Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald

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Lynbrook/East Rockaway

HERALD Also serving Bay Park

lFD welcomes 100th chief

officials react to school closings

Signs of support for seniors

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Page 8

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Vol. 27 No. 19

may 7 - 13, 2020

Schools shine bright for senior classes

school year. With the status of prom and graduation looking grim, Burak said, it was imporAt 8:20 p.m. last Friday, the tant to stay positive and find ways lights inside and outside Lyn- to bring the community together brook and East Rockaway high from a safe distance. schools were turned on to recogEast Rockaway Superintennize the 12th-graders who had dent Lisa Ruiz said the seniors their senior experience cut short and athletes need to be recogby way of the coronavirus pan- nized. “While I understand this demic. gesture does not Schools across make up for our Nassau and Suffolk seniors and stucounties took part dent-athletes missin the Light Up the ing out on certain Night event at 8:20 memorable events,” — 20:20 military she said, “it was a time, in honor of small, but hopefully the class of 2020. In significant, way for Lynbrook and East us to honor them Rockaway, dozens from afar.” of cars drove by For students like each building as elizaBeth Elizabeth Murphy, seniors and their murphy who had her senior families took in the year at LHS cut LHS senior moment. short and her final “It means everygirls’ varsity thing to us,” Lynbrook Superin- lacrosse season canceled, the tendent Dr. Melissa Burak said. “I event was important. “The Light think, collectively, we can agree Up event was very special,” she that our hearts are broken. My said. “I think it made the seniors heart aches for these seniors who feel really good, especially after have lost out on so many mile- hearing the news of the cancellastones.” tion of New York schools. It lifted First, spring sports were can- our spirits.” celed, and then, last Friday, Gov. Murphy added that she appreAndrew Cuomo announced that ciated seeing teachers and adminremote learning would continue istrators cheering and waving as statewide for the rest of the Continued on page 3

By mike SmolliNS msmollins@liherald.com

t

Courtesy Ronald Roeill

memBerS oF the East Rockaway Fire Department’s Rescue Squad must now wear personal protective equipment while responding to calls.

EMTs stressed amid pandemic ERFD volunteers change up safety protocols By Nicole alciNDor nalcindor@liherald.com

Emergency medical t e ch n i c i a n s i n t h e E a s t Rockaway Fire Department have had to switch up their safety protocols amid the c o r o n av i r u s p a n d e m i c while also dealing with the emotional toll it has taken on them and their families. “It’s difficult emotionally to know that many people are suffering and d y i n g , a n d t h e r e ’s n o t

much you can do,” said Skyler Kessler, 24, who has been an EMT with the ERFD Rescue Squad for six years. “I like being on the rescue team because of the intimate connections I made with patients, but n ow i t ’s h a r d w i t h t h e virus because we have to limit our interactions with people.” B e fo re t h e p a n d e m i c, when ERFD EMTs responded to rescue calls, they entered people’s homes and

spoke with them. Now they must get in and out quickly to avoid risking contracting Covid-19. Squad members are also now required to wear personal protective equipment, including gowns, masks, gloves and eye protection. The back of each ambulance is disinfected after every use. Denise Cor nell, 40, a first-year volunteer, said that the hardest par t of serving during the panContinued on page 3

he Light Up event was very special. I think it made the seniors feel really good.


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