Re:Seattle’s leaders let scientists take the lead, New York’...
by downerending on Sunday April 26, 2020 @09:25PM
(#22992033)
If you'd like to see a rat (as in rats), go to one of the city parks on trash day. The cans get emptied 24-48 hours before the trucks pick them up. Go there in the evening and sit maybe 30 meters from the trash heap. Watch carefully. Extra credit: Toss them french fries.
If you're up for a more disturbing experience, go sit on those benches at the south end of Riverside Park--the ones next to the ivy or whatever. Listen for the squeaking. Guess what? Those are rats. Lots and lots of rats, like in Jurassic Park or something.
Yes, we all know rats can carry disease, and that this has been a historical problem (e.g. the Black Death).
But it's not like coming into physical contact with a rat, or even their droppings or anything, is a common occurrence in NYC.
In 10 years living in New York City, I've seen a rat maybe 50 times total? Every single one was on the subway tracks (i.e. inaccessible), except exactly once I saw one at the end of the deserted platform, but far away from people.
Now I'm sure there are rats elsewhere, I'm just a single data point.
But nevertheless, to put it simply, getting diseases from rats is not a known public health problem in New York City. You cannot extrapolate a risk here simply from the presence of rats.