Stanley John Whidden | How to respond to a chemical or biological attack

Since the 1950s, the United States government has been concerned about the possibility of a chemical or biological attack, however the prevention is in a limited capacity. The problem according to Stanley John Whidden is that are not ways to actually prevent completely any of these threats, but there are ways to have a quick response.

After the Aum Shinrikyo attack on the Tokyo subway in 1995, where the Japanese response was basically ineffective, many U.S. officials thought that the country would have similar response if the attack happened here. As a result, the Congress started to address the threat of chemical or biological terrorism and to think on ways to prevent it and respond to it.

Since then local and state governments are organizing emergency services in response to terrorists attacks, and the FBI and federal government are responsible for the law enforcement aspects of terrorism. In 1996, the Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction Act was made real by the Congress, to help local, state, and federal agencies in the response to act on chemical and biological terror. Two operational units were created, a Technical Escort Unit trained to deal with chemical munitions, and a Chemical/Biological Incident Response Force trained to rescue and decontaminate victims of chemical or biological attacks.

Stanley John Whidden says that for chemical weapons, if there is an attack, because many agents are heavier than air, the ideal procedure is to leave the area and go upwind, or to the sides of the wind stream. The toxins will only work it the chemicals are on you. Use soap and water to clean up, and stay on fresh air. The protection of breathing airways is an important factor in a situation where chemical or biological agents are present.

With biological warfare the basis of personal hygiene and sanitation are the best way to prevent yourself of any agent, affirms Stanley John Whidden. Beside washing your hands often, not sharing drinks and food, keeping your house clean and garbage can with a tight lid on it and preventing standing water, there aren’t much more to do. If water is not available, you can use talcum powder or flour to do the decontamination of liquid agents, reducing the possibility of absorbing an agent through the skin.

Remember that most chemical and biological agents will break when exposed to the sun, water, or winds, so independent of the agent or its concentration, evacuate the area as soon as possible, say Stanley John Whidden. In case of an attack don't count on a vaccine being available, since the weapons utilize will use a new strain of the virus, requiring a new treatment, that can take months or years to develop, produce and distribute on a large scale. To Stanley John Whidden, it is also a good idea to take your flu vaccines and any other treatment available to stay healthy. If your body is healthy is will be easier to fight whatever disease may come.

World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other governmental and non-governmental organizations ask people, in case of a crisis, to stay informed and look for official sources of information. In addition, it is informed to stay home and keep the children away from school in case of any attack. It’s a normal and efficient way to avoid exposure.

Another way to be prepare, according to Stanley John Whidden, is to make sure you have an adequate supply of essential medications, fever, vomit, pain, any antiviral. Also, seek your doctor if you have any onset of symptoms, the effectiveness of any antiviral medications decreases with the illness progress, fast medical treatment is imperative to a fast full recovery.

Always be alert to the presence of a chemical or biological agent. Stanley John Whidden affirm that indicators of an attack can include, droplets of oily film on surfaces, unusual death or dying animals in the area, unusual liquid sprays, vapors and smells and victims with symptoms of nausea, difficulty breathing, convulsions or disorientation.