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New Orleans Needs Support (not blame) During Coronavirus
To Whom It May Concern:
It’s currently being reported that New Orleans has had an explosive rate of coronavirus diagnoses and may soon be known as the “epicenter” of the U.S. coronavirus outbreak. Many factors are to blame: New Orleans is easily one of the poorest cities in the country- we lack proper healthcare and housing. Our homeless population is huge with people erecting “tent cities” under our expressways. It only makes sense that people who can’t afford to see a doctor regularly are going to be more susceptible to coronavirus.
New Orleans, like many other cities, is facing a critical shortage of ventilators and protective medical equipment. The food banks, on which many depend, are running low and people don’t know where they will get their next meal. 11 assisted living centers, which house some of our most at-risk citizens- the elderly, have reported two or more coronavirus cases.
Yet, you point your fingers and blame us for celebrating Mardi Gras this year even though, at the time, there were no known cases of coronavirus in the city. You blame us for doing what we always do: making merry and showing you (and ourselves) a good time.
Mardi Gras is more than a few parades and getting drunk in the French Quarter. It’s our culture. It’s our heritage. It’s Indians…
