Experts are concerned about whether or not Putin will use nuclear force to achieve his goals.
Residents would only have 30 minutes to shelter if a nuclear bomb were to hit the US.
It is possible to save your life by showering or staying indoors.
Fears are growing that Russian President Vladimir Putin could resort to nuclear force as Russian forces take losses on the battlefield. The risk of a nuclear war has been warned by the US leadership.
Putin accused the West of "nuclear blackmail" and said he would use "all available means" to defend Russia. His willingness to escalate is not a bluff, he has said.
The possibility of an all out nuclear war was raised by President Joe Biden on October 6. He said in a CNN interview that he didn't think it would happen, but that it could end in Armageddon.
Some experts think that Putin's rhetoric is an attempt to scare away Western support for Ukraine, while others think that it increases the risk of a nuclear attack. This moment is more threatening than the Cuban missile crisis, said one historian.
Experts say that a nuclear attack is still a possibility.
Russia has a nuclear arsenal that can be used to strike anywhere on the planet. If Russia launched a intercontinental missile at the US, residents would have 30 minutes to find a shelter. Delivery times for some weapons could be shorter. If Russia launched a weapon from international waters just off the East Coast, people in cities like New York, Boston, and Washington, DC, would have a short time to prepare.
"You wouldn't have time to get your kids out of school," said Redlener, who is a public-health expert at Columbia University.
There is a critical window after a nuclear blast. After an explosion the potential for radiation exposure decreases by half an hour.
The risk of death or serious injury can be mitigated by covering your eyes or hunkering down in an indoor shelter. In a worst case scenario, here's how to protect yourself.
Redlener said that the US doesn't have enough warning for nuclear threats.
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency made a mistake in sending out a push alert for a missile threat.
You should seek immediate shelter. The warning said this wasn't a drill. The alert was sent by mistake.
Some people went into panic mode and were jumping down sewer drain with their kids.
The best way to learn of a nuclear attack would be to watch TV or listen to radio, according to Redlener. He said that people without immediate access to news reports could hear sirens. He said that by the time you called the police, your time was up.
If you want to avoid your eyes, the best course of action is to do nothing. A giant orange fireball is created when a nuclear bomb is set off. On a clear day, a 1-megaton bomb can temporarily blind people up to 13 miles away and up to 53 miles away on a clear night.
Dropping to the ground with your face down and putting your hands under your body is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You should cover your nose and mouth if you have a scarf.
Keep your mouth open so your ears don't get injured.
A single nuclear weapon could cause a lot of deaths in a big city like New York or Washington. The number of casualties depends on a number of factors.
Nuclear attack survivors would have 15 minutes before radioactive particles reach the ground. Radiation poisoning can be caused by exposure to fallout and can be fatal.
Shelter should be found in the opposite direction of the fallen buildings.
"Get as far away from the wind as you can in the next 10 to 15 minutes, and then immediately seek shelter," Redlener said.
Schools and offices with little to no windows are the best shelters. It's better to be indoors if there aren't strong buildings nearby.
If you are in a multistory building, you should avoid the top and bottom floors. Stand in the center of the room. Up to 10 miles away from an explosion, shock waves can shatter windows and cause flying glass that can hurt people nearby.
The hours after a blast are crucial.
There are certain dose levels that you can't do anything about and doctors can often treat radiation damage with substances.
In a disaster, there may not be enough doctors or hospital beds.
According to Tara Drozdenko, the director of the Union of Concerned Scientists' Global Security Program, there are not enough burn beds in the US to deal with a single nuclear attack.
People who were outside during the explosion should shower immediately and make sure the water is warm. It's a good idea to scrub too hard because it will break your skin. You should rinse off any wounds.
If you've been exposed to a nuclear blast, don't use conditioner, body lotion, or face cream because they can bind to radioactive particles and cause skin and hair damage.
If debris gets stuck in these places, blow your nose and wipe your eyes. It is recommended by the CDC that outer layers of clothing be sealed in a plastic bag along with any tissues or cloths used to wipe your face or body.
The CDC says it is safe to eat food from sealed containers. If you wipe off containers, cookware, countertops, and utensils, you can eat items from your pantry or refrigerator. Fruits and vegetables from a garden are not safe to eat.
Unless you're told to go outside, it's best to remain indoors. Staying indoors for at least 24 hours after a nuclear explosion is recommended by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
The story was originally published in March of 2022.
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