Feds Urge Americans (to) Be Able To Seal Homes (from chemical attacks)

WLKY ^ | 2/11/03

[hoosierskypilot]

Stockpiling Food, Water, Duct Tape, Plastic Urged For Homeland Security

POSTED: 9:56 a.m. EST February 11, 2003

As U.S. troops continue to mass around Iraq as President George W. Bush points the finger at Saddam Hussein for stockpiling biological and chemical weapons, the federal officials are urging Americans to do a little stockpiling of their own.

Insisting that the suggestion that Americans stockpile water, nonperishable food, and cash among other items was motivated by caution -- not specific information -- the feds also suggested ensuring houses have duct tape and plastic sheeting on hand to cover windows, doors and vents to the outdoors.

The latter advice is designed to allow people to protect themselves from an attack involving biological or chemical weapons, the New York Times News Service reported.

The advice came just days after the government upped the nation's "terror alert level" a notch -- to high -- as Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge described the threat as the most significant since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Signs of that increased alertness arrived in forms other than the advice to stockpile necessities and plastic sheeting. In many airports across the country, authorities instituted random searches of some vehicles, particularly vans and delivery vehicles, along with other parking and driving restrictions.

Meanwhile, folks in New York City have borne the brunt of fears of a new attack on U.S. soil as the New York Post quotes sources as saying that phone intercepts have drawn hints of an "underground" attack on where they had their "last great victory."

More hints of the threat surfaced in a four-page alert given to New York City police officers that said authorities should be prepared for "release of toxic substances in populated and contained environments" such as subway stations and sports venues, the Post reported.

Other newspaper reports said New York City authorities have increased random checks as many public spots and thoroughfares as well as security at Jewish sites such as synagogues and Jewish community centers.

Also, Fox News reported on its Web site Tuesday morning that New York City police have been told to watch for unorthodox weapons -- specifically citing light bulbs, aerosal cans, soda bottles and mayonnaise jars among others -- that could hold biological or chemical weapons.

They were also told to keep an eye out for men who appear to have freshly shaved beards along with ill-fitting uniforms and unusual identifications, the cable news channel Web site reported.

[hoosierskypilot]

Ah, yes, but we still allow these people free access to America, don't we? Don't want to enforce immigration law because Bush doesn't want to alienate potential voters. Who cares that Americans who sustain the nation are at risk. We're expendable.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

OK...I can't speak for anyone else, but these 'suggestions' from various federal officials are beginning to make me a tad nervous...

[Ciexyz]

Flashback to Y2K!

[1Old Pro]

OK...I can't speak for anyone else, but these 'suggestions' from various federal officials are beginning to make me a tad nervous...

It's the best argument for attacking Sadam I've heard.

[Ciexyz]

My neighbor built a bomb shelter (at the time of the Cuban missile crisis) and people in the neighborhood laughed at him. He admitted he had a choice of building a swimming pool or a bomb shelter, and he chose the shelter. Hmm, maybe he was smart after all.

[CnTXBobcat]

>>Insisting that the suggestion that Americans stockpile water, nonperishable food, and cash among other items was motivated by caution -- not specific information -- the feds also suggested ensuring houses have duct tape and plastic sheeting on hand to cover windows, doors and vents to the outdoors.<<

Yeah, we all should know that plastic sheeting and duct tape will keep those pesky radioactive particles out. (Heavy Sarcasm)

Let's hope nothing comes of this.

[Fraulein]

There's something I do not quite understand. Why would they attack us when that would mean the immediate annhilation of Iraq? I must be missing something.

[EggsAckley]

Since 9/11 I've been saying that this IS Y2K!

How naive we were.

[Mr. Lucky]

I must be missing something

Jihadists aren't really thoughtful messengers of the religion of peace; they're pagan worshipping terrorists.

[waspguy]

Yeah, we all should know that plastic sheeting and duct tape will keep those pesky radioactive particles out. (Heavy Sarcasm)

-----
Actually they'll do a pretty good job. Most of the radiation from a dirty bomb will be alpha particles. Alpha particles are big slow moving helium unstable helium nuclei.

They bounce off your skin - but they can enter and cause problems if you breath them in or eat them. (The dust from the explosion of a dirty bomb should be have these particles in abundance.)

Basically you want to keep the radiative dust out of your house. The sheeting will do that. Once the dust settles, you can figure out what to do next re: evacuation.

[Shermy]

I must be missing something.

They're crazy murderers looking for any cover story for their terror?

[Geezerette]

Yes, shades of Y2K!! Luckily, I still have my year's supply of dehyd. food, a few batteries and the bucket with the detachable toilet seat! Now all I need is a lot of kitty litter to put in it (when the need arises! ;-O )

g

[El Gato]

OK...I can't speak for anyone else, but these 'suggestions' from various federal officials are beginning to make me a tad nervous...

Me too, but I'll figure they are really serious when they start advising that American citizens, and legal aliens too for that matter, go armed as they go about their daily life.

[TBall]

Will the Potassium Iodate I purchased 3 years ago be of any use for dirty bomb fallout?

[samuel_adams_us]

The duct tape and sheets of plastic will also double for body bags in the event of a super disaster so don't be fooled.

[tracer]

The real issue in mind is a portable nuclear device or biological weapon wielded by terrorists not operating under the flag of any nation. Such are virtually impossible to trace and gather into a neat crowd for a good retaliatory vaporization...

[zygoat]

That is a grim observation, must admit it never crossed my mind.

[samuel_adams_us]

Do you really think you can seal your house against a virus or gas attack? Do you think the government would have a million body bags in the event the city of Houston or Chicago was hit? Think about it.

[smith288]

The real issue in mind is a portable nuclear device or biological weapon wielded by terrorists not operating under the flag of any nation. Such are virtually impossible to trace and gather into a neat crowd for a good retaliatory vaporization...

Fine by me to go that way... I would rather be vaporized than get smallpox or some other excruciating death.