Mamdani under fire for celebratory stance amid Legionnaires’ outbreak

Health officials declared the Upper East Side Legionnaires’ outbreak over, but residents and lawmakers blasted Mayor Mamdani’s administration for a tone-deaf victory lap and for lagging cooling-tower inspections, with records showing minimal inspections among roughly 160 buildings in the affected ZIPs in May and June. Seven people have died and five remain hospitalized, leaving open the possibility the toll could match past outbreaks; critics argue the Office of Mass Engagement failed to engage the public during the crisis, while officials defended citywide inspection efforts.