Well, the question then becomes, what are we supposed to do? I've been thinking outside the box about anthrax for about a month now - the only thing I can think of is that mail handlers should wear latex gloves and masks with fine filters.
Not a bad idea, that would have probably saved at least two lives thus far. However, that only transfers the problem to others. As terrible as it is for mail handlers to get sick, they are acting as canaries in a mine, and thus far keeping the anthrax from spreading further, or reaching the intended target. Since we are trying to think outside the box, here is what I would do
Declare a national mail emergency. The only mail that can be carried by the USPS until further notice is business mail processed by franking machines and picked up at the place of business by mail carriers, or by certified couriers from the place of business (or govt facility) to a mail handling facility.
Test all postal workers in high threat areas, NYC, DC, LA, Chicago, etc. Treat all positives, whether false positive or not.
Test all postal facilities in high threat areas and treat as necessary.
Make an emergency govt procurement of radiation devices that can sterilize mail, and provide one at each major mail hub, to be used for suspicious mail.
Once that is all done, open mail service to individuals, but only accept letters hand carried to post offices and with a return address verified against ID, or picked up by mail carriers at homes again with a verified return address.
Provide a 3-month grace period for late payments due to mail disruption, but at the end the customer has to provide proof that the late payment was due to the mail (i.e., show a mailing receipt). Encourage electronic payments through banks or through on-line services.
Encourage/fund a national effort to use email rather than snail mail.
This will cause a lot of disruption for 6 months, a year, or more, but in the end we will have a pretty secure mail system. Some may say this is an over-reaction. I see it as an effective response to a wake up call. Even if the current wave of anthrax passes, now that the threshold has been breached, the next attack may be massive, whether it is now, 6 months from now, or many years from now.
Any other ideas? |
