Over 30,000 houses and apartments in Puerto Rico still have blue tarps instead of roofs. Tarps that leak. Tarps that are frayed. Coverings that do little or nothing to protect the residents from bad weather, and that any strong gust of wind will blow away. With an estimated average household size of three, that means we are talking about approximately 90,000 people—U.S. citizens—who have been living in execrable conditions since September of 2017.
Leysa Caro González wrote this story for El Nuevo Día, and it was circulated in the English-language edition. It got all of six favorites on Twitter.
The story of those who still live under FEMA tarps
(English translation from Spanish corrected)
Still waiting
María Quiñones sleeps on two mattresses right in the middle of the living room. Two fans try to ease the afternoon heat. In the other corner, there is a television to enjoy local productions. This small space is almost the only place in Quiñones' house without leaks. The zinc sheets are damaged and the blue tarp has become a bunch of threads. The rooms are full of belongings, some of them useless and others protected in plastic bags.
"Oh darling, I am still like this... here I have a lot of things to throw away, but as I have no one to help me bring them down. All this gets wet here," said Quiñones, who can barely speak without fatigue. In January 2018, Quiñones was struck by a motor vehicle and that caused her fractures in her ribs and collarbone and she had to undergo a tracheotomy. She barely leaves the house. "I have to buy salt and I have to wait until at least 6:00 (in the evening) to go down," said Quiñones who lives in a rented house on a second floor in the community of Caño Martín Peña, in Santurce.
Quiñones would like help to repair the roof, but she rents the house and since she has not been able to contact the owner of the property it is harder to get help. Right now, Quiñones is not paying the rent. "This has been horrible because if it rains I feel terrified because I have to dry and I suffocate. It's not easy, it's not easy at all...," she said. Quiñones tarp has not been replaced since the hurricane. They only placed a few panels in the kitchen. "I would like them to help me, but who am I going to ask for help when they say that since you are not the owner, they won't help you," she stressed.
These are the stories we should be reading about from mainland journalists—not the thousands of pages of newsprint dedicated to Trump voters.
If I read one more major news story about the plight of the suffering (white) blue-collar Trump voters in the Midwest, I’m going to puke. The blue we should be talking about are those blue FEMA tarps that are the excuse for roofs on homes in Puerto Rico.
This video from the Spanish-language version of González’s story needs no translation. Just look at the images. Their stories are told in the article.
Where are the mainstream journalists doing in-depth interviews with people like this on the island?
Who is talking to people due to lose their health care come September—and die?
Where are the exposés of Trump and FEMA lies?
Where’s the nonstop coverage of congressional Puerto Rico investigations?
What mainland news organization has a San Juan desk and reporters who speak Spanish?
It’s hurricane season—officially starting June 1—and we already have a named storm forming in the Atlantic.
Let’s talk about those FEMA tarps.
Watchdog Questions FEMA Hurricane Relief Contracting
More indicators of shaky contracting practices at the Federal Emergency Management Agency became public this week when an inspector faulted the agency's handling of two contracts for procuring tarpaulins and plastic sheeting to aid victims of Hurricane Maria’s 2017 devastation of Puerto Rico.
In hurrying to award the supply work to the Bronze Star LLC company, procurement staff used Google rather than the verified firms on FEMA's Disaster Response Registry, said the May 7 report from the Homeland Security Department inspector general, which the agency challenged.
“FEMA did not fully determine Bronze Star’s or its supplier’s compliance with the contracts’ terms because it did not verify that Bronze Star could meet either contract’s delivery schedule,” said the report signed by acting IG John Kelly. The agency “also did not perform steps necessary to determine whether Bronze Star’s supplier could provide the necessary roof coverings within contractually specified timelines; performed inaccurate technical reviews of the Bronze Star proposals; used incorrect Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses; and did not reissue the original solicitations because FEMA personnel believed that a five-hour response window for the tarp modification was sufficient, and the plastic sheeting solicitation had already closed.”
The island’s mayors are raising their voices about the government-authorized funding that has not reached the island. This story—only reported in Spanish—doesn’t have any mainland news coverage. If I hadn’t been on the phone with Daily Kos blogger Chef Bobby Neary (newpioneer), who is in PR, I would have missed it.
FEMA está atrás y no avanza para los alcaldes
A un año y ocho meses de la devastación causada por María y a días de comenzar otra temporada de huracanes, la inmensa mayoría de los municipios no han recibido todavía el reembolso que debe hacerles la Agencia federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA) de la suma millonaria de dinero que utilizaron para atender la emergencia y recoger los escombros.
De hecho, según información publicada por la Oficina Central de Recuperación, Reconstrucción y Resiliencia (COR3), solo cinco municipios han recibido entre el 90% al 100% del reembolso de fondos en las llamadas categorías A de escombros y B de emergencias. Estos son Adjuntas, Loíza, Hormigueros, Naranjito y Ciales.
Translation:
One year and eight months after the devastation caused by María and days before the start of another hurricane season, the vast majority of the municipalities have not yet received reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the millions of dollars that they used to take care of the emergency and collect hurricane debris.
In fact, according to information published by the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience (COR3), only five municipalities have received between 90% and 100% of the reimbursement of funds in the so-called categories A for debris and B for emergencies. These are Adjuntas, Loíza, Hormigueros, Naranjito and Ciales.
(Puerto Rico has 78 municipalities.)
The only mayor from Puerto Rico that ever seems to make it into our mainland news is San Juan’s Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz. Rarely does anyone, other than Puerto Ricans, mention other mayors.
We already know Trump has been lying about the amount of disaster aid that has reached the island.
The impact of funding that has not been disbursed should be major news.
It isn’t. It won’t be.
I’m sure you can answer the “Why?”
Mini rant.
I’ve been writing regularly about post-Irma/Maria Puerto Rico since the hurricanes. I don’t have the resources to travel there. I’m not a journalist for a mainstream news network or newspaper. I’m just a blogger, albeit one with a longtime interest in and historical connection to Puerto Rico.
Ever since my godfather who was living in Puerto Rico died, over 3 years ago, I have a daily phone connection to only one person on the island: Bobby.
Every morning at 5 AM or so, I get up and search for news (in English) about Puerto Rico. Bobby points me to the key headlines in Puerto Rico’s main papers, most of which only publish in Spanish, so they may as well not exist for English-only readers on the mainland. I post and tweet what I find—daily.
I’m pretty frustrated. It’s as if people here on the mainland with no ties to Puerto Rico just.don’t.give.a.shit.
I’m going to do something today I’ve never done before. I realize that the majority of people who read what I write here are not necessarily members of Daily Kos. They may never read the comments section. They may not be aware of past articles.
I want to point out that if a 71-year-old “little ole lady blogger” who lives in upstate New York, who is not Puerto Rican or Latinx, can cover Puerto Rico, what is the friggin’ excuse of news agencies?
Here’s a review of PR, USVI, and Caribbean coverage I’ve managed to write since Irma and Maria:
Pendejo of the U.S. (aka POTUS) pukes on Puerto Rico — again.
'Humancane Trump' is killing Puerto Ricans
Urgent! Contact your Senators. 1.4 million Puerto Ricans losing food assistance #TakeAction4PR
Urgent. $600 million needed for the food assistance program (NAP) for Puerto Rico. Call the Senate
#SOTU The paper towel POTUS spoke not one word about Puerto Rico
Democratic presidential candidates put Puerto Rico back in the media spotlight
Tell Trump. Funding for food in Puerto Rico is not 'excessive and unnecessary.'
Celebrating Three Kings Day, or Día de los Reyes Magos
Make a New Year's resolution not to forget Puerto Rico. Take action!
Feliz Navidad: Wishing you a Puerto Rican Christmas
Dear women on the U.S. mainland: Please support our sisters in Puerto Rico
'Muses' and support for the arts in Puerto Rico.
Giving thanks to Chef José Andrés and the World Central Kitchen chefs
Beyond deplorable: Trump threatens and attacks U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico and on the mainland
A reminder: Now that we control the House, Democrats must aid Puerto Rico
Stop the handwringing and conjecture about the 'Latino vote,' and support groups doing GOTV
Does Hispanic Heritage Month erase Afro-Latinxs?
Make a promise to support Puerto Rico
When it comes to Hispanic Heritage Month, Trump is an incredible hypocrite
#1YearAfterMaria. Remembering those who died and their families who live—and need our support
Caribbean rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria
Calling out their names. Here are 487 who died in Puerto Rico that Trump denies.
Trump hit by massive hurricane—named Maria. Now tweeting death toll denial.
Trump makes a mockery of Puerto Rico's dead.
Trump tweets about Florence and Twitter smacks him back about Puerto Rico
Remembering Hurricane Irma's massive devastation of the Caribbean
Honor Puerto Rico's hurricane dead by supporting the living—and voting Republicans out of office
Trump takes a lying dump on Puerto Rico's dead.
Why are we being lied to about the power situation in Puerto Rico?
'Trumpsplaining' the narrative about Puerto Rico's recovery
Vota Boricua: Getting out the Puerto Rican Vote
Some schools in Puerto Rico are due to open Monday with no lights, no water, and no food
Puerto Rico vows to defy Federal judge's ruling giving total budgetary control to The Junta
Racism ties the treatment of New Orleans to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, aka Trump's Katrina
Ten months after Maria, there are still mainland misconceptions about Puerto Ricans
West Side Story—revisited.
FEMA admits to failures in Puerto Rico but is still pulling out back-up generators—which is insane!
They lost their homes on the island. Now Puerto Ricans are fighting FEMA evictions here.
Tragedy and resiliency: It's been nine months since Maria hit Puerto Rico
Gov. and Junta move to shut-down Community Health Centers in Puerto Rico. WTF?
Remember! Register! Resist! The National Puerto Rican Day Parade combined pride and protest.
Racist hypocrite Trump proclaimed June 'Caribbean American Heritage Month'
Google and Lin-Manuel Miranda launch $2 million match fund for Puerto Rican small businesses
Marching for Puerto Rico! National Puerto Rican Day Parade - Sunday June,10th
As estimated death toll rises for Hurricane Maria (aka 'Trump's Katrina'), heads need to roll
At least 4,645 people died in Puerto Rico due to Hurricane Maria
Leaking tarps, mold, asthma, and misery: It's more than eight months since Maria hit Puerto Rico
Another death blow to Puerto Rico: FCC plans to cut Lifeline phones as hurricane season draws near
FEMA pulls U.S. Army Corps of Engineers out of Puerto Rico today. Hurricane season starts June 1.
New Yorkers do what Trump should be doing for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Imagine your city without working traffic lights—for seven friggin' months. How would you react?
Puerto Ricans call for a National Strike against the 'Junta' Control Board for May Day
A National Disgrace. Seven Months without full power in Puerto Rico. Hurricane season starts June 1.
Stand up! Point a finger at Donald Trump and brand him 'Murderer'
Republican charter school privatization plague infects Puerto Rico. #JuliaGoHome
When it comes to Puerto Rico, the 'F' in FEMA stands for 'f**ked-up'
Puerto Rico has passed the six-month mark without full power. WTF is wrong with us?
Sonia Sotomayor: 'The incredible spirit and strength of the Puerto Rican people is unbreakable'
Women in Vieques, Puerto Rico, lead the fight against U.S. Navy contamination of their island
NY Daily News posts a "days without power in Puerto Rico timer." Share it. (today is day 167)
Women's History Month: Sterilization and experimental testing on Puerto Rican women
#FoxSpews and the deplorables go after San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz
Another massive blackout hits Puerto Rico. It is now day 163 for many without power.
Black History Month: Afro-Latina Pura Belpré gave children the precious love of books and stories
Black History Month: The vejigante masks and bomba music of Puerto Rico
What the hell does FEMA mean by "Habitable" when they cut Puerto Rican evacuee funds?
Privatizing Puerto Rico: DeVos clone Julia Keleher and Gov. Rosselló push charter schools
Black History Month: Loiza—the African heart of Puerto Rico and the arts that portray it
About those 'temporary blue roofs' in Puerto Rico
62% of applications for FEMA assistance in Puerto Rico rejected or 'in process'
Think about your 'light privilege' then protest what is happening in Puerto Rico!
Black History Month: Celebrating the Afro-Puerto Rican 'Father of Black History' Arturo Schomburg
The rainbow flag proudly waves over Puerto Ricans
The Puerto Rican Island of Vieques: War games, hurricanes, and wild horses
Water is life: Puerto Rico, potable water, and El Yunque
Puerto Rican Statehood Commission demands end to second class status with a push for statehood.
Make rebuilding Puerto Rico and the USVI part of our Democratic platform for 2018 and 2020
Three Kings Day in Puerto Rico. There will be toys but the Magi are not bringing light.
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands—2017 review and resolution for 2018 and beyond
Have you read the Refugees International report on the crisis in Puerto Rico?
FEMA lies about drinking water in Puerto Rico
No hurricanes, no Donald Trump, can knock the Moko Jumbies down
Send Christmas greetings and love to our own Chef Bobby in Puerto Rico
Recovery in the U.S. Virgin Islands: a look at the people and the national park
What Trump and Congress are doing to Puerto Rico is blatantly racist
From the Danish West Indies to the U.S. Virgin Islands: Overlooked colony is celebrating centennial
Media Report Card: Grade the coverage of the crisis in Puerto Rico and the USVI
Giving thanks for food, and Chef José Andrés in Puerto Rico
As people march for Puerto Rico, which politicians stand up in defense of our island citizens?
Fleeing Puerto Rico to sleep in a car in Orlando— unacceptable!
Unity March for Puerto Rico! Sunday, November 19th, Washington D.C.
Music heals, uplifts, and gives Puerto Ricans strength to survive. ¡Que viva la música!
A salute to our Puerto Rican Veterans and the Vets helping with the ongoing disaster in Puerto Rico.
Pregnant moms giving birth in Puerto Rico need clean water!
As you send your kids off to school today—think about the schoolchildren in Puerto Rico.
There are 5 million-plus Puerto Rican Americans on the mainland who won't forget—or forgive Trump
Where's the rage? I expect Republicans to let Puerto Rico suffer—but what about the rest of you?
Put Trump's name on the 900 plus death certificates in Puerto Rico.
Mayor Carmen Cruz tells Sen. Elizabeth Warren "You've heard us and you haven't forgotten us"
Baseball players step up to the plate to fight for Puerto Rico's survival
She's getting married...to Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico: Symbols and songs from the island of Borikén
Trumpism poisons patriotism —undermining support for our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico
Community organizer in Puerto Rico has a perfect name for Trump: "Charlatan."
The status of Puerto Rico: debate, discussion, and the impact of Hurricane Maria
One Voice — Somos Live! Benefit Concert for Disaster Relief live-streamed tonight — October 14th
"Disposable Puerto Ricans" are just like Trump's tossed paper towels—only they are not white.
San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz responds to ugly Trump tweets with a plea to us all
Are Trump & the media ignoring the U.S. Virgin Islands because most of the residents are black?
Breaking: White House lets Jones Act waiver expire. No extension. Why does Trump hate Puerto Rico?
The Puerto Rico tourists rarely see, and the U.S. role in Puerto Rican poverty
"Almost like Praying" Lin-Manuel Miranda and friends sing for Puerto Rico support!
Hey Trump. Our fellow citizens in Utuado, Puerto Rico are working hard to save themselves.
Feeding Puerto Rico
Copout-in-Chief Trump attacks San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz for his own fail Maria leadership.
Aguadilla, Puerto Rico: 60,000 people—only 2000 meals. Trump keeps on lying.
Puerto Rico S.O.S: Trump is lying, PR is crying and unless you help—more Americans will be dying
3.5 million Americans face disease & death in Puerto Rico. What the hell is Trump doing?
The Caribbean, the U.S., and how their past and present are intertwined
New York, and other states deliver aid to Puerto Rico. We are family.
Puerto Rico update: The entire island of 3.5 million U.S. citizens is without power
Maria slams into 'the enchanted isle' of Puerto Rico
And the wind cries "Maria"
Caribbean updates: Irma, Jose and Cuban dolphin airlift
Monster storm Irma smashes into Barbuda and moves on...
Attention news media covering Hurricane Irma—Puerto Rico is part of the U.S.
Just imagine what “real” news networks and agencies could do, and should be doing.
I won’t hold my breath.
I would, however, be interested in your suggestions on how we can help change this.
