FX has been running a movie in documentary format called "Smallpox." I thought of you when I watched it. Did you see it?
Thanks again for the heads up. I watched it last night.
The movie is scheduled again tonight. I highly recommend it.
The movie depicts likely scenarios of what to expect in a Smallpox outbreak. I doubt what I thought were highlights will be so viewed by all, but I will comment on a few.
If we accept that Smallpox is but one of many possible disaster scenarios, either natural or terrorist induced, the film makes a very strong case for planning and preparedness at all levels of government and including of course at family level.
In the presentations I prepared and gave at the NSA National Security Conference in 2003 and others in 2004, I discussed Smallpox and predicted some items that were not likely being considered at the time. I even wrote some of it on this thread. I said and wrote that a food shortage would occur very quickly because deliveries will shut down. I made fun of Tom Ridge's suggestion in the March 17, 2003 People magazine that we keep a three day emergency supply of food. I asked the audience if the government believes they cannot provide food for three days, where are they going to get it on the fourth day or the 40th day? I also predicted quarantine areas will be established and nobody will be let out. Also said that hospitals will be reluctant to treat Smallpox victims and the quarantine areas will be away from treatment facilities. All of these points and more are also made by the movie.
BTW, the scenario I presented had not one but 5 terrorists, one each in NYC, Chicago, Wash DC, Dallas and LA. All simultaneously infected and hanging out at each city's airports, bus, and train terminals to spread the disease. Think about that as you watch the movie.
If viewed in the context of Smallpox being just one example of why we need to be prepared, on a personal level, to survive terrorism, I think the movie can do much good.
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