Please forgive me if there are omissions in this note. Due to Hurricane Katrina, things in Louisiana have been a little hectic--collecting donations and finding people places to stay are the top priority at the moment. If you wish to make contributions, our experience is that it is better to do so through faith-based charities or through the Salvation Army. The Red Cross keeps 10% of the funds for administrative costs and has frankly been less than stellar in its response to the crisis. I just looked up from my computer and there went another helicopter for rescue.
Specific items that are needed are undergarments and school supplies. Here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University (LSU) has taken over the students and staff from the University of New Orleans, the Dental School, and the Medical School, and has worked to accommodate students from Tulane University as well. Southern University is accepting students from Dillard and Southern University of New Orleans. Parochial schools in the Baton Rouge area are running two separate shifts of classes, and trailers and tents are being set up all over the city.
Baton Rouge is now the largest city in the state, having effectively doubled in size. That means it is difficult to get around. Researchers are scrambling for lab space and accommodations. But we are a resilient people, despite what the television coverage has shown.
Keep well and safe.