A public service video telling New Yorkers how to prepare for a nuclear attack has left citizens concerned, reports The Associated Press.
The video, released this week by the city's emergency management agency, advises citizens to stay indoors and wash off any radioactive dust or ash. It opens on a computer-generated street, devoid of life. Damaged skyscrapers can be seen in the background.
Looking into the camera, a spokesperson says, "So there's been a nuclear attack. Don't ask me how or why. Just know that the big one has hit."
The video left many New Yorkers asking, "Why now?" and wondering whether the city is aware of any concrete threat of a nuclear attack.
Christina Farrell, the city's emergency management deputy commissioner, clarified that the video isn't tied to any specific threats and said it is about raising awareness of something most people haven't given much thought.
"There's no overarching reason why this is the time we sent this out," Farrell told AP on Tuesday. "It's just one tool in the toolbox to be prepared in the 21st century."
She stressed the agency's goal is to empower people regarding a scary subject, and despite the mixed reactions to the video, "people have thanked us that we are approaching this topic."
Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has said he doesn't believe the video is alarmist.
"I'm a big believer in better safe than sorry," he told reporters.