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Vol. 24 no. 2
Residents roll up sleeves for Covid vaccine The Herald spoke with local health care workers who recently received their first Covid-19 As the Pfizer-BioNTech and inoculations. Each viewed the Moderna Covid-19 vaccines roll vaccines’ arrival as a light at the out across the country, Bellmore end of the tunnel — having and Mer rick residents are toiled through the first wave of among the thousands of New the pandemic — but noted that Yorkers who have already preventive measures should still received their first doses of the be taken as hospitreatments. tals face a second The vaccine wave. developed by PfizMer rick resier-BioNTech began dent Fran Stevens nationwide distrihas worked in the bu t i o n i n m i d emergency departDecember after ment at Mount receiving approval Sinai South Nassau from the U.S. Food in Oceanside for and Drug Adminismore than 30 years, tration. The Mod- roB WEChSlEr but she had never erna vaccine was Pharmacist, seen the volume of approved for use a critically ill and week later, and Plainview Hospital dying patients both treatments treated at the hoswere more than 90 percent effec- pital that she saw at the height tive in preventing coronavirus of the pandemic. She received an infection during clinical trials. initial dose of the Pfizer-BioNExperts say the vaccines Tech vaccine just after Christshould be widely available to the mas, and is due for her second public by April or May. In the shot on Jan. 20. meantime, the first doses will go “Since we’re getting inundatto essential workers, in particu- ed again, something has to be lar hospital employees, long- done — this is not going away term care facility workers and with masking and social distancemergency medical technicians, ing,” Stevens said. “The vaccine as well as nursing home residents. Continued on page 3
By alySSa SEIDman aseidman@liherald.com
Christina Daly/Herald Life
to SPrEaD ChrIStmaS cheer, sisters-in-law Andrea Casano and Jennifer Casano organized a community-wide tree-decorating and luminary walk for their neighbors in Merrick on Dec. 19. The 2020 themed tree included hand-drawn rainbows, pictures of essential workers, facemask ornaments and toilet paper trimmings
Community event decks streets with holiday cheer By alySSa SEIDman aseidman@liherald.com
’Twas the week before Christmas and all through the streets, Merrick residents hustled and bustled to meet. On nearly 30 lawns throughout the neighborhood, specially themed trees adorned with ornaments stood. On Dec. 19, families smiled and gawked as they made their way through the Community Holiday Tree and Luminary Walk. The event was organized
by sisters-in-law Andrea Casano and Jennifer Casano, who live near Chatterton Elementary School. To spread some cheer amid the coronavirus pandemic, they recruited 20 neighbors to serve as “block captains” for the walk, and each captain was charged with setting up a tree on his or her street. The captains then invited their neighbors to add ornaments and decorations to the trees, which corresponded to each block’s chosen theme,
creating a miles-long spectacle never before seen in the community. Jennifer got the idea when talking with one of her neighbors, Sharon Loscalzo, last fall. Loscalzo walks her rescue dog, Sammy, past Jennifer’s house every day, but the two got to know each other better while staying home during the pandemic lockdown last spring. “It’s an interesting thing: You can take the same route Continued on page 9
t
he benefit of this vaccine clearly outweighs the risk.