As you sit at your desk in your office, you may be tired of hearing about all the death and destruction lurking around every corner. After all, why would a terrorist target your office? And if he did, there’s nothing you could do to survive it. So why should you care?
But that attitude is based on terrorism myth, not fact. Myths developed from the dissemination of too little information and too much speculation. Here are the top five myths about terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, followed by a little truth.
Myth #1 – Terrorists are planning to strike with lethal chemical agents and bio-hazardous materials. The likelihood that terrorists have any of the truly dangerous materials is very slim. The types needed for effective bio-terrorism are difficult to get, hard to handle, and nearly impossible to control. A terrorist would most likely lack the necessary training and would probably kill himself before getting anywhere near the target.
Myth #2 – A “dirty bomb will kill me”. A dirty bomb is a conventional explosive that, when detonated, disperses radioactive material. But in reality, the initial blast is not going to level a city, and it would only kill you if you were standing right next to the device when it exploded. Furthermore, the radioactive material would be spread in a relatively small area, and it can be cleaned up without rendering a city uninhabitable. And if by chance you were exposed, there are treatments and you would likely survive.
Myth #3 – Poison gases and nerve gases exist. Believe it or not, there are no poison or nerve gases. They are actually liquids that must be dispersed as an aerosol. Because of this, there is a better than average chance for survival if you are exposed. Some medical attention and a hot soapy shower could be all it takes to decontaminate you. It is possible to receive a lethal dose of these types of agents, but it would have to be a substantial dose. If you live long enough to realize what has happened, chances are you will survive.
Myth #4 – I should be worried about Small Pox. The World Health Organization eradicated Small Pox in the 1970’s, with the last known case occurring in Somalia in 1977. One small amount exists for study at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, and another small amount is also at the Russian version of the CDC, known as Vector. There have been rumors that terrorist groups or even Sadam Hussein may have gotten their hands on some of that material, but there is no concrete proof. The rumors are based on shaky evidence at best, so the concern is extremely over-blown.
Myth #5 – The chemical/bio-weapons out there are so horrible that there is nothing I can do, and an attack will probably kill everyone in the area. Bio-weapons are dangerous, but they are also made of naturally occurring elements that humans have co-existed with for thousands of years. There are medical treatments available. Plus, to bring about the mass casualties and sickness that people seem to envision, a terrorist would have to have an extremely large amount of the chemical agent. Chances are, they wouldn’t be able to obtain enough. Could some people die in an attack? Absolutely. But will a bio-weapons attack mean a catastrophic end to civilization? No.
This information is not meant to trivialize the terrorist threat that is still very real in our country, but rather to offer a more realistic view. The likelihood is still high that another attack will happen. But it’s important to realize that there are things you can do to survive. The first step is knowing what you are up against. Terrorists thrive on panic, and panic born of misinformation and a lack of preparation. For this reason you should stay alert, stay informed, and above all, care.
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