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As government falls short, mutual aid can step in
By Bill Knight
Despite President Biden on Feb. 20 issuing a major disaster declaration for 77 Texas counties, local and state government responses to winter’s recent catastrophe there saw some businesses, such as Houston’s Gallery Furniture, literally open their doors to people without power, water or food, and many individuals help neighbors and strangers stay warm, fed and safe.
That’s “mutual aid.”
And in downstate Illinois, the isolation needed in a pandemic is maintained even as dozens of people get together to work for others, even at a safe distance. That’s also mutual aid – specifically Tazewell County Mutual Aid. There, a garage outside Pekin is constantly filled and emptied of material for neighbors. A recent wish list for items to gather and distribute includes powdered milk, dish soap, coins for laundromats and gift cards (“no more than $25 increments”) for fuel.
Columnist Bill Knight argues that as government falls short, mutual aid can step in
Star Courier
Despite President Biden on Feb. 20 issuing a major disaster declaration for 77 Texas counties, local and state government responses to winter’s recent catastrophe there saw some businesses, such as Houston’s Gallery Furniture, literally open their doors to people without power, water or food, and many individuals help neighbors and strangers stay warm, fed and safe.
That’s “mutual aid.”
And in downstate Illinois, the isolation needed in a pandemic is maintained even as dozens of people get together to work for others, even at a safe distance. That’s also mutual aid – specifically Tazewell County Mutual Aid. There, a garage outside Pekin is constantly filled and emptied of material for neighbors. A recent wish list for items to gather and distribute includes powdered milk, dish soap, coins for laundromats and gift cards (“no more than $25 increments”) for fuel.