Posted: 3/11/2004 5:37:29 PM EDT
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Hi All, Have any of you actually thought of the horrible effects a Biological or chemical warfare and what impact it would have if this occured in one of our cities? How do you plan to handle the situation? What steps can be taken to protect yourself and your family? I was thinking about this and if something very contagious was unleashed what impact would this have on our society. I personally feel that biological war is worse than nuclear war due to the communicable elements. What are your thoughts? Bohr |
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NBC works best to keep people out of an area than actually hurting those people there if they have the option of leaving. It denies space if you will. Nuclear, just leave the area if you didn't get blown up in the first place. Chemical, move up wind to get fresh air and don't lick the ground. Biological, wear a dust mask and don't kiss strangers. Of course all of this is over simplified, but honestly if your not killed in the initial event and have some warning, you can protect yourself without too much trouble. Go buy some Tyvek suits, surgical/dust masks, and gloves if feel the need to prepare. |
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The problem is partly how it can spread. Contaminated persons, depending on the incubation period, contaminated vehicles, water supply, food chain, etc. It's rather a bit more complex than noted above. Leave the area, yes, but that's easier said than done. Also, what might be the warning? Wake up and smell the sarin gas? Too late then. If you look out your window and the guy next door is running down the street screaming and his skin is sloughing off, you might consider leaving the AO, but you're probably screwed by then anyway. Also, because of the risk of spreading, it's unlikely in any terrorist type attack, that you may even be allowed to leave. Smart money says the affected area will be sealed off and decontaminated, but you're probably not going anywhere until you've at least been through the tent, and that depends on a lot of variables too. Cpt. Redleg |
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i was a medic with the aeromedical isolation team at ft detrick MD. Biowarfare is something i know a little about. The bottom line is there is really not much as a "civillian" you can do. With a biological event in your area by the time it is identified it's to late to run. The medical system has procedures in place to identify outbreaks but even that takes time at best to identify. Chemical attacks are a little better from the stand point they are limited to the location of the attack generally. Once again if you are in the direct attack location you will be dead or out of it before you get the alarm. I keep a mask and gear in my car for one reason only. My job requires me to service equipment at anniston army depot. This is where the military is disposing of chemical warheads. With luck if they sound the alarm i might make it to my gear in time. The best defense is common sense and keep your eyes open. the earlier you detect the problem the better off you are. Unless you have a direct need for a mask i don't think they are worth much. Most people don't have the training to use them properly and filter life is fairly short. ie.15-30 min max. Almost enough time to get out of the area and not much more. mike |
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Quoted: Also, because of the risk of spreading, it's unlikely in any terrorist type attack, that you may even be allowed to leave. Smart money says the affected area will be sealed off and decontaminated, but you're probably not going anywhere until you've at least been through the tent, and that depends on a lot of variables too. Cpt. Redleg that is exactly right. we had an ebola infection at hazelton labs in reston virginia while i was active. That is exactly what we did. The area around the animal lab was quaranteened and NO ONE left without coming through us first. mike |