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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhat the hospital ship USNS Comfort did during the relief effort for Haiti in 2010
"Over the course of seven weeks, the ship's U.S military and civilian medical personnel treated 871 patients, receiving at the height of the recovery effort one patient every six to nine minutes. But now, thanks to more field hospitals ashore and fewer patients in need of specialized care, the ship has not had patients on board for more than a week.
Comfort departed its homeport in Baltimore Jan. 16, and arrived three-and-a-half days later and immediately began supporting humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti. Prior to anchoring off the coast of Port-au-Prince Jan. 20, Comfort was already receiving patients in transit via airlift. During portions of the relief effort, nearly 1,300 medical personnel from the U.S. military and various non governmental organizations (NGOs) were embarked and treating earthquake survivors.
Medical personnel aboard Comfort performed 843 surgeries during their mission in Haiti. According to the ship's Director of Surgery, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Tim Donohue, Comfort had more than 540 critically injured patients on board within the first 10 days. During the initial phase of its mission, the ship ran 10 operating rooms at full capacity to care for severely injured earthquake survivors. The ships medical crew also delivered nine infants during the relief mission."
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=51807
Because of it's large helo pad, the ship did not need to tie up to dock and was able to take in and discharge patients, along with supplies, by helicopter while anchored off the coast of Port-au-Prince. It's criminal that Trump took so long to order such a useful and needed ship to Puerto Rico.
"Clinton pressed Trump to deploy hospital ship Comfort to Puerto Rico. Now its preparing to go."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/09/26/clinton-pressured-trump-to-deploy-hospital-ship-comfort-to-puerto-rico-now-its-on-the-way/?tid=sm_tw&utm_term=.f490c6880d6f
WePurrsevere
(24,259 posts)and sent only after Hillary urgently pressed Trump to send the ship to help. Trump was too busy pounding his chest at NK, attacking football players right to peacefully and respectfully protest during the National Anthem and blaming Puerto Rico, the victim, to do one of the jobs he's supposed to do... help American citizens after a devastating natural disaster and save LIVES.
Here's a more detailed comparison:
Under the Obama administration...
The earthquake that devastated Haiti happened in January 12, 2010 at almost 5 PM. According to the Navy.mil article above the USNS Comfort (stocked up, etc), left 3+ days later and anchored off Haiti 3 1/2 days later so it was there 7 days after the earthquake.
Under the Trump administration...
Hurricane Maria engulfed Puerto Rico on September 20th... 10 days ago... 4 days ago Hillary (6 days after Maria devastated Puerto Rico) spoke out & pressed Trump to send the USNS Comfort to help Puerto Rico. Apparently someone heard her (Gen Kelly?), informed Trump, the USNS Comfort finally was called up (7 days after Maria hit) and (after stocking up, etc) left yesterday for Puerto Rico. It's expected to arrive in Puerto Rico no later than Tuesday. Almost 2 weeks later.
genxlib
(5,547 posts)The earthquake was a surprise
The hurricane was anticipated for at least 5-7 days in advance.
There was no reason that the responses couldn't have been even faster than it was for Haiti.
It should have been stocked up and moved to a port closer to PR for a quicker response time.
WePurrsevere
(24,259 posts)IronLionZion
(45,667 posts)while Dumbo has other priorities like trying to enrich himself and his friends like some third world dictator
Kaleva
(36,404 posts)And we got Trump.