Around the world Quote by Sheri Fink
““The scenario was familiar to students of mass disasters around the world. Systems always failed. The official response was always unconscionably slow. Coordination and communication were particularly bad. These were truths Americans had come to accept about other people’s disasters. It was shocking to see the scenario play out at home.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The New York Times Magazine, “The Worst Disaster in America,” 2010
Disasters abroad reveal systemic failures that become shocking when they happen domestically, highlighting complacency.
In simple terms: People accept disaster failures elsewhere until it hits home.
Key Takeaway
Prepare for local emergencies, not just distant ones.
Themes
disaster response
systemic failure
complacency
communication
Mood
urgent
concerned
Type
analytical
critical
When to use this quote
- community planning
- government training
- media reporting
Key Concepts
public health
policy
emergency management
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do societies accept slow responses?
- How can local systems improve coordination?
A Different Perspective
The quote may generalize all disasters as uniformly slow.
