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Peace and love,
Congressman Jamaal Bo
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Peace and love,
Congressman Jamaal Bo
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WPCNR EDITOR’S LOCAL NOTES: LOCALLY, COVID INFECTIONS ARE A LURKING FACTOR IN WESTCHESTER. HOSPITALIZATIONS IN THE MID HUDSON REGION WERE 63 COMPARED TO 81 LAST YEAR ON APRIL. WESTCHESTER COUNTY HAD THE MAJORITY OF THOSE CASES .
FROM APRIL 9 TO APRIL 17, WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL SAW 50 PERSONS ADMITTED AND 15 OF THEM POSITIVE FOR COVID, 30%. THAT WAS UP A LITTLE FROM 25% OF ADMISSIONS FOUND WITH COVID LAST WEEK WHEN 9 OF 36 ADMISSIONS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID.
THE COUNTY AVERAGE 2.8 INFECTIONS A DAY FROM APRIL 7 TO 13, 196 IN A WEEK WHICH LAST WEEK ACTUALLY REACHED 216.
IF WE CONTINUE THAT PACE APRIL WOULD HAVE 868 FOR THE MONTH. IN 2023, APRIL SAW 895 COVID CASES SO WESTCHESTER HAD ONLY 4% OR 27 INFECTIONS DOWN LAST APRIL WHEN INFECTIONS STARTED TO REBOUND UPWARDS INTO JUNE.
THE PASSOVER OBSERVANCE HAPPENING LAST YEAR IN WESTCHESTER COMBINED WITH THE RELIEF OF COVID RESTRICTIONS PRODUCED 814 COVID CASES IN MAY, 796 IN JUNE, RESULTING IN AN EXPLOSION OF CASES IN JULY 2023 1,064 AND 1,962 IN AUGUST. WHAT WILL MAY AND JUNE SOCIALIZATION DO?
THE NUMBER OF CASES NOW IS CLIMBING BACK TO 1,000 CASES A WEEK.
WILL COVID COME BACK?
AT 860 CASES NOW IT MIGHT COME BACK FOR A 7TH WAVE AND LAUNCH ANOTHER MISERABLE COVID SURGE.
PLEASE SOCIALIZE RESPONSIBLY. FOR THE RECORD LAST WEEK WAS THE 10TH IN 11 WEEKS IN THE LAST 2-1/2 MONTHS WE LOWERED THE CASES ( BUT ONLY 1 LESS THAN LAST WEEK. NOW TO DR. KATELYN JETELINA’S LATEST EDITION OF YOUR LOCAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST:
We could definitely use better Covid-19 vaccines. While our current ones work well against severe disease, they could be better in other departments, like:
A suite of vaccines—considered next-generation (NextGen)—are in the clinical trials pipeline. While some are showing positive results, there is still a long road ahead.
Where are they in the process? Let’s dig in.
Note: We tried our darndest to summarize this vaccine pipeline comprehensively, but this stuff is hard to find. This list could be incomplete or (a little) out of date.
Vaccines undergo a long process to ensure they are safe and effective, from preclinical (i.e., testing in animals) to phase III (testing in hundreds of people) before authorization by the FDA. About 9 of 10 products fail at some point in this process. A typical vaccine takes 5 to 10 years—that is, when we aren’t in a massive emergency (with lots of money and the entire world working towards one thing).
While the U.S. government gave some NextGen vaccines a big financial boost at the end of the emergency ($5 billion), it will likely still be a while before we get them in arms. These vaccines are truly novel, and we are still trying to figure out how they work best.
One NextGen solution is a universal coronavirus vaccine that would protect against not only SARS-CoV-2 but also other coronaviruses that might cause future animal outbreaks and pandemics. However, this is a long way away.
We have made progress towards a pan-Covid-19 vaccine. This class of vaccines aims to be “variant-proof.” The idea is that these vaccines would induce an immune response that would make it impossible (or at least very difficult) for newer variants to escape antibodies, like Omicron did in 2021. This doesn’t necessarily mean that we would no longer need boosters or that these vaccines could stop transmission. Only time would tell us that.
Around 20 variant-proof vaccines are in the early stages of this process (preclinical), but 5 have reached human trials.
The next category is mucosal (i.e., nasal) vaccines. These induce antibodies in a person’s nose and throat—the major site of infection by SARS-CoV-2—so they attack the virus at the starting line. Theoretically, this would better prevent infection and transmission than current vaccines. As previously covered on YLE, this is a hard scientific road for multiple reasons.
Twenty-seven clinical trials of mucosal vaccines have reached human trials, including a few in the U.S. A lot are still in the beginning stages, though.
A few have reached later phases, and some have even been approved in other countries. However, they haven’t been authorized by a drug regulatory agency considered “stringent” for the WHO or the U.S. In the U.S., these manufacturers would have to submit their materials to the FDA and, after review, may have to run another clinical trial if they don’t have certain data. It’s not clear if this is happening (or not).
Some promising late-stage results so far include:
Combining Covid-19 vaccine with the flu vaccine. Moderna, Novavax, and Pfizer are all working on a flu+Covid vaccine. Some are further along than others. Some manufacturers hope this will be available in the 2024 fall season. I’m skeptical.
Self-amplifying mRNA. This vaccine would include instructions on how to replicate RNA, once inside our body, allowing for much lower doses of injected mRNA. This means, in theory, fewer unpleasant side effects. There are two in the pipeline:
Don’t forget about T cells! Some have developed vaccines to maximize our T cell responses by targeting other parts of the coronavirus (not the spike). These vaccines wouldn’t have much effect on transmission or infection, but they could be very valuable in preventing hospitalizations if/when we get another coronavirus pandemic.
We need better Covid-19 vaccines. Biomedical innovation, such as the licensure of mRNA vaccines, was a huge scientific win during the emergency, and thankfully, scientists are not stopping there. While these will not likely be available this year, we can cross our fingers and toes that better ones are on the horizon.
Love, YLE and Andrea
Andrea Tamayo is an intern at YLE. She is a science journalist and master’s student at the University of California, Santa Cruz Science Communication Program. You can find more of her stories at andreactamayo.com.
Big thanks to Edward Nirenberg, who verified some of the data and scientific translations. And he didn’t let us forget about the cool work with T cells.
“Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE)” is written and founded by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, M.P.H. Ph.D.—an epidemiologist, wife. During the day, she is a senior scientific consultant to several organizations, including CDC. At night, she writes this newsletter. Her main goal is to “translate” the ever-evolving public health world so that people will be well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. This newsletter is free, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support this effort, subscribe below:
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PEOPLE NEEDING FOOD ASSISTANCE INCREASE. BREADLINES IN WESTCHESTER IN 2024
MARTINE CAMPOLI ON THE SWIFT RISE OF PEOPLE WHO NEED FOOD ASSISTANCE THIS YEAR
GOVERNOR HOCHUL GETS HER BUDGET. AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM, RESTORES SCHOOL AID
LEGISLATURE TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS: WE’LL RESTORE SCHOOL AID BUT YOU CAN’T USE IT FOR THIS YEAR’S BUDGET IN WHITE PLAINS
RAT FLU RISING IN NEW YORK CITY. CROWDED HOUSING, RAT INFESTED APARTMENTS AT RISK
JOHN BAILEY’S CANDID ESSAY ON THE HUNGER CRISIS IN WESTCHESTER–WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN
REQUIEM FOR RMS TITANIC 112 YEARS AGO
THE LAST DODGER: “EOISK” THE MONEY PITCHER
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THE BIG VOICE: JOHN STERLING LEAVES THE YANKEE BROADCAST BOOTH
JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS
THIS WEEK EVERY WEEK
ON WHITE PLAINS WEEK
FOUNDED 2001 A.D.
THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW
23RD YEAR ON THE YEAR
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JOHN BAILEY INTERVIEWS MARTINE CAMPOLI OF FEEDING WESTCHESTER ON THE GROWING HUNGRY IN WESTCHESTER TODAY–TONIGHT! 8 PM
MARTINE CAMPOLI ON THE NEED FOR MORE DONATIONS TO COVER THE COST OF PURCHASING FOOD FOR THE COUNTY HUNGRY
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE FEEDING WESTCHESTER IS FEEDING WEEKLY.
HOW COVID THOUGH DECLINING HAS INCREASED THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES THAT CANNOT FEED THEMSELVES
THE MEDIAN INCOME FAMILY INCOME RESTRICTIONS THAT ARE TOO HIGH FOR REAL FAMILIES TO QUALIFY
THE RAPID INCREASES IN THE COST OF FOOD REQUIRING FEEDING WESTCHESTER EMERGENCY FUND RAISING THIS MONTH TO COVER COSTS OF FOOD FOR THIS YEAR;
THE COOPERATION OF FEEDING ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTY (IT’S GOOD!)
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THE FEEDING WESTCHESTER PROGRAM–AND SCHOOLS
HOW YOU CAN APPLY FOR FEEDING WESTCHESTER MEALS. NO BACKGROUND CHECKS NECESSARY
WPTV’S “PEOPLE TO BE HEARD”
10TH YEAR
THE PROGRAM WHERE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOMETHING THAT MUST BE SAID
SAY IT
FOUNDED 2014 A.D.
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Honorees Represent Diverse Array of Talents and Contributions:
2024 Arts Award honorees (l to r): Elizabeth Diaz (Larry Salley Photography Award); Theresa Kump Leghorn, representing New Rochelle Council on the Arts (Community Award); Lee Balter (President’s Award); Galit Messman, representing Arc Stages (Sophia Abeles Education Award); Andromeda Turre (Advancing Equity Individual Award); Ridvan Idara, representing New Era Creative Space (Advancing Equity Organization Award); Jorge Otero-Pailos (Artist Award); Tracy Fitzpatrick, representing Neuberger Museum of Art (Arts Organization Award); Ray Wilcox, representing Yonkers Arts (Advancing Equity Organization Award). (Photo by Susan Nagib)
More than 300 people, including many dignitaries, were on hand April 10 to salute individuals and organizations that are winners of this year’s ArtsWestchester Arts Awards.
“Our region’s outstanding quality of life would not be possible without the inspired work of these honorees,” said ArtsWestchester CEO Janet Langsam. “These honorees motivate all of us to continue to support excellent creative work by Westchester artists and arts organizations.”
Since its inception in 1976, the Arts Awards have celebrated vision, commitment, and leadership in the arts community. This year’s winners represent a diverse array of talents and contributions:
Artist Award: George Otero-Pailos of Rye is recognized for his pioneering artwork and experimental preservation practices.
Arts Organization Award: The Neuberger Museum of Art, in Purchase is a world-class museum and cornerstone of arts education and engagement since 1974.
Sophia Abeles Education Award: Arc Stages, in Pleasantville has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to providing contemporary theater programming and arts education to local communities.
Community Award: The New Rochelle Council on the Arts has been a catalyst for cultural enrichment in New Rochelle for nearly five decades.
President’s Award: Lee Balter of Tarrytown is honored for his extraordinary support of the arts in the Hudson Valley and his tireless advocacy for arts education and access to the arts.
Larry Salley Photography Award: Elizabeth Diaz of Yonkers is recognized for her powerful photographic work and a portrait series celebrating the transgender community.
Advancing Equity Organization Award: Ray Wilcox representing Yonkers Arts and Ridvan Idara representing New Era Creative Space are acknowledged for their commitment to promoting equity and inclusion through the arts.
Advancing Equity Individual Award: Andromeda Turre of Katonah is honored for her groundbreaking work in using jazz as a tool for social change.
Among the many dignitaries attending the luncheon held at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, were Westchester County Executive George Latimer, Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, NYS Senator Shelley Mayer, Assemblyman Steve Otis, Assemblyman Chris Burdick, Assemblywoman MaryJane Shimsky, County Legislature Chair Vedat Gashi County Legislator Ben Boykin, County Legislator Nancy Barr, White Plains Mayor Tom Roach and New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert . WCBS-TV’s Tony Aiello was the emcee.
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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F.. Bailey. April 16, 2024:
Governor Kathy Hochul’s Monday announcement school aid cuts would be restored when the 2024 State Budget is passed by the legislature will not be used in the White Plains City School 2024-25 Budget.
White Plains Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Ricca explained to WPCNR the 2024-25 budget had already been prepared “with no cuts” in spending.
He said the district has not been told when the $489,000 owed the district by the agreement to restore the funds struck by the Governor with the leaders of the State legislature. When it arrived he said, due to restrictions on how school aid from the stat could be used, the $489,000 would go into the general fund and it would be considered how to be used in the 2025-26 budget.
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Governor Kathy Hochul Tuesday announced an agreement to address key priorities in the Fiscal Year 2024 New York State Budget. This bold and fiscally responsible plan makes historic investments in communities across the state and makes New York more affordable, more livable and safer.
“I promised New Yorkers we’d make our state more affordable, more livable and safer, and this budget delivers on that promise,” Governor Hochul said. “I am pleased to have reached an agreement with Speaker Heastie and Leader Stewart-Cousins on a transformative budget that improves public safety, transforms our mental health care system, protects our climate and invests in our children’s future.”
Highlights of the budget include:
I promised New Yorkers we’d make our state more affordable, more livable and safer, and this budget delivers on that promise.”
With a conceptual agreement in place the legislative houses are expected to pass bills that will enact these priorities. The total budget for FY 2024 is currently estimated at $229 billion, based on a preliminary assessment of the negotiated changes to the Executive proposal. The Enacted Budget will hold State Operating Funds spending under 3 percent in FY 2024 and will increase the State’s reserves to a record level of 15 percent, as proposed by the Governor in the first months of her administration.
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Leptospirosis is a blood infection caused by the bacteria Leptospira[8] that can infect humans, dogs, rodents and many other wild and domesticated animals.[8] Signs and symptoms can range from none to mild (headaches, muscle pains, and fevers) to severe (bleeding in the lungs or meningitis).[5] Weil’s disease (/ˈvaɪlz/ VILES),[12] the acute, severe form of leptospirosis, causes the infected individual to become jaundiced (skin and eyes become yellow), develop kidney failure, and bleed.[6] Bleeding from the lungs associated with leptospirosis is known as severe pulmonary haemorrhage syndrome.[5]
More than ten genetic types of Leptospira cause disease in humans.[13] Both wild and domestic animals can spread the disease, most commonly rodents.[8] The bacteria are spread to humans through animal urine or feces, or water or soil contaminated with animal urine and feces, coming into contact with the eyes, mouth, nose or breaks in the skin.[8] In developing countries, the disease occurs most commonly in pest control, farmers and low-income people who live in areas with poor sanitation.[5]
In developed countries, it occurs during heavy downpours and is a risk to pest controllers, sewage workers[14] and those involved in outdoor activities in warm and wet areas.[5] Diagnosis is typically by testing for antibodies against the bacteria or finding bacterial DNA in the blood.[5]
Efforts to prevent the disease include protective equipment to block contact when working with potentially infected animals, washing after contact, and reducing rodents in areas where people live and work.[7] The antibiotic doxycycline is effective in preventing leptospirosis infection.[7] Human vaccines are of limited usefulness;[15] vaccines for other animals are more widely available.[16] Treatment when infected is with antibiotics such as doxycycline, penicillin, or ceftriaxone.[8] The overall risk of death is 5–10%.[10] However, when the lungs are involved, the risk of death increases to the range of 50–70%.[8]
It is estimated that one million severe cases of leptospirosis in humans occur every year, causing about 58,900 deaths.[11] The disease is most common in tropical areas of the world but may occur anywhere.[7] Outbreaks may arise after heavy rainfall.[7] The disease was first described by physician Adolf Weil in 1886 in Germany.[17][18] Infected animals may have no, mild or severe symptoms.[19] These may vary by the type of animal.[16][19] In some animals Leptospira live in the reproductive tract, leading to transmission during mating.[16]
The symptoms of leptospirosis usually appear one to two weeks after infection,[7] but the incubation period can be as long as a month.[21] The illness is biphasic in a majority of symptomatic cases. Symptoms of the first phase (acute or leptospiremic phase) last five to seven days. In the second phase (immune phase), the symptoms resolve as antibodies against the bacteria are produced.[8] Additional symptoms develop in the second phase.[22] The phases of illness may not be distinct, especially in patients with severe illness.[23] 90% of those infected experience mild symptoms while 10% experience severe leptospirosis.[24]
Leptospiral infection in humans causes a range of symptoms, though some infected persons may have none. The disease begins suddenly with fever accompanied by chills, intense headache, severe muscle aches and abdominal pain.[5][21] A headache brought on by leptospirosis causes throbbing pain and is characteristically located at the head’s bilateral temporal or frontal regions. The person could also have pain behind the eyes and a sensitivity to light. Muscle pain usually involves the calf muscle and the lower back.
The most characteristic feature of leptospirosis is the conjunctival suffusion (conjunctivitis without exudate) which is rarely found in other febrile illnesses. Other characteristic findings on the eye include subconjunctival bleeding and jaundice. A rash is rarely found in leptospirosis. When one is found alternative diagnoses such as dengue fever and chikungunya fever should be considered. Dry cough is observed in 20–57% of people with leptospirosis. Thus, this clinical feature can mislead a doctor to diagnose the disease as a respiratory illness. Additionally, gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea frequently occur. Vomiting and diarrhea may contribute to dehydration. The abdominal pain can be due to acalculous cholecystitis or inflammation of the pancreas.[21] Rarely, the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen may be enlarged and palpable.[8]
There will be a resolution of symptoms for one to three days.[7] The immune phase starts after this and can last from four to 30 days and can be anything from brain to kidney complications.[25] The hallmark of the second phase is inflammation of the membranes covering the brain.[7] Signs and symptoms of meningitis include severe headache and neck stiffness.[7] Kidney involvement is associated with reduced or absent urine output.[7]
The classic form of severe leptospirosis, known as Weil’s disease, is characterised by liver damage (causing jaundice), kidney failure, and bleeding, which happens in 5–10% of those infected.[7] Lung and brain damage can also occur. For those with signs of inflammation of membranes covering the brain and the brain itself, altered level of consciousness can happen.
A variety of neurological problems such as paralysis of half of the body, complete inflammation of a whole horizontal section of spinal cord, and muscle weakness due to immune damage of the nerves supplying the muscles are the complications. Signs of bleeding such as non-traumatic bruises at 1 mm (0.039 in), non-traumatic bruises more than 1 cm (0.39 in), nose bleeding, blackish stools due to bleeding in the stomach, vomiting blood and bleeding from the lungs can also be found. Prolongation of prothrombin time in coagulation testing is associated with severe bleeding manifestation. However, low platelet count is not associated with severe bleeding.[21] Pulmonary haemorrhage is alveolar haemorrhage (bleeding into the alveoli of the lungs) leading to massive coughing up of blood, and causing acute respiratory distress syndrome, where the risk of death is more than 50%.[21] Rarely, inflammation of the heart muscles, inflammation of membranes covering the heart, abnormalities in the heart’s natural pacemaker and abnormal heart rhythms may occur.[8]
The bacteria can be found in ponds, rivers, puddles, sewers, agricultural fields and moist soil.[7] Pathogenic Leptospira have been found in the form of aquatic biofilms, which may aid survival in the environment.[29]
The number of cases of leptospirosis is directly related to the amount of rainfall, making the disease seasonal in temperate climates and year-round in tropical climates.[7] The risk of contracting leptospirosis depends upon the risk of disease carriage in the community and the frequency of exposure.[21] In rural areas, farming and animal husbandry are the major risk factors for contracting leptospirosis.[5] Poor housing and inadequate sanitation also increase the risk of infection.[21] In tropical and semi-tropical areas, the disease often becomes widespread after heavy rains or after flooding.[7]
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Welcome to the Northeastern edition of Outbreak Outlook! It is only available to paid subscribers. If you wish to become a paid subscriber and access region-specific information, please click the Subscribe now button below. Thanks for reading! -Caitlin Respiratory DiseasesILIFlu and flu-like illness continues to abate. The proportion of visits to the doctor that are for flu and flu-like illness is below 2.5% in most of the Northeast, and this rate either declined or held steady in most states this past week. However, the region as a whole is at 3.3% because of high activity in New Jersey — more on that below. New Jersey stands out as a bit of an exception. Unlike most of the other states in the region, which have seen steady and substantial declines in visits to the doctor for cold and flu symptoms over the past few months, New Jersey has been sitting in the 4.5-5.5% range since mid-January. Its current rate – of 4.8% – is quite a bit higher than the rest of the region, and represents a slight increase from last week. This is also higher than New Jersey has reported this time of year for the past several years. However, when it comes to more severe illness, in the past week there was a decrease in ED visits and hospitalizations in the state. Emergency department visits for influenza decreased in all states, and hospitalizations for influenza declined in Massachusetts and Vermont, and remained stable in Maine, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. COVID-19The spread of Covid-19 continues to decline in the Northeast, despite an uptick in hospitalizations. Wastewater concentrations are low and continuing to decline in the Northeast. The rate of new hospital admissions for Covid-19 was stable in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. However, hospitalizations increased across the rest of Northeast this past week—moderately in Maine and Massachusetts and substantially (>20%) in Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island. On the bright side, these rates are all fairly low. A very small proportion of emergency department visits are for Covid-19 in the Northeast. This rate declined further in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Jersey. It remained stable in New York, Pennsylvania, Maine, and New Hampshire. Although Vermont reported a substantial increase in ED visits for Covid-19, its overall rate remains minimal (0.4%). There is no indication that this is the start of a new Covid-19 surge. All of these states have seen fairly consistent declines in hospitalizations over the past few months, and their hospitalization rates continue to be quite low (and far below what they were at the end of the year). There is no corresponding rise in wastewater or ED visits. That being said, I’m keeping an eye on it. Stomach BugsStill high, over 15% again this week. Keep washing those hands. Food recallsThe following foods are being recalled because they are contaminated. Please check your cupboards and throw out any of these items: New
Previously reported:
In other news
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WPCNR MILESTONES. By John F. Bailey. April 14-15, 2024
At 2:10 A.M tonight, in the wee hours far out on the North Atlantic, the Titanic sank off the Grand Banks of New Foundland
She began her first voyage, four days ago, 112 years ago, April 10, 1912.
She carried over 2,200 passengers and crew and was the largest ocean liner of her time.
The people were of walks of life: the rich and famous, the poor and hopeful.
She was guaranteed unsinkable.
Her owners, the White Star Line, wanted to set a new speed record for crossing the Atlantic.
Her captain Edward Smith had been warned their northerly course would take it through an iceberg field. Wireless messages warned them of icebergs ahead.
On April 14, a Sunday evening, 108 years ago, sailing under a crisp clear,calm starlit sky at 11:40 PM after an evening of partying aboard ship, prior to arrival in New York on Monday, the ship sideswiped an iceberg.
She was the Titanic.
She was the ship of dreams.
And she was going down.
Today, she is the ship of nightmares as hundreds of passengers from all walks of life perished together in the ruthless sea. The cold fateful, unforgiving frigid indifferent eternity of the sea.
The Titanic’s fate was a lesson that changed maritime laws.
Two hours and 40 minutes after the iceberg collision the Titanic sank at 2:10 A.M., 112 years on April 15, (this morning) on that night to remember.
This is an excerpt from the testimony of a survivor, Emily Maria Borie Ryerson watching from a lifeboat desperately trying to row away from the suction of the sinking ship, at the 1912 U.S. Senate Subcommittee hearing on the sinking:
“The order was given to pull away. Then they rowed off—the sailors, the women, anyone – but made little progress; there was a confusion of orders; we rowed toward the stern, someone shouted something about a gangway, and no one seemed to know what to do. Barrels and (deck) chairs were being thrown overboard.
“Then suddenly, when we (in the lifeboat) still seemed very near, we saw the ship was sinking rapidly. I was still in the bow of the boat with my daughter and turned to see the great ship take a plunge toward the bow, the two forward funnels seemed to lean and then she seemed to break in half as if cut with a knife, and as the bow went under, the lights went out; the stern stood up for several minutes, black against the stars, and then that, too, plunged down and there was no sound for what seemed like hours, and then began the cries for help of people drowning all around us, which seemed to go on forever.”
Dorothy Gibson, the silent screen actress and survivor – from her testimony before the committee—observed from a lifeboat– in an excerpt from her testimony before the same committee, said:
“Suddenly there was a wild coming together of voices from the direction of the ship of the ship and we noticed an unusual commotion among the people huddled about the railing. Then the awful thing happened, the thing that will remain in my memory until the day I die.
The Titanic seemed to lurch slightly more to the side and then the fore. A minute, or probably two minutes, later she sank her nose into the ocean, swayed for a few minutes and disappeared, leaving nothing behind her on the face of the sea but a swirl of water, bobbing heads and lifeboats that were threatened by the suction of the waters.”
The Titanic’s fate was traced to the negligence and reckless disregard of the risk of sailing at 22 knots through an icefield, and 16 lifeboats for 2,200 persons, insufficient number of lifeboats.
In recent years, analysis of the hull plates recovered from the wreck of the ship on the ocean floor indicated a faulty, economical brittle bolt selection in constructing the hull. Aflaw in the heights of the bulkheads of the watertight doors designed to block seawater were found to be too low allow the indifferent seawaters to surge over each watertight compartment as the ship sank nose first, dooming the unsinkable design.
The White Star Line owner J. Bruce Ismay, onboard that night, callously saved his own life by slipping into a lifeboat.
Ismay in a statement, denied telling the Captain of the Titanic to set a new speed record and denied telling the Captain to increase the ship speed in the ice field region. Also said he just happened to be near a lifeboat about to be lowered and no more women and children around to board, and that was why he got into the lifeboat.
So much for corporate responsibility and guilt of any kind, even then.
Not much has changed in corporate world over the decades since this night and morning to remember.
Maybe corporate world should consider that.