By Lori Ehde
U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft warned the nation Monday of more possible terrorist attacks in the coming weeks.
Faced with the challenge of informing people without scaring them, community leaders nationwide are following Washington's advice to be "vigilant, but not paranoid."
In a timely seminar Monday, local public health officials and community leaders learned specifically what should and should not be done to prepare for a possible bioterrorism attack.
Nobles-Rock Public Health Nurse Joan Kindt, Hardwick, said the video seminar, aired in the Extension Office, put some things in perspective.
"Our risk of an attack here is low, but there are some things that all communities should do," she said.
"We're focusing more on epidemiology rather than the fear factor. People say, 'Why not give everyone the smallpox vaccine?' Well, it's a live virus, and there are lots of possible complications with the smallpox vaccine. The same is true for anthrax."
She said the video conference, led primarily by Minnesota Epidemiologist Henry Hull, hit on five key points:
Everyone at risk for the flu should get the flu vaccine. This way, it will present fewer flu cases, which can present symptoms similar to anthrax exposure.
Similarly, all children should have the chicken pox shot, because chicken pox symptoms can be similar to small pox, and fewer chicken pox cases will mean fewer scares of possible small pox.
Everyone should handle suspicious mail appropriately. For example, if it looks suspicious, don't wave it around or sniff it. Double bag it and call local law enforcement, 283-5000, who will in turn call the Minnesota Postal Command center, 651-293-3200.
That number has been set up this week for postal inspectors to field calls from communities about suspicious mail.
Citizens should be generally prepared as they would be for any disaster. They should have extra food and water on hand, and a back-up plan for another place to stay if they can't get to their homes.
Finally, the public is reminded to keep possible terrorism in perspective. "The risk is low, and fear is our greatest enemy," Kind said.
More information on bioterrorism preparedness can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health Web site at www.health.state.mn.us.
Questions can also be directed to Nobles Rock Public Health at 283-5066.