Don't overlook Puerto Rico earthquakes

Rachel Maddow made (as usual) an excellent point at the beginning of her show tonight about how we must hone our skill to follow and respond to multiple stories simultaneously. She was speaking of the upcoming impeachment trial of Donald J. Trump and the military crisis between us and Iran, intentionally started by one Donald J. Trump. Yet another story unfolded throughout the day which also deserves our attention. Puerto Rico is suffering a series of earthquakes and is still not over the devastation of 2017's Hurricane Maria. The island also has a huge bond debt which makes paying for emergency needs and repairs even more difficult.

I fear the earthquakes will get little attention and that Puerto Ricans will not get the help they need for two reasons besides the national trumpian distractions above. One, the natural disaster getting most of the world's attention right now is the wildfires in Australia. These are catastrophic and heart-breaking. We have all seen the images of burned koalas and terrified joeys (baby kangaroos.) Celebrities and regular people are pitching in money, meals, and even mittens to help the Australian people and wonderfully diverse wildlife. As they should. Yet that leaves little room in public spotlight for Puerto Rico's unfolding series of natural disasters. After all, it is hard to compete with koalas as an Instagram-able icon. Still, this image from Punta Ventana (Window Point) shows the destruction of a Puerto Rican landmark.

The second reason I fear Puerto Rico won't get needed aid is the Trump administration's deplorable record in this area. Remember when he threw paper towels in a post-hurricane visit to San Juan and then could not stop (still can't) insulting San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz Soto? Or the spa day federal medical personnel gave themselves while thousands of Puerto Ricans were hurt, sick, and dying after the hurricane? Good times. One reason the island is still struggling to recover after Maria is the Department of Housing and Urban Development intentionally left Puerto Rico out of funds dispersal that Congress mandated. Also the difference between how the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deals with mainland natural disasters vs. its Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico response is infuriating, as this study analysis shows.

FEMA's initial response to this week's earthquakes sadly does not show much hope for improvement this time around. Puerto Rico's Gov. Wanda Vazquez declared a state of emergency for her island and requested FEMA also declare one, as this would open opportunities for federal funding. FEMA is "considering" the request. Considering?! The emergency is ongoing. In mainland natural disasters, such declarations are virtually automatic. Sometimes an emergency is declared even before the disaster strikes, as when a hurricane looms offshore.

Puerto Rico is an American territory. They are us. The island struggles with debt, compounded natural disasters, and a president who acts cruelly to their needs and their leaders. They deserve better than to be overlooked in a time of duelling crises. Want to help? Charity Navigator presents this list of trustworthy groups working toward disaster recovery in Puerto Rico.
Update Jan. 9, 2020 from CNN. Federal disaster declaration has been granted.