Homeland Security: What a Joke!

[Mark Heide]

I had a good laugh today. When I heard that the government recommended buying duct tape and plastic sheets to protect ourselves from chemical and biological warfare. Are they serious???? [img]/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

[Rick Nebiolo]

I'm not an expert but this might have more value protecting against nuclear or atomic fallout and that subject is just too scary for the government to mention. Let's say a "small" a-bomb gets snuck into an American city and is set off by terroists. Most in the suburbs would survive the blast but exposure to fallout is a serious concern. Most of that fallout is in the forum of dust. Duct tape and plastic would be a big help here.

I'd hate to handicap this one but I wouldn't bet against it.

Regards,

Rick

[John Cole]

I just couldn't get Red Green, master of duct tape, out of my mind: "Remember, guys, if they don't find you handsome, they can still find you handy."

John

[MMMMMM]

If a crop-dusting plane dispersed biological or chemical toxins over your area, wouldn't it make sense to seal your windows and doors well around the edges?

[Zeno]

Tape, plastic application etc may help in slowing down the breathing in of dust or other particles that are potentially radioactive (internal exposure). This would help in the case of alpha radiation most but much less so or not at all for external exposure to gamma, beta, or x-ray type radiation. And means nothing to the mother of all radioactivity - Neutrons.

It is a bit of a joke but it makes people feel less helpless. That there is something, however small, that can be done. Hence, it is a morale booster to some people.

-Zeno

[brad]

it is a joke but in places like israel it is serious becuase they can be bombarded with chemical weapons even low tech ones like blistering agents, in which case having a 'safe room' which is airtight and sealed can be very important.

[MMMMMM]

And what about anthrax spores?

[MMMMMM]

Now carry this over to the US since we can't rule out similar domestic attacks by private planes or maybe even by unmanned drones.

[brad]

yes but in israel citizens are issues protective gear and i assume are instructed on how to 'seal' a room in their house and stuff.

this is different from saying 'buy duct tape'. also on tv i saw some official with saran wrap (heh) , not the heavy duty plastic like you put down in landscaping under gravel.

[Jimbo]

brad wrote ". also on tv i saw some official with saran wrap (heh)..." Are you sure you didn't see that on the "Fetish" channel brad? [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]