Get the shot, not the flu

Flu season is upon us (New York City already has a high level of flu activity according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and to help our community stay safe, The Floating Hospital is offering free flu shots at our clinic. Anyone is susceptible to getting the flu—and symptoms can range from mild to severe—so getting vaccinated is the best prevention. As per the CDC’s guidelines, everyone 6 months and older should receive a yearly flu shot—and it’s especially imperative for those in high-risk groups, including young children, pregnant women, people over 65, and anyone with a serious medical condition. And yes, it’s okay to get vaccines for both the flu and Covid-19.

Sailing down memory lane

“My father had so many good memories during his times at The Floating Hospital.” So wrote Brian Lane, in a note he sent us along with a treasure trove of images taken by his father, Stuart Lane, when his dad was a Floating Hospital volunteer. Stuart was a public health student at Columbia University at the time of his work aboard the ship during the summers of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Stuart’s girlfriend Carolyn DeCarbo, a student at Rutgers-Douglas and also a volunteer, worked in food service and wrote the contracts for our summer meals. Stuart and Carolyn married, and moved on, though they kept their time with us close to their hearts.. We’re grateful for their service and are honored to provide a permanent home for their memories.