Will the United Nations kindly assist Puerto Rico. They need drinking water straws.

Leptospirosis (click here) is a bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals. Humans become infected through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or with a urine-contaminated environment. The bacteria enter the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin, or through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes. Person-to-person transmission is rare.

In the early stages of the disease, symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, chills, redness of the eyes, abdominal pain, jaundice, haemorrhages in the skin and mucous membranes, vomiting, diarrhoea, and rash.

"LifeStraw" (click here)

October 17, 2017

Nearly three weeks (click here) after Hurricane Maria pummeled Puerto Rico, the vast majority of the island remains without power and the death toll from the storm has risen to 45, authorities said.

In addition, more than 110 people remain unaccounted for, according to Karixia Ortiz, a spokeswoman for Puerto Rico’s Department of Public Safety.

The recovery has moved slowly since Maria struck the US territory on September 20, leaving most of the island without basic services such as power and running water, according to residents, relief workers, and local elected officials.

Acting US Department of Homeland Security Elaine Duke will make her second trip to the island on Thursday, DHS spokesman David Lapan said Wednesday....

October 11, 2017
By Joe Nocera

Is it possible that Puerto Rico’s bondholders (click here) are finally coming to their senses? For a few of them at least, it certainly looks like an overdue change of heart has taken place. And to think: All it took was a Category 4 hurricane that destroyed the island....