How paranoid have you become?

TigerGirl52 · #1 10-17-2001, 12:18 PM

I was sitting here at work thinking about everything that has happened recently and I was wondering if anyone else has started to feel really paranoid. I'm normally a very level headed person but with the terrorist attacks and anthrax outbreaks I've gotten a bit unnerved. Today I had to sign a waiver at work saying that I wouldn't sue LSU if I became infected with anthrax. I had to sign that waiver because I am a student worker and therefore I open a lot of mail for professors. I also caught myself last night feeling uneasy about just reading a magazine. I know it sounds crazy but I swear with what's going on in the world today I'm gonna be obsessive compulsive about everything before long. Anyone else feel this way?

Allison

StrokerTKE · #2 10-17-2001, 12:29 PM

There's no real reason to be paranoid...you have to look at it this way:

Terrorism (in any form) happens. If it's gonna happen to you, then it's gonna happen to you, and there's nothing you can do about it.

Being paranoid doesn't really accomplish anything...

Just my thoughts though...I could be wrong

SigmaChiCard · #3 10-17-2001, 12:32 PM

Security is pretty tight at my workplace, any luggage is checked at the door daily, and security clearance is practically impossible to get, it took 8 months to a year before all of this happened, I'm not sure what it is now, but I still don't have mine and I've been here since last January. Our security guard opens all mail and/or packages also.
My buddy just watched yesterday as the plant next to his was entirely evacuated and evidently some people may, or may not have been quarentined, he'd heard that they had, but is not sure...but no details were released on what took place within the building, but a few hours later, workers were permitted back into the plant-site and work resumed.
Also my sister was telling me that at a Raytheon division in DC that she drives by going to work had a sharp-shooter in all-out-war garb on, a vest, a helmet, simply guarding the door on the outside of the building, this was last week, so I'm sure it's still the case.
My point...with all of the protection and with the information I've learned by reading up on Anthrax a bit, I'm not too terribly scared, but hey..watch me to be the next infected. Supposedly the long-standing heavy metal band with the same name has considered changing their name in light of the events of late, but who really knows?

TigerGirl52 · #4 10-17-2001, 12:43 PM

I know that I shouldn't be paranoid but the way I look at it is do you think the man that died because of anthrax thought he would ever be infected??? Probably not. I am actually taking a class right now that deals with issues such as anthrax outbreaks and the like. We have talked about anthrax and other things that could be used in biowarfare. I know the difference between pulmonary and cutaneous anthrax and I also know just how bad both forms can be. We've also watched a video that dealt with the possibility of a huge anthrax outbreak in the US. It's unbelievable just how terrible that could be. Just a few little half liter jars of that stuff could kill thousands of people in just a few short days. I know that it seems silly to be paranoid over something that is out of my hands but maybe it's more sadness than paranoia. Maybe I'm just sad that I now fear the worst when just a few short weeks ago the biggest thing on my mind was what I was going to wear the next day to class.

Allison

SigmaChiCard · #5 10-17-2001, 12:56 PM

What incidental timing...I just got an employee email at work because there was an unauthorized budget rental truck seen in our parking lot earlier today and from now on if we drive an automobile at all out of character, then we must report it, also, but obviously..we must report any vehicles that seem strange. strange times, i admit

justamom · #6 10-17-2001, 01:09 PM

TigerGirl, Gee you made me feel so much better about my daughter at LSU!!! J/J

You aren't feeling anything a lot of us aren't feeling. I'm in my husbands office and we get a ton of promotional mail. I find myself looking at the post mark and labels. I don't think things will return to "normal" any time soon- if at all. I do think our lives will evolve to a natural state of heightened awareness. By this I mean, it will become automatic and less intrusive in our conscious mind. The hardest part for me is accepting that for the most part, there's not a darn thing I can do to stop some crazy person from acting on impulse or instigating some act of terror.

amycat412 · #7 10-17-2001, 01:40 PM

I agree with justamom. Our lives are evolving and this will, sadly, become "normal and everyday."

I've noticed I am WAY jumpy. I was standing at a stop light and some jerk behind me yelled BANG and I jumped out of my skin. I am normally not like that.

I'm getting on an American Airlines non-stop flight from LAX to Washington Dulles in two weeks. A 767, loaded with fuel for the cross country trip. And I will admit I am scared about it. What if it turns and heads for San Francisco instead for more terrorism? Seems like the West Coast is a sitting duck of a target right now. The events on the East Coast are so far removed from our daily existence, and while I feel it as an employee of Cantor FItzgerald, I see a lot of my friends that, while not unconcerned, don't seem to be as worried about things as I am. Their blase attitudes and calls to "put it behind me" irritate me to no end.

And if something were to happen to my flight-- I am not so much worried for myself, but I don't want my parents, brothers, family and friends to have to go thru what they would go thru if a plane I was on was hijacked. I don't want anymore lives lost in terrorist attacks on Americans, or anyone worldwide, for that matter. I don't want anymore families torn apart.

SigkapAlumWSU · #8 10-17-2001, 02:24 PM

I think that people have gotten a lot more paranoid. I live (in the school year) in Pullman, WA, Population 23,000 (18,000 of which is college students) and we have had 3 fake anthrax scares. Talcum powder a the local airport (small, they fly the little 20 passenger jets only), Potato starch being recieved in a package at the post office, and some other powdery substance in one off the lecture halls. Pullman would be the LAST place infected deliberatley with anthrax! This just goes to show you how jumpy people are.
Here's another question: I know many people are glad that we have armed guards at the Airports, but does seeing a guy in fatigues(sp?) holding a large gun scare anyone else?

veruca76 · #9 10-17-2001, 02:34 PM

It's weird how you can feel so sheltered from these attacks and so vulnerable at the same time. I'm sitting here in my office in Boulder Colorado, pretty far removed from either coast or any major landmarks. At the same time, my company does contains database directory information on a nationwide level pertaining to public safety (don't feel like giving out the name right now.) We have security guards monitoring our parking lot, controlled access to doors, increased network security. Despite that, our voicemail system was just attacked. It makes you feel like you're not safe anywhere!

Thrillhouse · #10 10-17-2001, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by StrokerTKE
There's no real reason to be paranoid...you have to look at it this way:

Terrorism (in any form) happens. If it's gonna happen to you, then it's gonna happen to you, and there's nothing you can do about it.

Being paranoid doesn't really accomplish anything...

Just my thoughts though...I could be wrong

My thoughts exactly. I wish there is a way to stop it completely.

The1calledTKE · #11 10-17-2001, 04:01 PM

No fear here!! No one would ever attack my dinky little town.

Tom Earp · #12 10-17-2001, 04:44 PM

While I am not ready to go to the great beyond yet, I feel every day I go to the shop, is good!!

I was a police officer for 7 years, flew everyother week for 6 yrs ( had some real strange things happen) owned a liquor store for 17, Hell I never thought I would get past 36 and here I am pestering all of you!

I just feel that when you roll out of bed in the morning and your feet hit the floor, well it has started out to be a good day!!!!

We as puny imortals dont last for ever even with wd-40 and duck tape!

Live today for tommarrow you may die!!!!

Dont remember who said that, but there is someone on here that can

"Cogito Ergo Sum"

DGPhoney · #13 10-17-2001, 07:53 PM

I too am a bit paranoid lately.I work downtown in Maryland and every other day we are being evacuated for bomb threats and amthrax scares, and really all of the nervousness and jitteryness takes a toll on the system. I mean I think it's hard to lead a normal life when such things are going on.
I think after everything I have just become more aware of what is going on, and knowing something could happen at any moment. Like duh, we all know something could happen to anyone at any moment, before all of this happen but now I think we really understand that statement to the fullest!
So yep I am paranoid but hopefully things will be back to normal soon.
DGPhoney~

prospectiverushee · #14 10-17-2001, 08:45 PM

I'm not really scared about the anthrax. I mean I seriously doubt that TXU(the light people) and Verizon(the phone people) would taint their evelopes just to get my money

The thing that gets me everytime is planes. Everytime I see a plane, I just have to watch it till it goes out of sight. I don't think I'll ever get over watching a plane crash into a building on a clear day.

Miami1839 · #15 10-17-2001, 09:10 PM

I do find myself a little more cautious and on the lookout for things but then I'm a CJ graduate. I do find that being close to the Pentagon and where I work has effected me. I just got word today at work with what the Postal Service recommendations are. I was thinking its about time. I dont think my building is that high of a risk but being relatively near DC does make me think.

However, I will say that in some respects I think we as a country need to work harder to not let fear consume us. As hard as it may be that is what the object of terrorism is. More and More I think about these times it makes me think of when we first fought to establish our Independence back in 1776. We are in a time where its really testing us as nation and our government. I think its hard for our country now because we all thought that we were above a lot of what happens outside our borders.

I was thinking of a technique that you could employ if a hijacker tried to overtake your plane. Have everyone in the plane pickup an object and throw it at the terrorists and then jump on them. Maybe that wouldnt work. I dont know.

I do believe small pox and other air born diseases to be more of a risk than anthrax. At least with anthrax we have antibiotics and its not contagious.

I do believe the government needs to bite the bullet and federalize security at the airports.

"All true Americans love the smell of battle"

Kevin