Franklin Square/Elmont
HERALD students design sneakers
Belmont stakes is rescheduled
liJ EMT shares his story
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Vol. 22 No. 22
MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2020
At Sewanhaka, they’ll graduate one at a time Parents, students want more and have their pictures taken by p ro f e s s i o n a l p h o t o g r a phers. Rather than line up and Families will be given time cross the basketball arena at slots for the students’ ceremoHofstra University to receive nies, and two family members their high school diplomas in will be able to accompany front of friends and family, each one. g raduating seniors in the A more traditional ceremoSewanhaka Cenny, complete with tral High School speeches and the District will be prereading of the gradsented with those uates’ names, Grosdiplomas without sane wrote in his an audience this announcement on year, as social disthe district website, tancing regulawill be recorded tions remain in and broadcast on place, Superintenthe website . dent James Gros- gABi sTolz More details will sane announced on be sent to district Mother May 21. parents and guardT he district’s ians. traditional ceremonies are “While this year’s gradua“not possible this year,” Gros- tion ceremonies will look difs a n e s a i d , b e c a u s e G o v. ferent,” Grossane wrote, “we Andrew Cuomo’s executive have developed a plan, which orders prohibit large gather- honors traditions and celeings, even if people are six brates the achievements of feet apart. Instead, he said, on our students.” Ju n e 2 7 a n d 2 8 , d i s t r i c t But students and parents seniors will have the opportu- alike have expressed their disnity to go to their respective appointment with that plan. high schools in their caps and Members of the graduating gowns, cross the stage one at a class created an online petition time to receive their diplomas, Continued on page 8
By MElissA KoENig mkoenig@liherald.com Sue Grieco/Herald
Honoring the fallen Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, from left, Anthony Coscia, Commander John Conway, Pat Coviello and Angel Hinosproza, laid wreaths at the Veterans Memorial in Rath Park in Franklin Square on Monday. A ceremony was not held, but residents could drive up and place flags.
W
e were not even given a say in the matter.
Cub Scout Vincent Ammendolea, right, joined the rest of his pack in planting flags and flowers in the flower garden outside the VFW building in Franklin Square.
Elmont school taxes to edge down Library, Sewanhaka also present spending plans By MElissA KoENig mkoenig@liherald.com
Elmont residents would see a small decrease in their property taxes under the school district’s proposed 2020-21 budget, even though spending would increase. The $94.4 million proposal would include a tax levy of just under $56.7 million, 0.1 percent smaller than the current levy. As a result, Superintendent Al Harper said, the average home-
owner could expect slightly smaller property tax bills if the budget passes on June 9. “We’re just trying to do more with a little less,” Harper said, noting that the district has the 10th-smallest budget among Nassau County’s 56 public school districts, and its tax levy is 30 percent below the districts’ average. Nonetheless, the spending plan is 1.6 percent larger than the current budget. It would
fund the replacement of school buses and classroom furniture, maintain the district’s programs and class sizes, and finance new literacy and assessment programs for students. To offset these costs, and reduce the amount the district needs to collect in taxes, Harper said, of ficials shaved over $208,000 from the administrative and general support budgets, Continued on page 4
May 28, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
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Vets make new plans for Memorial Day By Melissa Koenig mkoenig@liherald.com
Typically, the Elmont community celebrates this time of the year with two parades — one for Memorial Day and one for Belmont Stakes Day. But neither parade occurred this year, as social distancing measures remain in place. “This is going to be kind of weird,” said Lecia Rodriques-Whyte, commander of the American Legion Post 1033, noting that many people from the town normally march from Sewanhaka High School to the veterans’ memorial at the intersection of Hempstead Turnpike and Covert Avenue, with a stop at the Elmont Memorial Library, and have a “very, very large parade.” This year, however, the American Legion joined forces with Nassau County officials to hold a car parade beginning on Charles Lindberg Boulevard and ending at the Veterans’ Memorial at Eisenhower Park. Rodriques-Whyte said she was happy that County Executive Laura Curran decided to do something special to commemorate Memorial Day this year, noting that large in-person celebrations may pose a health risk to veterans who have been exposed to toxic chemicals, and say-
ing she is happy “as long as we can recognize the people that didn’t come home.”
in Franklin square
Franklin Square veterans also held an alternative Memorial Day celebration this year. They usually hold a parade with guest speakers and a barbecue, according to Commander John Conway. But this year, he said, the VFW Post 2718 invited the public to drive by the Veterans of Foreign Wars memorial located on Naple Avenue at Rath Park on Monday morning. Everyone remained in their cars, and was directed to pull up to place their flowers and flags at the memorial. Following that, Conway said, the VFW would hold a private ceremony for its members at Rath Park, while members of the Venturing Crew 2718 salute from behind the fence. The public was not invited to the ceremony, as Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on May 19 that ceremonies could only have 10 or fewer people, but Conway said he would try to film the ceremony for the public to enjoy, “We cannot forget what they’ve done in the past, and what they will do in the future,” Comway said of those who have sacrificed their lives for this country. “We always have to remember.”
Christina Daly/Herald
The FranKlin square Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2718 usually hosts a parade for Memorial Day.
Belmont Stakes rescheduled for June 20 Spring/Summer meet to begin on June 3
The association had been preparing to reopen safely. Its Covid-19 Preparedness and Response Plan Committee — comprising NYRA staff members, representatives from the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, the Backstretch Employee Service Team and the New York Race Track Chaplaincy of America — had implemented daily temperature checks at the park and mandated that employees wear masks and gloves and maintain social distancing.
By Melissa Koenig mkoenig@liherald.com
For the first time in history, the Belmont Stakes will be the opening leg of the Triple Crown, as New York Racing Association officials announced on May 19 that the 152nd running will be held on June 20 without fans in the stands. The Kentucky Derby, meanwhile, will be held on Sept. 5, and the Preakness Stakes will be held on Oct. 3. This year’s Stakes will also differ from prior years because it will be shorter. Traditionally, horses run 1 1/2 miles on the track, but this year they will only run 1 1/8 miles, to account for the scheduled adjustments to the Triple Crown. “While this will certainly be a unique running of this historic race, we are grateful to be able to hold the Belmont Stakes in 2020,” NYRA President David O’Rourke said in a statement. “Thanks to our partners at NBC Sports, fans across the country can look forward to a day of exceptional thoroughbred racing at a time when entertainment and sports are so important to providing a sense of normalcy.” NBC will stream coverage on Belmont Stakes Day for three hours beginning at 3 p.m. Anyone who purchased tickets for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival can get a refund. Those who purchase tickets directly from the NYRA Box Office or a NYRA sales representative can request a
A d d i t i o n a l l y, N Y R A o f f i c i a l s announced on May 15 that they had partnered with Northwell Health to secure coronavirus antibody tests for NYRA employees and backstretch workers at Belmont Park. Northwell personnel would administer the tests, and would communicate the results within two days. “This broad testing program will provide additional insight, allowing us to more fully understand how Covid-19 has impacted our community,” O’Rourke said. “Going forward, this is a positive step in NYRA’s overall testing program, as we work toward our goal of providing universal access to both diagnostic testing and antibody testing.” Courtesy New York Racing Association
The BelMonT sTaKes has been rescheduled to June 20. refund online, and fans who purchased tickets on Ticketmaster will receive an email directing them to log into their account to request a refund.
The news comes after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on May 16 that NYRA officials can begin live horse racing on June 1 without fans.
In a statement on its website in April, NYRA officials also wrote that they “are committed to taking every step possible to keep our communities safe, while providing entertainment and contributing to the New York economy as we collectively begin the return to a new normal.”
What’s neWs in and out of the classroom
Photos Courtesy Sewanhaka Central High School District
Sixteen StudentS in the Sewanhaka Central High School District participated in the 2020 Vans Custom Culture Competition.
Sewanhaka participates in shoe contest Students in the Sewanhaka Central High School District’s Career and Technical Education Department and the Sewanhaka High School Art Program participated in the 2020 Vans Custom Culture Competition. The school was one of 500 in the nation to participate in the shoe-design competition Once chosen to participate in the competition in February, 16 student in the district formed a team under the direction of faculty adviser and teacher Tanya Van Cott. The team was prompted to design and customize two pairs of Vans shoes to reflect the themes “Local Flavor” and “Off the Wall.” clockwiSe from top right
iSabella legovich helped create more than 100 pieces of original artwork over three days. the team’S two shoe submissions,were BubbleGumYum and TRU(blu). Jonathan demezier generated patterns on Powerpoint using the artwork.
The team’s two shoe submissions were BubbleGumYum — a pink and blue shoe that combined the classic Vans checkered pattern with Sewanhaka High School’s aeronautical and floral history, and TRU(blu) — a purple and gold shoe that pays homage to the high school’s colors with a 3D drafted “Off The Wall” version of the Vans classic checkered pattern to create a floral pattern. Despite school closures due to the quarantine, Van Cott said that the team’s move to the digital space was seamless due to the students’ continued enthusiasm and interest in submitting their best work.
HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 28, 2020
Herald ScHoolS
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May 28, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
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Crime watCh Arrests ■ A 32-year-old Elmont resident was arrested with a 57-year-old Levittown resident on May 14 at 6 p.m. for shoplifting from the Walmart on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow.
Thefts ■ A victim reports that between May 14 at noon and May 15 at 12:30 a.m., an unknown suspect stole his wallet from an unlocked vehicle on Malta Street in Elmont.
■ A victim reports that on May 18 at 12 p.m., a male suspect entered his cab on Maloon Avenue in Franklin Square, requested change for $100, then took the money and fled. ■ A victim reports that between May 19 at 5 p.m. and May 20 at 3 p.m., an unknown suspect stole his wallet from his vehicle on Covert Avenue in Elmont.
Criminal mischief ■ A victim reports that between May 14 at 11 p.m. and May 15 at 7 a.m., an unknown suspect damaged his window on Doblin Street in Elmont.
People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.
naSSau CounTy rECEnTLy repaved Elmont Road between Sobro Road and Linden Boulevard.
Courtesy Google Maps
Roads repaved in Elmont and North Valley Stream A 1.48-mile stretch of Elmont Road between Sobro Road and Linden Boulevard in Elmont and North Valley Stream has been repaved as part of Nassau County Executive Laura Curran’s plan to repave 200 miles of road this year, Nassau County Le gislator Car rié Solages announced on May 21. “Many residents expressed concerns to me about the condition of this stretch of Elmont Road and advocated for the improvements that were just recently
completed,” Solages said in a statement. “I’m thankful that County Executive Curran took the concerns that I relayed to her to heart, and made this important investment in our infrastructure to enhance the quality of life, safety, and economic health of Elmont and North Valley Stream residents.” The repairs represent an estimated $37,000 investment in the area. –Melissa Koenig
Franklin Square/Elmont
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MAIN PHONE: (516) 569-4000 ■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/franklinsquare or www.liherald.com/elmont ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: fseditor@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 214 E-mail: fseditor@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: circ@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460 ■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: sales@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643 The Franklin Square/Elmont Herald USPS 017066, is published every Thursday by Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Periodicals postage paid at Garden City, NY 11530 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to Franklin Square/Elmont Herald, 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Subscription rates: $36 for 1 year within Nassau County. Out of Nassau County: $58 for 1 year. Copyright © 2020 Richner Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
Districts, libraries finalize budget proposals ConTinuEd from pagE 1 and reduced the building operations and maintenance budgets by over $126,000. They are trying to complete more building renovations in-house, he explained, adding that the district’s electrician installed devices in every classroom this year to provide cellphone and iPad service. “We put together a solid budget,” said Board of Education Trustee Anthony Maffea, who is running for re-election this year. Maffea said he was proud that the district always manages to stay below the state’s 2 percent tax levy cap.
Elmont library budget
Taxes would also remain steady under the Elmont Memorial Library’s proposed budget. Expenditures would decline by more than $2,500 in the library’s $3.37 million spending plan, which includes slight increases in database expenses and contract services, but decreases in staff salaries and benefits, and heating and telephone expenses. Programming costs would increase, but were offset by savings in the library’s office and computer supplies account, which fall under general expenses. The facility’s estimated revenues are also down, with no increase in state aid expected. The tax levy would be $2.4 million — the same as it is in the current budget — and the average homeowner would continue to pay $141.12 annually if the proposal were to pass.
The Sewanhaka budget
Franklin Square and Elmont residents will also have the opportunity to vote on the Sewanhaka Central High School District’s proposed $209 million budget. The district would invest $1.8 million in security enhancements at all five schools, with the installation of security vestibules, an electronic lock system and computer technology security improvements. The cost of these enhancements would vary by school, and would be part of a $5.7 million, or 2.8 percent, increase in expenditures over the current budget.
To fund these increases, the district would collect just over $152 million in taxes, 2.7 percent more than it is collecting now. The district planned to hold a budget hearing on May 26, after the Herald went to press.
The budgets by the numbers Sewanhaka Central High School district Budget: $209,265,063 Increase: 2.8% Tax levy: $152,215,903 Increase: 2.72% Elmont School district Budget: $94,465,873 Increase: 1.6% Tax levy: $56,688,279 Decrease: 0.1% Elmont memorial Library Budget: $3,371,877 Decrease: 0.07% Tax levy: $2,429,787 Increase: 0% franklin Square School district Budget: $40,163,500 Increase: 1.72% Tax levy: $29,003,151 Increase: 2.33% franklin Square public Library Budget: $2,658,786 Increase: 3.3% Tax levy: $2,544,786 Increase: 1.81%
Every life matters to us … Dear neighbor:
We live and work in this community. The lives of each and every one of you is important to us and we are here to tell your stories — from beginning to end. That includes the final chapter. At this difficult time, I want to remind you that obituaries in all Herald Community Newspapers are, and have always been, completely free. COVID-19 has taken far too many, far to soon. Let us help you commemorate the life of your loved one with a story and photo celebrating their life. Contact our Executive Editor Scott Brinton, sbrinton@liherald.com or call 516-569-4000, ext 203, if you would like to memorialize a loved one in the Herald, regardless of their cause of death. Stuart Richner Publisher srichner@liherald.com 1087105
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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 28, 2020
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May 28, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
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Long IsLand RaIL Road stations, which only months ago were crowded with people at peak travel times, are now virtually empty during the morning rush. Ahmed Bazille, left, an attorney from Freeport, headed into his Manhattan office on May 21. He was one of a handful of commuters at the Freeport station at 7:45 a.m.
Photos by Scott Brinton/Herald
Riding the rails while a pandemic rages
I
never imagined the emptiness. It left me with a sinking feeling, a sense of aloneness that I had not experienced before as I stood on Long Island Rail Road train trestles during the middle of what should have been rush hour. The coronavirus crisis has truly a l t e r e d o u r h u m a n l a n d s c a p e. On a sunny May 21, I drove from station to station along the Babylon Branch of the LIRR, stopping in Seaford, Bellmore, Freeport, Rockville Centre, Lynbrook and Valley Stream, to document the emptiness — and the small number of people who are riding the rails these days. Then I headed down the Far Rockaway Branch to the Lawrence station, and over to the Long Beach branch to the Long Beach ter minal. Where only two and a half months ago tens of thousands of commuters
crowded onto cement platforms early in the morning, awaiting stainless-steel trains to carry them to New York City or points east, now there are but a handful of people — the essential workers who cannot telecommute, but are thankful to still have their jobs. Often, a platform was devoid of people, as if it were part of a ghost town. I had no trouble finding parking. It requires a certain fortitude, I thought, to ride the rails amid the coronavirus pandemic, knowing the virus is out there, still lurking, unseen. People truly are resilient. Today's LIRR riders are, in a sense, pioneers, showing the rest of us how we will overcome when, eventually, Gover nor Cuomo gives the OK allowing everyone to return to work and life as normal. –Scott Brinton
a neaRLy empty Seaford LIRR station at 6:39 a.m., above. Cathy Wiley, of Seaford, right, an LIRR engineer, headed to work.
thIs muscLe caR was among the few vehicles parked at the Bellmore LIRR station.
The Bellmore sTaTion at 7:30 a.m.
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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 28, 2020
Photos by Scott Brinton/Herald
lourdes marTinez, of Valley Stream, was on her way to her job at a physical therapy office in the city at 9:45 a.m.
raj PaTel, of the Kaval Deli and Convenience Store, at the foot of the Rockville Centre LIRR station, with a plastic tarp around his front counter to protect himself from the virus.
aBove, The emPTy parking lot of the Lawrence station. At left, the 10:23 train out of Long Beach, headed to Penn Station.
Workers jackhammering The underside of the Lynbrook LIRR station, where a major renovation project is under way.
May 28, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
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Carey parents want ‘real’ graduations conTinued from page 1 after the announcement, saying they would like to hold ceremonies on the schools’ fields. “There is no reason why we cannot stand 6-feet apart to be within social distancing guidelines,” the petition reads. “We are allowed to go to the beaches and stores, but are not allowed to have our graduation. We want what we deserve, and we want to say ‘goodbye’ with, and to, all our friends.” As of last Friday morning, the petition had nearly 2,000 signatures, with one signer, Martin Zatz, commenting, “This is a very poor decision on the part of the district,” and another, Rebecca Yunitis, writing, “T hese seniors deserve a beautiful ceremony to celebrate their achievements. This school district definitely dropped the ball on this. Do better. We pay too much school tax for the district to not be better than this.” Gabi Stolz, the mother of a graduating senior at H. Frank Carey High School, had created a petition on May 19, asking the district administration to hold a more traditional graduation, with all of the students and parents maintaining social distancing. “ G ive o u r s e n i o r s w h a t t h e y deserve,” that petition reads. “Let them say goodbye to their school.” By the time Grossane made his
grossane’s announcements In his announcement about graduation ceremonies, Superintendent James Grossane also noted: ■ Officials are finalizing the date of the last day of school. ■ Plans are under way to create a remote building tour and hold a remote parent orientation for incoming seventh-graders, with more sessions planned for the summer.
Courtesy Sewanhaka Central High School District
The senior chorus sang at H. Frank Carey’s graduation ceremony last year. announcement two days later, the first petition had more than 1,000 signatures, and more people signed it after the announcement. “We are up in arms,” Stolz said of Grossane’s decision. “We were not even given a say in the matter.”
She said that she and another mother, Jill Romano, knew enough parents who would be willing to volunteer to host a graduation ceremony adhering to the regulations Gov. Andrew Cuomo has implemented since mid-March. Adding a comment to Stolz’s peti-
tion, Deborah Talbot said she thought there was enough room on the school’s fields for the 250 graduates to maintain social distancing. If not, she suggested they hold a ceremony in the Nassau Coliseum’s parking lot. “We all know what the circumstances are,” Stolz said, with Romano adding, “We just want our kids to get what they deserve.”
F.S. board candidates share platforms By melissa Koenig mkoenig@liherald.com
Franklin Square residents had the opportunity to get to know the candidates running to fill the Board of Education seat left vacant by Joe Lewinger — who died from the coronavirus on March 28 — at a Virtual Meet the Candidates Forum on May 21. During the hour-long conversation, moderated by JoAnn Schwartz, president of the Franklin Square Interschool Council of Parent Teacher Associations, Diane Hansen and Anthony Vellon shared their ideas for the next school year, as the Franklin Square School District works to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Hansen, who has served on the Citizens’ Budget Advisory Committee for the past 12 years, said she is running for the one-year term because she has the time to commit to the board, as the last of her four children is graduating from John Street School this year, and said the board is “all about the kids, and making sure they get the best education.” To do so, she said, she would work with local officials to get students back to school next year. She has already worked with Leg. Vincent Muscarella to install speed signs in front of the John Street School. Additionally, Hansen said she is concer ned by Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s
Zoom
diane hansen and Anthony Vellon shared their ideas at the Virtual Meet the Candidates Forum on May 21. It was moderated by JoAnn Schwatz, top left. announcement that school districts throughout the state may face state aid cuts of up to 20 percent at any time next year. As a member of the Budget Advisory Committee, she said, the district offi-
cials have to be responsible with what they cut, and suggested they hold off on some expenses such as the replacement of a school bus and new textbooks. Hansen also said that the district
should work with parents to help them deal with technological issues, and suggested the Board of Education create a liaison to the PTAs or hold joint PTA and board meetings. Vellon, meanwhile, has participated in Washington Street School PTA events, and is a district business manager for the New York City Department of Education. He said he understands the complexities of a school district and has a “plethora of knowledge and background experience” in school budgeting. The students need to feel like their cultures are represented in lesson plans, Vellon said, and noted that if he were elected, he would like to have the outgoing seventh-graders partner with the incoming ones to help them adjust to the high school district. Additionally, he said, district officials will have to reassess its needs as a result of the pandemic — when the district switched to online learning — and go through the budget to see where cuts could be made. “There’s not just one issue that school districts face,” Vellon explained. Ballots will be mailed to every registered voter who took place in last year’s budget vote, as well as any residents who have been added to the tax rolls since then. They must be signed and returned in the provided envelope by June 9 at 5 p.m.
Rajiv Datta, the Department of Surgery chairman at Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital, said the facility received the OK from the state Department of Health to perform elective surgeries again.
Neighbors iN the News
HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 28, 2020
RonalD Conti haS been elected to serve a second term as chief of the Elmont Fire Department.
Courtesy Elmont Fire Department
Elmont F.D. re-elects chief Courtesy MSSNt
MSSN scheduling elective surgeries By Mike SMollinS msmollins@liherald.com
Doctors at Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital had to put off 800 to 1,000 elective surgeries to treat Covid-19 patients during the height of the pandemic. With cases steadily declining, however, the staff is starting to schedule the procedures. “At this point, the state has said we can proceed, and we are following the guidelines,” said Dr. Rajiv Datta, the Department of Surgery chairman and the medical director of the hospital’s cancer program. “It’s safe now to come and get these procedures done before an elective surgery becomes an emergency.” Guidelines that hospital officials urge patients to follow include making sure that they are social distancing for up to 14 days before surgery, that they receive a coronavirus test at the hospital’s drive-through site on Washington Avenue at least three days before an operation and that they isolate themselves from others in the days before the procedure. Once guidelines are met, patients can undergo elective surgeries, such as hernia operations or cosmetic procedures. Doctors are scheduling elective procedures now. Datta said it might take up to 10 days for the hospital to return to its regular daily schedule of elective procedures. Typically, before the pandemic, MSSN doctors performed 40 surgeries daily. There are now, on average, 15 surgeries per day, and doctors might start performing surgeries at night and on weekends to accommodate all requests. Elective surgeries were paused to ensure there were enough beds, ventilators, doctors and personal protective equipment to treat Covid-19 patients.
The hospital is promoting a “Don’t Put Your Health on Hold” initiative, urging the community not to risk safety out of fear of coming to a hospital. “If you’re out there and you have a procedure that you’ve been putting off, or if you have any kind of medical issue, you should call immediately,” said Joe Calderone, the hospital’s vice president of corporate communications. “Don’t wait.” He said the hospital has a safe passageway for non-Covid-19 patients. At the same time, the number of Covid-19 patients has dropped from 80 percent of the hospital’s capacity down to 33 percent, Calderone said. Many coronavirus rooms were deep-cleaned and converted back to their intended purpose. “Over the last eight weeks, it was all over the news that hospitals were loaded with Covid patients, which was true,” Datta said. “But the numbers are different now, and we are very careful about what we do here.” At press time Friday, the hospital had 65 confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases, and 13 Covid-19 patients on ventilators. Meanwhile, 880 coronavirus patients had been discharged. On April 13, the hospital peaked at 383 Covid-19 patients. If people follow social-distancing guidelines, wear masks in public and wash their hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, Calderone said he is hopeful that a second wave of infection, if it were to arise, would not be as bad as the first. Additionally, he said, the hospital would be better prepared for the outbreak. “If it comes, we have a bit of a playbook now that we really didn’t have before, and most hospitals in the country are better prepared for a second surge because everyone learned from the first time,” he said.
Ronald Conti, a 35-year veteran of the Elmont Fire Department, has been reelected as the department’s chief. Conti, 58, is a lifelong Elmont resident and a third-generation member of the fire department. Prior to his election, Conti had served 13 years as a line officer, including as first lieutenant and captain. He also served as the Chief of the Department from 2017 – 18. Outside of his fire service, Conti has worked for the Town of Hempstead, and is now retired. “Serving Elmont has always been a family affair,” said Conti. “It is an honor
to once serve again as Chief, and I look forward to helping the Elmont community in the years to come” Conti and his family are long-serving members of the Elmont Fire Department. His father, uncles and cousins were all members of Engine Company One, which Conti joined when he was 18 years old. “Every Sunday, I would go to the firehouse as a kid,” he said. “My whole family would be there, and I was proud when I was able to join and continue the tradition.” Conti lives in Elmont with his wife and is the proud grandfather to four.
Clara H. Carlson students make recycled sculptures Students at the Clara H. Carlson School got creative with recycled materials for the 11th annual Recycled Sculpture Contest in honor of Earth Day. They created two- and three-dimen-
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sional sculptures from cardboard boxes, plastic foam, newspapers, plastic bottles and other recycled or recyclable materials. They then sent pictures of their artwork to school officials.
Courtesy Elmont School District
ClaRa h. CaRlSon students made sculptures out of recycled materials for the 11th annual Recycled Sculpture Contest.
HometoWn Heroes
Bernard roBinson I
CHris CianCiulli
Valley stream emt paramediC, nortHWell HealtH regional
Franklin square
oWner, red mango
Franklin square
was exposed and unknowingly contracted the virus during a patient transport on Monday, March 23. Back then, I put aside my administrative duties as regional director to assist in the field. We covered overnight shifts to help facilitate transfers. There were a lot of sick patients, all of whom seemed to need to be ventilated. For me, the coronavirus started as a dry cough. Nervousness immediately settled in, and four days later I tested positive. Literally, every known symptom had emerged. The fatigue was the worst. Every two minutes I needed to sit still and catch my breath. Covid-19 was as debilitating as advertised. Ultimately, I quarantined myself in my basement, away from my family and typically busy household. I went to the hospital twice. After the first visit, I was diagnosed with pneumonia due to Covid-19 and was released. That night, I was extremely frightened, blowing through seven oxygen tanks just to breathe. I wasn’t sure if I’d make it and refused to sleep. My wife was nervous. My boys were scared. No one or family should experience this. The next day, I was admitted to North Shore University Hospital, where I stayed for five days, participated in a hydroxychloroquine clinical trial and was treated with prednisone, oxygen, albuterol and other medications. Breathing was my main issue, but it improved, and I was discharged on Easter morning — a blessing to watch a streaming service at my church before heading back to the basement. It was good to be home and feeling better, which is when I realized I needed to recover as fast as I could and get back to work.
I
t’s very rare to have a rainy-day fund when you own a frozen yogurt shop and are coming out of the winter months. This winter was mild, and we were on track to have a better year than last. In the beginning we were doing OK, even with the scare of the virus, but the day the governor came out with an executive order that only takeout was allowed, our sales dropped 80 percent and we never recovered. We couldn't make it with just
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deliveries, and we closed for a few weeks while I was paying all of the bills and payroll out of my own pocket. For the first time in seven years, the store was out of money. Not knowing if you can pay your employees who have been with you from the beginning or the thoughts of closing the store was the worst feeling I have had in a long time. I signed my house over to take a loan, and was able to create jobs and be a part of the community. The uncertainty of what is going to happen is a terrible feeling that doesn't go away. Never did I imagine that a bad month could almost close us for good. People may say it’s just a yogurt shop, but you have to really think about effect on the economy. We have 16 employees who work directly for the store. We have a local fruit vendor and a local exterminator. This little store supports many employees as well as local businesses. We are open now, and I am determined to keep my store open and people employed.
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their FrontLine stories as toLd to our reporters lori lang
Hewlett
PresiDent, Hewlett-wooDmere Business association
i
’m trying my best to stay busy during these unprecedented times. I’ve been on a lot of Zoom conferences with the Hewlett-Woodmere School District and some of the district’s PTAs in an effort to organize some events. Our business association has been trying our best to give out sanitizing products such as masks, gloves and hand sanitizer to our restaurants that have been open throughout this pandemic.
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A H W EN? OP
malverne
We're also working with Hewlett High School PTA to put together an event for the graduating seniors; the final details are still being worked out at this point. With a big assistance from the Hewlett Fire Department, we also helped set up the salute to the health care workers at the Five Towns Premier Rehabilitation & Nursing Home a few weeks back. It was great to give the workers the recognition that they deserve. It’s disappointing that we aren’t able to have our annual Memorial Day parade, but were still awaiting final approval to put 42 American flags on display on Broadway. As soon as we get the go ahead, we will start displaying them in Hewlett and Woodmere. I know it sounds cliché, but we are all in this together. Many of our businesses are currently closed, but we hope to open safely as soon as possible. We urge all of our residents to continue to support our local restaurants. I’m hopeful that we’ll make it through this and get back to our normal lives soon.
Hometown
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owner, simPliFy By lori lang malverne
W
hen my sister and I started collecting donations for essential workers, first responders and merchants in the community, we were just hoping to raise enough to donate food to them for a couple of weeks. But I realized a lot of businesses that were still closed needed a lift as well. During the month of May, through our group, Malverne Helping Our Merchants, we’re helping storefront merchants that
were closed and had to slowly reopen, or places that are still closed like hair salons and nail salons. At the end of May, I’m going to use the money we’ve received to buy gift certificates to all those places and raffle them off on May 30. We’ve raised more than $6,400 during this phase, and nearly $30,000 since we kicked off our campaign in March. I haven’t worked [in home organization] since the first week of March. First, a lot of families don’t want people in their homes. Second, their children are home, so this isn’t going the time in their life where they’re going to look to do home improvement, so it’s kind of put a damper on things. I’m confident that it’ll come back. I have other businesses that want to use me to kind of hit the ground running, which is basically organizing their business system so that when they reopen, they could do it full force.
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HEALTH MEMO
Living with a brain tumor, new treatment methods offer hope
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“
ou have a brain tumor.” That’s a designed care based on the patient’s needs, diagnosis that no one wants to receive. lifestyle, and profession,” Dr. Rak says. “I operate However, having a brain tumor now, based on functionality by mapping the areas of the asserts Ramin Rak, M.D., FAANS, a neurosurgeon brain responsible for speech, language, and motor at Neurological Surgery, P.C. (NSPC) and Director, and sensory functions. The entire procedure is Brain & Spine Tumor Center, Mount Sinai South custom designed for each patient.” Nassau, is not the same as being diagnosed with The advent of non-invasive options such a one 20, 10, or even five years ago. “Recent stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma Knife) have advances in diagnosing and treating tumors of the revolutionized the treatment of tumors once brain,” he notes, “mean those words do not have thought to be to be “inoperable.” Patients with the same meaning that they used to.” multiple tumors, in particular, can benefit from the Dr. Rak points out that “we are finding tumors accuracy and precision of radiosurgery. This same sooner, and in many cases, we’re able to address technology is also used to prevent tumors that them before they cause a problem.” Improved MRI have been removed from growing back. and targeting systems have allowed for more Dr. Rak performs most of his radiosurgery accurate minimally invasive biopsies. Once a procedures using the Gamma Knife at the Long Ramin Rak, M.D., FAANS, tumor is identified, technology such as 3D Island Gamma Knife Center at Mount Sinai South Attending Neurosurgeon, Neurological Nassau in Oceanside which was the first on Long computer stereotaxis, intraoperative functional Surgery, P.C. (NSPC) MRI, and hand-held carbon dioxide lasers have Island to acquire the Gamma Knife system and has improved the precision of surgical removal while hosted thousands of procedures over nearly two minimizing damage to the surrounding normal brain. Another decades. Dr. Rak’s colleague and partner, Michael H. Brisman, M.D., is advanced treatment for brain tumor is the use of awake craniotomy the co-medical director of the center. with functional mapping to preserve function while producing Now more than ever, participation in clinical trials offers patients excellent clinical outcomes. advanced treatment options while improving our knowledge of which With the patient awake during the procedure, Dr. Rak uses functional methods offer the best results. Until recently, for example, medical (fMRI) and electrophysiology to map the brain while a neuropsychologist treatment of brain tumors has been somewhat limited due to leads the patient through a series of cognitive and language tests. That something called the “blood brain barrier” which prevents most drugs allows him to identify the sources of various functions in the eloquent from affecting tumors within the brain. Remarkable advances in drug brain to avoid them as much as possible during tumor resection. Dr. Rak delivery options, as well as the drugs themselves, have allowed us to has been performing awake craniotomy with functional mapping for a break down that barrier and begin treating these tumors directly. decade and is a regional leader in this procedure. What was once described as suffering from a brain tumor has now “Awake craniotomy with functional mapping is individually become living with a brain tumor. Or, in some cases, without one.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Rak, please call (516) 442-2250 or (631) 864-3900. Or visit, nspc.com.
Advanced treatment starts here
100 Merrick Road, Suite 128W, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 • 844-NSPC-DOC Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.
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May 28, 2020
Healthy Living
HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 28, 2020
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LONG ISLAND’S LEADING ORTHOPEDIC GROUP IS LEADING THE WAY . . . with immediate, personalized appointments in the safest possible environment. Balancing the need to help relieve your orthopedic pain with the health and safety of our patients, staff and community, Orlin & Cohen is taking all precautions: • Pre-visit registration • Curbside check-in
Our offices across Long Island are open for in-person visits. Weekdays: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Weekends: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Virtual telehealth visits are also available, seven days a week. MRI and therapy offices are open as well.
• Advanced and pre-entry health screenings for patients and staff • Plexiglass reception barriers • Social distancing with extended time between appointments and direct entry to exam rooms – bypassing waiting rooms • Masks for everyone, at all times • Continuous disinfecting measures in all areas Because in this crisis, protecting each other should be everyone’s top priority.
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Think positive!
Your priority is at home Steps to stay healthy during the pandemic
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s the Covid-19 pandemic has turned our lives inside out, the tendency has been to find ways to soothe ourselves during this period of upheaval. While we’re doing our part to observe public health measures and reduce exposure to the disease, let’s use these days at home to focus on our personal well-being. Yes, we’re all preoccupied with dealing with realities of our daily lives, but at the same time we’re practicing social distancing, we have an opportunity to protect and improve or own health. Healthy eating is especially important for keeping your immune system in top condition. Here are some steps you can take to eat healthy in the times of Covid. Minimize trips to the supermarket Before you shop… Plan ahead. Visualize breakfast, lunch, and dinner for at least 5 days. What will you serve? What do you need? Consider the foods your family likes, your food preparation methods, interests and skills, and the time and energy you will have for preparing meals. Working from home may not mean there is more time to cook—especially if you are now responsible for teaching your kids and doing the work your employer expects. Have children at home? Include children in meal planning, preparation, and clean up while teaching them writing, math, reading, and science. Reading/Writing: Ask your kids to make a list of what’s in the pantry and refrigerator. Then, have them look through cookbooks or online recipes sites to find meals and snacks that use up what is on hand. Have them share their breakfast, lunch, or dinner meal ideas. Math: Find math in measuring spoons and cups, counting out numbers of ingredients, taking stock of pantry items, or planning the time it will take to prepare, cook, eat, and clean up a meal. Science: Get kids involved in baking bread, cooking an egg, or creating a homemade salad dressing— then, search the internet to discover the science behind why ingredients change when they are combined, heated, or blended. Think nutrition The healthiest meals emphasize whole grains, vegetables, and fruits — serve them in the greatest amounts. Meat portions should be smaller — this will save money and help keep dietary saturated fat in check. Make a shopping list —and use it! You’ll be less like to forget items or buy impulse items. Stock up on nutrition-packed foods that will stay fresh for a week or longer. √ Breads: corn tortillas, whole grain English muffins, bagels, breads, wraps, frozen whole wheat waffles √ Grains: instant oatmeal, pasta, frozen brown rice, couscous, refrigerated pizza crust √ Fruits: fresh, dried, plain frozen, canned in juice or water √ Vegetables: fresh veggies, plain frozen, low sodium canned, sun-dried
√ Sauces: tomato pasta sauce, salsa √ Soups and broths: canned, frozen, shelf-stable cartons √ Juices: 100 percent juice √ Milk: fresh, shelf-stable packages √ Eggs and cheese √ Beans/legumes—canned and dry √ Nuts and seeds: bagged, canned, nut butters √ Poultry, meat and seafod √ Flavorings: add zing with dried herbs and spices, vinegars, mustard, hot/steak sauces, lemon/lime juice, light dressings, honey, Greek yogurt Go easy on the frozen dinners — most are high in sodium, fat, and calories —and limit purchases of tempting foods like chips, sodas, cookies, and ice cream. Prepare for the unexpected. Since supermarkets are running low on many, be ready with a back-up plan if an ingredient you need is unavailable. Keep the less fortunate in mind. Contribute to local pantries and soup kitchens now. Then, when it is all over, donate extra food you stocked up on that is still fresh and safe to eat. Use contactless payment or credit cards. If you use the payment keypad, tap the buttons and screen with your knuckle—then use hand sanitizer after completing your payment. When you bring the restaurant home Eat “out” safely. If you want to have take-out meals, take the food home right away and eat it while it is hot. Store leftovers safely — wrap tightly and refrigerate any dishes with meat, fish, poultry, or dairy products. Be sure to reheat these leftovers thoroughly before eating. Make eating together at home a positive experience Whether it is homemade or takeout, eating more meals at home is a new routine for many families. Keep the stress down by making mealtime fun. Get the family involved. Kids can help set the table, pour the water, make the salad, or grate the cheese. Make mealtimes a family affair. Try some new recipes. If you have never made homemade pizza, roasted a whole chicken, or cooked meatballs from scratch, now is a good time to try! For the less adventurous, start slowly by looking for those recipes that call for only a few ingredients and use common kitchen tools. Reconnect with the family. Eat together at the table or spread a blanket on the floor and have an indoor picnic. Be sure to separate mealtime and TV time; watching while eating makes it too easy to pay attention to TV and not your food, so you are likely to overeat. Wonder what to talk about at mealtime? Chat about things you will do this summer, tell jokes; just keep the conversation upbeat and fun. Above photo: In an ideal scenario, you’d have a balance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and dairy at every meal. It might be hard to pull that off now, and that’s okay. What you eat affects your physical and mental health, and both are a priority. Start with what you have and fill in the gaps.
Are you feeling stress, fear and anxiety as the pandemic drags on? If so, you’re not alone. The recommendations for social distancing affect nearly every part of our lives, including finances, relationships, transportation, jobs and healthcare. Some common causes of stress during the coronavirus pandemic are uncertainty, lack of routine and reduced social support, says Mark Flanagan, LMSW, MPH, MA. Routines As humans, we don’t like uncertainty and tend to thrive in routines, says Flanagan. Routines are essential because they create a sense of normalcy and control in our lives. This sense of control then allows us to manage the challenges that come our way. “When we don’t have a routine, much our time is spent trying to establish one,” says Flanagan. “Without a routine, we often pay attention to the things that are most ‘flashy.’ When big news happens, we tend to focus on it more.” Social support Not only are our routines currently disrupted, but the routines of everyone around us are as well. “When something goes wrong in our lives, we can usually rely on others to get a sense of calm,” he says. “But when everyone is experiencing the same sense of uncertainty, there’s no real ‘anchor’ to help manage some of the stress.” Stress Stress management is essential for good physical health, and it’s especially important right now as our world addresses the Covid-19 pandemic. “While short-term pressures and stress are normal and can help us change in positive ways, chronic stress causes a huge deterioration in our quality of life on a physical level,” says Flanagan. “When we are more pessimistic, depressed or anxious, our immune system goes down and produces more stress hormones, reducing our immunity and increasing inflammation.” Stress can also put a strain on your mental health, relationships and productivity, he notes. Steps to stress reduction “Rather than dwell on nervousness, focus on the things you can control,” Flanagan suggests. “When you move the locus of control from something outside yourself to inside yourself, you powerfully reduce anxiety and boost confidence.” He suggests the following steps to regain control and reduce stress. Follow the recommended health guidelines. These guidelines include frequent hand-washing, social distancing, practicing respiratory etiquette and cleaning commonly used surfaces. See the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Not only will you pro-
tect your health, but you’ll also protect the health of vulnerable people in your community, like older adults and those with serious or underlying health issues. Create a morning routine. When you’re stuck at home, it can be tempting to let go of basic routines, but Flanagan says a morning routine can help you feel more productive and positive. Consider waking up at the same time each day, exercising, showering, meditating, journaling, tidying your home or having a healthy breakfast as part of your morning ritual. Check in with loved ones regularly. While social distancing is essential to slow the spread of the virus, you can still check in with family and friends by phone, video chat, text or email. Consider ways to help others. This can include picking up groceries for a neighbor and leaving them at their door, donating to a local charity, or purchasing gift cards from your favorite restaurant. By taking the focus off yourself, you can experience reduced stress and a greater sense of well-being. Have a daily self-care ritual. Self-care can include exercise, meditation, walking outside, reading, taking a bubble bath, painting, journaling, gardening, cooking a healthy meal or enjoying a favorite hobby. Pick one thing and do it at the same time each day. It will help anchor your day and provide a welcome respite. Limit news and media consumption. “When we constantly check our newsfeeds and see bad news, it activates our sympathetic nervous system and can send us into fight-or-flight mode,” says Flanagan. He recommends limiting how often you check the news to once Continued on page 8
Above photo: Stick with your routine as much as you can. Go to bed and get up in the morning on your usual schedule. Eat meals at regular times. Find ways to exercise away from the gym — do yoga in the living room, trim the hedge, have a scavenger hunt in the backyard with your kids, or just toss a ball or play tag as a family.
HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 28, 2020
Mindset is vital to getting through this pandemic physically and mentally healthy
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May 28, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
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HEALTH HEALTHMEMOS MEMO
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Mount Sinai South Nassau Offers Antibody Screening At 10 Sites Across South Shore Testing is available for existing or new patients at the following locations: • Mount Sinai Doctors - Baldwin Primary Care 2280 Grand Ave., Ste 208, Baldwin, (516) 623-4800 • Mount Sinai Doctors - Bellmore Primary Care 2750 Merrick Rd., Bellmore, (516) 409-2000 • Mount Sinai Doctors - Freeport Primary Care 155 W. Merrick Rd., Ste 101, Freeport, (516) 379-3139 • Mount Sinai Doctors Long Island 1436 Broadway, Hewlett, (516) 360-2962 • Mount Sinai Doctors - Hewlett Cardiovascular 1420 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Hewlett, (516) 374-8682 • Mount Sinai Doctors - Long Beach Cardiology & Primary Care, 325 W. Park Ave., Long Beach, (516) 432-2004 • Mount Sinai Doctors - Center for Primary Care Long Beach 761 Franklin Boulevard, Long Beach, (516) 544-2351 • Mount Sinai Doctors - Lynbrook Primary Care 185 Merrick Rd., Ste 1B, Lynbrook, (516) 887-0077 • Mount Sinai Doctors - Oceanside Primary Care 2965 Long Beach Rd., Oceanside, (516) 593-8953 • Mount Sinai Doctors - Oceanside Family Medicine 196 Merrick Rd., Oceanside, (516) 255-8400
ew and existing patients of Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside may now access antibody screening blood tests at ten of the hospital’s ambulatory locations across Long Island. These antibody tests are authorized by the FDA and have a high degree of reliability. The presence of COVID-19 antibodies in your system is an indication that you were probably exposed to the virus, even if you did not have any symptoms, and that you may have some degree of immunity to the virus, although this is not proven yet. “The results and information gained from antibody testing will help the medical community determine and understand the spread of the virus, establish public health recommendations and reduce the risk for future surges of the virus in our communities,” said Aaron E. Glatt, Chair of the Department of Medicine, Chief of Infectious Diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau. If you have developed antibodies to the virus, you may be eligible to help others by donating antibody-rich plasma at the New York Blood Center, which has established a plasma bank that hospitals can access immediately to treat patients with serious or lifethreatening COVID-19 infections. Known as convalescent plasma therapy, COVID-19 patients are transfused with recovered patients’ antibodies that have proven successful at fighting the virus. Mount Sinai South Nassau and other hospitals within the Mount Sinai Health System have been treating patients with this promising therapy. A single donation of antibodies can be used to treat one to two patients struggling with severe cases of COVID-19. Medical researchers also believe that antibody testing could be used to return people with immunity safely to the workforce, regardless of industry or profession. It could also help reduce the rate of COVID-19 infections at nursing homes by staffing them with immune workers. One Healthy Way, Oceanside, NY 11572 • 516-632-3000
Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.
HEALTH MEMO
Stay connected while at home Tips for coping with hearing loss and Covid-19
S
ocial distancing affects with hearing loss, who especially everyone differently, and rely on visual cues. It is imperative this is especially true for to inform any healthcare worker those with hearing loss. Physical that you have a hearing loss, and separation from our loved ones that they should write down any and colleagues can potentially important information and instrucaffect every aspect of our health, tions. Ask if they have see-through and it is important that hearing masks. health not be overlooked. We, at Make time for exercise and Comprehensive Audiology, have relaxation. Your overall mental come up with a few tips and health and well-being is important. solutions to help those with hearTelehealth is a great way to ing loss stay connected during continue to receive great care while these trying times still maintaining social distance. We, Face-to face communication at Comprehensive Audiology, are Dr. Esther Fogel is more enjoyable and less stressoffering remote hearing aid proful for those with hearing loss gramming and hearing consultabecause it allows you to use lip reading, facial cues, tions via telehealth and video appointments. and body language. Connect with family and To schedule an appointment or a telehealth confriends with video calls whenever possible. sultation with Dr. Esther Fogel at Comprehensive Many smartphones and devices can stream Audiology, call 516-387-4000, email efogel@comdirectly to your hearing aids, providing clearer sound prehensiveaudiology.com or go online at https:// comprehensiveaudiology.com/make-appointment/. and reducing background noise. Always wear your hearing devices at home, and make sure you clean and maintain them weekly. Check that you have all the supplies and batteries you need. Use closed captions while watching TV, movies, or the news. A caption phone is also a good idea for those 261 Broadway, Lynbrook who have difficulty communicating on the phone. 516-387-4000 Masks present a particular challenge to those Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.
HEALTH MEMO Oliveri & Schwartz, P.C.:
New York’s personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death attorneys — winning compensation for the injured in New York
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hen you retain Oliveri & your interests by discussing your Schwartz, P.C., you can benefit case with someone who has the from the following: experience and professionalism • We are available 27/7 so you necessary to make the best out can reach us whenever a quesof the situation and protect your tion or concern arises and you interests throughout each step of seek answers. the process. • We truly care about you and Our personal injury attormeys about reaching a positive outare dedicated to helping innocome on your behalf. cent victims of injury-causing • Every case is treated as our accidents by givng them the very own. legal counsel they need to obtain Paul Oliveri • We approach your case in a maximum compensation. personalized manner bacause we know that your We are aware of the tactics of insurance compasituation is unique and our case is tailored to your nies, and we will tirelessly work to challenge their needs. defense in order to prove your needs after an injury • We work on a contingency fee basis. If we don’t in New York City or anywhere throughout the rest of win, you don’t pay. This allows us to provide you New York. with the best possible legal counsel we can as we Effective immediately, we will not require new seek quick and big results. clients to visit our offices. All new matters initially At Oliveri & Schwartz, P.C. New York Personal can be handled over the phone and online. Injury Attorney Paul Oliveri and his team understand that an injury can leave you struggling physically, emotionally and financially. We encourage you to protect your future and Call us at 212-987-1100 or 800-427-9546; text us at 929-600-4992; email us at info@OliveriAndSchwartz.com. Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.
HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 28, 2020
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Staying hydrated — staying healthy
May 28, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
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When the heat rises, keep the fluids coming
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hen the temperatures rise, getting enough to drink is important whether you’re playing sports, traveling or just sitting in the sun. And it’s critical for your heart health. Keeping the body hydrated helps the heart more easily pump blood through the blood vessels to the muscles. And, it helps the muscles remove waste so that they can work efficiently. “If you’re well hydrated, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard,” says John Batson, M.D, a sports medicine physician and an American Heart Association volunteer. Dehydration can be a serious condition that can lead to problems ranging from swollen feet or a headache to life-threatening illnesses such as heat stroke.
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At At At At Comprehensive Comprehensive Comprehensive Comprehensive Audiology, Audiology, Audiology, Audiology, we we we we are are are are committed committed committed committed to to to to providing providing providing providing excellent excellent excellent excellent care care care care At Comprehensive Audiology, we are for for for for adults adults adults adults and and and and children children children children with with with with hearing hearing hearing hearing committed to providing excellent care loss, loss, loss, loss, taking taking taking taking the the the the time time time time to to to to understand understand understand understand for adults and children with hearing and and and and educate educate educate educate each each each each of of of of our our our our patients, patients, patients, patients, and and and and loss, taking the time to understand ensuring ensuring ensuring ensuring each each each each patient’s patient’s patient’s patient’s satisfaction. satisfaction. satisfaction. satisfaction. and educate each of our patients, and ensuring each patient’s satisfaction.
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How much water do you need? What does being well hydrated mean? The amount of water a person needs depends on climatic conditions, clothing worn and exercise intensity and duration, Batson says. A person who perspires heavily will need to drink more than someone who doesn’t. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, may also mean you need to drink more to avoid over-taxing the heart or other organs. People with cystic fibrosis have high concentrations of sodium in their sweat and also need to use caution to avoid dehydration. And some medications can act as diuretics, causing the body to lose more fluid. Thirst isn’t the best indicator that you need to drink.“If you get thirsty, you’re already dehydrated,” Batson says. Batson said the easiest thing to do is pay attention to the color of your urine. Pale and clear means you’re well hydrated. If it’s dark, drink more fluids. If you want to know exactly how much fluid you need, Batson recommends weighing yourself before and after exercise, to see how much you’ve lost through perspiration. It’s a particular good guide for athletes training in the hot summer months. “For every pound of sweat you lose, that’s a pint of water you’ll need to replenish,” Batson says, adding that it’s not unusual for a high school football player, wearing pads and running through drills, to lose 5 pounds or more of sweat during a summer practice. People who are in good shape tend to sweat more, and need to drink more even if they aren’t feeling fatigued, Batson says. Not sweating during vigorous physical activity can be a red flag that you’re dehydrated to the point of developing heat exhaustion. Water is best For most people, water is the best thing to drink to stay hydrated. Sources of water also include foods, such fruits and vegetables which contain a high percentage of water. Sports drinks
with electrolytes, may be useful for people doing high intensity, vigorous exercise in very hot weather, though they tend to be high in calories. “It’s healthier to drink water while you’re exercising, and then when you’re done, eat a healthy snack like orange slices, bananas or a small handful of unsalted nuts ,” Batson says. He cautioned against fruit juices or sugary drinks, such as soda.“They can be hard on your stomach if you’re dehydrated,” he says. It’s also best to avoid drinks containing caffeine, which acts as a diuretic and causes you to lose more fluids. Batson says drinking before you exercise or go out into the sun is an important first step. “Drinking water before is much more important,” he says. “Otherwise, you’re playing catch-up and your heart is straining.” Not just for athletes or exercise Hydration isn’t just important during physical activity. Sitting in the sun on a hot or humid day, even if you aren’t exercising, can also cause your body to need more fluids. People who have a heart condition, are older than 50 or overweight may also have to take extra precautions.
Above photo: According to doctors, there’s no one-sizefits-all formula for daily water intake. The amount of water you should drink daily depends on your body, your health conditions, your medications, and other factors.
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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 28, 2020
THE CORONAVIRUS WAS NOVEL, BUT WE’RE READY FOR WHATEVER COMES NEXT.
That’s because we have been bringing the best and latest medical care, nursing and therapy to bring life to geriatric care for over a century, and were even caring for New York’s elders during all three waves of the 1918-19 Spanish Flu. We’ve learned a lot since that time, and that’s why Parker’s COVID-19 response was quick: • Monitored the coronavirus’ development from the beginning of 2020, and initiated our defense plan. • Used our own resources rather than wait for any additional assistance to provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for all staff. • Closed our facility to non-essential visitors before being required to do so. • As a leading academic campus for healthcare professionals, we mandated special training covering best practices, patient care, infection control protocols and personal safety. • Early and ongoing testing of both symptomatic and asymptomatic residents, patients and staff to improve early detection and isolation.
Short Term Rehabilitation | Long Term Care | Social Adult Day Care | Home Health Care | Hospice | Palliative Care Inpatient And Outpatient Dialysis | Medical House Calls | Managed Long Term Care | Medicare Advantage Plan
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One thing Parker knows that is still true today is that our best science and medical practices are never enough without the genuine loving and compassionate bonds Parker caregivers form with our residents and patients.
Being at home doesn’t mean being on the couch Stay healthy while social distancing Covid-19 has the public rethinking how they stay healthy–— both physically and mentally. Even those in good health can start to feel anxious and fearful when the words ‘pandemic’ and ‘social distancing’ are mentioned. But can you stay active and mentally healthy while social distancing? The answer is a resounding yes. While routines have changed, it’s critical that people keep exercising and eating nutritious meals, since the body is often able to better fight off illnesses when it’s healthy and strong. Taking these steps helps fight off stress, which most people are experiencing right now in one way or another. Get off the couch and step away from the computer to maintain your well-being during this unsettling time. Get outside: While it’s important to limit physical interactions, getting outside for a run, walk or bicycle ride is a great way to boost endorphins and enjoy fresh air. Just make sure to maintain six feet between yourself and others. If weather or other reasons limit your ability to go outside, many companies and gyms are offering free online exercises right now. Endorphins have been found to reduce stress, increase feelings of happiness and help fight against depression. Get proper nutrition: Add fruits and vegetables to your plate for colorful, nutrient-rich meals. Vegetables also are a good source of fiber. Eating well will help you feel better and give you energy to keep moving. Now is a great time to try that new recipe or food subscription box! Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help prevent dehydration. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dehydration can cause unclear thinking and mood swings, among other health problems. Not sure how much to drink? Many medical professionals suggest following the 8x8 rule, eight ounces of water eight times a day.
Stay connected: Just because you can’t be with friends and family in person doesn’t mean you can’t stay in touch. Set up time to connect with video chats, phone calls and emails. Staying connected doesn’t have to be high-tech. Have kids or just a kid at heart? Write encouraging messages on your driveway or in your windows for your neighbors, and postal and delivery workers. Know Your Options: One of the best ways to prepare is knowing what to do if you start to show symptoms. To minimize your exposure, call or email your doctor or local health system about a telehealth visit to be screened. The provider will then identify what steps you should take next. Get support: Talking through concerns and fears can help put them in perspective and make you feel calmer. You may want to reach out for professional support if you’re struggling. Above photo: Now more than ever, taking care of your health should be a priority.
Think positive! Continued from page 3
or twice a day (ideally not first thing morning or after dinner), turning off news alerts, and obtaining information from one or two reputable news outlets. Set boundaries around social media. “There’s this concept of toxic sociality where we constantly have to be connected, even in superficial ways, and when we’re not, it feels like part of us isn’t being ‘fed,’” he explains. “It’s important to practice social distancing with social media too. We may not think we’re having any effect on our newsfeed, but we can take steps to reduce the ripple effect of panic on social media.” He suggests posting positive messages online and being mindful of your likes, shares and comments. Meditate. Meditation can help restore your sense of control as you focus on your breath or a positive word or phrase. “Meditation can help you activate your parasympathetic nervous system, and that’s an antidote to fear,” says Flanagan. “And when you’re more centered, you’re able to create a calm reality around you.” Encourage others. “Often, when we are scared, it can be tempting to repeat negative
messages, but actively encouraging family and friends is really important,” he says. “Chances are, someone is having a harder time than you are. Your words matter and people will respond accordingly. It’s important to realize we are not victims; we are helping to create our environment and change it for the better. By sending positive messages out into the world, you’ll not only affect those around you, but those words will come back to you.” Finding hope “It’s important to remember that this will pass sooner or later,” says Flanagan. “The world has gone through many different challenges, like disease outbreaks, war and uncertain times. For better or worse, these times always pass. That doesn’t mean this time isn’t significantly challenging, but if we focus on what we can control and do things that are good for our health and the health of those around us, we will come out of this in perhaps a more whole state and with a renewed perspective. It’s important to look toward the future and begin building for that future. You can always have hope. Hope never leaves us.”
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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 28, 2020
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HEALTH HEALTHMEMOS MEMO
Now Is the time
Safeguard your and your family’s health care with an estate plan
A
s the COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten our health and financial security (on which our health care depends), it’s more important than ever to ensure that all life planning documents are in order. The time to make sure you and your loved ones are protected is now. With video conferencing, your Will, trust, estate plan, and other advance directives can be prepared and signed from the comfort of your own home. You should consider, or update, the following planning strategies and documents:
√ Life Insurance Beneficiaries
√ Health Care Proxy/Living Will
√ Real Estate Ownership Agreements
Name beneficiaries on your life insurance policies.
√ Retirement Plan Beneficiaries
Name beneficiaries on your IRA, 401(k), pension, deferred compensation plan, and other qualified and non-qualified retirement accounts and annuities.
√ Financial Accounts Beneficiaries
Name beneficiaries on your bank and brokerage accounts. Designate co-ownership and joint ownership of real estate holdings to ensure your properties will pass as intended.
Designate a trusted agent to make medical decisions for you in the event that you can’t, and provide your family with directions regarding extraordinary medical care and end-of-life decisions.
√ Medicaid Plan
Structure your financial resources and prepare documentation to ensure you qualify for long-term care while safeguarding your assets and inheritance.
√ Creditor Protection Plan √ Will
Stipulate how your assets should be distributed after death, designate beneficiaries, and appoint an Executor to carry out your directions.
√ Guardianship
√ Estate Plan
√ Power of Attorney
√ Trust
Appoint persons you trust to be your children’s, parents’, or your own guardians in the event of death, incapacity, or absence. Designate a trusted agent to make legal, financial, and business decisions for you in the event that you can’t.
Protect your assets and beneficiaries in the event of bankruptcy, lawsuits, or debt left behind at death.
Plan distribution of your assets in detail, minimize estate tax, and specify any other instructions to be carried out. Manage, protect, and minimize taxation of your inheritance to minors or persons with disabilities.
√ Tax Plan
Take advantage of tax opportunities resulting from depressed asset values and low interest rates. This list is not comprehensive, nor does everyone need all documents listed. The information is general and is not intended to be, and should not be considered, legal advice. For specific questions please consult an attorney. James Burdi is a partner in Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP’s Trusts and Estates and Elder Law Practices. He can be reached at jburdi@ vmmlegal.com and 516.437.4385 x130.
Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.
HEALTH MEMO Our Promise to New & Current Clients As We Navigate Coronavirus 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.
Paul F. Oliveri, Esq.
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.
T
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.
CALL US AT 212-987-1100 or 800-427-9546 TEXT US AT 929-600-4992
EMAIL US AT Info@OliveriAndSchwartz.com
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May 28, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
A message to our community from Parker Jewish Institute
here’s no greater act of love than those who serve others when and where no one else can see. As the news across the country horrifies us all with statistics revealing the coronavirus’ direct aim at our nation’s nursing homes, we want you to know how grateful we are for your support and generous donations of money and extra supplies, that have helped us equip our staff with the protective gear they need. It is easy to write stories citing numbers without context, but harder to tell the real story of fighting the monster that is Covid-19 from the frontlines. The battle being waged by our brave nursing and clinical
staff is behind enemy lines, as we care for our patients and residents every day. We salute the heroes who report for duty daily, at our mission-driven not-for-profit facility, to protect and care for our patients and residents, and please know that the continued support of our community means the world to us. Thank you!
271-11 76th Ave., Queens • 718-289-2100 • www.parkerinstitute.org Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.
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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 28, 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.
May 28, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
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A second round against a lethal enemy By Bernard roBinson Editor’s note: Bernard Robinson, is a regional director for Northwell Health’s Center For Emergency Medical Services, and a Valley Stream resident. He oversees the daily operations of one of the largest EMS agencies on the east coast. The dramatic miniseries “Band of Brothers” details the bravery and fear shared among the members of US Army’s Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division in World War II. The company faced extraordinary circumstances, which called for extraordinary individuals and teamwork. Each carried another through seemingly insurmountable odds on D-Day and other battlefields. As emergency services workers on the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic, I share the same camaraderie and uncertainties as those heroic men did so many years ago. There’s a sense of pride within my unit. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you came from, you are eager to volunteer, sacrificing yourself for the greater good and helping carry people through the illness. When Covid’s pace accelerated and overwhelmed New York, anxiety rose among the ranks of our staff, who were frantically dealing with regular calls, 911 calls and transferring patients out of the health system’s hospitals to balance the load. At the height, we moved 75 to 100 patients daily, which isn’t surprising considering Northwell Health has treated more Covid-19 patients than any other health system in the US. There were a lot of sleepless nights. Then, I became ill — a health scare like I’ve never had before, and I consider myself relatively healthy. Having Covid-19 curbed everything I knew of living, especially breathing. And despite being hospitalized for five days, afraid to sleep at times and now considered “recovered,” I have re-entered the battle against this deadly virus. Why? Because working in emergency services is more than a profession. It’s a calling. If my family — my wife Connie and two boys, Elijah, 21, and Christian, 19, — is my
world, my CEMS brothers and sisters are my oxygen. Returning to work was never a question in spite of my family’s reservations. I was exposed and unknowingly contracted the virus during a patient transport on Monday, March 23. Back then, I put aside my administrative duties as regional director to assist in the field. We covered overnight shifts to help facilitate transfers. There were a lot of sick patients, all of whom seemed to need to be ventilated. For me, the coronavirus started as a dry cough. Nervousness immediately settled in and four days later I tested positive. Literally, every known symptom had emerged. The fatigue was the worst. Every two minutes I needed to sit still and catch my breath. COVID-19 was as debilitating as advertised. Ultimately, I quarantined myself in my basement, away from my family and typically busy household. I went to the hospital twice. After the first visit, I was diagnosed with pneumonia due to Covid-19 and was released. That night, I was extremely frightened, blowing through seven oxygen tanks just to breathe. I wasn’t sure if I’d make it and refused to sleep. My wife was nervous. My boys were scared. No one or family should experience this. The next day, I was admitted to North Shore University Hospital, where I stayed for five days, participated in a hydroxychloroquine clinical trial and was treated with prednisone, oxygen, albuterol and other medications. Breathing was my main issue, but it improved and I was discharged on Easter morning. It was a blessing to watch a streaming service at my church before heading back to the basement. It was good to be home and feeling better, which is when I realized I needed to recover as fast as I could and get back to work. That day came on Tuesday, April 21, just one month after testing positive. It’s been slow progress. Toward the end of each day, my energy level tends to run down — the lingering effects of the virus. I’m immensely proud of the way our department has responded. Our team has protected themselves and helped thousands of people through this crisis, risking exposure during every Covid
Courtesy Lee Weissman/Northwell Health
vaLLey sTreamer and paramedic Bernard Robinson fell ill with the coronavirus after transporting a Covid-19 patient. He chronicled his battle with the disease. call. I’m now mostly performing administrative duties and yearn to be back in the field. Covid-19 incidence has been slowing to a manageable rate and New York is planning to safely reopen. I’m still in uniform, though, and want to join everyone out there, ready for battle with my Band of Brothers.
Nassau executive details new tennis guidelines By Brian sTieGLiTZ bstieglitz@liherald.com
Residents were already swinging their rackets on the tennis courts at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow on Friday morning when Nassau County Executive Laura Curran detailed the guidelines by which athletes must abide. Nassau officially reopened its tennis courts on May 15 amid Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s announcement earlier this week permitting the reopening of certain low-risk business and recreational activities. Nassau County is following the guidelines of the U.S. Tennis Association. Players could only play singles, or one-on-one, as opposed to doubles. There must be one empty court separating players’ matches. And players must bring their own tennis balls. “Everyone is doing a great job with golf and I know our residents are smart and they will continue to do a great job on tennis,” Curran said, referring to the reopening of golf courses. The announcement also came as Long Island fulfilled five of seven metrics needed to launch Phase One of reopening. Five of the state’s 10 regions began Phase One on Friday, which includes construc-
Brian Stieglitz/Herald
nassau CounTy exeCuTive Laura Curran announced the opening of county tennis courts during her update on the Covid-19 pandemic on May 15. tion, manufacturing, curbside retail, wholesale trade, agriculture, forestry and fishing. Long Island most recently met its fifth benchmark, as hospitals now have more than 30 percent of their beds available.
Curran said that Long Island had long been “right at the razor’s edge” of meeting such a requirement until reaching it Friday morning. Now, Long Island must see a 14-day decline in hospital deaths and fewer than
two new hospitalizations per every 100,000 people. “Despite our overall downward trends, if we get a one-day increase the clock stops and we have to start over,” Curran said of the former requirement. On Friday, county hospitalizations were down 35 percent at 677, the number of patients on ventilators was down 14 percent to 197 and there were 121 confirmed new cases bringing the total to 38,864. The county also had 11 new reported deaths. Curran also announced the county’s plans for Memorial Day weekend amid Gov. Cuomo’s announcement that the state would allow beaches to open at 50 percent capacity starting on May 22. “This is very exciting,” Curran said at the time. “We live on an island. We love our beaches and it’s one of the reasons many of us chose to live here.” Curran announced that the countyowned Nickerson Beach in Lido Beach would be open and monitored by lifeguards. “But we have to remember what Memorial Day is about,” Curran added. “Yes it’s about starting summer, but its about honoring the people who lost their lives protecting our freedoms.”
By Ralph ScheRillo Editor’s note: Ralph Scerillo is a Franklin Square resident, and a former grand knight of the Twelve Apostles Council No. 5001 of the Knights of Columbus. Every immigrant family has an interesting story: ours is the donkey. My grandfather, Raffaele Papaccio, was walking a donkey on his father’s farm. Sometime during the walk, the donkey kicked my grandfather. In pain and fury, he pulled out his big, farmer knife, and stabbed the donkey, killing him. He knew going home wasn’t a good option, so he ran away from home in Solfatara, Naples, and found a job on a steamship shoveling coal in the furnace. He shoveled alph his way to America, and got a job sweeping the street in Long Island City. After a while, he got his citizens’ papers, made some money, went back to Italy, got married and returned to America with his newlywed. Together, they had three children, including my mother, Giovanna. When the children were very, very young, my grandmother decided to move them back to Italy, where my mother grew up and married my father, Giovanni. Together, they had eight children in
Italy, and I was the first boy after four girls. Born in poverty, life was hard. My mother and father always talked about going back to America. In 1954, my mother was able to leave for America with one of my sisters. They planned for the rest of my family to join later, but immigration became difficult because when my father went to the American Embassy for a visa, there was a misunderstanding. They asked him which political party he voted for, but he thought they asked what he did for a living. He answered ‘camionista,’ which means truck driver in Italian. So, the embassy employee thought he said he was a communist. During the Cold War, America wasn’t accepting cheRillo visas from communists, but people with bribe money didn’t have those problems. It took five years, but we got the money and the rest of the family immigrated to the United States. We all got jobs and went to school, and all eight of us were able to make a good living, educate our children and have a good life. I know that God works in mysterious ways and has a sense of humor, but it is a little unusual to be grateful for a dead ass.
News briefs
Guest column
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Courtesy Charles Guder
MeMBeRS of the Twelve Apostles Council No. 5001 delivered nearly 200 Thanksgivingstyle dinners to Long Island Jewish Valley Stream employees on May 15.
KoC delivers food to LIJ V.S. Members of the Twelve Apostles Council No. 5001 of the Franklin Square Knights of Columbus provided meals for nearly 200 staffers at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream on May 15. The Thanksgiving-style dinners, which included stuffing, gravy, yams, assorted vegetables, desserts and bottled water, were presented to the hospital’s executive sous chef to serve
the staff later that evening. According to the Knight’s leadership team, the goal was to try to make sure that they reach out and provide thanks to a significant number of those frontline and tireless workers in the community. They also hope that this effort inspires others in our communities to take on similar activities.
Groups join forces to feed heroes The Community League of Garden City South, Inc., the Garden City South/ West Hempstead VFW Post 325, the Sons of Italy America Lodge No. 2245 and Gonzo’s Mexican Grill joined force to provide a meal to police officers in the Fifth Precinct on May 19.
The food was delivered by Community League President Marge Kelly, Community League Director Matthew Capp, Sons of Italy President Andrew Monteleone and Sons of Italy Vice President Mike Kelly. Hesham Khafaga and his daughter, Alia, also helped out.
MeMBeRS of the Community League of Garden City South, Inc., the Garden City South/West Hempstead VFW Post 325 and the Sons of Italy America Lodge No. 2245 brought Mexican food to police officers in the Fifth Precinct on May 19.
nd! la Is g n o L , s o b b a h S Good
Courtesy Marge Kelly
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LEGAL NOTICE Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) is proposing to collocate antennas at 79feet on a 65-foot structure at 1975 Linden Blvd., Elmont, Nassau County, NY 11003. Public comments regarding potential
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HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 28, 2020
My family’s immigration story: the donkey
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27
HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 28, 2020
Place Homes HERALD Market •
HERALD
How harmful is bleach?
Q. I have a large family — children, parents and grandparents — trying to catch up on cleaning, and I want to ask about using bleach. A plumber friend said we can use bleach, if we dilute it, to wash down appliances and pipes in our kitchen, bathroom and boiler area. The thing that worries me is I read that bleach can cause metal to rust, and don’t want to ruin anything. What do you think? Is it safe to pour down a Ask The drain? The drainpipes Architect could hold virus, right?
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A. Bleach is extreme-
ly corrosive and reactive with metal, as are most concentrated acid and alkali products. Rust, corrosion, oxidation or whatever you call it is caused by the trading of electrons between the metal onte eeper and the bleach molecules. Bleach is often used to give copper products an aged look, by rubbing the liquid on the copper surface. Even though copper is extremely durable and resistive, it does react to bleach. There are four grades of copper pipe, based on thickness. Your plumber is right about making sure you dilute the bleach, but there may be an assumption that you have a thicker, or the thickest, grade of tubing. I don’t recommend using bleach if the pipes are copper. Plastic pipes are inert, and don’t react to bleach, but you’ll still want to dilute it. Pouring bleach down your drain presents more issues than you may realize. It may attack bacteria and viruses, but think of where it ends up. In his recently published book, “Troubled Water: What’s Wrong with What We Drink,” Seth M. Siegel goes into great detail about the consequences of what we put down the drain and how it may affect society as a whole. We depend on clean water, and can’t survive without it. Many chemicals end up down the drain, and we don’t stop to give it a thought, but we should. Everything from paint to gasoline to pills to hazardous waste from hospitals (which isn’t regulated or monitored at the source) goes down the sink or toilet, and ends up being a real challenge to engineers trying to keep drinking water safe. Bleach or chlorine comes into contact with bacteria and organic material like food and feces, and breaks down into carcinogenic byproducts such as trihalomethanes. Studies have shown that there is a link between these byproducts and cancer in several species, including humans. So, no, bleach isn’t safe when you consider the overall accumulated effect. As for metal appliances, the manufacturer’s instructions should be followed. I see only mild soap products recommended in the pamphlets I saved for my appliances — making sure to stay away from electronic parts, of course. Internal components of things like the boiler are also harmed by bleach, since the copper may be thinner. Anti-freeze or glycol is a safer bet, but always consult a manufacturer’s recommendation. Never accept the word of anyone who isn’t an expert before injecting or applying anything, anytime, anywhere. Stay safe!
M
L
© 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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29
opinions
ust take those old records off the shelf. I’ll sit and listen to ’em by myself. I simply short-circuited. After weeks of relative isolation, and being bombarded by constant sad news, I kind of numbed out. I was concerned when the pandemic hit, then I was actively worried, then I was frantic, and then I was numb. Numb is the worst. We all know the fight-or-flight response. Anxiety just takes over, and ratchets your brain and heart into overdrive, Randi even when you kReiss have nothing more stressful to do than prepare a meal or go to sleep. Sleeping is tough. That’s when the unbidden thoughts take over and the what-ifs rule. For me, anxiety is a buffet: Shall I pick the what-if-I-never-get-to-see-my-kidsagain, or perhaps a tasty what-if-Trumpgets-re-elected — or maybe today I’ll chew on what-if-this-kids’-inflammatory-syndrome-explodes-across-the-country, or what-if-what’s-left-after-this-administration-trashes-the-health-care-system-theeconomy-the-environment-and-our-
democracy-doesn’t-resemble-Americaanymore. These mean thoughts float around me, and it requires a concentrated effort to acknowledge the threats and then create a decent hour or a good day or a peaceful night. What I’ve discovered is that music is often the magic that breaks through the numbness and actually brings joy into the moment, or allows a few cathartic tears. For us Boomers, rock ’n’ roll is still the bomb. It zooms us directly back to memories of being young and fearless and in the thick of it. Of not being trapped in a pandemic. So many of the lyrics were dopey but they’re attached to the one great philosophical question in life: Why must I be a teenager in love??? Last week, someone sent me a video montage of New York City with Frank Sinatra singing “New York, New York.” It didn’t feature a deserted Times Square or an empty subway car; it showed the prepandemic frenzy and fun, the tumult of the crowds and the street vendors and the joggers. Sinatra went deep into These little town blues/Are melting away/I’ll make a brand
Y
new start of it/In old New York/If I can make it there/I’ll make it anywhere/It’s up to you/New York, New York. Corny as hell, but it did what no amount of thinking things through could do: It made me feel. It brought tears. Maybe music will help you get through. I’ve heard that several area hospitals pipe “Here Comes the Sun” over the P.A. system every time they discharge a Covid19 patient. Nice. I took myself for a walk a few days ago, and was listening to a bunch of music I had downloaded. Up came “We Shall Overcome,” sung by Peter, Paul and Mary. Deep in my heart/I do believe/We shall overcome, some day. So, yes, I was that woman walking and belting out the great civil rights anthem. Opera houses and entertainment halls, ballet companies and theaters are all offering online performances, many for free. If you can settle your mind into it, you can catch “La Traviata” in the privacy of your home, or stream anything from rock to metal to show tunes. Bach or Beyoncé, it’s all good medicine. Other lyrics weave different spells. When I was a kid, the Jerry Lewis Tele-
es, I was that woman walking and belting out the anthem ‘We Shall Overcome.’
thon was a really big deal over Labor Day Weekend. We went to my Aunt Zelda’s house, where our whole melodramatic family watched Jerry singing and crying his eyes out. We loved every minute of the cheesy sentimentality. We all waited for it: At the very end, Jerry would sing “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” by Rodgers and Hammerstein, and audiences across the country would weep and the money would pour in. It was a thorough cleansing of the soul and the tear ducts. Two Sundays ago, with Jerry dead now for years and telethons not so popular anymore, I saw a full-page ad in The New York Times, a tribute to Columbia University’s graduating class of 2020. It mentioned that Hammerstein had graduated from Columbia in 1916. Rodgers, it said, graduated in 1923. It shared the lyrics that the iconic team had written in 1945: Walk on through the wind, Walk on through the rain, Though your dreams be tossed and blown. Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart, And you’ll never walk alone! You’ll never walk alone. “We walk on, together,” the ad said. Copyright 2019 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
the light amid a dark season
a Remote heRald editor working long into the night, while doing his part to keep the neighborhood cheery.
Christina Daly/Herald
HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 28, 2020
J
Sometimes the right notes unlock the heart
30
Herald editorial
Franklin Square/Elmont
May 28, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
HERALD Established 1998 Incorporating the Franklin Square/Elmont Record Peter Belfiore Editor Melissa Koenig Assistant Editor Donna laWlor Advertising Account Executive office 2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530 Phone: (516) 569-4000 Fax: (516) 569-4942 Web: www.liherald.com E-mail: fseditor@liherald.com Copyright © 2020 Richner Communications, Inc.
HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS Robert Richner Edith Richner Publishers, 1964-1987 ■ clifforD ricHner stUart ricHner Publishers MicHael Bologna Vice President - Operations ■ scott Brinton Executive Edtitor
t
o all those who have subscribed to the Herald for years — and to those who are new readers — the staff of Herald Community Newspapers wanted to take a moment to say thank you. You enable us to do what we do. Assembling a weekly newspaper — and now a daily website and newsletter — is no easy feat. It requires a small army of talented people, from editors and reporters to layout artists, photographers, advertising advertising account executives, accountants, press operators, circulation managers and delivery drivers, not to mention human resource and corporate executives. Subscriptions and advertisements fund all those salaries. So, to all our subscribers, and our advertisers, we very much appreciate your support during this trying time. We understand how fortunate we are that you have our back. In return, we pledge to bring you the
JiM HarMon
Copy Editor cHristina DalY Photo Editor tonY BellissiMo Sports Editor Karen BlooM Calendar Editor ■ rHonDa glicKMan Vice President - Sales ellen reYnolDs Classified Manager lori Berger Digital Sales Manager
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JeffreY negrin Creative Director craig WHite Production Coordinator craig carDone Art Director ■ Dianne raMDass Circulation Director ■
Thanks for supporting the Herald!
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To donate to the Herald, go to liherald.com/donate. To subscribe, go to liherald.com/ subscribe. hyperlocal news that matters most to you. In normal times, that means stories about your friends and neighbors, schools and kids, village and town governments, and high school sports teams. Things have changed over the past two and a half months. We still cover many of the same stories we always have, but our focus for the past 10-plus weeks has been on the coronavirus pandemic. This is what matters to people’s lives now, at this moment in history. Our goal throughout the crisis has been — and will continue to be — to provide our readers
Remembering our warriors’ sacrifices
e marked Memorial Day on Monday, honoring all those who died in military service to our nation. It was a holiday unlike past years, however. Gone were the community-wide parades and elaborate ceremonies. Gatherings were limited to 10 or fewer people, by order of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. We weren’t entirely sure any ceremonies would be allowed until the governor gave the final word on May 19. We hope everyone took some time to reflect on the meaning of the holiday. Nearly 2.9 million Americans have died in battle since the Revolutionary War was fought from 1775 to 1783.
Leaving for war is any citizen’s highest form of service to the nation. He or she must be willing and ready to die. When the bullets and mortars fly, soldiers run toward them, not away from them, if they expect to win. Right now, our nation is engaged in a war of a different sort, battling an unseen enemy, a viral invader that ravages many, while, strangely, leaving others untouched. Our warriors are the doctors, nurses, EMTs, police officers and firefighters in the hospitals and in the communities that have become our new front lines. The coronavirus has been an unrelenting foe, but this fight must continue, and we must win it. We have no choice. Winning requires sacrifice on the part
HeralD coMMUnitY neWsPaPers Baldwin Herald Bellmore Herald Life East Meadow Herald Franklin Square/Elmont Herald Freeport Leader Long Beach Herald Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald Malverne/West Hempstead Herald Merrick Herald Life Nassau Herald Oceanside/Island Park Herald Oyster Bay Herald Guardian Rockaway Journal Rockville Centre Herald South Shore Record Valley Stream Herald Wantagh Herald Citizen Seaford Herald Citizen
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with the vital information they need to make informed decisions in order to protect themselves and their families, while celebrating the many triumphs over adversity and mourning those we have lost. Our longtime editors and reporters say this has been, without doubt, the fastestmoving story they have covered, and there are members of our staff who have been in the news business 30 and, in some cases, 40 years. That’s saying something. The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged us, frustrated us and, at times, broken our hearts. It’s never easy to write an obituary, but during times such as this, it’s especially difficult. The virus has taken too many good people too soon. Telling their stories is our solemn duty, but it is heart-wrenching. As we move on to the next chapter in this ever-changing drama, we’ll do our utmost to keep you informed. Thank you for making that mission possible.
letters Thanks for the common sense, Randi To the Editor: Every Friday I thumb through the Herald to get to Randi Kreiss’s weekly entry, knowing that I will see support for my thoughts and views. I registered as a Republican back in the ’80s, when politicians at least displayed an outward dignity and respect for the jobs we gave them to do. Out of laziness, I haven’t changed my political designation, so the Trump trash still crosses my threshold. (There hasn’t been much lately, which seems odd, when the staged campaign love-ins can’t be held. I guess they don’t want to know the truth?) I read a New York Times article recently about how the coronavirus has affected Russian doctors and
of us all. Some will give more than others. Some will even give their lives in service to others. During World War II, when the fate of the nation and world were at stake, people asked what they could do for their country. Now we find ourselves facing a hostile aggressor that has attacked around the globe. The question each of us must ask is, what can we do to help? That might mean holding a fundraiser, volunteering for or donating to a food pantry, making personal protective equipment for others or just wearing a mask in public. Whatever the case, even though so many of us are asked to stay at home, we are all in this fight together.
31
opinions
he coronavirus will be with us for the foreseeable future. The shutdown we have been struggling with has been painful, inconvenient and sad. We have seen loved ones and pillars of our communities die suddenly of a virus no one knew about a year ago. Classes are being held online, and graduations have been canceled. Businesses deemed non-essential were ordered closed overnight. Thirty-six million Americans — two million of them in New York — have applied for unemLaUra ployment benefits. sCHaeFer There is no precedent for the devastation of our local economy. The silver lining is that the shutdown lowered the curve, as intended. A few weeks ago, my daily updates from the Nassau County Department of Health included the danger of hospitals being overwhelmed because of a shortage of ventilators, the county morgue being filled beyond capacity and the county running out of body bags. Today those dangers have been alleviated. There was a daily effort to ensure that
the brave men and women who were on the front lines, battling the effects of this virus — doctors, nurses, police officers, ambulance drivers and other first responders — had the necessary equipment to protect themselves and their families. This effort extended to getting PPE to those who were working in essential businesses, like supermarkets and funeral homes. The question now is, when will we be able to reopen other businesses? I agree that opening too early may pose a danger to our health, but opening too late poses a danger as well, and I’m afraid that is what we are starting to experience now. I have already heard from business owners who will be closing their doors for good. I shudder as I drive past so many that have been unable to open in any capacity since March. I understand the need to limit the number of people exposed to this horrible virus, but when do we get to be personally responsible again? We have learned the importance of social distancing, hand washing and wearing masks to limit the spread of Covid-19. We have learned about mitigating the risks as much as possible, and for the most part, we have been respectful of one another. Signs in essential businesses
G
ive us the opportunity to get back to some semblance of the lives we used to live.
LeTTers health care workers. With a little editing, the story could just as well have been about this country. It’s frightening that the lies and cover-ups in Russia are so similar to what’s been coming out of the White House. Thankfully, in this country we aren’t automatons, and can think for ourselves and get a job done when government fails us. I’m very dismayed that Dr. Anthony Fauci is being silenced. We need truth now more than anything! The first reaction I had when the pandemic was declared was of the plagues during the Middle Ages. Everything changed then, as it is doing now. This is God’s way of slapping us across the face and saying, “Wake up!” — and in so many ways we are waking up. We’ve changed the way we work and learn; shown more love and tolerance to family, friends and neighbors; given the environment a much-needed break; gained more respect and appreciation for teachers, law enforcement and health care workers; changed our views on universal health care and salaries; and seen the true colors of our elected officials, to name just a few. Then I thought of what some have deemed horrible possibilities: Is this nature’s way of “culling the herd” to protect herself ? Why are some “chosen” to die and others not? What if we never had war, famine, disease, ethnic cleansings? How many people would populate the earth now — or would we have become
remind us of how customers and employees can protect themselves and others. So why aren’t we allowing other businesses to do that as well? If someone can make an appointment to buy a car, why can’t they make an appointment to get their hair cut, using the same precautions? It seems to me that barbershops and hair salons are a great example of businesses that can open safely under specific, stringent guidelines: wear masks and gloves, and limit the number of customers allowed inside. That’s it. If the guidelines aren’t followed, a business owner runs the risk of being shut down. Restaurants should similarly be able to reopen with limited capacity, if that’s even profitable for them, and for many it won’t be. But without the option of reopening before we reach seemingly random benchmarks, these businesses face losing thousands of dollars a day. Every “shut-down” day brings them one day closer to closing forever. Many municipalities are developing a “circuit breaker” approach to reopening, in which a shutdown would be reinstituted if there were a sudden surge in Covid cases. That protocol could easily be put in place. Perhaps it will be, but when? Small business owners are our neigh-
bors, and many are active in our communities, sponsoring our Little Leagues and community events. And many of them have told me they may never reopen if we don’t provide them with a way to do so in a smart, effective and safe manner now — not a month from now. They understand that if they don’t take safety precautions, there are customers who won’t enter their stores or utilize their services, which will only result in more lost revenue. Some people will not go out to any store until they feel completely safe. That’s their prerogative as well. It’s a personal choice, and I believe we’re all ready to make those kinds of choices. I don’t disagree that if we start to see a resurgence of coronavirus cases, we will have to make adjustments. But give us the opportunity to get back to living some semblance of the lives we used to live. Let’s get back to feeling in control and safe again, because we will be vigilant about safety, and expect — and even demand — that of others. Wear a mask, wear gloves, cover yourself from head to toe if that makes you feel safest. When the vaccine is finally available, it will be a game-changer. But let people make up their own minds, so we can get back to business before our economy reaches the point of no return. Laura Schaefer is a Nassau County legislator representing the 14th District.
Framework by Roni Chastain
extinct long ago? Fortunately, and unfortunately, I won’t be around to see what results in generations to come, but I’m very interested, and almost excited, to see what happens in my lifetime. Thank you, Randi, for our weekly Common Sense class, and keep up the great work! VIVIENNE SMITH Sea Cliff
Which Queens guy puts the other to shame? To the Editor: Re Jerry Kremer’s column “Cuomo puts the other guy from Queens to shame” (April 30-May 6): There certainly is no comparison between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Donald J. Trump. One is a typical politician, much like Kremer, and the other is a businessman who accomplishes things he promises. Where has Kremer been the past three years? Under this president, we have had the best economy, more people working, fewer people on welfare, a history-making stock market and on and on. Cuomo praised President Trump for sending aid that he requested, including the hospital ship Comfort, in record time, only to hoard the ventilators and
We can smell it from here — Oyster Bay
hardly use the Comfort. The arrogant Mr. “America was never that great” Cuomo sent Covid-19 patients to nursing homes. Because of his stupidity, many elderly people died. No, Cuomo is at the bottom of the list of governors, only one above that incompetent governor of Michigan. If Kremer would get his face out of
the fake news and think for himself, he would find that President Trump is working tirelessly for the America people. I look forward to another four years of his leadership. CHARLES VAN HORN Glen Head
HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — May 28, 2020
T
It’s time to un-pause Nassau County
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May 28, 2020 — HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
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