Anthrax and The P.O.

[Prime2U]

Originally posted by Bullvye: Good luck at sapping the will of the American people. The only thing that they are going to succeed in doing is making us so incredibly mad that our resolve will will turn to iron. Espesially when we find the bastard responsible!

Well of course, but THEY don't seem to realize that

[Prime2U]

Anybody that doesn't think envelopes don't have more than enough leaks to let a biohazard out needs to be aware, now, that they are similar to a condom with a 3 inch tear My major might serve to make me more aware of these things I'll admit, plus my mom works at the post office. But everyone needs to realize there are large visible gaps at the edges of envelopes, and we're talking about microorganisms here. a spore measured in micrometers won't have mmuch trouble getting through a gap 5 millimeters wide.

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"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans." - Lennon

[John D Harris]

Originally posted by Prime2U: Anybody that doesn't think envelopes don't have more than enough leaks to let a biohazard out needs to be aware, now, that they are similar to a condom with a 3 inch tear My major might serve to make me more aware of these things I'll admit, plus my mom works at the post office. But everyone needs to realize there are large visible gaps at the edges of envelopes, and we're talking about microorganisms here. a spore measured in micrometers won't have mmuch trouble getting through a gap 5 millimeters wide.

You are right, until the Anthrax mailing attacks we didn't give it a thunk.



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Crustiest of the OLD COOTS
Airline ticket to Afghanistan $800
High powered rifle with scope $1000
Hotel room with roof access $100
A clean Head shot on that sack of Horse Manure Usuma Bin Laden PRICELESS!

[Bullvye]

Originally posted by Prime2U: Well of course, but THEY don't seem to realize that

THEY WILL!....

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I'm not BAD,.....but the BAD don't mess with me!"

[Cloudbringer]

We got the following memo at my office and they have gloves on premises for anyone who handles the mail now.

"In light of recent events, the following are guidelines disseminated by the
U.S. Postal Service, the New York State Police and the F.B.I. regarding
handling mail. If you have any questions or are concerned about a specific
item, please contact UPD .


PROTOCOLS FOR HANDLING MAIL

General:

¨ Every business and organization should assess and review their protocols
for handling mail. Common sense and care should be used in inspecting and
opening mail or packages.

¨ Examine unopened envelopes for foreign bodies or powder.

¨ Do not open letters with your hands - use a letter opener.

¨ Open letters and packages with a minimum of movement to avoid spilling any
contents.

¨ Each organization should assess whether it is a possible target for
criminal acts. Based on this assessment, you may wish to take additional
precautions such as wearing gloves and restricting the opening of mail to a
limited number of trained individuals.

What Types of Letters May be Suspect:

¨ Any letter or package that has suspicious or threatening messages written
on it ¨ Letters with oily stains ¨ Envelopes that are lopsided, rigid,
bulky, discolored or have a strange odor ¨ Envelopes with no return address
¨ Unexpected envelopes from foreign countries ¨ No postage or non-cancelled
postage ¨ Improper spelling of common names, places or titles

FOR SUSPECT ENVELOPES:

¨ DO NOT OPEN THE ENVELOPE OR PACKAGE
¨ LEAVE IT and EVACUATE the room.
¨ DO NOT TAKE PACKAGE TO UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
¨ KEEP OTHERS from entering
¨ NOTIFY your supervisor, who should call 911 or the local law enforcement
authorities

FOR PACKAGES THAT ARE OPENED and WHICH CONTAIN SUSPICIOUS MATERIAL:

DO NOT PANIC

1. Anthrax organisms can cause skin infection, gastrointestinal infection or
pulmonary infection. To do so, the organism must be rubbed into abraded
skin, swallowed, or inhaled as a fine, aerosolized mist. It does not leap
into one's body. All forms of disease are generally treatable with
antibiotics.

2. Anthrax cannot be easily aerosolized out of an envelope or package
containing powder. The same facts and conditions are generally true for
other bacteria likely to be considered as biological weapons.

CONTAIN THE EXPOSURE:

Close off the room (doors and windows). Do not allow anyone other than
qualified emergency personnel to enter.

Close the package or envelope to limit additional exposure. Do not clean
power up; keep others away.

Do not touch your eyes, nose or any other part of your body.

If possible, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

If clothing is heavily contaminated, don't brush vigorously.

If possible, close down the building's heating/air conditioning/ventilation
system.

Make a list of all people who had actual contact with the powder for
investigating authorities.

NOTIFY APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES:

1. Immediately contact:

¨ 911 or your local law enforcement authorities
¨ your local FBI field office, and
¨ your local health department

More information, New York State Health Department, Bureau of Communicable
Disease Control"


Cloudy

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Raindancer of the Laughing Hyenas Clan
CloudDragon of the OHF
Storm-Queen
Raven's Cloud
StormCloud of the Black Knight: Heart Mind Soul Forever
"To sleep, perchance to dream..."

[This message has been edited by Cloudbringer (edited 10-24-2001).]

[Fljotsdale]

Two of those points, taken together worry me:

Originally posted by Cloudbringer: 2. Anthrax cannot be easily aerosolized out of an envelope or package containing powder. The same facts and conditions are generally true for other bacteria likely to be considered as biological weapons.

It's difficult to catch it, but:

Originally posted by Cloudbringer: CONTAIN THE EXPOSURE: Close off the room (doors and windows). Do not allow anyone other than qualified emergency personnel to enter. Close the package or envelope to limit additional exposure. Do not clean power up; keep others away. If clothing is heavily contaminated, don't brush vigorously. If possible, close down the building's heating/air conditioning/ventilation system.

Makes me wonder just HOW difficult it is to catch

Maybe I'm just a cynic?

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Proud to be Dubbed Queen of the Illuminati by Diogenes.

[skywalker]

Is it true that the reason the 2 postal workers that died got the breathable Anthrax, because the stuff was on machines that are cleaned by compressed air?

Mark

[Edit] Left out my name!

[This message has been edited by skywalker (edited 10-25-2001).]

[Ronn_Bman]

I don't believe the postal workers not being tested at the same time as Capital Hill workers has anything to do with thinking they weren't as important.

From what I've seen on MSNBC & CNN, health officials at that time thought the spores would not be small enough to pass through unopened mail. Therefore the people who were tested for the Capital Hill incident, were those who had opened the contaminated envelopes and those who had been in the "now" contaminated areas where they were opened. It was thought those were the only ones at risk.

In hindsight, it seems a bit naive, but I think postal officials couldn't be expected to do more than the health officials were recommending. This is certainly a terrible new situation for health officials to figure out, and when the "learning curve" costs lives, it is a tragedy beyond words.

My thoughts and prayers go out to those postal workers and their families who have been affected, and to those who must now live and work with the knowledge that no one can really tell them what is "safe".

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"Your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins."

[Ronn_Bman]

Originally posted by skywalker: Is it true that the reason the 2 postal workers that died got the breathable Anthrax, because the stuff was on machines that are cleaned by compressed air?

I haven't heard this, but it certainly makes sense when you think about the spores needing to be airborne.

When I was a teen I worked in a saw mill, we used compressed air to clean the machines. You could fill the entire work area, completely to the ceiling, with a cloud of dust and wood particles just from trying to blow the debris off the machines and into the floor so it could be swept up. I realize we're not talking about that volume of contaminant, but it's still a frightening thought.


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"Your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins."