Anthrax Hits Daschle Staffers - first full story

AP | Wednesday, October 17, 2001

[JohnHuang2]

WASHINGTON (AP) - More than 20 people in Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle's office have tested positive for exposure to anthrax, sources said Wednesday.

The tests were conducted after a letter sent to Daschle's office was found to contain a highly refined form of anthrax, suggesting it was produced by experts.

One official with direct knowledge of the test results said 22 Daschle staffers had tested positive for exposure to anthrax. All of them are taking the antibiotic Cipro. Another source said that more than 20 had tested positive. Both sources insisted on anonymity.

The FBI is investigating strong similarities in handwriting and style, including identical anti-American language, between the letter sent to Daschle in Washington and a letter with anthrax sent to NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw in New York.

Elsewhere in the country, four people are known to have contracted anthrax and nine others have tested positive for the bacteria.

Hundreds of people were tested Tuesday after the suspicious letter was opened in Daschle's office Monday. Nasal swabs were used on the staffers to see if there were any anthrax spores in their noses. A positive finding does not mean the person has the disease or will get the disease.

About 8,000 spores must be inhaled for a person to develop inhalation anthrax.

Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., said about 200 people on Capitol Hill are taking Cipro because of the anthrax scare, including himself.

Lieberman, who has not tested positive for anthrax exposure, said during a CNN interview on Wednesday that his taking the antibiotic ``is probably unnecessary, but why not?''

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said of the anthrax scare: ``There's no question that right now we are in a period of the unknown.''

For Education And Discussion Only. Not For Commercial Use.

[Illbay]

"The foundin' fathers was unanimously in favor o' bud-nippin.'"

[RooRoobird14]

Leave it to LIEberman to go against medical advice given to the public and self-medicate even though he hasn't been tested for antrhax.

What an *SS!! The thought of this whiney, spineless Clymer as vice president during this crisis is enough to chill the blood. It could have happened. THANK GOD it didn't!!!

[freeper12]

Yes...all the regular people should head to the malls, go to disneyworld, not stockup on antibioutics etc, while congress closes down offices and stockpiles med's for themselves...

[Illbay]

And then there were those "enemies of Bill" who in 1991, had a jet slam into their office building.

[wimpycat]

I haven't heard about the quality of the Anthrax used in Florida, but I bet that the man who died and the man who is sick may have wondered what the powder was and sniffed it to see what it smelled like.

I know it sounds funny, but I'm serious as a hog on ice:

DON'T SNIFF YOUR MAIL!

[JohnHuang2]

Other FReepers have speculated that the reason the enemy chose liberal targets is to engender suspicion, in the media and political circles, that the VRWC might behind these terrorist acts. It's the enemy's bid to pit American against American.

[sanchmo]

Hmmm Lieberman and 200 others on capitol hill are taking cipro "because why not" but the ruling elite will not allow the people to get some in case they need it later

No, they are taking it because they work in a maximum-risk location which now has one confirmed instance of multiple exposures. This is the same thing they did for the people in Boca and NBC. The feds are not prohibiting medication in cases of high risk or possible exposure. They are recommending against premedication (which is detrimental) and against any widespread stockpiling that would make an effective response to a massive attack impossible.

Remember that the terrorist's main goal in this psychological war is to turn us against each other and against our country, to dimish our ability to act. Don't let them do this tou you, and don't be a tool to facilitate this. Like it or not - by events not of our choosing - we are all combatants now.

[surfer]

Well the analysis says it was a high military grade and a very lethal form. Unfortunately you don't know what "treaks" have been to the virus and what the long-term effects might be for the survivors...

If anyone thinks this anthrax stuff is just a scare...we have only begun with this crisis...I am afraid it will probably get a lot worse before it gets better.

[MindBender26]

The most significant news here is that the spores have obviously gone airborne. 22 with cuts on their hands did not handle the envelope.

Better be checking others on same HVAC system!

This stuff came out of some very good lab.

[jwalsh07]

A warning on antibiotics. Twice in my life I almost met the reaper from taking antibiotics. once from penecillin and once from keflex, the drug they give you when you are allergic to penicillin.

The response by our governement to these incidents have been pretty impressive thus far. They identify and begin treatment rapidly. No cause for panic, they are doing a good job.

[Snowy]

Aren't these the same birds who are telling us not to take antibiotics because it's unnecessary and it will deplete the supply and it will destroy helpful bacteria and it will produce resistant strains? Or does that not apply to Our Fearless LeadersTM?

Yes, it is. However, I do believe they should be taking every precaution. It isn't because I like everyone residing there! :) Seriously, if our government officials start dropping dead of Anthrax, don't you think the majority of the population will begin to panic? We need those guys to stay healthy in order to keep America calm.

[aomagrat]

Just reported on Fox News. Congress to adjourn until capital decontaminated.

[jwalsh07]

Tehy are, thats why Lieberman and I'm sure many others are on an antibiotic regimen.

[MindBender26]

Well the analysis says it was a high military grade and a very lethal form. Unfortunately you don't know what "treaks" have been to the virus and what the long-term effects might be for the survivors...

If anyone thinks this anthrax stuff is just a scare...we have only begun with this crisis...I am afraid it will probably get a lot worse before it gets better.

Exactly, with a little DNA splicing, it could be a whole new ballgame!!!

[Illbay]

There's a "limited supply" of nearly everything in the universe, except maybe for Hydrogen.

But the fact is, there is an ample supply of antibiotics to fight any outbreak of Anthrax (which is unlikely, since it isn't contagious, and can only be gotten by direct exposure to spores).

200 people in Washington aren't going to deplete the supply of antibiotics.

Some of you people need to tone down your "paranoia amplifiers."

[freeper12]

>>Congress to adjourn until capital decontaminated

Well I hope the all go to disneyworld via commerical aircraft and frequent the malls...

[antivenom]

Lieberman, who has not tested positive for anthrax exposure, said during a CNN interview on Wednesday that his taking the antibiotic ``is probably unnecessary, but why not?''

Noooooo he said this..."is prowably unnessawary, but why not?''

[Coop]

But since our leader has decided to go to China for a few days, it's unlikely he has chosen to fight.

I'd much rather have President Bush on my side than some piss-ant little coward like yourself.