Special protective kits will be distributed to the autistic and mentally
challenged population

IDF Spokesperson 19 December 2002

The Commander of the Protective Kit Distribution Centers in the Home
Front Command, Col. Eitan Ben-Moshe, said in an interview to the IDF web
site that special protective kits will be distributed to the autistic
and mentally challenged population. According to him, this is all part
of the individual service that the Home Front Command gives to special
populations. The Home Front Command is preparing itself to adapt the
masks in the best way possible for this population. "The Home Front
Command has equipped itself with special 'Caesar's Hood'. These kits are
specially adapted to fit the needs of the autistic and mentally
challenged population," said Ben-Moshe.

"The 'Caesar's Hood' is a special hood for the adult that seals around
the neck, and is equipped with two filters which pump in fresh air. It
is comfortable to wear and provides for maximum vision. These components
make the kit user-friendly, and therefore the kit is suitable for those
who have trouble wearing normal kits."

"These kits will be given to autistic people and people with mental
challenges, who live in institutions or communities. The qualification
for such a kit is determined by a set criteria decided on by a panel of
experts," said Ben-Moshe.

Protective kits will be given to foreign residents living in Israel

Ben-Moshe noted that, in addition, according to already established
plans, protective kits will be distributed to foreign residents residing
in Israel in time of emergency.

"According to the evaluations, announcements will be published in the
press that will call upon the foreign workers and their families to
collect the protective kit in one of the "Mashbir Latzerchan" stores. A
small deposit of 200 shekels (NIS) will be necessary, half of which will
be refunded once the mask is returned," he said

Ben-Moshe said that the Ministry of Tourism, in cooperation with the
Home Front Command will distribute the protective kits to tourists in
hotels throughout Israel in a time of emergency.

He added that the Home Front Command has a sufficient reserve of
protective kits for all the citizens of Israel. "The citizens are
welcome to come to one of the protective kit distribution centers which
are located all over the country, and people can refresh their kits any
time."

(The location of all the stations can be found on the IDF website)

"The Home Front command has opened distribution stations all over the
country," he said. "The location of the stations changes from time to
time in order to provide better access to the citizens of Israel. The
Home Front Command has opened distribution centers in the minority
communities (Arab, Bedouin, Druze), as well as in the ultra-orthodox
communities, and in the West-Bank. For details about the hours of
operation of the centers, and their locations, people can contact the
Home Front Command hotline at 12-55-111."

Improvements to the Protective Kits

"Since the Gulf War a number changes have been made to the to the
protective kit," said Ben-Moshe. "The 'Crib' kit, which was supplied to
babies, has been replaced with the "Babysitter" kit. In addition, all
protective kits issued to the population now contain a drinking straw
which allows for drinking while wearing the mask."

The contents of the protection kit also include a syringe that provides
a first-aid response to exposure to nerve gas.

The syringe should only be used when two or more of the symptoms appear:
blurry eyesight, soreness of the eyes, tears in the eyes, increased
mucous production, increased salivation, pressure in the chest, nausea
and vomiting, tremors throughout the body and involuntary excretions.

More detailed information can be found in the pamphlet located inside
every protective kit.