Burning Man Ravers Begin Exodus After Flooding Left Tens Of Thousands Stranded In Nevada Desert

Published

1 year ago

2023-09-05

(AP) — BLACK ROCK DESERT, Nev. Muddy roadways inundated by a summer storm that stranded tens of thousands of Burning Man counterculture festival attendees for days had dried up enough by Monday afternoon to let them begin their evacuation from the northern Nevada desert.

Event organizers claimed they began allowing traffic to exit the main road around 2 p.m. local time, although continuing to urge attendees to delay their departure to assist in easing traffic on Monday. Organizers projected a five-hour wait period approximately two hours after the mass departure began.

Organizers also requested that guests refrain from walking out of the Black Rock Desert, located approximately 110 miles (177 kilometers) north of Reno, as others had done throughout the weekend, including star DJ Diplo and comedian Chris Rock. They didn’t say why.

After more than a half-inch (1.3 centimeters) of rain poured Friday, triggering flooding and foot-deep mud, the festival was closed to automobiles.

The road closures occurred just as the first two ceremonial flames signaled that the festival’s finale would commence Saturday night. Normally, the celebration concludes with the burning of a big wooden effigy shaped like a man and a wood temple structure during the final two nights, but the burns were postponed as authorities sought to reopen escape routes before the conclusion of Labour Day weekend.

Weather allowing, “the Man” will be burned at 9 p.m. Monday, while the temple will be burned at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

According to the National Weather Service in Reno, the festival location should remain generally clear and dry on Monday, with some light rain showers possible into Tuesday morning. The event started on August 27 and was supposed to end on Monday morning, with attendees packing and tidying up after themselves.

“We’re a little muddy and dirty, but spirits are high.” “The party is still going on,” said Scott London, a photographer from Southern California, adding that the travel restrictions provided “a view of Burning Man that a lot of us don’t get to see.”

The yearly event, which began on a San Francisco beach in 1986, draws roughly 80,000 artists, musicians, and activists for a weekend of wilderness camping and avant-garde performances. Disruptions have occurred: dust storms forced organizers to briefly close festival doors in 2018, and the event was canceled twice during the pandemic.

At least one death has been reported, but organizers said the weather did not cause the death of a man in his 40s. The sheriff of neighboring Pershing County said he was investigating but had not recognized the guy or determined the cause of death.

President Joe Biden told reporters in Delaware on Sunday that the White House was in contact with local authorities and was aware of the situation at Burning Man, including the death.

On the best of days, the event is distant and emphasizes self-sufficiency. Amid the flooding, revelers were instructed to save food and water, and the majority remained hunkered down at the venue.

On the other hand, some guests could walk several miles to the next town or hitch a ride there.

On Saturday evening, Diplo, real name Thomas Wesley Pentz, shared a video to Instagram of him and Rock riding in the back of a fan’s pickup truck. He claimed they had walked six miles through the mud before hopping in the car.

“I legit walked the side of the road for hours with my thumb out,” Diplo explained.

According to Bishop, Cindy Bishop and three friends could drive their leased RV out of the event early Monday because the main road was not monitored.

She said they were relieved to get out after driving towards the exit — and being stopped multiple times — for two days.

Bishop, who traveled from Boston for her second Burning Man, said the festival’s spirits were still strong when they departed. Most of those she spoke with claimed they intended to stay for the ceremonial fires.

“The spirit in there,” she explained, “was really like, ‘We’re going to take care of each other and make the best of it.'”

Rebecca Barger, a photographer from Philadelphia, arrived at her first Burning Man on August 26 to stay until the end.

“Everyone has just adapted, sharing RVs for sleeping, offering food and coffee,” added Barger. “I danced for hours in foot-deep clay to incredible DJs.”

SOURCE – (AP)

Health

Canada Records its First Case on Monkeypox

Published

18 hours ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

The individual sought medical care for mpox (monkeypox) symptoms.

Canada’s Department of Public Health confirmed on Friday that the country’s first mpox (monkeypox) incidence occurred in Manitoba.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, this travel-related case is tied to a continuing mpox outbreak in central and eastern Africa.

“The individual sought medical care in Canada for mpox symptoms shortly after their return and is currently isolating,” the agency stated.

The Public Health Agency of Canada works closely with Manitoba’s public health authorities. The National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) informed the province on November 22 that the sample tested positive for mpox (monkeypox),” the agency stated.

The World Health Organization stated earlier in the day that the mpox outbreak remains a public health emergency.

In August, the WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following the spread of a new version of the virus, known as Mpox clade Ib, from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighboring nations.

MPox is a viral illness that spreads by close contact and causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled sores. It is typically moderate, but it can be fatal.

The Public Health Agency of Canada said that while the danger to Canada’s general population is low, it constantly monitors the situation. It further stated that a public health investigation, including contact tracing, is underway.

FDA Approves Expanded Use of ACAM2000 for Monkeypox Prevention

FDA Approves Expanded Use of ACAM2000 for Monkeypox Prevention

News

Trudeau Rocks to Taylor Swift While Montreal Burns

Published

2 days ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under fire yet again after a video surfaced on X, showing him dancing at a Taylor Swift performance while anti-Nato protestors ransacked downtown Montreal.

Trudeau attended Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto on Friday night. Before Taylor Swift approached the stage, X shared a viral video of him dancing and singing along to the song “You Don’t Own Me.”

The image of Trudeau dancing amid violent protests in Montreal generated widespread indignation online. Some social media users even compared Trudeau to the ancient Roman dictator Nero, known for “fiddling while Rome burned.”

Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.

Lawless protestors run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest.

The Prime Minister dances.

This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.

Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved. pic.twitter.com/PVJvR6gtmf

— Don Stewart (@donstewartmp) November 23, 2024

“Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances,” Stewart wrote. “This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.”

“Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved,” the MP added.

On Saturday, the day after Taylor Swift’s concert, Trudeau condemned the anti-NATO protests, calling them “appalling.”

Anti-NATO activists set off smoke bombs and marched through Montreal’s streets waving Palestinian flags. According to the Montreal Gazette, rioters set fire to automobiles and battled with police.

Pro-Palestinian protests

Protesters also tossed tiny explosives and metal objects at officers. At one point, the mob torched an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the gathering, and three persons were arrested for attacking officers and impeding police operations.

Masked protesters were seen burning flares and bashing storefront windows in videos and photographs shared on social media. Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place across Canada since the Israel-Gaza conflict began late last year.

Critics have lambasted Trudeau for doing nothing to stop the violent pro-Palestinian marches, with some claiming he has fueled anti-Israel sentiment in Canada.

On Friday, Trudeau stated that Canada would respect the orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu, even if it meant arresting the Israeli prime leader on Canadian soil.

Trudeau Called the Greatest Threat to NATO

Trudeau Called the Greatest Threat to NATO

News

Calgary Zoo Admits Human Error in Death of Baby Gorilla

Published

2 days ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

The zookeeper's negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla

The Calgary Zoo has admitted in a public statement that a zookeeper’s negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla. Eyare, a newborn gorilla, died last week after being slammed in the head by a hydraulic door.

The accident occurred when a zoo worker attempted to separate Eyare from the rest of the gorilla tribe for a solitary training session.

The gorilla died from significant head injuries, according to the zoo’s statement.

“This tragedy has struck us all in the deepest way imaginable,” Colleen Baird, director of animal care at the Calgary Zoo, said during a news conference. “Eyare’s brief but meaningful existence gave so much joy to our community, and all will sorely miss her. We will do everything possible to prevent repeat accidents.”

According to Baird, the staff member involved was immediately removed from the workplace and will be reassigned to another area of the zoo. The Calgary Zoo stated that it would take preventive steps, such as specialist personnel training and animal behavioral training, to avoid a similar incident.

Calgary Zoo Questioned

It is not the first time an animal at the zoo has died from negligence at the Calgary Zoo. A capybara was accidentally crushed by a hydraulic door similar to the one that killed Eyare in 2019.

An otter died in 2016 after being entangled in an “unauthorized” pair of jeans that a zookeeper had dropped in its enclosure. In 2013, a penguin died in “a freak accident” after swallowing a stick.

Animal Justice, a Canadian group that promotes animal welfare, has called for an independent investigation of animal safety and oversight at the Alberta facility.

“The Calgary Zoo appears to have a higher rate of animal deaths compared to other zoos, and in light of Eyare’s death there should be a systematic review of the zoo’s operations and practices, conducted transparently by the government or another outside party,” according to Camille Labchuk, the executive director of Animal Justice.

The Calgary Zoo refuted that it has more animal deaths than other zoos, emphasizing that it adheres to operating requirements and has maintained accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ independent Accreditation Commission since 1978.

“We love and care for more than 4,000 animals representing over 100 species that call our zoo home,” stated a Calgary Zoo representative.

“Human error-related deaths in animals are quite infrequent. We have lost two animals in the last ten years: a North American river otter in 2016 and ‘Eyare’ this week.

While rare, even one human-caused death is too many. These unfortunate instances have served as vital learning experiences, prompting us to examine and tighten protocols to provide the greatest level of care.”

Baird said at the news conference that using hydraulic doors is “common practice with accredited zoos,” adding that the facility will consider switching to alternate doors to improve safety.

The Calgary Zoo, which established the Wilder Institute in 2021, caters to nearly 4,000 creatures, including six more western lowland gorillas.