Long Beach Herald

Long Beach

HERALD Also serving Point Lookout & East Atlantic Beach

moms distribute over 4,000 masks

weisenberg talks pandemic

Boat capsizes; man is missing

Page 13

Page 15

Page 4

Vol. 31 No. 19

may 7 - 13, 2020

MLK Center feeding hungry Kaminsky offers funding for virtual education, fitness programs the Long Beach Recreation Center, on Magnolia Boulevard, at St. Ignatius Martyr Church, on A line of hungry Long Beach Grand Boulevard, and at St. residents hoping to get a home- Mary of the Isle Church, on East cooked meal and school lunches Park Avenue. It also distributes at the Martin Luther King Cen- lunches at the MLK Center. ter stretched down Riverside The facility cooks and distribBoulevard and onto East Fulton utes healthy lunches Street on Monday in to children, parents the midst of a panand seniors. The demic that is makinequities in the ing shopping diffiblack and Latino cult, if not impossicommunities have ble, for many. been “magnified” by MLK Center the pandemic, Chair man James Hodge said, and he Hodge, assisted by is offering services U.S. Rep Kathleen to combat those Rice, State Sen. Todd inequities. “And so Kaminsky, and Metwe’re trying to serve ro p o l i t a n Re a l t y healthier meals to among others, has toDD KamiNsKy our seniors — to brought the center’s State senator everyone,” he said.

Grab and Go proThe center provides gram to life. meals from noon to 2 Though Hodge said the Long p.m., and delivers food to seniors.

Beach School District was doing According to data from the a good job of feeding students, he Centers for Disease Control and felt that another program in the Prevention, black and Hispanic North Park area would be benefi- communities have the highest cial. “The majority of kids that percentages of Covid-19 cases are on the school food program and deaths in New York City. live right here in North Park,” Though the data is prelimiHodge said. “What we wanted to nary, the CDC states that factors do is help the school district out such as crowded homes and sysand build another site.”

The school district has sites at Continued on page 10

By DarwiN yaNes dyanes@liherald.com

t

Courtesy Long Beach Public Schools

Honoring the graduates, and the athletes Last Friday, the lights of the Long Beach High School field were turned on, and the scoreboard paid tribute not only to this year’s graduating class, but also to seniors who have lost their last season of sports.

L.B. warns of significant tax increases if costs aren’t reduced

By James BerNsteiN jbernstein@liherald.com

The Long Beach City Council painted a sobbering picture of the city’s finances at a budget hearing Tuesday night, describing a $6 million deficit, virtually no remaining “rainy day funds,” and the prospect of even further reductions in bond ratings this summer.

In somber tones, the council war ned that if labor costs

couldn’t be renegotiated and reduced in the upcoming year, taxpayers would see a significant increase in taxes, drastic cuts in services or both.

City officials attributed the financial problems to several factors, primarily past overestimates of revenues, spending that wasn’t based on money on hand, and a lack of spending controls.

City Council President John Bendo presented a stark picture, explaining that about 81 percent

of city spending goes to personnel — police, firefighters and other city workers — and 13 percent is directed to paying down mounting debt. That leaves just 6 percent, he said, to keep the city running.

“The city can’t run on 6 cents out of every taxpayer dollar,” Bendo said. “The problems in the past have been hidden by some poor budgets.” Spending, Continued on page 3

he Martin Luther King Center is a critical anchor in the community.

They’re moms, dads, friends, neighbors.

And they’re the front line.

While the thousands of Mount Sinai South Nassau health care workers are fighting to save lives, you can give them what they need to keep going.

Back the front line now.

southnassau.org/donate

Mount Sinai Health System is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

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May 7, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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Layoffs may be followed by tax increases he said, hasn’t depended “on what was in the bank,” there were few if any spending controls, and the city kept borrowing to cover costs. “We were dipping into the rainy day fund,” he said. “That is gone.”

Bendo gave an overview of the city’s salaries. The average annual pay for city employees, without benefits, he said, is $71,784. With benefits, the average is $119,645. Most city employees are members of the Civil Service Employees Association.

The average city firefighter, Bendo said, earns $135,257, without benefits. The average police salary is $164,780, also without benefits. He said that the highestpaid city employee — whom he did not name — will earn $166,305 this year, without benefits.

The city has laid off 164 employees in the past few weeks. A total of 143 were part-time and non-essential, and 21 were full-time.

Unionized city employees, Bendo said, receive generous compensatory and sick time as well as medical and dental plans and pensions. Their hours are reduced by one full day during the summer, between July 1 and Sept. 15.

The city, he said, has borrowed $4.2 million from a bank to continue operations to the end of this fiscal year.

Last month, Interim City Manager Donna Gayden released Long Beach’s pro-

Sue Grieco/Herald

interim City manaGer Donna Gayden said the city is devising a plan to fix its finances. posed 2020-21 budget, which calls for a 2.87 percent reduction in the general fund, to $83.2 million. That translates to a tax increase of 1.81 percent, the smallest in years. That would mean an average annual property tax increase for homeowners of just under $143, and no increase in water or sewer rates.

“Taxing you to death is not the answer,” Bendo said. The city’s tax increase was 8 percent in each of the past two years, “and it didn’t help the situation,” he said.

Gayden said that Long Beach ended fiscal 2019 with a general fund deficit of $6.6 million, the result of overestimated reve-

nues. “By this time next year,” she said in a statement, “it is going to be worse.”

On Tuesday night, Gayden said that the city was developing a five-year plan to straighten out its finances, and that it was looking for new streams of revenue — which might include the sale of a city building and the installation of parking meters. She said the city had called on state and federal legislators to help it seek out public or private grants.

Gayden said the city’s general fund, or rainy day fund, is now down to about $285,000, from nearly $9 million only a few years ago.

She noted that Moody’s Investors Service, one of the country’s two major bond rating agencies, has downgraded Long Beach’s bond rating, and it is expected to fall further, perhaps by this summer.

Lower bond ratings make it more expensive for a municipality to borrow money.

Gayden asked resident to send questions or comments to info@longbeachny. gov, and they will be answered by May 18.

On another issue, Bendo said that city staff members are discussing how best to open the boardwalk, which was shut down a few weeks ago in late March after police found residents failing to follow social distancing regulations. Ultimately, city officials said, Gov. Andrew Cuomo will decide whether the beach will be open this summer.

“Get me to the (Pop Up Vow) wedding in time’

By James Bernstein jbernstein@liherald.com

The age of the coronavirus has spawned all sorts of new ways of doing things, like shopping, learning, and communicating. It has also given birth to a growing way of getting married: pop up weddings.

Lauren Gunn, recently ordained to marry couples by the Universal Life Ministry, will marry people wherever they like — on a beach, at their home, at her home, in a park, or even in a drive-by ceremony.

The key difference between a pop up wedding and an event wedding is the number of people present and the cost. The average cost of a wedding in the U.S. in now about $26,000.

Gunn’s fee for a simple ceremony is $69.

That’s why a lot of people are saying “I don’t” to big weddings these days. Pop up weddings are planned quickly and with little fuss.

They are a bit like elopements, but with a crowd around the wedding couple. Couples can choose to hire a photographer and lay out food and beverages, if they want. But a lot of guests aren’t expecting anything too elaborate.

Wedding planners say the pop ups focus on a sense of adventure. The venue is usually in a public place, where random bystanders can watch and wish the new couple happiness. The number of pop up wedding companies is growing, according to wedding planners. There are all sorts of companies that can be found on the web: Poptheknot.com and Mad Dash Weddings, to name two.

And the weddings conform to New York State

requirements about social distancing. The wedding usually consists of fewer than 10 people, and does away with the thousands of dollars it may cost in food and entertainment at catering hall.

Her business, Pop Up Vows, started only a free months ago, kicked off by the coronavirus, which prohibits large gatherings in an age when a lo of people are hurting for money.

“I don’t see many people going back to large weddings” even once the virus pandemic is over, said Gunn, 47, of Long Beach. “Pop Up Vows lets people keep things simple and short, or even long, if they want.”

She married a couple just a few weeks ago.

They were going to have a big wedding at the posh Allegria Hotel in Long Beach. Some 50 people had been invited to attend when plans were being made before the shut down caused by the coronavirus. The couple, who asked to remain anonymous to protect their privacy, had checked out bands, flowers and foods.

“Then everything got shut down,” said the groom. His fiancée said they should just elope.

But, he reasoned, she had never before been married, and should have some sort of service.

They came upon Pop Up Vows.

Ten people were on hand for the ceremony on the beach at Point Lookout. There was a champagne toast, but no real party. A lot of people are not in the partying mood these days.

“It was all great,” the groom said. He admitted to being somewhat disappointed there was not the big wedding he and his fiancée imagined. “But we wanted to get married,” he said.

Her website is www.popupvows.com.

Courtesy Lauren Gunn

Lauren Gunn is officially marrying couples for a fee of $69 during the pandemic.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 7, 2020

continued from front page

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L.B. schools closed for 2019/20 school year

By Darwin Yanes and scott Brinton dyanes@liherald.com; sbrinton@liherald.com

Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard

the coast guarD continued a search for a missing Farmingdale man.

1 dead, 1 missing in Point Lookout boat mishap

By James Bernstein jbernstein@liherald.com

Nassau County Police Sunday identified the boater killed off Point Lookout Saturday as a 54-year-old Farmingdale man, the owner of the vessel that capsized, throwing him and three others overboard in rough waters.

Police said a search is still underway for a 65-year-old man, one of those tossed overboard.

The dead man was identified as John Costa, who was transferred by the U.S. Coast Guard to a local hospital, where he was pronounced Joseph dead. He was removed from the water by the New York City Police aviation unit.

Police said a search is still underway for Joseph Sparacio, also of Farmingdale.

He was identified as white, 5’10’ inches tall and weighing about 180 pounds.

Police said he was wearing a dark-colored sweatshirt, white fishing boots and possibly an orange life jacket, when he disappeared.

Nassau Police said two others on the boat, identified only as 24 and 26 years old, were rescued by a man traveling with his family on a 68-foot vessel. The two were transported to a hospital and treated for hypothermia and non-life threatening injuries, police said.

The vessel the four were aboard overturned in rough waters at about 11:52 am Saturday in Jones Beach Inlet, off Point Lookout.

The boat was recovered and removed from the scene

by Nassau County Marine Bureau; the United States Coast Guard, Nassau County Police Department, New York City Police Department’s avisparacio ation bureau, and fire departments from Long Beach, Point Lookout-Lido, Inwood, Lawrence-Cedarhurst, Wantagh, Freeport, Oceanside and Island Park all assisted in the rescue, police said.

Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or to call 911. All callers will remain anonymous.

Long Beach

HERALD HOW TO REACH US

Students in kindergarten through 12th grade and college will not return to their schools in New York for the rest of the 2019-20 school year and will instead continue with distance learning to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, Governor Cuomo said Friday afternoon.

In a statement, Long Beach Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Gallagher sympathized with the students, but acknowledged that Cuomo made the right decision.

“While I completely agree with his decision (I don’t see any safe way to reopen schools right now), and I sort of expected the news was coming, I actually got choked up when he said it,” Gallagher said. “Maybe it’s because I miss being in our schools and seeing our students.”

With students not returning to the classroom and forced to quarantine, Gallagher emphasized the need to focus on student’s mental health. She advised parents to take breaks and to go for walks to help deal with stress.

On April 27, Gallagher said high school administrators met with senior class and PTA representatives to discuss graduation, prom, and senior activities. A few ideas Gallagher mentioned in her statement were a virtual Senior Scholarship Night and possibly pushing back prom into the later summer, but before students go away to college.

For graduation, Gallagher said the district is planning on holding 10-minute appointment where students can go to a decorated middle school complex and accept their diplomas. Additionally, a graduation video, using photos and videos clips of high school seniors, will premiere on June 26, the day graduation was scheduled for.

“This is still just a framework; we will be meeting over the next week or so to finalize plans,” Gallagher said. “We are working on virtual moving up ceremonies for grades 5 and 8 as well. Even in these challenging times, we will make sure that we support all our children, and especially give the Class of 2020 a celebra-

ADELPHI NEW YORK STATEWIDE BREAST CANCER HOTLINE & SUPPORT PROGRAM Our services are available online during these trying times.

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.

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tion to remember!”

Cuomo’s announcement came as Covid-19 hospitalizations and deaths continue a steady decline, but the state is still seeing nearly a thousand new cases a day, which Cuomo said was unacceptably high.

The decision affects 4.2 million students statewide in 700 public school districts, 89 SUNY and CUNY colleges, and 100 private colleges.

For the first time in weeks, the number of overnight deaths dropped below 300 from Thursday into Friday — from 306 to 289, a 5.5 percent decline. New hospitalizations were also down.

The governor said social distancing practices, as mandated by the state, have prevented an estimated 100,000 Covid-19 cases, which he said would have overrun the hospitals and caused many more deaths.

“Our past actions changed the past trajectory,” he said.

Today’s actions will determine “the number of sick tomorrow,” he said — hence the need to keep school buildings closed and continue social distancing.

The governor said colleges and school districts across New York must begin developing reopening plans, which must be approved by state officials. The governor added there was no determination yet whether there would be summer school.

That announcement would be made in the coming weeks.

Of the virus, the governor said, “The enemy is on the run.”

Now, however, state officials must determine more precisely why the state is still seeing nearly a thousand new cases a day. So the state is drilling down, looking at new cases by county.

The state is also now looking at who is becoming infected. The governor wondered if essential workers were, or if other people were. Where are they becoming infected? At work? On public transportation?

Those are the questions the state is seeking to answer, Cuomo said.

People should continue wearing their masks in public and keep up social distancing to protect others, he said.

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Northwell opening Syosset Hospital for elective surgery sbrinton@liherald.com

Covid-19 patients have dropped to low enough levels that Northwell Health is able to earmark Syosset Hospital as a “Covid-contained” medical center where certain elective surgeries will be performed.

That’s according to Dr. David Battinelli, Northwell’s senior vice president and chief medical officer. He spoke with video producer Rob Hoell last Thursday about how the hospital system, which has medical centers throughout the New York metropolitan area, has been coping with the “massive surge” of Covid-19 patients in recent weeks.

Northwell was forced to increase its total number of beds across its 23 hospitals by 2,000 at the height of the crisis, Battinelli said. “We were overwhelmed in the” intensive care units, he noted.

The hospital system redeployed some 1,500 workers in order to keep up with patient demand.

To date, the Northwell system has treated more than 40,000 Covid-19 patients, with 13,000 patients admitted to hospitals. “Nobody in the world has treated and seen more Covid patients than Northwell,” Battinelli said.

As a result, the hospital had to stop elective surgeries, which Battinelli called planned surgeries, meaning most elective surgeries must be done, but not

Facebook Live screenshot

Dr. DaviD Battinelli, Northwell Health’s chief medical officer, last Thursday spoke with video producer Rob Hoell about the “massive surge” of Covid-19 patients within the hospital system. immediately. Rather, they can be scheduled weeks or months in advance.

With elective surgeries put off for six to seven weeks now, many patients need them done, sooner rather than later. The need to resume planned surgeries, Battinelli said, has become “semi-urgent” — hence the opening of Syosset Hospital for the procedures.

Battinelli said Northwell could not guarantee with absolute certainty that Syosset would be entirely free of Covid19 patients. Rather, he called the hospital “Covid-contained,” meaning the hospital will be able to cordon off any coronavirus patients who might appear there.

Battinelli also spoke of the many clinical trials for Covid-19 treatments

that Northwell has undertaken. The system has an estimated 700 patients in trials, while on any given year, it might have a dozen in trials, he said.

Among the trials Northwell is conducting is for famotidine, the active ingredient in the heartburn medicine Pepcid. Doctors in Wuhan, China, noticed that patients who presented with Covid-19 and heartburn, and who were taking famotidine, exhibited less virulent symptoms than those who were not on the drug.

That anecdotal finding led to clinical trials around the world. It appears famotidine might inhibit the coronavirus’s ability to replicate, Battinelli said.

He also spoke of telemedicine as a saving grace of the crisis, allowing patients to communicate with their doctors without having to be seen in an office.

Telemedicine, Battinelli predicted, will grow rapidly after the pandemic has subsided because health care consumers will want it because of its convenience. Patients can dial up their doctors, and then wait at home to be seen virtually.

“It is absolutely the way of the future,” Battinelli said.

He added that he believes social distancing is here to stay for at least the next year. It will be, he said, the “new norm” until a Covid-19 vaccine is discovered.

Antibody treatment offers ray of hope at MSSN

By Scott Brinton sbrinton@liherald.com

People have been pinning up homemade signs thanking the many workers at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside on chain-link fence that blocks off a construction project full of big dirt mounds outside the hospital.

It was, one could say, a fitting site for a recent Facebook Live session in which three hospital officials offered a glimmer of hope amid the coronavirus crisis, speaking at length about an “innovative” treatment called convalescent plasma that, for some at least, might help cure Covid-19.

Joe Calderone, MSSN’s senior vice president for communications, led the talk on April 17 with Dr. Aaron Glatt, the hospital’s chief of infectious diseases and chairman of the Department of Medicine, and Dr. Adhi Sharma, its chief medical officer and vice president for clinical and professional affairs.

Sharma noted that convalescent plasma is an investigational treatment, not yet fully approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration.

It works like this, according to Glatt: Patients develop antibodies when fighting off Covid-19, as they do with other viruses. Those antibodies can be extracted from a recovering patient with a high level of them through a blood draw. The plasma can then be injected into someone who is still fighting off the coronavirus, which should help the patient battle the illness.

As of April 17, doctors at the hospital had given plasma to 15 patients, and in those preliminary cases, the procedure had demonstrated “promising” results, according to Sharma.

Ideally, Glatt said, antibodies are extracted from patients three weeks after the onset of Covid-19 symp-

Facebook Live screenshot

Dr. aaron Glatt, Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital’s chief of infectious diseases, spoke recently of an “innovative” treatment for Covid-19 called convalescent plasma. toms. At that point, he said, a patient is most likely to have a sufficient number of antibodies for extraction.

Antibodies, he said, can be counted and quantified.

There is no risk to patients who are donating plasma and no indication the procedure would deplete their antibody stores, potentially leaving them susceptible to future infection, the doctors said.

The treatment is most often given to a patient who is or will likely become “deathly ill,” Glatt said.

Plasma is removed at the New York Blood Center in New York City. Patients must make an appointment to donate. Appointments can be made through Mount Sinai Doctors Five Towns in Hewlett. Donation is a multi-stage procedure that does require time, Glatt said.

Treatment is carried out with patient consent only.

It is unclear, Glatt and Sharma said, to what degree Covid-19 antibodies protect a patient from the disease, and for how long. It could be weeks, months or years.

There is insufficient data on reinfection to know, they said.

Glatt and Sharma each said social distancing is key to ensuring that infection rates do not spike again over the coming weeks and months. They worry that people will ease up on the precautions they have been taking recently now that the weather is warming and more people are heading outside. They also pointed out that Governor Cuomo would likely allow businesses to start returning to normal operations in a phased reopening after May 15.

Without continued social distancing, those two factors could lead again to a surge in hospitalizations, which nearly overran hospitals like MSSN in April. The hospital normally sees about 300 patients total, but at the peak of infection, MSSN was seeing 500 patients, 40 percent more than normal.

The MSSN officials said patients were housed in tents and hospital corridors to accommodate them all.

“The staff went well above and beyond to maintain a hospital of 500 patients,” Sharma said, adding that MSSN could not sustain itself for long with that number of patients.

Until “we totally clear [Covid-19] from the population,” Sharma said, people should continue social distancing. It will only be eradicated, he said, with a proven vaccine, which is 12 to 18 months away.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 7, 2020

By Scott Brinton

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Watch out for new mothers this Mother’s Day

May 7, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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Mother’s Day is usually a day of celebration and joy for new mothers, but with New York still on lockdown this year, it may be a tough time for those with postpartum depression.

The condition affects one in five new mothers, according to Pauline Walfisch, a therapist at Helping Hands Psychotherapy in Rockville Centre who lives in Franklin Square, and the depression may be masked as Covid-19 anxiety.

In fact, Sonya Murdock, the founder of the Postpartum Resource Center of New “that grandparent experience they were York, said it has received a greater numlooking forward to.” ber of phone calls during the pandemic, “It’s easy to focus on the things you’ve and has increased its helpline lost,” she said, and suggested services to seven days a week. new mothers spend their The helpline provides free Mother’s Day: and confidential support to mothers who are in domestic ■ Connecting with family violence situations, those and friends virtually. who need supplies for their ■ Making a craft they baby, mothers who may be could keep for years. having suicidal thoughts and those who are diagnosed with ■ Getting a little “me Covid-19. time” if there is someone else The outbreak, Murdock in the house who could take pauline walfisch said, has “amplified these care of the baby for a few issues.” minutes.

Making it worse, Walfisch said, is the fact that many new mothers ■ Brightening up their space with flowhave an idealized vision of their first ers from their gardens.

Mother’s Day, but cannot go out to dinner Everyone else, Walfisch said, should this year or perhaps even receive flowers. check on their friends and family memAdditionally, they may feel guilty that bers with new babies. their parents will not be able to have

The Postpartum Resource Center of New York Hotline

(855) 631-0001 postpartumnY.org

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

HempStead town SuperviSor Donald Clavin was one of 13 Long Island supervisors who took part in a discussion on how the proceed with the summer season, when people flock to Long Island’s beaches and parks.

SuperviSorS diScuSSed How to convey social distancing guidelines to the public, and when to open and close town facilities, including beaches and parks.

Christina Daly/Herald

Town supervisors plan for summer recreation

By Scott Brinton sbrinton@liherald.com

Thirteen town supervisors gathered Friday to begin planning coordination of the summer season on Long Island, when tourists from across the state and country descend on the Island’s beaches, in order to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The supervisors focused on parks and recreation in their discussion, officials said. Supervisor Rich Schaffer, of the Town of Babylon, organized the talk.

Hempstead Town Supervisor Donald Clavin said, “The theme of our discussion was that the Covid-19 pandemic does not follow town borders, and it’s necessary to collaborate on our best practices and strategies for summer programs and services. Working together as a team and maintaining communication will be key to providing the safest environment.”

At press time, it was unclear precisely what would be open for the summer, including the beaches.

The supervisors discussed how to convey social distancing guidelines to the public, and when to open and close town facilities, including beaches and parks. Supervisors said they wanted to ensure the closure of any one facility was done in coordination with other towns to make certain no one town was overrun by beach and park attendees.

“The uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic requires us to consider all possible scenarios,” Clavin said.

“Though we wish that all of our residents can enjoy the summers of the past, we accept that this is a ‘new normal,’ at least for this year.”

In addition to Schaffer and Clavin, other supervisors taking part in the talks included: Edward Romaine, of Brookhaven; Judi Bosworth, of North Hempstead; Joseph Saladino, of Oyster Bay; Peter Van Scoyoc, of East Hampton; Chad Lupinacci, of Huntington; Angie Carpenter, of Islip; Yvette Aguiar, of Riverhead; Gerard Siller, of Shelter Island; Edward Wehrheim, of Smithtown; Jay Schneiderman, of Southampton; and Scott Russell, of Southold.

News brief Bill would keep firefighters benefits intact State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a Demo- port and appreciation now more than crat from Long Beach, has introduced ever, not an unfair practice that penalizlegislation that would ensure volunteer es them for following safety procefirefighters are able to maintain their dures,” Kaminsky stated in a news active status during the Covid-19 pan- release. The proposed law “would cordemic, when required trainrect this problem and give ing exercises have been them the benefits they interrupted by the virus. deserve.”

Maintaing active service Kaminsky said volunteers is required in order for firea t t h e Wo o d m e r e F i r e fighters to accrue funds Department informed him toward their state pensions. of the issue. “Thank you to Firefighters must attain 50 Senator Kaminsky for his points per year by being on leadership and advocacy on call, responding to emergenbehalf of our volunteer firecies and taking part in trainfighters,” Woodmere Fire ing sessions.

C o m m i s s i o n e r s Ro n n a todd Kaminsky Kaminsky, who re preRubenstein and Israel Max sents several South Shore said in a joint statement in fire departments, said the the release. “This bill will measure would allow active volunteers make sure these brave men and women to earn up to five points per month dur- retain their benefits while forced to stay ing the Covid-19 pandemic and give home because of the pandemic.” departments the ability to set different It was unclear at press time when the emergency response requirements for State Senate would discuss the bill. The certain members. Firefighters would Assembly and Senate passed a resoluthen only have to respond to the mini- tion in late March enabling virtual conmum number of emergency calls they ferencing and voting among firefighters. are assigned.

“First responders deserve our sup–Jeffrey Bessen and Scott Brinton

L.B. City Council votes to borrow $4.2M jbernstein@liherald.com

The Long Beach City Council voted unanimously at a special meeting Thursday night to borrow $4.2 million from Capital One Bank to keep itself afloat through the end of its fiscal year, June 30, 2020.

The city, faced with a mounting deficit, fears that it would not receive revenues from beach and parking fees, which typically come in the spring and summer months. But the coronavirus may keep the beaches closed. The decision whether to open them, city officials have said, is up to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The city council voted to borrow the money at an interest rate of 2.25 percent.

That will cost the city $96,000 in interest at the end of its next fiscal year, but the payment can be extended for another year after that.

The council voted after a presentation by representatives of its financial advisors, Capital Markets. The advisors said Long Beach faces a deficit of several million dollars because it may not receive funds from recreation fees, state aid, and sales taxes, all of which have plummeted since the coronavirus took hold in early March.

If Long Beach relied on revenue alone to pull itself out of the hole, it would have to raise property taxes to about 11 percent. The city has already raised property taxes 8 percent in each of the last two fis-

Christina Daly/Herald

Long Beach city Council voted unanimously at a special meeting on Aril 30 to borrow $4.2 million to keep them afloat until the end of this fiscal year. cal years.

In May, a budget proposed by new city manager Donna Gayden raises taxes 1.81 percent, or about $142 per average household a year. The city council is to hold two public hearings on the proposed budget, in early and middle May. The Capital Markets representatives said the co-called “deficiency note” to

Capital One Bank “is a short-term note to help make the city whole.” They said the city has no financial resources to see itself through to the end of its fiscal year.

The representatives advised against setting up any type of state control board to oversee Long Beach’s finances. Such boards, they argued, tend to remain in place long term and board members

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receive high fees for their services. Nassau County has been under the jurisdiction of a control board for nearly 10 years now, they noted.

The financial representatives said it was not unusual in the current economic climate for municipalities to seek funding against a possible loss of revenues. They also noted that the city has already taken steps to reduce spending, including closing the ice rink and much of the recreation department. A total of 142 part-time, non-essential employees have already been laid off.

The city, under Gayden, is developing a five-year plan to strengthen its finances.

City Council president John Bendo said that the city normally receives significant revenue from beach fees and parking fees. “But because of Covid, we don’t know if we will receive these fees to carry us to the end of the (fiscal) year.”

“We have to keep the lights on and pay the employees,” he said.

Councilmember Michael Delury said a lot of revenue comes in from beach passes and that may not materialize. “This is not a unique situation,” he said before casting his yes vote.

City Council Vice-President Karen McInnis said she had reviewed all of the documents and declared them “sound” and that the borrowing was necessary.

“We don’t have any cash for any rainy day fund,” McInnis said.

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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 7, 2020

By James Bernstein

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May 7, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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Families begin Ramadan fast — from afar

By TIMOTHY DENTON tdenton@liherald.com

With the sighting of the crescent moon on the evening of April 23, the month of Ramadan officially began.

This year, however, the traditional gatherings before sunrise and after sunset have been suspended at Masjid Al-Baqi in Bethpage and at the Islamic Center of Long Island in Woodbury, as they have been across the country and around the world.

The month is holy not only to the thousands of Muslims in Nassau County, but also to the more than 1.8 billion worldwide and is observed with 30 days of daily dawn-to-dusk fasts. The fast is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is obligatory, or fard for all whose health would not be jeopardized. Women who are breast feeding or menstruating, diabetics and the chronically ill are also specifically exempted from the fast.

The month culminates in the feast of Eid-al-Fitr, one of the two great feasts of the Islamic calendar.

Both communities will hold classes and services online, via various streaming media. At Masjid-Al-Baqi, Mufti Mohammad Farhan will give daily commentary on passages from the Quran after fajr, the first of the five daily prayers prescribed by the Quran. Live streaming of tafseer, or interpretation of the Quran, will take place every evening at 9:30.

Online education will continue via Zoom videoconferencing.

Ramadan is from a root Arabic word meaning God. Traditionally, families and communities gather after sunset for a communal meal, called iftar.

In addition to fasting, devout Muslims also abstain from tobacco products and sex. Charitable deeds, another of the Five Pillars, are also traditionally increased during the holy month. Many carry out extra good works during the month, such as alms giving, participating in blood drives or feeding the hungry. Masjid AlBaqi is providing free groceries for the elderly, the chronically ill and the financially distressed, according to the community’s website.

The Islamic Center is offering similar programs, with guidance by Sheikh Ibrahim Negm, adviser to the

Herald file photo

UsUallY a MONTH of communal contemplation, fasting and prayer, families will observe this year’s Ramadan in the home, as Muslims follow the pattern set by other religions and move to electronic formats.

Grand Mufti of Al-Azhar in Cairo — one of the world’s earliest universities — and by Farhan, as well as twicenightly recitations by Hafiz Dr. Assad Baig and Hafiz Tanweer Ahmed.

For further information, contact Masjid Al-Baqi (516) 433-4141, or online at masjidalbaqi.org; or the Islamic Center of Long Island, at (516) 333-3495, or at icily.org.

aN ExaMplE Of a simple Ramadan iftar, or evening meal.

Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

L.I. congressional reps unite behind small businesses By laUra laNE llane@liherald.com

The Small Business Administration, Treasury Department and banks should be held accountable if lending institutions focus only on larger businesses when approving Payroll Protection Program loans, said a bipartisan group of Long Island congressional leaders on April 24. Meeting on the video conferencing platform Zoom, they said that priority should be given to “small” small businesses seeking loans of less than $150,000.

“There are a lot of smaller small businesses in the U.S. and most have less than 20 employees,” said U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Democrat from Glen Cove. “We have to send a clear message to the banks that we’re watching. They need to help the mom-and-pop shops, the plumber, electrician, doctor and dentist. And we need the Treasury Department and Small Business Administration to help get that message across.”

President Trump signed a new stimulus bill on April 23 that includes more than $300 billion in federal guarantees for

PPP loans, which must be used to keep told her that they are worried they will employees on the payrolls of small busi- not survive.

One of Trump’s vocal supporters, U.S. nesses. The SBA would forgive the loans if all employees are kept on the pay- Rep. Lee Zeldin, a Republican from Sufroll for eight weeks and the loan money is folk County, said the government needs to step up to help the smaller used for payroll, rent, mortbusinesses. “To my colgage interest or utilities. A leagues who think there is new stimulus bill was needed nothing left to do, this isn’t because the initial of $349 the time to walk away and billion for the program ran declare bankruptcy,” he said, out. referring to a suggestion Suozzi said that the avermade by Senate Majority age loan amount from the Leader Mitch McConnell. first stimulus package at the “We need to make sure the 15 larger banks was $515,000, state and local governments meaning the big borrowers get through this.” received the loans and not Big banks should focus the smaller business. their attention on the smallU.S. Rep. Peter King, a THOMas sUOzzI est of businesses, said U.S. Republican, said the smaller U.S. representative, Rep. Gregory Meeks, a Demobusinesses need relief now. crat, noting he is working to “Or there won’t be any small Fourth District make sure they do. “Despite businesses left,” he said. who is in the cue, if you see a “This is a natural disaster.

We have to stand together on this as New small business with 20 or less employees, push them up,” he said. “We earmarked Yorkers.”

U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice, a Democrat, $60 billion to go to community banks and agreed, adding that local retailers have credit unions because they have the pulse

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e will get through this if Democrats and Republicans are united like we are here.

of small business to make sure they can apply for loans.”

Of the roughly 67,000 loan applications, 27,000 had been approved as of April 24. Rice said non-partisan oversight was needed moving forward.

Then Zeldin warned businesses that do not need the loan to not apply, adding that they will be shamed if they do. “If you are flush with cash, if you are an individual who is sitting comfortably and wealthy — this is not a moment in time for you to be asking what your country can do for you to get through the pandemic,” he said.

Payment of the loans should be flexible, Suozzi said. He predicted that when restaurants reopen, they would probably only see 30 percent of their business return. “They will need flexibility on paying back the loan,” he said. “Can we make money available with a much lower interest rate at maybe 0 or 1 percent?”

The congressional leaders are 100 percent united on these issues, Suozzi said, and “want to fight for the little guy — the smallest businesses. We will get through this if Democrats and Republicans are united like we are here.”

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What’s neWs in and out of the classroom

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 7, 2020

Herald ScHoolS

Best Young Artists shine online Six Long Beach High School Visual Arts students had their work selected to be showcased in the 24th Annual Long Island’s Best: Heckscher Museum Young Artists Exhibition. For the first time, the event has taken an online format so that students can continue to receive spotlight for their talents despite the current circumstances related to COVID-19.

In honor of the museum’s 100th anniversary, this year’s exhibition featured 100 pieces that were selected from entries submitted by 388 students across Long Island. A virtual opening reception and awards ceremony took place on Instagram Live via @heckschermuseum on April 30.

The following Long Beach students were featured in this prestigious exhibit: ■ Meilin Garfinkel, mixed media, “Analogon” ■ Matt Garone, ceramic, “Unknown Chronicle” ■ Jhana Prue, watercolor on paper, “Rabbit Hearted” ■ Belle Salsone, paint marker on wood, “Seaside” ■ Cyla Timperio, ceramic, “Moana Kai” ■ Deina Vicente, digital photograph, “Vendors in Bais”

Artwork by MAtt Garone, ceramic, “Unknown Chronicle” Artwork by belle Salsone, paint marker on wood, “Seaside” Artwork by CylA Timperio, ceramic, “Moana Kai” Artwork by JhAnA Prue, watercolor on paper, “Rabbit Hearted” Artwork by Meilin Garfinkel, mixed media, “Analogon”

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Virtual programs to start soon at MLK Center continued from front page temic inequalities such as residential segregation often lead to worse health conditions.

Hodge said that the center gives out about 300 meals per day. About 15 volunteers, several from STRONG Youth, Inc. — a youth, family and community development organization — help make the program possible.

William Doepper, who receives food from the center’s senior program, said that volunteers make deliveries to his home on West Broadway, and to other seniors. “The meals are excellent,” Doepper said, praising the work the MLK Center is doing for the community.

While individuals waited for meals, Hodge told the crowd that Kaminsky had donated funds to create virtual programs during the pandemic. Hodge said he would like to see virtual science, technology, English, arts and math, or STEAM courses as well as fitness and other educational programs begin as soon as possible.

“I would love to see these virtual programs, since we got checks, to see them start next week,” Hodge said. “We have people who are ready and willing, and we’re going to make this happen.”

Kaminsky said he wanted to see the funds used for programs that would supplement what children are doing in school, and added that it was vital to help community members in need.

“The Martin Luther King Center is a critical anchor in the community,” he said. “These are our neighbors, these are our family, these are our friends, and at this time we’ve all got to come together to help the center out — and help any center or not-for-profits doing God’s work.”

Photos by Darwin Yanes/Herald

State Sen. todd Kaminsky, far left above, joined volunteers from the MLK Center on Monday to distribute meals and masks to residents. the line wrapped around the block. long Beach native Reggie Herron, far left, cooked meals for residents.

During the past month of uncertainty and pandemic, Community Chest has provided emergency support to:

If your local nonprofit organization needs financial support during these unprecedented times, contact us for assistance.

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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 7, 2020 Filename: Northwell_w321181f_Plasma donation ad_Herald Community Newspapers_FP_10.25x12.75

L.B. hires permanent Corporation Counsel den City, which specialized in zoning, project development, governmental and municipal compliance and litigation.

Simone Marie Freeman, a former dep- Additionally, she was deputy town attoruty town attorney for the town of North ney for the Town of North Hempstead Hempstead, has been hired from 2009 to 2013. as Long Beach’s first permaFreeman began practicing nent Corporation Counsel law in 2008 and earned her since October of 2019. law degree from Hofstra UniFreeman succeeds Corpoversity’s Maurice A. Deane ration Counsel Rob Agostisi, School of Law. who was also Acting City In a statement, City offiManager. Agostisi resigned cials said they conducted a last fall and is now chief long search before selecting legal counsel for the LGBT Freeman.

Network. Former Assistant “Ms. Freeman was hired Corporation Counsel Gregoby the City of Long Beach ry Kalnitsky temporarily after an extensive, monthssimone Freeman took over before departing to long, search,” the statement become the City Attorney for said. “As part of the process, Glen Cove.

City officials reviewed 28 resumes and In the last seven years, Freeman was interviewed 11 candidates.” working at the Amato Law Group in Gar-

By Darwin Yanes dyanes@liherald.com

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12

“A Labor of Love”

13

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 7, 2020

Mom’s making mask group makes and distributes more than 4,000 masks

By Darwin Yanes dyanes@liherald.com

Barbara Smith wakes up at 5 a.m. and often makes coffee, tea or something for breakfast. But she always immediately turns to sewing, not hats or scarves, but masks for first responders fighting Covid-19.

“Early in the morning, there’s no telephone, everyone is sleeping,” said Smith, of Long Beach. “I do my best work in the morning,” Smith and Facebook Group “Moms Making Masks” have produced more than 4,000 masks for first responders. Smith, a professional seamstress, who once owned her own dry cleaning business in Long Beach, Fashion Cleanry for 15 years, has made more than 1,000 masks alone in five weeks.

“It’s been such a wonderful experience,” Smith said.

“It’s like it gave us a new purpose. It’s just a labor of love.”

The Moms Making Mask group was started by East Rockaway Resident and Long Beach native, Jennifer Frank, who began making cotton masks with elastic ear straps out of her home.

After making several masks for first responders, Frank was running out of material and asked on Facebook if anyone could donate elastic.

Lauren Franklin, who did not know Frank at the time, stepped up and helped bring in more people and more material to help the cause.

Smith was a longtime friend of Frank’s mother and saw a Facebook post asking for volunteers and said she jumped on the opportunity.

The group has members in about 20 towns in Nassau and Suffolk County, from Lynbrook to Commack. They

Courtesy Barbara Smith

MoMs froM the group, who live all over Long Island, got a chance to meet last week. have a network of volunteers, who have their own specific jobs. Some wash the donations; others cut, some deliver masks or pickup materials and there are about 50 sewers like Smith and Frank. Overall, Smith said, they have about 150 active workers.

“Many of our donees, have become donors,” Smith said. “They all want to join our group. We have young teenagers to a great-grandma, a 97-year-old, who crochets for us. I have never in my life met more dedicated people.”

Smith has made giving back a family affair by bringing in her daughter, Stacy Smith Weiner, to help sew and

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The group has donated masks to hospitals, fire and police departments, nursing homes, supermarkets and many more places. Political leaders, including State Sen. Todd Kaminsky and Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, have recognized the group.

Mike Smollins contributed to this story.

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CLAMBAKE

Commissioner says pay cut led to retirement

By James Bernstein jbernstein@liherald.com

Long Beach Police Commissioner Michael Tangney, who told city officials last week he will be retiring at the end of this month after 42 years on the force, has never been known to pull punches.

And he did not when asked in an interview during the weekend why he is leaving.

“They reduced my pay by about $60,000” in the proposed budget for the next fiscal year.

The cut, if the budget is approved by the city council, would reduce Tangney’s pay to $175,000 a year to head the 69-member force.

Tangney is departing amid a coronavirus pandemic that has infected more than 600 people in Long Beach. City officials said they had no comment on the timing of his departure. His supporters say there is little Tangney can do during the crisis beyond supervising his officers, who are working to ensure people practice social distancing.

But, Tangney had said, “I’m 64.” “After 62, you’re maxed out” in pension. “It’s not worth it. How long do you work anyway?

It’s time to do something else.”

Tangney described as a “cop’s cop” and a no-nonsense manager. said he will be replaced, on an interim basis, by veteran police officer Edward Ryan. an Inspector.

Ryan has been with the Long Beach police

happy Mothers Day

Herald File Photo

Long Beach poLice Commissioner Michael Tangney at a news conference in 2016. department for over 30 years, Tangney said.

“I had a great career,” Tangney said. “I was a cop, a sergeant, a lieutenant and I’ve been commissioner for eight years.

There’s nothing I haven’t done.”

“I always tell young cops that there will be pictures in their minds, horrible pictures, that they will take to their graves,” he said.

For Tangney, one such picture took place in July 2005, after he and family

members had attended a wedding.

On his way home, on the Meadowbrook Parkway, he spotted a limousine that had been in a horrible accident.

Tangney stopped and rushed to the badlydamaged vehicle. It was then and there he learned his 7-year-old niece, Katie Flynn, had been in the limo and was killed in the accident. A drunk driver, Martin Heidgen traveling at 70 MPH in the wrong direction, on the Meadowbrook, slammed into the limo. Heidgen received an 18-year to

life sentence.

Tangney has a long history with Long Beach. At one point, he served as city manager as well as a police commissioner. He had said in an interview he had no intention of remaining city manager.

“I’m just minding the store.”Tangney returned full-time to police commissioner when an acting city manager was named.

In February, the city hired Donna Gayden, a municipal finance expert, as city manager.

Gayden has proposed a budget that contains a 1.81 percent tax rate, the lowest in years. But it includes layoffs of 142 people, and steep cuts in spending and salaries. The city council is to hold two public hearings on the proposed budget, one on Tuesday and the other May 17.

Tangney has been credited with reducing crime, running a tight financial ship, securing funds for surveillance cameras and police training, and seeing to it that his officers were adept at the use of Narcan to treat opioid overdose patients.

Tangney’s wife, Darlene, is the leader of the Long Beach Independent Democratic Party.

Tangney said he had no immediate plans for his future. “I’m going to take a summer vacation for the first time since grade school,” he said. Would he remain in Long Beach?

“I was born here,” he said. “It would take God knows what to get me to leave.”

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May 7, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

14

Making a difference in the era of pandemic ty to communicate and their different way of perceiving changes in their health.

Like so many health care professionals right now, Dr. Bates needed funding to protect both patients and staff. I donated $10,000 to help them with that. I also helped Plainview Hospital with a $5,000 donation in appreciation for the wonderful care they give to people with special needs.

I try to do something every day, like delivering food and helping organizations that seek to make a difference during these very dark days.

We have to remember, appreciate and recognize the abundance of good work being done right now by so many unsung heroes who are, together, making a massive difference in quality of life, illness outcomes and the eisenberg emotional well-being of everyone they touch.

You can make a difference. I am doing it daily and it goes a long way toward keeping my faith and perspective. It can be done. When you help others, you also benefit by not feeling so helpless in the face of monumental challenges. I have made a difference. You can too!

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 7, 2020

It has been heartbreaking not being able to be with my son, Ricky, during this time at his residence for people with developmental disabilities. He has severe cognitive impairments, has never been able to speak and is now blind. He is completely reliant upon others for everything.

That is why, in all his 61 years, we have never gone this long without visiting his residence.

During these frightening times, Ricky and most other vulnerable and defenseless New Yorkers are locked down and completely reliant upon the care of direct caregivers who are essential workers that aren’t so essential when it comes to their compensation.

Right now, there are so many frightening things that are not in our control. We don’t know who will be arvey stricken, what the outcome will be, how our economy will fare and when this will end. It is a lonely time for so many of us!

Through my many years of life and public service, I have found that when things spin out of control and we feel helpless, those of us who pray certainly should. After that, I always come to a realization that while I can’t change everything, I can change something, even if it is a small matter.

So, I buy dinner for the direct caregivers at Ricky’s house at least once a week. I also reached out to Dr. Julie Bates from Advantage Care Diagnostics & Treatment Center in Freeport. Dr. Bates and her amazing staff specialize in health care for people like Ricky who can be so difficult to diagnose and treat due to their inabili-

15

Guest Column

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Harvey Weisenberg, a life-long resident of Long Beach, served as a member of the New York State Assembly from the 20th district from 1989 to 2014. He sponsored Jonathan’s Law, which established procedures for the notification of parents and guardians of incidents affecting the health and well-being of children and adults in staterun facilities. The law was signed in 2007.

News brief Baumann bus company closes, leaving school districts searching for replacements

By JameS BernSTein jbernstein@liherald.com

Baumann Co., one of Long Island’s largest school bus companies, has filed notice with the New York State Labor Department that is will cease operations immediately. The company filed a WARN notice with the Labor Department on April 28.

Baumann serves school districts in Long Beach and much of the South Shore.

However, the Long Beach School District has its own fleet of buses and used Baumann for a few routes, according to School Board President Maureen Vrona.

“Long Beach Schools owns most of its own buses,” Vrona said. “We only contract out with Baumann on a small number of runs. If school were to reopen this year we would attempt to consolidate other routes and possibly rebid the routes we had contracted with Baumann.”

Approximately 1,000 drivers and other employees have lost their jobs.

Officials of Baumann, which has been in business for over 50 years, could not immediately be reached for comment. But the company’s (WARN) Workers Readjustment and Retraining Notice, had been expected. The company has been letting some employees go for weeks as school districts closed and Baumann was not receiving pay from the districts.

The company said because the school districts weren’t paying them during the school closures, they did not have money to pay the workers.

Dan DeCrotie, the president of Local 1205, the union representing the workers, said: “This has been an ongoing issue since Governor Cuomo removed the 180day requirement for a school district to maintain state aid.”

Herald File Photo

The STaTe healTh Department reported 22 cases of Covid-19 at the Long Beach Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in April.

Previously undisclosed deaths at nursing homes

By JameS BernSTein Jbernstein@liherald.com

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office reported Tuesday that more than 1,700 previously undisclosed deaths occurred at nursing homes and adult care facilities, many of them in Nassau and New York City facilities.

At a press briefing in Albany Tuesday, Cuomo was asked what the state can do to prevent more deaths at these facilities. He said he and his staff are studying what else might be done, and noted that he and State Attorney General Letitia James are investigating whether nursing homes are adhering to requirements that they report Cover-19 cases and deaths to relatives.

Cuomo noted at the briefing that nursing homes are “prime places” for coronavirus because residents are elderly and many have underlying medical conditions. He noted the state has already prohibited visits at nursing homes. He said he believed the measure was “cruel” but added: “You do anything you can” to stop the spread of the virus.

The State Health Department has reported that at least 4,813 people had died from the coronavirus since March 1 at nursing homes in the state. But exactly how many nursing home residents have died remains uncertain despite the state’s latest disclosure, as the list doesn’t include nursing home residents who were transferred to hospitals before dying.

Long Beach has a number of nursing homes and adult care facilities. The state’s revised lost shows that that 22 nursing homes, largely in New York City and Long Island, have reported at least 40 deaths.

In April, the state said 22 residents had died at the Long Beach Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 8 at the Glen Cove Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, and 6 at the Lynbrook Restorative and Therapy Nursing Facility.

John McNally, a spokesman for the City of Long Beach, said the nursing homes do not report Cover-19 cases or deaths to the city, only to the State Health Department.

The new numbers dramatically increased the death tolls at Long Island nursing homes. Nassau County’s nursing home count went from 306 deaths on Friday to 457 confirmed and presumed COVID deaths reported Tuesday. The increases confirm what elder care advocates and dozens of family members have suspected — that the state’s original list of deaths by facility severely underestimated the carnage that COVID-19 had wreaked on nursing homes.

Family members said many of the nursing homes continue to provide vague, minimal information about cases and deaths, even after an executive order from Cuomo instructed them to report the deaths and cases to family members.

Have a great story?

Call our editors today 516-569-4000 or email jbernstein@liherald.com www.liherald.com

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May 7, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Spread the news(letter) not the virus!

Stay up to date with the latest Nassau County news.

Sign up for an online account at www.liherald.com to receive our weekly newsletter with top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox.

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Public Notices

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LLON1 0507

statutory authority, and show the cumulative impact of each type of exemption, the cumulative amount expected to be received as payments in lieu of taxes and the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that petitions nominating candidates for Board of Education trustees and Library Board trustee are available from the District Clerk and are due by May 11, 2020. Individuals interested in running for the Board of Education or the Library Board may declare themselves to be candidates provided that they meet all other legal requirements to be a candidate necessary to be placed on the ballot including any applicable residence requirements.

This can be done by letter, or by completing and returning a nominating petition which can be found on the District’s website at www . or by emailing the District Clerk for a copy of a petition. The letter or petition must indicate, at a minimum, the candidate’s name and residence. Candidates run at large and nominating petitions shall not describe any specific vacancy for which the candidate is nominated.

The petition or letter shall be directed to the District Clerk, at cbutler@lbeach.org or filed electronically at email address on or before 5:00 p.m. on May 11, 2020. By Executive Order of the Governor of the State of New York, names will be placed alphabetically on the ballot.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that due to the health and safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the potential for contraction of COVID-19 is deemed a temporary illness. As such, every eligible voter is entitled to be sent an absentee ballot with a postage paid return envelope.

Further, due to the resulting ordered closure of schools, personal registration with the school district will not take place for the June 9, 2020 election. In lieu of such registration, individuals can register through New York State Department of Motor Vehicle’s voter registration website (https://nam02.safelinks.p rotection.outlook.com/?ur l=https%3A%2F%2Fdmv. ny.g ov%2Fmoreinfo%2Felectronic-voterregistrationapplication&a mp;data=02%7C01%7Cc butler%40lbeach.org%7C 42ab9836d70e48e e1e9a08d7f12c015e%7C 5b54068f5917406897c42 ebc0456c4c7%7C0%7C0 % 7 C 6 3 7243043612084248&am p;sdata=3NjSIDi3%2B4hh tQP9zAtp4t20l3BYx%2B5

U E R u 29kraUJU%3D&reser ved=0), and be eligible to receive an absentee ballot for the adjourned June 9, 2020 election, provided that the individual registers before June 4, 2020. Persons who shall have been previously registered for any District annual or special election and who shall have voted at any such District election held in the prior four calendar years (2016-2019), and/or persons who are registered to vote at general elections within the District pursuant to Election Law §352 need not register to be eligible to vote at said Annual District Election and will automatically receive an absentee ballot. If you are unsure whether you are a qualified voter and/or will receive an absentee ballot, please contact the District Clerk at cbutler@lbeach.org or add phone. The school district must receive such absentee ballot by mail not later than 5:00 p.m. on June 9, 2020 in order to be canvassed.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that pursuant to Education Law §2018-d, any person serving in the military, including spouses and dependents, may register to vote in the upcoming school district election.

A military voter who is a qualified voter of the school district may obtain a registration and application form by contacting the District Clerk by email (cbutler@lbeach.org). A military voter who is duly registered will receive a military ballot.

Completed military ballots must be received by 5:00 p.m. on June 9, 2020 if signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto with a date which is not later than the day before the election, or not later than the close of the polls on June 9, 2020 if postmarked or endorsed by an agency of the United States g o v e r n m e n t .

MAUREEN VRONA, ESQ., P R E S I D E N T BOARD OF EDUCATION LONG BEACH PUBLIC S C H O O L S CAROLE BUTLER, DISTRICT CLERK 121820

LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA ADJUNTA, VOTO PRESUPUESTARIO Y ELECCIÓN DISTRITO ESCOLAR DE LA CIUDAD DE LONG BEACH CONDADO DE NASSAU, NOTICIA DE NUEVA YORK SE OTORGA QUE UNA AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA SOBRE EL PRESUPUESTO DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR PROPUESTO SE REALIZARÁ DE FORMA REMOTA EL 27 DE MAYO DE 2020 A LAS 3:00 PM MARCACIÓN EN N Ú M E R O

(425) 436-6390, CÓDIGO DE ACCESO: 899201; y POR FAVOR TENGA AVISO ADICIONAL de que una votación y elección se llevará a cabo de forma remota a las 5:00 pm del martes 9 de junio de 2020 para votar sobre las siguientes propuestas, así como cualquier otra propuesta que pueda p r e s e n t a r s e adecuadamente ante el electorado: 1 . Adoptar el presupuesto anual del Distrito Escolar de Long Beach City para el año escolar 20202021 y autorizar que la porción requerida del mismo se recaude mediante impuestos sobre la propiedad imponible del distrito escolar.

2. Elegir a dos (2) miembros de la Junta de Educación por tres (3) años, comenzando el 1 de julio de 2020 y terminando el 30 de junio de 2023. 3. Adoptar el presupuesto anual de la Biblioteca Pública de Long Beach para 2020 -2021 año escolar y para autorizar que la porción requerida del mismo sea recaudada por impuestos sobre la propiedad imponible del distrito escolar. 4. Elegir un (1) administrador de la Biblioteca Pública de Long Beach por un período de cinco (5) años que comienza el 1 de julio de 2020 y termina el 30 de junio de 2025.

POR FAVOR, TENGA AVISO ADICIONAL de que cualquier residente del distrito puede obtener una copia de la declaración de la cantidad de dinero requerida para el año siguiente para fines escolares (presupuesto escolar) exclusivo de fondos públicos durante los 14 días anteriores a la reunión anual y el día de la reunión anual en el sitio web del distrito en lbeach.org, y / o por correo electrónico a cbutler@lbeach.org. Una copia de la declaración de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para los propósitos de la Biblioteca sin incluir el dinero público estará disponible en el sitio web de la Biblioteca Pública de Long Beach.

POR FAVOR TENGA AVISO ADICIONAL de que de conformidad con la Sección 495 de la Ley del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles, se requiere que el Distrito adjunte a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exención.

Dicho informe de exención, que también se convertirá en parte del presupuesto final, mostrará cómo el valor tasado total en la lista de evaluación final utilizada en el proceso presupuestario está exento de impuestos, enumera cada tipo de exención otorgada por la autoridad legal y muestra el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención, el monto acumulado que se espera recibir como

Courtesy Park Avenue Extended Facility

Salute to heroes Family members drove by the Park Avenue Extended Care Facility in Long Beach last week in a Salute to Heroes, who care for their relatives during the coronavirus pandemic.

Public Notices

pagos en lugar de impuestos y el impacto acumulativo de todas las exenciones otorgadas.

POR FAVOR, TENGA AVISO ADICIONAL de que las peticiones de nominación de candidatos para los miembros de la Junta de Educación y la Junta de la Biblioteca están disponibles en el Secretario del Distrito y deben presentarse antes del 11 de mayo de 2020.

Las personas interesadas en postularse para la Junta de Educación o la Junta de la Biblioteca pueden declararse a sí mismas los candidatos siempre que cumplan con todos los demás requisitos legales para ser candidatos necesarios para ser incluidos en la boleta electoral, incluidos los requisitos de residencia aplicables. Esto se puede hacer por carta, o completando y devolviendo una petición de nominación que se puede encontrar en el sitio web del Distrito en www . o enviando un correo electrónico al secretario del distrito para obtener una copia de una petición. La carta o petición debe indicar, como mínimo, el nombre y la residencia del candidato. Los candidatos que se postulen en general y las peticiones de nominación no describirán ninguna vacante específica para la cual el candidato sea nominado. La petición o

carta deberá dirigirse al Secretario del Distrito, a cbutler@lbeach.org o a r c h i v a r s e electrónicamente a la dirección de correo electrónico a más tardar a las 5:00 p. M. El 11 de mayo de 2020. Por orden ejecutiva del gobernador del estado de Nueva York, los nombres se c o l o c a r á n alfabéticamente en la boleta.

POR FAVOR TENGA AVISO ADICIONAL que debido a las preocupaciones de salud y seguridad asociadas con la pandemia de COVID-19, el potencial de contracción de COVID-19 se considera una enfermedad temporal.

Como tal, cada votante elegible tiene derecho a que se le envíe una boleta en ausencia con un sobre de devolución con franqueo pagado.

Además, debido al cierre ordenado resultante de las escuelas, el registro personal en el distrito escolar no tendrá lugar para las elecciones del 9 de junio de 2020. En lugar de dicho registro, las personas pueden registrarse a través del sitio web de registro de votantes del Departamento de Vehículos Motorizados del Estado de Nueva York ( https://nam02.safelinks.pr otection.outlook.com/?url =https%3A%2F%2Fdmv. ny.gov% 2Fmoreinfo% 2Felectronic-registro de votantes aplicación &

amp; datos = 02% 7C01% 7Ccbutler% 40lbeach.org% 7C42ab9836d70e48ee1e 9a08d7f12c015e% 7C5b54068f5917406897c 42ebc0456c4c7% 7C0% 7 C 0 % 7C637243043612084248 & amp; sdata = 3 N j S I D i 3 % 2B4hhtQP9zAtp4t20l3BY x% 2B5UERu29kraUJU% 3D & amp; reservado = 0 ), y ser elegible para recibir una boleta de votación en ausencia para la elección aplazada del 9 de junio de 2020, siempre que el individuo se registre antes del 4 de junio de 2020. Personas que se habrán registrado previamente para cualquier elección anual o especial del Distrito y que habrán votado en dicho Distrito elección celebrada en los cuatro años calendario anteriores (2016-2019), y / o las personas que están registradas para votar en las elecciones generales dentro del Distrito de conformidad con la Ley Electoral §352 no necesitan registrarse para ser elegibles para votar en dicho An Elección de Distrito anual y recibirá automáticamente una boleta en ausencia. Si no está seguro de si es un votante calificado y / o recibirá una boleta de votación en ausencia, comuníquese con el Secretario del Distrito a cbutler@lbeach.org o agregue el teléfono. El distrito escolar debe recibir dicha boleta en

ausencia por correo a más tardar a las 5:00 p.

M. El 9 de junio de 2020 para poder ser sometido a escrutinio. POR FAVOR TENGA AVISO ADICIONAL que de conformidad con la Ley de Educación §2018-d, cualquier persona que sirva en el ejército, incluidos cónyuges y dependientes, puede registrarse para votar en la próxima elección del distrito escolar.

Un votante militar que sea un votante calificado del distrito escolar puede obtener un formulario de inscripción y solicitud contactando al Secretario del Distrito por correo e l e c t r ó n i c o (cbutler@lbeach.org). Un votante militar debidamente registrado recibirá una boleta militar.

Las boletas militares completas deben recibirse antes de las 5:00 p. M. Del 9 de junio de 2020 si el votante militar y un testigo lo firman y fechan con una fecha que no sea posterior al día anterior a la elección, o no posterior al cierre del encuestas el 9 de junio de 2020 si están mataselladas o avaladas por una agencia del gobierno de los Estados Unidos.

MAUREEN VRONA, ESQ., PRESIDENTE LONG BEACH SCHOOLS CAROLE BUTLER, SECRETARIA DE DISTRITO 121821 Search for notices online at: www.mypublicnotices.com

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 7, 2020

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADJOURNED PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION LONG BEACH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing on the proposed school district budget will be held remotely by teleconference on May 27, 2020 at 3:00 PM – DIAL IN NUMBER (425) 436-6390, ACCESS CODE: 899201; and PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a vote and election held will be held remotely at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 to vote on the following propositions, as well as any other propositions, which may properly come before the electorate: 1.

To adopt the annual budget of the Long Beach City School District for the 2020-2021 school year and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the school district.

2.

To elect two (2) members of the Board of Education for three (3) year terms commencing on July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2023.

3.

To adopt the annual budget of the Long Beach Public Library for the 20202021 school year and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the school district.

4.

To elect one (1) trustee of the Long Beach Public Library for a five (5) year term commencing on July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2025.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a copy of the statement of the amount of money required for the ensuing year for school purposes (school budget) exclusive of public monies may be obtained by any district resident during the 14 days preceding the annual meeting and on the day of the annual meeting on the district website at lbeach.org, and/or via email at cbutler@lbeach.org.

A copy of the statement of the amount of money that will be required for the Library purposes exclusive of public money will be available on the Long Beach Public Library website.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that pursuant to Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law, the District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted by the

HERALD

Employment

CLASSIFIED

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.

To pLACE your AD CALL 516-569-4000 - press 5

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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To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 1080712

May 7, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

18

Purchasing Agent

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• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

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19

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 7, 2020

Place Homes HERALD Market •

HERALD

Installing shingles HERALDStuff in wet weather • To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

Q. Lately, now that it’s spring, I’m seeing roofers putting on new shingles and assume people are getting leaks that must be making them a little desperate, because roofers are working on wet roofs or in cold weather or when it’s drizzling. Can roof shingles be put on in wet weather? I Ask The was taught by my father, a carpenter who was Architect extremely careful with everything he did. I learned what to do (and not to do) from him, and he never would have allowed this. Is there something about today’s products that allows them to be put on in wet or cold weather that I don’t know about?

A. Shingles aren’t the

Monte Leeper

only things being “put on.” Wet weather and construction don’t mix. Homeowners are being misled by people they hired to do the right job.

One of the first lessons in architecture is the detailed understanding of how water and movement affect buildings. Your observation is correct that installing materials in wet conditions should generally be avoided. In the case of putting shingles over shingles, there’s an assumption that the heat of a hot, sunny day will dry everything out eventually, but the slowly developing damage has already begun, hidden from sight.

It’s generally not the first thing people think of, but the world we live in exists in multiple levels of scale, from nanoparticles to cells to larger molecules and visible materials. In other words, seeing may be believing, but what you can’t see is still there, and what you can’t see happening is still happening. If we only think of water as big droplets, forgetting about gas (vapor) and solid (expanding ice), or that many materials allow water vapor to squeeze between their molecular structures, then it will be harder to understand the level of permeability or penetration of a material, like the wood sheathing below the shingles — or that a thousand nails were just driven through the vapor barrier sheeting below the shingles.

For installers, it becomes a gamble, a game of risk, to someone else’s cherished property through a bunch of assumptions: that water won’t get through, or won’t be locked in, heated by the sun, forced by pressure like a thousand little boiling tea kettles to push moisture around the nails and into the wood sheathing, or to cause the semi-rigid shingles to be forced by expanding frost to keep flexing and contracting, shortening their useful lifespan of protecting the inside of the house. Once this occurs, the materials have made accommodation for vapor and have slightly expanded, but after expanding, they don’t immediately contract again.

They now have a much greater flexibility, and all because the moisture crowbarred its way in.

I often wonder if those installers would leave their windows down in a car wash. They have little to lose, because if the shingles fail prematurely, they’ll be back sooner.

© 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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21

opinions

T

he coronavirus pandemic sweeping our nation has highlighted critical gaps in our ability to beat back such threats. It’s quite a wake-up call for America.

There is total consensus in the international medical community that Covid19 originated in Wuhan, China. It likely began as a virus that jumped from animals to humans in one of that city’s notorio u s “ we t m a rkets,” where all sorts of live animals — including live bats known to carry coronavirusalfonse es — are slaughtered and offered d’amaTo for sale for human consumption.

According to U.S. intelligence reports, it is also ever more likely that a Chinese governmentsponsored laboratory in that city — the Wuhan Institute of Virology — was experimenting with the virus, and that because of careless handling by its scientists, the virus might have escaped from the lab and triggered the pandemic.

The Chinese communist government has predictably obfuscated on this disaster, locking down information from Wuhan and concealing the extent of the

pandemic in China. Instead of cooperating with the rest of the world to help scientists fully understand the origin and spread of the disease, Chinese authorities have lowered a cloak of secrecy and unleashed a propaganda campaign, even going so far as to make the preposterous claim that the virus was somehow imported into China by the U.S. military.

All of this would be more than bad enough if not for the fact that the virus has painfully demonstrated just how dependent the U.S. has become on China and other countries for all manner of medical supplies and critical medicines. America imports vast amounts of medical masks, gowns and other protective equipment. Much of our pharmaceutical industry, which was once located in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, has shifted to Asia over the past few decades.

America today is in the extraordinarily dangerous position of fighting a pandemic caused largely by the Chinese government’s carelessness and malfeasance with medical supplies from China. That must change, and quickly. It’s time for America to see China for the adversary it is, not the partner we might wish it to be.

That will mean making some very fundamental changes in U.S. industrial and

i

trade policies in the future. We must bring critical manufacturing capability back to this country, especially for important medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.

By way of example, for years America had a robust pharmaceutical industry in Puerto Rico.

That industry was given tax incentives that were shortsightedly allowed to lapse, driving production to other nations, where it was welcomed with significant host-government support.

Congress and the administration should reinstate those tax incentives to bring back pharmaceutical production.

There are a number of other steps Washington should consider to help rebuild our manufacturing base.

For years we have allowed China and other countries to game international bodies like the World Trade Organization and the World Health Organization, which gave special treatment to those countries as “developing nations.”

But today its laughable to consider China a developing nation that can take advantage of WTO polices to dump manufactured goods in America and WHO policies that allow it to shirk its international responsibilities. How can it be right for China to run a trade surplus

t has painfully demonstrated just how dependent the U.S. has become on China.

with the U.S. of a half trillion dollars a year at the same time that it contributes less than one-tenth of what the U.S. has contributed to the WHO? China gives the WHO less than $50 million a year, while the U.S. gives it over $500 million for international health care initiatives, because the WHO considers China a “developing nation.”

What nonsense! President Trump was right to suspend further U.S. financial support for the WHO until this glaring inequity is corrected. At the very least, China must make up the hundreds of millions of dollars it should have contributed to the WHO to match what the U.S. has already so generously contributed.

Over the next few years, in the aftermath of this international health and economic disaster, America must rebuild its industrial might. We cannot lead the world with just the strength of our ideals or our arms, great as they may be. And we must demand that countries like China treat the rest of the world fairly, and shoulder their share of the responsibility to all humankind.

It is not too late for America to wake up. But time is running out.

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.

Have you heard the one about Clorox Chewables?

H

umor is serious business, so I felt much better when the pandemic jokes began popping up. For example: “If you need 144 rolls of toilet paper for a 14-day quarantine, you probably should have been seeing a doctor long before Covid-19.” If we can joke about it, it can’t be as terrifying as it seems, right? Right?

Tracking the LOLs, it becomes evident that much coronavirus humor focuses on toilet paper and the shortages thereof. I guess the world started looking funny to us when we first put on our big boy and big girl pants.

I know some Randi readers think kReiss there’s nothing funny about Covid19, and really, those of us who find a laugh here and there don’t think it’s funny, either. We’re not making light of the disease, but of ourselves and our foibles.

Humor is an enormously successful defense mechanism. That’s not from me; it’s from, you know, the guy who knew about these things, Sigmund Freud. He

wrote that humor helps us cope with seemingly insurmountable tragedy. It eases the burden and gives us some sense of control.

Two photos online: The first is a picture of Quentin Tarantino. The second is a picture of a guy in full hazmat suit inside a tent. The caption is “Tentin Quarantino.” You can laugh, it’s OK. The psychologists say so.

Gregg Levoy wrote in Psychology Today, “It’s a curious thing. We’re in the midst of the worst global health crisis in over 100 years, and yet we’re overflowing with jokes, parodies, cartoons and gag videos.”

I’ve laughed a lot at talking-dog videos, especially that one with the Schnauzer giving advice to other dogs on how to behave during a pandemic, specifically identifying the no-sniff zones. Yeah, the humor is low, but so is my morale.

This is not to say that sharing humor is without risk. We’re isolated, so when we send friends jokes or cartoons, they can’t see our expressions and we can’t read theirs. The possibility of misunderstanding one another is real.

To be sure, there is safe humor, and much more edgy stuff. One does have to

W

exhibit a modicum of good taste. I don’t think humor goes into the ICU or to the gravesite. And it all depends on one’s own experience through this time of trouble.

Being sick, worrying about a loved one in trouble, suffering financial setbacks or just going crazy from the extended isolation all change our sense of what’s funny.

My family is notoriously dark when it comes to humor. Almost anything goes, and for us, it helps.

People are still tuning in to Bill Maher and Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers because they make us laugh, despite the horrific news. All of them push the envelope.

Levoy says you can’t laugh and be scared at the same time, so while we’re laughing, we are momentarily forgetting the horrors of the pandemic. We are temporarily tuning out the map with the spread of the disease and the voiceovers with the daily totals of dead people and the news reports of refrigerator trucks holding the bodies of people’s mothers and fathers and children. After a while of consuming the bad news, we overload on horrific detail and actually shortcircuit. In that moment, if we can find

e’re not making light of the disease, but of ourselves and our foibles.

something to laugh about, it’s really OK. “Life does not cease to be funny when people die,” said George Bernard Shaw, “any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh.”

Here are a couple of mini ha-has: Has anyone let the Amish know what’s going on yet?

The World Health Organization has announced that dogs can’t contract Covid19. Dogs previously held in quarantine can now be released. Just to be clear, WHO let the dogs out.

Some of the humor coming my way targets Donald Trump and his disastrous incompetence before and during the pandemic. (Have you seen the ad for Clorox Chewables?)

Maher piled on: “Donald Trump had a meltdown about what a great temperament he has. It was like watching someone carve ‘I’m not a psycho’ into their arm.”

“If you are able to teach people to be more playful, to look at the absurdities of life as humorous, you see some increase in well-being,” said Stanford psychologist Andrea Samson.

I’m all for vaccines — the sooner the better — but let’s not inoculate ourselves against laughter.

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

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 7, 2020

Covid-19 is a wake-up call for America

22

Herald editorial

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May 7, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

HERALD Established 1990 Incorporating the Long Beach Independent Voice JAMES BERNSTEIN Editor dARwIN yANES Reporter EllEN fRISch Advertising Account Executive OffIcE 2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530 Phone: (516) 569-4000 Fax: (516) 569-4942 Web: www.liherald.com E-mail: lbeditor@liherald.com OffIcIAl NEwSPAPER: Long Beach Historical Society Long Beach City School District Long Beach Humane Society

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Schools: focus on students first, then learning

l

ast Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo finally offered students and teachers certainty about the rest of the 2019-20 school year when he canceled in-person classes through June to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Thank you, Mr. Cuomo.

For weeks, pupils and educators in New York’s schools were left in limbo, wondering whether they should devote themselves entirely to the new online model or wait for classes to resume as normal.

Moving to online teaching and learning was a shock to our education system that left all involved in a state of frenzied confusion. In just weeks, teachers had to move to a system in which most had little to no training or experience. Students, many of whom depend on their teachers, coaches, guidance counselors and administrators for social and emotional support, suddenly lost that network, leaving many full of anxiety at a time of widespread despair.

What most young people repeatedly hear now are stories of job loss and death.

Many children and young adults, without the life experience to understand that the nation will emerge from this crisis, remain in a semi-daze, incapable of focusing on their schoolwork as they did two months ago.

Worse, many students are hurting because their parents have lost their jobs, or fear losing them. Worst still, some students have lost parents or grandparents to Covid-19.

Teachers and administrators should, first and foremost, pay close attention to

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letters The virus is tough, but Long Islanders are tougher To the Editor: Communities all over the world have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, but have pressed on and adapted to the “new normal” of social distancing, homeschooling and teleworking. Although the virus has ravaged communities and businesses, Long Islanders have shown our strength once again by coming together even when we are kept physically apart.

Long Island is home to heroic first responders who risk illness and injury to help others in times of crisis. During Hurricane Sandy and after the Sept. 11 attacks, firefighters, police officers, health care workers and volunteers worked around the clock, without returning home to their own families for weeks on end, to heroically help our families and fellow New Yorkers. The same has been true during this pandemic.

their students’ psychological health during this precarious time, and secondarily to their schoolwork.

The period between now and mid-June will be a time of survival for many people, and no less for students. Expectations of learning must be tempered by the premise that, above all else, our young people must emerge from this time unscathed — psychologically unharmed, in a sound mental state.

The State Education Department canceled all major exams, including the Regents, for a good reason: The normal process of learning has been interrupted, and will not resume for some time.

The nation is at war with an invisible killer. Right now, students’ grades matter less than during ordinary times. What matters is sending a clear message to our young people: We adults will keep you safe.

One day soon, we will return to normal, and when we do, we will redouble our efforts to ensure that you learn all that’s necessary to know. Now, however, is not that time.

That is not to say that we should forgo learning, or not expect students to do their work. Rather, we must understand and acknowledge how they are feeling before we can get down to whatever work is possible.

With that said, we offer these suggestions to our schools: ■ If teachers are not already doing so, they should meet with their students in live sessions at least once a week, and pref-

erably twice a week. Students desperately need to see and speak with their teachers, but we have heard scattered reports that at least some teachers have not met live with their students for as long as six weeks.

■ Each district should decide on one online educational platform for all. Whether it’s Google Classroom or Edmodo, make it districtwide. Employing more than one platform will only sow confusion.

■ Students should be assigned homework according to a set schedule, at a given time on a given day, so they know what to expect. Consistency is key, so they can develop a routine.

■ Teachers should follow up on homework assignments with live Zoom sessions to explain the work, and not leave it to students to attend extra help sessions, particularly sessions conducted by email.

■ Students should not be videoed in class, with the images posted on YouTube, without student and parental consent.

■ All teachers in a district should have a single method of taking attendance, and grading rubrics should be provided to students and parents.

■ Students should be given opportunities to do extra-credit work to make up for missed work.

We will survive this crisis, and teachers and school administrators will play a key role in ensuring that we do, provided that every district adheres to a set of basic guidelines for online teaching.

23

opInIons

was asked recently why university presidents aren’t speaking out about the state of affairs in our country. Of course, the issue of the moment is the lack of preparedness for the coronavirus pandemic, even when knowledgeable people were forecasting it. After all, universities are supposed to be moral forces in society.

Who is in a better position to remind the public of what the 19thcentury English philosopher Alfred North Whitehead said: “. . . the rule is absolute, the [nation] which robert a. does not value trained intelliscott gence is doomed”?

Yet the voices of university leaders are largely silent in the face of the most critical issue of our time, and trained intelligence is ignored when politically inconvenient.

Some argue that university leaders should not take stands on policy, that they should not be “political.” But what is political and what is polemical? Politics refers to the public affairs of a country. A

polemic is an aggressive attack on the opinions or principles of another. Surely academic leaders can comment on the public affairs of the country without resorting to aggressive attacks, even if those whose policies are being confronted want others to believe that such comments are inappropriate.

Therefore, when scientific leadership on policies related to health care, clean water, air pollution and product safety, among others, is being replaced by lobbyists for the regulated industries, university leaders should be among the strongest voices expressing concern. Should they not call out falsehoods and fabrications passing as truth?

Education is the foundation of a free and democratic society. In any country, the university is unique in its mission to create, curate and critique. Laboratories create new knowledge, museums and libraries preserve the past, and journalists examine social policy by asking “Why?” But only the university is responsible for all three roles.

In these ways, the university fulfills its historic mission not as a political force,

s

houldn’t they call out falsehoods and fabrications passing as truth?

Letters Although the enemy that first responders are battling is invisible, they continue to fight with valor, and give us all the confidence that this virus will be defeated. Public transportation workers, grocery clerks, truck drivers and countless other essential workers are all working on the front lines to provide us with services that our society could not function without.

With the apex of the pandemic hitting during the holy season, people of all denominations had to limit their celebrations to immediate family, and many, including me, opted for virtual gatherings via Zoom. While physically empty, churches, mosques and temples continue to play a tremendous part in keeping congregations full in their faiths and hopeful that an end to this crisis is near. Religious leaders and community members across creeds have maintained active charities to combat food insecurity and provide first responders and those in need with personal protective equipment and other supplies even though their own collection of these needed materials was dwindling.

T he County Le gislature has received more than 4,000 letters and drawings from children for our frontline heroes as part of our “Letters to our Heroes” drive. Donations of PPE and nightly displays of gratitude — drive-bys, horn honks and alarm sounding — have cheered up and cheer

but as an ethical voice. For example, the founders of Adelphi were advocates for the advancement of women, the abolition of slavery and improved instruments for world peace. They adopted as their motto, “The truth shall make us free.” Surely there were those who thought the new institution should only teach classes, believing that school was separate from society. But the president and supporters knew the power of ethical arguments and the need for ethical thinking.

The ethical perspective considers fairness, the degree of bias, the consistency of application, the factual basis for assertions and the justness of moral judgments and public laws. Women had no right to vote, slavery was legal and war ignored diplomacy as the “first resort of kings,” as the author Richard Arndt described it, yet the Adelphi leaders had the courage of conviction and a visionary voice.

They knew that their role was to educate students, and the public, to reflect on what they read and heard, assess actions and policies, form independent opinions, and express impartial concerns as indi-

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 7, 2020

I

Should university presidents take ethical stands?

t

viduals. In this way, the university teaches us all to distinguish among the three paths to finding truth — through facts, faith and fear — and helps to clarify each.

To state facts is not polemical. People wake-u The can have different opinions, but not difnation ferent facts. The university’s role is to 19 orig advance knowledge, both general and expert; skills such as writing and speaking with clarity and persuasion; abilities such as critical thinking and leadership; and values such as teamwork, respect for others and their opinions, and becoming active in society as citizens.

These are the missions of a university, and it is the university president who serves as the chief mission officer. If we do our jobs well, our graduates will be well prepared to see the results of political actions that ignore expert knowledge.

They will be able to analyze propaganda masquerading as principle, and discern facts from unfounded superstitions. They will be able to call out the misguided actions of those who ignore science, histo- U.S. in ry and the need to respect others. We will more l sponso have prepared graduates for political action when it is needed regardless of the Wuha polemics surrounding them. And we will experi becaus have taken an ethical stand. tists, t the lab Robert A. Scott is president emeritus of The Adelphi University. has pr ter, lo Wuhan

Framework by Eric Dunetz

on our heroes.

I have worked with County Executive Laura Curran and my fellow legislators to approve emergency legislation allowing the county to spend $2.3 million on PPE, testing supplies and other critical tools to help keep workers and residents safe. Recently, I joined my colleagues to urge Gov. Andrew Cuomo to push back the property tax deadline to give relief to struggling businesses and residents.

Last month the governor answered our call and extended the deadline until June 1.

The pandemic has affected our lives in ways that we could noy have fathomed just a few months ago. Recovery will be difficult, but with our combined efforts, it is more than possible.

The coronavirus may be tough, but Long Islanders are tougher.

H

toilet p probab long be it, it ca right? R Tra

The Blue Angels’ and Thunderbirds’ goosebump-inducing tribute to health care heroes — Queens

C. WILLIAm GAYLOR Nassau County legislator

Who is going to bail out Washington?

To the Editor: Diogenes is still searching for someone honest in Washington after Congress passed and the President signed the latest Covid-19 bill, this time for $484 billion. This is the fourth one

passed by Congress in the past two months.

They total $3 trillion in borrowed money.

What about our federal $23 trillion long term debt projected to grow $1 trillion more annually until 2030? We just added another $3 trillion on top of that. Some want ever more! Who is going to bail out Washington?

Only government can get away with maxing out its credit cards with no consequences. Sooner or later China and other creditors are going to call in the bill. You can’t continue spending money you don’t have

forever. millions of Americans make due with significant income loss. Shouldn’t the President and Congress find the courage to offset some of these costs by reducing expenditures within the current $4.8 tril-of us w lion budget? We must freeze future federaldon’t th spending levels in coming years. Thismakin would provide a down payment in payingselves Hum off this debt. defense LARRY PENNERit’s from Great Neckabout t

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