Haiti earthquake relief efforts continue
Since a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti at the beginning of the week, many in the GW community have made efforts to help the victims, from students to physicians. Finally aid is getting to the country, but from the images of victims that keep coming in, it looks like a lot more will be needed. One Haitian GW student has received permission from the University to collect donations of canned food, clothing and money in residence halls to send to Unicef. President Steven Knapp told the GW community in an e-mail message Thursday that the “U.S. State Department and humanitarian organizations are advising that monetary donations are the best way to provide aid at this time.”
His message linked to a list of agencies accepting donations for the relief effort, and it also noted that by texting “HAITI” to 90999 you can automatically donate $10 to the Red Cross.
Metro manager resigns
Metro General Manager John Catoe, Jr. announced yesterday that he will resign. Though he’s only been general manager for three years, Catoe told Metro’s Board of Directors that his last day will be April 2. Catoe has faced a lot of criticism in his short term, especially since two Metrorail trains collided last summer. See Catoe’s statement on his retirement here.
Paging Dr. Ruth?
On a lighter note, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the well-known psychosexual therapist, was sworn in Thursday as the District’s honorary secretary of the “Department of Love and Relationships.” She’s helping support the city’s tourism bureau, Destinaton D.C., by promoting a 28-day “stimulus package” for the month of February. Deals on hotels and restaurants around the city are available, as well as help to plan date nights.
Feeling swine (flu)
Speaking of doctors, you may want to see one if you haven’t gotten a flu vaccine yet. This past week was actually National Influenza Vaccination Week, but according to a GW InfoMail sent last week, you can still get a vaccination today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Student Health Service, located at 2141 K Street, NW, Suite 501. All you need is a GWorld card to get the seasonal flu shot or the H1N1 vaccine for free. Quantities are limited, so the vaccines will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.
