Last week, our phones in the U.S. sounded a long, loud alarm as part of a test of the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and the Emergency Alert System (EAS) by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). While the intention was to ensure that everyone received the necessary information, there were concerns about individuals in abusive relationships who own hidden phones that could be crucial for calling authorities or seeking help.
Fortunately, we hope that those in such unfortunate circumstances were able to turn off their phones before the alarm sounded. However, there were other unintended consequences. In prison, inmates were caught off guard by the alarm, as they might not have access to the latest information about government tests. According to TMZ, two phones were confiscated at Sing Sing prison and two at FCI Coleman Low in Florida.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons declined to provide specific details about its internal security procedures for safety and security reasons, as stated by BlackEnterprise.com.
The Amish community was also affected by the alert. The New York Post reported that some members of various Amish communities faced ostracism and isolation because the alert revealed their possession of modern technology, which goes against their traditional customs and beliefs.
An ex-Amish community member named Eli Yoder shared a TikTok video explaining how some of his Amish friends were shunned after being caught with smartphones. Yoder mentioned that he had helped them obtain the phones and expressed his intention to give them a heads up about future emergency alert tests.
As always, it is crucial to stay informed about such tests and their potential implications.
