I think we have created or allowed to be created an entire class of people who have NO idea how to take care of themselves -- even basic survival now eludes them. These people are and were even before the hurricane DEPENDANT upon government for housing assitance, medical care --transport to that medical care-- food, income,child care etc, they were in essence wards of the state. Now they are helpless (and they themselves believe that they are helpless) and thefore do nothing but sit and wait to be given food and water and transport and shelter. They sit in thier own filth instead of organizing work parties of able bodied men to dig latrines and police garbage to a central area -- find or request tarps and erect rudimentary shelters or tents move the injured and sick out of the crowd and HELP triage them. police up unused water and food left behind by evacuees that have gone and distribute them out use discarded pallets to build sleeping platforms or places to sit off of the ground --or again rudimentary latrines. HELP yourselves help the authorities help you. Many complain that they have been broken up from thier families --while sitting for hours formulate a plan to regin contact once the situation stabilizes, if you become separated, ASK calmly ask the emt's where a relative is being taken and write the info down so you can track them later -- at least you know where to start.
Why able bodied young men are not being pressed into service to help out thier "brothers" as SAR/ EMT/ fire brigade helpers or even helping to temporraily bury the dead if need be. To To many young well fed folks sittin on thier butts complaining about the quality of meals.