Mobile Emergency Alert System

[Snippysnips]

I'll turn it off, couldn't care less about it

I wouldn't mind if it was going to be genuine emergency's but I have a feeling I'll be bombarded with "flood warnings" an "wind warnings" which obviously that's always a risk, am in Scotland, it's a typical winter, I don't need a ton of warnings telling me to be careful for ice risks or whatever else

I get that other country's have it but there's a huge difference between a tsunami/earthquake/tornado warning than a warning for snow which we get told about on plenty weather channels

 

[Yel]

Oh no, everyone's going to drop their roast dinner

---

It’s baffling the amount of people getting their knickers in a twist about an alert.
Other countries use it, there is a justification for it yet our country seem to make a big song and dance and it’s portrayed by people as a negative.
If it helps in disasters etc then surely it’s a good thing?

It's bizarre how people are already decided that'll be awful, if it really does turn out to be a nuisance you can turn it off in seconds. They only use it in threats to life in other countries, so that'll probably be the same and barely used in the uk. It's not going to be used every time there's some wind!

 

[JuneJuneHannah]

I have it off. Husband still has it on so at least it won't be multiple phones going off. I'll see what it's all about before i turn it back on but I am also in Scotland and really not interested in getting one for wind warnings or snow as I always know the weather.

 

[Tangent Tiger]

I'm slightly curious about it so will be listening with interest!

It's only the test run so if it turns out to be too many alerts about strong winds or whatever I'll disable it. Obviously I can hear already if it's windy.

 

[iLoveMeSomeCanoles]

There's a poll on Mail+ about this so I did it for fun - over half of people were saying no, they didn't think these alerts should be a thing. I personally am not that bothered and am interested to see what actually happens. I'll probably be asleep so it'll wake me up!

Although I do get why it might be a problem for people in DV situations etc who have a secret phone. I hope those in that situation are able to disable it.

 

[Ensay]

A few people in my local Nextdoor group were having a good old whinge about the alert the other day. They were saying they'd switched theirs off and that everyone should do the same because it's like Big Brother and how dare they take over our devices, etc.

I didn't bother engaging with them, as they seemed so set in their ways, but I really can't understand the fuss. They've given plenty of notice about the day and time it's going to go off and - as others have said - they're put to good use in lots of other countries. Some people just fear anything new I suppose.

 

[Welshgal]

Don’t people realize that if it were like big brother there wouldn’t be an option to turn it off?!

 

[dot bold dot dot]

I do wonder why we never had anything like it sooner as I have been hearing about how many other places already have it in place - we seem to be quite ahead on things so i am surprised we are playing catch up with this to be honest!

It initially scared me a little because it makes it feel like there is something huge impending (the world is going to tit, yes) but realistically if someone has been abducted or there is a murderer on the loose or there is some really severe weather where people are best to evacuate or prepare etc then i guess it will be useful ... but I am trying to stay calm that it isn't going to be 'nuke on the way' type of thing.

Big brother wise - It is hard to get away from being tracked both on and offline anyway but in all honesty, I am not even that interesting to follow and I doubt most of us are .....

As long as they don't go down the influencer link and start posting affiliate links to us with stuff to buy then i guess i will see how it goes

 

[Tangent Tiger]

I like the idea of being connected to people all over the country when a lot of us have the test alert happen on the 23rd!

Weather reports I couldn't care less about but it was something locally like a child had gone missing or someone harmed in the area anything I'd noticed would be much fresher in my mind than a week later.

 

[Yel]

I love it how places like GB news and Talk tv who are so outraged about this "ear piercing sound" that they act will kill people out of shock is being tested at a well publicised time they are playing said sound unannounced several times a day

It sounds like the horn on the Duplo train set.

So ridiculous that people reach and reach for beyond unrealisitc situations where it may not be ideal to moan

 

[Ensay]

I love it how places like GB news and Talk tv who are so outraged about this "ear piercing sound" that they act will kill people out of shock is being tested at a well publicised time are playing said sound unannounced several times a day

It sounds like the horn on the Duplo train set.

So ridiculous that people reach and reach for beyond unrealisitc situations where it may not be ideal to moan

GBeebies and TalkTV are similar to the Daily Mail. They pretend to care about things that they know will get their audiences riled up.

How do people cope with any noise at all, if an alert scares them to death? Better not set a morning alarm, it might kill you.

 

[Yel]

I expect the right wing media will be on about a road death or something caused by the alert.

Unless the victim is a cycling vegetarian in which case they'll say it was definitely caused by deficiencies and dangerous cycling.

 

[Amyx1518]

I’ve left it on cos I’m intrigued to see what happens lol

me too! haha

 

[Cheddar Chalpupa]

Is it weird that I kind of want to go somewhere really public to hear them all going off?

 

[JuneJuneHannah]

Is it weird that I kind of want to go somewhere really public to hear them all going off?

To be fair it is one of the only times you will know it is happening so could be interesting to watch.

 

[dot bold dot dot]

Is it weird that I kind of want to go somewhere really public to hear them all going off?

I feel like it would be such a surreal moment!

 

[Sea]

Is it weird that I kind of want to go somewhere really public to hear them all going off?

Had this a few years ago abroad. All us Brits looked at each other in a panic that it was a mass hacking! Then went back into the sea for a swim.

(Have turned my off, have no interest in it).

 

[Lonette]

It's not something I feel I need in my life as I've got enough anxiety anyway with the mental health problems I have on an average, normal day so I've personally disabled this.

I feel like if something serious enough is happening I'll hear about it anyway.

People judging and mocking anyone who uses it are dickheads though. It's surely up to the individual? Can never understand how so many are seemingly overinvested in what total strangers choose to do when it comes to managing their lives!

 

[sega1985]

I don’t get the fuss other countries have it. We were in Florida last year getting them due to a tropical storm.
My mum got sent a ‘forward’ message today about how they’re dialing up the 5g so high to send it that it’ll affect your brain the message encouraged people to go to the woods where the trees will protect them and to trust them as they have it on good authority. It was brilliant .

Luckily my mum isn’t stupid.

I think it’ll be useful if I’m in London for the day and something happened that it might be used for. I’ll probably keep it on as I don’t expect it to be used much.

 

[Cheapseats]

I really dont like loud noise. I panic if the fire alarms go off when I'm cooking.

I looked at the instructions for turning it off but maybe my phone is too old cos I didnt see the alerts mentioned in my settings. So I will turn my phone completely off at 5 to 3 and back on afterwards.

Husband is leaving his on. So one phone going off is enough