Oceanside/Island Park
HERALD
www.plumba.com
From installations to repairs we are available for all yo ur plumbing needs.
MSSN doctors discuss virus
Remote learning hits schools
Page 2
Page 4
Vol. 55 No. 13
516-432-3224
18/21 itc fg Demi Condensed
High Efficiency Condensing Boilers
MARCH 26 - APRIl 1, 2020
Emergency Services
Page xx
Sewer & Water Main Repairs
Heating & Plumbing
Employee at Lincoln Orens tests positive about self-isolation or social distancing. Additionally, the district has An employee of Lincoln closed the middle school and Orens Middle School has tested Francis X. Hegarty Elementary positive for the coronavirus, School, as well as the conference according to Island Park school center. Monday’s virtual Board officials. of Education meeting was postSuperintendent Dr. Rosmarie poned to March 30 at 7 p.m., and Bovino said on March 19 that the schools’ grab-and-go meal the employee was program was being tested. Two m ove d t o L o n g days later, the test Beach. Details are revealed a positive posted on the disresult, and Bovino trict’s website, ips. sent out another k12.ny.us. notice to the comO n S u n d a y, munity. Assistant SuperinThe employee tendent Vincent was most recently Randazzo posted a at the building on letter to the comM a r c h 1 3 , a n d VINCeNT munity informing “will not return to residents about w o rk u n t i l a n RANDAzzo cleaning protocols appropriate health Assistant that will take effect care professional superintendent, Island because of the deter mines it is case. The district safe to do so,” the Park Public Schools has contracted Belstatement read. for Property RestoThe school district issued a ration to conduct a biohazard third statement about steps decontamination of all buildtaken since the confirmed case. ings. The work includes wiping With the cooperation of the down all surfaces thoroughly employee, district officials have with Bioesque Botanical Disinidentified people with whom the fectant and using electrostatic employee had direct contact. disinfectant spray, the letter They have been notified and said. advised to consult their doctors Continued on page 3
By BRIANA BoNfIglIo bbonfiglio@liherald.com
Courtesy Delores Hofman
A birthday surprise — from a suitable distance The coronavirus didn’t stop Dolores Hofman, 73, from throwing her husband, Edward, a surprise 75th birthday party on March 17 in Island Park’s Harbor Isle. Though they were keeping themselves isolated because of the pandemic, Dolores sent a letter to her neighbors urging them to toast Edward on their decks as a birthday surprise. Story, more photos, Page 9.
Businesses face uncertainties amid coronavirus closures By BRIANA BoNfIglIo bbonfiglio@liherald.com
No one sat at the bar. Waitresses didn’t come around with pints of beer or trays of plated food. To put it mildly, it was “a St. Patrick’s Day like no other,” said Joe Bonin, owner of J. Paul’s Terrace Café in Oceanside, with a hint of sadness and disbelief in his voice. The restaurant and sports bar, a community hotspot for 38
years, closed to diners the evening before the Irish holiday, along with eateries statewide, under Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s ban on gatherings of 50 or more people to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The ban closed restaurants, gyms, movie theaters and casinos. Takeout at restaurants and bars, distilleries and wineries is allowed. The state’s liquor law was temporarily changed to allow for off-premises sales of
alcohol. In addition, Cuomo ordered the closure of all barber, nail, hair and tattoo shops by March 20 at 8 p.m. March 17 was the first day that J. Paul’s opened for takeout orders only with reduced hours — 3 to 8 p.m. About 10 part-time employees, a third of its normal staff, are on duty, Bonin said. “We open on Christmas and Continued on page 3
T
he safety and well-being of our school community is our utmost priority.