Supernova 1987a exhibited a 3 hour delay from when the neutrinos were detected to when the electromagnetic radiation became visible. The delay is due to the mechanics of the supernova, not its distance from earth.
Suppose SNEWS detects a massive neutrino burst, indicative of a supernova near enough to cause mass extinction. (Somehow the astronomers had missed the progenitor.) Humanity has about 3 hours to make peace with itself before the gamma rays arrive. (Though then, the actual process of mass extinction will probably take years.)
Previously, nothing.
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