Ebola has come to New York City and Americans continue to worry about the possibility of an Ebola epidemic in the United States, apparently even going so far as to buy sham Ebola cures online. However, two New York Times articles argue that the possibility of an Ebola epidemic in the US is still highly unlikely.
New York City
New York City is now considering putting a ten-cent fee on each plastic bag used by customers, previously provided free of charge. Although this was initially suggested during Bloomberg s term,
Overview: Questions and Answers on AIDS in New York City
By Dr. Elizabeth M. Whelan
President, ACSH
Question 1
In 1990, the New York City Department of Health estimated that there were 200,000 New Yorkers infected with the AIDS virus. Was that estimate on target?
Answer
As most of you know, the New York City Advisory Council on Health Priorities (NYCACHP) is an affiliate of the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH), providing sound scientific information on various public health topics particular to New York City. Since its inception in 1997, NYCACHP has proved to be a voice of reason and authority on several NYC issues.
In February of 1997, when NYC Public Advocate Mark Green's Green Party called for a ban on milk taken from cows injected with recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH), NYCACHP publicized a response exposing Green's claims as scientifically groundless and alarmist. Later, when the New York City Board of Education decided not to ban rBGH milk, the Council applauded their sensible stance.
New York, NY February 1998. In a new report, New York City Public Advocate Mark Green has called lead poisoning a "dire problem" for the city's children. The New York City Advisory Council on Health Priorities, an affiliate of the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH), has concluded, however, that for the majority of New York's children lead poisoning is a thing of the past. Mr. Green's proposal that the city enact legislation requiring landlords to conduct annual inspections of all apartments housing children under six regardless of the existence of lead paint (and therefore lead exposure) in the dwelling is thus a call for an unnecessary and wasteful piece of legislation that is not grounded in either science or common sense.
Scientists associated with the New York City Advisory Council on Health Priorities, a new affiliate of the American Council on Science and Health, have objected to recent claims that the perchloroethlyne, or "perc," emissions from cleaning establishments in residential buildings in New York City are a "health hazard." These claims, made by New York City Public Advocate Mark Green, are unfounded and unnecessarily alarming, say the scientists.
According to ACSH President Dr. Elizabeth Whelan, "There is no public health justification for needlessly frightening New York residents or for imposing a ban that would inflict economic disaster on dry-cleaning establishments."