"Given the limits of steel and concrete to resist the forces of nature, much depends on people’s own preparedness to face up to disaster -- but that mental infrastructure is in even poorer shape than the nation’s roads and bridges."
— Schwartz, John
Author
Work Title
Date
March 11, 2011
Metaphor
"Given the limits of steel and concrete to resist the forces of nature, much depends on people’s own preparedness to face up to disaster -- but that mental infrastructure is in even poorer shape than the nation’s roads and bridges."
Metaphor in Context
Given the limits of steel and concrete to resist the forces of nature, much depends on people’s own preparedness to face up to disaster -- but that mental infrastructure is in even poorer shape than the nation’s roads and bridges. People in the Midwest might have storm cellars to shield them from tornadoes, and those in coastal cities like New Orleans might keep a hatchet in the attic in case they have to chop their way onto their roof after a hurricane. But in most of the country, simple plans that include having a quick-grab case of supplies, medications and important family papers, as well as a plan for reuniting family members who have been separated in a disaster, are distressingly rare, Dr. Redlener said.
Provenance
Reading
Citation
John Schwartz, "The Best-Laid Plans," The New York Times, Week in Review (March 11, 2011). <Link to NYTimes.com>
Date of Entry
03/12/2011
