Just heard that there is a confirmed case of cutaneous anthrax at NBC in New York. Where is all this anthrax coming from? If these incidents are not related to the WTC terrorists, then it seems as if plenty of other people seem to have had access to anthrax to use in the attacks in Florida and now NY. Sure makes you wonder.

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), October 12, 2001

Answers

No wondering allowed. Shussssh (finger on lips)

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), October 12, 2001.

Is it possible that this is a distraction?

Havent heard much lately about a gazillion dollar gift package for the air lines, lately. Lets see that would be the same air lines that have a few trillion dollars worth of aircraft in moth balls at Nellis AFB, in Nevada. I wonder who owns that United States Air Force Base, that is being used as a parking lot for private industry while they wait for thier "free money" package from the feds.

Almost sounds like a chain letter to me.

Oops sorry, doesent have anything to do with anthrax.

Kind of reminds me of the "Herpies" epedemic that disappeared overnight when the government funding was put into place for the "Aids" problem back in the mid 80's. I guess it just depends on where you are in the "hand out" line.

-- OH (edcopp@yahoo.com), October 12, 2001.

I think ppl forget it *can* come from sheep--that's where it originally started from. Not only that, but there is more likely more media coverage of this kind of event at this point.

-- Brendan K Callahan (Grinnell, IA) (sleeping@iowatelecom.net), October 12, 2001.

OK, I know I'm going to come off as a cold-hearted SOB, but maybe the government should mix in powdered Anthrax with cocaine. Let the users play Cocaine Roulette. Eliminates the users from the gene pool.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), October 12, 2001.

Great- just read that the enveloped suspected of transmitting the anthrax to both NBC and the New York Times were mailed from neighboring St. Petersburg, Fl. The whole world is going crazy, all at once it seems!

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), October 12, 2001.

Ken,

You are not indicating that the government is in the cocaine business are you? That would be illegal, the government would never have any cocaine on hand ot mix anything in, would they? Then they would not be involved, in any way in distribution of cocaine, would they? Or would they? This is real scary too. We have had a war on drugs for 30 years or so and now have more trouble than ever, Hmm.. I guess if the war was over that might solve the problem. Perhaps it is time to get the government out of the drug business, before they decide that it would be smart to get into the viris business.

-- Ed Copp (OH) (edcopp@yahoo.com), October 12, 2001.

Was wondering what is the usual yearly anthrax in the US. Is this amount of people getting it that unusual really ???

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), October 12, 2001.

Ed, there will never be an end to the war on drugs. Too many people in high places in this country make too much money from it!

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), October 12, 2001.

Helena- I read that only 18 people have contracted anthrax since the turn of the century. I believe that figure is for the inhaled type, not sure about the cutaneous.

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), October 12, 2001.

Helena-their had been no confirmed cases of anthrax in the U.S. since 1976 until the three in Florida and now the one in NY.

-- fred (fred@mddc.com), October 12, 2001.

Associated Press Writer Friday, Oct. 12, 2001; 9:00 p.m. EDT

CARSON CITY, Nev. –– A letter containing pornographic material that was sent from Malaysia to a Microsoft office in Reno has tentatively tested positive for anthrax, state officials said Friday.

No one has tested positive for the disease or become ill, officials said.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), October 12, 2001.

It occurs to me that targeting news offices creates a very high profile story and alot of extra coverage. Who/whatever is behind it is making sure a little goes along way in the paranionia terror game.

-- becca (lostcreek@olywa.net), October 13, 2001.

http://www.zetatalk.com/thub00.htm then click on the Health icon then click on On Foot I think that is how to find out the information. It's a interesting site, with plenty of survival information....I have printed out reams of stuff from here and there and everywhere. The internet is like the library for me.

-- Lynnda (venus@zeelink.net), October 13, 2001.

There had been no cases of *inhalation* anthrax (the kind the man in Florida died from) since 1976. Contact anthrax is more common, with usually one or two cases a year -- you don't hear about it because it isn't often fatal if treated promptly. Normally the people who get anthrax get it because they have been in close contact with infected animals, or with wool from infected sheep. It isn't that common in animals in this country, though there are usually a few cases every year. But we have better medical care for our animals than most other countries, so infected wool usually comes from overseas -- from places like the Middle East. *Normally* most people are at zero risk of getting any form of anthrax. I don't know how all these people have been infected with it, but it isn't from natural causes.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), October 13, 2001.