Earthquake 8

I'm surprised that somehow we've gotten to number 8 of these posts. Eventually I feel like I should give them a new name, but by this time it's sort of a them, and I suppose it helps all of you to keep track since some days I post twice and some days I only post once. Anyway, that's really beside the point.

Woke up this morning to find another another blast and another fire. The radiation temporarily rose high enough by the reactor that workers withdrew. 50 workers remained to manage the plant. A helicopter was going to pour water into the pools to decrease the temperature, but the radiation level directly above the reactor was high, so the helicopter withdrew. They will try again tomorrow. The fire was brought under control and the pressure and radiation has decreased again so that they can work on it, but we are very thankful to those workers.

Of things that are currently irritating:
1. The decision by Americans on the West Coast to buy iodine tablets because they are afraid of radiation. Kyoto, which is in Japan, is safe. Therefore, you are are a thousand miles away are also safe. Northern Japan needs them. Please donate.
2. The sensationalist journalism that is currently happening abroad. This is only serving to scare people, and is creating mass panic. Stop that newspapers. If we can be calm in the middle of this, then so can the people halfway around the world. Provide news and not rumors please.
3. A bunch of British scientists came over to Japan to try to help. They made it to their embassy to go do some last-minute paperwork and their embassy rejected them, saying it was too dangerous and for them to return home. Anyone who is willing to help should be able to. I understand right now there are shortages of things in northern Japan, and so that does not mean everyone should come and help. However, people such as scientists who can solve the problem should be welcomed, and not prohibited by their own government.

There are shortages in Tokyo and other regions of basic necessities such as bottled water, toilet paper, etc. Although these things are without a doubt needed, I urge you to talk to your local Red Cross of other chapter instead. Donating money which can be directed toward the item most needed at the time is more helpful.

In other news, this has been making the rounds on Twitter. I thought I'd post it here just so people could see.
国民感情一覧w - (A summary of the nation's current sentiments)
東電職員頑張れ (Touden Staff: Do your Best)
枝野は寝ろ (Edano: Get some sleep)
管は起きろ (Kan: Wake up)
自衛隊は食べろ (Japanese Self Defense Forces: Eat/Pass out Food)
フジテレビは自重しろ (Fuji TV: Step back! You're too close)
石原黙ってろ (Ishihara: Be quiet)

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to help. We really do appreciate everything you are doing here. Let's all work hard and solve this matter together.

Michelle

Sources:
http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0316/TKY201103160330.html
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/japan-nuclear-crisis-americans-buy-anti-radiation-pills/story?id=13142674
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12756366