From Chinese Press

Fight fear, prepare for the worst

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-03-18 09:20

Conquering fear is the best way of coping with natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, and untoward incidents like explosions in nuclear power plants, says an article in Huaxi Metropolis Daily. Excerpts:

The 9-magnitude earthquake and the tsunami it caused have ruined many Japanese coastal cities and towns. But the greater fear now is the threat of nuclear radiation from the damaged nuclear power plants in Fukushima.

Since the radiation detected in around Japanese towns and cities have not yet reached levels that could threaten human lives, people should maintain calm and closely monitor the still unfolding situation.

It is especially important that the Japanese government releases correct information on what has been happening in the four nuclear plants in Fukushima and the state of the other such plants in the country, and take emergency measures to mobilize officials and workers to help control the situation and evacuate people from vulnerable areas.

Fear and fear-triggered rumors can spread panic among people and cause a different type of disaster. Such a situation developed in China when the government was battling to control the spread of SARS in 2003.

But the release of information on time helped calm people's nerves and the disease was ultimately controlled.

Let us remember what former US president Franklin D. Roosevelt said: The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

But apart from steeling ourselves and praying for our Japanese neighbors, we Chinese should also establish a mechanism to deal with nuclear emergencies.

(China Daily 03/18/2011 page9)