Politics

Feds reassure concerned Americans: ‘The world will not end on December 21, 2012’

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Those engaged in Mayan doomsday hysteria can breathe a sigh of relief, the United States government has determined: “The world will not end on December 21, 2012, or any day in 2012.”

The government’s official web portal, USA.gov, explained in a blog post on Monday that rumors regarding the end of the world — whether they concern the end of the Mayan calendar or a comet potentially causing devastation on Earth — are false.

The blog post laments that the rumors have scared many people, including children.

“Unfortunately, these rumors have many people frightened, especially children. NASA has received thousands of letters concerned about the end of the world,” the blog post states.

“‘At least a once a week I get a message from a young person ― as young as 11 ― who says they are ill and/or contemplating suicide because of the coming doomsday,'” the blog states, quoting NASA planetary astronomer and senior scientist David Morrison.

The post directs readers to NASA videos, including one of Morrison discussing the doomsday rumors and another debunking theories concerning the possible end of the world on Dec. 21, 2012.

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Tags : doomsday
Caroline May