I worked with sarin gas and organophosphates on two separate jobs. One was a lab analyzing how well the nerve agents were being destroyed. The other was at a manufacturing plant where organophosphates were manufactured. Phosgene gas leaks were not uncommon. I don't think first responders would handle the bodies without proper protective gear. At least they should have had gloves on.
Given our “intelligence” missed the fall of the Soviet Union and sent Bush on a witch hunt for WDM in Iraq, and most recently spied on Trump’s campaign and other Americans intelligence does not like, I’ll go with the MIT professor. US “intelligence” is just another word for stupid and evil.