Okay, a neighbor got one of our letters so today I got a letter from Iowa dept of Public Health. It's from Russell W, Currier, DVM, Environmental Epidemiologist: "1. Ferrets and post-exposure rabies management would be my responsibility shared with state epidemiologist Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. 2. We will observe ferrets after publication of the 1998 Compendium." He does not say if that means after receipt of the written Compendium, which was mailed out last week, or if he means as of 1998, or if he means that they will then begin their proceedings to change state policy at that point, so it might be in effect now (since the '98 Compendium should have been received), go into effect in January, or go into effect after the paper work is done -- which could be as late as March '98 (going from the time frame found by Troy Lynn for a state where the dept.s are by law not permitted to do the paper work until after the Compendium goes into effect). An Iowa quarantine activist might want to call 1-515-281-4988 and straighten this out for all of us, then post the expected time frame (also please send same to: [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask] -- all of which are monitoring and reporting on the changes to others as well. If you call or write, remember the most important thing: BE POLITE. YOU NEED THE COOPERATION OF THESE PEOPLE. Remember that they are bound by state law in when and how they can proceed and that they WANT to proceed toward quarantine times which places them in AGREEMENT with us. Since he indicated elsewhere that he was perplexed by some other questions I think we can assume that Iowa won't be one of the odd-states-out which have state law giving local health departments the ability to ignore state policies (Have only heard of two so far which might have such laws. Troy Lynn says KS does, and Ilena says that she received a confusing reply which might indicate that N.Y. might. Where these exist activists will have to see that local dept.s get copies of the studies and of the compendium. It's a pain, but it's essential in such cases. If anyone else needs to be on the recipient list for these postings, let me know. Will have to decide on the final resting point for all letters later. Sukie Have not gotten the recorded ferret carols back and don't know if will get them in time, so Steve's holiday card is on http://skunk.research.att.com/yule.html [Posted in FML issue 2141]