Americans mock Emergency Alert after jump-scare as it goes off two minutes early
Americans have mocked the nationwide emergency alert test as it arrived two minutes earlier than planned and caused many to jump in panic.
Referencing the wild conspiracy theories that everyone was about to turn in to zombies from the alert, others lamented they weren't tuned into one of the walking dead.
One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote: "I’ve heard the emergency alert and I’m greatly disappointed that my zombie making vaccine chip didn’t activate"
Another joked: "I don’t feel any different since the emergency alert test. Anyone a zombie? I still look the same, too. Anyone else? You all zombies? Guessing zombies can’t type?"
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Everyone with a WEA‐enabled mobile will get the message (AFP via Getty Images)The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System sent out messages via the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts to millions of phones across the country. While these types of alerts are frequently used in targeted areas to alert people in the area to thing like tornadoes, today's test was done across the country.
The test started at 2.20 pm Eastern time on Wednesday. Wireless phone customers in the United States whose phones are on got the message saying: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” The incoming message made a noise and the phone should vibrate.
People quickly took to social media to comment on the nationwide event, with many noting it arrived early. One wrote: "They were two minutes early! Both the cat and I jumped."
This was backed up by a number of other X (formerly ) users. One joked: "I got the National Emergency Alert Test at 2:18pm, NOT BETWEEN 2:20pm and 2:50pm as advertised!
"I want my money back!" The alert was automatic for everyone and no money was paid by anyone taking part.
Others noted how the alert alarmed them. One X user wrote: "The emergency alert test about caused me to crash." Another wrote: "My heart just fell to my ass from that Emergency National Alert."
Not shy of using capital letters, another wrote: "DID ANYONE ELSE JUST GET JUMPSCARED BY THE EMERGENCY ALERT"
Many were left baffled after not getting the much anticipated message. The FCC explained why some might not have received: "To receive a WEA message, your handset must be WEA-capable, switched on, not on "airplane mode," and in the vicinity of and receiving service from a cell tower of a wireless carrier that participates in WEA.
"Some participating carriers may offer WEA on some, but not all, of their mobile devices. Consumers should check with their wireless carriers to find out if their cell phone is WEA-capable."
Federal law requires the systems be tested at least once every three years. The last nationwide test was Aug. 11, 2021.
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The test has spurred falsehoods on social media that it’s part of a plot to send a signal to cellphones nationwide to activate nanoparticles such as graphene oxide that have been introduced into people’s bodies. Experts and FEMA officials have dismissed those claims, but some social media users said they would shut off their cellphones Wednesday.
The test has also sparked discussion about how it could affect people in abusive situations. Some people in abusive situations have secret cellphones — usually with notifications muted — hidden from their abuser that allow them to keep contact with the outside world. Organisations that work with survivors of abuse are recommending they turn off their phones entirely during the 30-minute-long test Wednesday so as to not have the blaring noise give away to their abuser the fact that they have a secret phone.
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