News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 23, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke urges citizens to remain calm in the face of recent news accounts of anthrax exposure

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke today urged Washington citizens to remain calm and use common sense in light of news stories reporting exposure to and infection from anthrax bacteria in other parts of the country.

“Washington state is actually well ahead of most other states in disaster preparedness. We began planning and training for the possibility of terrorist attacks almost two years ago,” Locke said. “Further, let me say unequivocally, we have had no credible threats of any kind in Washington state.”

“I understand peoples’ concern and anxiety,” said Health Secretary Mary Selecky. “Let me assure you we are coordinating with local and federal authorities on a daily basis and that everyone is on heightened alert as to what to look for and how to respond. The best thing people can do is take care of themselves, get a flu shot and report unfamiliar symptoms directly to their primary care physician.”

State Patrol Chief Ronal Serpas, National Guard Adjutant General Tim Lowenberg and state Department of Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald joined Locke and Selecky at Camp Murray to discuss the state’s preparations for any possible terrorist attack and prevent and respond to any act of bioterrorism.

The recent reports of anthrax have led the state, in cooperation with local and federal officials, to not only issue guidelines to all its employees, but to train its employees who handle the mail on what to look for and what to do in the event they discover something suspicious in the mail.

“Threats of terrorist attacks are something we take very seriously,” said Serpas. “I strongly recommend and urge that anyone who takes advantage of this situation by falsifying a threat be dealt with harshly. Such an act could be punishable by up to one year in jail.”

Things to look for and do when going through your mail:

  • Be sure mail has a return address
  • Question excessive postage
  • Be aware of whether the mail came from a foreign country.
  • Look for stains, powder or oil on a letter or package
  • If you suspect a problem, isolate the piece of mail and call local law enforcement

“We have had an anti-terrorism council and a specially-certified Civil Support Team for almost two years in this state,” said Lowenberg. “We have coordinated with local and federal agencies and held drills regularly since the governor formed the council back in January of 2000.

“We’re taking every precaution we can to ensure public confidence in the protection of our transportation system,” said MacDonald. “For instance, we are clearing all ferry boats on each run and searching the vessels before allowing cars and passengers back on.”

“We need to be vigilant and prepared, but we don’t need to panic,” said Locke.
Related Links:
- Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division
- Washington State Department of Transportation
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Washington State Health Department
- Washington State Patrol
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- U.S. Postal Service


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