blackmattersus.com
Good afternoon, Chia, it is a great pleasure to have a resident of Flint answering the questions about the crisis. Could you tell us about the current state of the Flint Water Crisis and how you have been affected personally?
Chia Morgan
Good afternoon. I am happy to help my city in any little possible way. Well, not much has changed from what you heard from the news. Actually, nothing has changed significantly except for the closing down of some of the distributions. There haven’t been any positive changes that will help move us from the initial shock of the news.
Personally, I have to buy water bottles for me and my daughter to drink. I even use 3 bottles every day to cook dinner. I am careful what we drink because I don’t want to put our health at risk. It’s hurtful. What makes me angry is the fact that this has been going on for a long time and nothing has been done about it. They don’t care about whether we die or live because most of us are black.
blackmattersus.com
Do you feel worried about the future of Flint? What could be the worst aftermath of the water crisis for the health of a person using Flint water?
Chia Morgan
I am definitely worried about the future! When we have about 600 children who have been poisoned right now. Parents with low income can’t take their children to school since they now have to do their best to keep their families healthy. There will be an increase in crime rates because they won’t be able to study and they have to survive anyway. There will be much poverty because they can’t work since they didn’t study. This is going to affect the whole economy in terms of productivity and social insecurity.
blackmattersus.com
Does insurance cover cases of Flint water poisoning?
Chia Morgan
Actually, not many people have insurance and it doesn’t even cover it. I have one daughter whom I have to pay for. I know people who have seven-eight children and they have to pay $140, $20 for each. Everybody is affected by this because their salaries have remained the same and they have to spend much more.
blackmattersus.com
Are there some personal water filters or some other ways that can make contaminated Flint water safe to drink? How much could such systems cost?
Chia Morgan
Most people use bottled water and it’s very expensive. Trying to find an innovative way of filtering Flint tap water is only a bending to the main solution and we are creating more problems for ourselves with this. People are getting used to using the bottled water for everything. And once the community accepts that this disaster is a way of life, they stop fighting. And if we stop fighting, who is going to fight for us for real?
blackmattersus.com
Are there people who have relocated from Flint since the beginning of the crisis? Are you having plans to relocate?
Chia Morgan
Yeah, I have a friend who moved out in February and I asked her why and she said she was tired of her daughter having to go through this – using shower filter and bottled water all the time which is costly. I don’t have immediate plans to relocate but if nothing is done about this I will do so. This is not how I planned to raise my daughter.
blackmattersus.com
They say if you drank the Flint water once you’ve been exposed to half-dozen of toxins forever. Do you feel worried about the possible future problems?
Chia Morgan
Yes, if anyone drunk flint water from April 24, 2014, you have been exposed to these toxins. This is enough time for everybody in Flint to get exposed and I am worried about this.
blackmattersus.com
Originally the crisis was triggered with the city officials’ wish to save money. Does what is happening look like saving to you? Who did really benefit from the Flint crisis?
Chia Morgan
Definitely not! Their actions have cost us a lot of money and even lives. Our Governor and Mayor have benefited at the loss of all the citizens.
blackmattersus.com
Is it true that the real reason for Flint water contamination are factories dumping chemicals in the Flint River with General Motors being the major manufacturer and polluter? Are GM and other companies going to compensate Flint residents’ expenses?
Chia Morgan
Yes, they have contributed much to this pollution. However, no one has mentioned about the compensation for residents of Flint.
blackmattersus.com
Thank you so much for your time! I wish you and your family a good health and to stay strong! Do you have anything you want to add?
Chia Morgan
You are most welcomed and thank you! I am disheartened by this catastrophe and I would be glad if a civil lawsuit is filed against the state.
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