The Bush administration today tried to calm a jittery public after a week of heightened terrorism warnings, with Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge saying that “we don’t want folks sealing up their doors or sealing up their windows.” Senior administration officials said the government had received no new intelligence in recent days to suggest an imminent attack. Clearly worried that some people had gone too far in responding to the government’s recommendation this week that they purchase duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal up doors in the event of a biochemical attack, Mr. Ridge said he wanted to remind the public that the emergency supplies should be kept available – but not used. “I want to make something very, very clear,” he said at a news conference. “God forbid there may come a time when the local authorities or national authorities or someone will tell you that you’ve got to use them.” President Bush also joined the effort to quell the anxiety created by last week’s decision to raise the national terrorism alert level to “high” and the government’s advice on Monday that families prepare a home disaster kit that included a flashlight, a can opener and bottled water. Full Story
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