[gogulls]

Before the hurricane hit NBC was pushing the ‘people can’t evacuate because they can’t afford it’ narrative. They used a family who clearly was NOT living in poverty (you wondered where they were hiding the cigs). Never mind there’s a zillion churches/social service agencies that would help. Get ready to hear more of that.

At the end of this particular interview, and they gave away the game by saying how inconvenient it would be to return home.

[grania]

One of my closest life long friends is in FL, at a retirement community in the hurricane impact area last year. Some people who evacuated evacuated into where the storm actually went. Some have illnesses and fragile immune systems so that being in a shelter could kill them. Some would not fare well if stuck in a massive traffic jam. It turned out that their retirement community management kept those who stayed safe and provided with the services they needed.

When you see a friend in that spot, perspective changes. Could she have gotten up here (NE OH) before the storm? She doesn't have the physical capabilities to drive more than a few miles. Her son couldn't leave work, as he was necessary at the grocery store, helping to get food to people who needed it. A hotel? They fill up quickly. Public transportation? Booked solid. What about the infirmed, beloved dog? The worst tragedy last year was those people who died in an inadequately attended for nursing home.

Take a walk in their shoes.