I wasn’t in a panic until I pushed the panic button.

The sirens started screaming, lights were flashing everywhere, and I heard the clomp of feet rushing to my aid. Then I panicked.

“Hmm…” I thought. “So that’s how it works.”

Minor or local panics can be handled sometimes quickly.

And they sometimes can reveal the weaknesses of the system.

Like the Altadena fire. The evacuation order didn’t go out to the people on the west side. Speculation says maybe on purpose.

Sixty years ago I taught in a classroom that had a panic button.

Years went by, I changed school districts, and my classroom had a disconnected panic button because it was decided the panic days were over.

Then, years after that, the panic button was re-connected.

Now I look around at the world. No wonder people panic. Where’s that button?