re: Any chance we shot down the Chinese balloon over Montana?

Before we shoot it down, we need to publically inform the chinese that we will fly sampling aircraft below it when we burst it and if we detect any redioactive material, or biological materials, we will consider it a first strike act of war by the Chinese and will respond to their act with overwhelming force. Then ask them if we should shoot it down.

There is a part of me that thinks our military is not so much afraid of the baloon as they are uncertain what is inside it and are watching with overwhelming caution. Once released, there is no containing whatever it has inside mixed with the helium.