Anthrax letters unlikely, but here are handling tips

The Deseret News ^ | 10/10/2001

[Utah Girl]

In the unlikely event someone receives an anthrax threat letter — most of which prove to be empty or filled with talcum powder — the state Health Department has issued tips.

The first rule is not to panic, according to Jana Kettering, department spokeswoman. Exposure is more complicated than just being around it. Anthrax has to be rubbed into abraded skin, swallowed or inhaled as a fine, aerosolized mist. All three forms can usually be treated with antibiotics. And most biological weapons cannot be aerosolized out of an envelope containing powder.

Nevertheless, if an unopened letter or an empty letter arrives, place it in a plastic bag, wash your hands with soap and water and call your supervisor, the police and the FBI.

If an envelope contains powder that spills out, don't clean it up. And keep others away. Again, wash your hands with soap and water and notify authorities. You should also tell them who had contact with the powder. Those people may be warned to watch for fever or symptoms over several days.

A package marked with a threatening message, such as "Anthrax," should not be opened. Instead, evacuate the room and keep others from entering, then notify the authorities.

In cases of aerosolization, a small explosion or a letter stating "anthrax in heating system," the Health Department says to get out of the room and secure it, then shut down the air-handling system. Notify authorities and stay on the premises until they arrive.

Again, make a list of people who were in the building at the time and give it to local public health officials.

If you receive suspicious, unlabeled mail, call the police. Don't open it.

[Nam Vet]

I'mwith you Buddy.

Nam Vet

And thanks Utah Girl

[Archie Bunker on steroids]

HAZMAT TEAMS/FEMA INVESTIGATING BUNKER'S HOUSE

I just had to call the FBI - my house is obviously the victim of terrorism.

Earlier this evening I walked down the hallway to see Edith holding a plastic white container over baby Gloria's bottom. White powder was flying out of the container and landing all over the place. I rushed out of the house and called the authorities after I unloaded a fire extinguisher all over them.

I will have Gloria's butt amputated for sure as I know its infected.

Edith is beyond help. She obviously has lost her mind because she just looks at me and laughs hysterically.

Hopefully I caught this act in time.

Bunker

[Utah Girl]

I love your screen name. And your story is hysterically funny! Thanks for the great laugh.

[Gone_Postal]

The J-Lo letter story is still out there, but I am curious as to why Stevens' would have gotten inhalation anthrax from handling the enclosed Star of David trinket, since it sounds like it would be more likely to arise from skin contact. His co-worker also obviously inhaled the spores. OTOH, they did apparently find spores on Stevens' keyboard, which is consistent with the Star of David story. I sure would like to know more about the delivery mechanism.

They must have thought it was FREE CokE

[FReethesheeples]

bump.

Also bookmarked backhoe's link, above.

[calico44]

Good advice, Utah Girl. I have a good friend who actually received a mail bomb once. Thank goodness it did not detonate! Since then, we never open ANYTHING unless we know the sender.

[FReethesheeples]

P.S. All you Utahans are reknowned survivalists.

I know, I lived there in the early 70s.

Cheers!

[Let's Roll]

Possibly, but why is it increasing? Previous drug damage which there is more of now?

[Enlightiator]

The first rule is not to panic

OOPS! Too late for many "anthrax hysteria" fans in the forum, they've already panicked without even getting a postcard, much less an anthrax threat letter....

[ChemistCat]

Oh man. A delivery system with an ethos.

[ChemistCat]

Gosh, if I knew that I'd have a Nobel Prize. I have a hunch that it's too much stimulation. I know that's what's making me insane. Noise, noise, noise, words, words words. Threats, promises, tornadoes, pain, husbands who correct my typos while slurping cereal behind my shoulder more obnoxiously than Word's Clippie....

Oops, sorry, just one husband. But if there are any of you out there who like to do dishes and yardwork, we have an opening for a junior position....

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

What about the ones who think it was just cocaine in the envelope?

I wouldn't have any sympathy for them, because that would probably mean they're totally deaf or blind to all the NEWS going on around them (TV, radio, internet).

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I live in Provo. My uncle used to work out at Dugway. Scary stuff.

Please give us a brief description in 50 words or less :-).

[Utah Girl]

The Dugway Proving Grounds is a military installation which specialized in defensive testing. DPG is a fairly secret facility located in the west desert of Utah. Its official mission is to evaluate, test, and develop biological and chemical agents for the US Army.

[nunya bidness]

Mash here.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

The security at the VX nerve gas plant in Indiana was discussed pretty heavily tonight on local radio here in Chicago (big station - it can be heard across several states). Talk about scary!!!

[Utah Girl]

There's still nerve gas out in Dugway, in fact my liberal co-worker informed me today at lunch that Dugway has the largest concentration of nerve gases and biological agents in the US. Good thing the state of Utah is on high alert.

[nunya bidness]

Do a search of BIDS.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Thanks for the link - much appreciated! I'll educate myself about that when I work up some more courage to learn more truth about what our own government has perpetrated on people.

[Utah Girl]

Gee thanks, that's all I needed to know. I think I'd rather remain blissfully ignorant.