Assuming this is true, where can I obtain reliable information on how to protect my family from this kind of threat? Are we back to pastic rooms again?
that's "plastic"
The gov has a site about how to be prepared against such attacks -- I didn't look through it in detail to know how good it is:
http://www.ready.gov/
One thing, which at least eliminate one of the most devastating biological attack would be to allow people to at least voluntarily get smallpox vaccine.
Chemical weapons require the proper conditions, (weather, climate, etc..) and even when conditions are favorable, the effects are local in effect..
Biological weapons also require the proper conditions to work.. One of them is a dense population, like a city.
Additionally, while a bio weapon can be spread, recent history with certain bird influenzas show that bio weapons can be contained, controlled and eliminated with fairly little effect on the population..
Your best defense is simply to be "aware" and make sure you have emergency supplies and emergency plans that will work for any general catastrophic situation..