________________ LONG BEACH _______________
HERALD Also serving Point Lookout & East Atlantic Beach
Great Homes August 12, 2021
the Ultimate Local Home showcase
$1.00
Great Homes
New water pump raises concerns
l.B. police back Kaminsky
Pull-out
Page 3
Page 16
Vol. 32 No. 33
AUGUST 12 - 18, 2021
Parents debate value of masks Some threaten to pull kids from school if coverings are mandated from a test positivity rate of 0.79 percent in early July to about 3.5 percent this month. A number of About 200 people turned out parents said they didn’t think for a Long Beach Board of Edu- masks made a difference in stopcation meeting Tuesday night to ping the spread of the coronaviexpress their views on the vola- rus. Some cited “studies” they tile topic of whether masks said proved that point. Some should be mandated for children even said they would withdraw returning to school this fall. their children from public school The board is if masks were manscheduled to dated. Others pleadannounce a decision ed for masks as a at its Aug. 24 meetprime way to coning. The school distain the disease. trict sent out a surAs the meeting vey asking parents began, Dr. Matthew whether they supCohen, a Long ported a policy makBeach pediatrician ing masks mandatowho was asked by ry or one in which the district to prothey were optional. vide input because Superintendent Jenhe is well known in nifer Gallagher said Dr. mATTHew the city and treats earlier this week many district chilthat the results had CoHeN dren, argued strongbeen running 50-50. Pediatrician ly that masks help About 20 people prevent the spread spoke at the twoof the virus. He said hour meeting at the Lindell that earlier in the summer, the School, and while opinions were Alpha variant had “washed certainly divided — and passion- through,” and that if he had had ate — it appeared that more par- to make a recommendation then, ents opposed mandatory mask- he would not have favored making. ing masks mandatory. The meeting took place at a “ B u t t h e s i t u at i o n h a s time when Covid-19 cases are increasing in Nassau County, Continued on page 15
By JAmeS BerNSTeiN jbernstein@liherald.com
i
Christina Daly/Herald
roaring ’20s return Artists in Partnership Inc., in conjunction with South Shore Theatricals, staged a cabaret-style production of song and dance called “Back to the 20s!” at Temple Israel in Long Beach last Sunday, featuring songs that defined the era, from “Ain’t We Got Fun” to “The Charleston.”
Rise in Covid has L.B. worried As rates increase, more are masking up again By JAmeS BerNSTeiN jbernstein@liherald.com
Many people thought the beast had been tamed, but cases of Covid-19 are rising again across Nassau County, raising concerns among Long Beach residents, according to interviews over the past few days. A number of people who talked with the Herald in Kennedy Plaza, outside City Hall, said they are now wearing
masks when they enter stores, washing their hands more, avoiding large groups and asking their doctors about the possibility of receiving booster shots as soon as they become available. T his despite asser tions among all interviewed that they had been fully vaccinated against the virus. “Sure, I’m concerned,” said Samara Bustamante, of Valley Stream, who was selling fruit at
a stand at the farmers market last Saturday. Bustamante used to be in the travel business, and went overseas frequently. Now she refuses to travel, she said. “I haven’t traveled since March 2020,” she said. “With the variant out there, you don’t know what could happen.” Bustamante said her biggest worry was what would happen to children under age 12, who Continued on page 5
f you want to unmask your child, you will be seeing increased infections.