Other than their fears that they are going to die soon, I saw no objective assessment of their condition anywhere in the article. The only people who received a high enough exposure are out of the hospital. So, objectively, it seems there is no basis on which to say anyone has received a lethal dose.
People who have received such a high dose of radiation that they are likely to die from it would not be functioning, much less going into the plant to try to clean up the mess. They’d be in the hospital ICU, hooked up to monitors and IVs. A radiation injury is much like a bad burn: you don’t expect someone with burn injuries so severe they are likely to die within weeks to be up and walking around as if nothing is wrong.
Arggh, I wish there were an edit feature.
“The only people who received a high enough exposure TO EXHIBIT SYMPTOMS are out of the hospital.”
Yours is an excellent rational assessment, and I expect you will not be invited to express your knowledge on any major news outlets, including FOX.
The media story on Japan now is “THE 50 WILL DIE!!” One source even speculated “in a few weeks.”
Makes me weary.