A Close Shave With Nature: 6.1 Earthquake Rattles Southland

After six years in California, I am well aware that one should avoid using the telephone unnecessarily in terms of emergencies. However, coverage of the earthquake by the broadcast media was so dramatically distorted that I felt compelled to call those around the country who would be concerned for my welfare before they tuned into the evening news.

If the commentators had simply emphasized that in most parts of Los Angeles it was business as usual, I would not have felt it necessary to tie up a phone line for a couple of hours. I would hope that they will describe the situation more realistically next time, without giving the impression that we’re all buried in rubble!

ANNE ADAMS

Woodland Hills