President Trump must take Florida's potential disasters much more seriously.
BY JOE BIDEN
JUNE 14, 2020 07:29 PM
'This month marks the beginning of hurricane season in the Atlantic. In a normal year, families, businesses and state and local governments are making preparations with a familiar sense of caution and routine.
But this is not a normal year.
This year, we have headed into hurricane season while combating a catastrophic public health and economic crisis. Unemployment is at historic levels. State safety-net systems and services already are overwhelmed. Daily protests have brought thousands into the streets to demand racial justice. With cases of COVID-19 still rising in Florida and other parts of the country, President Trump has abdicated any effective federal leadership at this moment of national anguish and suffering. His failure to prepare our nation for this pandemic or take decisive action to curb its impact has opened the door to follow-on crises. Our communities are now dangerously vulnerable to new outside shocks and natural disasters, like hurricanes.
To make matters worse, experts project that this hurricane season may be more intense than normal. We could see 19 named storms — nearly 60 percent higher than average. Climate change means storms are more powerful and more destructive.
Instead of taking steps to ensure states such as Florida have what they need, Trump is fixated on deflecting responsibility and blame for the current crisis. His COVID-19 response was too little, too late. We simply can’t afford a repeat this hurricane season.
States need the resources to prepare now, starting by expanding the number of emergency shelters — which typically cram in hundreds of temporary residents — and ensuring every single one has plans to help families maintain social distancing. Hospitals and first responders need help to restock scarce supplies. Nursing homes need tailored evacuation plans that account for the heightened COVID-19 risk their residents face. Utility and construction repair crews and essential workers must all have the protection they need on the job.'>>>
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