It has been a great week following the craziness of Mardi
Gras and we are back in full swing. The Mardi Gras season is a time where we
more than let go and are embraced by following a nonchalant attitude towards the normal
traditions of society. The history of Mardi Gras follows the traditions of French
Catholics in which we get all of the partying out of the way before the start
of lent. For lent I decided to give up soft drinks and follow the strict rules
of not eating meat on Fridays.
Besides all the partying, I was able to do some volunteering
with the New Orleans Medical Reserve Corps. We aided New Orleans EMS in opening
first aid shelters and responding to calls that could not be reached on certain
areas of the parade route. We responded to many calls to transport patients through
the crowds to ambulances that could give them the care they needed. In three
days, 138 people were assisted with bandaging and 47 people were provided with
direct care in which 22 were transported to EMS. The stations were a huge success
and the mayor acknowledged are help in his press release following the closure of
the Mardi Gras season.
First Aid Station on Canal |
February hours:
NOMRC: 23 hrs
NOMRC: 23 hrs
Ochsner Medical Center: 8 hrs