British authorities will soon begin a campaign to educate the public on how to respond to a chemical or biological attack, the New York Times reported on Saturday.
The campaign will include posters and mock-emergency drills, the government’s chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, told the newspaper.
”However disturbing it may be for some, we must take up the challenge and the unprecedented step of giving the public more ‘protect and serve’ information,” Donaldson said.
”It is impossible to guard against all the potential risks, but simple procedural advice could save lives,” he added.
The posters could, for example, urge people to flee a gas attack and leave casualties in the hands of emergency workers, or urge them to use handkerchiefs as improvised gas masks, Donaldson said.
The posters are likely to be distributed next year. – Sapa-AFP