If someone would have told me after our last Village Board meeting on March 3rd that we would be experiencing a global virus pandemic, and we would not be able to send our kids to school, or go the gym, movies, concerts, restaurants, or houses of worship, I would have replied “What?” Yet, here we are in the middle of a crisis.
While there have still been no recorded cases of the coronavirus COVID-19 within the Village of Lindenhurst, my intent in writing this letter is to emphasize my concern about this virus, and assure you that we should not panic at this stage of uncertainty. The global picture is changing rapidly, and as we receive updates from Federal, State, County and Town officials and agencies, we need to step up preparedness.
On a Village level, I have declared a State of Emergency, and your Village Government is doing everything possible to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of all our residents. Village Hall will continue to be open during our normal business hours to answer telephone calls and e-mails, but to protect the health and welfare of our residents and staff, until further notice, Village Hall will be closed to the public.
The Lindenhurst Fire Department and EMS are always a telephone call away, and ready and willing to offer help in any emergency. Our Department of Public Works will continue to pick up garbage and recyclables on a daily basis. The Village of Lindenhurst has a great staff, ready to help in any circumstance. We are also proud to be working closely with other local officials, including Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Shaffer, Suffolk County Legislator Kevin McCaffrey, and NYS Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre.
I do not claim to be a doctor, but it would be remiss of me not to pass on information from the CDC regarding how we can help prevent the spread of this virus:
- Please avoid public assembly areas if you have a cold or any type of flu symptom(s).
- Frequently wash your hands with soap and water, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after coughing or sneezing. If soap and water is unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick; cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or a sleeve.
- If you are sick, please make sure that you have fully recovered before returning to your normal activities.
- Those who have traveled to areas with heightened levels of exposure should inform a healthcare professional immediately.
As your Mayor, and on behalf of the Lindenhurst Village Board, I promise to continue to monitor the spread of this virus, edit our plans as circumstances dictate, and provide you with updates in a timely manner.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I wish everyone good health in the days ahead.
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