In Lawrence, we just suffered the effects of a tropical storm that affected all of New England. The Merrimack Valley was pounded the night of October 29 and the dawn of October 30, with hurricane winds that reached gusts of up to 80 miles per hour in addition to several inches of rain. Some sectors of the City of Lawrence lost electricity from early hours, other sectors were flooded making traffic impossible through several streets and two fallen trees were reported. Classes were suspended as well as trash collection. One of the two local radio stations has not yet been able to air until the moment of writing these notes due to problems related to the storm.
Now let’s compare this with what Puerto Rico has suffered and is suffering, if possible. First it was Irma, which caused considerable damage, then it was Maria a week later, who crossed the island from east to west as the strongest storm to hit the island in 80 years, with sustained winds of 140 MPH (225 km/h), where rainfall was measured by feet not inches as is customary and dangerous tides, often the most dangerous component in a hurricane, were measured between 6 and 9 feet high.
According to reports, with 100% of the electricity network ruined, since mid-September the Puerto Rican people are in darkness and officials estimate that “it could take at least two years,” until it is fully rebuilt, authorities reported. The truth is that the country is without light, with 75% of the houses without running water and without a telephone signal, all for which, the inhabitants of the island are desperate.
Immediately, upon knowing of these calamities, as in previous situations, Rafael Guzman, better known by Danilito, offered his building located at 530 Broadway, where he started a collection of clothes, food, water, etc. and hundreds of citizens volunteered their time to classify donations and make their shipping possible. In addition, an account was opened at Enterprise Bank for cash donations. In our October 8 edition, we published a summary of the donations so far and what was ready to be shipped, but because the donations continued, the volunteers continued to work.
Days later we were visited by Dr. Antonia Novello, former Surgeon General of the United States and Puerto Rican by birth, now involved in the aid to Puerto Rico and how this help is distributed. According to her, the situation on the island cannot be worse. His biggest fear is that an epidemic erupts due to poor hygiene and the absence of vaccines to prevent any disease since for lack of refrigeration caused them to spoil all over the island.
At closing, the collection of clothing and food has ceased. Everything collected was sent and remain in the warehouses of the National Guard in Worcester, according to the Deputy Sheriff William Castro, responsible for the operation of collection of donations who has promised us a final report that includes the total of the items donated and all of the money received. He is aware that it is necessary to inform all donors, what has been done with their donations and, above all, the most important thing that has been done with the money collected. This is a very delicate matter that should be very clear, and one that will leave the doors open for future collections.
And by the way, since I have your attention, do not forget to vote on Tuesday, November 7.
