Nuclear attack survival ad alarms New Yorkers

New York City’s emergency management office defended its decision to produce a public service announcement advising residents how to survive a nuclear attack after some questioned the advisory’s timing.

The goal of the campaign is to inform the public on ways to stay safe if nuclear weapons were pointed in New York’s direction, a department spokesperson told Reuters.

“There is no direct threat to the city but we felt it was important that we addressed this topic,” said Allison Pennisi, head of public information for NYC Emergency Management.

Released online on Monday, the 90-second video lays out three steps New Yorkers should follow if “the big one has hit”, though officials say the likelihood of an attack is “very low”.

It says people should seek shelter inside a building away from windows, stay inside to reduce exposure to radioactive dust, and follow media for official updates.

The random-seeming timing of the video caught New Yorkers by surprise, prompting a slew of viral social media posts ranging from spoofs of the announcement to suggestions that political conspiracies are afoot.