DAY SIXTY-TWO:Nov. 11:
Today is November 11,2001 --- two months since the World Trade Center disaster.Sigh.
President Bush held a ceremony at Ground Zero this morning, in part to celebrate Veteran's Day. That's symbolism, traffic jams and a bit of war drum beating.
It feels empty. Perhaps for New Yorkers a sensation has surfaced that is a bit like what World War II veterans feel when politicians wave the flag and pat them on the shoulder. Or what Vietnam Vets feel when the pain they experienced in the war is used as motivation for stereotyped wacko characters in Hollywood movies.
The city government finally asked the Environmental Protection Agency to start sampling for anthrax in the N.Y. subways. God knows why they didn't commence such an obvious public health measure two months ago. About two weeks ago a had a strident interaction with Health and Human Services Sec. Tommy Thompson over this question, and the CDC director chimed in saying it would be an impossible feat. Well, the "impossible feat" is now, at last, under way.
What finally pushed Mayor Giuliani into requesting such intervention are the hundreds of hoaxes called in to local police, claiming anthrax is in this or that subway tunnel. It's become hellish for subway riders, as entire lines are frequently shut down for hours on end while police search for evidence of anthrax spores. It's escalating. At this point a nasty individual could shut down all the city's subways at rush hour by simply sprinkling powder dairy creamer or talcum powder in key subways.
This afternoon I flew from La Guardia to Minneapolis, and gave a speech tonight to the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. Clearly the company that handled security at La Guardia has had enough of all the criticism. So it took 90 minutes to clear security today, with every single piece of luggage and carry on getting opened and studied. Folks in line with me missed their flights, and everyone was clearly anxious.
It's a testimony to their dedication that the AIDS nurses not only braved the threats and hassles to fly into Minneapolis - twice as many showed up as had advance registered. These men and women are an exceptional group of professionals: underpaid, facing an epidemic nobody wants to talk about and internationalist in their view. It was an immense honor to be their keynote speaker. When thy gave me a standing ovation I grabbed the mic and said, "No! No! It is I who applaud YOU."
Be well. Stay safe. Stand defiant.
Laurie Garrett
