Overreacting to anthrax unnecessary

Anthrax is real.\nYes, it's dangerous. It's out there. And some people were infected recently around the country.\nBut please, stay calm.\nFirst, the majority of anthrax threats reported around the United States the past two weeks were false alarms.\nPowdery white or brown substances can be many things, not necessarily the deadly inhaled form of the disease headlined in every newspaper around the nation this week. Before calling the hazardous materials team, consider where you are and where the powder may have come from. \nBut be safe. If you receive an envelope from an unrecognized return address, don't open it. If you come across a powdery substance, don't touch it.\nAnd don't buy the antibiotics for anthrax unless you are told to do so by a doctor or another authority. \nThere are three forms of anthrax, a disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax can infect the skin, the respiratory system or the gastrointestinal system. Skin infections are not normally deadly, but do cause an irritating rash most often treated by antibiotics. The respiratory, which resembles the common cold, is deadly. But it, too, can be treated by antibiotics. The gastrointestinal form is normally transmitted through undercooked meat and can be prevented by thoroughly cooking animal products.\nEach of these infections highly resemble another infection. If you are sniffling, most likely, it's a common cold. If you have a rash, ask yourself if you were exposed to an irritant. Better yet, visit a medical professional and let the doctor make the call. If it is anthrax, antibiotics will be prescribed.\nThird, there is a lot of fear out there right now. Don't add to it with a practical joke.\nAround the nation, in Bloomington and even at IU, there have been instances of talcum powder, flour and other white substances being mistaken for anthrax. A Connecticut man will now face prosecution for allowing a false anthrax threat to get out of hand.\nIt's just like the boy who cried wolf. Eventually, the false alarms are going to get out of hand. Before that happens and someone truly in need of help cannot get it, stop joking around. This is a serious matter.\nBut not so serious that we should overwhelm the HazMat team with calls. The likelihood is you will not get anthrax. \nDon't be nervous. Instead, be cautious.\nStaff Vote: Unanimous