The 2nd Wave
After the initial shock of the disaster of Maria wore off, it was replaced by a pressing urgency to change the scene and make things normal again. While continuing to survive, secure, repair, and help our community to get back on its feet, our expectations of working hard and grabbing the bull by the horns were met with the frustrations of reality:
• The communication links were down, so cash and credit were initially not available from the bank, the credit union, employers or any other source. Food, medicine, building materials, gas, etc. are still pretty much only sold to those with hard currency (or government cards).
• As manual systems at the bank kicked in, long lines formed for small, limited withdrawals for several hours per day and were typical until week four, when things normalized a bit.
• Gasoline and diesel deliveries started off slowly. Fuel for cars, construction equipment, and generators soon became “Vieques Gold”, and lines ran for as much as 9 hours. Sometimes rationed, others not. Sometimes it came, and sometimes it did not. There continues to be an absence of reliable information, and there are still no consistent operations or limitations. With the addition of generators (many running 12 or more hours per day), emergency vehicles, and heavy equipment our fuel demand has increased dramatically. In order to prevent such lines, the island needs to receive deliveries every other day, but despite being told otherwise, it doesn’t happen. Since the horrendous gas lines on the main island have totally disappeared, it is clear that the problem is local: the distributor, dealers, and/or the ferry.
• Water bottles and emergency rations are distributed at several locations, and long pedestrian lines form in the rain or the hot sun.
• Stressed businesses have closed resulting in many becoming unemployed and short on resources. Hopefully just temporarily, but which ones can survive 6 months without electricity and reliable water service?
• Those who are fortunate enough to remain employed or have small children cannot wait in long lines all day for essentials.
• Without internet, phone, and mail services, statements do not arrive, bills do not get paid, and some accounts get frozen or terminated. Parts and needed supplies cannot be ordered.
• US Mail has been deplorable – not the local office, the system in general. Regular mail has been a fraction of its former self and Priority Mail a faded memory. Getting critical items and supplies has been a bust for most people. Generators and pumps sit rusting, and businesses remain closed awaiting parts.
• Grocery store shelves remained surprisingly well stocked initially. The sad cause was the inability of many to muster cash or use Familia cards. Now that these obstacles have been removed, checkout lines have become onerous, and the popular items have flown off of the shelves.
• With a single ice plant, those needing to keep beer, insulin, and other medications chilled have spent many an hour in line or in search of solid water. The plant has broken down or otherwise not been able to supply ice for days at a time: No Hay Hielo!
• While the stores have the capability to handle refrigerated items, most of the residents can’t, so the stock of meats and dairy is kept low, but somewhat available. Produce, on the other hand, is not to be found.
• Clearing and cleanup work has been hindered due to a lack of working generators and a shortage of various tools. Anything that requires gas or diesel is delayed and constrained. Contacting workers requires knowing where they live and work. It also requires gas and luck at finding them.
• Coordination of activities is extremely difficult for everyone from the resident to the NGO or relief worker to the government due to the lack of reliable communications on the ground. One still (over a month later) cannot contact a field worker or contractor outside of a very small coverage area.
• We will soon face problems related to neighboring houses that have been destroyed and are beginning to rot and mold. Many owners have no funds to do anything and have left the island. Numerous wood structures will probably not entitle their owners to receive significant FEMA funds since the warning went out after Hugo: No more wood – concrete only. Who is going to clear these disaster sites as they become more toxic?
• Our collective efficiency on solving these problems has plummeted, and everything is costing more.
One thing we do know for certain: we will preserver! The work will get done, and we will be better and stronger for it. In the meantime, it’s dark nights, warm beer, hard work, the constant smell of sweat, and the love and support of our friends and neighbors. After all is said and done, that’s pretty damn good. Wish you were here.