You did know about it, now you are being protected. Unbelievable!! Soon it will all be public,you can count on it!!

Testimony
Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H.
Commissioner
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
regarding
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Before the
The Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs'
Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations
United States Senate
May 21, 2003

'The best protection against the threat of a new disease is a strong public
health infrastructure working in close partnership with the medical community. It
is more imperative than ever that our nation’s public health infrastructure be
financially supported and strengthened. In New York City, my department has
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identified immediate needs requiring at least $104 million. These needs include
the cost of upgrading our laboratory, retrofitting our facilities for emergency use,
planning and establishing points of distribution (POD) sites for preventive mass
treatment, and equipment and computer software to enhance our capacity to
respond to chemical, biological and radiological events. In addition, our public
hospitals alone need more than $35 million to address their immediate needs to
prepare for public health emergencies. And this does not even begin to address
the financial needs of other first responders, such as fire, police, the EMS
system, and our emergency preparedness coordinators. To ensure speed and
effectiveness in the grant process, it is of critical importance that federal funding
continues to come directly to the City. The threats of terrorism and of new or reemerging
infectious diseases will remain a concern for the foreseeable future.
Only a concerted, sustained federal investment in public health will ensure our
capability to respond and protect our communities.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on this important matter. I will be
happy to try to answer any questions you may have.'
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