Let’s talk about North Korea. Before we begin, I’d just like to say that this article is in no way intended to instill fear into your hearts. Rather, the intent is to help inform, as well as spur your thoughts towards preparedness. That being said, let’s get down to business.
[caption id="attachment_21697" align="alignright" width="300"]
North Korea firing across the sea during a military demonstration on April 25, 2017[/caption]
North Korea continues to make headlines a lot lately for their show of military bravado, missile launches, and threats of nuclear tests. And, with the United States sending over some destroyers and carriers, that certainly adds some more flavor to the situation. But are we on the verge of war? Or is this just a bunch of showmanship, like two peacocks showing their plumage, trying to intimidate the other?
Who really knows. What we
do know, however, is that both parties think the other side is global enemy number one.
“As long as America continues its hostile acts of aggression, we will never stop nuclear missile tests,”
said a North Korean government official.
The United States, on the other hand, “want[s] to bring Kim Jong-un to his senses, not to his knees,”
as reported by the New York Times.
That doesn’t stop the U.S. from
parking a bunch of war ships right next door to North Korea. Still, that doesn’t necessarily mean was is on the doorstep as well.
According to the New York Times article, there’s still quite a bit that doesn’t add up to an imminent war. South Koreans aren’t stockpiling food, and the American Embassy in South Korea hasn’t advised families to leave the country, among other things.
As someone with emergency preparedness constantly on the mind, however, I think the signs of trouble are still there. And, like any impending disaster, the time to prepare is now. Sure, all-out war may not come of this (that would be ideal), but I would certainly hate to be caught unprepared if war did break out. What then?
To answer that, let’s take a flashback to the United States during World War II. Civilians had to deal with
rationing, which included milk, meat, gasoline, firewood and coal, and
even typewriters, just to name a few. While I figure I’ll be okay if my typewriter has to go into hiding, I’ll be less okay if I can’t have my meat, milk, and other staples. Sure, I can get by, but why should I have to? Stocking up while the stocking is good will help see you through any tough times you may face, regardless of war. It doesn’t take a nuclear disaster to disrupt your comfort—natural disasters, job loss, and other unforeseeable events can likewise dislocate your comfort and peace of mind.
It’s hard to say what the future holds. Maybe you’ll need
potassium iodide tablets to counter nuclear fallout. Maybe you’ll just need an extra roll of toilet paper for a different type of emergency. The point is, with the proper preparations, your life can continue without a hiccup. There’s no need to fear when you’re prepared.
Written by Steven M.
