The current influenza epidemic has led to call for legislation to require paid sick leave.
Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio and other health care professionals held a rally Saturday afternoon in front of Beth Israel Medical Center and claimed that enacting the law is the only way to prevent people from choosing between staying home of losing a day's pay.
"The first tip the city gives to flu sufferers is to stay home to rest and prevent spreading the virus. And that is exactly what thousands of New Yorkers are simply unable do. They risk their pay and even their jobs if they stay home to care for themselves or someone in their family. We need paid sick days -- it's a matter of public health," said Public Advocate de Blasio.
The American Journal of Public Health estimates 5 million people, last time it was studied in 2009, were infected with flu symptoms due to workplace exposure.
A paid sick leave bill was introduced to the City Council over two years ago.
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn issued a statement:
"I believe providing paid sick leave to hard working families is a worthy and admirable goal, one I would like to make available for all. However, with the current state of the economy and so many businesses struggling to stay alive, I do not believe it would be wise to implement this policy, in this way, at this time. I stand by the commitment I made more than a year ago -- to continue to meet and discuss the legislation, in the context of the evolving economy, with Council leaders and the Paid Sick Coalition."
Scientists report that they were able to improve the math-calculation skills of college students by buzzing their brains with doses of random high-frequency noise.
Scientists report that they were able to improve the math-calculation skills of college students by buzzing their brains with doses of random high-frequency noise.
Thursday, May 16 2013 10:59 PM EDT2013-05-17 02:59:24 GMT
How young is too young to wear makeup? You may change your mind after you hear about a shocking new study that says putting on a pretty face can have some ugly side effects.
How young is too young to wear makeup? You may change your mind after you hear about a shocking new study that says putting on a pretty face can have some ugly side effects.
People who follow the ancient practice of yoga may be getting an added health boost, with a new study suggesting it can fight high blood pressure -- also known as hypertension.
People who follow the ancient practice of yoga may be getting an added health boost, with a new study suggesting it can fight high blood pressure -- also known as hypertension.
An experimental drug that taps the power of the body's immune system to fight cancer is shrinking tumors in patients for whom other treatments have failed, an early study shows.
An experimental drug that taps the power of the body's immune system to fight cancer is shrinking tumors in patients for whom other treatments have failed, an early study shows.
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:29 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:29:41 GMT
Traffic in southwest Connecticut could be a mess for as much as a week until service is restored to the commuter rail line affected by a derailment that injured scores of passengers
Traffic in southwest Connecticut could be a mess for as much as a week until service is restored to the commuter rail line affected by a derailment that injured scores of passengers
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:21:50 GMT
The Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro-North Railroad released the following information on Sunday regarding service on the New Haven commuter rail line
The Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro-North Railroad released the following information on Sunday regarding service on the New Haven commuter rail line
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:35 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:35:12 GMT
A bicyclist was killed when he was struck by a livery cab in Brooklyn early Sunday morning. Police say the victim was riding eastbound on Eastern Parkway between Underhill and Washington Avenues
A bicyclist was killed when he was struck by a livery cab in Brooklyn early Sunday morning. Police say the victim was riding eastbound on Eastern Parkway between Underhill and Washington Avenues
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:05:54 GMT
Amtrak announced Sunday night that service remains suspended between New York and New Haven, with limited Amtrak service available between Boston and New Haven.
Amtrak announced Sunday night that service remains suspended between New York and New Haven, with limited Amtrak service available between Boston and New Haven.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:26:29 GMT
The NYPD are looking for the suspect who shot and killed a 14-year-old girl on a Queens MTA bus Saturday night. The incident happened around 8:50 p.m. on Sutphin and Rockaway Boulevard
The NYPD are looking for the suspect who shot and killed a 14-year-old girl on a Queens MTA bus Saturday night. The incident happened around 8:50 p.m. on Sutphin and Rockaway Boulevard
Sunday, May 19 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 22:42:18 GMT
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced a new legislation to reduce debt on federal loans. Gillibrand is proposing the "Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act"
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced a new legislation to reduce debt on federal loans. Gillibrand is proposing the "Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act"
Sunday, May 19 2013 4:05 PM EDT2013-05-19 20:05:22 GMT
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:14 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:14:07 GMT
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
