Taking days and weeks for rescue, people have hours and minutes

When disaster strikes, people are vulnerable, even in this modern age. The flight distance from Florida to Haiti is about 681 miles. That’s not so far as one could drive it in an auto if accessible by land. Though, it is an island. Getting there by boat takes a couple of days if the right boat is in the right position and ready to go. Apparently, that is not the case for the US hospital ship as it just got there 8 days later.

People might survive in rubble for six days, but at eight days it is over. More Marines and professional help and supplies are on the way for survivors, many of which have only hours remaining, awaiting medicine and treatment that is critical for them.

I saw a report about a young girl about 4 years old. She was said to be about three hours from death. From what was she suffering? No physical injuries, she just needed hydration – water! How many thousands are near death for a lack of water?

Suffering such as this is tortuous. Sleeping outside at night without security is tortuous too.

Emergencies and disasters like this require a surge in support capacity. When the initial state is a deficit condition, the help-hole is very deep. It takes a lot to fill it.

If there is a healthcare deficit in the rich United States, and resources are diverted to an emergency, does that not leave a hole behind? The answer is yes.

People at the Department of Health and Human Services know this condition. If there is an epidemic that spreads throughout the nation, they know there is a breaking point. If an earthquake of 7.0 or more hits a major metro city in California, it would outstrip the capacity to address it, and would cripple the economy to boot.

What can be done about it? Build surge capacity – engineer for disasters, stockpile. To do this requires investment. Squandering money on far flung wars for instance diminishes the capacity of resources needed for domestic emergencies.