Lower Manhattan is responding to the West African Ebola crisis (along with the prospect of the disease spreading here) in a variety of ways. Trinity Church has announced a grant of $300,000 toward the local response in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia, where the funds will be used to provide medical supplies for health workers, distribute emergency food (particularly to those in quarantined areas), educate area residents about prevention, and assist with detection and case management in local communities.
Local healthcare providers are also gearing up. The Emergency Medical Care clinic, the Medhattan Immediate Medical Care clinic, and New York Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital have all been in contact with City and State health officials about preparedness measures and reporting requirements. Emergency Medical Care is located at 200 Chambers Street, near the corner of West Street; 212-962-6600. Medhattan Immediate Medical Care is located at 106 Liberty Street, near the corner of Trinity Place; 646-461-2544. New York Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital is located at 170 William Street, at the corner of Beekman Street (emergency entrance at 83 Gold Street); 212-312-5000.
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer is also sponsoring a free public forum tonight (Thursday, October 30) at the Aronow Theater of City College (Convent Avenue and 138th Street), from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. The Ebola Community Forum will focus on the epidemic as it relates to New York City. Panelists will discuss the Ebola crisis and what future action can be taken to prevent the spread of the virus, both in the United States and West Africa. The event is free and open to the public, but anyone wishing to attend is urged to call Ms. Brewer’s office at 212-531-1609.