In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in New York City, trucks delivering provisions to affected neighborhoods would drive block by block, honking their horn along the way, but older people weren’t always able to get downstairs quickly enough to stop the truck. Others struggled to find businesses that had electricity running and could process their EBT cards. Local businesses that opened their doors to neighbors and served hot food became temporary sanctuaries, providing a source of comfort, socialization and hope for a return to normalcy.
We detailed these lessons and others in a report titled, “Resilient Communities: Empowering Older Adults in Disasters and Daily Life.”
The COVID-19 pandemic is a different type of emergency. Flattening the curve requires a distinct type of response. The rapid change, in this case, has not been to our physical infrastructure, but our social and economic one.
Read the article.
View our COVID-19 Safety Protocols for attending NYAM public events.