Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Asst. Principal Dies: Swine Flu Claims First NYC Victim
By
Jen Chung
Published May 18, 2009
Modified May 18, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published May 18, 2009
Modified May 18, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yesterday, I.S. 238 assistant principal Mitch Wiener passed away, becoming the first NYC fatality of the swine flu. Wiener's illness was disclosed last week, when his school in Queens closed along with others. Mayor Bloomberg said, "His death is a loss for our schools and our city," and called him a "well-liked and devoted educator."
The NY Post reports—according to a Flushing Hospital spokesperson—that "complications besides the virus likely played a part in" the 55-year-old educator's death. Another spokesperson said, "We were treating him very aggressively. He was in critical condition. His family was saying that he had not, in fact, deteriorated, which was true, but he was still extremely critical." Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Frieden said, "We are now seeing a rising tide of flu in many parts of New York City...Nothing we’ve seen so far suggests that it’s more dangerous to someone who gets it than the flu that comes every year. We should not forget that the flu that comes every year kills about 1,000 New Yorkers.”
Wiener's family had criticized the city for not closing the school sooner—it was closed on Thursday, but Wiener entered the hospital earlier last week. Yesterday, the city closed additional schools over concerns that students had swine flu-like symptoms, raising the number of closed schools to 11. The United Federation of Teachers' president Randi Weingarten reiterated the union's stance that city agencies need to be vigilant, "This tragedy tells us that we have to be mindful and closely monitor schools that have indications of flu outbreak."
Tagged
department of health
h1n1
is 238
mitch wiener
school closings
swine flu
swine flu death
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Manhattan DA argues judge shouldn't dismiss state charges against Luigi Mangione
He pleaded guilty to separate charges in federal court this summer.
By
Samantha Max
Published Oct 9, 2026 at 3:44 p.m. ET
Feds blame NYC's sanctuary policies for violent ICE arrest in Marble Hill
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said ICE agents were unaware a child was in the vehicle they fired on during the arrest.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
Feds blame NYC's sanctuary policies for violent ICE arrest in Marble Hill
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said ICE agents were unaware a child was in the vehicle they fired on during the arrest.
By
Arya Sundaram
Attorneys argue man shot by ICE in Marble Hill should be released
By
Ben Feuerherd
and
Ryan Kost
Pencils down: NYC lawmakers want to switch back to paper tests as state mandates screens
By
Jessica Gould
Penn Station’s future could be determined by midterm elections
By
Stephen Nessen
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .