Thread: Bush issues medical emergency directive

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Wednesday, February 7, 2007 · Last updated 3:59 p.m. PT

Bush issues medical emergency directive

By BEVERLEY LUMPKIN
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

WASHINGTON -- President Bush issued orders Wednesday for how federal medical personnel should respond to a nuclear, radiological, biological or chemical attack, saying authorities should focus on threats that can be dealt with medically.

An attack using any one of those weapons "could cause mass casualties, compromise critical infrastructure, adversely affect our economy, and inflict social and psychological damage," according to the order.

The directive points out that the primary goal is to prevent such an attack, "but we must be fully prepared to respond to and recover from an attack if one occurs."

It says it is not feasible to stockpile medicine and equipment against every possible threat. However, it says the priority must be on threats with a potential for a catastrophic impact on public health that have the greatest potential to be handled medically.

"We are moving heaven and earth to prevent" an attack, Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said. He called the directive a playbook for how the federal government will respond and coordinate in providing medical treatment in case prevention fails.

Under the plan, authorities will focus on acquiring medicines and equipment that already exist and are proven approaches, and on pursuing long-term research to "get ahead of the curve," said Knocke.

Of all the possible threats, the biological agents offer the greatest opportunity for medical treatment and care.

Meanwhile, a report from the Homeland Security Department's internal watchdog criticized the effectiveness of its "BioWatch" program - hundreds of air-sniffing sensors in at least 30 metropolitan areas intended to provide early warning of a chemical or biological attack.

The inspector general found that the department had not properly enforced or monitored the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which are also involved in the program. But it noted that Homeland Security had taken action to resolve the issues, and "we consider the recommendations resolved and closed."

Problems with filters, laboratories and fieldwork might cause cross-contamination of samples, which could jeopardize the department's ability "to protect the populace of the United States or to prosecute suspected perpetrators," the report said.

In some cities, the devices test the air 24 hours a day for traces of anthrax, smallpox and other deadly germs. New York, Boston and Washington have installed the monitors in major train and subway stations to sample the air for chemical poisons or explosive gases.

Environmental agencies also have been given portable air sensors that can be driven around in vans or carried by hand, though the sensors test only for about 20 different microbes and toxins.

In January 2003, the department rolled out the $129 million BioWatch program, relying on the Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies to run it. It was created out of concern that terrorists might aerosolize a biological agent and spread deadly biological pathogens.

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Associated Press writers Ben Feller, Kevin Freking and John Heilprin contributed to this report.

He's about 5 years too late for this. It seems like a lame attempt to deflect attention from his policies and conduct on a day when some of his own members of Congress are threatening him with impeachment. SECURE THIS NATION! SECURE THE DARN BORDERS!

"We are moving heaven and earth to prevent" an attack, Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said. He called the directive a playbook for how the federal government will respond and coordinate in providing medical treatment in case prevention fails.

You mean everything in their power to encourage an attack. Leaving the border as open as they have is encouraging an attack, not preventing one. Get it right bush. Your thinking is out of order!

cvangle!

Wagging the Dog is cruel to Americans.

Dixie

Well, I'm not worried.

I stocked up on duct tape and plastic sheeting years ago, back when the DHS first recommended we do so.

What more could I need?

Originally Posted by Dixie

cvangle!

Wagging the Dog is cruel to Americans.

Dixie

Was I being mean? What can I say?

*It was a good post jimpasz.........I just needed to vent on Bush...........

"Meanwhile, a report from the Homeland Security Department's internal watchdog criticized the effectiveness of its "BioWatch" program - hundreds of air-sniffing sensors in at least 30 metropolitan areas intended to provide early warning of a chemical or biological attack."

Boy I feel safe now, Homeland Security frisking old ladies in wheelchairs at the airports, multimillion dollar contracts for sniffers? When they sniff
something bad then what? Bring back the 50s air-raid sirens going off
at noon on fridays and we can get under our desks and hold our breath?

I stocked up on duct tape and plastic sheeting years ago, back when the DHS first recommended we do so.

What more could I need?

Some potassium iodide to protect your thyroid from absorbing radioactive iodide from nuclear fallout.

Scary news....I'm not afraid of the terrorist.....

Before anyone considers getting a flu vaccine, and particularly an avian flu vaccine, consider a VASTLY safer alternative, such as Sambucol, which is an Israeli-produced enzymatic extract of sambucus negris that blocks replication of the influenza viruses by destroying the protein spikes they use to penetrate the cell wall. Below is a link to an article on the effectiveness of the product. I believe that this is a higher rate of effectiveness than the vaccine:

http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng ... l-bird-flu