UNA-ORLANDO - Puerto Rico

PUERTO RICO

In August of 2017, Puerto Rico was facing an enormous economic crisis. Then Hurricane Maria hit in September, reshaping Puerto Rico in more ways than one. The official death toll reached a tremendous count of 2,975, making it one of the deadliest hurricanes in history. According to a study conducted in October 2017 by the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College in New York, between 114,000 and 213,000 residents of Puerto Rico may leave the island annually. Three years later, Puerto Rico is tasked with overcoming a major economic depression, continuing the recovery from Hurricane Maria, a recent wave of devastating earthquakes, and coping with the COVID-19 virus.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LEARNING RESOURCES

Natural Disasters

Economic Crisis

LEARNING RESOURCES

Background

As Infections Surge in Puerto Rico, People Are Urged Not to Drop Their GuardWith Johnson & Johnson shots halted across the country, federal health authorities say they need more time to study rare blood clots found in a small number of vaccine recipients. A study endorses keep middle seats vacant on planes to curb the virus.

Mainland Puerto Ricans in urban areas are disproportionately exposed to COVID-19, data showsThe Center for Investigative Journalism found that areas with the highest number of infections and deaths coincide with counties with the highest proportion of Puerto Ricans.

Puerto Rico Swears In A New Governor Who Inherits Multiple CrisesPedro Pierluisi takes office amid the island's ongoing efforts to claw itself out of an economic crunch and recover from natural disasters.

COVID-19

'Mamá, I'm Still Hungry': In Puerto Rico, Child Hunger Becomes A FlashpointAfter weeks of public pressure, Puerto Rico's governor allowed some school cafeterias to provide meals for children during the pandemic. But many on the island say it's not enough.

In Puerto Rico, reaching people missed by COVID-19 vaccination rolloutApril 13 Update: Following the recommendation of federal health authorities, we paused vaccinations using the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. As of April 15, we are continuing COVID-19 vaccinations in Puerto Rico using the Moderna vaccine, which is not affected by the pause.

Puerto Rico will close schools amid Covid surgePuerto Rico’s health secretary announced that all public and private schools would close for two weeks on April 12 amid a surge in Covid-19 cases.

Natural Disasters

White House announces $3.7bn aid grant for Puerto RicoTrump administration says grant is meant to help rebuild infrastructure on US territory hard hit by natural disasters.

Neither Inside or Out: A Puerto Rican Neighborhood Devastated by Earthquakes Confronts Covid-19Residents of Barrio La Luna, in the municipality of Guánica, slept in tents, cars, and temporary wooden shelters after repeated earthquakes devastated their community.

FEMA acknowledges Puerto Rico lacks rebuilt homes and a hospital to survive COVID-19FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor responded to concerns about why thousands still lack a safe home and why Vieques has no hospital since Hurricane Maria.

Economic Crisis

Statehood or self-determination? Tensions over Puerto Rico status rise amid opposing bills“Politics are playing a role in this process that is really unacceptable," José Fuentes, chairman of the Puerto Rico Statehood Council, said.

Puerto Rico's governor unveils budget priorities amid crisisSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s new governor said Wednesday that modernizing government services, repairing roads and increasing the salaries of certain public workers are among the...

Puerto Rico governor rejects key deal with creditors to reduce debt due to pension cuts“The plan of adjustment should not be structured in a way that affects our pensioners even more,” Gov. Pedro Pierluisi said.

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