Final Topic Tuesday: Sandy

Finally a current event I actually have some decent information on.

First of all, this will be the last Topic Tuesday or Thursday. I'm surprised I was able to commit to such mundane posts to begin with. I will still write current events every now and then, but only when it's something that really catches my attention; as long as it's something I can write about and feel like others will either enjoy reading or at least feel informed.

Sandy, you caught my attention. You threatened my trip to Florida this weekend, my coastline here at home, and now the lives of those in the North. You've flooded cities and are keeping power outages continuous for god knows how long.

My stay in Florida? Blue skies. My trip back home? Blue skies. My first day back to work? SLOW AS HELL (with blue skies).

You see, to put it simply... I provide doctors and hospitals with claim status (whether or not the bill they sent to the insurance company has been paid or not). Most of my company's client health plans have providers and patients spread between New York and New Jersey. We work with other state demographics, but most patients live in those two states. On a good day, my department receives over 200 calls. On a bad day, my department receives around 150 calls. Yesterday... My department received somewhere around 50 calls. Why? Because doctors offices and hospitals in New York and New Jersey were too busy evacuating and closing for the coming storm. So it's obvious that there is a ripple effect from such a storm as this.

But does it just affect today? No. The projection is that calls will be less and less until Wednesday. And even then, there are possible power outages that could last weeks in NYC and elsewhere. Basement apartments and the subways will have flooded. Rats and the homeless will be forced out of the tunnels and into the streets. As far as I know at least one building collapsed last night in NY and at least one person is listed as a casualty in NJ.

Could be worse.

For now, my hopes go to those this storm as affected. Blue skies are to come. Have a good day.

OH... I almost forgot. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONTANNA. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME.

Woot. Peace.