That's a pretty useful suggestion and also damn scary...

What's it like in Melbourne at the moment? Civil unrest, swin flu? Is there anything you can point to that might be going on to cause this?

Scary times.

"Items people should consider putting in their Go Bag include a small radio, torch, soup, basic first aid, any personal medicine, bottle of water, muesli bar, pack of batteries, jellybeans and tissues, the council said."



..."can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder?
you better run, you better take cover."

If the mayor of my city was telling citizens to have a BOB ready just in case i'd be pretty sure something big was about to happen.

I have a question for anybody that knows. Why jellybeans ?

Originally posted by chise61
If the mayor of my city was telling citizens to have a BOB ready just in case i'd be pretty sure something big was about to happen.

I have a question for anybody that knows. Why jellybeans ?

I was going to ask that same question. In my mind I came up with an answer that makes sense in a way...sort of.

Take It From Me!

There's nothing going on in Melbourne at all! I'm in there everyday and all I see are a combination of busy and carefree people just going about their day in a normal, everyday fashion. The crowds on the streets have not depleted in any way and I've only seen one Asian student wearing a mask... but you see that kind of thing all the time.

Anyone suggesting anything else is sensationalizing!

IRM

Just rang a friend in Footscray and she said that she has no idea what this could be about. She did mention the recent flashpoint of tension regarding the Indian students but that has now died down.

Even regarding Swine Flu, she said that it's no more a big deal than regular flu that often gets media attention during the Winter months.

She did say though how strange it was and that she'd do some checking around to find out more info for me.

Originally posted by CINY8
"Items people should consider putting in their Go Bag include a small radio, torch, soup, basic first aid, any personal medicine, bottle of water, muesli bar, pack of batteries, jellybeans and tissues, the council said."



..."can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder?
you better run, you better take cover."

Radio and a torch? Why not a flashlight? What about a tinderbox and some iron rations too? We can all meet at the inn and go check out the ruins and slay the dragon lol.

Anyways seriously why a torch? If so then yo uneed matches i assume too.

This is no big deal and frankly Im surprised that its made the news.

The notion of a GO bag was first brought out a couple years ago in the wake of 911, so I dont know why they are bringing mention of it up again.

Anyway, yes, melbourne is a very multicultural city, and those that say there arent any racial tensions are walking around with blinds over their eyes.

There has been racial tension here for years, especially with certain ethnic groups not assimilating, living and overtaking certain suburbs as their own, and trying to make this place like the himeland that they left.

The only thing that hasnt happened here yet is the spark needed to start massive racial riots.

Melbournians are smart and wary, we're not that crazy to fire up over trivial matters, it would take something big to get us going.

anyway, to those that ask where would we go incase of something? Thise that have somewhere to go or know where to go wouldnt tell for their safe spot would get crowded.

You should always analyse your environment for a just in case scenario.

Where would I go to withdraw money as soon as possible before it runs out, where would I get food from before it runs out, where would I run for safety if under attack....and thats just for the city folk.

melbourne is full of basements/bunkers/ old military bunkers under the city.......even the storm water drains under the city have huge crevaces within them that could shelter small groups of people safely.....

you have to look for these places yourself, others wont tell you about them.

I don't get this. Where are they going to "go"? Everyone has pigmanbird flu you are ordered to leave the city now! And uh.. go to the other city and either catch it or spread it there,,, yeah... cool!

Politicians have slowly been saying this around the world for a while.
They get given these things by their public relations people, who pick it up from the internet from looking for what is popular.
It gives them attention and exposure to concerns that are popular.
One of them in Sydney was saying it not to long ago.
They are just promoting themselves to look like they care.

Originally posted by fizzy1

Radio and a torch? Why not a flashlight? What about a tinderbox and some iron rations too? We can all meet at the inn and go check out the ruins and slay the dragon lol.

Funny stuff but *head vs. desk* because you were serious(esque)

In regards to tissue, they may be meaning toilet tissue rather then the facial variety.

I loved Melbourne when I backpacked Australia, I wish I could say the same for some of the other big cities I roamed.