The right planning now will save countless lives after a nuclear attack

ABSTRACTThe public perception that there is no hope for surviving a nuclear attack has been an impediment to planning for the aftermath of such disasters. The perception is unjustified, but it shows how important good communication, collaboration, and coordination will be in responding to and recovering from nuclear attack. Properly planning for nuclear disaster requires authorities to follow four distinct steps: They must recognize that they have a moral duty to plan, close the existing medical-planning gaps we know about, communicate clearly to the public, and cooperate in international response.