Posted on 10/08/2001 5:30:32 AM PDT by Maceman
If this is what happened, the first thing I thought of is how some of those papers have a tendency to smear Middle Eastern despots like Kaddafy and Saddam with all kinds of denigrating stories . . . I know they accused Kaddafy of being a transvestite, and I assume they did similar stuff with Hussein and possibly bin Laden. Just a thought.
Here are a few reasons I have thought of:
1. Large Jewish population
2. Numerous military installations.
3. Numerous tourist attractions
4. President's brother is Governor.
5. Site of controversy that ultimately put President Bush into office.
Additionally, we already know the terrorists were operating within a 10 mile radius of the latest anthrax incidents.
They are attempting to prevent a widespread panic, and I would suspect that the press has been asked to cooperate.
But in my opinion, more panic is caused by the distrust and subterfuge, than by forthright reporting of actual events.
Any place the terrorists are living or able to travel to are targets for any reason they decide. All they need is access from the outside of buildings to air ducts and they can attempt to spread biological and chemical agents into buildings. They most likely aren't the most sophisticated or intelligent enemies we could have, but they are able to use our political correctness against us. Murder isn't too hard to do, as long as they are living with us they are an extreme danger.
Florida gained international attention during the election "recount" fiasco. (I believe Bin Laden referred to the elections in one of his tapes.) It is also perceived to have a large Jewish population, which was highly visible in the Palm Beach ballot nonsense. It is also governed by the President's brother.
If it's gram negative, then it isn't bacillus anthracis (Anthrax)
Occam's razor folks. They are finding anthrax in the office. If he was the source, what are the chances it spread to the office but not his home, it spread to co-workers, but not to his wife and kids.
And for the guy who thought maybe a small animal had died in the vent system. Creative explanation, but anthrax just isn't present in this country, and small animals die in vent systems all the time...
I want to hear more from the husband of the med tech in Houston... that is scary!
It doesn't get missed, folks. Totally normal to want a less frightening explanation, but it just isn't there.
Agreed -- but the media is also responsible for the hype, since they haven't really concentrated on the fact that Anthrax is really hard to spread to significant numbers of the population -- and this story might prove that. Instead, we hear reports about people buying gasmasks, antibiotics, etc. I thought the Herald did a responsible job in their first reporting, but now we are getting dumbed-down stories from them as well.
The concern might be more about tourism than anything else, since the tourist season begins when the weather gets cold up north.
Lassa hemorrhagic fever: See full discussion of HFs (West Africa, including Nigeria): Lassa fever is caused by hantavirus. The incubation period ranges from 7-21 days. Presentation of Lassa fever varies. Common early symptoms are gradual onset of fever, malaise, headache, and abdominal pain. Other symptoms are conjunctivitis, facial swelling, sore throat, non-productive cough, retrosternal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, back pain, and myalgia. Respiratory rate, temperature, pulse rate are increased and blood pressure decreased. Neurological symptoms may also occur, including hearing loss, tremors, and encephalitis. Hemorrhagic manifestations (not usually evident) may include mucosal bleeding and, less frequently, conjunctival, gastrointestinal, or vaginal bleeding. Severe infections produce hemorrhagic manifestations, pleural effusions, and shock. Pregnant women are more likely to die than are others. Some degree of deafness occurs in about 30% of patients. Treatment is supportive and also includes ribavirin as discussed in the full discussion of hemorrhagic fevers.
Not to scare anyone...but the hantavirus is rumored to be bioweapon capable. It is far less deadly then anthrax. (5-10% range)
Yes, I don't think anthrax is a disease of rodents, it's found in sheep and goats and animals like that.
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