Oyster Bay Herald Guardian

The latest at Glen Cove Hospital

Nonessential businesses close

O.B. and county golf courses reopen

Page 3

Page 4

Page 6

VOL. 122 NO. 13

MARCH 27 - APRIL 2, 2020

$1.00

Elderly miss socialization at senior centers that the potential exposure was too hazardous for them. A daily delivery of pre-made frozen Audrey Cupolo said she is meals to homebound members heartbroken. The East Norwich began, but that ended on Monsenior, who uses a wheelchair, day because, Palumbo said, she has depended on the Life Enrich- was concerned for her kitchen ment Center of Oyster Bay to staff. Social distancing, she said, give her life meaning, she said. is difficult when preparing The spread of the meals in a kitchen. coronavirus brought The plan for this the center’s proweek was to deliver grams and activities a week’s worth of to an end for the food, which was time being on March done on Monday.

13, following a direcDan McGowan, tive from County 78, a retired New Executive Laura York City Transit Curran. Cupolo said Police officer, has that a chapter of her been a part-time life ended with the driver for the center JUDY PALUMBO for 20 years. He closure.

“The senior cen- Executive director, takes seniors to the ter is my second center three times a Life Enrichment family,” Cupolo, 78, week, something he explained, her voice Center of Oyster Bay said he enjoys. breaking. “It gave Last week Mcme a reason to get up in the Gowan delivered the lunches, morning, to get dressed, social- prepared by the center’s chef, ize and exercise.”

Anthony Moschella. Many of the Many seniors are also depen- recipients of the food were the dent on the center for their same people he drives to the cenlunches. At first, Executive ter.

Director Judy Palumbo tried to “The seniors were really continue to provide them, grateful to get what we had, even encouraging older adults to stop though they’ll have to prepare it by and take “grab and go” offer- a little,” he said. “It’s very satisings. But she became concerned CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

By LAURA LANE llane@liherald.com

T

Courtesy Vicki Walsh

JEN LOAYZA, A nurse from East Norwich, played Chalk Your Walk with her daughters Madison, center, and Isabelle last weekend.

Spreading happiness and hope amid the coronavirus

By LAURA LANE llane@liherald.com

People on the North Shore are finding positive and often creative ways to manage their lives at a distance from one another amid the coronavirus pandemic. For some, it’s simply drawing rainbows on sidewalks with chalk. Others are finding innovative ways to socialize with friends, while some are reaching out to the elderly. The members of one

local family have left their house and now live on a boat.

Nassau County officials asked residents last weekend to “chalk their walks,” drawing or writing encouraging messages on driveways or sidewalks. Many people in Oyster Bay took part, joining those responding to another idea making the rounds on Facebook: Rainbows over Nassau and Suffolk County and Beyond. The page, which

has 27,000 members, encourages people to create rainbows and share them in windows. Then participants are encouraged to take a walk or a drive and count the rainbows they see. Both activities are intended to spread happiness and hope during what is for most a difficult time.

Mark Rosasco and his sons Tyler, 13, and Nicholas, 9, spent last weekend creating CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

hose that have called said they miss the social circle terribly.

March 27, 2020 — Oyster Bay Herald Guardian

2

Courtesy Vicki Walsh

OYSTER BAY HIGH School senior Kathryn Moore meets with friends at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park, where they sit on the roofs of their vehicles and socialize.

A ‘need to be there for one another’ CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE rainbows out of plywood for the community. Rosasco, the commissioner of the Town of Oyster Bay’s Housing Department, also lives in the hamlet. After seeing several rainbows, he decided he wanted to get involved, too.

“I thought it was a magnificent idea,” Rosasco said. “I told my sons, ‘Let’s make a big one so everyone can enjoy it.’ It was only supposed to be one at first, but we ended up making three.”

It had been a long time since he had made a rainbow, but Rosasco took his sons to a paint store to pick out the appropriate colors of spray paint. Making the rainbows became a family project, and after they were completed — the two largest measuring 3½ feet by 4 feet — Mark’s wife, Melissa, got involved. A teacher’s aide at Roosevelt Elementary, she called Principal Tami McElwee to ask if a rainbow could be placed outside the school.

They contacted Superintendent Dr. Laura Seinfeld as well, and Mark said that Seinfeld thought it was an excellent idea.

“I tried to put something out there that would put a smile on people’s faces,” he said. “The rainbow signifies as a community that we are all staying together during these trying times. We do need to be there for one another.”

Amos Niven is doing her part. The owner of Locust Valley’s Le Petit Zebra said she was reaching out to friends who live alone. Niven spends time every day with one friend, Edmund Bingham, 81, who lives in Glen Cove. Niven has been walking with Bingham to get him out of the house. And she brings different people with her who practice social distancing, she said, to contribute to the conversation. Niven said she thought she would run out of things to talk about with Bingham, but that hasn’t happened. “It has ended up being a win-win for both of us,” she said. “We’re uplifted after being

Courtesy Melissa Meister

MELISSA AND STEPHEN Meister and their daughter, Macaela, are in St. Thomas on their boat. together. This is about human contact and togetherness.”

The fear that people are experiencing manifests itself differently, which Niven sees with the people she brings on the walk. “Some are scared and some, because we’re rural, think they’re removed from it,” she said. “This can be most devastating for people who live alone. Every day Edmund says, ‘See you tomorrow, same time, same place?’”

Kathryn Moore, a senior at Oyster Bay High School, has been taking part in “rooftop socialization” at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park. She and a group of friends drive there, form a circle with their vehicles and then sit on their roofs.

“We have a speaker and play music, and sometimes we dance,” Moore said. “It’s a good time. We FaceTime at night, but during the day it’s good to get out of the house.”

Melissa Meister, her husband, Stephen, and their daughter, 13-year-old Macaela, are in St. Thomas, where their boat was moved in December. The North Shore family is enjoying sunny skies and 80-degree temperatures.

They had planned to vacation on the boat during spring break, but Stephen left sooner, on March 10, when he heard of the rapid spread of the coronavirus. Melissa and Macaela, a student at Greenvale School, stayed behind because of upcoming tests and a play that Macaela was scheduled to appear in at school. But Greenvale closed on March 11.

There are far fewer cases of the virus in the Virgin Islands, Melissa said, so she joined her husband. “We went to the British Virgin Islands first because there were zero cases there, but then we heard that the border was closing, so we went to St. Thomas,” she said. “We’ve been on an

adventure, and have found deserted beaches, are hiking and fishing. Online classes start for Macaela on Monday.”

Melissa said she missed her parents, who live in Glen Cove, and her two dogs, who are being cared for by a friend living in their house. He says the dogs are fine, and Melissa speaks to her parents on her cellphone, which she said is comforting.

Because the cell service is excellent, Stephen said he can continue his work as an attorney. And the boat has all the comforts of home, including an oven, a refrigerator and a freezer. “We have a Sodastream maker, where you can carbonate water from the sea and drink it,” he said.

“And every once in a while we go to another island to get food and boat supplies.

Sometimes I go under the boat to scrape the barnacles off. This is a little different than living on Long Island, but it’s nice.”

G.C. Hospital’s latest on the coronavirus

3

Oyster Bay Herald Guardian — March 27, 2020

By LAURA LANE llane@liherald.com

To keep people informed on how Glen Cove Hospital is addressing the coronavirus, Mayor Tim Tenke livestreamed a meeting with Kerri Scanlon, the hospital's director, and Dr. Bradley Sherman, its medical director, on Thursday.

The hospital has prepared for an influx of patients for over a month, Scanlon said, adding that the situation with COVID-19 is changing daily. “There is a robust emergency management system at Northwell,” she said. “We are preparing for additional capacity at the hospital.”

There are two closed units at the hospital that can be used, an intensive care unit and an ambulatory surgery unit. “We moved one of our medical surgical units up to a 14-bed ICU,” Scanlon said, “so we can accept patients into private rooms that we had renovated last year.”

What to do if you're feeling sick

“Call your primary-care doctor, but if you don’t have one, go to urgent care,” Sherman said. “Then self-quarantine. It’s best to stay away from family members.”

If symptoms worsen, he added, go to Glen Cove Hospital’s emergency room for evaluation.

The state recently opened a coronavirus testing center at Jones Beach, but Sherman said people can not use it without an appointment. “After calling the hotline, you will be screened and given an appointment,” he said. “If you go without one, you will be turned away.”

The hotline to make an appointment is (888) 364-3065.

Visiting patients at Glen Cove Hospital

The visitation policy at the hospital has changed, Scanlon said. After visiting hours were changed, hospi-

Courtesy YouTube

GLEN COVE MAYOR Tim Tenke, left, live-streamed a meeting with Kerri Scanlon, the director of Glen Cove Hospital, and Dr. Bradley Sherman, the hospital’s medical director, to discuss the coronavirus. tal officials decided that only one person — wearing a mask — could see a patient.

“As of 4 p.m. on Thursday, the New York State Health Department has limited visitation completely,” Scanlon said. “But if there are extenuating circumstances like death or dying, we would make an exception. We realize this is extremely difficult for some families when looking to find out the status of loved ones.”

The hospital recommends that one family member be chosen to share patient updates, Scanlon said.

She added that a handful of patients have tested positive for the virus.

City government

City Hall, Tenke said, is open, but not to the public.

Additionally, the city was complying with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s order to have only 25 percent of the essential

workforce on hand. The senior center is closed.

Tenke said there are other ways to be prepared. “The governor recommended having a home preparedness kit,” he said. “You should have a thermometer, decongestants, anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen for fevers.”

Keeping hospital staff safe

Scanlon said that unlike some other medical facilities, Glen Cove Hospital has the needed equipment to protect its staff. “We have the support of a large health system to have personal protection equipment for our staff,” she said. “It’s important to have the right equipment. We’ve been monitoring that use and making sure the staff has it. Other areas have shortages.”

“Glen Cove Hospital is open and ready to care for residents in every way," she said.

Winter H.S. sports championships cancelled

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

On Monday morning, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYPHSAA) announced the cancellation of the remaining winter state championship events.

The impacted championship events include the boys and girls basketball regionals and state championships, as well as the ice hockey and bowling championships. Plans are being developed to honor and formally recognize the students and teams who qualified to participate in these championship events.

Nassau County basketball teams impacted by this decision are the Baldwin boys and girls, East Rockaway boys and girls, Elmont boys, Locust Valley girls, and Carle Place girls.

“It is with great disappointment that we make the decision to cancel the remaining winter championship events,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “Our association’s focus is to benefit students through participation in interscholastic athletics and unfortunately this rapidly developing situation has prevented our association from providing a quality championship experience. We certainly sympathize for the students who are being impacted by this crisis but at this time they deserve honesty from the leadership of our association.”

Factors that played a role in this decision include but are not limited to: the evolving COVID-19 public threat, CDC mass gathering recommendations, Governor Cuomo’s declaration of a state emergency, President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency, input from the 11 Sections and extended school closures.

Locust Valley’s girls finished the season undefeated at

Anthony Hughes/Herald

HEAD COACH MIKE Guidone, second from right, guided Locust Valley to a perfect 22-0 season.

22-0. It was supposed to face Westhampton in the LIC. “The girls understand there is a great crisis taking place and they understand it was the only decision that could have been made,” head coach Mike Guidone said. “We are the only undefeated Class A basketball team in New

York State and that can never change. The team is focused on helping the community and world rise from this greater challenge.”

Baldwin’s girls’ basketball team captured a seventh straight county Class AA championship on March 8, defeating Syosset at Nassau Coliseum. That same evening on the same court, the Bruins beat Uniondale for the Class AA boys title.

“The cancellation of the winter season is extremely disappointing but understandable,” Baldwin athletic director Ed Ramirez said. “My heart breaks for our basketball players and spring athletes, especially the seniors. This is bigger than athletics and the decision was made with health and safety in mind.”

Elmont, coached by George Holub, won its third Nassau Class A boys crown in five seasons on March 7, defeating South Side. The Spartans were set to play Amityville in a highly anticipated LIC the following weekend. The East Rockaway girls and boys won the L.I. Class C titles on March 9 and 10, respectively.

“This is one of the most difficult decisions the Officers of the NYSPHSAA have ever had to make,” said Paul Harrica, President of NYSPHSAA. “It has been determined it is not feasible for the Winter State Championships to be hosted in a safe and beneficial manner for the participating student-athletes and their teams in the near future. The health and safety of the students we serve will always be our top priority.”

With school districts closed for an extended period of time, Sections and schools are individually determining the Spring sport start dates and practice parameters that best meet the needs of the students they represent.

The status of the NYSPHSAA Spring State Championships will be determined on or prior to Monday, April 27.

4

Bayville family collects food for local families

March 27, 2020 — Oyster Bay Herald Guardian

By Jennifer Corr jcorr@liherald.com

Amy Watson, of Bayville, said she is worried about the elderly and people who are now out of work due to the coronavirus. She became even more concerned after Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered non-essential businesses to close. Watson, who is the world languages and English as a native language coordinator at the Locust Valley Central School District, decided she had to do something and it ended up becoming a family project. The Watson’s organized a food drive on March 21. The next day they had a food pick-up and delivered food to the elderly.

“Nobody knows how long this is going to last for,” Watson said. “I think people look to do something to help in these times.”

Watson estimated that roughly 100 reusable shopping bags were filled and distributed, providing for 40 homes to receive food that will last, as the family requested peanut butters, pastas, canned foods and other non-perishables.

“I’m just so grateful and blessed to be part of a community that takes care of its people,” Watson said. “I’m grateful for the volunteers who gave so willingly their time.”

Watson had asked Al Staab, the president of the Oak Neck Athletic

Council, if she could use the building for the drive.

“It really belongs to the community,” Staab said, adding “We welcome people to use it.”

He said he will be there too.

Watson said that along with other students in the community, her three children — Elizabeth, 11, Sara, 17 and Richard, 15, helped sort the food. Her husband Edward helped plan and ran the drive.

Sara said that she was surprised at how much food was donated and that she hopes that the act of kindness will encourage others to do something nice for another person.

Watson added that out of precaution, everyone wore gloves and all cans were wiped off. Those that picked up the food did not have to go inside the building.

When residents drove up the bagged food was put into their trunks.

Businesses and residents reached out to help. John G, Hubler & Sons Roofing and Construction and Signature Premier Properties donated the bags and the Locust Valley Administrator’s Association made a sizable donation of food, Watson said.

“We only put the word out there online, but I think when these things happen, people are really responsive,” Watson said.

Staab added that the Watsons are well

Courtesy Amy Watson

The WaTson family, which include Elizabeth, far left, Amy, Sara, Richard and Edward, organized a food-drive to help local families. known in the community and that he knows them because the children are involved in the athletic programs.

“They’re good people,” he said.

“This just shouldn’t be our community,” Staab said. “Every community should be helping each other out as much as possible.”

North Shore addresses Cuomo’s salon closures By sCoTT BrinTon, mike Conn, laura lane and Jennifer Corr Governor Cuomo issued a directive via Twitter on the morning of March 20 ordering all barber shops, nail and hair salons, and tattoo parlors to close, effective March 21 at 8 p.m.

The governor tweeted the directive at 8:48 a.m., stating, “These temporary closures are not going to be easy, but they are necessary to protect the public health.”

“What we do next will have a massive impact on the trajectory of this virus in New York,” the governor had tweeted

earlier in the week. “We can only maintain public health by staying apart. The decision each of us makes now will impact us all tomorrow. Stay home.”

Salon Solis in Sea Cliff was completely booked last week, owner Graciela Bustos said. She and her team knew these closures were likely to happen, she said. Bustos spent some of midMarch at a salon business seminar in California planning for them. There, she said she worked with other salon owners from across the country on what they could do to stay afloat if these closures were to come to fruition and how to take a day by day approach to their

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

MAIN PHONE: (516) 569-4000 ■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/oysterbay ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: llane@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 327 E-mail: oysterbayeditor@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: circ@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460 ■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: sales@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643 The Oyster Bay Herald Guardian USPS 416660, is published every Friday by Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Periodicals postage paid at Garden City, NY 11530 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to Oyster Bay Herald Guardian, 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Subscriptions: $30 for 1 year within Nassau County, $52 for 1 year out of Nassau County or by qualified request in zip codes 11709, 11732, 11765, 11771. © 2020 Richner Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

“They come wearing a mask and adjusting business models.

Although she and her four employees don’t want to have their hair washed,” will not be able to offer their usual ser- he said. “They also ask if I sterilize my vices of hair care, massage and Reiki, instruments.”

Although it will not be easy closing Bustos said they plan on delivering hair products to clients who order them over his shop, Murdakhayev said it’s the the phone or social media. Additionally, right thing to do. “People need to be proshe said clients who have tected,” he said, “so they frequently had their hair won’t get infected.” colored at Salon Solis can Help may be provided have their unique color for small businesses, he made in the salon and reasoned. “If they give me delivered to their homes. money and I don’t have to “I know [the closures return it I will be OK,” he are] for everybody, but I’m said. very positive about this,” Destiny K, an assistant Bustos said. “I know we at Sherry’s Hair Salon in have to be here for each Glen Cove who asked the other and work together, Herald Gazette not to use and what’s good for my cliher full name, said that the ent is what’s good for me.” team would look into getOnce Salon Solis opens ting compensation during its doors again, Bustos said this time. it will offer money-saving “We can’ t make our specials to clients, as she Cindy Chiarella money,” she said. “So, we understands that many Twin Moons really can’t pay our bills people will have difficult right now.” financial situations moving Creations The hair stylists that forward. work at Bay Beauty, in BayAlex Murdakhayev, owner of John- ville, are independent contractors. One ny’s Barber Shop in Oyster Bay said he employee, who would not give her name, was shocked by the governor’s order. He said she is worried. “If we don’t have had not been busy lately, he said, proba- clients we don’t make income,” she said. bly due to the coronavirus. Murda- “No business insurance will cover this khayev said people have been scared to because you need to have a storm or a come by. But on Friday everyone seemed fire to get coverage.” to want a haircut.

Continued on page 9

i

t’s going to be tough but if you’re proactive in a lot of things, you’re ready for stuff like this, as much as you can be.

Seniors miss the activities and friendships fying for us to do something for the seniors that they can’t do for themselves.”

McGowan has developed relationships with many of them, he said, and they depend on him. “Before this happened, even in snow and rain, nothing keeps the seniors home,” he said. “They’d say to me, ‘Why do we want to stay home and look at the four walls?’”

John Cosgrove, 73, who is retired from the New York City Police Department, also drives for the center. “This is very hard for the seniors,” he said. “Some live alone, and some are disabled. When I brought the food to the door they were so happy to see me, even though they couldn’t open the door to take it from me.”

The Life Enrichment Center has roughly 450 members. Staff members have been calling 70 seniors each day to see if they need food or medication. “It’s nice for our members to have a friendly chat with us, and at the same time we make sure they’re safe and healthy,” said Christopher Judge, the center’s administrative assistant. “We do get some return calls from them, too.”

Judge said that the county has provided some shelf-stable meals, which will be delivered to seniors who have a shortage of food. And there are some meals in the center’s freezer for emergencies.

Courtesy Life Enrichment Center of Oyster Bay

JOHN COSGROVE DRIVES the members of the Life Enrichment Center of Oyster Bay, including Angie Tilla, above, to the center, which he said he enjoys. The closing of senior centers amid the coronavirus pandemic is making life difficult for seniors and those who help them.

Palumbo said she was sure that the lunches aren’t the main reason why seniors come to the center. “They come here for the camaraderie,” she said.

“Those that have called said they miss the

social circle terribly.”

Carmela Lancaster, of Jericho, said that she and her husband, Don, love the center.

“The staff is marvelous and can’t help you enough,” she said. “We play Bingo on Fri-

days and belong to Senior Chat, where we have discussions. And Don belongs to Grumpy Old Men — they tell jokes. The best thing is when you’re there, nobody feels old.”

The center is not alone in its efforts to help seniors. They need help now more than ever, said State Legislator Josh Lafazan, of Woodbury. He posted a video on YouTube last week asking for volunteers to shop for seniors who can’t leave home, either because of transportation issues or a fear of contacting the coronavirus. The next day many people called, said Lafazan.

He paired volunteers, which include high school students and people who have their own children, with seniors living in their communities. “They’re people that want to give back,” Lafazan said.

Everyone has benefited in more ways than expected, he said. “The volunteer and senior establish a connection and are building a rapport,” Lafazan said, adding that he has nearly four dozen volunteers. “I’m in a position to put people together to make a difference. I feel like this is the most important part of my job — protecting those that are the most vulnerable among us.”

For now, he said, he has more volunteers than seniors. But he encouraged those wishing to connect with a volunteer shopper to call (516) 571-6218.

Social services to county: We’re still open tdenton@liherald.com

Nassau County’s social services are open for business, despite the current challenges. That was County Executive Laura Curran’s message as she gave updates on the current COVID-19 situation across the county.

Some personnel have been sent home, Curran said, but “all our desks [at the Department of Social Services] are staffed.” Departments are still in the process of making the adjustments necessary to protect both clients and employees, but every department is prepared to support the needs of the county’s 1.4 million residents, she said.

In the interim, the county was in the process of working out alternatives to procedures that, according to New York state law, mandated face-to-face meetings. And Medicare agreed on Tuesday to extend coverage for mental health providers via telemedicine, she said — a first.

“People who are already dealing with depression can go to a very dark place” when confronted with a crisis of this magnitude, Curran said.

Curran also spoke of the difficulties faced by recovering addicts of all stripes who had been using schools and churches for meeting places, until the governor’s declarations this past week limiting the number of people who could meet in one place. But many venues had already closed their doors to outside organizations.

Curran stressed the need for stability in the face of the disruptions to work and personal schedules that many now face as they transition from office, school or job site to home.

Curran also recommended exercise, especially in any of the county’s numerous parks.

Finally, Curran said that “small kindnesses go a long way” in easing the tensions brought on by isolation and uncertainty. “If you bought too much toilet paper, and your neighbor didn’t buy enough — give them some.” Such kindnesses make both people feel better, she said.

Curran was joined by county Commissioner of Social Services Nancy Nunziata; Director of Community Services, Omaya Perez; and Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, chief executive officer of FCA (Family and Children’s Association), as well as Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein, commissioner of the county Department of Health.

Nunziata said her department has changed some of its protocols to reflect the need to avoid close contact. Documents will no longer be dropped off in person, for example, but will be deposited in sliding drawers.

But whether residents need food stamps, emergency housing or any of her departments’ services, “We are there,” she said, emphatically echoing Curran’s message.

Perez advised residents to “take breaks from all the news coverage,” which can be

overwhelming, especially for children.

And for those with existing mental health issues, she underscored the importance of keeping up treatment. Anyone needing immediate help, can call the county’s mental health hotline at (516) 227-TALK (8255).

Reynolds, whose organization has weathered many major crises, from the global Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 hurricane Sandy, said his chief concern was the speed with which mental health issues have arisen, as well as their severity. “With Sandy, it took a couple of weeks before we began to see some of the things we’re seeing now after just a few days.”

Residents are not only hoarding toile

paper and ground beef. “Addicts are hoarding heroin,” he said. The problem is that “they buy enough to last them for a week and end up doing it all in a weekend.” The result has been a spike in overdoses.

According to the N.Y. State Health Department, the opioid crisis in Nassau County has “significantly worsened” since the beginning of the year, with 6.5 overdoses per 100,000 residents. “And this was already Ground Zero for the opioid crisis,” he said.

People with prescriptions for pain medication face similar fears, he said. “Many turn to alcohol as the most effective alternative.”

Table Showing High Tides Courtesy of

frank M. fLOWer InC. Growers of Pine Island Oysters Since 1887 Hatchery in Bayville

Timetable

aM

friday 3/27

12:47

Saturday 3/28

Boat Dock in Oyster Bay

ft

aM

ft

PM

ft

PM

ft

7.6 high

7:13

0.1 low

1:10

7.1 high

7:22

0.5 low

1:22

7.5 high

7:50

0.2 low

1:48

6.9 high

7:59

0.8 low

Sunday 3/29

2:01

7.4 high

8:31

0.4 low

2:30

6.7 high

8:39

1.0 low

Monday 3/30

2:44

7.4 high

9:17

0.7 low

3:17

6.6 high

9:27

1.2 low

Tuesday 3/31

3:34

7.3 high

10:10

0.8 low

4:12

6.5 high

10:25

1.4 low

Wednesday 4/1

4:32

7.2 high

11:10

0.9 low

5:13

6.6 high

11:30

1.3 low

Thursday 4/2

5:36

7.3 high

12:13

0.8 low

6:17

6.8 high

1080069

By TIMOTHY DENTON

Oyster Bay Herald Guardian — March 27, 2020

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

5

6

March 27, 2020 — Oyster Bay Herald Guardian

NEWS BRIEF

Herald file photo

EISENHOWER PARK’S GOLF course, which is county run, has closed as has the Town of Oyster Bay’s Joseph Colby Golf Course due to the coronavirus.

HErald

Crossword Puzzle

Following the directive set by the Gov. Andrew Cuomo at Bethpage State Park, the Town of Oyster Bay reopened the Hon. Joseph Colby Golf Course and Driving Range in Woodbury on Wednesday. It was briefly closed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The county and the city reopened its golf courses as well.

New safety measures include tee times staggered in 15-minute intervals as opposed to the standard eight minutes.

Golf carts will not be available for rental at this time. To protect golfers and employees, the use of credit cards is recommended as is registering tee time online. The town encourages residents to continue the practice of social distancing, to help to ensure the safety of golfers and employees.

The town is committed to continuing to safeguard visitors through intensified cleaning procedures that meet or exceed standards set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“After carefully reviewing our procedures, additional preventative measures are now in place to protect the health of our residents and staff while ensuring patrons can enjoy rounds of golf again,” Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “The safety of our residents and employees will always come first.

Please practice social distancing at all times.”

To reserve a tee time, please visit http://oysterbaytown.com/departments/ parks/golf-course/. For more information, please contact the Parks Department

www.liherald.com

This advertisement sponsored by Herald Community Newspapers

1084452

Golf courses in Nassau reopen, including in O.B. directly at (516) 797-4113 or by email at rgucker@oysterbay-ny.gov.

After closing its owned and operated golf courses on March 23, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said the courses would reopen on Thursday. There will more space between tee times, she said, and only one person to a golf cart.

Nassau County parks will remain open for runs, walks, hikes and other informal recreational activity. Residents are encouraged to practice social distancing and avoid playgrounds.

Nassau County-owned and operated golf courses are located in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow; Bay Park on the South Shore in East Rockaway; Cantiague Park in Hicksville; Christopher Morley Park on the North Shore in Roslyn-North Hills; and North Woodmere Park on the South Shore in North Woodmere. Check for updates at www.Nassaucountyny.gov.

Town Hall at Home

The Town of Oyster Bay has created a new online portal for residents to be able to handle most of their town business remotely. The portal, Town Hall at Home, provides a one-stop-shop for information on performing town business remotely during the public health crisis, including paying taxes, filing paperwork or requesting documents. The town’s online portal can be found at www.oysterbaytown.com/ tob-at-home.

Have a great story?

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

Feinstein, research arm of Northwell, to undertake COVID-19 clinical trials sbrinton@liherald.com

The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, the research arm of Northwell Health, announced Friday morning that it was starting three large-scale clinical treatment trials to combat COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.

Northwell Health is now treating some 250 coronavirus patients at its hospitals, Northwell President and CEO Michael Dowling said at a news conference that was streamed via YouTube. Northwell is testing roughly 1,000 people a day for the illness, he said.

Feinstein Institutes researchers are

teaming up with Gilead Sciences and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to identify effective treatments for COVID-19 patients who are now hospitalized with moderate to severe conditions. The goal, according to a Northwell release, is "to improve recovery and speed discharge from hospitals."

With Gilead, the Feinstein Institutes will examine the safety and efficacy of remdesivir (RDV), an investigational antiviral drug, to reduce the intensity and

duration of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients.

RDV, Northwell officials said, has "demonstrated positive effects" on other viral pathogens such as MERS and SARS. The third trial with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals will determine the safety and efficacy of sarilumab, a human antibody that may prevent the spread of a specific cytokine called interleukin-6 (IL-6) that is thought to cause severe pneumonia in some COVID-19 patients.

Courtesy Northwell Health

MICHAEL DOWLING ANNOUNCED that the Feinstein Institutes was undertaking clinical treatment trials for COVID-19.

eCheck fee less for property tax payments

First and foremost, health and safety to you and your families.

The many Oyster Bay-East Norwich community organizations have partnered in gathering information - updated, as warranted with regard to the various governmental websites of interest, current practices of our local businesses, and current local points of assistance.

Please visit the below, pass the word, and check back to it, as desired.

www.VisitOysterBay.com STAY STRONG! STAY HEALTHY! AND PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES

1084517

The Town of Oyster Bay’s eCheck (ACH) processing vendor has agreed to reduce the fee charged for online property tax payments made within the next 30 to 60 days. Taxpayers are generally charged up to $6 by the vendor for eCheck payments and will now only be charged $0.75 for payments up to $100,000. This reduced fee was requested by Jeffrey P. Pravato, the town’s receiver of taxes, because inperson payments are suspended due to the current public health emergency.

"With the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, many local governments have suspended in-person interactions at its facilities,” Pravato said. “As the pandemic has had a profoundly negative effect on the residents of the Town of Oyster Bay, and throughout New York state, Supervisor Joseph Saladino and I sought to reduce costs for taxpayers by asking the vendor to reduce their fees.”

Pravato added that the town is urging the governor to issue an executive order to extend the tax collection deadline for payment of school taxes for a 30-day period. He and Saladino contacted the governor's office last week requesting the extension. With the tax collection deadline currently scheduled for May 11, reminder notices are scheduled to be mailed to residents in early April.

"Our Tax Office remains open, but we have temporarily suspended personal, in-office contact, resulting in the temporary halt of processing payments made in person, and delaying processing of mailed payments," said Pravato. "We are currently coordinating the collection of the second half of school taxes for 2019 through 2020.

Extending this deadline is important to continue protecting the safety of our residents."

Oyster Bay Herald Guardian — March 27, 2020

By SCOTT BRINTON

7

8

CALL 631-464-8887

Brian E. Pickering

1078293

auto works

20 Cottage Row, Glen Cove 676-8477

Fully licensed and insured Nassau • Suffolk • NYC

1082681

• Chimneys Repaired, Rebuilt and Tuckpointing • Stainless Steel Liners Installed

because your dog is worth it.

1046648

$18.50 P/H NYC • $16 P/H LI CDPAP Caregiver Hourly Pay Rate!

Under NYS CDPAP Medicaid program you can hire your family or friends for your care.

Phone: 347-713-3553

tree SerVICeS Removals • Pruning • Trimming Hazard Tree Identification & Storm Damage Prevention Grading & Lawn Installations FRee 20% Safety Tree evaluation For any Future Storm

1057623

The Best for Less! • Over 33 Years Owner Operated by ISA Certified Arborist FRee eSTImaTeS 631-254-0045 aaaCheapTree.com • angieslist.com/review/243137 Fully Lic/Ins # H2083620000

1084325

1080002

1075709

TREE SERVICE fREE ESTImaTE

We’ll Meet & Beat Any Price Guaranteed

$50 OFF

Jobs Under $1,000 $500 Minimum USE COUPON CODE HER20

Cannot be combined with other coupon

inC.

516-569-4000

$100 OFF

• Tree removal • land Clearing Jobs Over $1,000 • STump grinding • pruning USE COUPON • rooF line Clearing CODE HER20 Cannot be combined with • emergenCY ServiCe other coupon • FireWood & mulCH

1078866

NASS. LIC # H2904450000

ext. 286 OR EMAIL ereynolds@liherald.com

Owner Operated • Licensed & Insured • Residential • Commercial

516-216-2617

TO PLACE AN AD IN THE MARKETPLACE PLEASE CALL

Police Fire Senior Veteran Discount

We Care More Than The Rest For Less

1029201

516.676.8469

office@ipaintandcontract.com

backtobalancetraining.com

1081140

718-887-4400

AAA cheAp tree

ONE DAY FLOORS

We can help with: jumping, destructive behavior, biting, running away, pulling on leash, separation anxiety, puppy behavior & more

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Psychotherapist Individual, Couple and Family Therapy

WINTeR DISCOUNT

Lic 54264-RE All Work Guaranteed Credit Cards Accepted

1027201

Dr. Efrat Fridman, LCSW

2 Pinetree Lane Old Westbury, NY 11568

516-433-9473 (wire ) 631-667-9473 (wire ) 516-353-1 1 1 8 (TeXT)

Expert Watch Repair

Chimney King, Ent. Inc. Chimney Cleaning & (516) 766-1666 Masonry Services Done By Firefighters That Care FREE chimneykinginc.com ESTIMATES

• Flat TVs Mounted • All Wires Hidden • High Definition Television Antennas Installed • Camera & Stereo Systems Installed & Serviced • Telephone Jacks, Cable TV Extensions & Computer Wiring Installed & Serviced Veterans 10% Off • Surround Sound / Sound Bars • Commercial & Residential Repairs free call dave davewireman.com estimates

• 1 DAY INSTALLATION • WON’T CHIP OR PEEL • 4X STRONGER THAN EPOXY • EASY TO CLEAN • 15 YEAR RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY

982525

black forest

Home Improvement • Electric Plumbing • Interior/ Exterior Painting Tile Work • Flooring

wireman/cableman

1079375

1080575

LOOKING FOR SUPERINTENDENT POSITION Live-in With 20 Years Experience Bi-lingual

1036536

March 27, 2020 — Oyster Bay Herald Guardian

TO PLACE AN AD CALL 516-569-4000 PRESS 5

Public Notices

9

LOBG1 0327

HERALD Community Newspapers

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR S T R U C T U R E D ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-5, Plaintiff AGAINST T H O M A S MICCIANTUONO, MARCI A. MICCIANTUONO, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated March 01, 2017 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Calendar Control Part (CCP) Courtroom of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, on April 07, 2020 at 11:30AM, premises known as 1 VISTA DRIVE, LAUREL HOLLOW, NY 11791. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Laurel Hollow, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, SECTION 25, BLOCK 64, LOT 25. Approximate amount of judgment $2,620,352.02 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment for Index# 13-9248.

MARK ELLIOT GOIDELL, ESQ., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC Attorney for Plaintiff 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221 120505

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF VOTE/ELECTION OF THE THE COLD SPRING HARBOR LIBRARY NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Vote/Election of the qualified voters of the COLD SPRING HARBOR CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTIRCT, TOWN OF HUNTINGTON, SUFFOLK COUNTY AND OYSTER BAY, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK, will be held at the Cold Spring Harbor Library, 95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724 on April 7, 2020 at 9:30 AM, prevailing time, to vote upon the Annual Operating Budget of the Cold Spring Harbor Library for the 2020-21 year and to elect Trustees to vacancies on the Board of Trustees of the Cold Spring Harbor Library.

The proposition will appear on ballot in the following form: “Shall the Board of Education contract with the Cold Spring Harbor Library pursuant to Education Law § 256 for the providing of library services to the residents of the School District and appropriate funds in the amount of $3,017,694 supporting principal and interest payments on the construction bond and the 2020-21 Operating Budget of the Cold Spring Harbor Library, with the requisite portion thereof to be raised by tax on the taxable property of the Cold Spring Harbor Central School District.”

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that an election to elect two (2) Trustees to the Cold Spring Harbor Library to fill three-year terms commencing July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2023; AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that an election to elect two (2) trustees to the Cold Spring Harbor Library to fill a two (2) year remainder of an unexpired term commencing July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2022 will be conducted; AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that voting at such meeting will be by paper ballots; polls will be open during the period commencing 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM on April 7, 2020; AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Budget Information Meeting will be held at the Library on March 23, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.,

prevailing time; Library Trustees and personnel will be present to provide information to the public; AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the 2020-21 fiscal year for the Cold Spring Harbor Library purposes may be obtained by any resident of the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding said Vote/Election except Sundays and holidays from the Library located at 95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724 during the operating hours of the Library; AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that petitions nominating candidates for Office of the Trustee of the Cold Spring Harbor Library are to be filed in the office of the Director of the Library not later than 5:00 PM, prevailing time, on March 2, 2020. Each petition must be directed to the Director of the Library and must be signed by at least 25 qualified voters of the District, must state the residence of each signer and must state the name and residence of the candidate; AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that personal voter registration is required either pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law or pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law and has voted at an annual or Special District meeting within the last four years, such voter is eligible to vote at this election/vote; if a voter is eligible to vote pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law, such voter is also eligible to vote at this vote. All other persons who desire to vote must register. A voter may register within the offices of the Cold Spring Harbor Central School District, 75 Goose Hill Road, Cold Spring Harbor between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM on school days provided that such registration is effective not later than five days prior to the Election of April 7, 2020; pursuant to § 2014 of the Education Law the Register of voters will be filed in the office of the District Clerk of the School District immediately upon its completion and not less

than five days prior to the time set for the Election at which it is to be utilized.

Such register shall be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM on each of the five days prior to the day set for the Election, except Saturdays and Sundays and between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM on the day set for the Election.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that in accordance with Education Law § 2018-a absentee ballots for the election of Trustees of the Library and said Library Budget Vote may be obtained from the Election Clerk of the Cold Spring Harbor Library, 95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor, between the hours of 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM during those hours and days of operation of the office of Election Clerk.

Such application must be received by the Election Clerk no later than 4:00 PM seven days prior to the vote/election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter or by 4:00 PM on April 7, 2020 if the ballot is to be personally delivered to the voter.

No absentee voter’s ballot shall be canvassed unless it shall have been received in the Office of the Election Clerk of the Library not later than 5:00 PM on the day of the vote/election. A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available in the Office of the Clerk of the School District between the hours of 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on each of the five days prior to April 7, 2020 except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available in the Office of the Election Clerk of the Library between the hours of 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM on each of the five days prior to April 7, 2020 except Saturdays and Sundays.

Dated: Cold Spring Harbor, New York BOARD OF TRUSTEES March 1, 2020 COLD SPRING HARBOR L I B R A R Y 95 Harbor Road Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724 Helen Weinstein, President 120772

No Paper, No Justice

Weigh the advantages of legal advertising.

For information of rates and coverage call 516-569-4000.

Oyster Bay Herald Guardian — March 27, 2020

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF LIBRARY BUDGET HEARING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Hearing on the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Public Library Budget for 2020-2021 will be held at the Library on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

Michele Vaccarelli Library Director POR FAVOR TENGA EN CUENTA, que la reunión de consideración para el presupuesto bibliotecario 2020-2021, se realizará en la biblioteca pública en Oyster Bay-East Norwich el martes, 5 de mayo de 2020 a las 7:00 de la noche. Michele Vaccarelli Directora de la Biblioteca

Laura Lane/Herald Guardian

Alex MurdAkhAyev, owner of Johnny’s Barber Shop in Oyster Bay, said business had been slow until today.

North Shore addresses its salon closures continued from page 4 Cindy Chiarella, owner of the Twin Moons Creations tattoo parlor in Glen Head, said she was prepared for Cuomo’s announcement, given his recent string of closure rulings. She said the situation is an unfortunate one but she expects to come out of it with her business as strong as ever.

“It’s going be tough,” Chiarella said, “but if you’re proactive in a lot of things, you’re ready for stuff like this, as much as you can be.”

At the very least, Chiarella said, the coronavirus pandemic has not yet had as negative an effect on Long Island as Hurricane Sandy did in 2012. Then, people were without food and electricity, she said, whereas now they are able to be in their homes with their essential needs intact.

“We’re shut down like everybody else,” she added, “but there are people in much worse shape than we are and I feel bad for them.”

Chiarella said that she and her four employees will likely keep busy by continuing making art at home. How-

Answers

to todAy’s puzzle

ever, she said it would be selfish to think that people would want to pay for artwork at a time like this. Instead, she said people should focus on helping each other as best as possible and to act when they see a neighbor in need.

Later that morning, Nassau County Executive Laura Cur ran wrote on Twitter that the U.S. Small Business Administration had declared Nassau County a danger zone, meaning that the SBA would offer low-interest loans for small businesses impacted by the pandemic.

T h e Fa m i ly F i r s t C o ro n av i r u s Response Act, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 18, is also aiding Americans directly affected by the pandemic by providing paid sick leave and unemployment benefits, along with other relief plans.

Lisa Cohn, president of the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce, said she is worried that the loans from the SBA may be too much paperwork and she is worried for the businesses that may not be computer savvy to access the infor mation needed. She said she believes that one way to go is to pause rent payment.

“It is what it is,” Bustos said. “We have to accept, respect and appreciate everything that we have, now more than ever.”

“What we do next will have a massive impact on the trajectory of this virus in New York,” the governor had tweeted earlier in the week. “We can only maintain public health by staying apart. The decision each of us makes now will impact us all tomorrow. Stay home.”

March 27, 2020 — Oyster Bay Herald Guardian

10

HERALD EDITORIAL

Established 1899 Incorporating Oyster Bay Guardian

Want relief? Restore the SALT deduction.

Laura Lane

Senior Editor Mike Conn

Assistant Editor ■ angeLa CaLvo Advertising Account Executive

offiCe 2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530 Phone: (516) 569-4000 Fax: (516) 569-4942 Web: oysterbay.liherald.com E-mail: llane@liherald.com Copyright © 2020 Richner Communications, Inc.

HERALD

COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS Robert Richner Edith Richner Publishers, 1964-1987 ■ CLifforD riCHner STuarT riCHner Publishers

MiCHaeL boLogna Vice President - Operations

I

n 2017, President Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It was supposed to supercharge the economy, bringing new manufacturing jobs to hardhit areas, and no doubt, it brought some success. Job gains weren’t higher than they were during the Obama administration, but there were steady gains — until there weren’t.

The latest unemployment figures, released by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, are from March 6 — when unemployment stood at 3.5 percent — but we know that figure is sure to rise as tens of thousands of Americans are forced out of work because of the coronavirus and will file jobless claims.

The unemployment rate is only expected to increase. People will need relief.

At press time, Congress was debating a

SCoTT brinTon Executive Edtitor JiM HarMon

CHriSTina DaLY Photo Editor TonY beLLiSSiMo Sports Editor karen bLooM Calendar Editor ■

rHonDa gLiCkMan Vice President - Sales eLLen reYnoLDS Classified Manager Lori berger Digital Sales Manager

■

JeffreY negrin Creative Director Craig WHiTe Production Coordinator Craig CarDone Art Director

T

he American Red Cross is urging healthy, eligible people who are feeling well to give blood or platelets to help maintain a sufficient blood supply and prevent shortages as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

Even before COVID-19 swept across the country in recent weeks, the cold and flu season had already hurt the nation’s ability to maintain its blood supply, according to the Red Cross. As the number of coronavirus cases grows in the U.S., the number of people eligible to give blood could decrease as well.

“We’re asking the American people to help keep the blood supply stable during this challenging time,” said Chris Hrouda,

president of Red Cross Blood Services. “As communities across the country prepare for this public health emergency, it’s critical that plans include a readily available blood supply for hospital patients.”

But, Hrouda noted, “As fears of the coronavirus rise, low donor participation could harm blood availability at hospitals, and the last thing a patient should worry about is whether lifesaving blood will be on the shelf when they need it most.”

You can make an appointment to donate blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling (800) 733-2767. Type O and platelet donations are especially needed now.

Donating blood is safe, and people

■

LETTERS

Dianne raMDaSS Circulation Director ■ HeraLD CoMMuniTY neWSPaPerS Baldwin Herald Bellmore Herald Life East Meadow Herald Franklin Square/Elmont Herald Freeport Leader Long Beach Herald Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald Malverne/West Hempstead Herald Merrick Herald Life Nassau Herald Oceanside/Island Park Herald Oyster Bay Herald Guardian Rockaway Journal Rockville Centre Herald Sea Cliff/Glen Head Herald Gazette South Shore Record Valley Stream Herald Wantagh Herald Citizen Seaford Herald Citizen MeMber: Local Media Association New York Press Association Published by richner Communications, inc.

2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530 (516) 569-4000

It should immediately reinstate the SALT deduction. People here will certainly take $1,000 or $2,000, but restoring the deduction would do far more for many homeowners who are suffering because of the coronavirus.

Most homeowners accepted higher taxes because they believed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was boosting the economy — and thus their 401(k) plans. Last week we saw the foolishness of Trump’s tradeoff, as the stock market tumbled and those 401(k)’s sank to the level they were when Trump took office. That is, all of the stock market gains realized over the past three-plus years were erased just like that. Now many Long Islanders are stuck with oversized tax bills.

The time to act intelligently has come.

Give the SALT deduction back — now, not later.

Save a life — give blood, especially now

■

Copy Editor

nearly $2 trillion relief package that, when passed, was expected to put somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000 in each American’s hands. The measure should provide a desperately needed shot in the arm to a national economy that is fast seizing. On Long Island, however, it’s hardly enough.

In high-tax regions like New York and California, the weight of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was already causing enormous fiscal strain for many homeowners, who lost all but $10,000 of the federal deduction for state and local taxes, known commonly as the SALT deduction.

Loss of that single deduction in high-tax regions has cost people thousands of dollars. Many Long Island taxpayers reported that their federal tax bills rose $3,000, $5,000, $8,000 or more last year. Those bills are not expected to abate this year, unless Congress acts.

Let’s respect authority based on knowledge To the Editor: In the early 1980s I was the director of one of two infusion companies who accepted AIDS patients for care in their homes. In that epidemic we saw that the combination of ignorance and fear could do real damage and cause enormous suffering. Dr. Anthony Fauci was a leader at that time who displayed courage, calm and wisdom. He drove the effort to assure that facts were the basis of intervention and helped de-villainize the people who suffered, both from physical illness and social stigma. He is still serving this country today, helping to balance the misinformation and political spin being spouted by the politicians surrounding him. Thank God for his presence.

should not hesitate to give or receive blood, according to the Red Cross. There is no evidence that the coronavirus can be transmitted by blood transfusion, and there have been no reported cases of transfusion transmission for any respiratory virus, including COVID-19.

A blood donation takes about an hour If o from start to finish, but the actual donawhole p tion only takes eight to 10 minutes. To to resp donate blood, you should have a blood edge. I donor card or driver’s license, or two other social forms of identification. People who are at people least 17 years old (16 with written parental or exp consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and are power in generally good health may donate. but po

nation examp ter of require humil Trump rant bu tise. It poorly The son up tial Me the can of the to refle I wo Fauci therap provid others efforts

11

OPINIONS

W

hen the bubonic plague struck England in 1665, a young pastor convinced the people of his villagAe to self-quarantine in an effort to prevent the infection from spreading to neighboring towns. The story of that time became “Year of Wonder,” by Geraldine Brooks. Today, over 300 years later, the story resonates with new meaning.

As you might expect, people behaved as humans do in crisis. Some were the toilet paper hoarders of their day. Some turned RANDI murderous and KREISS mean over food supplies. Many found grace in the crucible of fear and infection.

We are now in the throes of a destabilizing national emergency. As we go to press, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus is increasing hourly. The federal response has been profoundly disorganized, leaving citizens with little access to tests that could inform them about the progress of the disease. Central command is out of touch, literally and metaphorically.

The remarkable thing is how well we are doing — we regular folks who go to work and put food on the table and care for others. Initially, we turned to President Trump for leadership and for an organizing plan to deal with the crisis.

But the president has failed us, as he descends into an epic spiral of selfaggrandizement and miscommunication. He doesn’t have the capacity for the humane gesture that this moment demands.

The miracle, to me, is that even without the blessing of sane and sound leadership, we, the people, are getting the job done.

We are witnessing an incredible validation of the American spirit. Citizens are stepping up, helping neighbors, quarantining themselves when necessary and taking all the steps a functioning federal task force would advise. (Except for the spring breakers in Florida, but they’ll catch up.)

We have governors and mayors and municipal leaders at every level who are taking charge of their communities and making sure that schools are closing when necessary, events are postponed, and civil order is maintained. This is a demonstration of democracy at its best.

W

e’re seeing a validation of the American spirit.

People are stepping up.

LETTERS If one good thing comes out of this whole pandemic, I hope that it’s a return to respect for authority based on knowledge. In today’s world of Google and social networking, it’s far too easy for people with no educational preparation or experience to assume positions of power and influence. This is always bad, but potentially disastrous in a true national emergency. As the ultimate example of this, we are facing the disaster of being led during a time that requires mature decision-making skills, humility and deference by President Trump, a man who is a willfully ignorant bully and has no respect for expertise. It is truly frightening, and reflects poorly upon the values of Americans.

The next time we’re looking for a person upon whom to bestow the Presidential Medal of Freedom, I hope Fauci is the candidate. That might restore a little of the honor that this award is supposed to reflect.

I would like to publicly acknowledge Fauci and all of the doctors, nurses, therapists and associated medical care providers for their selfless dedication to others during a difficult time. Your efforts are deeply valued.

CYNTHIA LOVECCHIO Glen Cove

No one had to tell The New York Times and The Washington Post to take down the pay walls on their websites so that anyone who needs the news can access it for free. No one had to order the closing of all the social and entertainment venues that vendors shut down themselves to slow the spread of disease. No one had to order people to stay home if they feel sick.

One singular hero of the moment is Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. He has spoken truth to power, often and early, deftly calling out the dangerous lies coming from Trump and urging a robust response to Covid-19 while the president was predicting an easy and early end to the pandemic.

We are being tested, as individuals and as a nation. According to Fauci, we are in for a rough patch for some months before the virus starts to burn out. If the federal government, specifically the Centers for Disease Control, can get tests out faster and find out how many are sick and where they live, we can begin to mitigate the effects of the pandemic as it spreads, state by state.

I read a piece in The Times by Jon Mooalem about the devastating 9.2 earthquake in Anchorage in 1964. He wrote about the horrific death and destruction, and how people behaved during the aftershocks. Instead of running for safety, they ran into danger to help their neighbors. Ordinary folks were putting out fires and moving beams and filling in at the police department.

Mooalem wrote about our present national disaster: “Washing your hands, staying home when you’re sick, limiting travel, keeping yourself healthy, not touching your face — little of what we’re being told to do feels particularly heroic or world-changing … But for a lot of us, it is, in fact, the job that’s in front of us right now — the role that these disordered circumstances are calling each of us, at a minimum, to play . . . “. . . There are, and will be more, situations where helping more directly becomes possible and necessary — especially if we’re not getting coherent leadership, or even honesty, from those in charge. But we can’t afford to feel that canceling a school band concert, or suspending a basketball season, is a withering retreat; we must see them as parts of an empowered, collaborative undertaking.”

Copyright 2019 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

FRAMEWORK by Christina Daly

We will be stronger To the Editor: Does anyone really know what’s happening? It seems we’re all going on a trip we hadn’t planned on taking. We don’t know where we’re going or what, exactly, is coming. I believe that whether we’re young, middle-aged or old, the world as we know it today will be gone. Will our new world be better or worse? Is the cup half empty or full?

I was once nervous about the impact the internet would have on our youth.

Would they be able to think for themselves and be capable of functioning in the world? With the craziness we’re now facing, I think the use of the internet and social media are the things that will help them survive.

While some of the older generation will be cut off from what is happening in the world, the middle generation will be fighting to keep their world together and those who are younger will be keeping in touch with people all over the world to learn what is and isn’t working. They will want to be a part of the new world that is yet to come. I feel that when all is said and done, we will all be stronger to carry on.

AUDREY CUPOLO East Norwich

No tweet or press release needed: This says it all — Franklin Square

Thoughts or comments about our stories?

Send letters to the editor to execeditor@liherald.com

Oyster Bay Herald Guardian — March 27, 2020

I wonder whether this will be our ‘year of wonder’

We’re Here For You. Breaking Coverage at liherald.com/CORONAVIRUS

Local News You Can Trust.

We understand you need the most upto-date information about this situation.

Our team of experienced, professional journalists is covering the local stories happening in our community during this challenging time. As a service to our community we are providing FREE coronavirus coverage online during the crisis.

Want to share news ideas, thoughts, coronavirus experiences, comments, announcements? Submit now, we’re listening. Email coronaeditor@liherald.com

We’re Listening ...

Solutions To Help

Local Businesses.

We want to help you continue doing business. Tell us your challenges, your needs and your message.

at significantly reduced rates with higher frequency of your messaging.

The Herald team is focused on developing appropriate marketing solutions to help you, including online, print, email and social marketing solutions available

As we work and implement solutions with other local businesses, let us be your guide through a difficult time.

Email VP of Advertising Rhonda Glickman at rglickman@liherald.com To stay safe we are mostly working from home, but we are fully staffed and ready to help the community however we can!

1084386

March 27, 2020 — Oyster Bay Herald Guardian

12