Millions in US face losing water supply as coronavirus moratoriums end

Introversion · Aug 14, 2020

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/14/water-shutoffs-moratoriums-end-coronavirus

The Guardian said:
Millions of families in America risk losing running water over unpaid bills as moratoriums on shutoffs expire across the country, despite record levels of unemployment and mounting fatalities from the coronavirus pandemic.

Running water had been guaranteed to about two-thirds of Americans as hundreds of utilities suspended disconnections amid warnings from public health experts that good hygiene, particularly hand-washing, was crucial to curtailing the spread of the virus.

But now at least 115 local moratoriums on water disconnections, including the statewide orders in Indiana and Ohio, have expired. That leaves 46 million or so people at risk of having their taps turned off even as the pandemic rages.

Another 21 million people will lose the guarantee of running water by 1 September, according to analysis by the not-for-profit group Food and Water Watch (FWW), as numerous orders are slated to expire, including statewide moratoriums in Wisconsin and Maryland.

...

But hey, on the bright side, some of these people will soon be evicted too, so water’s the least of their concerns? :Shrug:

I’m not really sure the US qualifies as “first world” any more?

Brightdreamer · Aug 14, 2020

We haven't for a while, unfortunately... Didn't the UN find conditions worse than third world countries among some poor communities in America only a few years back?

Kaiser-Kun · Aug 14, 2020

Introversion said:
I’m not really sure the US qualifies as “first world” any more?

I'm terribly sorry to tell you guys this, but most third world countries have universal healthcare.

Introversion · Aug 15, 2020

Kaiser-Kun said:
I'm terribly sorry to tell you guys this, but most third world countries have universal healthcare.

But God is clearly on our side, or why else would we have so many guns and bombs? /s

Brightdreamer · Aug 15, 2020

Introversion said:
But God is clearly on our side, or why else would we have so many guns and bombs? /s

Sure He is... God's the one with the horns and the hooves and the brimstone aftershave, right? Definitely the one we're worshiping.

CWatts · Aug 16, 2020

Kaiser-Kun said:
I'm terribly sorry to tell you guys this, but most third world countries have universal healthcare.

I knew that, but not that Mexico only went fully universal this year:

Public health care became universal healthcare on January 1, 2020[26] mandated by the new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and approved by Congress. It is completely free for Mexican citizens who do not have health insurance. Mexico's new universal healthcare, administered by the Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar (Institute of Health for Welfare, INSABI), includes free consultations with family doctors and specialists, free medications, free surgeries, free dental and vision[citation needed]. As of 2020, public health care is provided to all Mexican citizens as guaranteed via Article 4 of the Constitution. Public care is now fully subsidized by the federal government. All Mexican citizens are eligible for subsidized health care regardless of their work status via a system of health care facilities operating under the federal Secretariat of Health (formerly the Secretaria de Salubridad y Asistencia, or SSA) agency.

Tazlima · Aug 17, 2020

Introversion said:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/14/water-shutoffs-moratoriums-end-coronavirus

But hey, on the bright side, some of these people will soon be evicted too, so water’s the least of their concerns?

Even if the rent/mortgage is paid up (which, if you can't afford water, it probably isn't), having the water shut off will cost people their housing. Years ago, the house across the street from me was condemned and the occupants (renters - their scummy slumlord of a landlord was supposed to be paying the water bill and decided he didn't wanna... it's a long story) were evicted by the city because their water was shut off. In my city, at least, a house without running water, for any reason, is considered unfit for occupancy.

Looks like my city isn't the only place with this stipulation.

Roxxsmom · Aug 24, 2020

Tazlima said:
Even if the rent/mortgage is paid up (which, if you can't afford water, it probably isn't), having the water shut off will cost people their housing. Years ago, the house across the street from me was condemned and the occupants (renters - their scummy slumlord of a landlord was supposed to be paying the water bill and decided he didn't wanna... it's a long story) were evicted by the city because their water was shut off. In my city, at least, a house without running water, for any reason, is considered unfit for occupancy.

Looks like my city isn't the only place with this stipulation.

I think that’s pretty standard. Not having water is a serious disease risk. Poo piles up and so on. People can’t do basic hygiene.

But putting people in that position by shutting off their water should be illegal. Water is a basic necessity.

Millions in US face losing water supply as coronavirus moratoriums end

Introversion

Pie aren't squared, pie are round!

Brightdreamer

Just Another Lazy Perfectionist

Kaiser-Kun

!

Introversion

Pie aren't squared, pie are round!

Brightdreamer

Just Another Lazy Perfectionist

CWatts

down the rabbit hole of research...

Tazlima

Roxxsmom

Beastly Fido