Thread by @DrSturg

It's not Friday, but here's a bonus #FunFact #Thread about the #AltGov. It's topical to #HurricaneDorian

2/ It is true that they got their start right around the inauguration in 2017. There have been a few events that have been have caused them to organize and build structures. The 2017 hurricanes were one.

3/ An #AltGov-started initiative ended up bringing in follower volunteers literally all over the world, and they developed technology and structures that were responsible for saving thousands of lives.

4/ Several #AltGov and very many followers are still deeply invested in this. It's essentially a newer model of disaster relief involving bridging the gap between people in danger and civilians who can help with rescues when civic services can't keep up.

5/ The efforts have won a major award, been presented at an academic conference and led to a permanent non-profit and a vc-financed new technology that will serve as a move forward in how people get help in disasters.

6/ I also see it as part of a larger story: I think regardless of your political views, you'd agree that the U.S. government itself has become less effective due to the disagreements and chaos that followed the 2016 election.

7/ The #AltGov started, in part, with government employees trying to fill functions like environmental protection despite gag orders. In its best moments, it continues to try to serve the public by working around that chaos.

8/ Natural disasters like #HurricaneDorian cause chaos. And the first #AltGov efforts to lead volunteers to help are continuing.

9/ If you want to have a look for yourself, you can check out the @CEDRdigital account and/or the hashtag #DAT, both of which are being shared and/or used by some Alt and follower accounts I know.

10/ There's a full chapter in the #WeAreAltGov book about the disaster rescue efforts.

11/ Also, twitter.com/cs_rescue is taking in requests and looking for volunteers with boats.