Dear Editor
Is the North American media biased or not? One has only to look at the coverage given Hurricane Sandy. While the destruction in New York City was tremendous, according to media reports, one would think that only New York and the United States were devastated by Sandy.
Before hitting the United States, Hurricane Sandy hit Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba, leaving massive destruction in these struggling countries.
Haiti suffered enormous destruction, with a death toll of 52.
Jamaica sustained widespread power outages, flooded streets, damaged homes and at least one death.
The total cost of damage to private property and public infrastructure in the Bahamas is expected to reach $300 million.
The tiny country of Cuba had 200,000 homes damaged (15,000 destroyed) leaving 11 dead. Sandy ripped roofs off homes and destroyed 30 per cent of Cuba's coffee and tomato crops and 90 per cent of their banana crop laid on the ground. Santiago de Cuba (population 500,000) reported winds of 177 km/h. Siboney, just outside of Santiago reported waves as high as 10 metres.
Gran Piedra, near Santiago had wind gusts up to 245 km/h. The storm hit Santiago early Oct. 25. Soldiers and work crews were distributing water and candles and clearing streets the next day. Bulldozers and other heavy equipment sent in by Cuban government arrived there within 24 hours. Trucks bringing cable and other supplies for the electrical system along with utility workers streamed into the city from other parts of Cuba. Still no coverage from North American media.
Quite different than what was experienced at Staten Island wouldn't you say?
Joyce Neufeld
Waldeck
