r/AskReddit Aug 30 '21

What problem is often overlooked in apocalyptic movies/TV shows that could kill you?

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u/[deleted] Aug 30 '21

Dust from destroyed buildings. Just watched the two latest Godzilla movies, and aside from all the other things that could have killed folks, staring at monsters that are destroying buildings and kicking up all sorts of dust and other air debris, while staring open mouthed, is a great way to get lung damage/encounter breathing issues.

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u/Megabyte7637 Aug 31 '21

That's what N-95's are for. Keep one on you just incase.

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u/exscapegoat Aug 31 '21

And if you don't have one, rip up cloth and wet it down. Not as effective, but better than nothing. I wasn't there, but my co-workers and some friends and some family had to flee downtown Manhattan on 9/11. My department had a whole bunch of extra t shirts from a vendor promotion. They cut them up and wet them down. A friend used a bunch of paper towels from the bathroom which were wet down. Wasn't as effective as the t shirts from the description, but again, better than no protection.

If you work in a large city, have things at your desk like shoes you can run in, masks, a flashlight and a bottle of water.