Health is too important to be left up to people

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Mayor Proposes "A City that Really Cares" Initiative, Thousand-man NYPD Public Health Enforcement Unit

SPECIAL TO THE NEW YORK TIMES. May 24, New York. New York City's Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a series of bold new initiatives to protect the health of New Yorkers today.

The Mayor's approval rating of 76% has been largely due to his efforts to safeguard city residents from tobacco smoke, trans fats, cars, guns, and other ills with which the ignorant masses are too stupid to deal with on their own. He seeks to build on this foundation with his ambitious new program, entitled "A City That Really Cares."

Highlights of his proposals, which the City Council is expected to accept with little debate, include the following:

1. Banning the sale or wearing of heels on women's shoes over 2" high.

2. Requiring the wearing of warm scarves when the temperature drops below 40 degrees F.

3. Banning sunbathing in all New York City parks and beaches.

4. Requiring a serving of broccoli and carrots with every restaurant meal served within the five boroughs.

5. Banning the dangerous habit of swimming at ocean beaches.

6. Requiring the unplugging of all TVs and toaster ovens when not in use, due to fire hazard.

7. Banning any employer from demanding more than three hours per day of computer work, due to risk of carpal tunnel syndrome and eye strain. (Any work on Bloomberg machines will be exempted due to the important role of financial services in the city.)

8. Requiring the wearing of sturdy rubbers during rain, and lined boots during snow.

9. Requiring the wearing of hats during sunny days, and wool hats when the temperature drops below 40 degrees F.

10. Banning the use of iPods on city sidewalks due to the street-crossing risks iPods cause.

11. Banning all dangerous sports in schools or on city property. While the list is not complete, this will certainly include football, soccer, dodgeball, and handball. Running and jogging may also be banned, as they contribute to joint diseases and anorexia nervosa.

12. Banning the sale or use of any tobacco products indoors, outdoors, or in any vehicles other than golf carts, limousines, or private jets and helicopters.

Violators will meet a stiff fine of $250 per incident. One thousand police officers will be transferred to a new Public Health Unit of the NYPD to monitor compliance, with many more expected. This unit will have extensive rights to enter your home to check for tobacco smoke, trans fats, and safe TV use.

During his presentation, the Mayor emphasized his commitment to health. In response to a question asking why he had not included a ban on sale of alcohol products, meat, candy, soda, junk food and fried food, the Mayor replied "Now just hang on. This is only Phase One. As people get used to following good habits, we will introduce further steps in our "The City that Really Cares" program. So let's be constructive and positive, and work together in a stepwise fashion to guarantee good health for all New Yorkers."

Public health experts praised the Mayor's presentation. Dr. Harvey Weiss, Professor of Public Health at Columbia University and an advisor to Mayor Bloomberg, attended the press conference and stated, "This is a wonderful beginning, but there is so much more we can do to help people."

"The people of New York need to understand that we really care, and we care enough to include significant enforcement in this program. We will get to butter, chicken fat, lard, eggs, meat, cheese, creme brule and ice cream as time goes on. Plus we are deeply concerned about cell phone usage, overly tight lingerie, poorly fitting shoes, and of course the crisis of noise pollution. We hope to submit requirements for noise-free jackhammers and garbage trucks in the near future."

"Health is too important to be left up to people."

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