Preparedness News and Safety Recalls- Dec. 2022
I’ve been wanting to do a regular installment of updates regarding things like the latest science related to Preparedness as well as Health and Safety related product recalls.
After putting together this update for December 2022, I’m considering doing this weekly rather than monthly- especially if I’m going to do “lives” or videos with them. I don’t want to bore the snot out of you too badly!
Interesting Articles Pertaining To Preparedness
This study used a new method of “Coupled Modelling” which is running two or more simulations simultaneously and connected so each one receives “real time” feedback from the others. Coupled simulations are more accurate than separate “linked” models or models that are completely disconnected which has been the norm for modelling. 2018’s Hurricane Florence was used as evidence to support the effectiveness of coupled modelling.
https://phys.org/news/2022-12-coupled-accurately-coastal.html
This write-up discusses how Americans are moving out of areas impacted by hurricanes, tornadoes, and generally high heat (often with high humidity) and to areas that are more susceptible to wildfires and heat waves.
https://phys.org/news/2022-12-flocking-wildfires-dont-deter-americans.html
The Vlasiator simulator, now augmented by the PRESTISSIMO project has improved the ability to forecast space weather and its impacts. One of the things the simulations show is that areas with higher accommodation for extra DC (Direct Current) will fare better. Vlasiator is open source.
https://phys.org/news/2022-11-earth-space-weather.html
The discussion here is how flooding in the area of Nigeria, Niger, and Chad is 80 times more likely due to climate change with the rainy season itself being 20% wetter than the previous norm.
https://phys.org/news/2022-11-nigeria-climate.html
This article looks at how Prague has maintained the ability to be prepared for nuclear attack and maintained blast and fallout shelters by making them dual purpose. The are still usable as shelters, but are regularly used for business, etc.
https://phys.org/news/2022-11-nuclear-prague-cities-war.html
This study looks at how rapid rain bursts are increasing and the rate at which rain falls in rapid rain bursts has increased at least 40% in Sydney Australia. These changes are attributed to climate change
https://phys.org/news/2022-11-storms-worse-rapid-sydney-intense.html
Tropical cyclones aka hurricanes aka typhoons can cause increased temperatures (up to 10 deg. F) for days after the storm strikes. This research did not explore the impact of climate change
https://phys.org/news/2022-11-tropical-cyclones-massive-fuel-extreme.html
Described here is a potentially revolutionary, lifesaving advancement. Deep learning computer modelling can reduce the time it takes to predict a tsunami from about 30 minutes to less than 1 second, allowing for earlier warnings.
https://phys.org/news/2022-12-deep-tsunami-impacts.html
Research done after wildfires revealed the fires left pollutants in homes and other areas for a couple months. These pollutants can be mitigated with portable air filters with activated carbon, and other cleanup methods. These findings should encourage a closer look at more effective testing and cleaning after wildfires.
https://phys.org/news/2022-12-ongoing-explores-impacts-solutions-marshall.html
This article contains a reminder of the importance of including pets in emergency planning and shares seven ways to prep your pets for emergency
- Keep collars, leashes, carriers, medication and extra food in a designated place
- Scan and upload veterinary records and pet registrations to the cloud
- Keep recent photos of you and your pet together in case they go missing and to verify ownership
- Get your pet microchipped
- Be sure pets are up to date on vaccinations so they can access shelters
- Know which hotels in your area are pet friendly
- Let trusted neighbors know how to access your house and where your pet supplies are
https://phys.org/news/2022-12-pets-neighbors-lessons-marshall.html
A look at the effectiveness of California’s Shakealert earthquake warning system which gave some people about 10 seconds warning for the quake about a week ago centered near Ferndale CA, about 210 miles NW of San Francisco
https://phys.org/news/2022-12-california-earthquake-early.html
A look at why people aren’t willing to invest in fighting climate change and disaster preparedness shows politics in general and specifically a distrust when politicians profit from the efforts hinder the efforts.
https://phys.org/news/2022-12-disaster-policies.html
Although the words polycrisis and permacrisis might be new to people’s vocabulary, multiple interconnected interacting disasters are not new. What is new and impactful is the scale of the disasters and how alleviating one crisis can make others worse
https://phys.org/news/2022-12-polycrisis-buzzword-tackle-world-woes.html
This research asks “Why aren’t deaths and injuries from hurricanes going down when we have better predictions and information sharing than ever?” Significant factors appear to be personal choice, urban development on the coast, an aging population, and a warming climate.
https://phys.org/news/2022-11-ian-deadliest-storm-year-dead.html
This study shows that testing the ratios of certain gases can indicate what is going on under the earth’s surface and give hints that help predict magma flows and eruptions. The gas testing is compared to taking a person’s temperature.
https://phys.org/news/2022-11-frothy-magma-gases-evade-disaster.html
Research shows 90% of US counties were hit with a weather disaster in the last decade! 90%!
https://phys.org/news/2022-11-counties-disaster-decade.html
Research shows that home buyouts to protect that population in flood plains and create buffers as well as other efforts to encourage people not to live in flood plains are more effective when administered at the local level.
https://phys.org/news/2022-11-local-floodplain-home-buyouts-federal.html
The realization we are in a state of permacrisis shows we are accepting a realism where crises are facts of life, necessary for progress, and something we can’t fix or overcome entirely.
https://phys.org/news/2022-11-permacrisis-word-year.html
An analysis of writings related to the Black Plague show society goes through four stages when it comes to human behaviour and plagues or major disruptions in society: societal stagnation, disorientation, polarization and repudiation.
- Stagnation refers to a population not recognizing or understanding the events within a chain and so failing to engage with it appropriately.
- Once the disruption occurs, the population experiences disorientation and no one knows how long it will take for life to return to normal.
- Polarization occurs when attempts to assign responsibility are shifted onto a particular group, often resulting in scapegoating and xenophobia.
- Then comes the repudiation of an existing system of beliefs and erosion of confidence in authorities, be they religious, civic or scientific. These in turn lead to macro-level changes to economic, political and cultural norms.
https://phys.org/news/2022-11-plagues-lot-current-crises.html
An analysis of recovery efforts in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona show the practice by utility companies and governments of focusing on the most densely populated areas tends to exclude vulnerable communities. Factors like race, gender, ethnicity, class, and economics are not considered which reinforces social vulnerabilities. Factors such as politics also play a role.
https://phys.org/news/2022-11-puerto-rico-hurricane-fiona-recovery.html
Research reveals Supershear quakes are about twice as likely to occur as previously believed. Supershear quakes are a subtype of quakes caused when faults beneath the surface rupture faster than shear waves—the seismic waves that shake the ground back and forth—can move through rock. The effect corrals energy that is then released violently; the effect can be compared to a sonic boom. As a result, supershear earthquakes tend to cause more shaking, and are potentially more destructive, than other earthquakes that have the same magnitude.
https://phys.org/news/2022-11-violent-supershear-earthquakes-common-previously.html
Health and Safety Recalls
Morasch Meats Inc., of Portland, Oregon, recalled 30-lb. box packages containing “BEEF DICED 3/10# BAGS,” with case code FM010152, LOT#: 082422 and a date of 8/24/2022 on the case label. Each case contains three 10 lb. vacuum-sealed, clear plastic bags of the diced beef products. The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 4102” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
Red food dye can be a potential trigger of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
The product being recalled is ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, Milk Based Powder with Iron for 0-12 Months in 24 oz containers. The formula under voluntary recall was distributed directly to consumers in the U.S. and can be identified by the number on the bottom of the can.
Recalled product batches are 22273 C1, 22276 C1, 22277 C1, 22278 C1, and 22280 C1 printed with use by 01 JAN 24 or 01JUL 24.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration testing indicated the presence of Hepatitis A in James Farm branded frozen raspberries identified by UPC Code 76069501010 and Lot Code 22-165.