Month: October 2019

Condom Distribution Program

When the site was initially rolled out in 2011, some media outlets reported it targeted the age bracket of 11 to 19 years old, which some parents felt was too young a start. The city acknowledges it can’t actually age-verify who used the service — but remains nonplussed about it.

“It’s possible that younger folks may have received the condoms,” Garrow told Billy Penn. “And honestly, we were never opposed to that happening.”

https://billypenn.com/2019/10/31/philly-gives-out-750000-free-condoms-a-year/

By Max Marin

Streets Cleaners Safety

Hepatitis A —  a curable but highly contagious and debilitating liver disease — is primarily caused by a virus transmitted by the so-called fecal-oral route.

By mid-October, the number of reported cases in Philadelphia had surged to 360, according to city health officials. A typical year brings two to six cases.

https://whyy.org/articles/feces-and-needles-jumping-in-the-air-city-street-cleaners-want-better-safety-gear/

By Aaron Moselle

Hepatitis A Response

Addiction and homelessness is a major dilemma in Kensington, Philadelphia, and those directly affected have very limited access to basic resources like restrooms. So when Hepatitis A broke out across the neighborhood, the city of Philadelphia installed public restrooms equipped with toilets, running water, attendants, and Narcan. Host Shirley Min heads to Kensington to take a look at the initiative, and meets Jacelyn Blank, a mother and resident, who contracted Hep-A while planting trees and tending a community garden.

https://whyy.org/episodes/combatting-disease-in-kensington/

By Shirley Min

Rental Property Lead Certificate Law

Beginning October 1, 2020, landlords will be required to test and certify rental properties as “lead-safe” or “lead-free” in order to A) execute a new or renewed lease or B) receive or renew a rental license.  The requirement applies to all residential properties, but it will be phased in by zip code over two years.  Below are frequently-asked questions about how the law will be applied.  More information will be provided closer to the effective date.

https://www.phila.gov/2019-10-22-rental-property-lead-certification-law/

Vietnamese Restaurant Closure

“The Health Department and L&I are responsible for following up on complaints they receive through the 311 system, many of which — including complaints against this shopping center — are anonymous,” Garrow said. “If there are no violations found during the inspection, L&I will mark the complaint as unfounded, and the Health Department will post a clean health inspection report.”

https://whyy.org/articles/hoa-binh-plaza-banh-mi-shop-closed-amid-concerns-that-city-agency-was-weaponized-for-gentrification/

By Meir Rinde

Fourth of July Deaths Rulings

More than three months later, the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office on Wednesday released its conclusions on the deaths. The cause for both: Drowning. The manner of Patterson’s death was “undetermined,” while Siler’s was “accidental.”

https://www.inquirer.com/news/delaware-river-drowning-deaths-july-4-anjania-patterson-tim-siler-medical-examiner-results-20191018.html

By Julie Shaw

CSB PES Explosion Report Release

Inquirer

City Managing Director Brian Abernathy said officials have been clear in their communication with residents, listened to their concerns, and created an advisory group.

“I’m a little disappointed that folks feel like we lied to them. … We have been very forthright throughout this process that there were chemicals released in the air,” Abernathy said.

https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/refinery-explosion-report-chemicals-south-philadelphia-20191016.html

By Ellie Silverman

Philly Magazine

City spokesperson Deana Gamble said on Wednesday that the city’s air quality meter had not been properly calibrated at the time of the measurement, and that inspectors with the city’s Air Management Services had asked the Environmental Protection Agency and PES to confirm “zero readings” for hydrogen fluoride.

“Both confirmed that there was no HF present in the community, and the AMS inspectors took the improperly calibrated meter out of service,” Gamble said. “AMS subsequently confirmed with the manufacturer that the handheld device was in fact in need of recalibration and was thus unreliable when used immediately after the fire.”

https://www.phillymag.com/news/2019/10/16/pes-explosion-investigation-update/

By Claire Sasko