Wealth v. Poverty

This from the Washington Post, as the paper describes the situation in San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium as it shelters evacuees from the wildfires affecting southern California:

"The scene inside the stadium was not much like the wretched scene in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Many evacuees arrived in RVs and family cars at the parking lot. In spots it resembled a tailgating party. When local radio put out calls for dog food, sunscreen and sandwich meat (bread was not a problem), residents responded by turning the stadium floor into a smorgasbord. Volunteers laden with grocery bags heaped tables with grilled chicken, chips and dog food poured into paper bags for individual portions. Evacuees gathered in the shaded sections of the lower deck, watching news coverage and munching sandwiches."

Contrast that to the description of the situation in New Orleans in the days after Hurricane Katrina c. 2005, from MSNBC:

"Desperate for fresh air, dozens of refugees from Hurricane Katrina slept on the walkway surrounding the Louisiana Superdome as conditions inside worsened and even more people were brought to the huge arena Tuesday.

National Guardsmen let some of the 10,000 people sheltering inside the arena take their bedding out onto the concourse, where it was cooler and the breeze was welcome.

“Oh God, fresh air, it’s so wonderful. It’s the first time I’ve wanted to breathe all day,” said Robin Smith, 33. “When you think what we could’ve gone through, it’s not too bad in there. But it’s certainly not as wonderful as this.”

The bathrooms were filthy and barrels overflowed with trash. With the air conditioning off since power went out Monday morning, the bricks were slick with condensation."

I feel for the victims of the California fires, as any disaster that displaces people and endangers life and property is a horrible situation. But I am absolutely stunned with how well their state government and localities are responding , but even more, I am interested in the swift, and substantial response of the federal government .

It's just interesting how the response to the conflagration is so different in scope, and comprehensive-ness, when compared to the response to Katrina. And I wonder if the response is a result of the relative level of affluence of the victims. Riding and carpooling to safety versus walking and wading through ruin. Food, water, sanitation, and fresh air, versus hunger, thirst, filth, and humid, dank, foul-smelling air. Federal help immediately versus Brownie doing a great job.

Man, Californians know how to make even calamity look almost cool. .