hurricane katrina afterthoughts

[Banana River]

With all of the complete devastation that this violent storm left, I am wondering if any of us have thought about alternative ways we can help the victims, the "fear" of gas shortages, rising energy prices, and so on.

I must admit that I am one of those who is a little fearful of the domino effect of this disaster.

Last year, my family lost our home due to hurricane Frances after it was declared "uninhabitable" by FEMA. We endured 3 hurricanes on our side of the state. I owe a debt of gratitude to one of my nursing supervisors who rented us one of her properties, in which we still live in today.

The domino effect took place here when housing shortages caused a 34% increase in the sale prices, and rents. We saw it in our electricity bills, our gasoline prices, and even our food prices. And the same is happening right now, courtesy of Katrina.

I am actively thinking of purchasing a motorcycycle or scooter, I will begin walking or riding a bike to the store, and have begun conserving electricity and water as well. I now think of a light being left on as a waste of oil, which may become very scarce, very soon.

Please tell me what your thoughts or plans are on alternative solutions.

[Judee Smudee, ADN, RN]

I was thinking along those lines myself. The govenors of each state should ask people in their state to think about there energy consumption and voluntarily decrease it whereever possible. Maybe the president should go on tv and do same thing.

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

Same here. The only thing is that in the winter it is so hard to walk in the melting snow without risking injury. Besides it is so cold I can't do it. I just got a letter from the gas company advising us of the increase in our heating oil and how to conserve heating energy for this upcoming winter. No kidding to you, but I am paying almost the same amount of gas than this past winter and it is summer! I hardly use the hot water, the oven.....impossible etc. I am worried that many citizens will not be able to afford their gas bill and/or it shut off and ppl dying as a consequence. The nation's situation is serious and leaves lots to think about. I filled up my tank yesterday as it increased 40 cents a gallon overnight and still rising. I put 35 dollars in my tiny car and it barely tickled it.

Anyhow, definetly carpool. I am going to try to set up a carpool group at school for clinicals and riding my bike to school. I will need to get a basket or grill of some sort to put my book bag and off we go.

Thanks for the post. :)

[imenid37]

I keep thinking about all of the nurses who are aren't able to work right now. Will they get paid if they can't work for months d/t damage to their place of employment? It is heart-wrencinching to think of people w/ many many unmet physical needs, but I think of people who might work prn and now their cars and homes are gone. Once they are "safe" their lives are still turned upside down. What do they and their familes do for money? I took out my trash yesterday and felt fortunate that I was able to have that luxury and was able to walk back inside and wash my hands w/ clean running water. It is such unimaginable sufferring.

[ShayRN]

I can't believe the images we are seeing. How terrifying it must be for those that have lost so much. I wish there was something more I could do to help. My husband told me last night to find some funds next pay and send as much money as I can to the relief effort.

As far as gas prices, if I was working in a minimum wage job, I would quit. By the time these people pay for gas and daycare costs, it is going to be cheaper to stay home. What will we do when there is nobody to work at the gas stations or in the food service industry? I think this is going to have a HUGE impact on our already fragile economy.

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

I keep thinking about all of the nurses who are aren't able to work right now. Will they get paid if they can't work for months d/t damage to their place of employment? It is heart-wrencinching to think of people w/ many many unmet physical needs, but I think of people who might work prn and now their cars and homes are gone. Once they are "safe" their lives are still turned upside down. What do they and their familes do for money? I took out my trash yesterday and felt fortunate that I was able to have that luxury and was able to walk back inside and wash my hands w/ clean running water. It is such unimaginable sufferring.

Yeah, and the entire population. How in the world do you start all over. Where do you return to school/work if it was yanked off the ground and vanished into debris . What about all the pregnant women and those who gave birth in those conditions? What about the disease?

[mysterybe]

It is so overwhelming to see the images on the television. Immense suffering. Definitely conserving fuel is a priority for all of us now and will help the overall effort.

All of those people left there in the aftermath of the hurricane need to get out of there. Somehow, coordinated efforts among neighboring areas/states need to help get those people out and in healthier conditions where they can survive. Next, those people need to put their lives back together. They'll need jobs. Perhaps some of the same agencies that are helping them, can actually hire some of those people too. When clean up and rebuilding starts, perhaps they too can hire those people.

Many multifaceted problems....my thoughts and prayers go out there to them. I will be conserving energy and contributing to agencies that will be helping them. And this reminds me to treasure all of my family and friends, my health, my home. May God guide us to use our hearts and our minds to beat this tragedy and rebuild.

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

It is so overwhelming to see the images on the television. Immense suffering. Definitely conserving fuel is a priority for all of us now and will help the overall effort.

All of those people left there in the aftermath of the hurricane need to get out of there. Somehow, coordinated efforts among neighboring areas/states need to help get those people out and in healthier conditions where they can survive. Next, those people need to put their lives back together. They'll need jobs. Perhaps some of the same agencies that are helping them, can actually hire some of those people too. When clean up and rebuilding starts, perhaps they too can hire those people.

Many multifaceted problems....my thoughts and prayers go out there to them. I will be conserving energy and contributing to agencies that will be helping them. And this reminds me to treasure all of my family and friends, my health, my home. May God guide us to use our hearts and our minds to beat this tragedy and rebuild.

An expert was saying it would take atleast 5 yrs for it to show any signs of what it once was. Some are debating weather to leave it as it is since it is below sea level and build elsewhere. Lots of confusing thoughts racing on ppl's minds too.

[mysterybe]

I hear what you're saying Jess....New Orleans is so vunerable to hurricanes...does one rebuild there?? If I lived there, I can't say that I'd want to return if it was ever rebuilt.

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

I hear what you're saying Jess....New Orleans is so vunerable to hurricanes...does one rebuild there?? If I lived there, I can't say that I'd want to return if it was ever rebuilt.

It's an intricate decision. It was such a beautiful place too

[mysterybe]

It's an intricate decision. It was such a beautiful place too

I had always wanted to visit there. I hope one day it can regain all it had.

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

I had always wanted to visit there. I hope one day it can regain all it had.

Maybe it was better not to, so you won't have this to compare. :icon_hug:

I am sure that if they rebuid they will make is beautiful again. Will take time though.