Weird weather, exagerrated reactions (part 2!!)

While temperatures are getting back to normal for the season in Montreal, in Greece people still fight the icy weather conditions. So, what happens when temperature drops to -5° C in some northern suburbs of Athens or even to -24° C (yes, that is not a typo, and windchill factor is not estimated) in northern areas of the country?:

• Parts of the country experience electricity shortage problems (even in Athens) and some islands like Ithaca and Kefalonia are without power for the third day today!
• Schools are closed in Attica (that includes the greater area of Athens) and in many parts of northern Greece, especially in south-west Macedonia. That includes Universities of course, with the exception of Athens Law School, The Medicine School and the Sports Academy (I REALLY do not know why they decided to continue with courses while other schools did not.)
• Courts are in business, but it's up to the judges to determine whether cases will be tried.
• Since today ships disembark for the islands since the really strong winds started to subside
• And of course, there are still problems in highways because of snow and ice accumulation.

I guess many of you will find these reactions a bit exaggerated and, honestly, so do I. (I think I might have been in this country for too long!) In fact, this is what I told my brother yesterday when he told me that people didn't show up for work, especially in Athens where they are not accustomed to below zero temperatures.

As for the power shortages, the blocked roads (even in Athens!) etc, well , I would really not want to comment on the efficiency of our (conservative) government....