Mail Safety and Anthrax

Lets get one thing straight – you’re much more likely to get killed in a road accident than to get anthrax! Get this into perspective! See page on Terrorism.

Don’t just open your mail, look at the envelopes. Is it something you’re expecting or junk mail. Junk mail usually looks like junk or has a pre-printed envelope marked ‘Important’. Most envelopes sent by businesses have a window for the address, you’re not likely to use one of these if you’re trying to conceal a white powder as it could be seen through the envelope. Which leaves those with a printed address label and those that are hand written. If its hand written do you recognise the writing? If it has a printed address or you don’t recognise the writing, check the postmark. Are you expecting a letter from that location?

Most harmful mail whether its a bomb, malicious letter or laced with anthrax will not be hand-written with ‘normal’ handwriting. It will be written with very careful writing designed to hide any style. It may be block capitals or may be the way you were taught to write in 1^st Grade. However some people may write in block capitals to make sure it is legible. If it is malicious it will look like it has been written slowly and deliberately.

If you’re going to be really paranoid about anthrax in the mail. Don’t open the mail near airflow such as the air conditioning or an open window as this would just spread the spores. Have a bowl of water handy and if there is some white powder drop the envelope into the bowl. Get in the shower and turn it on. Take your clothes off only once they are soaked. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap/shampoo. Then wash the rest of yourself thoroughly, stay there for about 15 minutes. Do not use a scrubbing brush. Then get out of the shower and call the police. (You might want to put some clothes on at this point).

One little word about gas masks. Firstly you have to have the right sort for what you need to be protected against. Secondly they have a limited usage span, the filters will clog up after a number of hours of use. Thirdly they need to fit properly. If the person selling it to you doesn’t check it fits by getting you to put it on then using a smelly spray to check if the spray gets inside then they are ripping you off. Lastly, (for the men) they won’t work if you have a beard or more than a days hair growth.