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Hurricane Harvey and pharmacy’s call to action

2017; Oxford University Press; Volume: 74; Issue: 21 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2146/ajhp170675

1535-2900

Megan McGugan,

Disaster Response and Management

We signed our names and credentials on a piece of masking tape we wore over our chests. Pharm.D., M.D., RN, NP, PA—we were all in the George R. Brown Convention Center for the same reason: to serve the people devastated by Hurricane Harvey. Over the past week, images of the effects of the storm on the Houston community and its surrounding areas have been on every news station. The destruction is vast, and the impact is real. Thousands of people affected by this tragedy are using locations such as the convention center and Houston’s NRG Stadium as a shelter, a treatment facility, and their temporary home. Walking through the convention center, numerous volunteers are contributing to a variety of services. Stations have been established to offer legal advice, counseling, and help with locating missing persons. There are even volunteers who are giving out “free hugs” and playing music to help raise the spirits of those affected by the storm. The back of the convention center has been designated as the medical treatment area.