I did a little research and read where the Polish government responded to the Chernobyl disaster very quickly and decisively, distributing potassium iodide to its citizens, among other things in record time.
What do your parents say about it? Do they recall their government's action?
The Russians apparently took over a month after the event to do the same thing for their citizens... it seemed to have made all the difference.
Meanwhile, Pres Obama apparently told U.S. citizens in his address that there is no reason to prepare for anything... guess he was never a Boy Scout.