The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has scheduled a briefing for later this month on how to plan and prepare for a nuclear detonation.
The briefing, for CDC employees, is part of a monthly series at the agency meant to "further strengthen CDC's common scientific culture and foster discussion and debate on major public health issues."
"While a nuclear detonation is unlikely, it would have devastating results and there would be limited time to take critical protection steps," the CDC said in a notice for the briefing, which came the same week President Trump
Donald John TrumpThe Memo: Ayers decision casts harsh light on Trump NASA offers to show Stephen Curry evidence from moon landings Freedom Caucus calls on leadership to include wall funding, end to 'catch and release' in funding bill MORE bragged on Twitter about U.S. nuclear capabilities.
North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the “Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.” Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018
"Despite the fear surrounding such an event, planning and preparation can lessen deaths and illness," the CDC says.
Several CDC employees, including those specializing in radiation, will present at the event Jan. 16.
It's unclear how long the briefing has been scheduled.
Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong Un have exchanged repeated insults about nuclear weapons, with the president taking to calling Kim "rocket man" over his obsession with his ballistic missile program.
Democrats and foreign policy experts have been critical of Trump's comments on North Korea.
“These childish attacks raise the risk of stumbling into an avoidable war,” Sen. Tim Kaine
Timothy (Tim) Michael KaineWhile G-20 Summit was promising for US- China trade relations, Congress must still push for an exclusion process Overnight Defense — Presented by Raytheon — Border deployment 'peaked' at 5,800 troops | Trump sanctions 17 Saudis over Khashoggi killing | Senators offer bill to press Trump on Saudis | Paul effort to block Bahrain arms sale fails Overnight Defense: What the midterms mean for defense panels | Pompeo cancels North Korea meeting | Trump eyes Kim summit in early 2019 | Pentagon drops name for border mission MORE (D-Va.) tweeted Wednesday.
