There are different categories of weapons of mass effect—chemicals, biological p
ID: 122046 • Letter: T
Question
There are different categories of weapons of mass effect—chemicals, biological pathogens and toxins, radioactive materials, nuclear devices, and nonconventional high-yield explosives. Out of these, biological weapons are used in a terrorism type called bioterrorism. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), there are the six focus areas for preparedness and response to bioterrorism and other outbreaks that are detrimental to public health.
On the basis of your understanding of the topic of bioterrorism and our preparedness to handle the health services requirement during any such attack, answer the following questions:
Which of the categories of weapons of mass effect is the healthcare industry most prepared to deal with? Why? Provide a factual basis for choosing the particular category of weapons. Which of these categories is the healthcare industry least prepared to deal with? Why?
What are the six focus areas, for preparedness and response to bioterrorism and other outbreaks, covered in your course textbook? Are these focus areas still relevant? Why or why not?
Research and explain the meaning of each focus area. Which focus area is the most important and why?
Which focus area would be the most challenging? And why?
Why is communication an important variable within calming fears and suppressing rumors?
Explanation / Answer
1. ANS: Biological weapons are generally made by biological agents that can be includes with bacteria, viruses or toxins (Spencer & Lightfoot, 2001). The healthcare industry has extensive knowledge on various organisms that causes diseases such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins. Since the same organisms are the ones that are used as agents in bioterrorism, they can use their knowledge and expertise to offer medication to the individuals affected by the biological weapons and also they had an aware of the various prevention and control measures that can be used to prevent the spread of the diseases once they are disseminated in the society. The healthcare industry can conducted researches on the various biological agents and find out different medication and vaccines.
Nuclear weapons are one of the weapons of mass destruction which can cause devastating effects on individuals. The quick spread of nuclear attack makes it to be difficult to control once it is released and this makes it difficult for the healthcare industry to deal with it. Nuclear weapons are difficult for the healthcare industry to implement adequate control and prevention measures. Besides the effect of nuclear weapons is quick and thus treating the patients for the disease can be cumbersome to achieve.
2. ANS: The six focus areas for preparedness for emergencies such as bioterrorism and other outbreaks include bioterrorism emergencies, chemical emergencies, blast emergencies, natural disasters radiation emergencies and agents, diseases and other threats. The six focus areas are still relevant since the threats are still real and can occur at any time.
3. ANS: There are different categories of weapons of mass effect chemicals, biological pathogens and toxins, radioactive materials, nuclear devices, and nonconventional high-yield explosives. Out of these, biological weapons are used in a terrorism type called bioterrorism. Bioterrorism is the most important area to focus because harmful biological or biochemical substances are easily accessible to terrorists and the outbreak is also very quick.
4. ANS: The focus area that is most challenging is the natural disaster emergencies. The natural disaster emergencies are difficult to predict and consist of various forms and in different magnitude. Since there are several natural disasters, it is difficult to develop on comprehensive emergencies preparedness that can be applied to both the emergencies.
5. ANS: Communication ensures that people get the correct and reliable information regarding any potential threats and thus help reduce the spread of rumors’ that can cause unnecessary panic to individuals.
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