Baldwin Herald by Richner Communications, Inc

Baldwin

HERALD Chamber donates to local pantry

Plaza principal tosses Frisbees

Baldwinite named ‘Wellness Warrior’

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Vol. 27 No. 25

JUNE 18 - 24, 2020

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School election results Baldwin School District budget 2,617 yes votes 1,497 no votes School board incumbent Trustee Karyn Reid 3,467 votes

Karyn Reid

Baldwin Public library budget 2,719 yes votes 1,370 no votes

Bridget Downes/Herald

goodbye, Baldwin. Hello, Stony Brook. Baldwin High School soon-to-be graduate Justin Stewart, above right, was one of the many seniors who decorated their cars to show off their college plans at the district’s Decision Day Parade on June 11. Story, more photos, Page 5.

As county’s Phase 2 begins, barbershops, retail stores reopen By BRiDgET DoWNES bdownes@liherald.com

Grand Palace Barber Shop employee Mark Davydov said last Friday that the first three d ay s s i n c e t h e s h o p h a d reopened were very busy. The barbershop, at Grand Avenue and Merrick Road in Baldwin, was among the many shops and hair salons that began operating again on June 10, as per Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s execu-

tive order allowing certain businesses to open as part of the second phase of restarting Long Island’s economy amid the coronavirus pandemic. “Back to business now,” Davydov said. “When we opened, we were very busy. Wednesday — the first day — we did appointments, and it was really busy and crazy, and the next day, too.” James, a Baldwin resident who declined to give his last name, was eager to have his

shaggy hair cut professionally for the first time in months. “As much as I want my hair cut, I’ve been waiting until it’s an appropriate time,” he said. And while he wasn’t nervous about going out in public, he said, his wife was skeptical. James said he planned to disinfect, remove what he was wearing and shower when he got home. His wife tried cutting his hair Continued on page 3

library board Trustees Art Mesiti 3,140 votes Kerry Schwenker 3,315 votes

Art Mesiti

Kerry Schwenker

Baldwin embraces district’s val, sal salutatorian: chloe saquing

Photos courtesy Baldwin School District

Baldwin’s 2020 valedictorian Ava Bandel.

Baldwin’s 2020 salutatorian Chloe Saquing.

Chloe’s drive toward her superior academic performance is motivated by her goal of working in the medical field. Chloe is a member of the Baldwin High School Medical and Health Sciences Academy, Mathletes, Key Club, Chamber Orchestra, and much more. She is a talented musician and in the area of marksmanship. Chloe has also dedicat-

ALL ALLALL TOGETHER TOGETHER TOGETHER NOW. NOW. NOW.

With a weighted GPA of 119.03, Ava possesses everything you want in a Baldwin student. An AP Scholar with Honor, a member of multiple Honor Societies, including President of National Honor Society, a multi-instrument musician, a star Volleyball and Lacrosse player, a member of the Principal’s leadership group, she will be attending Harvard University in the fall, where she will be majoring in biology and chemistry. What her teachers say about her: “Ava came to class every day with a relaxed attitude that hid all the pressures and stress that go along with being the Valedictorian.” “Those who know Ava Bandel, know she is an exemplary student in every way. Her positive nature and influence on her peers both in and out of the classroom, helps her lead others by her example.” “While she is well rounded, it is her humbleness that stands out. You will never find Ava flaunt her abilities or altruistic deeds. She, also, does not join something just for effect. When Ava becomes a member of a team, club or project, she is there for the long haul; lending her talents and ideas for the betterment of the group and the larger overall community.” “Ava’s sensitivity to the needs of others, self-motivation, and commitment to excellence provides her with limitless possibilities and potential. She will go far in this world.”

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ed hundreds of hours to serving others, as you will see from the long list of school and community service activities. She will continue her stellar academic and community service pursuits when she attends Stony Brook University in the fall as part of the W.I.S.E. program. What her teachers say about her: “Her intelligence is one of the best I’ve seen. But what is even more impressive is her compassion and humility. She has an understated excellence, kind, determined, and dedicated young woman. I am continually impressed with Chloe’s maturity, focus and persistence.” “Her intelligence, determination, character, and humanity allows me to say, unequivocally, that our future is in good hands. I am privileged to have been her teacher, and in these times of uncertainty and fear, it is reassuring to know that there are students like her going forward to make their way and leave their mark. I am filled with hope and pride with the promise of what she will achieve in the years to come.”

valedictorian: ava Bandel

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June 18, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

continued from PaGe 1 about halfway through their self-isolation period, and he said, “it wasn’t great.” He also said he worried about local businesses like the Grand Palace that had to close for such a long time. “We’re all doing our best,” he said, explaining that he is often around older family members who are at higher risk of dying if they contract Covid-19. “It is serious, and we are concerned,” James said, “but things have to get back to normal eventually.” Barbershop employees said that most of the patrons coming in have to make appointments ahead of time. The barbers wore masks and regularly disinfected surfaces, and one of the four chairs in the shop had been removed to allow for proper social distancing. Grand Palace closed in March, Davydov said, about a week before a state order mandated nonessential businesses shut their doors. “Because it was a scary kind of thing,” he said. “It was all over the news, so we decided to close a week earlier.” Baldwin resident Joe Nocera accompanied his son, Caden, to Grand Palace for a haircut last Friday. For the past three months, Nocera has tried his best to trim Caden’s hair, but “it was a nightmare,” he laughed, “so it’s great to get him out and back into routine.” All Star Cuts, on Merrick Road in Baldwin, also reopened on June 10. “Happy to be home,” said Joshua Le as he gave a patron a haircut. The shop closed in the middle of March. Now employees are limiting the number of people coming in, taking patrons by appointment, disinfecting surfaces and maintaining social distancing. “It’s still slow and everything, but people are coming out slowly,” Le said, adding that it seems like people are being wary and cautious. “I think people are

Photos by Bridget Downes/Herald

Grand Palace BarBer Shop employee Mark Davydov gave a long-awaited haircut to a Baldwin resident on June 12. still scared to come out and so forth, you know? Otherwise, it’s good to be home.” Glory Beezzz Thrift Shop, on Merrick Road in Baldwin, also opened last week after closing in mid-March. The store has been around for 10 years. “We couldn’t believe it,” owner Deidre Stammers said. “The first day was the best day I think we’ve ever had here.”

matt SchaB and Deidre Stammers, the owner of Glory Beezzz Thrift Shop in Baldwin, which reopened on June 10.

Her inventory was at maximum capacity, similar to other thrift shops, she said, because so many people have been cleaning out their homes and donating items to Goodwill, the Salvation Army and similar organizations. “I was really overwhelmed just by seeing everyone,” Stammers said of her patrons. “I was just concentrating on the

all Star cutS barber Joshua Le cut a patron’s hair the same day. work aspect of it . . . and then just seeing everybody made it all worth it. I’ve just been so encouraged because people are just thrilled to be out.” Many of her customers said they were happy to take part in “retail therapy” again, and one suggested that Stammers rename her store the “House of Hidden Treasures and Good Vibes.”

chairS have Been removed in the Grand Palace to ensure social distancing among employees as well as customers.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — June 18, 2020

Baldwin businesses open in Phase 2

Plaza principal tosses Frisbees, hope During the nor mal school year, Plaza Elementary School Principal Mark Gray usually walks from classroom to classroom greeting every student and wishing them a fun summer. Now that school is ending and students are still distance learning, Gray will walk through every street where a student lives and throw them a Frisbee and wish them a good summer. In an effort to bring normalcy, he will wear a suit, which students used to see him in every day. The 400 Frisbees that are being thrown to students read “#NeverApart When You Are A Part Of #PlazaStrong.” Gray ended up walking a total of 19 miles and 37,000 steps. He will be donating his “steps” to Education Trust.

Photos Courtesy Baldwin School District

The sTudenTs happily caught the Frisbees. sTudenTs displayed homemade signs. sTudenTs wore Their Plaza attire.

Baldwin

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June 18, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Photos by Bridget Downes/Herald

BHS graduates show off their college plans THe SeniorS waved from their cars.

Members of the Baldwin High School class of 2020 decorated their cars and showed off their college plans at the districtâ€™s Decision Day Parade on June 11. The caravan of cars made its way down the winding road in Baldwin Harbor Town Park, where Baldwin School District teachers, administrators and staff members cheered on the graduating seniors.

Some STudenTS Held up homemade signs.

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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS â€” June 18, 2020

Baldwin HigH ScHool seniors decorated their cars and displayed their college plans at the Decision Day Parade on June 11.

June 18, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Wynta-amor rogerS, 7, with the Hempstead protest organizers, from left, Raina Lewis, Tiara Adams and Jada Gillenwater.

Scott Brinton/Herald

The girl who lit up the Twittersphere Uniondale 7-year-old adds child’s voice to Black Lives Matter protests By Scott Brinton sbrinton@liherald.com

Seven-year-old Wynta-Amor Rogers, of Uniondale, stood in the shade of the red-brick Hempstead Village Hall on June 9, microphone in hand, surrounded by 200 Black Lives Matter protesters calling for justice for George Floyd and an end to systemic racism. “Wynta?” said emcee Jada Gillenwater, of “The Jada G Show,” which is shown on Facebook Live on Wednesdays. “Yes, ma’am?” the girl replied without missing a beat as the crowd laughed and clapped. Why, Gillenwater wondered, was everyone there that day? “We’re fighting for justice!” Wynta-Amor shouted, to cheers and more applause. This young protester electrified the Twittersphere on June 2, when a video of her marching and chanting at a BLM demonstration in Merrick went viral. This reporter took the video and posted it to Twitter during the protest. By the time the marching had ended two hours later, 25,000 people had viewed it. By midnight, a million. A week later, some 23 million, and the count continued to grow. Since then, Wynta-Amor has appeared at demonstrations throughout the metropolitan area, leading crowds in pre-march rallies, as was the case in Hempstead on that sunny Tuesday afternoon. “No justice, no peace!” she called out to the crowd, as she had in Merrick, and the people around her responded in kind. Without justice, she said, “we won’t have no peace. I’m telling y’all today. We all gotta fight for justice.” It was easy to see that day why Wynta-Amor exploded into the American consciousness — the viral video of her was shown on “The CBS Evening News,” “CBS Sunday Morning,” “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” and the Oprah Winfrey Network special “Where Do We Go from Here?” A student at the Roosevelt Children’s Academy, she beamed charisma, smiling easily for the crowd. She sang. She danced. She understood comedic timing. She practices her singing and dancing while watching

Alexandra Brinton/Herald

Wynta-amor, center, With her mother, Lakyia Jackson, and Scott Brinton, the Heralds executive editor. Brinton took the viral video of Wynta-Amor. Kidz Bop, which features children singing popular adult songs. “I be like, that’s why I’m not afraid of the camera,” Wynta-Amor said in an interview before the Hempstead rally. In the 15-second viral video, she showed no fear. Her hands moved furiously. Her face displayed a righteous anger. In the end, she pumped her fist straight at my cellphone, on which the video was shot. Her mother, Lakyia Jackson, said the international attention her daughter has received has been “overwhelming.” “There have been so many people” who have shown interest in her daughter, she said, which she never expected when she took Wynta-Amor to the Merrick protest. Her daughter, having seen events unfolding on TV, wanted to take part in a demonstration, and Jackson, looking to educate her daughter about the BLM protests, brought her on June 2. At home, Jackson said, Wynta-Amor is the same little girl she’s always been. She watches TV, does her hair and nails with her mom, bakes brownies and makes Slime.

Her favorite school subjects are arts and crafts, math and language arts. She likes to draw pictures of her friends and the night sky. “I’m a professional artist,” she said. Wynta-Amor, her mom said, has sickle-cell anemia, a rare chronic disorder that causes red blood cells to break down. Jackson stays home to care for her. She makes custom masks and T-shirts to earn a living, but said that caring for her daughter is her “full-time job.” Wynta-Amor’s hero, she said, is the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “He’s the leader,” she said. “He’s my leader, and I’m your leader.” At the June 9 rally, Wynta-Amor told the crowd that she just wanted everyone to live in peace. “Can we do that?!” she called out. “Yes!” “Can we do this?!” “Yes!” Gillenwater said that, years from now, Wynta-Amor would remember the protesters “were here for her.” “Our unity is our power,” she said. “Our disunity serves our enemies.”

Baldwinite named ‘Warrior for Wellness’

Bridget Downes/Herald

Baldwin ChamBer of Commerce President Erik Mahler, left, alongside Pat’s Dance Studio owner Melanie Vaughan, Parochial Vicar Celestine Nwosu and St. Chris Outreach Director Julia Santiago. Courtesy Assemblywoman Griffin

Jessenia mendez Velasquez as the fundraising chair for the Baldwin Civic Association. It is in this role that she spearheads two of the town’s most popular annual events, the springtime Eggstravaganza and the fall Oktoberfest. Fortunately for Baldwin residents, her husband, Steve, is a sales rep for Barrier Brewery located in nearby Oceanside. Thus, she was able to get 100 percent of the beer for this year’s festival donated. Each Wednesday, Griffin announces a new candidate. If you would like to nominate someone in Assembly District 21, please griffinj@nyassembly.gov.

Chamber donates to pantry The Baldwin Chamber of Commerce recently donated $600 in gift cards to the St. Christopher’s Parish food pantry. The Chamber sold 80 “Baldwin Strong” lawn signs — seen around town — and collected the proceeds to donate to the pantry in the form of gift cards purchased from Chamber restaurant members. “We were able to help our restaurant members who have been suffering during this difficult time, as well as help the less fortunate who count on the food pantry to feed their families,” Chamber members

said on Facebook. “Thank you again to all of the residents who purchased lawn signs, as you are a part of this generous donation.” The pantry, coordinated by Outreach Director Julia Santiago and located at 11 Gave Ave., is open every Tuesday from 12 to 3 p.m. The facility typically offers frozen meals and nonperishable food items as well as clothes, shoes, feminine hygiene products, diapers and other items that people cannot usually buy with food stamps.

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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — June 18, 2020

Eager to support essential workers, Baldwin business owner Jessenia Mendez Velasquez has donated the services of her cleaning company to the Child Care of Nassau County in order to disinfect local daycare centers, State Assemblywoman Judy Griffin said in a statement. The representative recognized Mendez Velasquez on June 3 as a Warrior for Wellness. On April 15, Griffin launched her Warriors for Wellness program as a way to acknowledge and express gratitude to all healthcare workers, first responders and essential workers on the front-lines, as well as people who have gone above and beyond to support essential workers continue in the fight against coronavirus. In addition to providing essential workers with the peace of mind that their children are in a safe place, Mendez Velasquez also acts as an educator to the centers and their families by communicating best practices related to proper disinfection procedures. Reflecting her motto that it’s important to stay loyal to your community and actively help make it a better place, she maintained her entire full time staff of six employees on the company’s payroll throughout the pandemic. A mom of three children and three cats, Mendez Velasquez is a 12-year member of the Baldwin Fire Department and serves

June 18, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Reopening Nassau

MSK doctor: Now’s the time for a checkup By Scott BRiNtoN sbrinton@liherald.com

The coronavirus pandemic, which swept across the New York metropolitan area from March through May, had a paralyzing effect, forcing millions of people to put their plans on hold — including plans for routine physical exams. That, medical experts said they fear, could put people in jeopardy. Now, they insist, is the time to have exams performed, while Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are continuing to decline. Dr. Diane Reidy, a medical oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal cancers, is the associate deputy physician in chief for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Regional Care Network. Patients, she said, have been naturally reluctant to come to hospitals, even when experiencing acute symptoms at times. People delaying treatment, Reidy said, is what doctors are “most nervous about” at the moment. MSK’s primary hospital is in Manhattan, but it has regional care centers throughout the metropolitan area, including a new 114,000-square-foot center in Uniondale, called MSK Nassau. It opened last April and is located in the southwest corner of the Nassau Coliseum’s expansive parking lot, next to Hofstra University. Cancer surgeries are performed at MSK’s Manhattan hospital, but chemotherapy and radiation treatment are

Courtesy Memorial Sloan Kettering

DR. DiaNe ReiDy, associate deputy physician in chief for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Regional Care Network, is urging people to have their routine checkups performed now,. offered in Uniondale. “Don’t forget about your health…” Reidy said. “A year could make a difference.” She acknowledged that the nation is “in very uncertain and sorrowful times.” That does not mean, however, that people should ignore their own wellbeing — quite the opposite. “We did what is right,” she said. “Peo-

ple did go into lockdown.” Now that New York’s economy is reopening, and people are beginning to emerge from isolation, she said, “there is an opportunity to say, ‘Let me think about my health. There is a period when it is safe to come back to your doctor.” Already, many patients have put off necessary checkups for three months or more. If people continue to wait, a second

wave of Covid-19 infections could strike over the summer or next fall, forcing patients to continue waiting. A few months of waiting would likely not affect a patient’s condition to a measurable degree, Reidy said. Putting off a checkup for another six months to a year could. “We just want to make sure that we are not a seeing a flood of cancers later,” she said. Cancer patients, she said, are understandably concerned about Covid-19 infection, given that many are immunocompromised. Not all are, however, she noted. Anyone suffering from leukemia or lung cancer is more vulnerable to the coronavirus’s effects. Generally speaking, though, cancer patients are no more susceptible than other people. MSK has adjusted its practices and protocols to ensure patient safety, Reidy said. Patients can now check in from their cars by texting MSK’s main desk once they are curbside. They are screened for the coronavirus in their vehicles, and they can then wait in their cars to be called in for treatment. Once called, they are brought straight to a treatment room. MSK is also experimenting with telemedicine to allow patients to check in from their homes, as well as well as consult with their doctors. If MSK is running behind schedule, the patient need not leave home. “Everything we do is for our patients,” Reidy said.

King Kullen, Stop & Shop nix merger plans By JameS BeRNSteiN jbernstein@liherald.com

Two of Long Island’s largest supermarket chains have decided they could not swallow a merger, and have rung up a No Sale sign. Bethpage-based King Kullen and Quincy, Mass.,-based Shop & Shop, said last week that the coronavirus was the prime reason to call off a merger plan, which was announced about 18 months ago. “A joint decision was made not to proceed with the acquisition because of significant, unforeseen changes in the marketplace that have emerged since the agreement was signed in December 2018, largely driven by the Covid-19 pandemic,” the two grocery chains said in a joint announcement. They declined to comment beyond the prepared statement. The price was never disclosed. Both companies have a significant presence on Long Island. King Kullen, the nation’s first supermarket chain, is owned by the Cullen family. The company has 37 stores on Long Island, including five Wild By Nature outlets. It has stores in Island Park, Valley Stream and Hewlett, and a Wild by Nature in Oceanside. King Kullen has about 2,600 unionized employees. Stop & Shop has more than 8,000 employees on Long Island at 51 stores. The company has outlets in Glen Cove, Inwood, Long Beach, Merrick, North Bellmore and Oceanside. The chain is owned by Ahold Delhaize, a Dutch com-

Chrisina Daly/Herald

outSiDe of KiNg Kullen in Island Park. pany, that also owns Food Lion, Giant Food, Hannaford and Peapod, an online grocer. Retail analysts who followed the grocery store industry said supermarkets across the country have experienced strong sales since the coronavirus pandemic began, since they were deemed essential businesses and were allowed to remain open. The deal was expected to close at the beginning of 2019, but ran into delays. Neither company would say why.

But analysts speculated that the Federal Trade Commission had serious issues about the merger. The two companies themselves said the deal was continuing to undergo “closing conditions and regulatory review,” which included involvement by the FTC, which declined comment. But Robert Newell, president of Local 1500, which represents employees at both King Kullen and Stop & Shop, said pushing through a merger at a time of such uncertainty made little sense. The decision to call off the merger, Newell said, was good news for the union. “There would have been some contraction for sure,” in a merger, Newell said. He said the FTC’s prolonged decision-making process played a role in the decision by the companies. “We understand the FTC has been a pretty sizable obstacle,” Newell said. Additionally, Ahold recently announced a deal for its Food Lion chain to buy 62 Vi-Lo stores and Harveys Supermarkets in North and South Carolina and Georgia. Lisa O’Leary, secretary-treasurer of Local 342, which represents about 200 employees at King Kullen and Wild By Nature, said she was happy there would be no job losses as a result of a merger. “I expect King Kullen will continue to operate as always,” O’Leary said. King Kullen is one of Long Island’s largest employers. The grocery company was founded in 1930 by Michael J. Cullen on Jamaica Avenue in Queens. King Kullen calls itself “American’s first supermarket chain.” The Smithsonian Institution confirms that.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS â€” June 18, 2020

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June 18, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Covid-19

hometown heroes

Chris Brown

merCedes montero

Baldwin

Volunteer, Baldwin Fire department

orking during this pandemic is an unusual experience that you cannot explain. As a volunteer firefighter in Baldwin, there was constant worry and fear of the unknown while responding because you didn't know if you were going to bring the disease back to the firehouse or home to your family. With every run you respond to, you push those feelings deep down and rely on your training because you know that someone in the community needs your help. The members of the Baldwin Fire Department definitely stepped up to the task. For every call that came, each member ran out of their home without hesitation. The department did its best to keep its members and family safe during this time. The district workers disinfected the firehouses multiple times a day. The members wore N95 masks on every call. We limited how many people came into contact with the public while mitigating a problem to hopefully limit the spread of disease. After every call, we made sure to wash our hands and wipe everything down, and I honestly believe that that helped to limit the spread of disease in the firehouse. Mental health was a factor as well. We constantly called each other and made sure our families were OK. Personally, I was not worried about contracting Covid-19, but was worried about giving it to my wife, family and newborn baby, Charlotte. My wife, Medina, is a nurse who works in [an intensive care unit] .

Freeport program direCtor, long island Cares Freeport

ercedes Montero, is our program coordinator for the Long Island Cares Center of Collaborative Assistance located in Freeport. Montero has been leading this center for the last four years, by way of providing emergency food assistance, supplies and services to the residents in Freeport, and surrounding Nassau County communities. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, our center has seen an unprecedented amount of new families coming to the office. Previously, it was already our busiest site; now it is the largest we operate within the addition of all the other programs we are supporting within Nassau. Montero has met this challenge head on, hasn't missed a day, and continues to work tirelessly to ensure the operation upholds the same amount of support to all of the families we see. In our opinion, there is no other person more deserving [of recognition] than Montero. She is Long Island Cares. Long Island Cares, as the regional food bank, operates six satellite centers like the one in Freeport. All encompass an onsite pantry, pet pantry, job development programs, student volunteer programs and veteran services. “Montero is a great example of human service superhero who, since the day she began, has devoted her time and effort to Freeport residents in ensuring that every person that comes through our doors is treated with the upmost respect and given an abundance of resources, and food to further support their families. –As told by Claire Fratello, of Long Island Cares.

hometown hero

Thank you for caring. When we turn caring into doing, we can change lives. I’m proud to support First Responders and the work they do to make the world better.

Marty A Connor, Agent 2417 Grand Avenue Baldwin, NY 11510 Bus: 516-543-5388 marty.connor.p8f3@statefarm.com

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Hempstead Homecare nurse, mount sinai soutH nassau HospitaL, oceanside

Former neW york state assembLyman Long beacH

y late wife, Ellen, was a nurse at Long Beach Memorial Hospital and other places for many years. So when the coronavirus pandemic hit Long Island so hard and I saw medical people working practically around the clock, I decided I had to do something. I recently decided to give a $25,000 endowment to Mount Sinai Nassau Hospital. The money is to be used as a scholarship for people who want to study the profession of nursing. The money was donated under the Harvey and Ellen Special Needs Foundation. I know about all the good deeds nurses do. When I was in the State Assembly, every year for the 25 years I was there, I would hold a Nurses Day and bring a nurse up for the day for a special proclamation. I would say, ‘Lucky the many who can marry a nurse.' This is just a way to say thanks to people who give so much. There are so many worthy causes, and so much to be done. But this year, nurses and others in the medical profession have risked their lives working with coronavirus patients. Some of the medical professionals gave their lives in the fight against this disease. I know my wife would have wanted me to do this. She would have wanted more and more young people to go into this field, and I wanted to be as encouraging and giving as I know she would have been. So hopefully with this donation, some selfless people who want to help the sick and the infirm will get to go to nursing school.

t the onset of the Covid-19 patient surge, I did not expect it to impact my daily professional or personal life. That expectation changed quickly. Within just a few days, a family member was diagnosed with the coronavirus, Covid-19 cases swelled in the homecare setting, and the hospital’s Emergency Department and many of its patient care units were transformed to provide the constant and determined specialized care that hundreds upon hundreds of patients would need to overcome this most pernicious and contagious virus. Soon after, my Mount Sinai South Nassau homecare colleagues and I were deployed to the hospital to join forces with the doctors and our fellow nurses at the bedsides of the patients to care for them and encourage them in their battle against Covid-19. This continued for six weeks, and during that time, I established new friendships, shared tears of joy and sadness, and gained inspiration from the hundreds of daily works of courage, compassion, kindness and appreciation by the patients and the hospital’s entire team of health care professionals. I will carry that with me for the rest of my life.

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HEALTH MEMO Ten NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery physicians named to 2020 Castle Connolly list

en of the 26 physicians associated with Neurological Surgery, P.C. (NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery) have been named to the latest edition of Top Doctors: New York Metro Area, an annual reference guide published by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., a New York City research and information company. They are: Jeffrey A. Brown, M.D. (Neuropathic Facial Pain Surgery), Jonathan L. Brisman, M.D. (Neurovascular and Brain Surgery), Benjamin R. Cohen, M.D (Spine Surgery), Vladimir Y. Dadashev, M.D. (Spine Surgery), John A. Grant, M.D. (Pediatric Neurosurgery), Roger W. Kula, M.D. (Chiari Neurology), Sundeep Mangla, M.D. (Endovascular Neuroradiology), Stephen T. Onesti, M.D. (Spine Surgery), John PileSpellman, M.D. (Endovascular Neuroradiology), and Brian J. Snyder, M.D. (Pain and Parkinson’s Surgery). “It’s a pleasure to congratulate our colleagues and partners for receiving this honor,” said Michael H. Brisman, M.D., the chief executive officer of Rockville Centre, NY-based NSPC. “Our practice has provided patients from Long Island, and elsewhere, with the most compassionate and comprehensive brain, back, and neck care available for over 60 years. The selection of these ten physicians to the 2020 Top Doctors: New York Metro Area confirms a tradition of clinical, and patient-centered excellence, at NSPC.” For decades, Castle Connolly has been conducting a peer-review survey to select the region’s top doctors based on the theory that medical professionals are best qualified to assess the qualifications of other practitioners. Licensed physicians vote

online for those doctors they consider outstanding. A Castle Connolly doctor-led research team then counts the nominations and vets the nominee pool with the aid of a number of screens, including confirming board certifications and investigating disciplinary histories. The firm’s Top Doctors: New York Metro Area guide lists those whom Castle Connolly has determined to be in the top ten percent of the region’s physicians – approximately 6,000 in all. About Neurological Surgery, P.C. (NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery) Founded in Freeport in 1958, Neurological Surgery, P.C. (NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery) has grown to become one of the largest, private neurosurgical groups in the U.S. with six conveniently located offices on Long Island. The practice’s experienced neurosurgeons and interventional neuroradiologists are experts in “Bloodless” brain and spine surgery, including laser spine surgery, endoscopic spine surgery, ultrasonic spine surgery, radiosurgery, and other advanced minimally invasive techniques which are used to treat brain tumors, brain aneurysms, trigeminal neuralgia, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, chronic back pain, and other conditions. Visit www. nspc.com to learn more.

100 Merrick Rd., #128w, Rockville Centre 516-255-9031 • nspc.com

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Darwin Yanes/Herald

Laura Curran anD other local officials spoke about ways individuals could prepare themselves for this hurricane season.

By Darwin Yanes

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The chief executive of the American Red Cross’s Long Island chapter Monday predicted an active hurricane season, and said the coronavirus will make preparations this year different. At a news conference in Mineola, Neela Lockel issued a warning for Long Islanders: “We are urging residents to adjust their preparedness planning to the new health threats brought on by the pandemic,” she said. “Make time to build an emergency kit in the event that you have to evacuate or shelter in place.” The emergency kits should include food, water, essential medication, important documents and other special items for family members. Because of the pandemic, Lockel said, people should pack cleaning and disinfecting items like hand sanitizers and tissues. She also urged people to use face coverings and to keep social distancing. Additionally, Lockel said that it is vital to create an evacuation plan for families. If people choose to stay with another family, they need to check if anyone in that family is experiencing Covid-19 symptoms. Red Cross evacuation shelters have new safety measures, including temperature checks, health questionnaires, face masks, modified food distribution and isolation areas, if needed, she said. Lockel was joined by Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, State Sens. John Brooks and Anna Kaplan, and representatives from the county, state, Red Cross and PSEG. Patrick Murphy, the commissioner of New York State’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, said

that since 2012, the state has invested about $9.2 billion in infrastructure and public assistance to mitigate some of the hazards that could happen in the Long Island and New York City area because of coastal storms. He praised the Red Cross for its work and said the organization was “critically important” to the state. Kaplan, whose district includes Mineola, said that she helped secure $600,000 in funding for new equipment for the Red Cross, including an emergency response vehicle, which has updated equipment and the latest technology. The “new generation” van will help the organization during times of emergency. She added that she would partner with the group on June 30 at 4 p.m. to hold an information session on Facebook Live. Curran noted that the region is entering the hurricane season with a new reality -- Covid-19. However, she said the county has made strides since Hurricane Sandy in 2012. “I feel that we have learned so much from Superstorm Sandy,” Curran said. “The debris removal is streamlined and made more efficient. The disclosures and documentation is better. The ways we communicate — moving billboards around and getting the word out to our residents.” Curran, like many of the speakers, urged individuals to volunteer to help their communities. The Long Island chapter has about 1,000 volunteers, Lockel said, but they are still searching for more. For more information, visit www.redcross.org. “If you want to help out your community, becoming a volunteer for the Red Cross is one of the best things you can do, Curran said. “ It’ll make you feel good, and it will be good for your community.”

June 18, 2020

WELLNESS after

COVID-19

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS â€” June 18, 2020

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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — June 18, 2020

Telemedicine is here to stay

Preparing for your virtual appointment

s more doctors’ offices move toward telemedicine for those appointments that can be held remotely, patients should know how to prepare for these virtual visits. Sirisha Mohan, M.D., telemedicine lead for the Department of Family Medicine at Keck Medicine of USC, knows just how beneficial it is to have a remote medical appointment go smoothly. “Telemedicine is really improving our ability to stay connected to our patients in a unique time, where social distancing itself is becoming almost a precursor to additional health problems like anxiety, depression, elevated heart rates and high blood pressure,” she explains. “So being able to still see your doctor allows the patient and the physician to maintain that human connection.” Even under normal circumstances, telemedicine appointments offer specific advantages. “There are many benefits to telemedicine,” Mohan says. “Everything from saving money with parking, to saving an Uber trip or Lyft rides, to not having to take maybe the whole day off work, but being able to — in real time — see your doctor when you need him or her.” Here’s how to have a productive visit with your doctor from the comfort of your own home. Don’t let technology derail the visit. Make sure you have all the right software and/or hardware before the visit. Ask a relative or friend for help setting up your computer, tablet or mobile phone if you don’t feel up for the task. Test technology ahead of time if possible and download/install any updates so you don’t lose precious face time with your caregiver. Turn off other programs that might disrupt the visit with notifications. Also make sure that your devices are charged, volume is at an appropriate level and the microphone picks up your voice clearly. Plan for your appointment like you would an in-person visit. Write down any symptoms you’re experiencing, make a list of questions you want answered and have your medical history readily available if this is a new caregiver or medical team you’re

seeing. Set the scene. Find a quiet place to talk that will allow you a measure of privacy and a secure Internet connection. Although a wired Internet connection is preferred, if the most private place in the house is a closet or pantry, make sure your Wi-Fi connection reaches that far and will support a video conference. The area should be well-lit and allow you to have the camera at eye level, so you can have a direct conversation with your care provider as if you were in the same room. Take notes. Remember to write down any directions or treatment plans the doctor shares. Since you won’t be handed a physical prescription at the end of the visit, with directions on how to take any medication or with the next steps to follow in your treatment journey, you’ll need to have a pen and paper handy, or have access to your electronic medical chart, if available. Remember to make sure you have a pharmacy on file with the office; they will know where to send the electronic prescription and you will know where to go to pick up your medications. Give feedback after your visit. Let the team know what went right, what could be improved and if there are any ways the team can support your future telehealth visits. Most importantly, have patience with the process! If you are not comfortable with technology or find that it’s difficult to communicate naturally with the care team, ask a trusted relative or friend to help troubleshoot any technical issues, or sit in on future appointments to smooth over any communication mishaps due to connectivity issues. While it may seem scary at first, telemedicine could provide convenient access to medical care when you need it most. “Telemedicine is allowing us to connect with anyone who is struggling with either mental or physical health issues at this time. Sick or healthy, please reach out. Your doctors want to know how you are doing,” Mohan says.

Above photo: Telemedicine can be a safe and easy way to see your doctor from the comfort of your home.

Adjusting to a ‘new normal’

As we emerge back into the world, our outlook has changed It’s always the right time to commit to healthy habits, behaviors and steps to improve your physical and mental health. With the COVID-19 pandemic creating so much uncertainty and upending so many routines, experts say that focusing on the things within your control is particularly important. “At this particular moment -- challenging as it may be -- it is very important for all of us as individuals to recognize that our actions can and do have a collective impact,” says Dr. Patrice A. Harris, president of the American Medical Association (AMA). “A lot of people are grieving at this moment. Tragically some are grieving loss of loved ones; but people can also grieve the loss of employment, routines or the ability to be with family and friends. Everyone should know that these feelings are normal, and they should allow themselves to experience them.” Maintaining our physical and mental health will remain challenging during the unusual times of COVID-19. Channel your feelings of anxiety or helplessness into action. Practicing physical distancing and making sure to wash your hands with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds are two steps that protect your health and the health of others. Create a safety action plan for you and your family. Also consider how small gestures — like offering to pick up groceries for an older or at-risk neighbor who may be anxious about leaving home — can make a big difference. Take care of yourself physically. Get as much sleep as you can, try to include fruits and vegetables into your diet, and make sure you move. With many gyms and parks closed and physi-

cal distancing in place, it may seem harder to work out, so consider options at home, including dancing, to stay active. Create new routines. With more people working from home and/or caring for school-aged children, the daily lives we had before COVID-19 are a distant memory. But building routines — time for work, time for meals, time for decompressing — is critical to creating a new normal. In the world today, there are so many things we can’t control, but our schedules are something we can. Take time to turn off social media and the news. It is critical at this moment to know what is happening in the world and to stay connected with family and friends, but if social media and 24-hour news are making you anxious, consume them in doses. Stay connected. Social media gives us a common connection point during times of isolation, but there is real opportunity at this moment to stay connected via phone calls and video chats with friends, family, and even people you haven’t heard from in a while. Physical distancing is important, but it’s still okay to socialize. If you have children, talk to them in an age-appropriate way, and avoid ascribing feelings to them. Don’t say, “I know you’re scared.” Kids are observant and they’re wise. They may know things are different, but they may not be afraid. Let them know smart people are working on ways to keep us all safe. Model healthy coping.

Above photo: Reset expectations and identify what you can do rather than focusing on what you can’t.

HEALTH MEMO

Don’t put your health on hold

s the COVID-19 Dr. Adhi Sharma, Mount Sinai pandemic was South Nassau’s Chief Medical overtaking Long Island in Officer and Executive Vice early March, 26-year-old Roderick President for Clinical and Middleton of Queens noticed a Professional Affairs. “Those lump on his neck that was patients should not avoid care out growing every day. of fear of COVID-19.” Mr. Middleton consulted with The hospital has created a Rajiv Datta, MD, Medical Director safe pathway for patients and has of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s policies and procedures in place to Gertrude and Louis Feil Cancer resume elective surgeries. We Center, who was concerned by the have taken extraordinary size and growth of the lump but measures to ensure that all could not operate due to COVID. facilities, including the On May 20th Dr. Datta determined comprehensive network of Dr. Adhi Sharma it was best to perform surgery in outpatient specialized health care If you need emergency medical the hospital’s operating room to centers, are thoroughly deep attention, elective surgery or a remove the large cyst. Thankfully, cleaned and sterilized. procedure to alleviate pain or a the cyst was benign, and Mr. The Emergency Department, medical condition, now is the Middleton was able to go home Operating Rooms and all patient time to seek care. that day. units have been terminally cleaned If you need emergency medical with EPA approved, virus-specific attention, elective surgery or a procedure for a sterilization agents. The hospital has established dedicated areas for non-COVID that are isolated from medical condition, now is the time to seek care. units housing COVID positive patients. The Emergency Many people are risking having their condition Department has been reconfigured so that patients worsen by putting off care because of COVID-19 with non-COVID-19 ailments seeking emergency fears. treatment are treated in areas isolated from the area “We are hearing from our physicians that some for patients that are being tested for COVID. patients put off seeking care during the COVID-19 Patients visiting the hospital for any procedure surge for cardiac, oncology, and other medical will be required to undergo pre-procedure COVID-19 conditions that could become more serious,” said

testing at a drive-up COVID-19 testing site. The test must be performed no more than three days before the procedure. Hospital staff also are instructed to take all precautions, including wearing full personal protective equipment. The hospital remains under a no-visitor policy. Once visitor restrictions are lifted, the hospital will implement stringent safety policies for visitors. Social distancing policies remain in place within the hospital. If you had an elective procedure scheduled at Mount Sinai South Nassau, please call

your physician’s office for information about rescheduling or call the hospital’s main number if you need a physician referral at (516) 632 3000. For more information on Mount Sinai South Nassau’s services, go to mountsinai.org/southnassau.

One Healthy Way, Oceanside, NY 11572 • 516-632-3000

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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS â€” June 18, 2020

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HEALTH MEMOS HEALTH MEMO HEALTH MEMO A safe and smooth transition Oliveri & Schwartz, P.C.: New York’s personal injury, medical malpractice and Maple Pointe’s modified move-in process

wrongful death attorneys — winning compensation for the injured in New York

s we shift back to a sense of normal, staying healthy in this new world of recovery is the number one priority. The health and wellness of our loved ones is just as important. Learn more about how senior living is adapting to ensure our communities remain a safe and secure environment for families and the greater community Tours of our beautiful community are offered virtually! Through FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype, or an email link to a prerecorded video. Prior to your move One family member may visit to view your loved one’s apartment. Appropriate PPE will nee to be worn and your temperature will need to be taken upon arrival. A negative COVID-19 test is required three days prior to move in. If you have difficulty finding a testing site, we will be happy to assist. Upon move-in day One family member may accompany your loved one while following the above guidelines. Additionally, your are welcome to deliver any furniture and personal items to our front door and our team will set up your loved one’s new home. Your loved one will meet our wonderful team and is welome to participate in socially distant recreational activities.

tested for COVID-19 twice weekly. We are swabbing all residents on a regular basis as an additional precaution, effective June 15, 2020. Scheduled visits with your loved one in our courtyard can be arranged through our case manager, while following social distancing protocols. Your Maple Pointe family is here to support you in making your move a successful one!

Our current community As per DOH and CDC guidelines, all staff are

he attorneys at Oliveri & unique and our case is tailored Schwartz, P.C. handle all to your needs. types of accident, personal • We work on a contingency fee injury and medical malpractice basis. If we don’t win, you don’t cases. pay. This allows us to provide you Getting quick legal represenwith the best possible legal tation is critically important. counsel we can as we seek quick Insurance company lawyers are and big results. already preparing a defense. Your Paul Oliveri and his team rights must be protected. Eviunderstand that an injury can dence needs to be collected. leave you struggling physically, Records need to be obtained. We emotionally and financially. We Paul Oliveri have a team of lawyers, legal encourage you to protect your staff and investigators ready to work for you. future and your interests by discussing your case If you are injured – or a loved one is killed – with someone who has the experience and profesmoney damages may be available to you as com- sionalism necessary to make the best out of the situpensation. Injuries and wrongful deaths cannot be ation and protect your interests throughout each reversed. Compensation, according the American step of the process. civil justice system, is money damages. But insurOur attorneys are dedicated to helping innocent ance companies believe ONLY in corporate profits, victims of injury-causing accidents by giving them and try to DENY full and fair compensation. the legal counsel needed to obtain MAXIMUM comWhen you retain Oliveri & Schwartz, P.C., you pensation. can benefit from the following: <bullet>We are available 27/7 so you can reach us whenever a question or concern arises. <bullet>We approach your case in a personalized manner because we know that your situation is

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HEALTH MEMO

Going above and beyond

typical day at Lynbrook Restorative starts off with smiles and “Good morning” with staff members and patients. As shifts change, employees leaving for the day fill in the incoming staff with vital patient information. This goes on every day, seven days a week. Then the world was hit with a pandemic. When tragedy hits, a person will either rise to the occasion or succumb to it. Collectively, Lynbrook Restorative Therapy and Nursing staff most certainly rose to the challenge. It was not easy. We were one of the first facilities to close our doors to visitors and delivery services. Protocols changed daily for the protection of our patients and caregivers. Families were saddened that they could not visit their loved ones. Most understood it was for their loved one’s safety. At that point it was clear these were unprecedented times. Throughout the weeks and months our staff worked hard, harder than ever before. They worked in an environment that was not familiar, wearing layers of masks and personal protective gear that was hot and uncomfortable. Talking to patients proved difficult as their voices were muffled with the masks and if the patient had hearing loss that further complicated the problem. Our resilient staff continues to make it all work. They care for our patients from the basic needs to their physical therapy. More than that, they encourage patients emotionally, creating moments of happiness, connecting families through Facetime. If our dedicated Facetime cell phone is already in use, Odessa from Recreation will help patients to use her

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own cell phone for calls. Our RN Ms. Kareem will stop whatever she is doing to bring the patient to the window with their phone when family comes to visit. Carmen from Recreation has dressed in a traditional dress for our Cinco de Mayo celebration, singing and dancing down the hall entertaining our patients. Staff has even been known to take turns cheering up everyone with Friday karaoke. For all of this and more, Lynbrook Restorative Therapy and Nursing says THANK YOU to our amazing employees for rising above.

243 Atlantic Ave., Lynbrook • 516-316-2977 Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — June 18, 2020

WE WERE HERE FOR YOU BEFORE COVID AND WE’RE HERE FOR YOU NOW.

Don’t put off seeking medical care, including elective surgery, in fear of COVID-19. Mount Sinai South Nassau has dedicated non-COVID patient care areas, including within our Emergency Department. All units have undergone a deep cleaning to ensure your safety. All patients undergoing procedures are tested for COVID-19 within three days prior to admission. Our frontline staff of physicians, nurses and support personnel are equipped with full Personal Protective Equipment to help halt the spread of infectious diseases. Your health shouldn’t be defined by COVID-19.

DON’T PUT YOUR HEALTH ON HOLD. COME WITH CONFIDENCE.

mountsinai.org/southnassau

Mount Sinai South Nassau is certified as an Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence (CoE) by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).

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Photo top left courtesy of Jeff Basinger, Newsday.

Staying connected

Social distancing doesn’t have mean loneliness

he coronavirus pandemic presents new challenges and opportunities as people try to stay connected to each other in a time of social distancing. Feeling lonely from time to time is natural, but this unprecedented time can lead to increased loneliness. You may need to make an extra effort to feel connected to others, when you aren’t seeing them in person. For many, especially those who live alone, social isolation can take a real toll on mental and physical health. When going to the office, taking a workout class or socializing in person with friends is no longer an option, you may feel like you’ve lost your sense of community and support. While the current situation is far from ideal, there strategies you can use to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Use technology… but not too much. Social media is a favorite and easy way to stay connected to family and friends, but too much use can leave you feeling lonely. Cigna’s 2020 U.S. Loneliness Index found that 72 percent of very heavy social media users identify themselves as lonely. Balance technology use with disconnecting and taking time for yourself. Use real-time interactions with others, like video chats, to build meaningful connections and limit time spent passively scrolling social media. Read a book, take a walk or do a puzzle after screen time. It may help you feel more connected when you spend time online.

Join a virtual club or group. There are plenty of resources available to find virtual book clubs, craft communities or even fitness challenges. You can start a new hobby, learn a skill or find others who are interested in the same things as you, remotely. Once the guidelines for social distancing are lifted, you’ll have new friends you can meet in person. Spend time outdoors. Simply leaving your house to take a jog around your neighborhood or to walk your dog a few blocks could improve your spirits, refreshing you for the next time you virtually connect with others. Ask those you reach out to how they’re really doing. How you connect with those in your network makes a significant difference in how lonely you feel. People tend to feel less lonely when connecting on a deeper level. When chatting with friends, ask them for their most honest response when you ask how they’re doing. Everyone will likely feel better for it. Rethink working hours. We spend approximately 90,000 hours at work over our lifetime, so how we spend that time will play an important role in how we feel overall. Improving your work-life balance and connecting with colleagues can reduce loneliness. Your employer may also benefit from you feeling less lonely. Lonely employees are less productive, produce lower quality work and miss more days of work. Make a list. Write down the names of everyone in your network, even if you haven’t spoken in a while. In addition to your close family mem-

Your health and safety are Priority #1 as we all navigate the Corona virus pandemic. We fully understand that accidents will continue to happen; injuries and deaths will continue to be suffered; and injurious acts of medical malpractice will continue to take place.

bers and friends, think of relatives who live far away, friends from school or previous jobs, members of your faith community, and neighbors. The act of creating a list can help you see that you do have community in your life, even when you are physically separated from others. Reach out. Stay in touch with the people on your list through video chats, phone calls,

texts and emails. If you’re part of a group, such as a support group or weekly yoga class, consider starting an email chain so you can maintain that sense of camaraderie. Above photo: While we can’t replace the value of intimate face-to-face interactions, we need to be flexible and think creatively right now.

It’s Safe To Come Back We Are COVID-19 Free!

Our Promise to New & Current Clients As We Navigate Coronavirus

Breathe easy at South Shore Rehab Paul F. Oliveri, Esq.

Specializing in Vent Care, Trach and any Respiratory needs. Brand new renovated facility.

Wishing good health for you and your loved ones

Oliveri & Schwartz, P.C. will continue to provide our clients, prospective clients, your friends, co-workers, relatives, family members and neighbors with accessibility to our legal services, while taking necessary precautions to protect our clients and our staff.

We’re here when you need us, and can be reached 24/7

EFFECTIVELY IMMEDIATELY, WE WILL NOT REQUIRE NEW CLIENTS TO VISIT OUR OFFICES All NEW matters can initially be handled over the phone and online.

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June 18, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — June 18, 2020

GETTING BACK TO OUR LIVES BEGINS WITH OUR HEALTH. To our fellow Long Islanders: For months, we’ve all endured a crisis that has reshaped our world. And, although our daily lives will be affected for some time to come, we’re beginning to move towards some sense of normalcy and optimism. Along with the desire to protect lives, we all want to get back to living. And living well starts with your health. Your total health. That’s why we’ve instituted extensive safety measures throughout our hospitals and physician ofﬁces. There’s no need to ignore health issues or postpone procedures, because we’ve made it safe to get the care you need. The new summer is here. Now is the right time to refocus on your greatest asset of all—your health. Just know that, at Catholic Health Services, we’re here for Long Island and, most of all, we’re here for you. Sincerely, The Catholic Health Services Medical Staff

St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center® • Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center • St. Charles Hospital St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center • Mercy Medical Center • St. Joseph Hospital

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June 18, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

ovid-19 has the public rethinking rethinking our behaviors and lifestyle. While we’re still in the throes of the pandemic, health experts constantly remind us to remain vigilant about overall health. So for the men out there, June is still Men’s Health Month. It serves as a reminder for the guys to be proactive about their health. A large number of men don’t actively engage in preventative health or the healthcare system early in life. And the older you guys get, the less likely you are to get involved. There are plenty of excuses. You’re too busy. It’s too expensive. You feel fine. Or the worst of all,“I don’t get sick.” Heart disease, cancers, unintentional injuries, diabetes, suicide and stroke are some of the top causes of death for men. Many of these have early signs and symptoms, and can be prevented and treated if caught early. But society has traditionally expected boys to be tough and ignore pain. So you push through symptoms and hide your feelings, thinking this makes you more of a man. Unfortunately, that just makes you more likely to die from these conditions. In fact, the Men’s Health Caucus reports you will live about five years less than women. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventation says that women are 100 percent more likely to visit the doctor for an annual exam or preventative service than you. And according to other data, reported by the New York Times, by the age of 100, women will outnumber men eight to one. There are going to be a lot of lonely women in the old folk’s home, and a handful of extremely happy and worn out men. Wouldn’t you like to be one of them? Man Up and Get to the Doctor Don’t miss your regular check-ups and screenings. A recent survey found that 25 percent of men who were sick or in pain would wait as long as possible to see a doctor (Is there a prize you are trying to win?) and 17 percent would wait at least a week after the first onset of illness. If you have signs and symptoms of some of the most common diseases and illnesses, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, excessive thirst, urination problems, fevers, weight loss, numbness or persistent headaches, (basically anything that causes you to not feel like you) get yourself to the doctor. And preventative medicine? It prevents things! Keep up with your vaccines, your annual physical, and screenings like a colonoscopy. They’re important. Just because you feel well doesn’t mean that you are well. Physical activity reduces your chance for many illnesses and diseases. It’s good for the body and the mind. Studies show that adults need at least two and a half hours of moderate intense aerobic activity every week and muscle strengthening activities two or more days a week. Feeling tense or sluggish? Regular exercise, as little as 20 minutes a day, can improve your mood and energy level, decrease stress and boost brainpower. Make Healthy Food Choices Belly up to the produce section of your local farmer’s market or grocery store and stock up on a variety of fruits and vegetables. Consume food and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt and fat in moderation. These unhealthy foods should be an extremely limited part of your diet. They might taste really good, but they are slowly killing you. Choose healthier alternatives for more snacks and meals and you’ll live to eat another day.

Steps to a healthier you Find a Healthy Weight and Keep It There This goes along with the exercise and food choices. We all pack on a few extra pounds as we get older. It’s the nature of the old age beast. But know your BMI and keep an eye on it. If you’re on the last setting of your expandable waistband, it’s probably time to get some exercise, review your diet and make an appointment with your doctor. Drink Alcohol in Moderation What exactly is moderation? Two drinks per day for men under the age of 65, and just one drink a day for men 65 and older. Some studies indicate health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption, though those may not help all who choose to imbibe. In some cases, it may be safer to avoid alcohol entirely and the positives may not outweigh the risks. But if you’re going to drink? Don’t drive. Male drivers involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes are almost twice as likely as female drivers to be intoxicated with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher. And if you survive, nobody looks good in prison orange. Smoking and Chewing Tobacco There aren’t many things that can have such instantaneous and long term benefits as giving up tobacco, resulting in a lower risk of heart disease, cancer and lung disease. The CDC says that smoking tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, yet 20.5 percent of men are still smoking. You’re smoking yourself into an early grave, and it’s expensive. So why are you still lighting up? Manage and Tame Stress A lot of the men are workaholics and seem to thrive on stress. Note the word “seem.” You aren’t thriving. Stress leads to higher blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, accelerated risk for prostate cancer and even erectile dysfunction. And though ED won’t kill you, it might make you more stressed! Stress and anxiety also play a big part in depression, and many men resist getting help for depression or don’t recognize the signs. Men’s Health Network reports that men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women, attributing much of the blame to undiagnosed depression. (The recent suicides earlier this month of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain drive home the importance of seeking treatment and finding a support system.) Play hooky. Stop checking your email at home or kick off early now and again. And those of you with umpteen weeks of accumulated vacation days? You aren’t heroic. No one dies saying they wish they’d worked more. Get Some Rest Many of you are up late at night even though you have to be up at 7 a.m. Or brag about how you don’t need more than four to five hours of sleep a night. Not according to the National Sleep Foundation, which says that your body requires seven to nine hours of sleep a night to stay healthy. Lack of proper rest is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and depression as well as accidents involving motor vehicles and machinery. So power down and hop under the covers. You’ll gain that extra time on the back end. Old habits die hard, but so do men who don’t take care of themselves.

Above photo: Don’t let the pandemic prevent you guys from focusing on your overall health.

That snooze matters Healthy living begins with ample sleep Taking steps to improve your mental and physical well-being may fall flat if you’re not spending enough time recharging your body. Now more than ever, as we deal with the stress of adjusting to our lives during pandemic, sleep experts agree: adequate, regular sleep is essential for overall health and well-being. According to a new recommendation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and Sleep Research Society (SRS), adults should get seven or more hours of sleep per night to avoid the health risks associated with prolonged periods of inadequate sleep. For the millions of Americans who do not make regular sleep a priority, this guidance can motivate healthier lifestyle habits. “Sleep is critical to health, along with a healthy diet and regular exercise,” said Dr. Nathaniel F. Watson, AASM president and moderator of the expert panel that developed the recommendation. “Our consensus panel of 15 of the nation’s top sleep experts found that sleeping six or fewer hours per night is inadequate to sustain health and safety in adults. We also agreed that seven or more hours of sleep per night is the recommended amount for all healthy adults.” No limit for certain individuals Recognizing that some adults need more sleep than others, the panel did not place a limit on how much sleep people should get per night. For example, people who may need nine or more hours of nightly sleep include young adults with

growing bodies, individuals trying to make up for lost sleep, or those who are sick. “More than a third of the population is not getting enough sleep, so the focus needs to be on getting at least seven hours of nightly sleep,” added Watson.“In general we want people to get more sleep, not less.” Prep for successful sleep What are some easy ways to ensure that you get the sleep you need for a productive and healthy life? Check out these five healthy sleep habits provided by the experts at AASM. Following these tips can help you develop a healthy sleep pattern: √ Be consistent. Go to bed when you are sleepy and try to wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. √ Limit time in bed. Don’t use your bed for other non-sleep activities, such as watching television or checking email — or these days, even working! √ Make your bedroom a sleep haven. A quiet and relaxing bedroom environment will help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Keep the bedroom at a comfortable temperature but slightly cool. √ Limit the caffeine if need be. Avoid coffee, tea, soda and other caffeine sources in the afternoon and evening hours. √ Get at least seven hours. Go to bed early enough to allow yourself to sleep seven hours or more each and every night. Live life awake and refreshed with the proper amount of sleep. You’ll be putting your best foot forward every morning.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS â€” June 18, 2020

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June 18, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Grosz vs. Tuman in the 4th C.D. primary race cation oversight.” Our classrooms, textbooks and school assignments are filled with opinions, rather than facts, often filled with bias and prejudice. We have lowered the bar so much for success, that we have a generation angry and frustrated, and this policy is failing.

By Nakeem GraNt ngrant@liherald.com

Republicans Cindy Grosz and Douglas Tuman are going head-to-head in the 4th Congressional District primary race. The Herald asked Grosz and Tuman questions focusing on issues vital to the residents of the 4th C.D., which encompasses several suburban communities in southern and central Nassau County.

tuman: I believe the key is communica-

Herald: What issue or concern is at the top of your list for the 4th C.D.? Grosz: I want to make New York’s 4th Con-

gressional District great again. Today, many residents of the 4th C.D. live in fear. Fear of violence and threats, fear of paying bills and not having a job, fear of possible illness and fear of losing a comfortable, suburban lifestyle. Congresswoman Kathleen Rice votes more than 70 percent with progressive Democrats and it has been a long while since she actually introduced legislation that has been passed into law. She has done nothing to alleviate the stresses and costs that have built under her term in office. I remember when the Nassau County Republicans were leaders within the country. Now, because of the Democrat representation, or more accurately, the lack of representation of Rice, we have no clout in Washington, D.C. today. Rice supports the failed bail and discovery reform that is putting criminals back on our streets and creates an environment ripe for the criminal element and gangs. Rice’s response to the horrific killing of George Floyd was not to call out Antifa and the rioting and looting that not only diminished the message of those protesting the killing, thus encouraged the protesters to spread throughout the country in an angry and violent manner. Hopefully, we have seen a calming in the protests.

tuman: When I originally set out to run

for congress, my top issue was to improve the districts infrastructure. Most of the 4th C.D. resides within the Town of Hempstead. As the commissioner of engineering for the Town of Hempstead, I have managed a capital construction budget of $25-$40 million per year while also managing $60 million of The Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery funded projects. I have used innovative technology to analyze and organize the Town’s infrastructure issues, which has allowed me to implement infrastructure improvements throughout the Town more efficiently and fairly. As a congressman, I would use the local knowledge I have acquired to strongly advocate for infrastructure funding to improve traffic and mass transit, fix crumbling roads, ensure we have clean drinking water, and fund large-scale projects to mitigate damages from the inevitable next big storm — like building floodgates along our shoreline.

Herald: What adjustments would you make to better support businesses and school districts once the coronavirus pandemic is over? Grosz: I chaired the first Long Island/

Cindy Grosz

Douglas Tuman

Party: Republican

Party: Republican, conservative

age: 57

age: 39

Hometown: Five Towns

Hometown: West Hempstead

Profession: Media personality

Profession: Attorney, Town of Hempstead engineering commissioner

education: Bachelor’s degree, New York University; master’s degree, Adelphi University

Queens Drive for Freedom as part of the national campaign to reopen businesses. More importantly, I have also been involved in discussions originated in Washington, D.C. to assist small businesses receive much needed help and support. We have to work hand-in-hand with business owners, big and small, to get back to work, but not on the backs of the taxpayers. During the pandemic, I have taken part in conference calls with top officials including Barr, Surgeon General Jerome Adams, White House Coronavirus Task Force Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx and President Trump. My contribution as a layman participant brought insight to the discussions. I expect to be able to bring more to the 4th C.D. as an elected official without the added tax burden that is already crushing the people of the district.

tuman: First, I would make sure things reopen swiftly and stay open. The federal government cannot continue to prop-up an economy that is not fully open. It is not sustainable and it is unfair to the future generations that will have to foot the bill. Our business, schools and local governments need the economy to get back to normal for local tax dollars to flow again, so budgets can be met. Schools need to be open so parents can work. I have been a vocal supporter of allowing the resilient and responsible to get back to living freely, while we put our resources toward protecting the vulnerable. I would continue to take that stance to make sure we don’t overact and lockdown our entire economy again if another wave comes. I will always fight to make sure we allow citizens and business to practice common sense. I will work to help families, small businesses, schools and local governments

education: Civil engineering degree, Stevens Institute of Technology; law degree, Hofstra University cope with the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic by fighting for New York to get its fair share of coronavirus relief funds from Washington. New York is one of only seven states that sends more taxes to Washington than it gets back in federal spending. I will fight for tax relief by reforming and simplifying tax codes so our residents are taxed less, and by eliminating the federal cap on SALT deductions, which will put more money in homeowners’ pockets to spend in our local economy.

Herald: With regards to the George Floyd killing and seeing the number of protests throughout New York, what more can be done to address race relations? Grosz: I agree with the President’s Law &

Order stance. A civil society needs rules and laws to protect its citizens’ property and livelihood. I would advocate for a citizen and police commission to work together to keep both the welfare and concerns of the citizens of the community as well as the police officers addressed. This is not meant to be a temporary band-aid to cover up the hurts that are ailing our country. This should be a permanent commission that includes representation of the entire community. The commission should include law enforcement, social workers/guidance counselors, religious leaders, business owners and homeowners. There are other issues that are important and need attention. I have been on the record and outspoken about the black on Jewish hate ignored by the Democratic Party, other than press opportunities for elected officials suggesting we all work together. Where is the legislation? As an education activist, I wrote legislation five years ago that called for “edu-

tion. First, we need to all start listening and respecting each other more. Second, we need to unite and rally our diverse community around a shared vision of making the American dream a reality for all of us. We need to focus on what unites us and not on what divides us. We need to realize that there are those that benefit from keeping people divided and that they are not looking out for our best interests. We need to tune out the media and get off social media and come out of our homes and look at each other for what we are, neighbors. We need to come together and realize we all want the same things for ourselves and our families and that if we work together, we can create a society where everyone can safely act as individuals, with equal opportunity, toward their own pursuit of happiness. Each and every one of us needs to put effort into fixing the rifts in our communities. As a congressman, I will do my part by fairly representing all my constituents and will work to build a society that everyone can equally participate in and benefit from.

Herald: What makes you the best candidate to challenge rice? Grosz: I am running because I have the

ability to make success happen. My opponent has no experience with national issues, he doesn’t support the Trump administration’s agenda. I find it troubling that John Novello, former Town of Hempstead deputy buildings commissioner who was arrested on Sept. 5, 2019 for stealing more than $59,000 from the Cedarhurst Republican Committee has been brought on as one of my opponent’s advisors. Republicans need to restore the local GOP and I can help lead the way.

tuman: Ultimately, I am running for Con-

gress because I want to fight to make sure Frania, my 5-year-old daughter, grows up in an America where liberty, prosperity and equality is greater than ever before. Rice has lost touch with the 4th C.D. and the Democrats have lost touch with what it means to be American. We need a Republican in this seat who has ideals and values that align with the sacred and undeniable truths this country was founded upon. I am a strong believer in protecting individual liberties and preserving the American dream. I live and work in this district and I want to use my patriotic passion to improve this country by improving this community. I was born and raised on Long Island and have worked here in public service my whole life — from cleaning public park toilets as a teenager, to now managing the infrastructure of the largest township in America.

Chowdhury challenges Meeks in 5th C.D. primary mferremi@liherald.com

Rep. Gregory Meeks, a 12-term Democrat from St. Albans representing the 5th Congressional District, is being challenged by South Jamaica, Queens resident Shanyiat Chowdhury for the two-year term in the June 23 primary. The 5th district includes Elmont, Inwood, north and south Valley Stream and Southwest Queens. Police brutality and systemic racism is at the forefront of Meeks’ focus in the wake of George Floyd’s murder on Memorial Day. “Nothing will change without real consequences commensurate with the crimes committed by those who abuse their authority,” Meeks said. “Nothing will change unless we as a community push for America to reckon with its original and long enduring sin. ‘The arc of history’ is long but the bends towards justice is only true if we as a nation work together to bend it.” Meeks is a supporter of the federal Justice in Policing Act of 2020, which would ban police officers from using chokeholds. “This is a turning point in American history as our nation takes a hard and imaginative look at reforming law enforcement,” he said. “Chokeholds are a lethal force and their practice comes with far too little consequences for those who’ve abused their authority.” With a majority of his district being one

IncuMBEnT REp. GREGoRy Meeks, left, is being challenged by Shanyiat Chowdhury in the 5th Congressional District Democratic primary on June 23. of the hardest hit by the coronavirus, Meeks said that businesses and organizations should receive appropriate funding. “No question, federal assistance for the Port Authority is critical for the functioning of our region’s economy, now and after this crisis,” he said. “The drop in revenue caused by Covid-19 must be mitigated immediately through federal aid.” Born in Queens to Bangaldashi parents, Chowdhury served in the United States

Marine Corps from 2011 to 2017 as a field radio operator. He was a staffer on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign in 2018 that upended an incumbent Democrat. His upbringing served as an inspiration for running, he said. “I’m a working class person just like the families throughout this district and after 22 years of the same representation, we need elected officials who are present in their communities and do not take their

constituents for granted.” Chowdhury said. “No person should feel entitled to their position and I believe everyday people should be representing everyday Americans.” If elected, Chowdhury said that his first task will be helping working families recover from the coronavirus pandemic. “The CARES Act did very little to help working families survive these past months as a one-time $1,200 check over the course of months is not enough for our families to pay their rent or mortgage, put food on the table, or live life with dignity,” he said. “Instead of bailing out big business and the wealthy, we should have advocated for more resources and investment in our community, especially considering the impact it had on the entire district.” Choudhury noted that a coronavirus recovery plan should emphasize assisting community members within the district and not big businesses. “We should have advocated for more resources and investment in our community, especially considering the impact it had on the entire district,” he said. “I will push for an economic recovery plan that will include strengthening our unions, universal basic income and loans to local businesses. I also want to protect tenants and homeowners from predatory landlords so that the families in our communities are stronger and better protected.”

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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — June 18, 2020

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Q. A building inspector just told our contractor the

inspection didn’t pass on our renovation. We have a split and the first floor is getting a new kitchen, plus we are taking out the ceiling and making it taller. The inspector says the insulation is wrong and he only saw a few “Tecos,” but needs to see them all. The insulation on the architect’s plans was foam, which turned out to be much more expensive than fiberglass, so we switched it. Ask The Tecos are metal straps, I Architect think, and the inspector says he wants to see them and check the nails. Is this right? Do you think he’s being picky because he didn’t get a call before we insulated? The rest of the house doesn’t have Tecos, and he didn’t say anything about it. Is he just giving us a hard time?

Monte Leeper

A. Some jobs seem more unpopular than others. Who appreciates meter readers giving out parking tickets, except their few family members, or the people who make you form a line at the license bureau, but they have a job to do. Teco was a company that made metal connectors and brackets to join lumber together, strengthening structures because, unlike ordinary nailed connections, nailing at an angle to wood grain with properly spaced nails makes you safer. You won’t find Teco connectors anymore, since they stopped producing them over 25 years ago, but you will find other brands. Simpson is the leader, and they make hundreds of specialized brackets with tested spacing of many nails per bracket to resist heavy stresses and strains, which most people don’t realize even exist. Brackets that attach roof rafters to the ridge board at the peak of the house, for example, increase the resistance of your house coming apart in high winds by as much as 30 more miles per hour. If the house were hit by a windstorm, average homes built in 1950 to 1970 are rated for approximately 100 to 110 mph. Hurricanes and tornadoes produce winds high above that threshold, and one occurrence in your lifetime is one too many, but it can happen. When I was 12, my Toledo, Ohio, home was hit by a tornado and severely damaged. Fortythree people died in that midwestern storm on July 4, 1969, and we were fortunate that our home and family survived. Every hole in brackets must be nailed, not just some. The insulation substitution was a pennywise, pound-foolish idea, aside from defying code, which is a law. The amount of money saved from better insulation will pay for itself, over and over, lowering utility bills. Rigid foam strengthens the structure while acting as a vapor barrier as well. Fiberglass has lower thermal resistance, no structural value and less moisture resistance. The inspector was following common sense, and the law. They may only have required that affected structures get connectors, but adding them everywhere is advisable. The inspector wasn’t picking on anyone, just protecting you while doing his job. Stay safe! © 2020 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

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opinions

he Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” The heinous murder of George Floyd by a police officer sworn to uphold the law was an act of infamy that must again bend the moral arc of history toward justice. Like the murder of King himself — which galvanized the 1960s civil rights movement — George Floyd’s death must galvanize America to face some of the hard and bitter truths about race relations that still plague our nation. aLfonse Our founders, d’amaTo imperfect though they were, laid out the self-evident moral truth that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” It has taken almost two and a half centuries to give meaning to these words for our black brothers and sisters. And still we are short of that noble goal. Too many black Americans find their liberty and their lives snuffed out by violence, too often at the hands of those who should protect them.

I believe that the vast majority of police are decent men and women who answer the call of public service. Many of our major metropolitan police forces today are in fact majority minority. In New York City, for instance, more than half of the force is now nonwhite, comprising blacks, Hispanics, Asians and other minorities. But a few very bad cops have poisoned policing for many black Americans. Floyd’s murderer had numerous citizen complaints lodged against him, some for the use of excessive force. Yet time and time again he faced no consequences, and was allowed to remain on the police force. The first hard truth we need to learn from this is that our police forces — and especially the unions that represent them — too regularly and reflexively defend indefensible police behavior. This is a serious flaw that publicemployee unions must own up to. When bad teachers are nearly impossible to remove, students suffer. When incompetent civil servants hide behind union rights, the public suffers. But when bad cops go unpunished, people suffer, and they die. This must change. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the State Legislature are making a good start by

reforming “shield laws” that can be misused to keep police misconduct secret. Other policing changes are also in order, including more thorough screening of recruits to identify and weed out potential problem candidates, and far better training in police academies to stress de-escalation of potentially dangerous situations and the use of minimum necessary force to effect arrests. The best cops rarely draw a gun or resort to lethal force. They remember they are peace officers. But far-left ranting about “defunding” and even “abolishing” police forces is insane. What’s the alternative? In Minneapolis, armed “citizen patrols” of mostly black civilians — led by a city councilman who’s the son of Minnesota’s black attorney general, who is investigating Floyd’s murder — have taken to the streets to try to keep order in the aftermath of violence there. What would happen if one of these civilian posses inevitably were to shoot and kill someone — maybe even another black person? Who would be accountable? Who would answer? Would black lives still matter then? And there’s one other hard truth we must face as a nation. The overwhelming majority of black murder victims —

ut far-left rants about ‘defunding’ or ‘abolishing’ police forces are insane.

especially young black men — are killed by other persons of color. During the Memorial Day weekend in Chicago alone, dozens of people were shot, and 10 were killed. Most of the victims were black. Their lives matter, too. Unless the hopelessness, rootlessness and violent gang culture underlying many of these deaths are addressed, the killing is bound to continue. President Trump made a great move when he named black Republican Sen. Tim Scott, of South Carolina, to head an effort to develop proposals to deal with police misconduct and the carnage in black communities. People should remember that it was Trump and senators like Scott who drew up and passed the First Step Act, which is freeing many persons of color from serving disproportionately harsh sentences. The president shouldn’t shy away from building on the solid progress he has made on criminal justice issues affecting black Americans. He should double down on initiatives like “opportunity zones” to drive private investment into inner cities. Promote hope and justice. Lead, Mr. President. Black lives matter! Al D’Amato, a former U.S. senator from New York, is the founder of Park Strategies LLC, a public policy and business development firm. Comments about this column? ADAmato@liherald.com.

Thank you very much, but I prefer to remain alive

ast week I received a happy-talk email from a bridge club out of town where I used to play. This particular club hosted hundreds of players at a time in a big indoor space. It was a veritable petri dish of germs in the best of times; in the time of Covid-19, it would be a wickedly dangerous hot spot. The club shut down in April because of the pandemic, and continued games online. The letter last week was from the owner, who said he was reopening because it’s all good. He Randi had been out and kReiss about, in restaurants and stores, relieved to see people mingling and getting back to business. He said his bridge club would open immediately. He mentioned that he has rent to pay. I wrote back, telling him that I was not willing to risk my life to pay his rent and, by the way, shame on him. I mention this small incident because I believe the plan to breathe life back into

the economy depends on a deal with the devil. The unspoken quid pro quo is that lives will be sacrificed for financial gain, and those lives will be mostly older people, those with underlying medical conditions and those who must go back to work in high-risk industries like meat packing in order to feed their families. What’s happening is a kind of national gaslighting, led by the gaslighter in chief, President Trump. According to Psychology Today, “gaslighting is a tactic in which a person or entity, in order to gain more power, makes a victim question their reality. It works much better than you may think.” The term comes from “Gaslight,” the 1944 movie starring Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman, in which an avaricious and murderous husband tries to make his new wife believe she is going insane. She insists she sees gas lights in their attic at night. He tells her she is imagining things, although he has indeed been up there every night, looking for her jewels. Slowly, he unravels her sense of herself. The term is still used to describe manipulation and abuse focused on mak-

ing people question their own perceptions. The gaslighter keeps shifting the ground under the victims until they lose their equilibrium and start feeling “crazy.” Trump has refined the process of gaslighting during his tenure. In his version, let’s call it Gaslighting 2.0, he lies, or contradicts what he said a day or an hour or a minute ago. He dissembles right before our eyes. He tells us we aren’t seeing what we know we absolutely are seeing, like the strong-arm attack on peaceful protesters in Washington’s Lafayette Square two weeks ago. He makes up stuff, like vaccines that are just around the corner and treatments that can work miracles. He touts his record on civil rights while every single word out of his lying mouth contradicts his claims. This is his trick: He says the thing, then he holds up a sign behind it saying I don’t really mean this. Over and over again, for more years than we can bear, he has been gaslighting Americans with half-truths and outright lies. Now, he and his supporters are urging folks to toss away the masks, to shop and

he unspoken quid pro quo of the reopening is that lives will be sacrificed for financial gain.

dine out and party. He is urging us to take one for Team America. He invites crowds to his rallies while requiring them to sign away their right to litigate if they get sick. What I am observing is that even people who have been social distancing and wearing masks are coming under the influence of groupthink and starting to get together with friends and plan trips and get haircuts and enjoy dinners out. My friends, nothing has changed since the pandemic began. Those of us who are vulnerable must take care of ourselves, because no one else will. There is no civil authority to make and enforce rules that will keep us safe. According to The Washington Post, “More than a dozen states continue to show new highs in the number or coronavirus cases . . . The spikes provide disturbing data points in the ongoing tug of war between the economic costs of restrictions and the human cost of lifting them. ‘Worse times are ahead,’ said Joe Gerald, a public health researcher at the University of Arizona.” Like the bridge club owner, our country needs to pay the rent. But at what cost? Copyright 2020 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — June 18, 2020

Yes, black lives matter!

Herald editorial

Baldwin

June 18, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

HERALD Established 1994 Incorporating The South Shore Reporter The Baldwin Citizen Bridget downes Editor Michelle AuclAir Advertising Account Executive

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS Robert Richner Edith Richner Publishers, 1964-1987 ■ clifford richner stuArt richner Publishers MichAel BolognA Vice President - Operations ■ scott Brinton Executive Edtitor

New York is moving ahead with police reform

ustice for George Floyd came swiftly in New York. During two weeks of intense protests at hundreds of locales across the state, Black Lives Matter protesters decried Floyd’s death and demanded systemic changes in the way policing is carried out here. Last Friday, the protesters got their wish when Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a 10-bill package of reforms passed earlier in the week by the State Legislature. Among the reforms, the measures: ■ Repealed the state’s 1976 50-a statute, which shielded police officers’ disciplinary records from public view. (In the Floyd case, the Minneapolis police officer who killed him, Derek Chauvin, had 18 disciplinary infractions on his record.) ■ Banned police from using chokeholds.

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■ Required state troopers to wear body cameras. Cuomo also signed an executive order requiring local police departments to develop community-oriented policing plans that are to be formulated with public input. The governor is giving the people a role in determining how they will be policed. Local governments have until next April 1 to redesign their police departments, or they will face the possibility of losing state funding. Those governments must account for the size of their police forces, the weapons they employ, their disciplinary procedures for punishing offending officers and a citizen-complaint process. Nassau County and cities and villages with police departments must hold public hearings to help plot the future of policing

For goodness’ sake, wear a mask

n May 30, a Herald editor conducted an informal, small-scale survey, counting the number of people with masks whom he passed while walking at the Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve in Merrick. The count wasn’t even close. Eightyfour people were wearing masks, while 42 weren’t. That is, two-thirds wore masks. The same editor conducted the same survey just over two weeks later, on June 14. This time, the results were very different. Seventy-eight people weren’t wearing masks, while 20 were. That is, 79 percent of people had no face covering, while 21 percent did. What does this tell us? Perhaps nothing

— after all, this was a small survey, conducted at one location on only two days. On the other hand, it could indicate an attitudinal shift — perhaps people believe the worst of the coronavirus crisis is behind us, so they no longer have to wear masks. There was seemingly no reason not to wear a mask last Sunday. The temperature was in the low 70s, with virtually no humidity and a slight breeze, so you didn’t feel stifled by the weather while wearing one. Have people become apathetic? We hope not. The virus still lurks among us. It’s out there, waiting to strike. If we don’t take the most basic precautions, like wearing

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here. In particular, Nassau’s communities of color must be heard. Hearings should be held in their neighborhoods to ensure that the maximum number of people attend and comment. If carried out properly, the process should be healthy. Police will face scrutiny as they never have before, but surely they will also hear from many grateful residents whom they have aided through the years. The criticism will be necessary in order to develop a set of regulations and guidelines to make sure there is never again a death like that suffered by Floyd. The majority of police are hardworking, decent people. No doubt, they do not deserve to be lumped in with the likes of Chauvin. This process, if done right, will not do that. Rather, it will focus on the policies and protocols needed to reform a system that is long overdo for an overhaul.

letters New York must reopen smartly To the Editor: Right now, we need to be cautious. I know businesses are eager to open, and we all want to get the economy going, but we need to be careful. We cannot make a mistake today that wipes out our hard-earned progress. The coronavirus remains a public health threat, and we are seeing worrying spikes in more than 20 states. Data from California, Florida, Texas, Arizona and elsewhere show that the virus is still spreading fast. New York is one of the exceptions. As we reopen, the numbers continue to look good. That’s because we are taking a measured approach to reopening, and relying on numbers and data to guide us. But more important, it’s because New Yorkers have been smart and diligent. We are informed, we understand the facts and we have acted responsibly. But we all need to remain vigilant to avoid the spikes other states are experiencing. Five regions entered Phase Three of reopening on Tuesday.

masks and staying six feet apart from people other than our immediate family members, then we could very well be in for a second wave of infection. We’re already seeing second waves in other parts of the country. A number of states reopened too fast, without coherent plans. Now they are suffering with rapidly rising hospitalization rates. Thanks to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s leadership, New York has taken a careful, calculated approach to reopening its economy. The state has done all it can to ensure that the infection rate remains low. Now individual actions will determine whether we remain on course to recovery — both the health of our citizens and our economy.

opinions

hy did George Floyd’s death bring our nation to its knees? wondered Ava Marie DuVernay, the director of the 2014 film “Selma,” about the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s organizing activities in Selma, Ala., in 1965. DuVernay was speaking last week on the second night of Oprah Winfrey’s twopart special, “Where Do We Go from Here?” on OWN. I desperately wanted to hear her thoughts. The sight of Floyd lying facedown on the asphalt with a Minneapolis police officer’s scott knee pressed into Brinton his neck had haunted me for days. DuVernay’s question burned in my mind. “I usually don’t see the officer,” she remarked. Many times before, black men had been beaten or shot down by rogue police officers. Never, however, had we seen an offending officer’s face in the same frame as the victim. The black man was usually shown running away, or the incident took place at night, and all involved were obscured by darkness. In this case, we could see, by the light of day, the now ex-officer — Derek Chauvin — slowly suffocating Floyd as he begged for his dead mother. The public — black and white — understood his pain, his anguish, his fear. There could be no excuse making, no

misunderstood cues on Chauvin’s part. Floyd was handcuffed and helpless. Chauvin had a solemn obligation to preserve Floyd’s life. He failed. In the very same frame, we can see both Chauvin’s and Floyd’s eyes — Chauvin, merciless, Floyd, increasingly hopeless, understanding he will soon lose his life, his face buried in the street. We understand the interplay between the two: Chauvin applying force to Floyd’s neck was a symbol of dominance over him. In effect, the 8 minutes and 46 seconds that he held his knee to Floyd encapsulated 400 years of oppression that black people have faced in North America, first through 246 years of slavery in the American colonies and then the United States, followed by 154 years of structural racism. Yes, systemic racism is real, Floyd’s death screamed to the nation. It was proof positive of its existence. There was no ambiguity. Only the most racist of minds would be incapable of understanding the concept — and of sympathizing with Floyd or any person of color. I watched “Selma” over the weekend. It’s a beautiful film, painstaking in its attention to detail and commitment to historical accuracy. King came to Selma understanding how deeply racism ran through that small southern city. He knew there would be trouble, and he hoped to have it captured for all to see in the national news outlets. But King miscalculated the ruthless-

t was the first time we saw the faces of both the killer and the victim in the same frame.

Letters Central New York, the Finger Lakes, the Mohawk Valley, the North Country and the Southern Tier were cleared by experts to enter the next phase. Phase Three allows indoor dining at restaurant and food services and personal care services, including nail salons, spas and tattoo and piercing facilities, to resume. Each industry is subject to specific state guidelines that maximize safety and social distancing. Starting Monday, localities could also open public pools and playgrounds at their discretion. They must use health data and metrics as guides to inform each decision. GOV. ANDREW CUOMO

Moved by the loss of Jerry’s brother To the Editor: My heartfelt condolences to

ness of Alabama state and local police, who descended on 525 protest marchers on what became known as Bloody Sunday, March 7, 1965. The demonstrators tried to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, named for a Confederate officer who later became a Ku Klux Klan grand dragon and U.S. senator. The marchers were headed to Montgomery, the state’s capital, a 50-mile walk. Police blocked their passage, rushed at them, beat them with billy clubs and sprayed them with tear gas. The march organizer, Amelia Boynton, was knocked unconscious. John Lewis, a student protester, suffered a concussion. He went on to join Congress in 1987, representing Georgia’s 5th District. Today, at 80, he is still in the House. King himself wasn’t there that day. He later led two marches in Selma, including the final one that led to Montgomery. I realized I had witnessed a smaller version of Selma on Merrick Road in Merrick on June 2. A group of 150 Black Lives Matter protesters, seeking justice for George Floyd, planned to march on the sidewalk when they were stopped by a group of about 30 counterprotesters. I was covering the demonstration for the Herald. The counterprotesters shouted at the demonstrators to go back home and pointed west to Freeport, which has a mix of black, Latino and white people. Two young people among the counterprotesters draped themselves in the Ameri-

can flag. Nassau County police eventually escorted the BLM demonstrators around the counterprotesters. I was focused on photographing the demonstrators. Later nous m officer on, in video footage, I saw the anger in the counterprotesters as the demonstra- act of i tors passed by. One man was seen giving moral Like them the finger, an image that precisely mirrored the reaction of one white man caught on film watching the beat-down in Selma 55 years earlier. Some 25,000 people from around the country marched in Selma after Bloody Sunday. President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, doing away with voting restrictions like the poll tax that had prevented most black people from voting in the South. An estimated 10,000 BLM protesters came to Merrick and Bellmore from June 3 to 7. Their demonstrations were among hundreds statewide. Last Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a sweeping legismoral lation package that, among other measures, did away with Section 50-a of the equal, state Civil Rights Law, which protected ator w police disciplinary records from public among suit of view. It appears, as King noted, “the arc of two an the moral universe is long, but it bends to thes sisters toward justice.” noble g find th Scott Brinton is the Herald Community out by Newspapers’ executive editor and an adjunct professor at the Hofstra Universi- those w ty Herbert School of Communication. Comments about this column? SBrinton@ liherald.com.

FrameWork by Roni Chastain

Jerry Kremer on the loss of his brother (“A tribute to all the Daves,” June 4-10). Mr. Kremer, I am sorry for the hole that his passing has left in your life. It’s wonderful that you had such a deep connection. I think it’s important to have such a bond, and it’s sad when that goes asunder. I have typed out your article and sent it to my son and daughter. It has always been my wish that they remain close, and I’m very happy that they have, especially since they are all the family they have. Common roots and memories can’t be replaced. May your memories keep you, Mr. Kremer. I enjoy reading your opinions. I can connect to them. Thank you for sharing your personal moment. It is meaningful to be brought in close. DIANA IHMANN Valley Stream

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — June 18, 2020

How George Floyd’s death brought us to our knees

A reminder from someone in the know — wear your mask in public.

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June 18, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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