This is how people reacted to the Canada-wide emergency alert
If your phone made a disturbingly loud noise that was accompanied by an emergency message at precisely 2:55 p.m. this afternoon, you were far from alone.
A national test of the Alert Ready system is being conducted across Canada today at different times depending on the province.
So thankful for this system. It saves lives! #emergencyalert pic.twitter.com/Uymmy78juZ
— Casey MacDonald (@MacDonaldCasey) November 27, 2019
The system is meant to send out an urgent message in the case of an emergency or threat to public safety.
"Alert Ready delivers critical and potentially life-saving alerts to Canadians through television, radio and LTE-connected and compatible wireless devices," the system's website states.
The Ontario alert arrived right on time this afternoon, and as per usual, everyone has something to say about it.
The test of the #emergencyalert just went off (which is super-fun when you're wearing headphones and in the middle of a conference call) but it's actually good to know this exists and works. I can't wait for the 6pm news about all the people who called 911 to complain about it.
— Yzzie (@opYzzie) November 27, 2019
Many are simply posting that the alert worked the way it should have, while highlighting the importance of this kind of system.
Did you get your alert? Just a test! It was supposed to go off at 2:55pm. I don’t know who needs to hear this but remember that calling 911 because of the alert is exactly what you’re *NOT* supposed to do🗣🗣🗣 #ThatIsAll #EmergencyAlert 🙇🏾♀️ pic.twitter.com/B5X8tGSad4
— Stephanie Henry (@henrylstephanie) November 27, 2019
Others are warning that calling 911 is not the right response to a potentially-life saving alert.
Reminder: Don’t call 911 over a phone notification. #emergencyalert
— alex (@aleisxe) November 27, 2019
In fact, there might actually be more people complaining about complainers than those actually whining about the alert.
I see more people complaining about the possible complainers than I see actual complainers. Just sayin. #emergencyalert
— olivia⛄️❄️⛄️ (@oliviatweets_) November 27, 2019
But of course, it wouldn't be an emergency alert without at least a few grumpy Canadians complaining that the noise woke them from their beauty sleep.
My city just tested the emergency alert system and it woke me up
— Mimi (@TheRealMamimi32) November 27, 2019
And a select few didn't complain about the alert itself, but they did suggest the sound be changed to something slightly less alarming.
I have only one thing to say. They must change the sound. No one wants to have a heart attack. #emergencyalert
— Manizha. (@Sexablejustin) November 27, 2019
Some also took to social media to complain about how the alert messed with their electronic devices.
@RogersHelps
— Angela P (@Angela2BPecked) November 27, 2019
The emergency alert test has rendered me incapable of doing anything with my TV other than watch the channel my TV was on when the emergency alert test started.#EmergencyAlert#RogersCable#Rogers
And many made fun of the robotic voice's attempt to read the french portion of the alert.
My Google Assistant trying to read out the French text in that #EmergencyAlert Test... pic.twitter.com/UzmnUwCCyb
— Gemma 🇨🇦 (@BackstreetGem) November 27, 2019
And while it seems people are complaining about this alert far less than usual, there's a good chance it's simply because this one didn't go off in the middle of the night.
Lauren O'Neil
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