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Meet your neighborhood heroes While many of us have stayed at home to protect our families and loved ones, our health care workers, first responders and others on the front lines wake up each day and leave their families and loved ones behind to respond to those in need. In their selfless devotion to others, these courageous individuals expose themselves to significant risk.
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Their incredible contributions demonstrate the spirit and heart of these outstanding individuals, who often go unrecognized.
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Thank You !
Healthcare Workers • First Responders • Essential Workers
STAY SAFE And wE THAnK YOU!
The Herald joins our communities and readers in expressing our gratitude to
these special people making a difference during this trying time. We are all thankful to our police officers, firefighters, mail carriers, grocery employees, restaurant workers, delivery drivers and all essential service providers who put themselves on the front lines of the crisis daily. We are pleased to honor these deserving heroes. Read on and see why they truly deserve their “hero” status.
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OCEANSIDE
3175 Long Beach Rd. 516.678.1150
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1086949
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1086955
PO Box 53 Merrick, NY 11566
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April 30, 2020 — HOMETOWN HEROES - Herald Community Newspapers
We Are All In This Together. Thank You!
MINNIE RO
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Medical Director of Glen Cove Hospital
are being discharged to have the needed equipment, like oxygen, which a lot of Covid patients need. And I help to facilitate providers and families with an end of life conversation.
Alex Kern Old Brookville Roofing
So many of our providers have stepped up, working very long hours, multiple days — sometimes 30 days in a row at the hospital. The pandemic has made me realize how grateful I am for the things that I do have like my family, my health, my team and how special it is to work at Glen Cove Hospital.
Sometimes the staff just need to reflect and discuss what they are going through. I often have to figure out the unit that will be best for a patient or help those that
When the pandemic began changing what life looks like, Glen Cove’s Alex Kern jumped into action.
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Joe Baskin New York StateCertified Paramedic
I am a certified paramedic with the Sea Cliff Fire Department, an all-volunteer department with no paid members. Since the Covid-19 pandemic struck, we have been fortunate to have both the village of Sea Cliff and our Chief’s office ensure that we have had an adequate supply of personal protective equipment for our use. We are also fortunate to have a core group of emergency medical technicians and paramedics, as well as firefighters, who respond without hesitation to every Covid-positive call we receive.
We respond by driving to the firehouse where we don our PPE (N95 masks, gloves, googles, protective clothing, and boots); then travel to the patient’s home, where we also need to limit contact with family members and friends. We provide medical care to the patient while transporting them by ambulance to the hospital. Finally, we must spend a good deal of time decontaminating and disinfecting the ambulance, our equipment and ourselves in preparation for the next call. Before the pandemic struck, the patient’s family was able to either accompany us in the ambulance or meet their loved one in the hospital Emergency Department. However, patients must now travel alone and are not even allowed to have visitors. It is heartbreaking to tell our patients and family this, during such a stressful time. We need to be extra understanding since the patients can’t see most of our faces or expressions because of the masks we wear, but we do what we can to make things easier.
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Kern, of Old Brookville Roofing, is currently not in business because of the stay-at-home order. So on the side, he has been doing paid essential work, such as eliminating mildew and mold. However, he has also been busy helping his neighbors in any way he can, posting on the Glen Cove Neighbors Facebook page that he is available “free of charge.”
I know that people talk about seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. I’m not quite sure that I see it yet. I’m here to help people solve issues during this pandemic, whether it be management, helping to connect specialists for consultations or having a one-on-one conversation with a staff member to be sensitive to their needs. Sometimes it can be lending a helpful hand, which I can’t do because I can’t use a hand at this point. Let’s say instead that I lend a mindful ear.
again offering it to those who need it.
He immediately took to Facebook, offering his Catskills rental home as a free place to stay. He wanted it to go to a family of a vulnerable person who needed to get away from the hustle and bustle of Long Island. And it surely did, as the family of a child who went through chemotherapy, and had a compromised immune system as a result, was able to stay there for a month. Now that the house is free again, and he is
He even offered his own backyard, which is waterfront, to families that want to use it for leisure. “If someone wants to go stretch, go out on the canoe, have a little picnic, spend three of four hours outside, a little exercising… whatever I can do to help out,” Kern said. “My [children] drive me to do most of the good I do,” Kern said. “I love being a good example for them. I also believe it’s contagious. When you see somebody doing something, you want to do something.”
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Lou LaFauci Plant Manager at Richner Communications/ Herald Community Newspapers
side, at least there’s no traffic. I don’t have to worry about the traffic. That’s about the only positive I can see. In our printing plant, it’s still business as usual, at a somewhat slower pace. We’ve had to juggle people’s hours around to accommodate our customers that are still printing. We are still open around the clock — and will remain so — to support all of our commercial print clients and newspaper publishers with the outstanding service and quality that we are known for. I can’t get a haircut. I find it odd that the medical marijuana dispensaries are open and I can get an Italian ice, but I can’t get a haircut, and I can’t take my dog to the vet.
The coronavirus pandemic is challenging because we have reduced hours. I’m concerned how I’m going to come up with the money to pay [my] bills if this is extended for any length of time. But I’m thankful I’m still working. There’s many people out there who aren’t working at all. It’s a little difficult finding certain cleaning products. Being required to wear a mask is a little challenging because my glasses fog up. On the plus
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April 30, 2020 — HOMETOWN HEROES - Herald Community Newspapers
Dr. Brad Sherman
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us a call and we transfer them, but now because we’re being called to the same addresses multiple times, we’ve developed these relationships.
Valley Stream Highway Department
Obviously, Nassau County has been inundated with Covid-19, and it’s putting a bit of a strain on our medical technicians.
Although work life has changed drastically, he has found a way to use his spare time to help others and focus on something positive. When he realized that many people are susceptible to the virus and are in need of financial help, he decided to put up a Facebook post asking people to drop off food donations to his home. Then, he delivered the items to the Holy Name of Mary Church in Valley Stream and he plans to drop off more items at Blessed Sacrament Church.
This is brand new to me. Fortunately, we haven’t had a situation similar to this. The only other time we sort of have a strain was responding to Hurricane Sandy, but that’s no comparison to what we’re experiencing now. Sandy was more of a regional issue, while this is everywhere.
The Lakeview Fire Department has seen an increase in call volume for all types of emergencies, but especially for Covid-19. For Covid-19 calls, unfortunately, we’re going back to the same addresses because some of the residents get sicker and they call for an ambulance to get transported to the hospital. There’s been a genuine coming together of the community between these local fire departments, EMS providers, and their respective patients. It really hasn’t been like that in quite some time. Usually they give
I’m hoping that folks see that it really takes a village. If there’s a positive that comes out of this, folks will see that it really is on the local level that you’ll get the best care, and with the best care, the more likely you are to recover and survive. We appreciate the efforts of the president, the governor and even our county executive, but when it really counts, the boots on the ground that will be there to help you are your neighbors.
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Brian Paladino Lynbrook Police Chief
about every segment of society. I was alarmed at how some leaders were not prepared, quick to jump on bandwagons, were concerned with circumstances they could not control and sometimes made quick decisions without thinking them through. I’m proud that my leadership team has digested information, made logical deductions and has been proceeding through the pandemic with flexible policies, which adapt quickly to a changing normal. This process has allowed the department to provide care to our employees and residents without wasting capital and valuable safety equipment.
Covid-19 has been a learning experience that has definitely changed how I approach my job and set policy. I’ve learned that the best course of action in developing policy is to allow flexibility in your decision-making. To do this, I found credible, reliable sources for policy information. Covid-19 was a precedent-setting event, and what has been most unnerving was that in a 48-hour period, the state government made an about-face from casually waiting to see how we should handle the problem to closing down just
I can’t say enough about the generosity and compassion that I was able to provide Police Department employees because of the backing I received from Mayor Alan Beach and the board of trustees. I have the best 85 employees a department could have, and early on, the mayor and board trusted my decisions.
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“I don’t interact with the public or coworkers any more and everyone is doing their tasks separately. I miss interaction … It’s hard to wrap your head around this.”
“The uncertainty of the pandemic makes it harder to work… and now the job is lonely,” said Larry Nolan, a laborer for the Valley Stream Highway Department. His job consists of cleaning parking lots, tree removal, filling potholes and maintaining storm drains. Before the pandemic, people would greet him daily. Now that has stopped. He no longer communicates in person with anyone, even his own coworkers. He wears a mask and gloves and must be 10 feet away from fellow workers and pedestrians.
“It’s frustrating and upsetting because everyone would like to go back to the way things were before, but being able to help people when they can’t help themselves is always something I’ve done. It would be catastrophic to not help people in this time and it was remarkable to see how people came together to help for this cause.”
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Thank You
Healthcare workers, First Responders, and Essential workers for all of your hard work and support.
Does working from home have you feeling lower back pain and discomfort even more right now? Tweaked your back with DIY projects in the past few weeks and need advice? Call or Text 516-776-6099 to book a telehealth appointment and we can get you checked out today! We Accept Medicare, No-Fault and most major medical insurances
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Fire Commissioner
Larry Nolan
Kinetic Physical Therapy • 2120 Hempstead Turnpike • East Meadow, NY
THanK YOU! HEalTHcarE wOrKErs • FIrsT rEspOndErs • EssEnTIal wOrKErs for all your hard work and support during this difficult time.
TOM McKEVITT Legislator, District 13
NASSAU COUNTY LEGISLATURE 1550 FRANkLIN AvE, MINEOLA, NY 11501
516-571-6213
1085982
April 30, 2020 — HOMETOWN HEROES - Herald Community Newspapers
Heather McNeill
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THANK YOU
to All of Our Heroes on the Front Lines! Hempstead Town is Here for You!
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we want residents to know that employees and the Town Board are working hard to keep essential services running.
NEED HELP FROM A TOWN DEPARTMENT? Email the following departments at: Building Department:
tohbuildingquestions@tohmail.org
Town Clerk’s Office:
tohtownclerkquestions@tohmail.org
Tax Office:
tohtaxquestions@tohmail.org
Parks Department: 1087507
tohparksquestions@tohmail.org
or call (516) 812-3600
For a list of other department email addresses, please visit hempsteadtownny.gov/directory
STAY CONNECTED • For email updates: hempsteadtownny.gov/townnews-mailing-list • Swift 911 emergency notifications: hempsteadtownny.gov/ emergency-services/ swift911-emergency-notification • Facebook: @hempsteadtown • Twitter:
@hempsteadtown
• Instagram: @hempstead_town
Important Updates • The Town of Hempstead Department of Sanitation will resume recycling pickup starting on May 4th. All collections will remain as scheduled. • Town marinas and the Lido Golf Course have re-opened, but with COVID-19 safety restrictions. • The second half school property tax deadline has been extended to June 1, 2020. Visit hempsteadtownny.gov for information on sanitation collection, marina and golf course guidelines, tax payment options and other Coronavirus-related updates.
IMPORTANT COVID-19 RESOURCES: New York State (NYS) Coronavirus Hotline .........................................................................(888) 364-3065 New York State (NYS) Coronavirus Website .................................................... coronavirus.health.ny.gov Nassau County Department of Health ..................................................................................(516) 227-9570 CDC Coronavirus Disease Hotline ........................................................................................(800) 232-4636 CDC Coronavirus Disease Website ...................................................................................coronavirus.gov NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline ..........................................................................(844) 863-9314
Supervisor
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Don Clavin
Kate Murray
Council Members Town Clerk Dorothy L. Goosby • Bruce A. Blakeman • Anthony P. D’Esposito Jeanine C. Driscoll Dennis Dunne, Sr. • Thomas E. Muscarella • Christopher Carini Receiver of Taxes
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Dr. Darryl Adler
COMMUNITY. HERE
Associate ICU Director at LIJ Valley Stream
SERVICE. HERE WITH HOPE.
“Nobody in this lifetime has experienced anything like this,” Adler said. “It might sound cliché, but in the surge it was almost like war. It really was like war.” “Typically in an ICU, we’re used to sick patients, but at any given time you have patients that are sick, and a few that are very sick, but at certain points every patient in our ICU was in the very sick category, and we have never encountered anything like this,” he said. “The equivalent would be some kind of mass tragedy, that you’d have an influx of very sick patients like this.”
FOR
“When it hit us, every physician or nurse could tell you that all of a sudden there was a huge influx of very, very sick patients” he said. “Typically during winter and fall, those are your busier months, but this was a crazy amount of critically ill patients that were admitted to the hospital, and initially overloaded the Emergency Room,” Adler said. “Initially staffing wise we were ok, but within a very short amount of time we almost tripled our ICU capacity,” he recounted.
“If anyone experienced first hand what we went through, we’d not go against the social distancing,” he said. “It may be rough on the economy … but if the general public really saw what we went through, no one would question what’s being done to decrease this pandemic.”
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Robert Lundie 23-Year LIRR Conductor
I work the main (LIRR) line and the Montauk line. One thing, is that a lot of people’s schedules have shifted. Mine, more or less, is similar to what it usually is. This is a wild time. My wife is concerned. My two children aren’t too young to not be concerned. They understand. I have sort of isolated myself without letting anyone know. After I come home and wash up, I’ll sit at the far end of the couch, just to selfisolate without letting anyone know. For my job, the LIRR is essential for the economy and to get other essential workers to where they need to be. It is important that it stays up and running.
Obviously, the whole world has changed, but going to work when the rest of the world isn’t, that isn’t really new.
Because you’re here for us, we’re here for you. At Molloy, we’re educating nurses on the front lines, the teachers strengthening our communities and the business leaders moving us forward. Because together, we will move beyond this moment and towards a brighter future for us all.
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We do that during blizzards. We did it during Sandy. That part doesn’t prove something new for us. The fear factor of maybe bringing something back home exists. That is real. But that is something you have to put into the back of your mind. Personal protective equipment is there for the railroad workers. Working on trains could be germ-infested on a regular day. We are always cautious. Washing our hands constantly. The clothes I wear go directly into the wash. Sanitizing the hands. All of that.
It’s a sense of pride almost, not just with this situation in particular but through any. My brothers and sisters in the railroad community are still out there working, and we’re lucky. While many are fearful that they are going to lose their job, or have lost their job, we are fortunate to still be out there, servicing the people.
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YHGRAPHICS
We Salute Our Heroes
SHORT TERM REHABILITATION
LONG TERM CARE
COMPASSIONATE STAFF
BEACHFRONT ATMOSPHERE
645 WEST BROADWAY, LONG BEACH, NY 11561 WWW.GRANDELLREHAB.COM 1087310
516.889.1100
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Volunteer, Five Towns Community Center
The current health crisis has had a major impact in our community. While schools are closed and the Zen Den at the Five Towns Community Center awaits the fun that will hopefully soon come, serving in the community has become more than a full-time job. I’m hoping to Gammy’s Dream alive by doing all that we can to help members in our community. We have been very busy working to ensure that families in our community have enough to eat and a shoulder to lean on!
Syd Mandelbaum
Three or four days a week I have been lucky enough to be working at the Five Towns Community Center handing out food with Gammy’s Pantry volunteers that we have been able to obtain thanks Rock and Wrap it Up! and their amazing food recovery initiative. We have had as many as 300 people on line in one afternoon. The need is real. The families that come to the pantry were food insecure even before this happened. This crisis is unbearable to many. We opened the pantry a year and a half ago and have been very busy assisting members in the community. Since March 15 it has been nonstop seven days a week. No matter how tired you are believe me, when you get a call from a neighbor that they know is sick at home and alone with a young child and no food you get an unbelievable burst of energy and you are back and ready to go.
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Founder of Rock and Wrap It Up
for me to stay inside. The community support has been tremendous throughout this pandemic. The Five Towns Community Center has set up a database of cell phone numbers for people who are in need of food. A friend of mine works at Trader Joe’s in Hewlett said they had 10,000 pounds of perishable food that they didn’t want to throw away. Within two hours, I arranged to have the Community Center open and drop off all the food. It was all given out in two and a half hours.
Rock and Wrap It Up! is a Food Recovery and Anti-Poverty think tank that has been feeding people in need for the past 29 years. During this pandemic, we are busier than we’ve ever been.
We were supposed to have a fundraising event for Rock and Wrap It Up! in June but were not sure if that will happen at this point. We can always use donations to keep our operations running and you can find out about donating at our website :www.rockandwrapitup.org. I hope everyone stays safe during this time.
I’ve been going out seven days a week to pick up food from places such as Costco, Trader Joe’s, the Bagelry and Wall’s Bakery. I’ve been picking up food and donating it to those in need for the past 29 years, but the need is much greater now. My children get mad at me for going outside everyday but I realize the need for food is too big
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BEST SERVICE ON THE BEACH
PLUMBING & HEATING CONTRACTORS Family Owned & Operated Since 1929
Our doors are open to help & serve the community at this challenging time. We’re fully staffed and ready to help with any problems, meeting all guidelines. We’ve been here for you for over 90 years, and are here for you now.
We’re In It Together, We’ll Get Through It Together A speciAl thAnks to the heAlth cAre community, first responders And essentiAl workers. Be sure to visit us on the web JohnDMacDonaldPlumbing.com
432-0246
1087380
April 30, 2020 — HOMETOWN HEROES - Herald Community Newspapers
Sasha Young
Licensed - Bonded - Insured Member PHCC
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Long Beach Firefighter and EMT
the challenges ahead. I promised my staff that no matter what, we would help them stay on payroll and together, we would overcome this nightmare. My staff is amazing and we love them all, as we have bonded even more now during this nightmare.
prisons and multigenerational households. We now go into those environments and our precautions or Personal Protective Equipment is critical. We always wear gloves, but now it’s masks, face shields, gowns, full suits, booties for shoes. They’re disposable, a single-use item, you’re hoping it’s not that case that they’re Covid-19 positive, but you don’t know, so you have to take every precaution.
I have a saying in my restaurant, “Tough times don’t last, tough teams do.” This is something we all follow at Salvatore’s. We have a full menu daily, and we made a lot of family specials to help our community during this time.
It was our priority to make sure our staff at Salvatore’s of Elmont, who we consider our second family, was safe and ready to face
When we go to work up here, it’s not me, it’s us. It’s never just one person. When a call comes in everybody has a job to do. They do their job and they do it well. We go there and try to mitigate whatever the problem may be. There’s so many unknowns to this virus – how it’s transmitted, its incubation period and where in and out of homes and facilities, often and everyday. We know that the spread has a higher occurrence in nursing home, dormitories, assisted living,
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Sending thanks and warm thoughts to all of you who are working through these frightening times. Stay Safe!
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Thank you to all Health Care Workers and First Responders for your dedication and sacrifices! You are AWESOME!!
Keats tax & financial service Taxes Are Our Specialty • Unfiled returns • Tax Planning • Individuals
• small Businesses • Estates & Trusts
William F. Keats
Andrew S. Nachamie, Esq. Andrew S. Nachamie, PC
Enrolled Agent
7 Smith Street, Merrick, NY 11566 516-678-7110 fax 516-678-6288
North Merrick, NY 11566-1423
1086945
64 Roydon Drive East Phone: 516.785.6455 | Fax: 516.409.1972 Email: billkeatsea@gmail.com
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During this epidemic we’re all hurting one way or another. Here at My Own Car Guy, we’re maintaining our lowest pricing possible as well as offering $100 Restaurant gift certificates for any referrals that purchase a car. Please share with friends and family if you hear anyone needs a new car and use this gift towards takeout.
A Special Thank You to Those That Serve Our Community
• Irs representation • Tax Preparation • Tax resolution
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Sending thanks and warm thoughts to all of you who are working through these frightening times.
Kumon Math & Reading Center of Merrick 71 Merrick Ave Merrick, NY 11566 516-206-4200 option 2 merrick_ny@ikumon.com www.kumon.com/merrick facebook.com/KumonOfMerrick
As for stress, now that you’re done with work, well now what do you do, you have to go home to your family. Did I expose myself to this? Did I get something on my clothes? Can that be transmitted to my kids? You have that level of stress that you’re trying to deal with.
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Like most local restaurants, Salvatore’s of Elmont has been greatly affected by the Covid-19 crisis. As more restrictions were implemented, we had to adjust in order to keep our business open while continuing to be a vital part of the community. And, before we were required to close the dining area, we offered our space as a safe place for children to do their schoolwork and get free pizza.
To thank the community, Salvatore’s has been supporting first responders by donating food to families in need, giving free pizza dough to add some happiness and donating to various local hospitals, like LIJ Valley Stream and North Shore LIJ. We have also set up a GoFundMe page with 100 percent of the proceeds being distributed to nurses during National Nurses Week in May. For those families who struggle to feed their children, we have provided pizza slices and pizza kits free of charge.
If we transport them and they are positive, now we’re bringing it to the ambulance and now the whole apparatus needs to be decontaminated. That takes time and equipment and delays that unit from getting back in service. We’re trying to encourage folks to stay home.
andrew@nachamie.com General office email: docs@nachamie.com
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Owner of Salvatore’s of Elmont
April 30, 2020 — HOMETOWN HEROES - Herald Community Newspapers
Billy Piazza
Vito Cortesiano
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Dr. Adhi Sharma Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital
needed, sourcing personal protective equipment to keep our staff safe, sourcing and testing experimental medications we are trying to use to fight the coronavirus. It’s been a life and death struggle every day.
Franky Jorge Owner of Gala Fresh Farms Supermarket
We have multiple operations and logistics calls daily, affording us the highest level of situational awareness I have ever experienced in my career. The level of teamwork we achieved during this crisis was unprecedented. People simply asked what they could do and then went to it. It has been inspirational to help oversee our response, at every level, from nursing to medical staff to the maintenance team.
Since the Covid-19 crisis began, our entire leadership team has been working seven days a week, just to try and keep up with the unprecedented demands of trying to keep these patients alive. Operating in crisis mode has been exhausting on our entire staff, especially those at the bedside. Each day brings a new challenge, a new shortage and a new issue to be addressed that we never had to consider before, like how to share a ventilator if
The coronavirus is a terrible disease, but to watch the entire hospital staff rise to occasion, to watch them go above and beyond anything I’ve experienced previously, and to see the community support of our health care workers has been both inspiring and humbling. Every day I am proud to be a member of this dedicated team of courageous and selfless health care professionals.
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Leandro Granados Mercy Medical Center Custodian
to ensure we, as staff, are protected while at work. The process to effectively clean a Covid patient room requires a lot more detailed cleaning and time compared to a non-Covid room.
“This pandemic has been difficult for everyone,” Jorge said. “People are losing loved ones, people are losing jobs, and our team members are working harder than ever to try and fulfill our increased demand. We do appreciate the support the community has given us and Gala Fresh Farms promises to continue doing the best job we can to serve our area.” He doesn’t consider himself a hero, but Franky Jorge, the owner of Gala Fresh Farms Supermarket in Baldwin, has certainly been putting in the extra effort to cater to those in need during this unprecedented time. To help his community’s most vulnerable residents, he implemented early store hours reserved only for customers over 60 and those who are disabled. The special hours, which began over a month ago, run from 7 to 8 a.m.
Since the pandemic, I’m more conscious of my movement: being extra careful of what I touch and to ensure all things are sanitized – in fact, it has started to feel like an obsession. I feel obligated to provide exceptional environmental services to all patients, despite the constant fear of becoming infected. My dedication to my job led me to continue to provide patients with a clean environment to recover in. The pandemic has increased my workload extensively. The constant donning and doffing of PPEs takes time, which is done
My home life has been impacted greatly. I have been isolated from my 8-year-old daughter and wife for five weeks. I miss them immensely, but I do it to ensure they are safe.
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Melissa Kupferberg Social Worker at Maple Pointe Assisted Living
I sometimes become depressed seeing the mortality rate in the nation rising, often thinking “that could happen to me.” But I show up every day and put my best foot forward. I empathize with the patients and it motivates me to work even harder for them. In the beginning of this pandemic, I was very confused and worried of the unknown. Everything was so chaotic. However, I commend the Director of Environmental Services, Gerard Lockwood, for providing us with sufficient supplies of disinfectant chemicals and tools to combat this virus.
The grocery store also delivers food to older individuals and takes email and phone orders in special cases. Jorge has also prepared a $5,000 donation to the food pantry at St. Christopher’s Church, hoping that more people will follow suit and support local pantries as so many people struggle with food insecurity, especially during times of crisis.
Ever since I could remember, I have always wanted to be a social worker for senior citizens. I work at an sssisted living facility and I, along with health care workers across the nation, have abruptly been faced with a challenge that none of us ever thought we would experience. Previous conversations that I would normally engage in have drastically changed. We used to discuss adjusting to a new home and the AL setting, struggles in giving up their homes and independence to follow-
ing new routines and structures. Today, we discuss their fears and worries of this global disaster. We discuss friends that were taken too soon and their own fears of death. One month ago, I would engage with our residents face to face and hug them. Today I wear the proper protective equipment for each friendly visit. This equipment is required for every visit and allows me to utilize FaceTime or a window visit so that our residents, at a time when they feel so isolated, can enjoy a visit or speak to their loved ones. My new norm includes picking out clothing for a funeral or collecting personal items for a resident that we lost. Even in the most difficult of circumstances, I am proud to help our residents communicate with their loved ones daily, including those who are facing their last days on earth. As we learn to adapt to this new normal, I continue to do my best to provide the same quality of life as before this pandemic. My mission will always remain driven by my passion that I never want any resident to feel alone.
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TO OUR NURSES FIGHTING FOR OUR LIVES, THANK YOU.
For Showing Up For Stepping Up For Putting Our Patients Above Yourselves For Your Dedication and Resolve in the Face of COVID-19 Nurses’ Week, May 6-12, 2020
Cartoon by Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, ©2020; Used with express permission.
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mountsinai.org/southnassau
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Manager of the Long Island Council of Church’s Food Pantry
We changed our hours of operation from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and then from 12:30 p.m to 3 p.m.
Gabriella Franzese Supervising Pharmacist
Since the pandemic began, Garfield’s has shortened its business hours to account for being short-staffed, as some employees are under self-quarantine. Franzese is the supervising pharmacist, and has worked there every day for the past four weeks.
Before we open our doors, we prepare the carts and sanitize everything. We were a little panicky at the beginning about how to make sure everything was clean and safe, but now we’re on top of everything. When we open our doors, we go in for them and pick out all the food they’ll need. Some find it a bit strange that they can’t shop for themselves, but we need to keep everyone six-feet apart at all times. All they have to do is sign in. We even provide a mask for them if they don’t have one.
There’s an escalating use of the food pantry now. On Wednesday we saw about 102 families come in. On Tuesday about 80 came in. It’s really gone up from even the 55 that came out on Monday. People can be shy at first. They say, ‘I’ve been furloughed, so is it okay for me to come?’ Others say, ‘This is happening because of Covid-19 . Am I still able to get food?’ I tell them that it’s okay. This is an emergency food pantry, and it doesn’t matter what the emergency might be. We’re here to help you.”
I still sleep like a baby at night knowing we’re helping everyone we can through this. I let them know that we’re not alone even if we can’t be together. For more information on how to get help or donate, call 516-868-4989, or visit LICCDonate.org.
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voices,” said the native Merokean, who now lives in Seaford.
“If we close there’s no way for people to get their monthly medication or antibiotics,” she said. “There is no choice — I have to come to work.”
“You think of what all the doctors and nurses are doing, but nobody really thinks of the pharmacists.” Since her senior year at Calhoun High School, Gabriella Franzese has worked at Garfield Pharmacy in North Merrick. That was 10 years ago, but she said she’s still impressed by the constant stream of longtime clients that continue to visit the pharmacy, even during the coronavirus pandemic. “You can’t tell who people are since everybody’s wearing a mask, but you recognize
The pharmacy is offering curbside pickup and making deliveries to a limited number of elderly customers. Immunity boosters such as Vitamin C, zinc and Airborne are flying off the shelves, Franzese said, and phones are “ringing off the hook.” “It’s been pretty hectic,” Franzese said, “but I’m grateful to all of our customers who are staying with us, even those who can’t make it out.”
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When we needed you, you were ready. Thank you. We’re incredibly grateful to the healthcare professionals and first responders caring for our community during this difficult time – and proud of the many students, alumni and members of the St. Joseph’s community who stand among them.
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We Want To Thank All Those Working During These Difficult Times. Please Stay Safe!
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According to directives from his denomination’s leadership, St. Gregory’s can have a maximum of five “essential” attendees at any liturgy. “This includes me, my wife, the cantor, an adult altar server and maybe one reader,” he said. “I think of sick calls and last rites as emergencies,” he said, “so I go. And if people want communion who aren’t able to come to church, I give it to them.” Gromm said that despite the church’s directives, people do still sometime show up for liturgy. “They stand apart, and most wear masks. I have to be prayerful about it; I can’t tell them to leave.”
He advised that anyone wanting to know about Covid-19 in detail should consult his Chinese-born wife, Pani Yoanna. “She reads about it constantly and gets some information from her Chinese relatives when she talks with them — as much as
“I’m a student of history,” said Gromm, who taught the subject before his ordination. “This is all new. I’ve never read about anything like this. But now [the virus] is out there, it may always be out there.” CENTURY 21 ® Global Rebrand
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Thank you to all our healthcare workers, first responders, police officers, firefighters, grocery employees, military service members, restaurant workers, delivery drivers, teachers, essential service providers, and all those who are working to keep our community safe. May all our community members stay safe and stay well. 5.17.18 81
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“I don’t know much about the virus,” Rev. Andrew Gromm, pastor of St. Gregory of Nyssa Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church in Seaford, readily admits. “It’s too complicated.”
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they can say.”
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Thank you to the frontline workers... You are the true Heroes!
Our warm thoughts and our gratitude goes out to all the heroes working the front line. The sacrifices they are making to help keep us safe is humbling and fills us with gratitude and pride. The words “thank you” do not seem to be enough.
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THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE INVOLVED BECAUSE YOU ARE
Rev. Andrew Gromm
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To those who run toward the danger so we can stay safe. Thank you.
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YOU GIVE US YOUR BEST.
Heartfelt thanks to our healthcare heroes.
Stay safe!
While we’re here for you in our own little way, we can hardly find the words to express our gratitude and appreciation for the frontline nurses, doctors and others who are literally saving lives – and risking their own – every single day.
During this crisis, we’re on-call for both in-person and virtual visits by appointment only. orlincohen.com/covid-19 | Nassau: 516-536-2800 | Suffolk: 631-706-2800 Rockville Centre
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AS THIS CRISIS GIVES US ITS WORST,
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