Swine Flu Claims First Life in New York City
Mitchell Wiener, the assistant principal at IS 238 in Jamaica Estates, Queens, has died of complications from the H1N1 virus, popularly known as the dreaded swine flu.
(Wiener) first fell ill more than a week ago, but didn't seek help at the hospital until his symptoms became severe early Wednesday morning.
Since that time, he had been in a medically induced coma and on a ventilator.
Just hours before his death, his wife, Bonnie, said there were hopeful signs.
"There's no change," she told The Post earlier today. "He's stabilized. They're just giving him supporting care and hoping the treatment will kick in."
The report goes on to mention that Wiener is the sixth American to die from swine flu so far and that city officials have decided to close five more schools in the area, bringing the total number that will be closed this week to eleven.
Our deepest condolences go out to family, friends and colleagues of Mr. Wiener, though we hope that his death doesn't incite yet another media circus over the virus.
