USA Today published a story telling us how to be prepared in the event of a terrorist attack using weapons of mass destruction, (WMD). Most of the advice looks like it was lifted directly from 1950s era Civil Defense pamphlets, and is about as useful:
Q: What else should be in a kit?A: At least three days' worth of water (one gallon per person per day), canned and other non-perishable food, over-the-counter medicine and regular prescription medicines. Flashlights. A non-electric can opener. Diapers and baby food. A wrench, if needed, to shut off utilities. Copies of important documents, such as wills, deeds, bank account numbers, insurance papers and immunization records in a fire- and waterproof container. Duct tape and plastic sheeting.
Q: What are the duct tape and plastic sheeting for?
A: If authorities tell you to stay in your home during a chemical or biological attack, seek shelter in an internal room or basement and turn off all ventilation, including heating and air-conditioning units. Use the plastic and tape to seal off doors and windows. This will help prevent lethal agents from seeping into your home.
Quick tip for all you survivalists out there. Any plastic sheeting and tape tight enough to block small pox or sarin gas will also block oxygen. Remember when your mom told you not to put a plastic bag over your head or you'd suffocate? Same principle here.
Of course, there's no way to seal you house tight enough anyway, but you'll provide hours of amusement for the guys in the bunkers watching via satellite while you roll your house with saran wrap.
Here's another winner:
Q: What should I do in a radiological attack?A: Seek shelter below ground and stay there until told otherwise. If you're caught outside, lie on the ground and cover your head.
Yep, if those nasty terrorists rudely set off a multi-megaton thermonuclear device while you're away from home, just jump into a drainage ditch and cover your head, and you'll be safe.
Yeah, right.
Actually, some of the advice is worth taking, especially that about food, water and a radio. No, if you're at ground zero of a nuclear attack, it won't save you, but if you're just on the fringe of the affected area, and not in the fallout path, having three days worth of water might be the difference between living and dying.
A guy I worked with recently ridiculed the idea of preparing for a terroriast attack.
"Why bother?" he asked. "America is a huge place, and the likelihood that terrorists are going to choose to hit a little Tennessee valley is negligible. Preparationis BS, a scare tactic from the gov't."
I of course disagree with that position. Do you drive your car without a spare tire? Of course not. Even though the chances of getting a flat are slim, it would be very inconvenient if you got one and didn't have a spare handy. Some of us may travel without a spare, thinking just like my co-worker, that chances are, we won't get a flat. Then, inevitably, we get the flat, learn the error of our ways, and always carry a spare.
The problem is, if you get caught without a spare, it's inconvenient. Get caught without an emergency supply of food and water, and it could be fatal.
You also have to remember the WMD isn't just nuclear, but chemical and biological as well. Take my east Tennessee buddy, for example. Tennessee might not rank high on the terrorists hit list, but suppose they crack a vial of smallpox in the DC Metro. Also suppose that Billy Bob and Billy Sue Jenkins from Strawberry Plains, TN were touring DC on that very day, and were exposed. They return from their vacation and share the contagion with their neighbors, their friends, and with much of Knoxville, in a ripple effect repeated hundreds of times all across the nation. Isn't it conceivable that basic services in Tennessee might break down under the load, even though the primary attack was 700 miles away? Heck, we can't even keep the roads clear when a quarter inch of snow falls.
It only makes sense to take some basi precautions like keeping a few days worth of food and water in the house. I'd add a few more items, like a decent medical kit, fire wood or kerosene, food for any pets, and water purification tablets. An investment of $200 or so will enable you to ride out any short term emergency. There's one more thing you might want to consider if you live in an urban area, and that's a respirator.
I live out in the country; a gas attack would be inefficient here, so I'm not woried. But in any medium to large city, a gas attack could be devastating. A $200 respirator could mean the difference between living to fight another day or dying in agony. You can even go cheaper if you want. Most home repair stores carry half mask respirators and cartridges for about $50. Make sure to get a combo particulate/chemical cartridge for your respirator, and then keep it handy. It does no good to have one if the attack comes while you're in your car at the gas station, and your respirator is at home under the dirty clothes in the hamper.
Like I said, the odds you'll need you're preparations are slim, but so are the odds you'll die in an accident at work, and I'll bet you spend more than $250 a year on life insurance. Just think of this as another insurance policy.
depending on the nuke, i've read that the initial blast could kill things up to 150 miles away.
Posted by: SayUncle on February 12, 2003 10:13 AMOkay, now you are scaring me. Have you got a kit together? Are you serious about the respirators? And, do you have one?
Posted by: Mrs. Bubba on February 12, 2003 11:30 AMNo need to be scared, just be prepared.
You almost always have 3 or 4 days of food in the house, so that's already handled. You might want to add more canned goods (and a manual can opener) to your pantry, but you don't need to try and corner the market on freeze dried chicken teriyaki.
As for water, figure on a gallon a day for each member of your household. Two or three 5 gallon jugs from a bottled water company will serve nicely. A good supply of firewood is common sense in the winter, and knowing Mr. Bubba, if you have a fireplace, that's already handled.
That brings us to the respirators, which, when I talk about it makes people start to give me funny looks. You have to keep in mind two things.
First, the risk of a chemical or biological attack is real. We know Iraq and alQaida have these weapons. We know that they would love to hit us with them. The question is not if, but when will they succeed.
Second, while there will be an attack, the chances of it being here are extremely small. The only reason I suggest looking into respirators is that if the attack is here, having one means the difference between living and dying. It really is like an insurance policy. Just do a little risk analysis. Determine the likelihood that the risk will happen. Then determine the potential damage if it occurs. Weigh these two factors against the expense and inconvenience of respirators. If the risk outweighs the expense, get 'em.
I have a half mask respirator I use for woodworking, but I don't have any for the kids. I'm considering whether to go to Home Depot next payday and get more for the kids, as well as the dual purpose cartridges. In my opinion, having them is not a necessity, but very high up on the list of options.
Posted by: rich on February 12, 2003 6:35 PM