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De Blasio, Brooklyn Borough President Work To Quell Public's Fears About Contracting Ebola

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Just days after the first Ebola patient was diagnosed in New York City, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams bowled the first frames at the Williamsburg bowling alley where the patient was said to have visited a day before he became ill.

The Gutter bowling alley reopened to the public Saturday afternoon following a thorough cleaning.

"I was extremely comfortable and enjoyed myself," Adams told WCBS 880. "I did not have the best bowling game, but at the same time I wanted Brooklynites to see that if the borough president was comfortable in going to The Gutter bowling lanes then there's no reason to be afraid."

EXTRA: More On Ebola From The CDC

Owner Todd Powers brought in a special cleaning firm even though the health department said that wasn't necessary, 1010 WINS' Roger Stern reported.

"The symbolism of bowling at The Gutter is sending a message to all Brooklynites that The Gutter is open and a safe place to continue to use recreationally," Adams said.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams bowls first frame at bowling alley after being decontaminated for Ebola (Credit: Roger Stern/1010 WINS)

Many people who spoke with Stern said they would still go to The Gutter despite the recent events.

"Sure there's a little bit of heightened sense of hesitation, but I still think I'd do it," said Paul.

Brooklyn Borough President Bowls At Bowling Alley That Ebola Patient Visited

Dr. Craig Spencer, 33, had visited the establishment on Wednesday night.

On Thursday he was transported to Bellevue Hospital and placed in isolation after coming down with a fever and diarrhea. Bellevue Hospital is one of the city's designated Ebola centers.

Spencer became symptomatic six days after returning to New York from Guinea, where he was treating patients infected with Ebola.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says Spencer's fiancée, who is being treated for Ebola is set to leave Bellevue Hospital.

De Blasio, Brooklyn Borough President Work To Quell Public's Fears About Contracting Ebola

Also looking to quell the public's fears, de Blasio, his wife and the city's health commissioner ate at The Meatball Shop four days after the city's only-known Ebolap-positive patient ate there.

"There was no possibility of body fluids contact here at this restaurant that's why it's open for business that's why we're sitting here." Dr. Mary Bassett said.

As CBS 2's Steve Langford reported, The Meatball Shop was jammed with diners from the moment it re-opened Friday night.

"We had a line down the block and we filled up immediately and we were busy all night last night," co-owner Daniel Holzman said.

Experts have repeatedly assured the public that there is little chance that Spencer spread the virus prior to developing symptoms, but his case prompted Gov. Chris Christie and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to establish new, stricter guidelines for people returning to the area from Ebola-stricken countries.

Under the new rules announced on Friday, state officials will establish a risk level by considering the countries that people have visited and their level of possible exposure to Ebola.

The patients with the highest level of possible exposure will be automatically quarantined for 21 days at a government-regulated facility.

Those with a lower risk will be monitored for temperature and symptoms, Cuomo explained.

Within hours of the new screening rules, a woman traveling from Sierra Leone to New Jersey en route to New York was quarantined. Late Friday night she had developed a fever, but health officials said on Saturday that a preliminary test for Ebola came back negative.

Despite the initial negative test result, the woman is expected to remain in quarantine for 21 days as per the new guidelines.

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