Historically
the disaster event which befalls a region is not the big destroyer of human
life. What comes afterwards is.
Before the
era of global telecommunications and the ability of highly capitalized nations
to respond utilizing their every ready military assets, a flood or an
earthquake might strike a region and initially kill a few to a few thousands of
people in the area. It is in the weeks and months afterwards that the majority
of suffering and death decimate the population. Crop destruction and the
inability to mobilize the next planting season typically spelled doom for the
region. Standing in stagnant water in low-lying areas brought infection, dysentery
and other highly treatable diseases (by today's standard). Herds of livestock
being drowned or otherwise cut off from feed left them as vulnerable as the
human population. The approaching winter might also take the lives of people
who could not pack in the food preserves, firewood or other heating fuels.
Potable water not being available would kill the fastest.
The most
recent hurricane to strike Puerto Rico has disrupted the entire island to the
extent that there is zero electric grid, roads are washed and blow away, water
supplies are polluted and the land is strewn with debris. The approximately 3.5
million inhabitants of the island remain in place while the entire
infrastructure is disrupted. After the initial drownings, heart attacks and being
struck with airborne debris the hunger, dehydration, and disease begin to take
their toll. Anyone who was at risk in the first place is also certain to suffer
disproportionately. People in need of daily medications such as insulin are at
high risk. Dialysis patients and people compromised with respiratory problems
will not have machines and A/C that function. Even here in the States, 7 Miami
nursing home residents died from lack of A/C in a facility across the street
from a hospital.
Unless Puerto
Rico receives mobilization of manpower, machines and energy, food and water
many people will die of the secondary impacts of the hurricane. One cannot
contemplate the rescue of masses of people in terms of dollars and ROI. The
President's characterization of the electric grid for being decrepit is now
moot. The entire system will need to be replaced at a cost of billions. There
is no honest way for Puerto Ricans to ever pay that bill in taxes or utility
fees. Although not citizens of any state they are Americans nonetheless. They
deserve all the rights and benefits every citizen needs.
We, as One
Nation, must act to preserve and repair any and all devastation whenever and
wherever it occurs. Time is of the essence. People without shelter can survive
months. Without food for weeks but only days without water. Where is our
government action and vocal concern for these people? We have the resources. We need the will.
