The NYS Ebola Preparedness Plan was developed by the Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York State Police, Office of Health Commissioner Howard A. Zucker, and various hospitals throughout New York and New York City.
The NYS Ebola Preparedness Plan applied to residents and those travelling to and from the State of New York. The policy affected numerous agencies including hospitals, EMS agencies, public safety departments, and transportation authorities.
The NYS Ebola Preparedness Plan was developed in reponse to the growing public fear of a widespread outbreak of the ebola virus disease or ebola hemorrhagic fever. It aimed to mitigate the transmission and spread of the disease in the event of isolated cases occurring in the State of New York or neighboring states.
The NYS Ebola Preparedness Plan was criticized by the public and other agencies, primarily for its strict quarantine protocols, which have been called "overzealous" by some. In addition, the policy was criticized for its inconsistency with Federal and international guidelines which may have created confusion for the public.
The NYS ebola preparedness plan was designed to outline the plan for responding to and preparing for ebola emergencies within the NYS health system
The policy was drafted by Governor Cuomo as well as the NYS DOH
The policy applies to all healthcare workers in the state of NY (EMS, hospital staff, other medical personnel)
The plan was created in response to the few cases of ebola in the United States to “err on the side of caution” and be prepared for a possible outbreak, even if it is a very low possibility.
The policy addresses how healthcare workers should respond to a suspected ebola incident. This is directly to public health because it affects how the public will receive medical care in the event of an ebola incident.
The plan does not appear to address any specific population but the public in general.