "complete chaos"? I have complete confidence that my neighbors and I can govern ourselves adequately for three days, check on the indigent, and help anyone who needs it. We can invest endlessly in more contingencies. Perhaps there is a level of emergency preparation that is worthwhile, but 'prepping' for complete chaos, etc. is a waste of time that could be put to much more beneficial uses.

ubernostrum 8y ago
When have these things ever happened in wealthy countries? Puerto Rico? New Orleans?
- forapurpose 8y ago
  I know unacceptable things happened in PR and NO, but did people die from starvation? Was there "complete chaos"?
  - ubernostrum 8y ago
    Read about the situation in New Orleans, during and after Katrina (and especially during the evacuation). Read about the debate over whether to attribute deaths to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico (the government officially claimed fewer than 100; independent estimates run into the thousands).
    - forapurpose 8y ago
      I know about those issues, but I don't know the answer to the question at hand: > did people die from starvation? Was there "complete chaos"? Unfortunately, I (and other readers) don't have time to verify everyone else's claims; that's why the burden is usually on the person making the claim.
      - ubernostrum 8y ago
        Provide a definition of "complete chaos".
toomanybeersies 8y ago
People aren't going to die from 3 days without food, but it will be very uncomfortable. People have died in wealthy countries due to dehydration after natural disasters, it happened in Katrina. People were without fresh water for up to 5 days in that case. As I said, you should expect to fend for yourself for 3 days. If you have no food or water or medical supplies ready, how do you expect to aid and assist people who need help? My experiences from New Zealand have led me to believe that if there's a magnitude 8 earthquake under a major city, which is entirely possible, that unless you are seriously injured you will be expected to look after yourself for several days.

ubernostrum 8y ago

When have these things ever happened in wealthy countries? Puerto Rico? New Orleans?

forapurpose 8y ago
I know unacceptable things happened in PR and NO, but did people die from starvation? Was there "complete chaos"?
- ubernostrum 8y ago
  Read about the situation in New Orleans, during and after Katrina (and especially during the evacuation). Read about the debate over whether to attribute deaths to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico (the government officially claimed fewer than 100; independent estimates run into the thousands).
  - forapurpose 8y ago
    I know about those issues, but I don't know the answer to the question at hand: > did people die from starvation? Was there "complete chaos"? Unfortunately, I (and other readers) don't have time to verify everyone else's claims; that's why the burden is usually on the person making the claim.
    - ubernostrum 8y ago
      Provide a definition of "complete chaos".

toomanybeersies 8y ago

People aren't going to die from 3 days without food, but it will be very uncomfortable. People have died in wealthy countries due to dehydration after natural disasters, it happened in Katrina. People were without fresh water for up to 5 days in that case. As I said, you should expect to fend for yourself for 3 days. If you have no food or water or medical supplies ready, how do you expect to aid and assist people who need help? My experiences from New Zealand have led me to believe that if there's a magnitude 8 earthquake under a major city, which is entirely possible, that unless you are seriously injured you will be expected to look after yourself for several days.