Argumentative Essay On Duck And Cover

Duck and Cover
In the early 1940’s America developed the atomic bomb. Soon after, in the late 1940’s the Soviet Union developed their own atomic bomb. This discovery stuck fear into the government and citizens of the United States. The government knew that they had to prepare safety measures in the event that an atomic bomb were to hit us. They thought the dangers and effects of the atomic bomb were minor threats. There were only three worries the government had if an atomic bomb were to hit the United States, heat, blast, and radiation. Radiation being the least of their worries because, at the time, the government thought that radiation could only harm you if it found a way into your body. For example, through your mouth, your nose, a cut

or an open wound, but if you kept those areas covered you would be safe from the radiation. They believed that the heat and the blast were the worst effects of the bomb, but if you ducked and covered you would be fine. The two pictures attached were from “Duck and Cover” which is an informational video made by the Federal Civil Defense Administration in the early 1950’s to assure people of their safety. If an atomic bomb were to go off students were instructed to hide under their desk with their head in their lap and their hands covering the back of their neck (see figure 1).To spike children’s interest they created Bert the Turtle. He helped explain to children how to find a safe shelter and “duck and cover” (see figure 2). This video portrays the safety actions in the case of an atomic bomb the same way you would prepare for an earthquake.
The government does not see an atomic bomb anymore dangerous than an earthquake.

For an earthquake you would duck and cover by trying to get near or under anything stable and place your hands across the back of your neck to protect it from debris and or falling objects. Likewise, for an atomic bomb they tell you to duck and cover by trying to get near or under anything stable and place your hands across the back of your neck to protect it from debris or falling objects. Also, like in earthquake procedures, the government recommends that if possible stay away from windows, anything breakable, and anything that could fall on you. The video shows the actions to take if there were an atomic bomb in the point of view of citizens. It shows students in a classroom preparing for an atomic blast by jumping under desks onto the floor with their hands over their head. The video also shows what to do if you are not in a classroom or at home. For example, a kid on his bike or kids playing outside will stop and drop anything they are doing when they hear the siren and duck and cover if a building is not near by. It even shows a man on a tractor jumping off off to protect himself from the atomic blast. The video tells anyone on the streets to to look for a sign with an “s” on it for a public in case of an atomic bomb. It also shows that if you are in the middle of a field having a picnic and an atomic blast were to happen that you should duck and cover under anything, even a sheet, and you

will be safe. The government feels that the atomic bomb is serious but withstand-able with simple safety procedures. Something as simple as ducking and covering could save your life from an atomic blast.
The video is promoting awareness of atomic bombs and safety procedures necessary if one were to hit us.

To help promote this to everyone they created a cartoon character named Bert the Turtle to inspire children to listen and learn about the atomic bomb and the proper safety measures to be taken if attacked. They encourage asking questions if confused on what to do. The video shows a little girl in class asking how will you know if there is going to be an atomic blast. The teacher explains how sometimes there will be a warning siren or no warning at all so you have to be prepared at all times. Then it shows a person out on the street asking an adult where to go if an atomic bomb hits. The video tells its viewers to always ask an adult or elder what to do if you are confused because they are always willing to help. The government wants viewers of this video to feel like they are safe and out of harms way if an atomic blast were to happen.
The government fails to mention anything about the dangers of radiation caused by an atomic bomb. This is because the government sees more danger in the heat and blast of an atomic bomb than it does the radiation. The heat can cause a burn similar to a severe sunburn. The blast can cause damage to buildings and anything not properly protected. The radiation has not shown affects yet because when they tested the bomb recently they have not had time to see any longterm

effects.
This video portrays the safety actions in the case of an atomic bomb the same way you would prepare for an earthquake. In the video they tell you to duck and cover by getting underneath something if possible, protect your head and neck and to lay facing away from windows which is exactly what you are suppose to do in the case of an earthquake. The video shows what actions to take from the point of view of a citizen. The government feels that with simple safety precautions an atomic bomb is not that dangerous. The video used Bert the Turtle to help teach children what to do in the case of an atomic bomb. They also encourage kids to ask questions if they have any confusion over what to do. The government fails to mention that the radiation from an atomic bomb is very dangerous because they do not know that it is yet. Overall, if an atomic bomb were to hit us, the government does not see it anymore dangerous than an earthquake.