29 of Daschle's staff test positive

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I just turned on Fox a few moments ago. Scrolling across the bottom, it stated that 29 of Daschle's staff tested positive for anthrax exposure. :(

Wonder how many other staffers, either his or others, will test positive.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001

Answers

wow! that is a high number.

then again, they did say this was a most potent form which is why they shut down the entire area that the a/c serviced.

I just get so nervous thinking about the maintenance workers at my work blowing all the crud out of the machines each night. Just thinking of a leaky envelope spilling in there, and then all of us getting infected because of that.

Management and the union are having talks, and I hope some changes will be made by the time I return on Thursday.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001


Surgical masks?

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001

Just on CNN saying that because the spores are so small that masks and gloves may not be totally helpful. (Ain't that nice :( )

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001

the skin infection vector is thru a cut on the skin, or so I have heard.

I rarely have a night when I don't cut my hands or arms on something! Usually not much of a nick, a scratch basically.

I have noticed a slowdown in how folks are handling the mail as they are being more cautious.

last night there was another suspicious letter found, isolated, and immediate supervisor notified. he took the letter to the nurses station, and removed it from the envelope and tapped it on his hand to see if anything came out. No consideration for the nurse or the clerk that were present at the time. Union steward notified of this instance as well as my two letters from friday which were reinserted into the mailstream because the supervisor decided they were okay and didn't want to wait for someone to come check them.

No one in management so far has exhibited any caring of our safety, regardless of what has been announced. Par for the course...

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001


Barefoot, would like to come supervise our mail room? There are some pretty extensive precautions going on, or at least the clerks have been given the options.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001


I love to hear what precautions your firm is taking. Maybe I can suggest them to union reps so they can demand similar from management.

Can get away just now, what with my hatred of flying...

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001


Barefoot,

Take care of yourself - hate to hear that anything happening to you! Is there anyway that an anonymous letter could get to your local newspaper exposing the shenanigans?

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001


Deb, your caring is like a hug! Thank you.

The union has said that the media will be alerted to managements refusal to address our concerns, but we have to give them a little time in which to do so.

Be assured that the annoucenment has been written and a date is being set for the announcement. [I just got off the phone with a steward in the union, and they have all sorts of forms and papers for us all to sign. Apparently there have been other incidences of management not following directions as they said they would, according to procedures.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001


Sweetie just got this from his co.

You have undoubtedly heard by now about the incidents of anthrax terrorism and the FBI warnings about biological terrorism. XXXXX wants to reiterate the need to be careful in handling mail. The following guidelines should be followed in order to minimize risk to yourself and others around you. Be on the lookout for suspicious packages and envelopes that do not have a return address, have odd postmarks, are unusual or unexpected, or are marked with a threatening message such as "anthrax." [I love that bit!!! OG] In the event you find such a letter or feel a letter/package you open may be suspicious, please follow the directions below. Also contained in the forwarded email below is important information regarding anthrax and other threatening, biological agents. HOW TO HANDLE ANTHRAX AND OTHER BIOLOGICAL AGENT THREATS

CDC Health Advisory

Many facilities in communities around the country have received anthrax threat letters. Most were empty envelopes; some have contained powdery substances. The purpose of these guidelines is to recommend procedures for handling such incidents.

DO NOT PANIC

Anthrax organisms can cause infection in the skin, gastrointestinal system, or the lungs. To do, so the organism must be rubbed into abraded skin, swallowed, or inhaled as a fine, aerosolized mist. Disease can be prevented after exposure to the anthrax spores by early treatment with the appropriate antibiotics. Anthrax is not spread from one person to another person.

For anthrax to be effective as a covert agent, it must be aerosolized into very small particles. This is difficult to do, and requires a great deal of technical skill and special equipment. If these small particles are inhaled, life-threatening lung infection can occur, but prompt recognition and treatment are effective. Suspicious Unopened letter or PACKAGE MARKED WITH THREATENING MESSAGE SUCH AS "ANTHRAX":

Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious envelope or package. PLACE the envelope or package in a plastic bag or some other type of container to prevent leakage of contents. If you do not have any container, then COVER the envelope or package with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not remove this cover.

Then LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away).

WASH your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face.

What to do next...

If you are at HOME, then report the incident to local police.

* If you are at WORK, then report the incident to local police, and notify your building security official or an available supervisor.

LIST all people who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized. Give this list to both the local public health authorities and law enforcement officials for follow-up investigations and advice.

After you have contacted local management and authorities, report the incident to HR as soon as possible.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001


Barefoot, I just forwarded the information on to you (assuming your regular e-mail addy still works). It may be considered confidential for some reason, so please don't pass on anything that identifies us.

Good luck!

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001



Barefoot,

You're welcome! :-) I'd hate to see anything happen to any of us here. Life is too short as it is...

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001


thanks Brooks! got it! will be careful, though it seems generalized and I suspect was given to many different clients. All names and references will be xxx'd as Git has done.

Deb, you are right, life is too short.

The question now is, will it be shortened by idiot fools who are so myopic in their view of religion that they want to eliminate all life on the planet?

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001


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