Gas Masks/Nuclear War!!

[Mima]

Have been reading with interest in the papers the last few days about the panic buying in both British and US shops for gas masks and I wondered if any Mumsnet members are "panicking" and buying such things. Also just heard on the news about people stocking up on such things as long life milk and tinned goods. Just wonder what other members views are on these things. Incidentally most of the British shops have ran out of gas masks!

I rather feel that gas masks would be less than useless in the event of the unthinkable. It's not 1939, there are such hideous things in warheads these days that there would be very little you could do. The best thing is to try not to worry about such things, they're very much out of our hands.

With regards to 'panic buying', people will always do this whatever the gravity of crisis - when we had the flooding here in York last November, Tesco's shelves were completely cleared of longlife milk!

I laughed when I read in the Guardian that sales of gas masks had 'doubled'. How many people were buying them before? and why?!

The experts say the gas masks and suits would be useless against todays sort of germs/chemical warfare. It's very scary, especially when I read that we may have to accept civilian casualties as well as military ones. Does that mean chemicals, or what?

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Does anyone know how far a chemical attack would spread, say London were a target and how quickly the stuff spreads? Just plotting my escape route in case of emergency - wondered if Suffolk would be safe ground?

Robinw, don't use paracetamol! It doesn't kill you quickly and painlessly. It kills by poisoning the liver so you end up dying of liver failure a few weeks later. Yuk! Maybe drink yourself to death or take an OD of those Nytol type sleeping tablets you can buy?? What a morbid subject!

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Suew, I live in W/B and the flight paths now come over our house too. They changed several months ago and my theory is that the airport's village residents had been protesting so loudly and for so long EM Airport decided to let someone else have the noise for a change!!! Seems worse in the evening doesn't it???

I admit, I bought 2 v. large bottles of water at Tesco today and an enormous packet of pasta last week. I recycle all my plastic containers and actually looked at them all today and wondered whether I should fill them with water in case the supply gets contaminated. Nightmare

I live in an area where the RAF practise their flying. We haven't heard one plane since 14th September. I guess they've been sent somewhere....

RobinW, I hadn't heard that about paracetamol, but maybe that's the case. I think I'll take an entire bottle of Night Nurse washed down with a bottle of spirits. I once took the normal dose of Night Nurse and then had a hot toddy for my cold and didn't wake up until 3 o'clock the next afternoon!!!

Robinw - I see Catherine Bennett has used some of your quotes in her Guardian page today. That slightly irritates me - I bet she didn't ask permission! Still, good ad for mumsnet I suppose...

chairmum - I think we've got all the fighter planes in Britain practising directly over our house. I have to admit that sometimes I wish they'd sod off to Afghanistan.

Hi Jolly,
Just to let you know we were in touch with Catherine Bennett and gave her the go-ahead to quote from the thread. As you say it's good publicity for the site and we think the world can only benefit from mumsnet members' thoughts!
Justine, Carrie and Rachel

I've bought a big bag of play sand and a bucket to stick my head in.....At least the kids can play with the sand!

I can imagine the noise, Jolly. It's a bit scary when they decide to use your house for target practise, isn't it??

Just went to have a look at the Catherine Bennet article on the Guardian website. Thank goodness they don't give names!

Anyone know what the first symptoms of anthrax are??? Since sitting down to read mumsnet this afternoon my throat has become painful to swallow and my chest is tight. It could be a case of "Farewell, friends, it's been nice knowing you"!

A few days ago it was reported in the German press that Dutch and German troops are on standby to replace British troops in the Balkans - give you one guess as to where my husband is going in a few weeks time - yep, that's right, the Balkans. Makes me wonder whether he will be back in 6 months time or not - could be longer or maybe even not at all. I keep trying not to think about it all too much.

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LOL, Robinw. I think I might join forces with Hmonty and buy a bucket and some sand!

Fortunately, my anthrax symptoms don't seem any worse today and indeed my teenager tells me I have a cold. Honestly, the young of today have no sympathy or respect for their elders. ;-))

Just ran across this:
Be prepared? Taking precautions against bioterrorism may not be as futile as you think
By Pamela Weintraub on Salon.

Stupid question: what do you do with the bucket and sand?

I think it's to put on top of your sick.