During this year (2026), the U.S. has been enduring its worst year for measles since 1991.  Since the beginning of 2025, large outbreaks have been reported in several states, including Texas, Utah, South Carolina, and now Pennsylvania.  Measles cases have been reported across the country.  Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Utah have seen the most.  So far, only five states (Nevada, Arkansas, Mississippi, West Virginia and New Hampshire) have not reported any cases.

Every Oct. 1, often referred to as “Shocktober 1st” in southern California, I’m always reminded of the 5.9 Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987.  It happened at 7:42 a.m., just as I was finishing breakfast before going to work.

My house in Irvine was about 40 miles from the epicenter, and it rocked for several seconds but did no damage to my property.  The quake was felt throughout southern California and southern Nevada.

I was watching the morning news out of Los Angeles.  A few minutes after the main shock, there was a small aftershock, which I did not feel.

I remember watching two of the news guys, Kent Shocknek and Christopher Nance.  They got freaked out due to the shaking and the swaying lights, caused by the aftershock, and jumped under their desk.  You can watch a short David Letterman video where he talked about it and then showed a video of what happened.

I also felt a 5.3 aftershock three days later.  Then life went on as usual.  Here is a video, under 5 minutes, showing damage from the initial quake on Oct. 1 and from the aftershock on Oct. 4: SoCal Whittier Narrows Earthquakes (1987).

I have felt numerous earthquakes before then and since then.  Here is a page with a great deal of information about earthquakes, what to do to prepare for them, and what to do when they occur: