Apocalypse when?
British organisations have been issuing tongue in cheek advice on how
to prepare for the upcoming Mayan-predicted apocalypse on December 21.
With the world edging ever closer to what some believe could be an
end of days catastrophe that will see the planet and its inhabitants
destroyed, British authorities have been issuing tongue in cheek advice
on how to prepare.
The advice comes just two weeks ahead of the day that some believe
will mark the end of world.
According to some interpretations of the ancient Mayan calendar
December 21 will signal the end of a 5,125-year cycle known as the Long
Count - and will bring about the apocalypse.
There have been scattered reports of panic buying of candles and
essentials in China and Russia. There has also been a reported hike in
the sales of survival shelters in America.
An official US government blog was published last week saying it was
"just rumours" and insisting that "the world will not end on December
21, 2012, or any day in 2012".
In France, authorities have even taken steps to prevent access to
Bugarach mountain, which is thought by some to be a sacred place that
will protect them from the end of the world. Reports claimed websites in
the US were selling tickets to access the mountain on the 21st.
In the UK, however, the impending apocalypse is being treated with
dead-pan humour by some organisations.
The AA has advised: "Before heading off, take time to do the basic
checks on your car and allow extra time for your journey. "Local radio
is a good source of traffic and weather updates and for any warnings of
an impending apocalypse. Should the announcer break such solemn news,
try to remain focused on the road ahead and keep your hands on the
wheel."
A London Fire Brigade spokesman issued the following advice: "Fit a
smoke alarm on each level of your home, then at least you might stand a
chance of knowing that the end of the world is nigh ahead of those who
don't."
If you survive the apocalypse you'll be alerted to a fire more
quickly should one ever break out."An RSPCA spokesman offered advice for
animal lovers ahead of apocalypse saying: "Luckily for animals, they do
not have the same fears of the future - or its imminent destruction - as
us humans, so it is unlikely that our pets will be worrying about the
end of the world. "However, should the Mayans prove to be right, our
message would be to spend whatever time you have left with your animals
wisely.
"Take them for a long walk or give them a cuddle. Enjoy every second
you have with them as if it was your last!"Other bodies including
British Transport Police and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed
they were prepared for any event that may occur on December 21. Should
December 21 not produce a cataclysmic event it will join the ranks of
other end of the world panics that proved to be unfounded.The countdown
to the millennium was awash with fears that the Y2K bug would send
computer systems into meltdown with devastating consequences, and last
year American pastor Harold Camping, predicted Armageddon not once but
twice. Both of his predicted dates for the end of the world passed
without incident.
The Independent
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