FROM THE ARCHIVE

BIA employees sent home

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2001

Additional info: It seems the BIA mass mailing was the anti-reprisal court order for which Secretary of Interior Gale Norton has been recommended held in contempt for violating.

Thank ICT's Mary Pierpoint for uncovering this one.

Bureau of Indian Affairs employees in Albuquerque, New Mexico, were sent home on Wednesday.

But it's not because they ratted on the government for its handling of the trust fund. Unlike Mona Infield, who is still on "home duty" and drawing an $80,000 yearly salary, these employees got the day off due to the anthrax scare.

Employees received a mailing that was routed through the same Washington, D.C. mail facility where two postal workers have died of anthrax. The facility also handled mail sent to Congress that tested positive for anthrax.

According to a local hospital, two BIA employees were tested for anthrax because they showed potential signs of the disease. No test results are back yet.

The flu and the early stage of anthrax have the same symptoms.

Get the Story:
BIA employees may have received cross-contaminated letters in mailing (Indian Country Today 11/1)
BIA Employees Take Precautions After Receiving Letters (AP 11/1)

Relevant Links:
Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program, Department of Defense - http://www.anthrax.osd.mil

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