As concerns over the Ebola virus continue to rise across the city, state as well as the nation, Gov. Cuomo has just announced sweeping plans, in conjunction with regional and state hospital/healthcare leaders regarding precautions to help to protect the health and safety of New Yorkers.
Central to the governor’s plan is the designation of eight hospitals throughout the state to treat potential Ebola patients as well as a state Department of Health Order to all hospitals and healthcare workers specifying protocols for patients’ care regarding identification, isolation and medical evaluation.
In addition, the governor also announced that an Ebola care education session for healthcare workers was held on Tuesday in the city.
While none of the eight designated hospitals are in Queens, they include Mt. Sinai in Manhattan, Montefiore in the Bronx, North Shore/LIJ Health System in Nassau County and Stony Brook University Hospital on Long Island.
In a release, Cuomo said, “Protecting the people of this state is one of our top priorities in government, and I want all New Yorkers to know that we are doing everything necessary to safeguard against the risks of Ebola.”
The governor also announced that various city and state agencies from the Port Authority to the city Department of Education were taking extra precautions to guard against the threat of the deadly disease.
Cuomo added that on Saturday, at JFK, personnel from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as from Customs and Border Protection were assisting with advanced screenings using detailed questionnaires for passengers originating in three West African nations.
Asked about Cuomo’s Ebola plans, state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach), said that the plans were appropriate, given the situation.
“Any health risk, especially the Ebola situation, should be taken seriously, no matter how serious the threat is,” Addabbo said. “As we have seen in the past few weeks, the Ebola virus can hit home when we are least expecting it and New York State should be prepared for that possibility.”
Addabbo also said that he believes that state facilities are prepared to handle the situation. And Mayor Bill de Blasio seemed to agree with Addabbo that the city is indeed prepared for any crisis that may arise.
“I have absolute confidence in our healthcare system here in this city and part of why I have such confidence is because I’ve heard the conversations of our leadership and I know there’s a constant care taken—a constant care taken to ask tough questions, to seek out expertise,” de Blasio said at a recent infectious disease panel at City Hall. “There’s no resting on laurels here when it comes to our approach. The fact that we have the first class—world class institutions and tremendous leaders and experts, does not, for a moment, make us complacent.”
Meanwhile, the city DOE and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene collaborated on a joint letter about Ebola to parents and students on the DOE’s website.
The letter, signed by both Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina and DOH Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett, seeks to allay fears by stating that there are currently no confirmed cases of Ebola in the Big Apple and that the virus can only be spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person and not through casual contact.
In addition, the letter reaffirms that the Ebola outbreak is concentrated in only three West African countries—Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Ozone Park) said he was relieved to learn of the governor’s Ebola preparations.
“The communities I represent live in close proximity to JFK Airport and are especially vulnerable to potential threats at this vital port of entry,” Goldfeder said. “I am encouraged by Gov. Cuomo’s efforts to coordinate resources and emergency personnel and pledge to work closely with the governor and responsible city, state and federal authorities to keep our families safe from the threat of Ebola.”
By Alan Krawitz
