MIKE CHIEN Hedrick Hall roommates (l to r)
Spencer Fivelson, Roman Barbalat
and Derek Lazzaro wear their gas masks in their
room. Other students have bought masks to protect themselves
against potential anthrax attacks.
By Rachel Makabi
Daily Bruin Reporter
First-year undeclared student Derek Lazzaro decided to buy a gas
mask after he found his two roommates were sent masks by their
parents to protect themselves from a potential biological or
chemical attack.
As the number of anthrax exposures grows across the nation,
several other UCLA students have bought gas masks ““ just in
case Los Angeles is hit with a biological attack.
Many students say fear of an attack stems from living in a large
city. So far, anthrax exposures have occurred in other large cities
including New York City, Washington, D.C., and Reno.
“If I was in a smaller city, I wouldn’t have bought
a gas mask,” said Lazzaro, who feels safer back at his home
in Palos Verdes than at college. “I bought it now because I
realized there is a possibility of something happening here. It is
a $100 investment.”
His roommate, Roman Barbalat, a first-year undeclared student,
said he also feels that the possibility of an attack is higher in
Los Angeles than in a smaller city.
Barbalat said that while the possibility of an attack is greater
in L.A., it’s unlikely that UCLA will be targeted.
“I understand people are worried and I agree, but you
can’t let it control your life by carrying a gas mask with
you in your backpack all the time,” said Barbalat, who said
he thought his parents were crazy for sending him a mask.
“Even if someone targets UCLA ““ which I highly doubt
““ a gas mask won’t help because it takes time to
realize you have been exposed,” he continued.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web
site, anthrax symptoms usually occur within seven days of
exposure.
To heighten security measures, campus officials have implemented
precautions for opening mail, such as making sure there is a return
address on the envelope and being cautious of mail that has
excessive securing material.
Jack Gibbons, associate director of the Office of Residential
Life, said staff in the dorms has been instructed on how to screen
mail and how to respond in case of an emergency.
Hannah Kim, a first-year pre-political science student who works
at the Rieber Hall front desk, said that for a few days, employees
wore masks while in the dorm’s mail room.
Also, Gibbons said dorm officials responded effectively
Wednesday by cordoning off the area when a student in Dykstra Hall
observed some powder falling out of an envelope that had been
opened. The powder did not test positive for anthrax.
“Students have indicated some concern about being
here,” Gibbons said. “People in the general population
are afraid at this time, and our students are no exception, but I
wouldn’t say they are more fearful than others.”