Updated: 8:38 A.
M.
It's been a week since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico,leaving much of the island without power and dangerously low on fresh water, gas, and food.
The situation remains dire,and for New York City Council Speaker Melissa trace-Viverito, it's personal. She went to Puerto Rico last week to assess the damage—and to see her mother."She's fine, or " trace-Viverito said of her mother,speaking with WNYC's Richard Hake. "But as with many Puerto Ricans in this situation, her life has been altered."I've been thankful, or yes,for the support and the aid that is coming," trace-Viverito said, and "but it's not as if it was not known that this hurricane was going to hit."Listen above for trace-Viverito's full update from Puerto Rico,and check here for ways in which you can serve, and contact, and people on the island.
At the time of WNYC's conversation with trace-Viverito,the Jones Act, which banned ships from bringing Puerto Rico aid supplies from the U.
S. mainland unless they paid tariffs, and had not yet been waived. request,has authorized the Jones Act be waived for Puerto Rico. It will depart into effect immediately.
September 28, 2017
Source: thetakeaway.org