Among the doctors stymied from helping out are 100 surgeons and paramedics in a state-of-the-art mobile hospital marooned in rural Mississippi.

These people have traveled for 30 hours and the state of Louisiana won't let them in. They are 70 miles from NO. What will the officials do next?

[Fuzzybear]

[dottie]

Hi. Remember..that this is the first time in many lifetimes that anything of this magnitude has been undertaken. This is a first.

Be careful about taking everything as fact, as pertains to a largely liberal news machine.

I remember a day when jounalists were neutral and very professional. Not so anymore. About the fairest coverage on tv would imo..be the Fox News Channel..if you have it on your cable...

They try to show ALL sides of the equation.

Everything that can be done, right now, is being done. Sure...mistakes are bound to happen.

Consider this a test drive for what could come later at any time. Remember..this is a first. Keep an open mind, please.

Regards,

~Dottie

I have to agree with everything dottie said! The news media anymore is very unreliable...like they only want to broadcast mostly on the negative!
SongBird

[seeker1950]

I did have to stop watching so much of the news coverage, though I'm still watching. The repeated scenes of the worst situations, days after they were first aired gave the impression that nothing was being done for those poor people. And perhaps that is true....sitting along a hot paved highway for days without water, on a bridge, trapped in attics or on rooftops, not to mention the Super Dome. But Dottie is right that this catastrophe is unprecedented in its scope, and no one has probably digested it to that extent. It will affect all of us, not just in the price of gasoline, but in the prices of everything, and permanently, not temporarily.
Seeker

[Parker10]

I agree Fayerody ! As I posted before, supplies from my area were turned away, as were the volunteers - and they were not Doctors or paramedics (NOT from a news article - I know this for a fact). I cannot understand for the life of me why they would turn away health professionals ! If they wouldnt let them go into New Orleans - at least set them up in close proximity, and have the sick and injured brought to them. I also realize it IS dangerous to be in that area. But, if people are volunteering to go help, why should they be stopped?

I cannot say I think "everything that can be done is being done" to be accurate. People are still stranded in attics, and on roof tops.......they cannot last much longer with no food or water. I honestly think we sent help WAY to late............IMHO.

[dottie]

Hi parker. I think it would be very wise to look at the Timeline here.

as always~
Dottie

Parker10

As someone who has set up an introduction meeting on Wed. nite of this week to learn about becomming a volunteer to go to NO, and in talking with a Red Cross representitive on the phone, I want to share with you some of the restrictions on heading to the disaster area.
First off is an introductory meeting which is a 3 and 1/2 hr. class followed a week later by a 4 hour survival type class, followed by the next nite, another 4 hour shelter training class...A week after that, is another 4 hour first aid class...These restrictions are set up by the RC and only after passing these courses is someone allowed to be sent to the disaster area...
I am hoping I will be chosen, but who knows what will happen..perhaps there may be a medical reason I would not be picked...My question to everyone is, How many of these so called heros are rushing down to the disaster area, without any disaster training???
I also have an application in with the Salvation Army, as a back up, in case I am not qualified to help with the RC...As of yet, I have not been contacted by the SA, but perhaps their restrictions may not be as rigid as the RC..
Perhaps this info will be of some help in answering questions about the Katrina disaster rescue efforts!

Sincerely,

SongBird

[SeptemberMorn]

Dotti, I agree with you 100%!! This is a first. No one has any experience with such a disaster. Even 9/11 wasn't of this magnitute. There were plenty of mistakes made then, too.

Still... you'd think they'd let in doctors and surgeons. But we're not there...

[Raynaadi]

I liken this disaster to the Lord of the Flies in a way...the stricken are going crazy because we aren't trained to deal with something like this. Shooting at rescue helicopters...hurting each other. No one has classes on how to deal with stuff like this unless you're a volunteer with the Red Cross, like SongBird. Though people are jumping to help, the situation is so awful that they can't let just anyone come in. It may sound crazy to us to turn away doctors and surgeons, but do they have disaster training? Even the most talented ER doc probably hasn't seeing the likes of disaster like Katrina. My dad's girlfriend went to Sri Lanka to help with the tsunami aftermath. Maybe I'll try to talk to her about what kind of things they require of medical personell in situations like this. I try to remember that America is doing the best it can to get through this ordeal, and I try to remember that we're all human, and the ability to handle such loss is not second nature to anyone, not doctors, nurses, police, the government, the president. Human make mistakes, even though it's hard to admit sometimes that we can't be perfect, even in situations like this. They're doing the best they can. This is just my opinion, and the way I'm coping.

~Rayna

my ex-husband is a surgeon. he has four good friends in the contingent that i posted the article about. my main information has come from him. he donated $5,000 worth of bandages, antibiotics, scrubs and misc. supplies. i seriously doubt that he is lying to me. he has been in touch, daily, with his friends. and the time line? this is the 9th day.

[SeptemberMorn]

Your word is not doubted at all, Pat! Even the Pres. isn't happy with the results. What does he expect, though? He's the Pres. but doesn't have any more experience dealing with this sort of stuff than anyone else.

Practice patience.. but don't dare ask for it! LOL You'll just get more problems to TEACH you patience!

[dasiy6]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
dottie said:
Hi. Remember..that this is the first time in many lifetimes that anything of this magnitude has been undertaken. This is a first.

I remember a day when jounalists were neutral and very professional. Not so anymore. About the fairest coverage on tv would imo..be the Fox News Channel..if you have it on your cable...

They try to show ALL sides of the equation.

Everything that can be done, right now, is being done. Sure...mistakes are bound to happen.

Consider this a test drive for what could come later at any time. Remember..this is a first. Keep an open mind, please.

Regards,

~Dottie

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

I agree that this has been an unprecedented catastrophe...........put please............

"Be careful about taking everything as fact, as pertains to a largely liberal news machine" Sure...those liberals are at it again
"I remember a day when jounalists were neutral and very professional. Not so anymore. About the fairest coverage on tv would imo..be the Fox News Channel" oh sure .....

Gosh, even that bastion of conservatism ....the "Fox News Channel" is beginning to questioning the governments handling of this whole affair (N.Y.Times today).........

Sorry, but I am just tired of these inept politicians..... from Bush on down......

and tired of the "liberal media" vs "fair minded conservative " crap that gets thrown around whenever anything uncomplimentary to this administration is discussed........

Sometimes I think that the conservative mantra must be...."What's in it for me?"

Sorry Dottie.........nothing against you personally.........just had to get it off my chest!

All the above rants are as always...... "JMHO"

[darkeyes]

It is very hard to believe aid would be denied to victims of Katrina, something is wrong, or maybe the media.
There is no way people would be denied of medical help under such circumstances, no way.
I also saw a glimpse of the news and it showed rescuers with air boats going up to homes and telling people they have to leave their homes, it is dangerous to be living with no water (cause it is now polluted) food, and now disease spread, etc. the people were refusing, and even seemed arrogant!! Hey, the help is being offered, and some refuse it, not much more you can do. The one woman was standing on what was left of a front porch, cigarette in hand, toddler in a pamper standing near edge of step where flood water was, their dog was there too, finally they said they'll come, the rescuers were relieved.
I watch and decide in my own heart what is believeble (sp?) or not on the news. My heart breaks for all that suffers, regardless of age, race, or religion, and sadly there are unhappy celebrities that are claiming the blacks are not being rescued or helped, that is bull, I guess there are people that appreciate whatever is offered and there will be always one that complain. . . I scratch my head and just wonder.

Take care all,
DE

[dottie]

[darkeyes]

Sadly, a lot stranded do not want to be helped, I saw them refusing help when rescuers came by with boats to save them, but yet there were many grateful ones that immediately got on the boats. The people had been warned in advance that Katrina was coming, they were told to evacuate, I know when in FL during hurricane season, many people do not take the warning lightly, they gas up and leave or ride with public transit, or friends.
Not to sound cold hearted, but they were all warned way in advance that Katrina was coming. It all behooves me.
I just hope there will be more survivors than lost.

DE

[Shaymus]

They were warned in advance and there was a mandatory evacuation. However not everyone has the means to leave. Physically or financially or what have you. That and the way the news always sensationalizes these things. Its hard to tell when the real catastrophy is coming or someone just wants a news story. One bad apple out of ten shouldnt spoil the bunch for those in need IMO.

I think just as with 9/11 and other disasters i hope that there is investigation and they come up with better ways to deal with things such as these. Better preperation can mean everything.

[SeptemberMorn]

This isn't about POLITICS! It's about people in the direst kind of need and NO ONE having the experience to handle such disaster! GEEEEEZ!!!

[Shaymus]

It is new, therefore more scary. Getting plans in place for the next time and improving the ones they did have means hopefully we will be better prepared. The more prepared we are, the fear will lessen i think.

[Gemstone]

The US has dealt with quite a bit of disaster. We are not really "new to this kind of thing". The government really dropped the ball. It is awful what the people of New Orleans have had to go through.

As far as the news goes, the conservatives are just as bad as the liberals. There is no such thing as impartiality anymore.

All we can do now is pray for and help the survivors. We can't change the mistakes that were made. Hopefully the government can investigate and be more prepared for the future.

[SeptemberMorn]

Yup! I heard one woman admit that she didn't believe the intensity of the hurricane when the warning went out. She said she'd know better next time! So will the rest of us as well as all the first responders and help agencies... let's hope. I think we should all be prepared for something equally as devastating so that we don't need immediate help, like some of the people you see on TV. We need to accept some of the responsibility for ourselves instead of waiting for help because it may just NOT come in time... or some people may just get in the way of any rescue, like some of the looters did, shooting at the rescue helicopters. THAT kind of mentality I can't understand!

[darkeyes]

Yes better preparation is good. I know there is only some truth about people that didn't heed the warning and didn't leave may be due to money, health, but authorites DO assist the elderly with evacuation, when my mom and dad lived in FL, and dad was still alive, they had to evacuate their home, go to a shelter, well dad was on 24hr oxygen, and the local police assisted him and took both parents and their dog to the nearest shelter, till the hurricane was gone.
So many conflicting views on this topic, I fear it is just generating more anger, lies, confusion and whatever sort of things follow after a disaster. Dad's case was not an islated case, other elderly that were sickly were attended to. Sure the shelter wasn't The Ritz, but it served it's purpose.
Whatever we choose to believe is our choice, at the present I am still perplexed, about all the negativity going on down there, negativity takes more energy from our souls than to do or say something positive, positivity is more productive, volunteering help is more productive than people sitting around *****ing about what has already happened, too many, "should ofs, would ofs and could ofs"
doesn't help anyone in crisis at the present.
Whatever, lets all pray that things will improve sooner than later. My heart goes out to those.

Sincerely,
DE

[darkeyes]

Unfortunately, it seems this post is bordering "politics", (remember the guidelines listed) or has become a political based topic which due to people's personal opinions on government and religion, has the potensity (sp?) of getting heated.
Everyone, please, let's leave politics out of this.

Thanks,
DE


I do respect all of your opinions though, it is fine to share stuff, but when it becomes triggering subjects, we would like to keep things calm around here, it is a support website.

((((((((((((( everyone here ))))))))))))))))

[Shaymus]

Florida might be better prepared though as they get drilled with hurricanes every year. The people also might have been more experienced with what happens when a bad hurricane hits and they didnt go to a shelter. I live in MN, if there was a hurricane headed here(no idea how that would happen lol) the gov't would have zero preperations in place and id bet a lot of folks wouldnt be willing to evacuate as it isnt a common occurance.

[darkeyes]

Good point. I think most of this was that many, like I, hear weather reports, then the prediction doesn't happen, so we then start to tend to not take it all serious.
Or many lack common sense in such situations, I don't know the answers, but gaurantee in time, may be very long too, better disaster preparedness operations will be which comes out of this misfortunate occurence, I hope.
Some people missing or hurt, were adventure seekers, certain weather conditions, hurricanes, tornadoes, and remember the recent tsunami, curious people got closer to see, curiosity killed the cat.
Whatever, there were many killed, many saved, lets hope all a speedy recovery.