Columbians need to be aware of the following facts regarding the biolab which the Department of Homeland Security is considering locating in Columbia:
The diseases this lab will be dealing with are some of the deadliest known to mankind — many of which have no known vaccine or cure.
The lab will be a top secret facility owned and operated by the department. Only it will know what is taking place there. It will be perhaps the largest facility of its kind in the United States.
The department has said this lab could be a terrorist target.
The biolab on Plum Island has a poor safety record. The employees managing that facility would be relocated here.
Any disaster such as a tornado, human error, terrorist attack, etc., could put thousands at risk. It only takes one mistake.
The risk is not worth the economic benefits, which would quickly disappear should an accident occur.
A facility such as this belongs on an island at sea or in the desert, not in the heart of our community.
Since the department wants a site with community acceptance, the only way to stop this lab is to let it know we do not want this facility here. Go to nodeathlab.org for information on how to oppose this. A meeting for those in opposition will be at 7 p.m. today at the New Haven Elementary School on New Haven Road.
We must act quickly. A decision will be made very soon.