Opinion: If This is a Normal Occurrence, Why All the Preparation?

solar eclipsePhoto byJongsun LeeonUnsplash

Recently, Newsweek brought attention to a post by Marjorie Taylor Greene on X. In the post, Greene states, "God is sending America strong signs telling us to repent." I don't know what prompted Greene to feel like she needed to post that, but there seem to be many odd occurrences surrounding the upcoming eclipse.

When was the last time you remember schools being closed for solar eclipses? When were you last encouraged to stock up on at least two weeks of food, water, and gas ahead of an eclipse? I can't remember that ever happening.

Yet, for some reason, Texas has announced several schools will be closed Monday for the eclipse. Also, several states in the path of totality have suggested that people should be prepared by stocking up on food and other essentials ahead of the eclipse.

As the community note pointed out to Marjorie, eclipses are not rare. They happen all the time. So why has there been so much "preparation" for April 8?