Beastmomma

It is hard to wrap my mind around how much water is in New Orleans. The photographs are very powerful.  I had trouble sleeping last night.  Tulane-- where I did my graduate work-- finally got its webpage back up.  You can read about things here.  As a person with some compassion, it is tough for me to not be able to do something actively to help. I would like to go down there.  The phones are still busy; I cannot get through to ErinB and another friend that I remembered was there.  I am trying to be optimistic, but it is hard with all the news coverage and visuals.

Through the American Public Health Association, I came across a list of organizations that need monetary donations in order to provide aid to hurricane victims. I am struck by the fact that they are all Christian religious organizations.  Not sure why that is sticking out in my mind.  In any event, you can view the list here.   I am going to try to find better ones.

The city of NOLA has gone through so much. The historic French Quarter is still mostly in tact. This is the oldest part of the city which has seen much of war and natural disaster.  Through the coverage, I have been looking for glimpses of the school of public health, but have not seen it.  By reading the letter on the Tulane webpage, it is clear that there is damage to the campus.   The increase in violence and loitering is awful.  It reminds me of watching the real life version of Lord of the Flies.  Is this what humans come to when they are trapped with no food, water, or electricity?  On the flip side, there are lots of stories about rescues and kindness.  Maybe the violence comes out in those who are living in extended periods of time without necessities.

There are many meetings taking place by people much smarter than me on how to repair the levy's.  The first area where the levy failed was the Ninth Ward. This is one of the poorest parts of the city.   It gets ignored by city developers and politicians because there is not a lot of money coming out of there and there is not a large voting block there.  Again, I have to say that this is a metaphor for how the poor are treated throughout the country.  It also speaks to how good infrastructure is essential to city planning, not something which should be put on hold so that everyone can get their cut.  Other levee's are also failing. Attempts to put in sandbags failed. They are now talking about trying concrete.   I hope that it works.

There is now officially a shortage of drinking water and food.  NOLA has a high number of diabetics.  For those who do not know, the chances of going into shock or a coma are much higher in diabetics than others because they need insulin either through injections or a pump.  In order for that insulin to work, there has to be food and water in the body.  

The superdome may not be evacuated because the water inside is starting to rise.  I had my graduation ceremony in the superdome.  It is a huge structure which gives the semblance of extraordinary power.  It is hard to believe that part of the roof got taken off.