cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/43208909
picnic rule
this post was submitted on 26 May 2026
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The hope with burial is that they followed proper procedure and prepped the bodies before burying them. You're supposed to stuff any orifices with sterilizing and absorbent cloth so the bacteria doesn't gain exposure to oxygen.
Anthrax in its vegetative state lacks the protective spore that makes it hardy and resistant to sterilization or natural breakdown. Without the protective spore it's susceptible to environmental factors and will die out like any other bacteria.
There's some sense in that, but it sounds like cheaping out to me, kill it with fire. Unless, of course, you're in a situation where you can't, then do what you can I suppose.
Burn pit is probably the easier option in most scenarios. In most cases it's a lot easier to dig a hole deep enough to bury the ashes of a bunch of cows than to have to prep the bodies of all the cows, bury them under 6 ft of soil, and then sanitize the soil around it.
I imagine the only time you wouldn't go with the burn pit is if it's too windy, or in a location where you'd be worried about starting a wild fire on top of a biohazard.