If I was a physician I'd be rushing over to NO right now

[noahmijo]

my expertise is in computers and networking....I feel pretty useless..till I find a red cross van that is taking blood.

[kdmorris]

1. I hear ya.

I'm a computer programmer. Not much I can do, but give plasma. But I was thinking that if I was a nurse, I would be heading to the Gulf Coast now.

[Kagemusha]

2. If it's not in an organized manner it'll just make things worse though

Which is why planning is so important :(

[Ramsey]

Message from my hospital administration today

I got this email from our hospital administration today:

"We know that all of us are concerned about the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. As you can imagine, health care services are desperately needed for those who have survived the storm. Today, we participated in a conference call with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Mike Leavitt, and thousands of other hospitals nationwide to identify ways in which we can help in this terrible situation. Secretary Leavitt told us that the government’s response plans are being finalized now and additional information will be forthcoming shortly. Most assuredly, there will be a call for health care volunteers. However, such a volunteer effort must be carefully orchestrated by the government in order not to add to the problems in the area.

...As soon as additional information is available on how you can help, we will share it widely. In the meantime, donations are being accepted by the Red Cross and other charities."


So they are asking us doctors NOT to go yet. Doesn't this all seem "too little, too late", and terribly disorganized. So Leavitt has a conference call with hospital administrators today only to tell them he has no plan for their participation and will get back to them later? Why isn't a plan for disaster relief formulated in advance and ready to go? Didn't we know about this hurricane days before it hit? Heck, don't we in general know about the risk of hurricanes to our coastal cities and the types of relief efforts needed?

I would think the crucial opportunity to save lives is now, not next week.

[CountAllVotes]

3. the same thought occurred to me

I received a call from my own doctor reminding to come to an appt. I thought to myself, "If he was a real doctor, he'd be in New Orleans!"

[RoyGBiv]

4. You won't be in awhile ...

I got a company e-mail today suggesting that in two-three weeks time volunteers with technical skills will be in high need in the area. They'll be asking internal people to go who can be spared, but the need will be much higher than what can be spared. Some of the areas not flooded but that were still basically destroyed will be getting to work on rebuilding technical infrastructure.

[noahmijo]

5. dammit I wonder if I could answer that call

I'm currently unemployed and could probably not even afford the trip....all I would ask for payment is just food and a place to stay I don't care if I have to camp on a floor just anyplace where I wouldn't be removed....I'll have to stay to date on this please pm me if you get anymore info.