# Bioterrorism Classes Begin At My Hospital **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 1, 2001, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bioterrorism-classes-begin-at-my-hospital/84786 "2001-10-01T16:55:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2001, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bioterrorism-classes-begin-at-my-hospital/84786/1 "2001-10-01T16:55:35Z")
That’s not a “Pointless Thing”, but a month ago I would never have thought that my little Georgia hospital would ever have to institute such a class. Still, at 51, it gives me a sense of being able to serve my country again. Quasi ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2001, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bioterrorism-classes-begin-at-my-hospital/84786/2 "2001-10-01T20:21:27Z")
Can you tell us what you get to study? ---
**Author:** ![TheOtherOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dbc845/32.png) [@TheOtherOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheOtherOne)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2001, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bioterrorism-classes-begin-at-my-hospital/84786/3 "2001-10-01T20:26:51Z")
Can you mail me some of what you get to study? I’ve got a svere ant problem. I was thinking some high tech chemical designed to kill people might work on them too 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bioterrorism-classes-begin-at-my-hospital/84786/4 "2001-10-06T05:19:27Z")
We will concentrate on Anthrax, Botulism, Plague, and Smallpox. This is a plan put out by the CDC and the APIC ( Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epdemiology Inc.) My own feelings are opti-pessimistic: I’m glad for the educational material, but we see so many damn flu-related illnesses already in our ER, that by the time we realize we’re seeing one of the above, we will probably be saturated with the shit already. This **Bioterrorism Readiness Plan** is a good primer, but that’s **all** it is. According to this document, they don’t even recommend civilian immunization against Anthrax. **Standard Precautions** are all that \*is \*recommended. I would be interested in reading the reaction of other health-pros who have seen this document. Thanks Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bioterrorism-classes-begin-at-my-hospital/84786/5 "2001-10-06T05:41:57Z")
… that they(we live in Georgia) have been put on alert for this weekend as a result of the Florida Anthrax death. Q ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bioterrorism-classes-begin-at-my-hospital/84786/6 "2001-10-06T06:46:21Z")
Hubby’s been talking about gas masks for the family for two weeks. I’m inclined to think that they won’t be much help if such a thing happens. What do you think? What precautions should the average family be taking to be prepared? We have food and water and only minimal basic first aid supplies stored already. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bioterrorism-classes-begin-at-my-hospital/84786/7 "2001-10-06T09:33:15Z")
… as far as gas masks go, I think the jury is still “out” on **which** masks protect against **what** gas or toxin, but you may wanna do a search on survival web sites. They were quite numerous when we had the Y2K scare, and I believe several are still around. Though I can’t recommend one, a netsearch or some of our doper friends should be able to help. These people are very knowledgable about which foods and other things you should store if you feel so inclined. Quasi