With the worst flu season in years underway, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio joined health professionals and parents at a press conference today calling for immediate passage of paid sick leave legislation stalled in the City Council. At a press conference in front of Beth Israel Medical Center, de Blasio urged passage of paid sick leave legislation to protect public health and prevent even worse outbreaks. With months still left in the flu season, visits to city hospitals for flu symptoms have already spiked 150% over last year. More than a million New Yorkers lack even a single paid sick day, forcing them to choose between going to work sick and spreading the flu, or staying home and losing a day’s pay. Working parents who care for sick children and elderly relatives face the same stark choice.

“The first tip the City gives to flu sufferers is to stay home to rest and prevent spreading the virus. And that is exactly what thousands of New Yorkers are simply unable do. They risk their pay and even their jobs if they stay home to care for themselves or someone in their family. We need paid sick days—it’s a matter of public health,” said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.

“We live in a city that urges its residents to stay home when they don’t feel well for the good of public health,” said Council Member Dan Garodnick. “And yet, so many New Yorkers do not have this option. We have good paid sick leave legislation pending in the Council and we need to step up and address this issue.”

Paid sick leave legislation was introduced in the City Council 1,024 days ago. It has the support of a super-majority of the City Council.

(YWN Desk – NYC)