Long Beach Herald

Long Beach

HERALD Also serving Point Lookout & East Atlantic Beach

lBHs grad earns top honor

Hempstead town marinas reopen

local attorney holds info session

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Vol. 31 No. 17

APRIl 23 - 29, 2020

Pause takes toll on city employment coronavirus.

In Long Beach, the unemployment rate ticked up to 3.7 percent The coronavirus pandemic in March, from 3.2 percent the has taken a bite out of the job month before. There were 700 market in Long Beach, Nassau unemployed people in Long County and other South Shore Beach in March, 100 more than communities, in February. according to figures John McNally, for March released executive assistant earlier this week by to Interim City Manthe New York State ager Donna Gayden, Department of said in a statement, Labor.

“A s i n t h e c a s e The department across Long Island said that its latest and the country, we report did not fully expect the pandemic reflect coronavirusto greatly impact related figures. It Long Beach and that covered the period the unemployment March 8 to 14, prenumbers we’re seedating Gov. Andrew ing from March are Cuomo’s New York going to go up. on Pause, ordered “We are working JoHN mcNAlly with March 20. our federal, But Shitel Patel, City manager’s state and city elected the Labor Depart- executive assistant of ficials and our ment’s Long Island Chamber of Comeconomist, said the merce to do all we coronavirus did have an impact can to support our local busion employment in Long Beach nesses and residents,” McNally and much of the rest of Nassau, added. as some stores and restaurants In Nassau, the unemployment shut down or shortened their rate in March was 3.7 percent, up hours, and consumers reduced from 3.5 percent in February. spending.

Unemployment rates also April’s report is expected to rose slightly in Freeport, Glen fully reflect the impact of the Continued on page 12

By JAmes BeRNsteIN jbernstein@liherald.com

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Courtesy Rachel Engel/Facebook

A little tlC for health workers First responders from Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip received beauty care packages and other donations from two Long Beach residents who have made it their mission to give back during the pandemic. Story, Page 4.

L.B. proposed budget calls for low expenses and tax increase

By JAmes BeRNsteIN Jbernstein@liherald.com

The City of Long Beach has seen the future, and it is not a pretty picture.

Late Monday night, Interim City Manager Donna Gayden released Long Beach’s proposed 2020-21 budget, which calls for a 2.87 decrease in the general fund, to $83.2 million. That translates to a 1.81 percent tax increase, the smallest in years. Property taxes

will increase about $143 for the average homeowner. There will be no increase in water or sewer rates.

Gayden is scheduled to present the spending plan to the City Council at public hearings on May 5 and 19.

According to Gayden, Long Beach ended fiscal 2019 with a general fund deficit of $6.6 million, the result of overestimated revenues. “By this time next year,” she said in a statement, “it

is going to be worse.”

“Just as the City did not get into this condition overnight, we will not be able to get out of it overnight either,” the statement continued. “Achieving fiscal solvency and rebuilding a General Fund Balance surplus will be a multi-year process. Accordingly, while this budget includes difficult workforce reductions, it also relies on borrowing in order to Continued on page 3

e are working with our federal, state and city elected officials and our Chamber of Commerce.

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April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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Budget meetings scheduled for next month balance what I firmly believe are realistic budget projections. As proposed, this budget remains within the New York State tax cap.”

At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, conducted online, Gayden noted that in previous years, the city budget was known as the “city manager’s budget.”

But, she said, this year has been different because of the chaos caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“This year we worked with the City Council” on the spending plan, she said.

The proposed Donna GaYDen budget calls for a Interim city $2.9 million manager decrease in expenditures.

The city has already laid off 142 part-time, nonessential employees, which is projected to reduce total salaries by $1.8 million. Revenues are projected to decrease by roughly $5.1 million.

Gayden said the city would develop a five-year plan to replace its general fund balance, produce monthly financial reports and identify new sources of revenue. “The city will continue with its efforts to enhance our resiliency, improve our infrastructure and increase our general quality of life,” she said in her statement, “but the overarching priority over the next several years will be doing so while also streamlining and reimagining how the City provides these services. Get-

t

he city will continue with its efforts to enhance our resiliency.

Christina Daly/Herald

ting the City back on sound financial footing will allow us to make the investments our community needs and deserves, resulting in a Long Beach we can all be proud of.”

She and council members were able to keep the proposed tax rate low, Gayden explained on Tuesday, by reducing projected revenues “to match what we’ve actually seen come in over the last several years,” and cutting expenditures as well.

“This budget doesn’t get Long Beach out of the hole it’s in,” she said. “It simply gets us to a place where we can begin mov-

ing in the right direction.”

Asked if the city planned further layoffs, Gayden said, “We have had discussions with the city’s unions. [The Civil Service Employees Association] has offered concessions. The paid firefighters have made an offer that we need to analyze. The police union has declined to offer concessions without negotiating a new contract. Meaningful concessions will need to be made by all in order to avoid finding ourselves in this same situation next year.”

City Council President John Bendo,

responding to an emailed question, said it would be “up to the state” to decide whether to open the beaches. The city, he said, would be preparing for them to be open.

Bendo also said that the council might ask Engel Burman, the Garden City developer planning to build condominiums and apartments on the Superblock, to appear before the council, for informational purposes. The developer has received preliminary approval for the project from the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency, which means that they may begin discussing tax breaks.

L.B. attorney talks small business amid crisis

By Darwin Yanes dyanes@liherald.com

Long Beach attorney Brittney Borruso, who specializes in small business and real estate law, held a virtual discussion on April 17 to help educate small business owners dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.

During her presentation, Borruso touched on topics such as having a strong online presence and having a team of advisers, and spoke about how local companies might benefit from two federal loan programs to help them through the coronavirus crisis that has shuttered retail stores, as well as major firms.

One of the two U.S. Small Business Administration programs is known as the Economic Injury Disaster Loan, which can grant eligible individuals up to $10,000 in grant funding, but would be limited to $1,000 per employee. Anything approved over $10,000 would be considered a long-term loan and subject to an interest rate of 3.75 percent, and 2.75 percent for nonprofits. Business owners can apply for this loan directly on the SBA’s website.

The second is the Paycheck Protection Program, which could grant eligible businesses with 2.5 times its average monthly payroll to be used at least 75 percent on payroll and no more than 25 percent on rent and utilities.

The program is capped at $10 million, and as of April 16, the $349 billion federal program had run out of funding.

Borruso said individuals could still apply for the program at SBA-approved banks or lenders such as Paypal, Intuit or Square, to try to get a piece of the funding. She added that if used correctly, the PPP would be forgiven.

Borruso, who is a member of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, collaborated with the Long Beach Public Library to bring the discussion to fruition. She said business owners should have a conversation with their attorneys and other advisers to determine the best course of action for their respective businesses.

At 27, Borruso opened her own business, Borruso Law P.C., and has operated it for the past five years. She has seen it grow with many hometown businesses as her clientele. She added that it was vital for businesses to have an online presence and to be innovative during these times and afterward.

“People should prepare their businesses for success, even if they’re in a disaster or not,” Borruso said. She added that business owners could take the pandemic as a learning experience and should re-evaluate their business and profitability.

Though there was only one meeting planned with the library, she said she would hold other discussions to help small businesses. To contact Borruso, call (516) 206-2740 or email her at brittney@borrusolaw.com.

Courtesy Brittney Borruso

attorneY BrittneY Borruso held a virtual presentation, sharing information with local business owners.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

interim CitY manaGer Donna Gayden has released a proposed budget that calls for a 1.81 percent tax increase.

continued from front page

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April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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Residents team up to make care packages Donations are accepted to purchase more PPE

By Darwin Yanes dyanes@liherald.com

Long Beach residents Rachel Engel and Colette Morales witnessed firsthand the toll the Covid-19 pandemic was taking on their friend, who was working 10 to 15 hour shifts at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside.

They wanted to help and show support, so they put a few items together and sent the over.

“She had pressure sores from wearing the mask on her face,” Engel said of her first-responder friend. “Initially we sent over a couple of facial masks, creams and things to soothe her face to let her know we were thinking about her. We also sent her a gift card to Brixx & Barley,” a Long Beach restaurant parlor.

Engel said that her friend’s thankful and emotional reaction sparked an urge to help more people during the pandemic.

So the pair decided to launch the Facebook page, “Beauty, PPE, and Essential Care for the ones that are there.”

They have collected more than $15,000 in donations and have over 1,300 members. Not only do people donate money, but they also donate facemasks, gift cards and care products, among much other stuff.

Engel said she reached out about 500 to

Courtesy Colette Morales/Facebook

nurses at east Neck Nursing and Rehab thanked the team for their care packages.

600 companies and many of them have donated to the cause.

“It’s expanded all over Long Island, all over Manhattan and now people in Texas are contacting us and asking us for some things,” Engel said. “It was sort of like, in

team memBers went through donations to make care packages for first responders.

an unfortunate time, a happy accident that we’ve been able to support these people that weren’t able to get the PPE they needed.”

The pair have put together a couple of thousands of care packages to send across the island. With a network of volunteers, they have already donated items to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside, Northwell Health in Manhasset, NYU Winthrop Hospital and many more.

They are asking for any type of donations, including beauty products such as

lotions, lip gloss, skin masks, serums, aloe, dry shampoo and hair products.

Snacks and other food items are also accepted. Donations can be sent to Rachel’s Venmo at rachel-engel or visit the “Beauty, PPE, and Essential Care for the ones that are there Facebook page.

“We are happy to give everyone a platform to help those that are helping us,” Morales said.” “ Each and every person on the front lines is valued and important. We are all in this together and will continue to do everything we can to show our appreciation.”

We thank you

Herald Community Newspapers salutes our ‘hometown heroes’ Courtesy Collette Morales/Facebook

Long Beach

HERALD HOW TO REACH US Our offices are located at 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530 and are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

MAIN PHONE: (516) 569-4000 ■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/longbeach ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: lbeditor@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 213 E-mail: lbeditor@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: circ@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460 ■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: sales@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643 The long Beach Herald USPS 005231, is published every Thursday by Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Periodicals postage paid at Garden City, NY 11530 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to Long Beach Herald, 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Subscription rates: $36 for 1 year within Nassau County. Out of Nassau County: $58 for 1 year. Copyright © 2020 Richner Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

While many of us have stayed at home to protect our families and loved ones, our health care workers, first responders and others on the front lines wake up each day and leave their families and loved ones behind to respond to those in need. In their selfless devotion to others, these courageous individuals expose themselves to risk for the people in our communities.

These are people who stand out in times of crises. They might first responders going above and beyond or even a good neighbor helping another neighbor in need.

The Herald joins our communities and readers in expressing our gratitude to these special people making a difference during this trying time. We are all thankful to our police officers, firefighters, mail carriers, grocery employees,

restaurant workers, delivery drivers and essential service providers who put themselves on the front lines of the crisis daily.

We will share these outstanding stories of our local “hometown heroes” in a special pull-out section,” Salute to Covid-19 Hometown Heroes,” in the April 30 editions of the Herald. The spirit and heart of Long Island are exemplified every day by the many outstanding individuals who often go unrecognized. The Herald honors them in this inspirational section. Get to know these amazing people who share their insights in their own words.

Net proceeds from this special section will be used to partner with local businesses to provide meals and gifts to our local health care workers, first responders and patients.

County exec: School tax collection delayed so are looking for financial relief.

Delaying school taxes, however, could have serious financial consequences Nassau County Executive Laura for the county, Curran said.

She explained the county must Curran announced Monday that, by order of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the guarantee all school tax collections, school tax collection deadline has been meaning if the school districts come up short in their collecdelayed by three weeks. tions, then the county “At my request,” Curmust provide the funding ran, a Democrat from Baldto the districts — by law. win, tweeted Monday eveShe said the county is ning, “ [Governor Cuomo] hurting financially, as are is issuing an executive all municipalities, amid order that will push back the coronavirus pandemic. the May 11th property tax Sales and property tax colp ay m e n t d e a d l i n e fo r lections comprise 67 perschool districts in Nassau cent of the county’s more County. More details to than $3 billion budget. come soon.”

Sales taxes have plummetThe new deadline is during the outbreak, June 1.

Laura curraN ed starving the county of one Earlier in the day, the of its two primary revenue Republican-controlled Leg- County executive sources, Curran said. islature had voted to push She worries about counback the deadline to June ty employees, she said, and 10, but Curran contended the Legislature did not have the wants to ensure the county maintains authority to change the date, only the its force of first responders, including police officers and medics. governor.

The federal and state governments, Curran spoke at length on Saturday about the proposal before the County she said, must step in to ensure the county has enough cash on hand to Legislature to delay collection of school taxes that were to come due in meet its financial obligations, including to its employees, so it can continue May. to provide essential services.

Many residents have been laid off or have seen their hours reduced, and

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

By scott BriNtoN sbrinton@liherald.com

a

t my request, [Governor Cuomo] is issuing an executive order.

Christina Daly/Herald

Nassau ExEcutivE Laura Curran said she worries that if school tax collections were delayed, the county might wind up paying the bill.

Covid-19 deaths decline over the weekend In Nassau County, new hospitalizations declined for the third straight day, as did ICU cases and intubations, County For the first time since the Covid-19 Executive Laura Curran said Saturday pandemic struck more than a month ago, afternoon.

New York state saw sharp declines in the On Sunday, Cuomo appeared alongnumber of overnight deaths because of side Northwell Health President and the coronavirus, and Gov. CEO Michael Dowling to Andrew Cuomo was expressannounce plans to undertake ing cautious optimism over widespread, random antithe weekend that the state body testing to determine was past the peak of the dismore precisely New York’s ease. actual infection rate.

He noted, however, that Overnight from Saturday relaxing social distancing into Sunday, 507 people died could lead to a second wave of the coronavirus in New of infection.

York, Cuomo said at NorthThe number of deaths well’s Feinstein Institutes for because of the coronavirus Medical Research in dropped a little more than 14 Manhasset. That represented percent across New York an 8 percent drop in the overstate overnight from Friday night death rate. into Saturday, from 630 to New hospitalizations also 540, Cuomo said Saturday declined, from 2,000 the day afternoon. before to 1,300, a 35 percent It was the smallest numdrop. ber of overnight deaths the Gov. aNdrEW And new intubations, state had seen in a day since cuoMo whereby people are placed on early April, and represented ventilators to enable them to a 32 percent decrease in the breath, were down also. overnight mortality rate from April 9, If those statistics hold, Cuomo said, when the number of deaths from one day “we are past the high point,” and all indito the next peaked at 799. cations are the infection rate is “on the Cuomo noted, however, that the state descent.” still saw 2,000 new hospitalizations overStill, he said, “Thirteen hundred is a night, which, he said, was troubling. lot of people coming into the hospital

By scott BriNtoN sbrinton@liherald.com

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e just pray to God [the infection rate] remains down on the other side … We still have a long way to go.

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Governor: Marinas can open New York, Connecticut and New Jersey are allowing marinas, boatyards and marine manufacturers to open for personal use, provided they adhere to social distancing protocols and sanitize their facilities, Governor Cuomo announced Saturday afternoon.

Chartered watercraft services or rentals will not be allowed, and restaurants at these sites will be limited to take-out or delivery.

system.”

State officials are taking a breather with the infection rate appearing to stabilize. Cuomo described the crisis “as a mountain that just kept building and building and building,” and he said, he had “no idea where the top of the mountain” was.

“We just pray to God,” he said, that the infection rate “remains down on the other side” of the mountain.

He also noted, “We still have a long way to go.”

The governor urged people to continue social distancing and practice sound hygiene. He worries that people will see the death and new hospitalization rates

“Throughout this pandemic, we’ve worked closely with our friends in neighboring states to implement a uniform regional approach to reducing the spread of the virus,” Cuomo said. “Aligning our polices in this area is another example of that strong partnership, and will help ensure there is no confusion or ‘state shopping’ when it comes to marinas and boatyards.”

–Scott Brinton declining, and then attempt to return to life as normal too soon. That, he said, would jeopardize the progress the state has made over the past 40 days in containing the virus.

In preparing for a reopening of New York’s economy, he said, the state needs greater testing, and it needs more federal funding. Cuomo estimated the state faces a $10 billion to $15 billion deficit. That money will have to be made up somehow.

Without federal funding, cuts are likely, he said, noting school districts across the state could see their state aid slashed by 50 percent in 2020-21 without federal assistance.

April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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On the front lines with a Northwell ICU nurse

By Scott Brinton sbrinton@liherald.com

Each time a patient comes off a ventilator in the intensive care unit at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset these days, the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” plays over the loudspeaker, alerting all staff and patients that a life has been saved.

Elyse Isopo, an ICU nurse practitioner at North Shore, with 20 years experience, spoke of that moment during a 19-minute Facebook Live interview with Northwell Health video producer Rob Hoell on Thursday.

It is an important moment for all in the ICU, as staff members work around the clock battling the Covid-19 virus, which, Isopo said, is yet to let up in the ICU. People throughout the ICU erupt in cheers and clapping when that Beatles song sounds, Isopo said, noting, “We need those wins, because it keeps us going.”

The number of new hospitalizations across New York state, including in Nassau, appears to be declining, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and County Executive Laura Curran.

The number of ICU patients where Isopo is at, however, continues unabated, she said, “because people who are hospitalized are getting sicker.”

Working in the ICU, she said, “is scary, and real, and rewarding at the same time,” adding, “Everybody has been amazing. It feels like a family.”

Courtesy Northwell Health

northwell health icU nurse practitioner Elyse Isopo spoke with video producer Rob Hoell about what it’s like to battle Covid-19 on the front lines.

One of the hardest parts that patients must endure is the sense of isolation from their families, because visitors are not allowed into the hospital, Isopo said.

Patients receive iPads so they can connect with loved ones, but it is not the same as meeting face to face.

If a patient appears near death, only then is family allowed in, she said.

Isopo spoke of one recent case, a patient originally from Korea. The patient asked that Korean music be played in his

final moments, and so it was. “It was beautiful,” she said, “and we supported his dying process.”

Such images, however, can also be haunting. “I don’t sleep very well at night,” Isopo said.

She is married with children. Worried about potentially infecting her family, she is careful each night to remove her clothes and shoes and take a shower before entering her home. “After a long day,” she said, “it’s draining.”

Working in the ICU is tough, she said.

“It’s very challenging. It’s very difficult.

It’s very stressful,” she said. “Everybody is as critical as the next person and the next person.

“It looks like a MASH unit,” she continued. “It’s bed after bed after bed … You walk in there, and you’re in the trenches.”

Isopo said the community has come out in unexpected and welcome ways, showering the nurses and doctors with praise and parades and food. “Seeing everyone in the community looking at us like heroes is very overwhelming and very much appreciated,” she said.

She emphasized, though, that “I never thought of myself as a hero.” The first responders in the field, the police and firefighters, are the heroes, she said.

Isopo said she believes Northwell has provided adequate personal protective equipment to hospital workers throughout the crisis. At first, workers were limited to one N95 mask per week, but now receive a new one daily, she said. Many place surgical masks over their N95 masks as an extra layer of protection to keep fluids off them.

In addition to masks, all workers receive paper scrubs, goggles, face shields and gloves.

She ended by saying people should stay home to reduce the infection and hospitalization rates. “The more people stay home, that helps us,” she said.

For the full interview, see liherald.com.

Catholic Health Services taking part in clinical trials

By Jeff BeSSen jbessen@liherald.com

Catholic Health Services is taking part in two clinical trials designed to develop treatments for Covid-19.

A Mayo Clinic trial is using what is called convalescent plasma donated by recovered Covid-19 patents to treat individuals who continue to fight the coronavirus.

Convalescent plasma comprises parts of the blood of people who have had the virus and recovered.

The second study involves using the medication remdesivir, which was originally developed to treat the Ebola virus and has been successfully used for other coronaviruses, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.

The convalescent plasma study is being offered at CHS’s six hospitals. The remdesivir trial is taking place at St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center® in Roslyn and at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, CHS officials said.

One 200 milliliters/6.8 ounces dose of the plasma has benefitted a portion of patients, according to the initial data. People who recover from Covid-19 do so, in part, because their blood contains antibodies that are able to fight the virus. Previous research of other viruses found that treating patients with plasma obtained from those who have recovered from the same virus leads to rapid improvement, CHS officials said.

Using remdesivir to treat COVID-19 follows limited testing in the United States, Canada, China and other countries that led to an improvement in the condition of some patients. The treatment regimen using remdesivir takes place over 10 days and includes a 200-milligram dose on the first day and a 100-milligram dose on days two to 10.

Herald file photo

catholic health ServiceS of Long Island, which includes Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, above, is involved in two clinical trial seeking to develop a treatment for Covid-19.

“Catholic Health Services is excited to be on the front lines and participate in these clinical trials for Covid-19,” CHS Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer Dr. Jason Golbin, stated in a news release. “Our clinical teams have spent several weeks caring for Covid-19 patients. It means a great deal to everyone to take part in these two cutting-edge research efforts.”

Potential plasma donors must have a prior, verified diagnosis of Covid-19, but are now symptom-free and

fully recovered. Donors must also be at least 18 and weigh at least 110 pounds. The plasma can be administered only to a consenting Covid-19 patient or a patient whose family member offers consent. The treatment will be given to patients judged by a doctor to be at high risk of disease progression to severe or life-threatening.

To donate plasma and for more information on the two clinical trials, call Catholic Health Services at (855) 247-4500.

Cuomo extends N.Y. PAUSE to May 15 By scott Brinton sbrinton@liherald.com

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ew York PAUSE has worked, [but] we’re not there yet.

couple can now marry by video in new York state On Saturday, Governor Cuomo issued a directive allowing marriages to be performed via videoconference to help reduce the infection rate amid the coronavirus crisis.

Among other conditions, the order requires the following be met:

are present in the New York state jurisdiction where the marriage is to take place.

■ The couple to be wed must present valid photo ID during the videoconference.

Local town and city clerks may provide further guidance.

If a couple’s marriage license has or will expire during the Covid19 pandemic, the state is waiving the 60-day waiting period to obtain a new license. It is also waiving all fees to obtain a second marriage license.

■ The town or city clerk, the witness(es), the person to solemnize the marriage, and the couple must interact with one another. No pre-recorded ceremonies are allowed.

■ The couple must affirm that they

■ The couple must send a legible copy of the signed marriage document by fax or email to the town or city clerk, the witnesses, and the person to solemnize the marriage on the same date it was signed.

–Scott Brinton

State releases data on nursing home deaths

By James Bernstein jbernstein@liherald.com

The New York State Department of Health released a list of 22 nursing homes on Long Island, including homes in Long Beach, Glen Cove and Lynbrook, where residents have died from the coronavirus epidemic. The state said its list included only deaths that took place inside a facility or location where five people or more have died.

State health officials said 22 residents at the Long Beach Nursing and Rehabilitation Center had died of the virus; eight at the Glen Cove Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, and six at the Lynbrook Restorative and Therapy Nursing facility.

Across the state, a total of 1,135 nursing home or assisted living center deaths at 72 facilities, officials said. The Health Department lists say 128 deaths took place at a total of 11 nursing homes in all of Nassau County.

The Health Department released the list after numerous complaints from the families of residents at the facilities, legislators and members of the media.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo was asked repeatedly at his daily briefings about the coronavirus illness at nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the state.

The governor had said the figures were being compiled.

Cuomo ordered nursing homes to i m m e d i at e ly i n fo r m re l at ive s o f patients who test positive.

Herald file photo

the state health Department reported 22 cases of Covid-19 deaths at the Long Beach Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Administrators at the nursing homes in Long Beach, Glen Cove and Lynbrook have not released information about Covid-19 cases. But most all facilities have listed on their websites that they are sanitizing all areas within the

homes, maintaining social distancing among staff members, and noting that they are closed to outsiders, to protect the health of patients.

Relatives have not been allowed to visit patients at the facilities, and many

told media outlets they had been unable to reach patients by phone.

Administrators at the Long Beach, Glen Cove and Lynbrook facilities did not return calls seeking comment.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

lion of them are workers.

New York on PAUSE — Policies Assure Uniform Safety for Everyone — Gov. Andrew Cuomo last Thursday has kept the infection and hospitalizaextended New York on PAUSE, a 10-point tion rates to manageable levels, the govplan that shuts down “non-essential” ernor indicated. “We slowed the infecbusinesses and schools and requires tion rate by our actions, and that’s why social distancing, through May 15. The we’re in a better position today,” he said. announcement came during Wi d e s p r e a d t e s t i n g , his daily briefing, when he including antibody blood also continued to lay out his sampling, is needed to better vision to reopen the economy track the infection rate and — and the challenges doing assure people that they are so will present. safe when returning to their Previously, New York on workplaces. Cuomo said the PAUSE was to end April 30. state would conduct 3,000 “New York PAUSE has random antibody tests in the worked,” Cuomo said, but he coming weeks. noted, “we’re not there yet,” Last Wednesday, Cuomo referring to the reduction in said he would like to see the Gov. andrew the Covid-19 infection rate economy reopen in phases, needed to allow all people to cuomo in close coordination with retur n to work and ease six other states — Delaware, social distancing requireConnecticut, Massachusetts, ments.

New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode The governor said the state does not Island. yet fully know what the infection rate is.

He asked on Thursday that employers To date, more than 500,000 people have begin to consider whether their workers been tested in New York, more than Cali- can continue to telecommute when their fornia, Florida and Michigan combined, workplaces reopen, as well as think Cuomo said. That figure, however, repre- about the configuration of their worksents a fraction of the state’s population spaces. How far apart might desks be — 19 million people live here, and 9 mil- spread apart, for example?

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April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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Senator freed from prison amid pandemic

By Jill nossa jnossa@liherald.com

Former State Sen. Dean Skelos of Rockville Centre has tested positive for Covid-19 and will serve the remainder of his prison term at home, according to court papers filed last Wednesday.

Skelos, 72, was reportedly in quarantine at the federal prison in Otisville, according to documents filed in federal court in Manhattan by Southern District prosecutors, and has been symptom-free since April 8.

Prosecutors said that medical authorities at the prison have cleared his release. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons said Skelos is expected to be approved for furlough and home confinement once the U.S. Probation Department has approved his proposed residence. A release date had not been set as of press time Monday.

L a t e l a s t m o n t h , S ke l o s

requested early release, citing fear of contracting the virus after another inmate tested positive. The motion, filed under seal, was opposed by federal prosecutors in papers filed publicly, saying that an application for release must first be filed with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, which can better assess his health situation. His medical condition was not made public at that point.

Skelos has more than two years left on his 51-month sentence for extortion, wire fraud and bribery.

Skelos was convicted in July 2018 of using his political power to secure roughly $300,000 in jobs and fees for his son Adam, also of Rockville Centre. They were each convicted on eight counts of conspiracy, extortion, and bribery.

Adam Skelos was sentenced to four years in prison.

Herald file photo

former state sen. Majority Leader Dean Skelos of Rockville Centre has tested positive for Covid-19 and is expected to be released early to home confinement.

Trump lawyer, Lawrence native, to be released from prison

By Jeff Bessen jbessen@liherald.com

Michael Cohen, a Lawrence native and former personal attorney for President Donald Trump, who was convicted of several felonies and sentenced to three years in prison in 2018, will be released because of the coronavirus pandemic after a 14-day quarantine period, prison officials said. He will serve the remainder of his sentence confined to home.

He was serving his sentence and expected to be released in November 2021 from federal prison in upstate Otisville, where 14 inmates and seven staff members at the facility tested positive for Covid-19, as of press time. A federal judge had previously rejected Cohen’s request for a sentence reduction because of coronavirus on March 24.

Cohen was found guilty of breaking campaign finance laws, tax evasion and lying to Congress, among other charges in 2018. He was also ordered to pay $1.39 million in restitution, forfeit $500,000 and pay a $50,000 fine. The guilty pleas to the federal felony charges resulted in his disbarment as a lawyer in New York state.

Serving as Trump’s personal attorney, Cohen, 53, arranged sixfigure payments to a por n star known as Stormy Daniels, whose

Jeff Bessen/Herald

lawrence native michael Cohen who was serving three years in prison on multiple federal charges will be released because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Above, testifying before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform last year. real name is Stephanie Clifford, and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, to buy their silence about their one-time affairs with the president.

Cohen testified multiple times in front of Congressional commit-

tees on Capitol Hill last year, including the public hearing before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, before which he famously called his former boss a racist and a cheat, and admitted,” I am a fool.”

News brief Long Island Trauma Recovery Network to provide free therapy The Long Island Trauma Recovery Network will provide free therapy to health care workers, first responders, essential employees, their families, and those whose loved ones are facing or have died from the coronavirus.

All services will be provided remotely by trained and licensed eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapists. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is a form of psychotherapy in which a trauma patient is asked to recall a distressing image. It has been proven to help address the trauma symptoms that medical professionals and first responders face.

The Long Island EDMR Trauma Network will offer the Integrative Group Treatment Protocol, which provides individual EDMR therapy in a group setting. The program is administered to groups of people who have experienced the same type of trauma or who share a major life challenge.

There will be several groups weekly, and some individual appointments are available.

For more information, email LongIslandTrauma@gmail.com and contact Cathy Menzies, LCSWR Trauma Recovery Coordinator at (631) 466 - 7053 to register.

–Melissa Koenig

9

Bringing local sports home every week

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

The first high school wrestler in Long Island history to capture five New York State championships has continued his extraordinary success at the next level.

Long Beach’s Jacori Teemer, a redshirt freshman at Arizona State University, earned All-American honors while helping the Sun Devils finished ranked No. 6 in the country. He won his final eight matches, including the Pac12 Conference’s 157-pound title on March 7.

Teemer, who compiled a record of 17-5, earned the No. 9 seed in the NCAA championships, which were canceled due to Covid-19.

He was the Pac-12 Wrestler of the Week on Feb. 12 and Feb. 26, becoming the first ASU wrestler to win the honor twice in one season.

“About halfway through the season I started cracking down on my routine and weight control,” said Teemer, a 2018 Long Beach graduate who won 202 matches for the Marines.

“Once that was settled I started winning a lot,” he added.

Teemer knocked off three Top 25 opponents – No. 8 Josh Humphreys of Lehigh, No. 12 Jarret Jacques of Missouri, and No. 24 Austin Headlee of North Carolina. “The win at

Missouri was big for me,” Teemer said. “That got the ball rolling.”

The decisions over Humphries and Headlee came back-to-back over a three-day span in February. On Feb. 21, Teemer pulled off a goahead reversal in the final 10 seconds of the match to secure an 8-6 decision over Humphreys. He followed that upset two days later in similar fashion as he used a reversal in overtime to beat Headlee, 3-2.

“Jacori had a great season, particularly at the end of the year, and was in position to win a national title in March,” ASU head coach Zeke Jones said of Teemer, who recorded his first collegiate pin Jan. 17 over Oregon State’s Michael Murphy in only 42 seconds.

“Although he didn’t get a chance to do that, he was named a freshman NCAA All American which is very rare to do,” Jones added. “I’m proud of him but really the best is yet to come.”

The Sun Devils defeated seven ranked teams during the dual meet season – No. 1 Penn State, No. 8 North Carolina, No. 11 Iowa State, No. 11 Stanford, No. 20 Missouri, No. 20 Virginia and No. 23 Purdue. The victory over Penn State snapped a 60-match winning streak by the Nittany Lions, who lost for the first time since 2015.

Courtesy ASU athletics

LONg BEach graduaTE Jacori Teemer, top, is starring for the Arizona State wrestling team and capped his redshirt freshman season with a Pac-12 championship at 157 pounds.

?

N E ʼ P O S T HA

W

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

Herald sports Teemer earns All-American honors

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April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

10 heMpStead SuperviSor don Clavin, center, was joined by Councilman Anthony D’Esposito, left, and Councilman Chris Carini to announce the reopening of town marinas.

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

ToH marinas reopen: supervisor As part of the Governor’s “New York State on Pause” Covid-19 safety orders, the state had temporarily shut down marinas. But a new Executive Order issued over the weekend provides local governments with the ability to re-open them. On Monday, at the Curtis E. Fisher West Marina in Point Lookout, Supervisor Don Clavin, joined by Councilman Anthony D’Esposito and Councilman Chris Carini, announced the reopening of the town’s marinas, and unveiled a set of safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rules include important information about social distancing at the marinas.

“Opening our marinas is an important opportunity not only to provide recreational opportunities for our residents but to inject some energy into the economy that is based here on our bays and waterways during the height of boating season,” Clavin said. “However, in order to keep our marinas open and most importantly protect the health of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, we must enact and enforce a series of safety measures.”

Signage with updated safety information and rules will be on display at all Hempstead Town marinas. In addition, Hempstead Town will also be distributing safety brochures for those who utilize the marinas and publish the information on the town website.

“Marinas are vital to the Town of Hempstead, especially for our communities along the water,” D’Esposito said.

“Please follow these important safety guidelines to ensure the safety of others and that we can keep our marinas open.”

“We wish boaters a safe and healthy season during the COVID-19 pandemic, and ask that everyone follows the town’s safety rules,” Carini added.

The new safety protocols at Hempstead Town marinas include: ■ Try to stay inland.

■ Keep in mind that a lot of rescue services are low on numbers.

■ Stay close to home in case an emergency arises.

■ When using our boat ramps, wait in

your vehicle until the person using the ramp has completed using it before you do.

■ When fueling, wait for the vessel to finish before entering the fuel dock.

■ Stay clear of tie-ups or mooring congregations.

■ Boat operators also must continue to follow vessel distancing.

■ Keep a safe distance of at least 50 feet from other vessels.

■ Understand occupancy requirements along with social distancing. If possible, limit the people aboard to family members you live with and housemates. Keep 6 feet away at all times.

■ It’s a good time to check the required safety equipment. Make sure everything is to USCG regulation and is not expired.

■ Take an NYS Boaters Safety Course online. Brianna’s Law went into effect on January 1, 2020. This is a phase-in-regulation which will require all operators to complete the course and receive a certificate in order to operate a vessel.

■ The waterways are still cold. Make sure to wear life jackets at all times.

The marina is open for personal use as long as strict social distancing and sanitization protocols are followed: ■ Completely clean and sanitize your boat and touchpoints before boarding guests, during use, and after each use.

■ Clean your hands often and keep them away from your face.

■ Follow all traditional safe boating and US Coast Guard Rules and Harbormaster guidance.

■ Wear masks or face coverings.

■ Maintain social distance.

Residents are advised to report violations of these boater and marina safety guidelines or any other safety concerns to the Town of Hempstead Bay Constables at (516) 801-5608 or (516) 801-5609.

Courtesy MSSN

Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital officials said there has been a flattening of the curve in coronavirus cases, however, the community must still be vigilant in practicing social distancing.

MSSN sees Covid-19 curve flattening

By Briana Bonfiglio bbonfiglio@liherald.com

The curve of coronavirus cases at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside is flattening, according to Joe Calderone, the hospital’s vice president of corporate communications.

As of Friday, the hospital had 290 patients being treated for Covid-19, down from 383 on April 13, which hospital officials said they believe was the peak.

“The good news is the number has been steadily flattening,” Calderone said.

“The social distancing that people are doing, as difficult as it is, is definitely producing results. We are really urging people to not let up.”

Of those patients, 64 were on ventilators. MSSN has more than 100 ventilators available. In addition, Calderone assured that the facility has enough personal protective equipment, or PPE, for all hospital staff.

“We purchased some [ventilators] ourselves and were able to get some through Mount Sinai Health System,” Calderone explained. “Our partnership with them has been incredibly helpful through this pandemic, supporting both in a clinical standpoint in terms of new drugs being tested and plasma therapy. They also have a very good, robust supply chain operation.”

As of Friday, the hospital had 238 Covid-19 deaths, while 357 patients who were previously diagnosed with the virus were treated and discharged. When cases began to climb last month, Department of Medicine Chairman Dr. Aaron Glatt spoke of the importance of social distancing during a Facebook Live session at the hospital.

“I want to stress the single most important thing that everybody can do is really understand what social distancing means,” he said at the time. “That’s the

buzzword of 2020. That will be the word of the year.”

One month later, Calderone urged residents to continue to heed that advice, even as the numbers continue to improve.

While the toll the virus has taken is unprecedented and beyond what most hospital workers have ever seen, Calderone noted that there is still much they are grateful for. The hospital has received food donations from more than 50 local businesses.

“Many have come forward and funded food for the staff,” he said, “which is really helpful because they’re working 16-hour days and barely have time to take a break. This way, [the food] is readily available and they don’t have to think about it.

“But really, it’s not about the food,” he added. “It’s the message that it sends to the staff that people on the outside recognize what’s happening inside this hospital and the incredible challenge the front-line workers have faced during this pandemic, putting themselves and families at risk to care for often critically ill Covid patients.

It sends a great morale boost.”

Nurses at Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital are also spreading positivity with their “message board of hope,” which they debuted in the hospital lobby last week.

Nurses Teresa Ebehart, Angelica Hoyos and Christine Doud handcrafted the board, which displays the number of Covid-19-positive patients that have been discharged from the hospital, and how many coronavirus patients have been taken off ventilators at the facility.

As each patient is discharged from MSSN, “Here Comes the Sun” is played as the board is updated. Each time a patient is taken off of a ventilator, the staff plays “Breath.”

Mike Smollins contributed to this story.

11

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

GET ANSWERS YOU CAN TRUST WITHOUT LEAVING HOME. With so many questions about COVID-19, it’s hard to know where to turn for answers you can trust.

If you or a loved one is feeling sick, use Mount Sinai NOW to access all of our virtual care options.

TM

MOUNTSINAI.ORG/NOW

1085374

All of us, throughout New York City, Long Island and the entire tri-state area, are here for you.

Restaurants see biggest employment losses continued from front page Cove, Oyster Bay, Rockville Centre and Valley Stream. Freeport had an unemployment rate of 3.7 percent in March versus 3.5 percent in February, and Valley Stream’s rate was 4.1 percent in March against 3.7 percent in February.

“Overall, for Long Beach and Nassau County, there has been some impact” from the coronavirus pandemic, Patel said.

The largest job decreases so far, Patel said, have been in the restaurant and hospitality industry, which constitutes a significant part of the economy in Long Beach and much of Nassau. Most restaurants have turned to curbside and delivery service since the virus began to spread.

In Long Beach, the Chamber of Commerce has joined with the City of Long Beach to erect signs where restaurant customers can pick up deliveries.

On Long Island as a whole, unemployment in March was 4 percent, compared with 3.6 percent in February. At 3.7 percent, Nassau County was among the counties in the state with the lowest unemployment rates.

The unemployment rate in New York state in March was 4.4 percent, up from 3.9 percent in February.

Christina Daly/Herald

the restaurant industry has seen the largest rise in unemployment, according to the State Labor Department’s Long Island economist.

JOIN US AS WE SALUTE

COVID-19

HOMETOWN

HEROES APRIL 30

NOW THERE’S AN EASY WAY FOR YOU TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL HEROES Donate at www.liherald.com/heroes Every dollar donated will be used to provide food & other goods to doctors, nurses, patients and other frontline essential workers in the local community. All food & items will be purchased from locally owned and operated businesses so we can support our business community, too Look for the HERALD HEROES special edition in your mailbox April 30 The Herald and Richner Communications family thank our amazing heroes!

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April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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TO MAKE A DONATION PLEASE VISIT WWW.LIHERALD.COM/HEROES

13

Every life matters to us …

Dear neighbor:

We live and work in this community. The lives of each and every one of you is important to us and we are here to tell your stories — from beginning to end. That includes the final chapter. At this difficult time, I want to remind you that obituaries in all Herald Community Newspapers are, and have always been, completely free.

COVID-19 has taken far too many, far to soon. Let us help you commemorate the life of your loved one with a story and photo celebrating their life. Contact our Executive Editor Scott Brinton, sbrinton@liherald.com or call 516-569-4000, ext 203, if you would like to memorialize a loved one in the Herald, regardless of their cause of death.

Stuart Richner Publisher srichner@liherald.com 1087105

Courtesy Fisher family

DR. BARRY FISHER, Molly, one of his two dogs, in 2019.

Atlantic Beach native Dr. Barry Fisher dies at 69 mferremi@liherald.com

When it came to professional sports in New York and medical related issues, Dr. Barry G. Fisher was at the forefront of advising teams and athletes in his career.

Fisher, 69, died on April 17 from Covid-19 related issues. He grew up in Malverne, lived in Atlantic Beach for more than 40 years and then Old Brookville. Fisher graduated from the University of Cincinnati and received his medical degree from the University of Chicago.

The orthopedic surgeon, who had his own medical practice, was the team medical doctor for several metropolitan area professional sports teams such as the New Jersey Devils, the New York Island-

ers and Brooklyn Nets.

He also treated countless domestic and foreign politicians, celebrities and many athletes. Dr. Fisher was involved in several medical charities to help ensure that those who were unable to receive medical attention got such medical treatment. He has a true passion for the medical profession, but his true love was his family, friends of the family said.

Fisher is survived by his wife Joann Fisher; children Samantha, Haylee, Jordan, Ryan, Charlie, Erika, and Corey; his grandchildren Ethan, Austin, Matthew and Kyle.

It is requested that donations in his memory be to the MD Anderson Cancer Center and specifically to Dr. Robert Wolff Pancreatic Cancer Research.

Obituary notices Obituary notices, with or without photographs, can be submitted by individuals as well as local funeral establishments. They should be typed and double-spaced.

The name of the individual or funeral establishment submitting the obituary should be included. A contact phone number must be included. There is no charge for obituaries.

Send to: dyanes@liherald.com or 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530

REGISTER FROM APRIL 1ST TO MAY 31ST animalleague.org/sitstaywalk

Take A Walk And Save Lives

Participate in North Shore Animal League America’s virtual walk for a chance to do something positive and active, while raising crucial funds for homeless animals that need your support now more than ever. Walkers can participate anytime, from anywhere.

REMEMBER: Be safe and practice social distancing along the way.

Register Today! With $20 registration fee receive: #GetYourRescueOn® Rescue Tag

Pet Bandana

Fun Contests and Activities

REGISTER TODAY: animalleague.org/sitstaywalk events@animalleague.org 516-373-3235

1086707

By MATTHEW FERREMI

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

1086854

OBITUARY

$500,000 IN GRANTS AVAILABLE NOW TO LOCAL BUSINESSES

SMALL BUSINESS MARKETING GRANT

Apply for your share of the $500,000 marketing grant available to assist locally owned businesses.

STUART RICHNER Publisher Herald Community Newspapers

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities. We are a small business ourselves, so we understand the pain that small business owners are going through right now. We at the Herald want to do our part to make sure that members of our small business community can continue to promote themselves during this trying period.”

Herald Team

WHO For all locally owned and operated small businesses on Long Island that have been negatively impacted by coronavirus.

WHAT A $500,000 grant program to support local small businesses. Each local business is eligible to receive up to $15,000 of matching grant funds, which can be used for Herald Community Newspapers print, digital and direct mail products in April through July 15, 2020.

WHERE Apply at www.liherald.com/grant.

WHEN Applications will be accepted until April 30, 2020 or until maximum grant funding has been distributed. Businesses will be contacted within two business days of submitting their application.

WHY Studies show that businesses that continue to market themselves during down times are the ones that fare the best long-term. This grant program will allow Long Island small businesses to continue promoting themselves and any new services they are offering during these unprecedented times.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: • Every dollar that a grant recipient spends on marketing in Herald products will be matched with a dollar of grant funding, up to the award amount, to be applied towards marketing costs.

• Businesses must be locally owned and operated.

• Grants range from $300 to $15,000.

• Grants can be applied to any Herald Community Newspaper marketing product or service during April through July 15, 2020.

• Grants applied to direct mail products are net of postage/mailing costs.

RHONDA GLICKMAN VP Sales

LORI BERGER Sales Manager

rglickman@liherald.com

lberger@liherald.com

ELLEN REYNOLDS Sales Manager

AMY AMATO Executive Director

ereynolds@liherald.com

aamato@liherald.com

COURTNEY MYERS Media Consultant cmyers@liherald.com

For more information call Rhonda at 516.569.4000 ext. 250

APPLY TODAY AT

WWW.LIHERALD.COM/GRANT

A Special Collaboration With The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores

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April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

14

O’side Sons of Italy will open hall to mourners

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

By Mike SMollinS msmollins@liherald.com

Scott Frankel said he was discouraged that many families are losing loved ones and are unable to give them a proper burial or memorial service amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Frankel, who is the president of the Oceanside Sons of Italy chapter, said that once the ban on mass gatherings is lifted, the organization plans to offer its Rocky Marciano Lodge so that community members who lost a loved one could host ceremonies in their honor free of charge.

“One of the things that’s really bothering me is all the people who are passing away and not getting a proper burial or memorial,” Frankel said. “Even if they’re not a victim of Covid-19, their funerals and wakes are effected by it. Our board unanimously decided that when we get the ‘all clear,’ we will make the hall available for anyone who had a death in the family.”

Frankel said the plan will be to rent out the hall to families for two to three hours on Monday through Thursday once the coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

Families will then have the opportunity to memorialize and celebrate the life of a loved one who died. Frankel noted that the person who died does not have to be a victim of the coronavirus, just someone who was unable to have a proper memorial because of the restrictions on social gatherings.

Courtesy Oceanside Sons of Italy

oceanSide’S SonS of Italy chapter will open the Rocky Marciano Lodge free of charge to residents who were unable to have a public memorial service for loved ones who died amid the coronavirus pandemic, once the ban on social gatherings is lifted.

“It’s just an idea I had,” he said. “It’s bad enough that some of these people are just numbers, just melded into the number of victims. Let them have a proper memorial service.”

After closing for a $40,000 renovation, the lodge was re-opened in the fall of 2018 with a ribbon cutting and celebration.

Sons of Italy offers the 150-capacity

event space to local schools and other community groups at little to no cost, and rents the venue for private parties, including sweet 16s, bridal and baby showers, weddings and christenings. The organization also donates to various charities, such as St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Cooley’s Anemia Foundation. The hall had to close and cancel a lot

of its events in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, including sweet 16s, communions, confirmations and bar mitzvahs, Frankel said. On average, the hall costs about $700 to rent.

To book a date when the pandemic subsides, visit www.sonsofoceanside.com and click the hall rental tab to fill out a form.

Requesting the state’s help for small businesses

By JeffReY BeSSen jbessen@liherald.com

Advocating for business owners who have either closed or suffered a steep decline in revenue, Nassau County Bridge Authority Chairman James Vilardi sent a letter on April 13 to the New York State Department of Financial Services Superintendent Linda Lacewell asking for her help.

Vilardi, a Hewlett resident and owner of a home building business, requested that Lacewell “issue a directive to insurance companies charted in the State of New York barring the ‘germ and virus’ exclusion and lack of ‘physical damage’ to deny legitimate claims.

When speaking to several business owners, Vilardi said he learned that insurance companies were flat out denying possible claims from businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic for business interruption because there is no typical physical damage to a business such as fire or a flood and applying the germ and virus exclusion.

Vilardi asked the Department of Financial Services to deem the business interruption that resulted from the civil authority – the governor’s mandate closure – to be the reason businesses should have their claims paid and not denied because it is because of a germ or virus.

“With a strict interpretation the claim

15

Jeffrey Bessen/Herald

The naSSau counTY Bridge Authority that oversees the Atlantic Beach Bridge, above, has also been financially affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. would be denied,” he said, “the overriding fact is that it is the government telling the businesses to shut down.”

Business interruption insurance replaces lost income when a business is halted for some reason, such as a fire or a natural disaster. It also covers operating expenses, a temporary location move if needed, payroll, taxes and loan payments.

The Nassau County Bridge Authority oversees operations of the Atlantic Beach Bridge suspended toll taking to eliminate contact between toll takers and motorists and hopefully avert the spread of Covid19. Vilardi said the bridge authority’s

claim was already denied.

The bridge authority, though in a strong financial position with an A2 stable rating from Moody’s Investor Service had roughly $10 million of unrestricted cash or a very strong 900 days cash on hand, as of February 2020, officials said.

The longer the health crisis lasts with no toll taking revenue would declines, officials said.

Dr. Richard Adler, a Lawrence resident, is part of a five-dentist dental practice in the Borough Park section of Brooklyn. Adler received a letter dated March 25 from his insurance company,

Travelers, that basically said do not make a claim.

“My first reaction was frustration, you can’t fight City Hall and I didn’t want to do,” Adler said. “I first spoke to Jim [Vilardi] about something else, and he said it might be possible the State legislature takes up.” Adler said that doing only emergency dental work, the practice is generating only 10 percent of the revenue it usually does. There are more than 20 employees working at the practice.

Adler sent his insurance company a response letter. “Your letter dated 3-25-20 is based on a false premise,” he stated.

“The reason I deserve ‘business interruption’ coverage is Not because I stopped working due to ‘virus or bacteria.’ I suffered an insurable loss because the government of New York state mandated me to close.” Adler said he has not received a response nor has he received responses to three subsequent letters he sent to Travelers and Marsh & McLennan, which sells Travelers policies.

Vilardi said he has yet to hear from the Department of Financial Services. To get businessowners paid,” he said is the best result, adding that there is a possibility that insurance companies could be reimbursed by the federal government as well.

The Department of Financial Services did not respond for comment by press time.

April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

16

An untested Covid-19 survivor’s memoir Wantagh schoolteacher rides out corona at home

tested. She said that the doctor made her aware of testing being done by a number of Northwell Health facilities.

She was also aware of the pop-up testing site at Jones “I definitely had it,” said Jennifer Strauss, 42, of Want- Beach.

“I called all three locations and they told me no, I agh.

She laid out all of her symptoms. They matched many couldn’t get tested. At that point, they said it was because I of those that are typically associated with Covid-19, wasn’t a first responder or medical professional,” Strauss including body aches, a persistent sore throat, an inability said. “Which I am happy to be at the back of the line, in terms of medical professionals and first responders getto achieve a deep breath, chest discomfort and a fever.

Strauss is a teacher at a private high school and, with ting tested first,100 percent.”

She called the locations and asked if she husband Derek, 43 is the mother of two boys, could make an appointment for the following 16 and 12. day or days to follow. They advised her to selfStrauss reflected on when she started feelcare and “treat herself as if she is positive.” ing symptoms. “It was the week of March 23,” Those calls were made on March 30, roughly she said. “I started feeling body aches. I had a six or seven days after her symptoms began. fever. Breathing in hurt. Once the fever broke, Her doctor also advised her to visit the my chest and throat continued to hurt. I emergency room if her symptoms worsened,. thought, ‘Should I self-quarantine?’”

The situation never escalated to that point.

Strauss said that she had a low-grade fever Strauss admitted that, despite feeling she that never rose higher than 100 degrees, but it had the disease, she is another person that was persistent, until it finally broke after has not been added to the official number of three days. She separated herself from the cases. She was not counted. She feels that rest of her family, admittedly “looking out for there are more out there like her, who have their safety.” Her youngest son had been sick been denied testing and told to self-care, but and out of school for five days just weeks have been fighting the disease from their before. home.

“Right away, as soon as I started feeling JEnniFER She was adamant that she does not resent that way, I wanted to be more safe than sorry,” StRAuSS hospitals or testing sites for denying her in Strauss said. favor of first responders and medical profesShe was not sure where she had contracted Wantagh resident sionals. She agrees that they deserve first priit. She suggested that, as a school teacher, she ority. Much more of her issue, though, may have picked it up from a student or a colleague. Her last day of classes was March 11. She also said stemmed through the omnipresence of news feeds, giving she had been going out to shop, though carefully, before her constant new information. The more she looked at, the more she became inundated with news of celebrities social distancing really took full effect.

Strauss contacted her primary-care physician through receiving tests and generally quick results, as opposed to an app on her phone. She said she had a videoconference what she had experienced. She felt that some people’s stawith her doctor roughly two to three days after feeling tus was deemed higher than her family’s, and that led to more openly available testing. symptoms.

This is not the first time that Strauss just felt like a “They wanted to know if I was having difficulty breathing,” Strauss said. “I didn’t want to be an alarmist, I number, she said, or a cog in the wheel. She likened this could breathe, but I felt like I couldn’t get a deep breath.” situation to 2012, when Superstorm Sandy left her family She also mentioned a perpetual discomfort behind her without a home.

“A FEMA rep came to us, and they were trying to have sternum that persisted beyond many of her other symppeople lift their houses, and we didn’t want to do that,” toms, including the fever.

Strauss’s doctor gave her information on where to get Strauss said. “At one point, they really said, ‘well some-

By J.D. FREDA

jfreda@liherald.com

i

wrote this letter, feeling like a ‘bump in the road’ all over again and I thought ‘Why? Why is this happening?

Let us Know News Brief items including awards, honors, promotions and other tidbits about local residents are welcome.

Photographs may be emailed as well.

Deadline for submissions is noon Thursday, week prior to publication.

Send to jbernstein@liherald.com

Public Notices

LLON1 0423

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf., vs.

KATHLEEN O’LEARY, et al, Defts.

Index #608995/2018. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale dated March 21, 2019, I will sell at public auction

on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. in the Calendar Control Part (CCP) of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY prem. k/a District 28, Section 59, Block 138, Lots 26-27.

Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of

sale and the right of the United States of America to redeem within 120 days from the date of sale as provided by law.

MICHAEL VENDITTO, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Dr., Great Neck, NY. #98531 12114

To Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232

Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.mypublicnotices.com TO PLACE AND AD CALL 516-569-4000 x 232

Courtesy Jennifer Strauss

JEnniFER StRAuSS, 42, of Wantagh had isolated herself from her family while battling coronavirus-like symptoms, although never being approved for a test. times you can have bumps in the road, and your family is just a bump in the road,’ to the bigger picture. We’re just a regular family, we don’t have connections, we’re not super wealthy.”

The situations and the response her family received were similar to each other, Strauss said. She documented her frustrations in a letter sent to the Herald. “I wrote this letter, feeling like a ‘bump in the road’ all over again and I thought ‘Why? Why is this happening?’”

But she is not a victim, and she does not claim to be.

She does not have that mentality, she said. As of April 12, Strauss’s symptoms have subsided. She has even offered to help others by calling and offering to donate her plasma as a Covid-19 survivor to help the critically ill.

Now, she still remains careful, but has freed herself of her isolation. She has rejoined her family, though she knows others have had to deal with similar situations in past weeks, and may not have that same luxury.

“I couldn’t have been the only one,” she said.

News brief PSEG warns of scammers amid coronavirus Phone scammers typically tell their potential victims that they must pay an overdue bill or face immediate shut-off of electricity. The utility has temporarily suspended shutting off electric service for non-payment amid the coronavirus.

PSEG Long Island does not accept payment via prepaid gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin.

What to look out for: ■ You receive a call from what looks like PSEG Long Island on your caller ID. ■ The caller threatens to shut off your service and demands an immediate payment by pre-paid card, wire transfer or Bitcoin.

■ The caller informs you that you require a new meter and demands a

deposit before the installation can occur (PSEG Long Island does not require a deposit for a new meter installation).

■ You’re given a phone number to call back that, when called, may sound similar to PSEG Long Island’s automated call system.

What PSEG Long Island will and won’t discuss over the phone: ■ A genuine PSEG Long Island representative will ask to speak to the customer of record.

■ If that person is available, the representative will explain why they are calling and provide the account name, address and current balance.

Nassau County is child care desert: official

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

By TimoThy DenTon tdenton@liherald.com

Much of Nassau County is a child care desert, resulting in billions in lost revenue, according to a study released on Friday by Nassau County Comptroller Jack Schnirman.

The lockdown due to the Covid-19 virus has highlighted the issue, showing that many Nassau County families depend on schools to provide daycare for their older children. Care for younger children, however, has always been a challenge for many families.

“Nassau County is a patchwork, varying widely from district to district,” Schnirman wrote in the study. “Despite nearly $9 billion in public school tax levies, only 10 percent of 4-year-olds have access to publicly funded pre-K programs, compared to universal access in New York City,” Schnirman wrote in the report.

Both Seaford and Wantagh are considered child care deserts — any census tract where more than 50 children are without providers, or where providers are so scarce that they are able to serve less than one-third of the total need, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

More than 60 percent of New York State is considered a child care desert.

Nassau County has a total of about 43,650 pre-K places, where more than 138,000 are needed, the study found, with minority and low-income families having the least access to pre-K programs.

Averaging more than $15,000 per year, infant care represents about 12 percent of a median family’s income of $116,300. For a family earning $52,400, or 200 percent of the official federal poverty level for a family of four, infant care for one child represents nearly 29 percent of the family’s pretax income.

According to the Census Bureau, “c=Child care is critical. It either propels or stalls the local economy.”

Locally, “child care has one of the highest economic multipliers, with a return of $1.95 for every dollar invested,” Schnirman wrote.

Of those who work part-time, lack of child care is

Herald file photo

nassau CounTy shows a wide disparity in access to affordable child care. the most commonly cited reason for not accepting fulltime work. Women make up 94 percent of the involuntary part-time workforce, due to child care concerns, Schnirman wrote, and 46 percent of Nassau County

families have no reliable child care.

Child care is an $800 million industry on Long Island, employing roughly 9,000 workers.

Belmont Park delays horseracing season The opening of the Belmont Park’s spring-summer horseracing season will be delayed because of the Covid19 pandemic from April 24 to June 6, when the 152nd running of the Belmont Stakes is to take place, said New York Racing Association officials last week.

The date of the Belmont Stakes is subject to change, however.

“The Belmont Stakes is a New York institution and American tradition,” NYRA CEO and President Dave O’Rourke said. “We are committed to running the race in 2020 and aim to deliver an announcement in the very near future.”

The racing season normally runs 51 days.

“We are working closely with the New York State Gaming Commission and public health officials to determine a timeline for the resumption of live racing at Belmont Park,” O’Rourke said. “The

17

health and safety of our racing community is paramount, and any decisions or necessary adjustments to the racing schedule and operations must reflect that priority. I’d like to thank New York’s horsemen and the backstretch community for their dedication and patience as we navigate these uncertain times together.”

The Belmont backstretch, which is home to 585 workers who tend to the essential daily care of the more than 1,300 thoroughbreds stabled there, has remained open to the horses’ caregivers and operational for training. Owners are not permitted access to the backstretch until further notice.

NYRA posted coronavirusrelated signs in English and Spanish across the backstretch, noting key information about social distancing and hand washing, and a hotline to call for workers feeling the onset of symptoms.

Herald file photo

BelmonT Park’s sPring/summer meet will not open April 24 as originally scheduled.

HERALD

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Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460 E-mail you ad to: ereynolds@liherald.com E-mail Finds Under $100 to: sales@liherald.com DEADLINE: Monday, 11:00 am for all classified ads.

Every effort is made to insure the accuracy of your ad. Please check your ad at the first insertion. Credit will be made only for the first insertion. Credit given for errors in ads is limited to the printed space involved. Publisher reserves right to reject, cancel or correctly classify and ad.

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Qualified candidates should sent cover letter and resume to rglickman@liherald.com

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Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to rglickman@liherald.com PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER: PT, Various Shifts, Retiree's Welcome.

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© 2018 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. All rights reserved. CENTURY 21® and the CENTURY 21 Logo are registered service marks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC. Century 21 Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated. It is your responsibility to ensure that the marketing materials you choose or create are compliant with real estate and other local laws in your area.

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April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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*If your property is currently listed with another brokerage, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the listings of other brokerages.

One phone call, one order, one heck of a good price to run your ad in any state, or across the country.

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Call the

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1-800-231-6152

things can become so complicated? On one hand, your mother simply changed her mind and didn’t have the porch built, and on the other hand, the building department simply wants paperwork from you that seems simple enough to get but isn’t that easy.

I’m concerned that none of the children was given authority to act on your mother’s behalf, and you should seek an attorney to resolve the matters of her estate. As for the voiding of the permit, building departments are run by human beings with a heart, and you should write a letter so there’s a document on record explaining the situation. Sign it in front of a notary, and arrange to meet with a senior official before having more discussions with the building inspector.

The premises will still need inspecting, to verify the work was never done. To prove the home has no more issues with permits required, to satisfy the bank and the buyer, a new building department search sheet should be requested, showing no open permits. The biggest problem is time, and this isn’t a real situation. In most cases it’s a made-up bank or buyer timeline, because your closing is dependent on another closing, and so on and so on.

Because the search and a site review weren’t done early in the sales process, and because most people don’t really believe you need a permit to make changes to a home, great sleepless stress sets in and everyone is pointing fingers. It’s not unusual to get calls from people who need an ambulance architect — you know, the ones with the rotating light on the roof of their car and the siren blaring as they race to your home to start the process of satisfying the bank, their lawyers, etc. We see it all the time, and it’s avoidable if the seller calls an architect to check the home code compliance against recorded permit plans well before the sale has begun. Good luck. © 2020 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

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Q. My mother was admitted to a Florida nursing home and we have to sell her house. She has Alzheimer’s and is incapable of communicating. Our attorney had a title company prepare a report, and the title search showed that there’s an open permit for a porch, which my mom never had done for financial reasons, from about 10 years ago.

When my brother and I, separately, called the building department and asked about it, we were told different things about canceling the unused permit. One person said to call a building inspector and have onte eeper them cancel it, but then I heard that I have to get my mother to write a letter saying she didn’t do the porch, and have it notarized. She isn’t able to understand or sign her name, and never gave us power of attorney to take care of things for her before her illness.

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April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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Answers

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21

opinions

s the nation emerges from the coronavirus lockdown and begins to return to a semblance of normalcy, many of our cherished institutions will face some harsh realities. Nowhere will this dose of reality be starker than for America’s colleges and universities.

While our public school system will go through some wrenching times as it comes back to life, K-12 parents and students will not face the prospect of crushing debt and soaring costs that have been inflicted on consumers of Alfonse higher education. d’AMAto College students, in contrast, will return to campuses not only having missed most of a semester of classes; they will also struggle with exorbitantly high costs that will financially burden many of them for the rest of their lives.

How did we come to this sad turn of events, in which college degrees that should create a pathway to opportunity and prosperity instead present a long road of debt and possible financial ruin? Today, tuition and costs at some private colleges hovers in the range of $50,000 to $70,000

M

per year. College grads carry debt that can run from tens of thousands of dollars for undergraduate degrees to over $100,000 for post-graduate degrees. As they struggle to cover this debt, buying a home often becomes a distant dream. Even buying a new car often gives way to making the monthly college debt payment.

Total college student debt today exceeds $1.5 trillion.

With the added burden of the current financial crisis, much of this debt is unsupportable. Student loan defaults on a large scale are likely unavoidable. And while the just-passed national financial rescue legislation provides some relief by postponing debt payment and interest for a time, the overall financial burden will remain.

Predictably, some in Washington are calling for forgiving much, if not all, college debt. But like the other emergency financial measures passed by Congress, such relief couldn’t go on indefinitely.

Future college students will continue to face high costs and mountainous loans.

The cycle of debt and default will continue to loom on the financial horizon.

The leaders of our higher education system have a moral obligation to break this vicious cycle. Just as the Federal Reserve system has taken extraordinary

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measures to shore up the nation’s finances, colleges and universities should also take emergency action to ease the financial burden on their students. College administrators shouldn’t cry hardship and shirk from this responsibility.

Nationwide, colleges are sitting on endowments of well over half a trillion dollars, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. They should seriously consider making these funds available to students to help pay down their current loans and reduce future tuition costs. If the Fed can tap into the national treasury for “quantitative easing” to lessen strains on our national economy, higher education treasuries can likewise tap into their great wealth to help ease their students’ money crisis.

And going forward, it’s long past time for colleges and universities to get real about not just containing, but lowering their stratospheric spending. Too many campuses have become islands of extravagance and excess amid a sea of hardship in their surrounding communities. In just one glaring example here in New York, a college president makes $5.1 million a year, 35 times what the school’s professors make, on average, and equal to the tuitions of 99 students, according to the Chronicle

an’t colleges use their vast endowments to help students pay down debt?

of Higher Education. Yet the community in which the school is located is one of New York’s poorest, with finances so precarious that it hovers near bankruptcy. In that town, as in so many others, the college is literally the shining, distant fortress on the hill with the surrounding town languishing below.

This college, and others like it, should take a hard look at themselves. Every expense should be examined, every bit of excess wrung out. The goal should be to reduce tuition and keep costs manageable over students’ academic careers.

In the future, public policy in Washington and Albany must be to stop rewarding higher education’s financial excesses and incentivize affordability instead. Federal and state aid should increase only for schools that bring their costs down. That means fewer top-heavy college administrators tripping over each other, more professors teaching more than only 10 or 12 hours a week, and fewer extravagant campus building sprees.

When students return to college this fall, they’ll return to a world changed by nature and hard times. If colleges want students to succeed, it’s time for them to lead.

Al D’Amato, a former U.S. senator from New York, is the founder of Park Strategies LLC, a public policy and business development firm. Comments about this column?

ADAmato@liherald.com.

A loving tribute to my irreplaceable elders

y aunt Sylvia Gentile Brownstein died April 11 in a nursing home in New Jersey, of Covid-19. She was 97 years old, and lived in a room at the facility with her husband of 74 years, Murray Brownstein. He was my mother’s older brother.

The last time I saw him was seven years ago, when I visited him in Florida, and he insisted we go to a pub nearby because they were serving free ice cream to World War II veterans. A proud Navy vet who lied about his age to get into the service when he was 16, Uncle MurRAndi ray served on a kReiss minesweeper in the Pacific.

Aunt Sylvia died alone, because Uncle Murray had become sick and unable to comfort her.

Before the pandemic, which precluded visitors, they were cared for by their daughter, my cousin, who has shepherded them through these last difficult years.

But only the ending was sad.

Murray met Sylvia in Brooklyn just after the war. He fell in love, and defied

his Jewish family by marrying an Italian Catholic girl. Smart guy. She was a gem, loving and mildly crazy, so she fit right in, seeing as how everyone in our anxious, highly emotive clan is a notch off plumb.

When I was a kid, Aunt Syl and Uncle Murray lived in Valley Stream and we lived in Cedarhurst, so the visits were frequent. Murray was a Garment District wheeler and dealer who won big and lost big over the years. Aunt Sylvia was a homemaker extraordinaire.

She cleaned that house until it sparkled, every single day. And she was an outstanding cook. Her specialty was Italian food, and an invitation to their table was a gift.

When she hosted Thanksgiving, the meal started with homemade minestrone, and was followed by eggplant parmesan, spaghetti and meatballs and veal cutlet parmesan. I don’t recall seeing anything green, as in a string bean, on the table.

The last entry was the turkey, an afterthought, a gesture to the new world, fully dressed but largely ignored because we were all so stuffed from the Italian feast.

I confess, I didn’t know Aunt Sylvia as

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a woman. I have no idea what her dreams or joys or disappointments were. I do know she raised her kid sister, Madelaine, when their mother died very young. Madelaine joined Murray and Sylvia’s family, big sister to their own two kids.

I wish I had gotten to know Aunt Syl better, but in those days, people kept to their roles: She was the elder aunt and I was the young niece. Uncle Murray was difficult, but she would never talk about anything as personal as her marriage. She had a twin sister, Anna, and I suspect that that was her most emotionally intimate relationship.

They had a brother, too, Johnny, who went to the Naval Academy and was the pride of the family.

Every Christmas of my childhood, we went to Aunt Syl and Uncle Murray’s for an event that was part celebration and part child abuse. As dinner drew to a close, we would hear someone stomping up the basement steps and the loud jingling of bells. Eight little kids immediately dived under the dinner table and began screaming, which sent the adults into fits of laughter. Not normal, right?

ndelible memories of holidays and birthdays with Aunt Syl and Uncle Murray.

The stomping came closer, our screaming got louder, and suddenly Santa burst through the basement door. We kids were traumatized. He was a terror in his wild white wig and garish Santa mask. None of us noticed that Uncle Murray had disappeared from the dinner table some time earlier. This intruder was the Santa from hell, and we were scared out of our socks.

The elders, however, were greatly entertained, and so this became a cherished tradition, and we did it every year. I think I was finishing my junior year in college when I realized that Uncle Murray was Santa Claus.

All of our childhood birthdays were occasions for big parties. Aunt Syl and the other aunts and uncles would raise a glass or three, and before long the women were dancing on the table and the men were telling stories about the war and the old Brooklyn neighborhood. It was a rich experience for a little kid who was all eyes and ears.

I don’t know if Aunt Syl was a religious woman, but wherever she went, she wasn’t alone for long. The day after she passed, Uncle Murray died. He was 98.

Copyright 2020 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

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For American higher education, it’s time to lead

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Herald editorial

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April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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Small businesses need more federal help

et’s not mince words: The federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program, which was supposed to hurry loans to small businesses so they can make payroll and stay afloat, has been troubled from the start.

With $349 billion in its coffers, the program, administered by the Small Business Administration, ran out of money last Thursday, leaving tens of millions of employers in the lurch, wondering whether they will be able to meet payroll at a time when so many small businesses are limping along because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Small businesses are the lifeblood of Main Street America, employing 48 percent of our national workforce. In total, there are 28 million small businesses across the U.S., according to Forbes. They desperately need — and deserve — better, particularly in the hardest-hit regions like the Northeast.

According to a CBS News analysis of SBA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, New York, which has by far the greatest number of cases of Covid-19 of any state, was fourth on the list of states to receive PPP loans. Meanwhile, businesses in Texas received more such loans than any other state, even though the Lone Star State has the 10th-largest Covid-19 caseload

in the U.S. Apparently, Texas processed loans faster than New York, as the money went from the federal government to banks on a firstcome, first-served basis, creating a race for funding. But that was unfair, because in places where need was greatest, like New York, businesses were struggling most to run their daily operations, and so were hamstrung in their ability to file for loans.

The federal government should have set a date by which all loan applications were due, and then divided the money thereafter based on need.

At the same time, some very big businesses received loans under the program.

The owner of the Ruth’s Chris Steak House chain nabbed a $20 million loan, despite having more than 5,000 employees and $468 million in revenue last year. The PPP was supposed to have been limited to businesses with fewer than 500 employees, but Congress included an exception for hotels and restaurants.

Most big-name chains did not apply for PPP loans, but others, including Potbelly, Kura Sushi and Shake Shack, did. (Shake Shack announced Sunday night that it would return its $10 million loan, citing confusion over the program’s regulations and

saying that other businesses needed the money more than it did.)

There were other problems with the program. Big banks, for example, lent money to their own customers first, and then to others. Many required borrowers to already have an established line of credit with the bank to receive a PPP loan. The thing is, this was a federal government program, and no loan applicant should have received preferential treatment.

At press time, Congress was negotiating a $310 billion extension of the program, which would bring the total expenditure to $649 billion. One Forbes analysis, however, estimated the PPP really needs as much as $850 billion to fully fund all of the small businesses now in dire need.

We commend Congress for making money available to small businesses quickly. Sadly, however, the program has become another of many political footballs amid the coronavirus crisis. What’s lacking is national leadership. President Trump and Congress should be united in their desire to aid small businesses — now, not later.

If the federal government doesn’t act fast, with one voice, our downtowns could soon become ghost towns, and that would be terrible for us all.

Thanks for all you’ve done, Governor Cuomo

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e have offered high praise to our first responders and medical workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, and no doubt, they deserve every bit of it. Check out our story this week on Elyse Isopo, a North Shore University Hospital Intensive Care Unit nurse practitioner. Her determination to save lives is evident in her every word, and her fear of spreading Covid-19 to her family at her home is palpable.

Good people like her are truly heroes.

We must also acknowledge a hero of a different sort: Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who, despite finding himself in the center of this unfolding international disaster, has provided levelheaded, science-based leadership that has served as a model for governors across the U.S. Cuomo quickly realized the magnitude of the pandemic and acted decisively, without political rancor. For the most part, he has been careful not to mix up it with President Trump, despite repeated the president’s repeated goading.

letters The hypocrisy of stimulus checks To the Editor: All conservatives and Republicans across the country should return their federal relief checks so they do not become “unproductive, lazy welfare recipients” who are accepting “government handouts” and “something for nothing” — “parasites” who are being “subsidized” by the federal government.

It would be hypocritical for conservatives and Republicans to accept help from the federal government when they constantly oppose such assistance for the middle and lower classes who truly need it, and whom they look down their noses at. Now, many of them are in the shoes of those in need.

Our allies in Western Europe and Canada have federal governments that do more to help their people than ours does.

To quote Al Pacino in “And Justice for All”: “I have now concluded

Cuomo has not used this crisis to further his own brand. Rather, he has acted in the best interests of all New Yorkers, and this week we are seeing the results of his actions. The Covid-19 death toll is, as predicted, beginning to drop, as are the new hospitalization rate, the ICU admissions rate and the number of new ventilator intubations.

Governor, thank you. We will surely need your steady guiding hand in the weeks, months and years ahead as New York recovers from this unexpected catastrophe.

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oPinions

rime Minister Winston Churchill offered those words as he led Great Britain during World War II, when citizens became accustomed to nightly bombings by the Nazis. We are in the midst of a different kind of war, against an invisible enemy known as Covid-19. And when people ask me when this grim period is going to end, unfortunately, the answer is that we don’t know.

But as we in the Town of Hempstead continue to follow federal and state mitigation measures, such as social distancing, Don we appear to be CLaVin “flattening the curve.” By staying at home, you are doing your part to fight the spread of this virus. Those who have “essential” jobs, however, do not have that option. Indeed, those people are integral to winning the war on the coronavirus.

Please be mindful of the rules and stay safe. At Town Hall, we have implemented a social media campaign urging residents

to practice social distancing and proper handwashing, and to wear masks and gloves. We are also providing information on sanitizing techniques. We proactively closed facilities to the public, including town offices and certain parks and public gathering spots. I’ve been working daily with my Town Board colleagues and our Coronavirus Task Force, led by Town Medical Director Dr. Dave Neubert, to make decisions that best promote public health.

We’re also in constant contact with village officials, coordinating best practices and monitoring updates from state and local health officials.

Rest assured, our dedicated CSEA Local 880 team of coworkers are working hard every day to serve residents and provide essential services safely. The town Building Department is still accepting paperwork via a drop box at Town Hall, sanitation workers are continuing to pick up garbage throughout our township, and many other departments are conducting day-to-day business on behalf of our residents. We encourage neighbors to contact the town via our

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hurchill’s words ring true for Town of Hempstead residents in a difficult time.

Letters my opening statement.”

STEWART B. EPSTEIN Rochester, N.Y. Epstein is a retired college professor who lived in North Bellmore from 1960 to 1972. He graduated from Mepham High School in 1968 and Hofstra University in 1972.

It’s a good time for bird watching To the Editor: Why not bequeath a lifelong appreciation for bird watching to the next generation? We teach our children wood shop, pottery and contemptible games like dodgeball, but bird watching can give them a greater appreciation for our threatened environment.

I’ve done the math, and it would only cost each taxpayer $10 to send every sixth-grader to the Cor nell School of Ornithology for two weeks.

There, eminent cultural historians and acclaimed or nitholo gists would instruct them on bird-centric environmental discrimination and inculcate a profound respect and admiration for the avian world. When you consider the frivolities our town spends money on, this would be money well spent.

Now well into my retirement, I still derive tremendous satisfaction from spotting the odd hummingbird on my afternoon walk. There is a comforting

public hotline, (516) 812-3600, to set up phone appointments with some of our departments. Other departments can be accessed via email. Please visit hempsteadtownny.gov for updates and how you can connect to town services. You can also call our Helpline, (516) 489-6000, from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday for assistance.

We are doing everything in our power to make life a little easier for residents of America’s largest township during this difficult time.

We waived all late fees and penalties for town water customers, and we’ve called on New York state to extend the second-half school tax payment deadline by 30 days, to June 11. And in preparation for getting people back to work in the near future, the town adopted a $40 million economic stimulus plan to undertake road improvements across our communities.

I encourage you to join us for our series of Facebook Live sessions. Along with Dr. Neubert, a certified Emergency Department physician, and Councilman Anthony D’Esposito, a former fire chief

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — April 23, 2020

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‘Nourish your hopes, but do not overlook realities’

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and NYPD detective, we answer many of your questions and concerns about Covid-19. Our next session is scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m. Please check our Facebook page, @HempsteadTown, for ished i realitie future Facebook Live sessions and for be star town updates.

I thank all of our first responders as univer Whi well the front-line workers in the fields of health care, law enforcement, government, media, public transportation, grocery, pharmacy, postal, delivery, food service and so many more. I also commend Dr. Dave Neubert and the town’s emergency management team for their continued work and dedication to the town work force, as well as to our residents.

And I offer my condolences to all of the families who have lost loved ones during this pandemic. Let’s keep them all in our thoughts as we continue to do our part to stop the spread.

Working together, we will continue to loosen the grip of Covid-19, from both a health and economic perspective. Please es not o semest be safe and healthy, and know that the Town of Hempstead is here for you dur- with ex financi ing this challenging time. rest of How Don Clavin is the Town of Hempstead events, supervisor. should and pr of debt tuition hovers

Framework by Christina Daly

sense of accomplishment in knowing that you can see what others cannot.

Why deprive the next generation of this feeling of intellectual triumph?

The beauty of birds is all around us, and once you learn more about them, your experiences with nature become so much richer. During this lockdown, I have noticed our ecosystem responding positively to reduced human inference, and more exotic birds flying out and about. What joy.

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and liv her hu stein. H The las ago, wh

ALWYN STANHOPE Bellmore

MTA ‘lock box’ isn’t really locked To the Editor: Governor Cuomo recently included in the approved state budget a provision that amends the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s $15 billion Congestion Toll Mitigation Revenue “lock box.”

This provision was originally included to ensure that all proceeds would be used to help fund the MTA’s $51 billion 2020-24 Five-Year Capital Plan. Now these funds can instead be used against any future deficits in the MTA’s annual $17 billion operating expense budget.

Language buried in the state budget also allows $10 billion in real estate mansion and internet sales tax revenue to be used for operations rather

At Sagamore Hill, one captivating reason to get out of the house — Oyster Bay

than capital expenses. Combined, these total $25 billion of the $51 billion Capital Plan funding.

Cuomo has become the great train robber of capital transit funding. He has taken billions of this funding. His picture should be hung on a wanted poster at commuter and subway stations. Commuters can collect their reward by not electing him to

another term in 2022.

died al becom LARRY PENNER Before Great Neck visitor Penner is a transportation historian, writer daught ed them and advocate who worked for the Federal But Transit Administration Region 2 New York Mur Office for 31 years. after th

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April 23, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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