Sampling, data collection and tabulation for this poll were done by TNS Intersearch.

These results underscore what's been an essentially reasoned public approach to the anthrax scare — perhaps born of a recognition that the attacks thus far have targeted political figures and the news media, not people at random.

The most widespread personal precaution is to exercise care in opening mail: Forty percent of Americans are doing so. Nearly as many, 35 percent, say they've gathered information on what to do in case of biological attack. About 15 percent more say they're "seriously considering" taking either of those actions.

Other steps are far less common: Eight percent say they're avoiding crowded places such as shopping malls because of the risk of terrorism. Five percent have spoken with a doctor about anthrax. Two percent say they've bought antibiotics in case of biological attack. And 5 percent have done something else, with storing water the top response.

How Americans Respond
RESPONSE	DONE IT	CONSIDERING IT	NOT CONSIDERING IT
Caution with mail	40%	16	44
Gathering information	35	15	50
Avoiding crowds	8	12	29
Spoken with doctor	5	11	84
Anything else to prepare	5	13	81
Bought antibiotics	2	10	86

Interviews for this poll were conducted Wednesday through Sunday, before Monday's news of additional anthrax exposures in Washington, D.C. That report, however, did not move the focus of the attacks beyond the previously known targets — the news media and Washington officials, via the mail. Results were stable across interview days.

Last week, an ABCNEWS/Washington Post poll also found a sober response to the anthrax situation, with barely over a quarter of respondents expressing a great deal of worry that they or a loved one might become infected.

Groups

There are some differences among groups in response to the terrorism risk. More women than men are exercising caution with their mail — 46 percent of women, 33 percent of men. Also, more nonwhites than whites are using care with their mail, as are more people in the Northeast and South (where the attacks have occurred) than in the Midwest and West.

Verbatim

As noted, 5 percent of Americans say they've taken other steps to prepare for anthrax or some other biological attack. A quarter of those people mentioned storing water (as well as, in some cases, food and other items). Some other verbatim responses follow, to provide an impression of what these individuals are thinking:

"Increase my own awareness by keeping in touch with the media, via Internet, and spoke with firefighters in my area."

"We read our bible more."

"Family has sat and discussed."

"Bottled water, Band-Aids, three months food supply, bought a lot of ammunition and camouflage, leave gas tank three-quarters full, and I can pack up in 15 minutes and move away real quick."

"Clean my gun."

"Just being cautious."

"Have the right telephone numbers for fire department, Center for Disease Control, NYPD."

"Praying."

"Gas masks."

"I have a shelter."

"I've put non-perishables in the basement."

"I'm taking vitamins to build up my immune system."

"Gloves, bleach, wash hands always."

"I am a police officer so I have been training for it. On a personal note I have not, but work-wise we have done a lot to prepare and know what to do."

Methodology

This ABCNEWS/Washington Post survey was conducted by telephone Oct. 17-21, among a random national sample of 1,023 adults. The results have a three-point error margin. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by TNS Intersearch of Horsham, Pa.