<!--StartFragment -->Someone once said, "We live in interesting times." That certainly is true today. The world's timeline is now divided into pre-9/11 and post-9/11 eras. Since 9/11, we have experienced the anthrax scares, terrorist attacks on tourists areas (Monbasa and Bali), the imminent threat of war, and now, the fear of a smallpox or other biological agent attack.

Although public health is often equated with poverty or underserved populations, bioterrorism strikes a broad cross-section of the local community without regard to economic status, race, or religion. As a country, as a local community, and as individuals, we have a new sense of vulnerability. This is a normal reaction to the world we are currently living in.

The Alpine County Health and Human Services Department is doing everything it possibly can to try to prevent or minimize the damage might be done by an attack. But, as with any emergency, there is much that you can do to help you, your family, and your neighborhood, in the event of an attack.