As mentioned... the Fukushima 50 are more than just 50 men. There are 180 of them who go in 50 at a time (for an hour or so) to try and get the nuclear reactors a the Fukushima Dai-ichi facility up and ready after the recent earthquake and subsequent tsunami (tidal wave). These men are the low-ranking and middle ranking technicians, operators, soldiers and firefighters who are heroes.
While their identities are still shrouded in mystery, one needs to remember that these men volunteered to go into the facility - knowing that they would be risking their life, but content in knowing that should they succeed, they would be saving not only the lives of their family and friends but thousands and thousands of others in the vicinity from a potential nuclear disaster.
While their identities are still shrouded in mystery, one needs to remember that these men volunteered to go into the facility - knowing that they would be risking their life, but content in knowing that should they succeed, they would be saving not only the lives of their family and friends but thousands and thousands of others in the vicinity from a potential nuclear disaster.
"Please continue to live well. I cannot be home fora while." These words were sent by e-mail to the wife of one of the Fukushima 50.
The Fukushima 180 (though some think it might be as high as 200) are mostly volunteers. At least 70,000 people have been evacuated from the area, with another 140,000told to remain indoors so as not to be affected by the high levels of radiationb that permeate the air.
The daughter of one of the men wrote to a Japanese television station: "They are running out of food... we thinkconditions are really tough. He says he's accepted his fate... muchlike a death sentence."
Manyworkers at Fukushima, however, have to ignore any warnings to leave. Itwas the earthquake that first compromised the plant's reactors lastFriday. While the workers tried to stabilize them, they knew a atsunami was approaching was approaching a scant 30 minutes later.
In the ensuing two weeks, 31 people have died during numerous explosions at the Fukushima plant. This is why I think there were over 200 people doing the dirty work at the plant, but with 31 dead, there no only 180 left - or there about.
"My dad went tothe nuclear plant. I never heard my mother cry so hard. People at theplant are struggling, sacrificing themselves to protect you. Please dadcome back alive," noted a Twitter user @nekkonekonyaa.
A single hour of exposure to radiation at the Fukushima facility has been measure at at least 3 times what a typical nuclear facility worker might be exposed to over an entire career.
She's right. It's a dangerous job. These men are crawling through the dark facility armed with flashlights and wearing oxygen tanks and full body radiation suits that are doing very little to stop the high levels of radiation from seeping into their bodies.
And... just so you know, consequences range from the quick acting radiation sickness to such long-term affects of thyroid cancer or worse.
And, nearly two weeks later, these brave men are still doing their duty... not their job... but their duty to their family and country.
Heroes all. And, I fear, heroes with little chance of coming out unscathed.
Somewhere wishing I had their bravery,
Andrew Joseph
Today's blog title (partial), is by Meat Loaf. I'm guessing Mr. Loaf won't allow any videos of this song, or he simply never did one. ONEHITWONDER.
