Disasters During the Pandemic

From: J Birch Sent: Sunday, May 3, 2020 1:21:34 AM To: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>; Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca <Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca>; dujarric@un.org <dujarric@un.org>; GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca <GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca>; news@skynews.com <news@skynews.com>; tips@GlobalTVBC.com <tips@GlobalTVBC.com>; contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com <contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com>; Secretary@HHS.gov <Secretary@HHS.gov>; Sky.Today <Sky.Today@sky.uk>; david.penberthy@news.com.au <david.penberthy@news.com.au>; dan@jpost.com <dan@jpost.com>; media@gatesfoundation.org <media@gatesfoundation.org>; media@sputniknews.com <media@sputniknews.com>; nytnews@nytimes.com <nytnews@nytimes.com>; jedmiston@nationalpost.com <jedmiston@nationalpost.com>; newsonline@ctv.ca <newsonline@ctv.ca>; correspondence@council.nyc.gov <correspondence@council.nyc.gov>; governor@governor.ca.gov <governor@governor.ca.gov>; dir_enq@cso.gov.hk <dir_enq@cso.gov.hk>; accredit@gov.ru <accredit@gov.ru>; GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com <GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com>; antonio.ferrari@un.org <antonio.ferrari@un.org>; ctvottawa@ctv.ca <ctvottawa@ctv.ca>; servicebc@gov.bc.ca <servicebc@gov.bc.ca>; education@nasa.gov <education@nasa.gov>; matt.eldredge@kolotv.com <matt.eldredge@kolotv.com>; doug.fordco@pc.ola.org <doug.fordco@pc.ola.org>; public-inquiries@hq.nasa.gov <public-inquiries@hq.nasa.gov> Subject: Disasters During The Pandemic (Opinion)

Hey Everyone, I was reading about how Puerto Rico recently suffered an earthquake that left many residents homeless, and it got me thinking of our coordinated responses during this time when we are facing another crisis concurrently. While most of our attention if focused on containing this pathogen we must plan for the oncoming storm season across all parts of the globe. I was therefore thinking that we should devote some resources to planning and coordinating responses, lodging and supplies while our main logistical forces fight the spread of the virus. Perhaps we can utilize our militaries to create clean logistical responses to any possible disasters and bolster nearby bases with supplies and quarantine lodging to help if the need arises. This will help leverage the experience of our militaries in planning and responding to such issues when they arise. The military already has experience in disaster relief and biological containment which will help us respond efficiently to any additional crisis as they unfold. I was also thinking that for flooding we utilize our networks of satellites to chart flow patterns and potential flooding zones in real time to help coordinate shipments and supplies. Perhaps the great people at NASA and our other space agencies can work with our militaries and governments to help track flood paths. Additionally, they can coordinate local and regional actions with the military as our private sector and civilian populations work on medical and economic concerns. The military would have an abundance of protective equipment as well as food and medicines and each base in the region would be the disaster relief centres. They would coordinate evacuations safely with protective equipment and provide food and shelter for them and for the surrounding areas to help rebuild with our emergency response operations. This allows us the logistical capacity to not only plan and organize disaster relief but also allows for local command centres to direct and supply rebuilding efforts in the region. The military would coordinate with military advisors and emergency response initiatives. This will allow us to ensure both quarantine and safety for those affected by yearly disasters during this Pandemic and beyond. Additionally, I was thinking about rebuilding efforts after such a disaster and we should focus our construction moving forwards on sustainability. Buildings with Pandemic infrastructure and countermeasures for earthquakes and floods. I was thinking that some buildings utilize a counterweight system that allows the building to move slightly with the tremors and return to their original configuration. This allows for a more malleable superstructure that bends and not breaks. This ensures that it will reduces the damage to the building or negates it entirely. In addition, for flooding you would want to have a drainage system and surrounding water wall infrastructure to drain water away from the building in a safe manner. The building would also be fire resistant as well as impact resistant and have the building hermetically sealed with redundant power, water and food infrastructure that will allow our cities to weather the test of time even if the unthinkable happens. Utilizing solar power as well as redundant recycling measures you can create a tower that would be defended against biological contamination, flooding, fire, earthquake and scarcity. These new skyscrapers will allow every city to strengthen their responses and help reduce human and economic damages in the face of any situation. Together, we can create a new way to do things that protects not only our way of life but preserves it for our descendants. To create a legacy of sustainability because we endure, and so too should our cities. Stay Safe, Stay Sanitized and Stay Supportive, John Ames Birch @johneames2