After the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico is having a hard time recovering. At the moment the island is not only in need of food, drinkable water, and other human necessities but also it is suffering the electricity massive power outage. While many people may argue that electrical services aren’t as important as the others, like fresh food may I put out that there’s no point in having fresh food when there’s no fridge to keep them safe for consumption? This is the kind of situation that has hundreds of Puerto Ricans depending on gasoline-based generators, and that is just the tip of the iceberg.
Our houses are not the only places depending on gasoline, hospitals and private business are also in the game and this makes things more complicated. As we all know, gasoline is not everlasting, and the fact is that being so needed around has the island in a tight situation. Not only do gas stations have to deal with the massive groups of clients demanding large quantities of gasoline, but also with their providers not being able to send the expected amounts.
As the general situation of the island improves in some aspects, it is worsening in others. Getting gasoline, for instance, it yet very difficult in some areas of the island. I’ve been able to see for myself-people in my neighborhood waiting in line for six to twelve hours in order to get a few gallons of gasoline. Sometimes the gasoline was gone even before it was finally their turn. At some point, the government had to ask gas stations to give priority to all government employees with ID so they could use it to go to work and help the community, however this didn’t stop them from abusing this privilege by bringing extra tanks to fill or just filling their cars for their personal use.
Gasoline has become so important and difficult to get, that there have been reports of gasoline thefts from people’s cars. Given this type of situations, eldest are running a big risk when going to gas stations all alone.
Hospitals are also at risk because of the absence of electrical work. Most of their generators are not made to last this many days and finding enough gasoline is not easy. Without being able to function properly, a few of these hospitals are being closed. Just like Hospital Buen Samaritano, which closed last week.
I really hope people can understand that we’re not asking for electricity as something we want but not really need. This is an important matter and lives could be affected dangerously. Let’s all hope everything will be over and better before it is too late.