May 16, 2009 8:00 am US/Eastern
Assistant Principal's Family Blasts City
Mitchell Weiner's Wife And Son Take Powers That Be To Task Over handling Of Swine Flu Outbreak
Adam Weiner: Dad Had No Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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IS-238 Assistant Principal Mitch Weiner was said to be critically ill after contracting the swine flu virus.
CBS
Now to the story of Mitchell Weiner. The assistant principal was fighting for his life Friday as his family raised questions about how the city handled the swine flu outbreak.
Bonnie Weiner, whose husband is in critical condition, thinks the city acted too slowly in closing her husband's school.
"I'm outraged," Bonnie Weiner said. "What does it take to close a school? You can close a school because of snow but not because of illness that can be deadly?"
Her husband, 55-year-old Mitchell Weiner, an assistant principal at one of the now-six schools closed, IS 238, has the most serious case of swine flu in the city. His wife, who also works at IS 238, earlier said her husband urged the principal, Mr. Gates, to close the school last week.
"My husband and Mr. Gates always have mutual support ... not act without ... work hand in hand always," Bonnie Weiner said.
As for the condition of Mitchell Weiner...
"It's just the same. He hasn't gotten worse or better. It's critical. Oxygen is not getting to the lungs and kidneys are not functioning well," said Adam Weiner, the victim's son.
Outside Flushing Hospital, Mitchell Weiner's 23-year-old son disputed news reports that his father's health was compromised by diabetes.
"First of all, he has no preexisting that would ... the only diabetes is myself. He doesn't have diabetes. He had gout a year ago," Adam Weiner said.
Adam Weiner said his father is breathing with the help of a ventilator and that the family is hoping for the best but preparing for whatever may come.
The Weiner family said due to infections and pneumonia Mitchell Weiner cannot be injected with swine flu medication.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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