Umm.
Anthrax is not a virus. I am not sure about the particle size of all the
infectious agents ("spores" vs. any other form). The "B" in B. Anthracis
stands for "bacillus", and the "course of treatment" is antibiotics.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/anthrax_g.htm
Absolutely agree with your other comments. Duct tape and chlorate candles,
anyone?
MMB
Mike Lorrey wrote:
> NOTE: Smallpox is an amazingly HUGE virus. Do not expect other viral
> attacks (anthrax, hanta, etc) to be stopped by this filter, though it
> should be able to deal with bacterial attacks like botulin, bubonic,
> etc.
>
> While anthrax can be treated with a vaccine (as can smallpox, of
> course), hanta has no vaccine at this point, so far as I know. Anybody
> know different?
>
> Hanta can be spread by the spraying of dried dust of the excrement of
> infected rodents. Don't know if you must ingest the dust itself.
>
> Furthermore: having a gas mask does not protect you against all chemical
> attacks. Many, including nerve agents, penetrate through the skin. There
> are antidotes available for many nerve agents, that typically are
> composed of two injections: a highly toxic anti-toxin, and the
> anti-toxin's counter agent (if you took the anti-toxin when you were not
> under attack, you would poison yourself without the counteragent).
>
> Some chemical attacks will include multiple weapons, meant to get you to
> remove some part of your protective gear (itching and blistering agents
> do this) so as to expose yourself more to other toxins like nerve
> agents.
>
> Finally: gas masks are uncomfortable. TOO BAD. Take it off and expect to
> die. With NBC gear on, you do learn a great amount of patience with the
> sweating, itches, scratches, heat and humidity, tightness, etc. If you
> are a fidgety person, practice by putting on all your gear and then
> doing your yoga meditations for a good couple hours. If anything can
> help you attain trance-like states, it is learning to ignore the
> discomfort of NBC gear for extended periods.
>
> ALSO: don't just get a gasmask. There are inexpensive sensors you can
> buy that detect the presence of various toxic agents. Not only are they
> important for telling you when to put your gear on, but also telling you
> when it is safe to take it off.
-- Job One: MAKE YOURSELF USEFUL. If you're not part of the solution, what are you doing scumming up the bottom of our beaker? --MMB "Let's roll." --Last words heard over Todd Beamer's cell phone before the counterassault aboard UA93, 02001.09.11.~10:10EDT
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Sat May 11 2002 - 17:44:12 MDT