Prepare for an earthquake

To the editor:

The March 5 story "Getting ready for the next disaster" was a great story that needed to be said. But -- trust me on the this; the Army provided my credentials on this issue -- until the early 1990s the chemical protective mask (gas mask) the U.S. military used didn't work. They didn't realize it. A drinking tube created the slightest opening when used. It has been replaced. Plastic and tape will protect you from rain -- and rain only. An untrained person would not survive the aftermath of an unconventional attack in all likelihood. Walk out and sit on the hood of your car, which is coated in a fine mist of type-g nerve agent, for example.

Before yanking out a rusty pipe wrench and destroying your home, see what tools you need to turn off your power, water and gas. Have a toolbox stocked with the basics. Good first-aid kits can be found online, along with emergency radios with lights, cell phone chargers etc. The NOAA office in Paducah can provide the emergency frequencies you need to know. Write them down.

Work on an evacuation plan. Make sure you have stocked sleeping gear, amusements, medicines, food, water and batteries. Overstock, you may want to help a neighbor. A first-aid class couldn't hurt.

Natural disasters? We've been taught how to survive tornadoes. Fire hasn't really been a problem so far. We need to plan for an earthquake. I say run uphill as fast as you can, please find a better plan for me. I'm not a fast runner.

ANDREW HAZARD, Cape Girardeau