The PATRIOT John Carr oll School Carroll
Volume 37, Number 2
November 16, 2001
Anthrax creates nightmare by Gene Etting In the days and weeks after the September 11 attacks that destroyed both the World Trade Centers and America’s notion of safety, a microscopic killer has made itself known: anthrax. Letters containing anthrax have been mailed to Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, and a Florida tabloid. Sixteen people have been infected with this disease, and approximately thirty-two have been exposed to it. One Florida man has died from the disease. Two DC postal workers have died as well, although it has not been confirmed as anthrax. A New York woman who has no connections to the postal service, media, or the government has also died. It does not matter who is sending this anthrax; the fact remains that the danger is still there. Here are some basic facts about anthrax, and its uses as a biological weapon. Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus
photo by Lou Perseghin
Staff Writer
The Bel Air Post Office and mail fleet has lately come under the threat of Anthrax attacks, causing the ocasional slowdown of mail flow.
anthracis. Anthrax occurs naturally in livestock such as cattle, but it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals. The disease gets its name from the Latin word for coal, anthracis, referring to the black, coal-like lesions that appear on the skin of the infected persons. Anthrax infection can occur in three forms: cutaneous (skin), inhalation, and gastrointestinal. Spores can live in the soil for years,
and humans can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products. Eating undercooked meat from infected animals also can spread the disease. It is rare to find infected animals in the United States. Anthrax is NOT contagious from person to person. About 95% of natural anthrax infections are cutaneous, occurring when the bacterium enters
a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when handling contaminated products of infected animals. Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within 1-2 days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1-3 cm in diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell. About
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Veteran’s Day given different meaning by Colleen O’Brien
Managing Editor Veterans Day was celebrated with a renewed spirit of respect and patriotism this year due to the recent and strong “united we stand” emotions. On November 11th, men and women who have served in the armed forces were honored for their loyalty and dedication the United States. It is because of their service
The PATRIOT Index Student speaks out on dress code discrimination....pg 2 Senior tradition threatened.........pg. 6 Spirit Week/Homecoming photo spread............pg. 8-9 Editorials pg. 2-3 News pg. 4-6 Features pg. 7-10 Entertainment pg. 11-13 Sports pg. 14-16
that we live in a free and protected country. Americans especially took advantage of this opportunity to show gratitude and honor for veterans since the terrorists and current military conflict has taught us not to take these privileges in the United States for granted. Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bush remarked, “Veterans day is a fitting tribute to the courageous men and women who were willing to fight for the ideals of liberty. In defense of freedom they have cleared the sea, charged the hills, and covered the skies. They have never let us down.” There are currently about 25 million living American veterans. These men and women were honored in special ceremonies across the country. At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, buried Veterans Day 1921 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, a service was held. This soldier’s tomb symbolizes the dignity and reverence for American veterans. Veterans day was made a federal holiday in 1954 by President Eisenhower. President Eisenhower directed the Department of Veterans Affairs to form a Veterans Day National Committee to organize and
oversee this national observance. At that time November 11 th was celebrated as Armistice Day to remember the ending of World War I and the tragedies of war. Observances in other countries include Armistice Day in Great Britain and Remembrance Day in Canada. Veterans are all around us and many times we do not even realize it. Mr. Appleby, JC math teacher, served as an officer in the
Navy from 1965 to 1971. One position he served as was navigator aboard the U.S.S Hyades, a refrigerated cargo ship. The ship met other ships at sea to provide them with supplies. From Norfolk, VA to the Mediterranean Sea, Mr.Applby navigated the Hyades using only a sextant, the sun, the moon, and the stars. “I felt a great sense of accomplishment that I was able to do it,” he said. In 1967, Mr.Appleby went to Vietnam with the Coastal
Surveillance Force. “I saw how war was not to be fought- too many restrictions were put on what we could and could not do.” Many veterans may have joined the service in college and then served in the reserves. This was the story for Mr.Shupe, JC art teacher and Pacificus moderator. He was a sergeant in the Marine Corps. Mr.Shupe served six months active duty and then six years in the reserves. One of his lasting memories of the Marines took place while training for infantry combat- crawling under barbwire while live machine gun fires over his head. During this training, everything stopped and the announcement about President Kennedy’s assassination was announced, then the guns began firing again. President J.F. Kennedy, a WWII veteran, made a statement that is useful to demonstrate the motivation of veterans and the current service men and women. He said “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”