By the Editorial Staff
Recent incidents of anthrax in the mail will not keep many people at IVCC from sending Christmas cards, but a number of people are being cautious when they open mail.
In response to an Apache survey, all 75 of the students who usually send cards plan to although 10 percent plan to send fewer cards.
Of the 27 faculty, only two will not be sending their usual cards.
Very few people said they are concerned about opening a lot of Christmas cards, but 15 percent of the students and 33 percent of the faculty are generally concerned about anthrax in the mail. Opening mail cautiously is how most people are dealing with their concerns.
Gloria Bouxsein, chair of the health professions division, said she is not opening any cards from unknown senders.
Math instructor Cheryl Hobneck said: "I’ve been watching for anything suspicious, like no return address and strange postmarks; that’s really all that individuals like us can do."
Music instructor Norm Engstrom said, "If a Christmas card comes from someone I don’t know, I will decide whether to open it and if I need to take extra precautions."
A number of people also report they are washing their hands after opening mail, although geology instructor Mike Phillips said, "I do these things anyway, not because of anthrax but because it is good hygiene."