Many of you may not have even heard about the dangerous smog that is currently smothering parts of Russia. This smog is a result of what could be the worst heat wave to hit Russia in over 1000 years. The smog is coming directly from many of the dangerous wildfires that have broken out due to the extreme heat and dryness. When the average temperature is close to 75` and the current temperature has hovered around 100, it is easy to see why this is happening. To add insult to injury, many of the apartments and houses that are found around Moscow and the surrounding cities do not have air conditioner units to help ease the pain. According to recent reports at Fox News, there have been close to 700 deaths a day from this dangerous smog. Additionally, there does not appear to be an end in site, as the heat is expected to continue well into this week.
I have been to Moscow several times and realize just how dangerous this can be to this city. The city is overpopulated to begin with, and the living conditions are not the best. Traffic may be the worst I have ever seen, and people could literally be stuck in traffic for many hours at at time. Add this smog to the equation, and it is a recipe for disaster.
When I first heard this story, I thought to myself, what would we do or say if something like this happened here in the US. My first thought was that we would sensationalize it with TV coverage, then there would be an outpouring of support for those impacted. Finally, we would start to lay blame. Well, in Russia, nothing is different. They are getting some help, but no where near enough to help help those who need it the most. Instead, the media and the bloggers in the blogosphere are starting to play the blame game and actually blame politicians for the natural disaster. Wow, that sounds eerily familiar to how we handle things here. Just think, first Bush caused Katrina and now Putin is causing smog!
Since this is not getting much coverage here, I thought I would share a few pictures of what these people are dealing with.
St Basils Cathedral. This is usually full of color!
2 comments:
Putin should be ashamed of himself.
"According to recent reports at Fox News, there have been close to 700 deaths a day from this dangerous smog."
..not to make light of this situation, but this total pales in comparison to the annual August "flight of the frogs" wherein thousands of French the heat of Paris on their annual month-long vacation, leaving the old and infirm to perish unattended.
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