Prepping for 72 hours of relative tranquility

05.08.2025 - EB

In seeming response to the old joke about the difference between democracy and anarchy - three days without electricity - the interior ministry published a pamphlet yesterday on how to "overcome" the first 72 hours of a flood, tornado, fire or other emergency. It's useful for reminding people in this age of instant everything to keep some stocks of food, water and cash, but it comes with a huge disclaimer: "The 72-hour rule only applies to situations where we are not in immediate danger." It apparently intentionally doesn't mention invasion, war or the future arrival of Ukrainian war veterans with mental problems that the Czech intelligence services have been warning about. Nor does it talk about how long security alarms work without electricity and when the looting begins. It's basically another way for Interior Min. Vít Rakušan of STAN to get his regular media partners, Czech TV and Czech Radio, to promote "crisis light" before the elections to make him seem relevant, but not too relevant.

Glossary of difficult words


to prep - to prepare; to prepare oneself for an event;

tranquility - the quality or state of being free from disturbance; calm;

seeming - appearing to be real or true, but not necessarily being so; apparent;

to overcome - to succeed in dealing with (a problem or difficulty);

disclaimer - a statement that denies something, esp. responsibility;

to loot - to steal goods from (a place), typically during a war or riot.



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