After reading Tom Ridge's book, "The Test of Our Times", as I've read about historical events and such regularly. Now for the part of awareness and accepting certain feelings as 'just is'. Because you're just you. I'll bring us to what I was reminded of this morning upon reflection of a recent conversation.
Decades ago in the Marines, I took a course that was not required at the time by Marines. You took it to gain rank. Then eventually about a year later they threw it to our unit for an afternoon, for a general brief lesson. It was, how to wear a suit to be protected from things like nerve agents, going into areas after Chemical, Biological and Nuclear warfare agents have occurred. The course I took was way more than a day of studies. From my notes I have it was over the course of months.
It was broken down into sections under each area of warfare. Like Chemical agents of nerve, blood, choking, blistering and so forth. It would be hitting different areas of the organ systems of the body.
You had to know how to wear a suit for two weeks, which was the apparent time the suit would be good for. You had to know how to administer first aid to those who'd succumb to any agent. You had to make certain you knew which agent it was before injecting them. They may not know what agent had been used on them.
Mind you, you may have to contend with having to don your gas mask, warning others who might be around first. Then put on your suit, whilst figuring out which injection to stick yourself with. And depending on how and when you realized an agent had been released. You may have to inject yourself with your mask and suit on as quickly as possible. And again, there may be another agent while you have had your suit and mask on, that requires an injection to yoirself through the protective suit. Then you can help others.
So, all this brings me to yesterday. I was having a meeting with someone I knew very little about, superficial stuff. As we waited for another person to check on something, I said. "So, here I was ordering canned sardines to cover me through the winter. Because, you never know."
She paused her look, "Is something going to happen?" I replied, "No. But. Hey. Why do I want to enter a store during the height of flu season when I can't handle a flu shot and I know my auto-immune system is not in peak condition. Hey, I'm in my mid-sixties. Right?"
She then responded in such a way which revealed much about her medically. We had time, we chatted a bit further.
Fast-forward to the other morning, as I'd reading about old chemical agent attacks. Its not about paranoia. Its about awareness. Its about the state of our nation, how people think or their lack in doing so.
The person tge other day in the meeting hadn't even thought about anything remotely in that vein, till I brought it up. I preface it with, "You should always be prepared." We were in a federal building, so I watched my words. I watch my inferences. That's not paranoia. That's tactfulness, as I gently allay fears. Yet, I give awareness to possibilities and the realities as a sign of our times.---Jody-Lynn Reicher
Comments
Post a Comment