Life before Sept. 11 seems a long time ago.

        We're overwhelmed by news updates; jittery at the sight of low-flying aircraft; determined to not run screaming for gas masks and water purification tablets, yet uneasy about being caught without them.

        In the wake of America's retaliatory air strikes in Afghanistan, sales of survival supplies have soared.

Dr. Donald Locasto, a member of the Metropolitan Medical Response System that focuses on bioterrorism preparedness, in the decontamination unit at University Hospital. (Steven M. Herppich photo) | ZOOM |

        Entertainment and sports venues are closely checking patrons' bags.

        At Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, random pat-downs began Tuesdayand a third of the parking spots in the garage nearest Terminal 3 have been blocked off because of security concerns.

        Postal inspectors scrutinize packages for signs of bioterrorism: leaks, unusual smells and suspicious writing or return addresses. Gate security at postal facilities has been intensified.

        Water districts have heightened attention to by-the-minute quality tests.

        It's the little things that affect our lives that add up to a new era.

        On Wednesday, an electronic box with a flashing light and toggle switch inside a car caused a scare for dozens of people in a downtown Cincinnati parking garage.

        The Cincinnati Fire Division's bomb squad responded to Western-Southern garage on Sycamore Street about 9 a.m., the tail end of the morning commute. A security guard noticed the box on the front seat of a Ford Thunderbird.

        Authorities closed Sycamore between Third and Fourth streets, then ran the license plate for identification and called the owner's home.

        They reached his wife, who said her husband had built his own security alarm.
       

Heightened alert

        Bomb squads and hazardous material response teams are on heightened alert and responding to perceived threats more often.

        Virtually everyone is affected in some way, with scenes of anthrax scares or other terrorist-related panic unfolding at restaurants, office buildings and on highways across the Tristate.

        Nothing in Greater Cincinnati has been related to terrorism, but the images of experts in hazmat gear searching a Florida newspaper building — or a Sycamore Township medical office — linger in our minds.

        “Our biggest concerns on this whole panic issue, is that we have people informed,” said University Hospital's Dr. Donald Locasto, a committee member on the region's Metropolitan Medical Response System that focuses on bioterrorism preparedness.

        The team was established in the mid-1990s and consists of dozens of medical personnel, police officers, firefighters and emergency management leaders.

        “We would fare fairly well if there were an attack,” Dr. Locasto said. “There's been a lot of preparation.”

        Still, throughout numerous biohazard scares this week, the decontamination unit at University Hospital has not been used.

        “What's important to realize,” he said, “is that the ability to pull off a biological attack is exceedingly difficult.”
       

Safety gear sold out

        At Newport's Land, Air and Sea supply store, owner Karen Embs said she's sold out of gas masks, water purification tablets and decontamination suits.

        In August, Ms. Embs attended a military trade show in Las Vegas and bought a large supply of Israeli and German gas masks, thinking they would be big sellers come Halloween.

        She's sold “a couple hundred” since Sept. 11. On Wednesday, a California company offered to sell her Italian gas masks, “but the price is continuously rising,” she said. “I passed. In order for me to have a profit margin, I would have charged $100.”

        Gas masks typically go for between $19.95 and $39.95.

        “It might be a good idea someday,” Francis Baird, 65, said as he sat in front of his Newport home Wednesday, “but all this ain't changin' me none.”

        Asked if any other items are selling faster since Sept. 11, Ms. Embs paused. “Yeah, guns and ammo,” she said. “But nobody likes to talk about that. That's really what it boils down to, a sense of security.”

        Much more common, however, are subtle changes.

        Music Hall in Over-the-Rhine recently added two off-duty Cincinnati police officers to its internal security team, general manager Ernie Toplis said Wednesday.

        Scrutiny has been tightened on the minute-by-minute water-quality tests in place for years, said Water Works Director David Rager. On Wednesday, water system operators throughout the United States asked Congress for $5 billion to protect water supplies from terrorism.

        Postal inspector Michael Egner said inspectors are on heightened alert for suspicious packages. Most common: packages flagged because they make noise, he said.

        The reason: Typically, it's a toy mailed to a child with the batteries inserted by the sender.

       Enquirer reporters James Pilcher and Jane Prendergast contributed to this report.
       

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