Cory Morgan: Declaring an Emergency Over the Eclipse Is Over the Top

Cory Morgan: Calling a State of Emergency for the Eclipse is Excessive

April 6, 2024 TruthUSA

Commentary

Upon hearing the news that the Niagara Region declared a state of emergency due to the solar eclipse on April 8, the first instinct was to verify if it was a satire. Unfortunately, the reality was undeniable. Not to be outdone, Indiana in the USA also declared a state of emergency for the entire state in anticipation of the eclipse. While Niagara is not alone in this, the situation offers little solace.

States of emergency are typically declared when unforeseen events pose significant danger to citizens, necessitating the local government to expand its powers for the safety of the public.

But was the eclipse an unexpected occurrence? Not at all. Astronomers have been able to predict the exact time, location, and duration of an eclipse for centuries. There has been ample time for local authorities to plan and address any potential risks associated with the eclipse.

So, what are these risks that justify a state of emergency? Is it fear of mass public panic and chaos?

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The idea of an eclipse sparking fear among unprepared citizens due to historical beliefs in a battle between Moon and Sun Gods is now outdated. In fact, people are planning to visit the region to witness the event firsthand. Instead of embracing this tourism opportunity by preparing for increased traffic, the local government is treating the eclipse as a natural disaster. With experience in handling tourism, managing the influx of visitors for the eclipse should be no more challenging than a large music festival.

What about the risk to people’s eyes if they look directly at the eclipse?

Anyone who hasn’t learned by now not to stare at an eclipse with the naked eye is unlikely to be deterred by an emergency declaration. I recall being warned about the dangers of viewing an eclipse without protection back in the 1980s when I was a student. Instead of using this as a learning opportunity, some schools in the region plan to close on that day to avoid potential eye injuries.

Could the three-minute period of darkness lead to chaos and accidents?

The Niagara Region has experienced longer periods of darkness every night for eons. Referred to as night, our infrastructure is equipped to handle darkness with lighting in cars and homes. Surviving a few extra minutes of darkness should not pose a significant threat.

Setting aside sarcasm and jest, the exaggerated response to the eclipse highlights the increasing risk aversion and authoritarianism of governments in the developed world. Declarations of emergency should be reserved for the most severe and unexpected situations, not predictable events like eclipses.

A state of emergency grants authorities the power to suspend civil liberties, restrict travel, order evacuations, mandate business closures, and enhance police authority. Such measures should only be enacted in dire circumstances, as the declaration itself can instill fear and potentially cause the disorder it aims to prevent.

While governments require the capability to declare emergencies, the misuse of this authority is worrying. Forest fires, riots, floods, earthquakes, and other genuine emergencies warrant extraordinary responses and authority for officials to address them. Eclipses do not fall into this category.

Citizens have become overly reliant on the government to eliminate all risks to their safety. However, a risk-free world does not exist, yet governments eagerly expand their authority under the guise of protecting citizens.

The recent use of the Emergencies Act in response to peaceful protests in Ottawa sets a concerning precedent.

Lately, municipalities have been quick to label various issues as emergencies. For instance, Calgary declared a climate emergency, while cities across the country have declared emergencies related to homelessness. While these issues are pressing, they do not qualify as emergencies.

As society becomes desensitized to emergency declarations, a genuine risk emerges. If a real emergency arises, citizens worn out by constant emergency proclamations may ignore it, putting themselves at risk.

When everything is deemed an emergency, nothing truly is. This transition from a comical response to the eclipse to a serious issue underscores the problem of overreacting to situations.

Opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

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