Let's All Send Out Hope and Good Karma
There are so many people suffering in recent weeks from natural disasters. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and the earthquake in and around Mexico City. It's almost hard to grasp the magnitude of so many lives upended and so much continued suffering.
Please send out good karma and prayers to all these people. If you can, donate money to organizations that are helping those in need.
One story from Mexico City - about an elementary school - broke my heart.
- SPS has undertaken to provide seismic upgrades at every school building in the district. I don't think the ones under BEX IV or BTA IV are complete, given the timelines for those levies.
- SPS does NOT have to bring every building up to current seismic codes; it only has to reinforce buildings. Indeed, it may not even be possible to bring older buildings up to current code.
-The district has every school building do regular drills. The Superintendent also said this last night and that schools vary the drills - for fire, earthquake and active shooter.
My understanding is that the district's true responsibility is to not have building failure in order to protect the occupants. However, glass does shatter, staff can have piled up items that can fall over, some cabinets may not be anchored and could fall over, etc.
My real worry is that schools may have to shelter children for hours, maybe for a day or two, if parents cannot come and get their child. I'm not sure every school is equipped to do that and that then, whatever adults are in the building, they will then have to figure out a game plan.
I urge you to ask your principal and PTA what your school's plan is for AFTER an earthquake.
Raise your hand if you've been in an earthquake. I've been in ones in two states and three countries.
If your children have cell phones, make sure they know an out-of-town number of a relative/friend to call to let you know their status. Local lines will be busy and it's unlikely they will reach you so calling out-of-state is probably the best way to get a message thru.
Have a plan for your own household, starting with a spare pair of shoes and socks and a sweater/jacket UNDER your bed. Why? Because if glass goes flying, you need a way to get out without cutting your feet (and you'll probably be walking around a lot afterwards).
Red Cross
Ready.gov
Please send out good karma and prayers to all these people. If you can, donate money to organizations that are helping those in need.
One story from Mexico City - about an elementary school - broke my heart.
There has been discussion at a couple of Facebook pages about the safety of Seattle Public Schools' buildings. I will get clarification from the district but here is my understanding (based as late as yesterday in remarks the Superintendent made at last night's Board meeting):Such screams of anguish rose above the clamor at the school overnight, markers of loss in the chaotic crowd. Parents climbed trees and playground equipment to get a better vantage of the rescue effort, clinging to the hope that their children would emerge unscathed.Many did, having rushed out before tumbling walls could trap them. Passers-by had also raced to the school immediately after the quake to pluck students from the cavities and openings of the buckled structure.“To see a parent carry their own dead baby is something I will never forget,” said Elena Villaseñor, a volunteer whose own home was badly damaged. She held a sheaf of papers with the names of children on them, written large enough for parents to see them from a distance.
- SPS has undertaken to provide seismic upgrades at every school building in the district. I don't think the ones under BEX IV or BTA IV are complete, given the timelines for those levies.
- SPS does NOT have to bring every building up to current seismic codes; it only has to reinforce buildings. Indeed, it may not even be possible to bring older buildings up to current code.
-The district has every school building do regular drills. The Superintendent also said this last night and that schools vary the drills - for fire, earthquake and active shooter.
My understanding is that the district's true responsibility is to not have building failure in order to protect the occupants. However, glass does shatter, staff can have piled up items that can fall over, some cabinets may not be anchored and could fall over, etc.
My real worry is that schools may have to shelter children for hours, maybe for a day or two, if parents cannot come and get their child. I'm not sure every school is equipped to do that and that then, whatever adults are in the building, they will then have to figure out a game plan.
I urge you to ask your principal and PTA what your school's plan is for AFTER an earthquake.
Raise your hand if you've been in an earthquake. I've been in ones in two states and three countries.
If your children have cell phones, make sure they know an out-of-town number of a relative/friend to call to let you know their status. Local lines will be busy and it's unlikely they will reach you so calling out-of-state is probably the best way to get a message thru.
Have a plan for your own household, starting with a spare pair of shoes and socks and a sweater/jacket UNDER your bed. Why? Because if glass goes flying, you need a way to get out without cutting your feet (and you'll probably be walking around a lot afterwards).
Red Cross
Ready.gov
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