By Kaia Zawadi
In the wake of the first person in the city to test positive for the Ebola virus, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams bowled the first few frames in the bowling alley where the stricken man visited before calling doctors complaining of illness.
The bowling alley, The Gutter, is in trendy Williamsburg and was shut down due to concerns about the infected coming into contact with others at the alley and various other spots around the city, after the stricken man, 33-year-old Harlem resident Dr. Craig Spencer, went to the bowling alley last Wednesday. After his diagnosis was made The Gutter was promptly shut down to sanitize everything from all the bowling pins to the toilet seats.
“Brooklynites should feel self-assured and relaxed to know that, number one, this disease is not something you catch like a common cold. People have a right to be cautious and concerned, but that fear should not stymie them to go on with their lives,” said Adams.
Adams was joined by other local elected officials to reinforce the safety, as well as the cultural and recreational value, of The Gutter and the surrounding community, as well as reiterate some best public health practices for Brooklynites and New Yorkers.
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke also weighed in on the recent diagnosis of Spencer.
“Late Thursday evening, we learned that Dr. Craig Spencer, who had recently returned from his work treating Ebola patients in Guinea, West Africa with Doctors Without Borders, has tested positive for the Ebola virus. My prayers and the prayers of the people of the Ninth Congressional District of New York are with Dr. Spencer and his family for a speedy recovery.”
Clarke also reiterated the city will make every effort to keep the virus from spreading. “I want the people of Brooklyn to know that federal, state, and local public health agencies have coordinated their efforts to stop the transmission of the Ebola virus and to prevent the spread of illness in New York City,” she said.
“Members of my staff and I are in regular contact with public health officials. Rest assured that we will work with them to coordinate federal support for their work and to educate and inform the public,” she added.
