Anthrax Nation
There are few things as universal as the mail. And that's why we worry now when the postman rings. Should we?
"The psychological impact of a chemical or biological weapon is much greater than the physical impact," says terrorism expert Eifried. "People understand explosions. They understand buildings collapsing. But they don't understand this. Not everyone lives in a tall building or flies on a plane. Everyone gets mail."
Dr. Anna Johnson-Winegar, special assistant for biochemical defenses to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, told U.S. News that she has recommended to top Defense and Justice department officials that all postal workers, fire, police, and all other first responders, as well as military personnel, be vaccinated for anthrax and smallpox, as a "prophylactic response." Says Dr. Johnson-Winegar: "I am personally a believer in vaccination. For many bioterror agents, particularly smallpox, I think this country needs to rethink its policies."
Armed with a new set of antiterrorism laws passed last week that will make it easier for law enforcement agencies to find and arrest terrorists, President Bush said, "This legislation is essential not only to pursuing and punishing terrorists but also preventing more atrocities in the hands of the evil ones. This government will enforce this law with all the urgency of a nation at war. The elected branches of our government, and both political parties, are united in our resolve to fight and stop and punish those who would do harm to the American people."
But until that day, the land of the free is going to have to be the home of the brave.
With Jodie T. Allen, Chitra Ragavan, Kevin Whitelaw, Douglas Pasternak, David E. Kaplan, Kit R. Roane and Jeff Howe
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