Bioterrorism: Very tough choices

There was a rather unusual conference in New York City late last month. It was entitled "Reporting on Weapons of Mass Destruction." The attendees, by invitation only, were journalists and top-level personnel from many of the myriad federal, state, local, medical, law enforcement, fire, and emergency-service agencies that would be involved in responding to a chemical, biological, or nuclear attack by terrorists within the U.S. Specifically, the meeting focused on the critical roles of both government officials and the media in keeping the public responsibly and credibly informed in the event of a worst-case scenario biological weapon attack on a city. This is a situation with grave implications for public safety and good order that extend well beyond rendering aid to those exposed. This topic was singularly timely and pertinent in light of the checkered record of both the government and the press in handling anything to do with either biological or chemical weapons. Much ...