Last night I spent a fair amount of time complaining about how cold I was. Guess bitching about the weather and why we don't live in a warmer climate was the main point. Feeling sorry for myself because I didn't take my mink coat and because my husband turned down the heat to only 70 degrees. This morning I read the NY Times and really felt like a jerk.
The front page discussed CODE BLUE, a program administered by the NY Department of Homeless Services which tries to prevent the death of homeless people during very cold nights by persuading them to come into a shelter. Living where I do, I also see a fair amount of homeless people. Unfortunately you tend to forget they are people and let them blend in to the background or ignore them while Christmas shopping on Elmwood.
When we first moved here my husband stopped regularly at a corner gas station and mini-mart on his way to work. He would buy himself a cup of coffee for the drive. One day a homeless man, whose mental capacities were also affected, asked him for help. Well how could he not? So my husband would bought this guy coffee and a roll. This became routine and went on for about a couple of weeks; the homeless guy greeting him with a toothless smile and hearty good morning. One day the pierced teenage counter attendant scolded my husband. "Dude, what are you doing? It's because of you this guy is hanging around our store. Cut it out". Shocked my husband responded "The man is hungry and cold. Have a heart." The kid replied "You like him so much, why don't you take him in front of your house and let him enjoy his morning coffee there".
Whether it's fear, heartlessness or the neighbors, I don't want homeless people outside my house. I know its callous but its true. However, I am also thankful for the teams of people who work toward saving the unfortunate from frostbite and even death. I cannot image how difficult it would be to try to help one of these people, putting yourself out there for angry attacks and flat out refusals. I know its a band-aid and that the real help will be programs to prevent people from becoming homeless, but we need the immediate response as well as the long term plan.
By the way, for those of you who do not want health care reform, any idea how these people are going to be taken care of? Or is"death prevention" not part of the agenda?
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You guys turn your heat DOWN to 70 degrees? My thermostat is set at 65 during the day and down to 60 at night. Put on a cashmere sweater and turn your thermostat down, down, DOWN!
ReplyDeleteHey don't tell my husband that! I already am wearing wool socks and a sweatshirt. I am fragile :-)
ReplyDeleteHoney, I said cashmere, not a sweatshirt! Cashmere is eight times warmer than wool, and a heck of a lot better looking than fleece. Seriously, you're wearing the wrong fiber!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I have a stack of cashmere tees from J. Crew that I live in. I'm sure they've already paid for themselves with lower heating bills. I'm thinking of taking an energy credit on them.
ReplyDeleteOh I definitely need the cashmere. You are right! I love the energy credit idea. Shall we start a movement to lobby for that one? You are brilliant.
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