Mold

No one likes it. But it is a MUCH bigger health hazard than most people think, affecting many people without them even realizing it.

And when Hurricane Sandy swept through New York, though my home was barely affected, one of my first thoughts after it passed was about mold.

Having suffered through years of black mold in my apartment (due to leaks and retained moisture) I am very aware of the increasing mold problem in any part of America that isn't bone dry. I never really had to deal with mold when I lived in California. But when I moved to NYC I noticed two things: I got upper respiratory infections a lot more often and I had to deal with mold a lot more.

They may even be linked. Turns out allergies and asthma may to a large degree involve our body's reaction to a substance called "chitin." I wrote about this some years back (here's a fairly recent version). Scientists have found that a lot of allergic and asthma responses involve a large up-regulation of a gene called "chitinase" in our bodies...which makes a protein that breaks down chitin. What does chitin come from? Well, many people will think of insects and related arthropods (including things like bed bugs) all of which are encased in chitin. The "skin" of an insect is made of chitin. In fact people who work in crab or lobster processing plants often get severe allergic reactions that involve up-regulating chitinase. However, molds and other fungi ALSO contain a lot of chitin...and my bet is that the reason why allergies and asthma correlate so well with an up-regulation of chitinase is that the increasing mold problem in our damper cities (including NYC) is causing an increase in upper respiratory responses due to inhalation of mold spores which then become chronic allergies or asthma.

Currently a hypothesis, not proven, but a hypothesis that seems increasingly well supported. In fact, according to a 1999 Mayo Clinic study, nearly all chronic sinus infections (afflicting about 37 million Americans) are a result of mold. Again, discussed in more detail in this article, including a discussion of why asthma hits poorer neighborhoods so hard.

Mold, respiratory infections, allergies, asthma...all somehow connected with chitin as one of the links. I have to say that once I was able to get all the leaks in my apartment fixed and I learned how to best battle mold in my apartment (discussed here), my health has improved immensely. I used to have a chronic cough starting with my first cold of the winter and continuing until the next time I visited California. Literally! Now it doesn't really happen and I strongly suspect the mold in my apartment was the major cause of the chronic cough.

Any homeowner can do a lot to deal with mold, sometimes with help, often without it. Again, I have written the solutions that worked for me here and occasionally post it again as a reminder.

But NYC suffered a massive influx of water during Hurricane Sandy. I wrote at the time that in the aftermath mold would be an issue. It seems that at least some politicians in NYC have had the same idea. Bottom line is, if we all, with help from the government, don't work to prevent mold from taking advantage of the moisture Hurricane Sandy threw at us (and some of that moisture is still inside the walls of many buildings), respiratory infections, allergy and asthma will spike in NYC.

I was reminded of all of this by a press release from City Councilmember Lew Fidler. From Lew Fidler's office:

Councilman Lew Fidler Announces Local Trainings on Mold Remediation… and Calls on the Mayor to Help ALL of the Affected Neighborhoods

Councilman Lew Fidler has received word from the Mayor’s Office that training sessions on mold remediation will be held in our community.

“I applaud the Mayor for finally hearing what our communities have been calling for. Gerritsen Beach suffered tremendously in Hurricane Sandy and mold remediation is a real need for the neighborhood. But, I also must request that he bring these trainings to ALL of the communities that were affected by the storm – including both Sheepshead Bay/Plumb Beach and Canarsie. My entire District is on the coastline and the water wasn’t choosy about where it decided to come onto land. So thank you, but more is needed. Everyone needs access to this information and these supplies,” said Councilman Fidler.

So far, two trainings have been scheduled locally. Both information and mold remediation supply kits will be provided:

February 4th, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM - at Gerritsen Beach Fire Department, 43 Seba Avenue

February 13th, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM - at P.S. 277, 2529 Gerritsen Avenue

“Mold remediation has been a real concern from day one,” said Councilman Fidler. “When I held post-storm community meetings, across my District, this was one of the issues that kept getting brought up again and again. We raised it with the City agencies present and we asked them for additional support and I am pleased to see that we are finally receiving it. Mold is a serious long-term health concern and I do not want our community to suffer anymore than it already has. I encourage all of my constituents affected by the storm to attend these meetings.”

For More Information:
Councilman Lew Fidler – (718) 241-9330

I am glad Lew Fidler is on this. I have not heard similar press releases from my local Councilmembers (Levin and Lander) but then again my area didn't get hit so hard. Still, mold WILL still be a problem.

I urge people to pay attention to this issue. Moisture tends to collect and stay within walls for months. When weather gets warmer, mold thrives within the wall. In the worst case scenarios, buildings have had to be condemned because of mold within the walls, sometimes due to one major leak. And many who suffer from chronic allergies, asthma or respiratory infections, may well be suffering partly because of mold in their walls. Pay attention to Lew Fidler's press release and call 311 for more information for what is being done in your area. And for homeowners anywhere, pay attention to my tips for keeping mold at bay. It improved my health!

Earlier this month I highlighted City Council candidate Yetta Kurland's efforts to protect NYC hospitals from the epidemic of closures as well as her endorsement for City Council from the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC). You can read their endorsement here.

Yetta Kurland has picked up another endorsement for City Council, this time from the Amalgamated Transit Union. From their press release:

New York, NY – Civil rights attorney and radio show host Yetta Kurland announced yet another labor endorsement today, this time by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) International.

ATU’s Local 1181 is currently on strike in New York City demanding better conditions for their workers.

“I am honored that at a time when the members of Amalgamated Transit Union are busy fighting for their members on the frontlines, that they would take time to support me in my run for City Council. It shows the level of commitment these workers have to making this City a better place for all working New Yorkers.” said Yetta Kurland.

International ATU President Larry Hanley said “We are proud to endorse Yetta Kurland. Yetta has been there for us on the picket line, and she will be a voice for us in City Hall. Just as she courageously stands up for working men and women, we at the Amalgamated Transit Union proudly stand behind her in her candidacy for City Council.”

Kurland has already received early endorsements from TWU Local 100, CWA Local 1180, DC 37, Local 372, the NYS Machinists District 15 along with several elected officials and clubs including the Women’s Democratic Club of NYC.

Yetta strikes me as the kind of activist that this city lacks in its government. The City Council is one of the tamest (and lamest) I have seen in any city, seldom standing up to anything the mayor does. I think Yetta would make things at least somewhat more interesting. Some background from her website:  read more »

I posted here a little diary about Comprehensive Immigration Reform being the clear favorite issue Democrats were about to push. AND, in fact, turning it around from a wedge issue for Republican racists to a wedge issue for tolerant Democrats.

All posted here.

And now Obama is jumping on board after Schumer (who was there at the event I covered) got the ball rolling.

Well, I was right. It is happening just as I outlined. From my previous blog entry where I broke the news that immigration reform was going to be on the table this year in a big way:

Three out of the four prime mayoral candidates were there last night: NYC Comptroller John Liu (a friend of mine), former NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson (who I actively campaigned for last time around), and Councilmember Christine Quinn (who I consider HUGELY corrupt). Two really notable absences were the only mayoral candidate actually from Brooklyn (Bill de Blasio who is at least as corrupt as Christine Quinn) and the current head of the Brooklyn Democratic Party (and Vito Lopez's handpicked but so far more transparent successor) Frank Seddio. These absences were very much noted by insiders at the event...

Many liberal talking points were hit upon by many of the speakers at Nydia's community swearing in ceremony. A sampling can be taken from the three mayoral candidates who attended the Congresswoman's event.

Councilmember Christine Quinn emphasized the amazing leadership Nydia has taken within the Latino/a community for LGBT rights. Though I think it was Councilmember Rosie Mendez (I think!) who emphasized the depth of the role Nydia took on this issue. It actually was Nydia who led the movement of Latinas publicly advocating for marriage equality that helped blunt this as a wedge issue the Republicans could wield. Nydia went a LONG WAY to make marriage equality acceptable within the Latino community.

Comptroller John Liu emphasized two issues: immigration and small businesses. These are two issues both John and Nydia are VERY strong on. Liu was the first (I believe) to bring up Comprehensive Immigration Reform. He also was the first (I believe) to refer to Nydia as "La Luchadora" and said that in this context we all should expect that THIS YEAR Nydia in particular will get comprehensive immigration reform passed in Congress.

If I read this correctly, it seems that the Democratic Leadership is prepared to release La Luchadora on this issue. It was pointed out that this is not necessarily an issue that would be as dear to Nydia's heart as it is to John's (John is an immigrant from Taiwan who moved to America at age 5). Nydia was born an American citizen in Puerto Rico and, as someone put, could just as easily push aside immigration issues. Instead she has taken it as her cause for this year, aiming to make the DEFINITIVE difference for Immigration Reform THIS YEAR.  read more »

What this guy says:

Too bad he wasn't our President! Smart and careful, something we need.

Every now and then I can't help but show off what my kids do. Jacob has gotten into Taiko drumming (a Japanese form of drumming). He has one of the best teachers around (Kaoru Watanabe, formerly of the Kodo drummers) and has taken to it very well. This isn't Jacob's best performance of this piece (Miyake) but it isn't bad...hell better than I can do!

(one of the best things is that when he does mess up halfway through he keeps on playing...a key skill as a performer!)

Meanwhile, Sarah kicks ass on her High School Wrestling team: (she wins this match!)

Okay enough bragging. Back to your regularly scheduled New York politics.

When my wife and I have attended fundraising events for our friend John Liu's mayoral campaign, one thing that amazes us is the diversity of who supports him. Chinese-Americans are kind of a given since he is the first Chinese-American elected to a citywide office (Comptroller) in NYC. But he also has very strong support in the black community, as I saw at a fundraiser in Bed-Sty, and among other Asian American communities.

At John Liu's Birthday Bash in Chinatown, Joy and I noticed someone who looked to us dressed as a Pashtun (I never confirmed that) and strong support from a leader of the Nepalese community in NYC.

Well it seems that Nepalese support really is strong. As expressed here:

 read more »

It’s been exactly three months since I last submitted a column to my editors for publishing. This is the longest hiatus (by far) I have taken in the past 8 years writing on the blogs. Let’s just say that some of life’s challenges had me on the run for a moment; so I took a time-out. Let me acknowledge those of you who took the time to contact me just to enquire about my health and wellbeing. It’s nice to know that my columns are appreciated worldwide. So now I am back; and I will try to get in at least one column a week for you my fans and supporters: Peace and love.  read more »

I have worked at the NYU Medical Center (including Bellevue Hospital and with a 2 year break at the downtown campus) since 1998. And food trucks didn't really play a role. Food CARTS of the standard Halal chicken on rice format were around. AND there was a fruit cart that people LOVED.

Now there is something new. It happened since Hurricane Sandy. Not sure if they are connected, but after Hurricane Sandy the area was somewhat cut off from reliable sources of food and the NYU Medical Center provided food throughout the day for few weeks. No great food, mind you, but at least they provided the residents and employees of the Medical Center with food and water when there wasn't much available. Mostly basic breakfast danishes and lunch/dinner sandwiches. Though some departments (like the one I work for) independently provided additional food and even discussed reimbursements for students and post-docs for food expenses. Not sure the ultimate status of their plans, but I do know some pizza got through to some hungry people thanks to the administration of the department I work for.

Then, shortly after all that ended, food trucks started showing up outside the Medical Center. Now I have seen food trucks in several places near my home in Park Slope, including outside the Key Food near my home as well as at Grand Army Plaza. But I haven't seen them before outside my work at NYU.

Seems they found reason to come here, Sandy related or not, and may be here to stay. I tend to starve myself during my long hours of work (stupid but it has more to do with lack of time than lack of appetite) so I have yet to try them. But I have tried enough food trucks hear where I live to know they are a force to be reckoned with and worth trying even if they tend to be pricier than you'd expect from what, back in Los Angeles, we referred to as "roach coaches." The image has been improved but I suspect the reality is the same. Still, anything that brings a wider of variety of food right to where you live or work is potentially a good thing.

Here is a schedule of the food trucks outside the NYU Medical Center between 30th and 33rd street along 1st Ave. The old style Halal food carts are still there as well. I don't think I have seen the fruit cart recently though they may have moved to 33rd and 2nd Ave (at least in good weather).

The cart schedule in front of the Medical Center is below: I would love to hear from people how they are so that when I actually have some cash on my person I can try them. Cash is short for me these days.

Link: http://nyulmc2.med.nyu.edu/content/food-trucks-back-seconds

Friday Jan. 25: Hibachi Heaven
Monday Jan. 28: Korilla Korean BBQ
Tuesday Jan. 29: Hibachi Heaven
Wednesday Jan. 30: Go Burger by BLT Burger
Thursday Jan. 31: Munchie Mobile
Friday Feb. 1: Hibachi Heaven

Munchie Moblie: https://twitter.com/MunchieMobileNY
This truck offers a variety of creative variations on the sandwich theme, focusing on three general varieties: burgers, grilled cheese, and chicken. Examples include the Grille alla Vodka, a grilled cheese with mozerella, asiago, parmesean, romano and vodka sauce, and The Magician, a burger with bacon, an onion ring, barbecue sauce and smoked gouda.

Hibachi Heaven: https://twitter.com/hibachiheaven
Available in a wrap or bowl, Hibachi Heaven serves beef, chicken, shrimp, and tofu with fried or brown rice and vegetables, topped off by your choice of three special sauces: Heavenly Ginger Sauce, Yum Yum Sauce, or Wasabi-infused Mayo. Check its Twitter account for the word of the day for a free upgrade.

Korilla Korean BBQ: https://twitter.com/KorillaBBQ
Korilla is consistently rated among the city's top food trucks—find out why on Thursday by trying one of their tacos, burritos, or rice bowls filled with Korean-syle meats like beef bulgogi, braised short ribs and spicy chicken. Don't miss the house-made kimchi and even though "BBQ” is in the name, vegetarian options are also available.

Go Burger by BLT Burger: https://twitter.com/GOBurger
Burgers, milkshakes, and floats are just some of the options you can find in the Go Burger truck. It has an extensive menu with something for everyone, including vegetarian options. If you've been to BLT Burger some of the menu options will be familiar to you, like the burgers, hotdogs, salads, fries, and shakes, all made using fresh and high-quality ingredients.

I recently highlighted Yetta Kurland's City Council run and the issues (in Manhattan) related to the closing of hospitals without clear understanding of the real dynamics of healthcare in the US. Well my friend Jo Anne Simon, a Democratic Party District Leader in Brooklyn, is addressing similar issues in Brooklyn.

Here is what I said about the Manhattan situation:

...let's remember that closing of St. Vincent's coupled with the closing of NYU's Tisch Hospital, Bellevue Hospital and the VA hospital meant that emergency room coverage was critically low in Manhattan for some time after Sandy. In fact the NYU Medical Center's emergency room remains down today, though I believe their Urgent Care center is now open.

Sadly few people have been championing keeping hospitals open. The dynamic is a complex one. Hospitals almost all run at a loss. This is not because of mismanagement usually but because the cost of care in emergency rooms and ICUs is so hugely expensive that it tends to lose money at a huge rate...in order to save lives. The more people who don't have health insurance, the more people who have to depend on emergency rooms for basic care...and the more money it costs the hospitals. Reduce the number of uninsured people and spread emergency visits over more hospitals and the burden on each hospital is reduced. But leave lots of uninsured and close hospitals and each remaining hospital gets an even higher burden on their emergency rooms...driving them deeper into a financial hole.

Closing St. Vincent's just increased the burden on every other hospital. Of course Healthcare reform is a key way to improve the financial strength of our hospitals, but closing hospitals really isn't. Yetta Kurland gets that.

Well similar ill conceived crap is going on in Brooklyn as well and Jo Anne Simon is on top of it. From a recent email she sent:

Last week, NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli issued a report showing that SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Long Island College Hospital were teetering on the brink and that closing LICH has been discussed by its board.

Tomorrow, January 25th at 11 AM, join federal, state and local elected officials in the little park across the street from LICH (339 Hicks Street) for a rally to call attention to this situation and call upon the state and the hospital to find a way to retain medical services at LICH, an all important teaching hospital in an area with an increasing number of families needing its services!

Again, let me emphasize that the closing of these hospitals is largely due specifically to the costs they bear taking care of uninsured Americans, and each hospital that closes increases the burden on EVERY OTHER HOSPITAL in the area because all those uninsured Americans will have to now either die or go to the next nearest hospital. Thanks to Yetta Kurland and Jo Anne Simon for realizing the importance of this issue. People who try to just apply some imagined "business model" seem to ignore the larger dynamics. Single payer could solve a LOT of this. But until then, we have to protect our hospitals from closing because when hospitals close, people die AND other hospitals have to take on the expensive burden of caring for the uninsured. WE ARE NOT DEALING WITH THIS, and these closings really will mean the difference between life and death for New Yorkers who have to be rushed to the hospital. This is a key reason to support both Yetta Kurland and Jo Anne Simon. It is an issue we all can ignore until we are in an ambulance and the closest hospital is further than we can survive. THAT is becoming the situation. We can fight it or accept it and pray (not my strong point) that we never end up in that ambulance.

And by the way, Bloomberg's closing of firehouses creates the same problem if you have a fire in your building or a neighboring building. Right now you are less likely to have your home survive a fire thanks to the closing of firehouses. When we cut back on teachers, nurses, firehouses and hospitals, EVERYONE gets fucked. Sadly, not too many people are talking about this. Jo Anne Simon IS talking about it and Yetta Kurland is making it the focus of her run for City Council. More power to both of them.

More from Jo Anne Simon...  read more »

I have plugged John Liu from time to time as my mayoral candidate of choice (far better than Bill de Blasio or Christine Quinn). But Bill Thompson would be a good second choice if he wasn't seen as rather uninspiring and as already having his chance. Still, I greatly prefer him to either Quinn or de Blasio. Here is Bill Thompson outlining his vision for NYC:

A new video from the Alliance for Quality Education trying to get solid education back on the agenda in New York:

More here:

http://www.aqeny.org/will-you-fund-our-schools/

It's nice to hear politicians calling for policies that actually help the working class rather than mainly helping Wall Street. From NYC Comptroller John Liu:

Last weekend my family attended the second ever community swearing in ceremony for one of our favorite Congressional reps: Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez. Her FIRST community swearing in ceremony took place 20 years ago, when she was first elected to Congress, and at that FIRST ceremony she was sworn in before the local Brooklyn community by a then little known local judge named Sonia Sotomayor. (Note the community swearing in is purely ceremonial and intended to celebrate with your local friends, allies, and constituents).

Nydia is the reason why Sotomayor is now a Supreme Court Justice.

Here is Nydia testifying for Sonia Sotomayor for Supreme Court:

And here is video of Nydia at the 2012 Democratic Convention:

My family got invited to the Community Swearing in Ceremony for Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez. Not sure why we got invited since she is not our Congresswoman and our own Congresswoman (Yvette Clarke) has not invited us to anything. But Nydia is one of our favorite members of Congress and one with whom I have had many excellent conversations with at parties and political events.

Whenever Nydia and I see eachother we give eachother a big hug because we both know we have fought through, in our own ways (her far more than me!), a lot of tough times trying to get both better and more Democrats elected and trying to get our government more effective and progressive on ALL levels. I appreciate her hugs because I know it means we are on the same page, and I hope she realizes I appreciate her efforts as well.

20 years ago the judge who swore her in before a crowd of assembled Brooklynites was Sonia Sotomayor. This year, to celebrate her 20th year in Congress, Nydia chose to be sworn in by the Hon. Judge Deborah A. Batts, who was introduced as the first black, openly LGBT federal judge in the country (if I heard correctly).

Gives you a sense of what it means to know Nydia Velasquez. From the Hon. Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Hon. Judge Deborah Batts, the career of Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez spans 20 years of major progress, with Nydia ALWAYS being at the forefront of that progress.  read more »

Looks like Daily Gotham is up again. And this seems like a good test post.

I remember Yetta Kurland from the fight to keep St. Vincent's Hospital (which happens to be the hospital where Jacob was born) open. And let's remember that closing of St. Vincent's coupled with the closing of NYU's Tisch Hospital, Bellevue Hospital and the VA hospital meant that emergency room coverage was critically low in Manhattan for some time after Sandy. In fact the NYU Medical Center's emergency room remains down today, though I believe their Urgent Care center is now open.

Sadly few people have been championing keeping hospitals open. The dynamic is a complex one. Hospitals almost all run at a loss. This is not because of mismanagement usually but because the cost of care in emergency rooms and ICUs is so hugely expensive that it tends to lose money at a huge rate...in order to save lives. The more people who don't have health insurance, the more people who have to depend on emergency rooms for basic care...and the more money it costs the hospitals. Reduce the number of uninsured people and spread emergency visits over more hospitals and the burden on each hospital is reduced. But leave lots of uninsured and close hospitals and each remaining hospital gets an even higher burden on their emergency rooms...driving them deeper into a financial hole.

Closing St. Vincent's just increased the burden on every other hospital. Of course Healthcare reform is a key way to improve the financial strength of our hospitals, but closing hospitals really isn't. Yetta Kurland gets that.

Yetta is running for City Council again in Manhattan (for the seat Christine Quinn is vacating) and hospitals is one of her main issues. And this morning the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) has endorsed her. From their press release:

40 blocks. That's the distance from the lower tip of Manhattan to the nearest trauma-treating hospital. In a city like New York , that distance could mean the difference between life and death.

That's one of the top issues Yetta Kurland, proud progressive, has been leading the charge on. She fought the closure of St. Vincent's Hospital and has been working hard to ensure that Lower Manhattan has the medical facilities it needs, especially with so many hospitals closed due to Sandy damage.

Now, Yetta Kurland is campaigning for New York City Council in your area, as a next step in serving the community. We are proud to endorse Yetta, the bold progressive in the race.

Yetta doesn't just talk the talk. She organizes for progressive change. Recently, she's helped lead local efforts to coordinate volunteers and relief efforts for Sandy victims. This Saturday, she's asking her team to take a break from campaigning and instead join her in the National Day of Service in the Rockaways.

Can you join Yetta this Saturday(January 19, 9:00am - 5:00pm) while she helps Sandy victims clean up and rebuild their community? Click to see details and RSVP.

We were proud to work with Yetta as we organized a New York event for Elizabeth Warren. Yetta Kurland is from the Elizabeth Warren wing of the Democratic Party, and we see Yetta as a rising progressive star who will do big things for New York .

Whether or not you can make it on Saturday, you should still take time to learn about Yetta's campaign.

Click here to volunteer for her campaign or join her email list and Like Yetta on Facebook for up-to-date campaign news!
Thanks for being a bold progressive.

-- Adam Green, Stephanie Taylor, Kayla Wingbermuehle, and the PCCC team

You can check out her website here.  read more »