What is Bloomberg thinking?

[FSUZeta]

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/smar...but-should-it/

[adpimiz]

I'm not sure where I stand on this issue. I can see why he wants the marathon to go on - people have traveled from all over the world to be in NYC for the marathon, and it is something positive that New Yorkers can focus on during this mess.

However, marathons are extremely strenuous. Some people are going to probably faint or become injured. For the marathon to go on, it will have to be policed and there will have to be EMTs and ambulances on duty in case someone needs medical care. I don't think that police officers and EMTs should be focusing on a marathon over millions of people who are homeless, without power, without food, needing medical care, etc.

[Munchkin03]

He's probably thinking that it's less convenient to cancel or postpone it than to go through with it. There's also an economic boost for the city with this thing, something that the city will need desperately.

I see both sides of the debate, and as someone who is actually impacted by either decision--I have no opinion.

I'm more concerned that this is more of a push on Bloomberg's part to show people that New York bounces back. But to have runners literally run through destroyed neighborhoods isn't resilience, it's insensitivity. It takes time to recover, and I'd rather things go a little slowly if it means that there aren't any setbacks.

[shirley1929]

Just got a breaking news alert that the marathon has been cancelled...

[FSUZeta]

Glad to hear that Bloomberg listened to reason. It seemed insensitive to carry on with the marathon, using generators that could help locals, and food and drink that those without homes need.

[33girl]

I just hope that the resources that weren't used for the marathon are actually shown to make a dent in storm recovery.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

I see both sides also. NYC is the city that NEVER sleeps. I could see why he would have want to go forward. But at the same time as someone who has regularly dealt with hurricanes and whose father is a first responder and is never home for hurricanes, I wouldn't want resources used for helping folks to be diverted and he can't say they wouldn't be because they would.

I know NY doesn't have the infrastructure that we have in FL (post-Andrew). But when people tell you to evacuate low-lying areas don't stay to protect things! It's not worth it. The mother who lost her two boys when she had prior notice and the resources to leave is a tragic example of the consequences.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

I see both sides also. NYC is the city that NEVER sleeps. I could see why he would have want to go forward. But at the same time as someone who has regularly dealt with hurricanes and whose father is a first responder and is never home for hurricanes, I wouldn't want resources used for helping folks to be diverted and he can't say they wouldn't be because they would.

I know NY doesn't have the infrastructure that we have in FL (post-Andrew). But when people tell you to evacuate low-lying areas don't stay to protect things! It's not worth it. The mother who lost her two boys when she had prior notice and the resources to leave is a tragic example of the consequences.

As a native Floridian who now lives in NYC, I have no idea what Bloomberg was thinking at all. He had NO IDEA what it meant to have a hurricane hit the city. There have been a number of close calls but New Yorkers didn't really think it would happen here. That's why a lot of people didn't evacuate when it was clear that they should. Not excusing it, but just explaining it.

So, he's trying to push on, with this whole idea that New Yorkers are tough and we're resilient. Personally, I think he's pushing too hard. Schools are set to open on Monday. About half are being used as shelters...if anyone knows, you need a good 2-3 days after a shelter is closed to turn it back into a school. If power is lost, toilets back up. It needs to be cleaned. Also, schools are out on Tuesday for Election Day. It seriously won't hurt to open on Wednesday.

The timing of canceling the marathon sucked. I know several people who flew from Europe early yesterday, when the race was definitely on. So, they landed to this news. Most of them were staying with friends so it's no MAJOR inconvenience...but still. Just a lack of consideration for everyone--victims, first responders, and runners. Ugh.

[AnchorAlum]

Munchkin, as another Floridian, I also look at the tragedy and devastation and think that these poor souls really had no idea what hit them. They and the city fathers simply had no concept of what a hurricane can do.

Add that to the congestion of a huge city and the logistics of recovery must be beyond belief. NYC will be fighting back for years. One of the good stories today was the many marathoners who had already showed up and stayed on to pitch in for a day of work, in heretofore forgotten places like Staten Island.

I hope the people of NYC keep the faith in each other and in their city.

[thetalady]

It is really, really disheartening to hear the stories coming out now about looters...

[DaffyKD]

1300 marathon runners ran while helping those affected by Sandy.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/05/health...ime/index.html

DaffyKD