East Nassau (4/24/20)

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Stay $1 Strong

Friday, April 24, 2020

Vol. 80, No. 17

Tricia Shanno n

Lic. Assoc. R.

E. Broker

O 5 16 .3 64 .2 294 M 51 6. 97 8. 68 32 tricia.shanno n@elliman.com

© 2020 DOUGLAS 110 WALT WHITMAELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOU SING N ROAD, HUNTING TON STATION, NY OPPORTUNIT Y. 11746. 631.549.740 1

Businesses face challenges from Covid, stimulus programs

LOVE FROM TEACHERS

BY RIKKI MASSAND

Healthcare workers show appreciation for the masks sewn by Levittown teachers. BY GARY SIMEONE In the midst of the coronavirus crisis, there have been many stories of people performing acts of kindness to help others in need. The recipients of many of these acts include people on the frontline of this epidemic such as doctors, nurses and other essential workers. Two teachers from the Levittown school district are doing their part to help others by assembling and distributing protective equipment such as face masks and headbands.

Patty Coppola, a teaching assistant at Division Avenue High School, has been using her sewing skills to make over 200 masks for people who are in dire need of them. “I am a seamstress and I have a lot of extra fabric on hand, so I figured why not put my skills to good use,” said Coppola, who is a Massapequa resident. “I have donated these masks to coworkers, family members, friends and healthcare facilities. It has been a great experience doing this because I’m happy to help people and I hope I’m able to protect some-

one from getting the virus.” She said that she’s assembled masks in a range of sizes and has donated to distribution centers and even a veterinary hospital. “I had animal related fabric that I was able to make masks and send out to a veterinary hospital and I’ve even made masks in different colors and ones for New York Yankees and Mets fans,” said Coppola. The masks that she’s made are not the N95 respiratory or medical grade but are meant See page 21

Dr. Diana Callesano, an audiologist and business owner of Hearing and Tinnitus Center in Woodbury located at 113 Crossways Park Drive #101 had so much to be thankful for last week as her mother survived two weeks’ of hospitalization and treatment after falling ill with Coronavirus. To cheers from frontline healthcare workers, her mom was released from NYU-Winthrop Hospital on April 16 and will be in rehab. Dr. Callesano is caring for her and her family members while managing to keep her small business operating as best as she can during mandated closure, and while waiting for a federal loan to shine some light on dark days at her workplace. “To be a business owner right now you really must get crafty. You have to assess your business from several angles and consider where your strengths and weaknesses are, what you think can cut costs on going forward. It seems that we’re living in a movie. We must step back and say, OK, how can we weather the storm over the next six months or one year? Realistically people need to start thinking in this manner -- COVID19 problems and ramifications for

the economy will not be solved by May 15 or whenever governing officials choose to end stay-athome orders,” she explained. Keeping all non-essential businesses closed until at least May 15 sets her business back and creates for makeshift operations. The H & T Center closed its doors on March 21 but Dr. Callesano continues her work, taking emergency visits from existing patients -- those who have hearing aids that may have broken or needed immediate adjustments so they can hear. Revenues for the business are down about 70% from the first weeks of March 2020. Dr. Callesano said February was a tremendous month for the Center as many appointments and services were booked. Since St. Patrick’s Day, cancellations and hesitancy to book future appointments have prevailed. There were discussions over whether or not the Hearing and Tinnitus Center is an essential business and service to the community as the doctor noted, “everyone should be able to hear and has a right to hear.” In some cases, a person’s hearing loss See page 21

This is a combined issue of several of Litmor Publishing's newspapers, bringing you news and information from eastern Nassau County.

Syosset Library's virtual doors wide open PAGE 3 Golf, beaches to reopen, with distance PAGE 8


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