# Developed An Anti-Anthrax Lifestyle Yet? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 20, 2001, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/developed-an-anti-anthrax-lifestyle-yet/88612 "2001-10-20T19:02:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SterlingNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@SterlingNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SterlingNorth)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/developed-an-anti-anthrax-lifestyle-yet/88612/21 "2001-10-22T01:18:44Z")
I now gather all supicious mail and burn them in my barbeque grill. You can recognise the supicious mail by the little markings on the front. Such as: **STATEMENT ENCLOSED FINAL NOTICE URGENT: COLLECTION AGENCY COURT SUMMONS** Other than that, not much changed. ---
**Author:** ![crazy\_nut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2bfe46/32.png) [@crazy\_nut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazy_nut)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/developed-an-anti-anthrax-lifestyle-yet/88612/22 "2001-10-22T12:23:03Z")
I am I the only one here growing up with medical informaton here? even tho. everone knows that anthrax isnt contagious, you ppl are still worried about it. Hmm…I think I will have to learn to live in a non-medical world. ---
**Author:** ![sidle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@sidle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sidle)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/developed-an-anti-anthrax-lifestyle-yet/88612/23 "2001-10-22T13:36:58Z")
I have made one change. Sadly, I may NEVER know again whether I _may_ or _may not_ have already been a winner… ☹ I work at a newspaper, and I heard that an elderly lady cancelled her subscription lest the newspaper be delivered to her house containing anthrax. Come ON, people! She may be a bit pardoned because she’s old, and maybe her judgment is starting to go, if it was ever there. But the rest of us need to relax a little. I know its a rare but valid concern, but I have to wonder why people are scared for themselves. Unless you’re Brokaw, in Congress, or a high-profile Arab- hater, I really doubt they’re after YOU, Chester. 😉 (Just remember, you’re special, just like everybody else…) ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/developed-an-anti-anthrax-lifestyle-yet/88612/24 "2001-10-22T13:40:52Z")
The OP is ridiculous fear-mongering. Let me be clear. YOU HAVE NO CHANCE–ZERO–OF CATCHING ANTHRAX!! 1. It’s not contagious. 2. Only a handful of cases have been reported, with only one fatality. 3. It’s readily treatable by antibiotics. 4. It’s extremely difficult to make anthrax spores of the neceesary size to cause infection. If smallpox cases start to pop up, THEN, I’ll worry. What’s out of control is the fear and ignorance being spread like the mother in [this](http://64.4.14.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=4f98fd8d641365e828522b1dd3ce01a4&lat=1003757500&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fnewsletter%2etime%2ecom%2fY9RH06127B8B89625B7C) story. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/developed-an-anti-anthrax-lifestyle-yet/88612/25 "2001-10-22T13:43:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ihrkelings \* > > > [@](#): > > > > Frist added that this man must have been exposed to a more intense form of the bacterium, _strong enough to move_ through is respiratory track and deep into his lungs. > > > > “Obviously when that postal worker touched it, it was in a more concentrated, _virile_ form,” > > _(emphasis mine-JRD)_ OK, the source of that quote just put forth two things that elicited the **“Huh?”** reaction … (A) It doesn’t “move” into the lungs because it’s “strong” – it’s inhaled passively. He meant the effect is worse because the spores are much smaller and more intensely concentrated. (b) I think the word y’all were looking for was _virulent_? JRD ---
**Author:** ![cygnus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e0b2c6/32.png) [@cygnus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cygnus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/developed-an-anti-anthrax-lifestyle-yet/88612/26 "2001-10-22T17:53:56Z")
Oh goodness :rolleyes: - aren’t we over-reacting a little? As several have noted, your own chances of being exposed to anthrax are significantly less than the very real risks we take every day without a thought, like driving a car, standing on a ladder, or walking down your driveway. However, this does give me an opportunity to post an anecdote. A couple weeks ago, when the whole anthrax scare was just breaking (two or three people involved), we got an unexpected package from a relative. While doing dishes, I watched through the window as SO cygnus went out and received the package from the mail person and brought it in. As he began to open it in the next room, I called out, “What have you got there, honey?” In the perkiest of tones he replied, “Anthrax!” I know I’m biased, but he sure makes me laugh. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![cygnus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e0b2c6/32.png) [@cygnus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cygnus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/developed-an-anti-anthrax-lifestyle-yet/88612/27 "2001-10-22T17:57:02Z")
BTW - > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tevya \* > **I have stopped snorting powder that comes in unsolicited mail.** 😃 LOL ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/developed-an-anti-anthrax-lifestyle-yet/88612/28 "2001-10-22T18:08:38Z")
Maybe not enter buildings that are still being tested like on Capitol Hill. The unabomber incident left the “check mail” routine in some of us. Does anyone know if this latest unfortunate postman opened the mail? Seems he inhaled the substance. ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/developed-an-anti-anthrax-lifestyle-yet/88612/29 "2001-10-22T18:28:33Z")
My lifestyle has always been Anti-Anthrax. ---
**Author:** ![rsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/developed-an-anti-anthrax-lifestyle-yet/88612/30 "2001-10-22T19:02:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Violet \* > Does anyone know if this latest unfortunate postman opened the mail? Seems he inhaled the substance. He did NOT open any mail. BTW, there are now two suspicious deaths among DC postal workers. There are also two additional confirmed cases of inhaled Anthrax at the same postal facility. Am I personally worried or changing my behavior? Not a bit. But I think it is very reasonable for postal workers and mailroom workers to wear a $2 dust mask which would provide a high level of protection from inhalation Anthrax. (Yes, I checked, the quality dust masks provide protection for particles as small as 0.3 microns.) ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/developed-an-anti-anthrax-lifestyle-yet/88612/31 "2001-10-22T19:36:52Z")
I’m laughing at all people who suddenly spot potential anthrax threats. Anthrax in the bathroom, anthrax in the mall, anthrax on the chocolate bars, anthrax everywhere. I mock them for their scientific illiteracy! ---
**Author:** ![Justin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ab097/32.png) [@Justin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2001, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/developed-an-anti-anthrax-lifestyle-yet/88612/32 "2001-10-22T20:18:25Z")
somone said ( i think reprise, pardon if i spelled it wrong) that if they were serious about bio warfare they would use somthing other than antrax… I would acualy worry if any of the following started poping up… Bubonic Plague…i think its treatable though. Small Pox…very few of us have vaccicnes for this one T.B…Its treatable…but i dont want it!!! …and the worst of all… EBOLA…if this comes to the US, i will lock myself in my room and refuse to leave. Ebola is the scariest disease ive ever heard of. I dont want anything that causes your blood vessels to break down and cause you to bleed from all bodily openings… As far as I know (but correct me if im wrong) there is no cure or treatment for ebola, and it kills you within a week of getting it. happy microbe hunting 🙂 oh yeah, ive got a discount on kleenex box shoes. only $55 a pair…for those who are terribily scared of the nasty little virises. ---
**Author:** ![Daikona](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@Daikona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daikona)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2001, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/developed-an-anti-anthrax-lifestyle-yet/88612/33 "2001-10-23T18:39:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Justin \* > **As far as I know (but correct me if im wrong) there is no cure or treatment for ebola, and it kills you within a week of getting it.** There isn’t a cure, and treatment consists mostly of making sure that in case you survive the ebola nothing else kills you. I did find this on the CDC site: > [@](#): > > How is Ebola hemorrhagic fever treated? > There is no standard treatment for Ebola HF. Currently, patients receive supportive therapy. This consists of balancing the patient’s fluids and electrolytes, maintaining their oxygen status and blood pressure, and treating them for any complicating infections. During the Kikwit outbreak, eight patients were given blood of individuals who had been infected with Ebola virus but recovered. Seven of the eight patients survived. However, because the study size was small, and participants characteristics (including the fact that they were relatively young) predisposed them towards recovery, the efficacy of the treatment remains unknown. ---
**Author:** ![SterlingNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@SterlingNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SterlingNorth)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/developed-an-anti-anthrax-lifestyle-yet/88612/34 "2001-11-01T18:45:09Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **SterlingNorth** _: > I now gather all supicious mail and burn them in my barbeque grill. > > You can recognise the supicious mail by the little markings on the front. > > Such as: > > **STATEMENT ENCLOSED > FINAL NOTICE > URGENT: COLLECTION AGENCY > COURT SUMMONS** > > Other than that, not much changed. [Continuing dispaches from **Sterling’s** pad.](http://www.ucomics.com/boondocks/viewbo.cfm?uc_full_date=20011101&uc_comic=bo&uc_daction=X) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/developed-an-anti-anthrax-lifestyle-yet/88612.md?page=1)