It’s been anticipated for years. Countless people have been storing water and emergency kits in spite of it. There have been widespread rumors of when and what time it will happen and where it will hit the hardest. Hopefully you all can assume what I’m speaking of: The infamous Southern California earthquake that will destroy California’s southland and affect thousands of lives. And now, several news outlets — such as the Los Angeles Times — are reporting on the earthquake’s possible effect on our economy, as if it weren’t ill fated enough.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released a study Tuesday predicting that about 430,000 businesses and 4.5 million employees would be affected by the earthquake in the hardest-hit zones: a seven-county region that produces $206.5 billion in annual wages, according to the LA Times.
The bottom line is the earthquake will affect everyone, employee or not. There are two different ways to look at the disaster. First, there’s the pessimistic way, in which we would simply assume that all will be ruined after the quake hits, so what’s the point of preparation? Then there’s the optimistic way to look at it where any preparation to ease the quake’s obstruction — even just a tiny bit — is deemed worthy of our time and money.
One thing people don’t do enough is value everything around us, like our jobs, our family, our kids, our schools and so on. The earthquake might destruct everything, but don’t we value and appreciate the facilities intact today enough to want to protect them? Well, we should.
As stated in the LA Times, “[Bureau of Labor Statistics Regional Commissioner Richard Holden] said the findings show the need for businesses to focus not only on updating buildings to meet seismic safety codes, but on planning for worst-case scenarios. What’s the backup plan, for example, if supply chains have been cut, roads blocked and electricity and water systems disrupted?”
Along with personal preparation, we should prepare our buildings as well, even if it is unsuccessful, it’s never terrible to shoot for the best.
Sonia Guillen is a senior journalism major and opinions editor for the Daily 49er.
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