Snow Job 

Dear Editor:

After the February 15 snowstorm weeks ago, everyone shoveled a path, some only one-person wide or one-shovel width wide. Most did not shovel for the next two weeks other than for their car.

A lot more was needed like clearing the sewers blocked with snow for water to get to the sewers. Water could build up and flood or may turn to ice again on cold days. It is vital to clear a path for fire hydrants, wheelchair access at bus stops, paths for firemen to get through and an ambulance stretcher to get through. Also, for repair workers, garbage men, mail carriers and package deliveries which could have prescribed medications.

Some disaster could happen where it is announced ambulances take an hour to get to a victim and a personal car is needed to get to a hospital.

A past storm years ago, the city paid reportedly 3,000 to 7,000 people from the general public to shovel. This year, they offered $19.14 per hour and increased it to $28.71 per hour after the first 40 hours worked in a week and only got about 1,400 to do it. As of Sunday, it has now been raised to $30 an hour. It was not promoted ‘til recently.

After the first storm, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said anyone in a wheelchair could not leave their house for two weeks. Seventeen people died and many were homeless and froze to death.

Consider going in with neighbors on a snow blower. Other tips are to use rock salt or safer for the concrete is Ice Melt and other types. Cat litter could be used for traction to put under a tire stuck in the snow. Instead of racing the car to get out of a hole, just use the low gears. When shoveling snow, bend your knees to save your back. Take a break maybe every 10 minutes. Several have gotten heart attacks from shoveling.

Robin Q. Hood