Judicial Watch~Government “About Face” on Anthrax Testing Puts Lives At Risk

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10/29/2001
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Government “About Face” on Anthrax Testing Puts Lives At Risk

Backtracks on Promises to Test Private Facilities Which Receive Mail in Bulk from Infected D.C. Postal Facility

Double Standard -- D.C. Area Government Facilities Being Tested for Anthrax Contamination, Private Facilities Must Fend for Themselves


(Washington, DC) Judicial Watch, the public interest law firm that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that it has learned the government health authorities have reversed earlier promises to test private mailrooms “downstream” from the anthrax-contaminated Brentwood postal facility. As reported by such media outlets as the Associated Press and The Washington Post in recent days, health officials said they would begin environmental testing for anthrax in up to 4,000 private entities which receive mail in bulk from the Brentwood facility. Yet, contrary to these promises, Judicial Watch learned from the federal and D.C. public health authorities today that only private facilities where individuals test positive for anthrax exposure or infection, or facilities which have physical evidence of possible anthrax contamination (unusual powder, suspicious letters, etc.). Private facilities who wish to be tested must plead for testing by the government.

This is both at odds with public statements by health officials and contrary to sound public health policy. Obviously, to wait for an infection before testing susceptible sites is, as the cliche goes, like shutting the door after the horse is out the barn. As troubling, this new stance is at odds with assurances of environmental testing given by government officials to thousands of local D.C. residents concerned about possible deadly anthrax exposure. And it once again raises the prospect of a double standard for anthrax treatment by the government, as all government facilities “downstream” from Brentwood evidently are being tested, while private facilities are left to fend for themselves or plead for testing.

Judicial Watch today sent a letter to Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge demanding that he immediately direct the CDC and other appropriate agencies to begin to arrange environmental testing for anthrax of all entities, public and private, which receive mail in bulk from anthrax contaminated postal facilities in D.C.

“This is the latest example of mismanagement, false information, and gross negligence by the government in its response to the recent anthrax attacks. We hope that Governor Ridge takes immediate actions to ensure no more lives are needlessly lost,” stated Judicial Watch Chairman and General Counsel Larry Klayman.

To view the letter Click Here.

###

By Hand Delivery

October 29, 2001

URGENT The Honorable Tom Ridge
Director of the Office of Homeland Security
The White House
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Re: Government Misinformation Concerning Environmental Testing for Anthrax of Private Facilities

Dear Director Ridge:

We believe that you should be alerted to an alarming gap and misinformation we have uncovered in the government’s response to the recent terrorist incidents involving anthrax. Judicial Watch, a public interest law firm which investigates and prosecutes government corruption, is in the group of thousands of business that face possible anthrax exposure, receiving mail in bulk from both the Brentwood postal facility and the L Street, SW postal facility, both of which have admittedly been contaminated by anthrax. Following the prudent advice of local D.C. health authorities, staff in our office have obtained antibiotics at D.C. General Hospital. As a further precaution, health officials on Friday said that “between 2,000-4,000 mailrooms at businesses throughout the city will be tested for anthrax.” See “Another D.C. Post Office Tests Positive for Anthrax,” The Associated Press, Friday, October 26, 20001. This was also reported in The Washington Post this past weekend:

As many as 4,000 downstream facilities -- ranging from huge mail recipients such as universities to small companies with one person who sorts all the mail -- were covered, officials said yesterday. Later, government officials will arrange for testing to be done at all such locations, but workers in those places should not wait for that to happen before starting antibiotic therapy, officials said.

See “Anthrax Scare Closes High Court; Treatment Urged for Thousands,” The Washington Post, Saturday, October 27, 2001.

Yet when my staff contacted federal and local D.C. health authorities this morning to arrange for environmental testing, we were told that private mailrooms with possible anthrax exposure would be tested only if someone in the private facility becomes infected with anthrax, tests positive for anthrax exposure, or where there is physical evidence of possible anthrax contamination (unusual powder, suspicious letters, etc.). Only after much cajoling was Judicial Watch able to get on a list of sites to be tested, though no promises were made as to when the testing would take place.

This confusing policy is both at odds with public statements by health officials and contrary to sound public health policy. Obviously, to wait for an infection before testing susceptible sites is, as the cliche goes, like shutting the door after the horse is out the barn. As troubling, this new stance is at odds with assurances of environmental testing given by government officials to thousands of local D.C. residents concerned about possible deadly anthrax exposure. And it once again raises of the prospect of a double standard for anthrax treatment by the government, as all government facilities “downstream” from Brentwood evidently are being tested, while private facilities are left to fend for themselves or plead for testing.

We are obviously concerned for the health and well-being of our employees, but as public interest group, we must also stand up on behalf of the American people against this latest example, at a minimum, of gross negligence by the government in responding the anthrax attacks. Accordingly, we ask that you immediately direct the CDC and other appropriate agencies to begin to arrange environmental testing for anthrax of all entities, public and private, which receive mail in bulk from either the Brentwood or the L Street postal facilities.

Judicial Watch has been in contact with Congressman Bob Barr, of the House Government Reform Committee, who also has concerns about this. Judicial Watch will ask the Chairman of the House Government Reform Committee, Dan Burton, to investigate this issue as well.

Director Ridge, we wish you all the best as you perform your duties on behalf of the American people in these trying times. Statements made by government officials during this crisis must translate into deeds.
Anything less and the result is “spin” that misinforms the public, breeds distrust, and can lead to injury and death. Already, three individuals have died, and many others are infected with anthrax. We trust you will take the appropriate action to protect the health and lives of those citizens potentially subject to anthrax exposure in the Washington, DC region.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely yours,

JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.
Thomas Fitton
President

Larry Klayman
Chairman and General Counsel
cc: The Honorable Bob Barr
The Honorable Dan Burton
The Honorable Tommy Thompson


-- (Jessam6@home.com), October 30, 2001


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