If there was biowarfare what would it look like?

[ParannoyedPenguin]

Russians managed to smuggle in Novichoc not so long ago. How do we know something else hasn't been smuggled in?
Would it be strategic in terms of who is most affected or would it be indiscriminate and violently horrid in terms of symptoms or would it present as something normally inconspicuous?

Not sure how you can prep for the unknown.

[TheNoonBell]

Depends on what was used, something localised that isn't very contageous (eg anthrax) or if it is a new highly contageous bio plague (not sure why anyone would use that given the risk to their own population). Infection/ingestion can be by either breathing it in (most common) or in the case of some bio/chemical stuff via exposed skin (novichok).

You can buy NBC gear, we have some old Russian respirators and NBC suits down in the cellar plus iodene tablets in case of nukes but I don't think it likely anyone would bio attack my sleepy village. I think nuclear is more likely but it is the same gear for both. The gear is not nice to wear, especially the masks which take some getting used to and get very uncomfortable very quickly.

For something longer term inside you would want a room fed by filtered air source creating an over pressure to stop any nasties coming in. Which would cost a LOT.

[bellinisurge]

Potassium iodide tablets that are probably now out of date is the best I can do. And half arsed plans for washing down anyone who might have been contaminated if that's a thing - plastic bags to dump clothes, old washing up bowl to stand in and wash down. I have reconciled myself with just not being able to justify the expense of any hard core PPE. Have some goggles I use for any diy etc.

[TurkeyTeeth]

Covid?

[bellinisurge]

Covid is not biological warfare. Anything I might have in place to deal with the pandemic is not remotely sufficient for dealing with novichok or similar

[BlackeyedSusan]

Education.

When to seek help and where from.

Concerning symptoms.

Listening to gut instinct being situational aware.

What not to touch. (Well versed in teaching kids not to pick stuff up when they were small, as some of the rubbish round here is not very savoury)