March 18, 2020
Dear Neighbor,
Coronavirus Update:
As of today, there are 278 total confirmed cases in Nassau County, with 13 residents hospitalized, two in critical condition. Just today, there have been 142 more confirmed cases than yesterday (as of this morning). Dr Larry Eisenstein, Nassau’s Commissioner of Health, indicated that this large jump in confirmed case was primarily due to increased testing. More commercial labs have come online in recent days. Dr. Eisenstein believes that 70-80% of the new confirmed cases are from one of these labs (LabCorp). We continue to push to get information regarding those who have recovered from the virus. We believe that we cannot get a complete picture of the status of the virus from just confirmed cases alone.
Dr. Eisenstein also indicated that the average incubation period for those with the virus is 5-6 days. Individuals with the virus will likely begin to have symptoms within 5-6 days of exposure.
As most of you know, there is now a drive-thru Coronavirus testing site operating at Jones Beach, located at West End, 350 Bay Parkway, Field 2. Scheduling for the testing is being handled exclusively by the State of New York. If any residents have questions or believe they are showing symptoms, please contact the testing site at 1-888-364-3065 to make an appointment. Please be advised that appointments are necessary to get tested at Jones Beach.
Other testing sites have been opened at Urgent Care facilities in Little Neck and Jericho. These sites will also be open by appointment only, which can be scheduled by calling (516) 874-0411.
As of now, the Town of North Hempstead’s garbage collection schedule will continue as usual.
With respect to grocery stores for seniors and shoppers with vulnerabilities:
1. Target will reserve the first hour of shopping each Wednesday to support vulnerable guests, including the elderly and those with underlying health concerns.
2. Stew Leonards will open half an hour early each day to allow vulnerable shoppers – seniors and those with vulnerable immune systems – to shop in a less crowded environment.
3. Stop & Shop will allow shoppers, ages 60 and older as well as customers who may have weakened immune systems and are more susceptible to COVID-19. to shop in a less crowded environment between the hours of 6am-7:30am daily.
The following stores will also have "senior only" hours:
Shop Rite 2335 New Hyde Park Rd New Hyde Park, NY 11042 Starting tomorrow 6AM -7AM
C-Town Supermarkets 167 Tulip Ave, Floral Park, NY 11001 7AM open to Seniors. 7:30 AM General public
Kings Food Markets 870 Franklin Ave Garden City 7AM -8AM only Seniors allowed to shop
Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace 2330 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow 7AM-8AM
Effective immediately — the state will temporarily halt the collection of medical and student debt owed to the State of New York and referred to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for collection, for at least a 30-day period, in response to growing financial impairments resulting from the spread of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and ideas you have with respect to the county or on any particular issue where I may be of assistance. You may contact me at 516-571-6209 or by email. Thank you.
Rich Nicolello
Presiding Officer
Nassau County Legislature
Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building
1550 Franklin Avenue Mineola, New York 11501