posted on October 24, 2001 07:29:42 PM new
Undercovers, I hope you get to feeling better soon. I know it must be scary for you. Perhaps you should see a doc, just to ease your mind.
I also agree with you about the government covering things up, way too often. Bush has made it clear he doesn't want any more "leaks" about particular things, due to national security-- well, yea right, but still an issue.
The media isn't releasing everything. In the past 2 weeks, we've had 2 planes go over dispersing a white powder. One was over a school, the other over a busy railroad junction (like 15 tracks) and major river. I heard one party was caught (the school one), nothing said about the other. I know the 2nd happened, my husband was there... as were the owners of over 50 cars in a nearby parking lot-- the cars were covered. This was not the pellet/barge incident.
We hope for the best and try not to add fuel to the fire of this madness. Again, I hope you get to feeling better soon.
posted on October 24, 2001 07:46:55 PM new
I was extremely angry in an earlier thread about sellers fueling the paranoia however due to the post masters badly delivered statement
"the threat is in the mail" I have to begin some sort of strategy for calming people who may not buy. I am thinking about a shrink wrap machine and a note to buyers about exactly what my package will look like (logo for instance)this is just a preliminary idea, but I believe it must be dealt with as things seem to be getting worse not better.
I am in Canada yet I get mail everyday from the States and I refuse to give it a second thought. Would love to hear some constructive ideas on how to reassure the most nervous.
posted on October 24, 2001 07:47:01 PM new
flynlizards
thanks for your well wishes....i give myself one more day and then i will go to the doctor....i really don't think i have it....but i must say, those things do cross your mind....
another thing that i don't think i have seen discussed and is poo pooed by the 'government'(not sure who all is the government) i do feel concerned that my letter that is leaving vermont to ariz could go thru the same mail sorter as an anthrax letter....my letter could even be sitting stacked on top of a letter that was sent with anthrax laced in it....then be sorted to go on their merry way in different directions contaminating every thing that they touch...i don't think that the anthrax is contained to the one envelope....nor can i believe anyone that sez it doesn't happen...i hope i am wrong....and i am not walking around saying 'the sky is falling' either....just here where i can vent.
posted on October 24, 2001 07:53:53 PM new
Undercovers -- I too have flu like symptoms at the moment (probably because I have the flu!) but don't think anthrax didn't cross my mind for a moment. . . I'm feeling much better tonight, I don't think a Tylenol would alleviate anthrax symptoms. . .
I'm afraid the paranoia will spread. I remember in Sunday School as a child being taught the Russians were coming to take away all our Bibles. . . seems Americans are always paranoid about something, and now we have a lot to be paranoid about because as someone once said, "Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get me".
I really think the antrax will be targeted to high profile people, but I'm concerned about cross-contamination, and am starting to accept credit cards for the first time.
That will also help with the time it takes for people to recieve their items as slow as the mail is going. I'm not going to say 'credit cards only' but it will cut down on my snail mail recieved.
I have a penpal in Europe -- we've been writing since high school (over 12 years) and she said under no circumstances to send her anything through the postal system.
As for news, I like the South China Morning Post online edition. . . www.scmp.com
posted on October 24, 2001 07:57:39 PM new
No, from all the folks at the PO who have came up positive, it definately wasn't contained. Something about an automatic mail slitter/opener? Or, was that just at the government office?
CNN runs this stuff all day long, and the news about it is getting worse every day. What was the latest I heard, something about the surgeon general saying they handled this wrong? Well, no duh folks, (Milk done spilt & the Cows out the fence!)
I've got a package coming from NJ... frankly, had I knew from where it would come, I wouldn't have bid.
Naru, that sounds like a good idea, but-- I think alot of the peeps who were buying are not even looking at the pages anymore. Not tempting themselves. As, the less mail they must handle the better. A theory, most of what is being sold now is to other sellers... kind of like we're on an island right now and don't know it.
[ edited by flynlizards on Oct 24, 2001 08:02 PM ]
posted on October 24, 2001 08:13:18 PM new
You have a better chance of getting hit by a car still customers are nervous. Today some head postal "authority" suggested it would be a good idea for all people to wash their hands after handling their mail. (we don't need terroist the media and our government is doing their job for them). With all that is going on I think it will affect sales. I was out flea marketing today and there were quite a few people commenting that they were not going to buy on line for a while until things cool down. I think it will affect sales to a certain degree but I am not going to get bent out of shape about it.
I am thinking of adding the UPS or federal express opition for my buyers. They will pay more because it cost more. Mostly I sell books and most now choose media rate. However for the ones that don't want to us the United stated postal service it gives them another choice.
I haven't changed my habits yet but I also remember them saying that the postal clerks were not in danger. Now what is it 2 dead.
However I still believe that chances are very very small. However that wasn't you question your question is will it affect salse I think the reality is yes I am just not sure how much. People are afraid it is all of the media. You ask me they are the real terrorist. I mean there is other news in the world and in out country. . .
Yeap I think it will affect sales. doesn't matter how much chance there is people are worried and on edge.
posted on October 24, 2001 09:12:46 PM new
flyn Lizard, where do you live that you were sprayed with this crop duster? I am really interested since I heard about the one in Mississippi
posted on October 24, 2001 10:13:00 PM new
Sales for me had been a mixed lot all summer, sometimes bad, sometimes okay, some nice surprises. After 9-11 I expected a slow down since every one would be more concerned with donating their extra cash to worthy causes. And then the layoffs started. But up until this past week or so, most of my auctions were still selling - granted, most were going for opening bid, but they were selling. Now I'm seeing 50+% of my auctions going off without bids. I can't think of anything else to blame but anthrax fears and, to a lesser degree, a steadily worsening economy.
I also wondered how I would react when this year's cold and flu season started since I'm in the post office 4/5 days out of the week. As soon as I started feeling headachey and scratchy in the throat, of course exposure to spores crossed my mind, but I kept my cool, drank my echinacea tea and monitored the progression of my symptoms. Well, today I feel better than I did the past couple of days and I haven't developed any bronchial activity. I don't think I need to panic. Just remain cautious. I've already warned my partner that sales will probably only get worse before they get better. We usually knock off early in November anyway - we don't seem to auction the kind of stuff people look for around Christmas time - but I feel badly for those who usually do good business this time of year. I truely wonder how people expect to Christmas shop since they are too paranoid to go the mall and dread every letter and package that comes in the mail?
posted on October 24, 2001 10:24:01 PM newI am thinking about a shrink wrap machine and a note to buyers about exactly what my package will look like (logo for instance)this is just a preliminary idea, but I believe it must be dealt with as things seem to be getting worse not better.
I doubt this will do much good because of all the paranoids freaking out about a piece of main containing anthrax touching the outside of another (your) package.
posted on October 25, 2001 12:31:45 AM new
Just wanted to add that my Mom`s neighbor had received some mail last week,(Baltimore county )it had powder in it,911 was called.FBI came,cops came and Hazzard (sp) came, It was not on the news nor will it be till it (being the mail )or someone who opened the mail tests positive.
Just my thoughts.....
posted on October 25, 2001 04:42:01 AM new
Yes, I watched the "Homeland Defense" head and the surgeon general and the head of health and human services all say that the anthrax at Capitol Hill was not 'weaponized.' They danced around, saying the term was not defined. But they specifically said that the anthrax did not have anything added to make it float, and avoided questions about size.
Today it is reported that the anthrax was treated to make it float, and that it was ground very small. I saw what they said, and THEY LIED as well as dodging parts of the question.
posted on October 25, 2001 08:09:28 PM new
I heard there is a convention for people that have been hit by lightening. If it is a rainy day, I think I'll pass.
posted on October 25, 2001 08:35:58 PM new
You would have more chance of being run over by a car in the fronty yard going to mail box than catching Anthrax by mail. The media has the general population in a frenzy. Some caution is nessary to protect your self just simply use caution when looking at your mail and wash you hands good in hot soapy water which is a good idea when handling anything. Just my opinion but you stand a much greater chance of catching something ( cold flue or virus) handling good old money!!
