Friday, March 13, 2020
Vol. 80, No. 11
$1
Local doctors advise protective measures on coronavirus
MUSICIAN HONORED
BY RIKKI MASSAND
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and members of the Town Board honored Syosset High School student Spencer Rubin (front row, third from left) for being named a 2020 National Young Arts Foundation finalist in classical music. The young oboist was joined for the special occasion by his proud parents Seth and Aimee (front row, center).
Syosset school district to propose new capital reserve fund BY RIKKI MASSAND At its February meeting Syosset’s school board discussed potential for creating a new Capital Reserve Fund akin to the proposition that voters approved in May 2014 for a Capital Reserve. The fund would be used for improvements to the district's buildings and infrastructure. Syosset Board of Educa-
tion President Tracey Frankel announced that the direction the board must give Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Rogers now is whether or not the ballot for the May 2020 school district election will include a proposition creating a new Capital Reserve Fund. “In my point of view the 2014 Capital Reserve Fund was a very successful measure in strategic planning -- the dis-
trict has carried out a lot of buildings’ work and I imagine that there’s more interest from the school board trustees and our community for additions to our capital plans with the current phase of the plan. That is something I think our community, our students, the district’s administration and staff, would appreciate with See page 14
As of Monday, March 9, there had been 111,000 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus reported worldwide. Also on Monday a Syosset native, Syosset High alumna and local business leader Dr. Uzma Syed, co-founder of the 60 Queens Street office of South Shore Infectious Disease (SSID) sent out her notes and ‘fast facts’ to many Jericho/Syosset/Woodbury organizations offering her advice and expertise to the public, expanded through new a podcast, “The Coronavirus: How to Protect Yourself and Others.” “First of all the most important thing to do is not panic. The panicking and hysteria is really not going to help with the situation. Obviously there is a lot unfolding and a good number of people are being affected. We expect to see a lot more cases, but the very best thing to do is exert caution, listen to the authorities from the Centers for Disease Control and New York State Department of Health and what your local area professionals are saying. It may be recommended to stock up on at least 3 to 4 weeks’ worth of any prescription medications and 2 weeks’ worth of nonperishable items -- not because it’s the apocalypse or that all supply is going to be gone, but in case that you do get sick, then you will
not need to go out for these items and potentially expose more people so that this vicious cycle keeps continuing,” she explained during the March 5, 2020 podcast. Dr. Syed is a member of the National Task Force with the Infectious Diseases Society of America on Inclusion, Diversity, Access and Equity. She is on the Infection Prevention Committee as well as the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee. Syed has also completed training by the World Health Organization on operational planning guidelines for preparedness and response for countries. “I have been preparing and educating people in healthcare and the community about Coronavirus. and the disease COVID-19. We are expecting many more cases in New York. I am available to speak on the topic as an ID specialist working at three major area hospitals: Long Island Good Samaritan, St Catherine’s and St Joseph’s as well as Our Lady of Consolation Nursing Home; with SSID I have two offices one in Bayshore and one in Syosset,” she said. In recent weeks Dr. Syed has established and led the COVID-19 Task Force team at Good Samaritan Hospital. “Coronavirus belongs to a group of viruses that usually affects mammals and birds and it can be seen in See page 16
Jericho native competes in NY Open PAGE 4 Local Girl Scouts clean up Oyster Bay PAGE 18