Britain on smallpox alert

Evening Standard ^ | 2 Dec 2002 | Charles Reiss, Political Editor

[UKCajun]

Dramatic emergency plans to counter a biological warfare terrorist attack on Britain were announced by the Government today.

Within the next eight weeks, 12 disaster centres will be set up in London and across the United Kingdom ready to meet an attempt to spread smallpox among the population. In addition, some 700 key medical and Ministry of Defence staff are to be vaccinated against the disease to act as the front line against any attack.

The 12 "regional smallpox response groups" will hold supplies of vaccine under guard ready for rapid use. ...

[Scully]

has his tin foil hat screwed on too tight.

Well, I can understand his fears. I'm not too keen on the idea that UN troops are already here, and I've heard rumors that from time-to-time our military is tested to see if they would shoot fellow US citizens. But as long as we still retain the right to keep and bear arms, I think as citizens we could put down any attempts by the UN to control us...and I also believe a substantial number of gun owners would participate instead of cowering in fear of the UN.

[Woodman]

I would be willing to bet that there are a substantial number of guns in this country that no one knows about. It doesn't matter if a 12 gauge is 1 year or 80 years old at this point, it will still shoot and 00 will still leave a big hole. Also there are many 30 cal's that are serviceable and could breach body Armour. That is the main reason why the controllers want everyone registered and the same reason why many never will. Look to Canada or Australia and you will find they are still armed, hell even in Europe criminals seem not to have too hard of a time getting guns and I would bet that there are quite a few family heirlooms still hanging around.

[FreeTheHostages]

apropo this thread, check out what the CIA is looking at re smallpox

[FreeTheHostages]

ping to http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/800223/post

[Vermont Lt]

Wow, some of the stuff here is really out in the boondocks.

First of all, while it would be horrific, the outbreak of smallpox could and would be contained pretty darned quick. Then, vaccinations would be given to all folks in and around the area--and then throughout the country.

Second, most of us old fogey's have been vaccinated. While we may not be 100% free from risk, a mutated virus would still have a hard time getting much more than a foothold.

20-30% of the entire population is simply not practical. Of course, if YOU are in the impacted population it sucks.

Finally, the world would not come to a screeching halt. We would be knocked back--but not out. Things would not revert back to the 19th century. Consumption would drop according to production--the problems would be the impact in the 3rd world. Once the genie is out of the bottle, you can't put it back. Those $150 Nikes made in china may be a little hard to come by for a while.

[Vermont Lt]

And, I apologize for the double post, but if there were 100,000 troops--they probably are French and we know how good they are.