誰かが言わなきゃならない

1. Telephones unable to connect when in real need

The Tomioka-cho Town Office was cut off from the external electronic connection when it moved to Kawauchi-mura Village Office immediately after evacuation. It was known today how it could resume its connection later. Interestingly, the wired telephone of the Village Office was working on Day 1 (March 12). The connection was lost just after the Office could have consulted with the Prefecture authority about the logistics of operating the evacuation camp.
Mobile phones did not work, either. The connection remained lost until the satellite phones started to work days later. On the other hand, some people found their mobile phones could work if they drove a while to a pass to Tamura-city in the west. No mobiles of the refugees worked, although everybody wanted to contact outside, using mobiles, for confirming safety.
By chance somebody found an “au” unit (one of providers) could work in a best direction at a best point in the area. Everybody rushed out to the ground, who had an Au unit, and tried to contact outside. Many others borrowed an au unit from them, and could contact outside for safety confirmation. No possibility was confirmed with a docomo unit (another provider).
The majority was willing to switch to an au unit when they renew their mobile next time. Since we moved to Koriyama-city, mobiles are working normal. But once a big afterquake occurs, they lose connections again very easily. The inquiry telephone numbers of the Prefectural Disaster Headquarters, NTT or JR are so congested during their business hours that the connection was not
easy. “Telephones unable to connect when in real need” is another symbolic Achilles heel of the modern society.

2. Noro virus

The norovirus is going around in the Big Palette from a couple of days ago. About 40 to 50 people were isolated in a separate room, complaining nauseousness. Today about 40 people were in line for diagnosis at the aid station. An ambulance comes oftener than before.Precautions might have been a bit insufficient,despite this was foreseen. As the infection via hands will be the main route, disinfectants for hands are placed at the entrance of the aid station.
Precautions are needed as we have many aged and out-of-shape people, who are vulnerable. Precautions are also wanted at the entrance of the Big Palette itself, a heavy traffic point. More and more people are Kitamura (10-12)
catching a cold. As many as 2,000 people live densely together in one place. Contacts can happen anytime. Getting warm, food poison becomes another concern. Doctors and nurses do not seem insufficient. Perhaps hygiene experts are insufficient.

3. Short home return restricted

Various special articles are on the media, on the occasion of one month from the big earthquake (East Japan Big Earthquake). Among them is a report on the government policy of designating the 20km zone as the “Caution zone (No entry zone)” and possible short home returns under control. That means more difficulties in returning on our own risk.
Some people returned so far more than 10 times and brought back their valuables, cars, tool kits, etc. Police officers on duty were on their way sometimes but did allow them go in upon strong requests. But recently the control is being tightened by barricades on the street, many policemen
everywhere.

4. Job hunting by the refugees

Former construction workers staying in the Big Palette are returning to work. Shopkeepers have lost their working spots or can’t return to their shops in the evacuation zone. Craftsmen need their tool kits for work. Outside the 30km zone, in Iwaki-city or Minami Soma-city for instance, workers are being recruited for removing rubbles/wreckage on the coast or searching for bodies. Some people in the Big Palette go to Iwaki-city by private cars and work for debris removal or house repair.
In such cases, they rent an apartment in the working place. Their registrations at the Big Palette remain as valid and they come back simply for sleeping. Few people know if they are with us or absent. It is said, body searchers are well paid, say US$1,000 per day. Some of craftsmen returned home to get back their tool kits and cars.
The message board of the Big Palette is recruiting job seekers such as carpenters or sheet metal workers who can work in Koriyama. Very few people seem to respond to it with interest, probably because the information of
potential employers in the unfamiliar area is not sufficient.
Many prefer seeking an opportunity to work in connection with their former
jobs in Hama-dori. While some people are willing to go back working, some others seem satisfied with a slow life staying in a ryokan or a hotel upon the prefectural suggestion. The reality is, majority of the refugees remains in the Big Palette, as every applicant cannot be awarded with this option.