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Flu Cases Up, Now Deemed 'Prevalent' By NY Health Officials Flu Cases Up, Now Deemed 'Prevalent' By NY Health Officials
Flu Cases Up, Now Deemed 'Prevalent' By NY Health Officials If you haven’t gotten your flu shot this year, now’s the time to do so. New York State Health Commissioner James McDonald declared that influenza is “now prevalent” in the state on Wednesday, Dec. 6. The declaration requires healthcare workers who have not received this year’s flu vaccine to wear masks in places like hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices. "Health care personnel who are not vaccinated against the flu this season need to take extra precautions and wear a mask in health care facilities, as they are exposed to sick patients and come into close contact with those most vulnerab…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
COVID-19: NY Rolls Back Contact Tracing Requirements For Local Health Departments COVID-19: NY Rolls Back Contact Tracing Requirements For Local Health Departments
Covid-19: NY Rolls Back Contact Tracing Requirements For Local Health Departments New York State will no longer require local health departments to perform contact tracing of positive COVID-19 cases amid the rise of the Omicron variant that has been rapidly spreading in record numbers. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and acting Department of Health Commissioner Mary Bassett announced on Tuesday, Jan. 11 that with the recent unprecedented rise of new infections, it has become impractical for officials to allocate resources toward contact tracing. Previously, New Yorkers who tested positive for COVID-19 were contacted by state or local health officials who questioned them about…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
COVID-19: Omicron Surge Affecting Staffing Levels For Essential Workers COVID-19: Omicron Surge Affecting Staffing Levels For Essential Workers
Covid-19: Omicron Surge Affecting Staffing Levels For Essential Workers The spread of the more-transmissible Omicron COVID-19 variant is leading to staffing shortages for some essential employers who have been hit hardest by the winter surge of the virus. Essential employees have been forced to call out of work en masse in recent weeks due to positive Omicron infections that have led to staffing shortages for first responders, healthcare workers, supermarket workers, flight crews, and other key professions. The shortages have led to hundreds of canceled flights, closed restaurants, and short-staffed retail stores, leaving workers frustrated and fatigued af…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: New Research Reveals Percentage Of Cases That Occur Without Symptoms COVID-19: New Research Reveals Percentage Of Cases That Occur Without Symptoms
Covid-19: New Research Reveals Percentage Of Cases That Occur Without Symptoms Health officials have released a new study confirming that nearly half of all those who contract COVID-19 infections remain asymptomatic, confirming a long-held belief. New research found that more than 40 percent of those who tested positive for the virus have not shown symptoms, according to a new study published this week in JAMA Network Open. In the study, researchers examined nearly 100 studies between January 2020 and February 2021 of nearly 30 million people in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Africa. Of those millions, approximately 60 percent of confirmed COVID…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: NY Hospital To Stop Delivering Babies After Unvaccinated Employees Quit, Report Says COVID-19: NY Hospital To Stop Delivering Babies After Unvaccinated Employees Quit, Report Says
Covid-19: NY Hospital To Stop Delivering Babies After Unvaccinated Employees Quit, Report Says A hospital in upstate New York announced that it will have to stop delivering babies after a number of employees in the maternity department quit due to a COVID-19 vaccine requirement, according to a new report. The Watertown Daily Times reported that in the past week, six staff members in the maternity department at Lewis County General Hospital resigned, and seven more unvaccinated employees could join them. Chief Executive Officer Gerald Cayer said the number of resignations has left the Lewis County Health System no other choice but to pause the service at the hospital, the news ou…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: State Workers In NY, Hospital Employees To Be Required To Get Vaccinated COVID-19: State Workers In NY, Hospital Employees To Be Required To Get Vaccinated
Covid-19: State Workers In NY, Hospital Employees To Be Required To Get Vaccinated New York will require state workers to be vaccinated by Labor Day, or else face weekly testing for COVID-19 as the country faces off against variants of the virus, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced. During a briefing on Wednesday, July 28, Cuomo announced that state employees would be required to get the vaccine while encouraging local governments to take similar steps across New York, specifically citing areas with high COVID-19 rates. Cuomo said that all patient-facing health care workers at state hospitals will also be required to be vaccinated. “We want to make sure health care workers ar…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Too Much Variance In Healthcare Workers Are Getting Vaccinated On LI, Cuomo Says COVID-19: Too Much Variance In Healthcare Workers Are Getting Vaccinated On LI, Cuomo Says
Covid-19: Too Much Variance In Healthcare Workers Are Getting Vaccinated On LI, Cuomo Says Healthcare workers in New York are being vaccinated for COVID-19 at a quicker rate statewide as officials continue to prioritize controlling hospital capacity during the latest wave of the virus. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that the state’s top priority when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine is to ensure that healthcare workers receive their shots first to ensure hospitals can maintain necessary staff during the pandemic. 
“Our top priority on the vaccination was healthcare workers to make sure we have hospital capacity. We want to make sure hospitals don’t reach their capacity limits a…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Hospital Workers Being Vaccinated At Lowest Rate In NY; New Data COVID-19: Long Island Hospital Workers Being Vaccinated At Lowest Rate In NY; New Data
Covid-19: Long Island Hospital Workers Being Vaccinated At Lowest Rate In NY; New Data Hospital workers on Long Island are being vaccinated at the lowest rate in the state, causing some concern for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Weeks after the vaccination was made available to frontline healthcare employees, just 61 percent of hospital workers on Long Island have taken the COVID-19 vaccine, which has been a hot commodity since becoming more widely available earlier this month. Here’s which of New York’s 10 regions have vaccinated the most hospital employees: Central New York: 82 percent; North Country: 78 percent; Finger Lakes: 72 percent; Mohawk Valley: 70 percent; Capital …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Here's How Many Long Island Hospital Workers Have Been Vaccinated, Refused Shot COVID-19: Here's How Many Long Island Hospital Workers Have Been Vaccinated, Refused Shot
Covid-19: Here's How Many Long Island Hospital Workers Have Been Vaccinated, Refused Shot More than 50 percent of the hospital workers on Long Island who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine have done so, though the region is lagging behind others across the state. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that 60 percent of hospital workers on Long Island have received the COVID-19 vaccine, while statewide, a total of 60.8 percent of medical professionals have been vaccinated. Cuomo also made note that vaccination performance is uneven by region, with Long Island hospitals having used 78 percent of the doses allocated to them, with only New York City (60 percent), Finger Lakes (7…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: New York Sees Number Of Vaccinations Administered Triple COVID-19: New York Sees Number Of Vaccinations Administered Triple
Covid-19: New York Sees Number Of Vaccinations Administered Triple The number of COVID-19 vaccinations being administered across New York has nearly tripled this week after a slow initial roll out over the first month the vaccine was available. This past week, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo expressed frustration that some hospitals had been slow to begin administering the vaccine to healthcare workers, employees, and residents in nursing homes. In the first three weeks the vaccine was made available, New York hospitals used less than half of their allotment of initial doses, with 10,809 vaccines being administered daily. Related story - COVID-19: NY Set…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Here's The Percentage Of Long Island Healthcare Workers To Receive Vaccine COVID-19: Here's The Percentage Of Long Island Healthcare Workers To Receive Vaccine
Covid-19: Here's The Percentage Of Long Island Healthcare Workers To Receive Vaccine The majority of frontline healthcare workers and essential employees on Long Island who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine have yet to do so, according to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. During a COVID-19 briefing on Friday, Jan. 8 in Albany, Cuomo said that it is imperative hospitals ramp up the administration of vaccines to doctors and nurses who could serve as super-spreaders if they contract the virus and inadvertently pass the infection to patients. On Long Island, the state has identified 427,000 healthcare workers who are eligible to be vaccinated in Phase 1A, the most in New Y…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Cuomo Lays Out Plans For Phase II Of Vaccination COVID-19: Cuomo Lays Out Plans For Phase II Of Vaccination
Covid-19: Cuomo Lays Out Plans For Phase II Of Vaccination New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo laid out the state’s plans for the second phase of administering COVID-19 vaccines to essential workers and the general public most at-risk of catching the virus. This week, Phase I of the state’s vaccination plan began, as the first frontline healthcare worker in Queens was given New York’s first dose, with other allocations shipped to hospitals across the state. Earlier story - COVID-19: First NY Vaccine Administered To Critical Care Nurse Phase I of the plan, as dictated by the state, is earmarked for healthcare workers, nursing home residents, and employ…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Indoor Dining To Close In NYC, Possibly Other Areas; New Rules For Gyms, Salons In NY COVID-19: Indoor Dining To Close In NYC, Possibly Other Areas; New Rules For Gyms, Salons In NY
Covid-19: Indoor Dining To Close In NYC, Possibly Other Areas; New Rules For Gyms, Salons In NY The New York State Department of Health and Gov. Andrew Cuomo have made some revisions to guidance for certain businesses as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations keep increasing. With hospitalizations up to 5,159, the highest since mid-May, and the positivity rate statewide rapidly climbing, Cuomo announced on Friday, Dec. 11 that some businesses will be rolled back to help curtail the spread of the virus. As of Monday, Dec. 14, indoor dining in New York City will be closed, though outdoor dining and takeout will still be permitted.  Cuomo also said that health officials are evaluating…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Tribeca Film Festival Heading To Long Island As Drive-In Experience COVID-19: Tribeca Film Festival Heading To Long Island As Drive-In Experience
Covid-19: Tribeca Film Festival Heading To Long Island As Drive-In Experience The Tribeca Film Festival is taking its show on the road and will be arranging drive-in screenings of films across the country, including on Long Island. Rather than canceling the event altogether, the famed festival will be screening films at Nickerson Beach in Lido Beach on most weekends in July. The schedule and list of films to be shown has not been finalized or released. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale on Monday, June 22. According to organizers, the movies screened will be "a curated selection of new, classic and independent films, as well as special music and sports events."&nbs…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: New York Air National Guard Long Island Flyover Set COVID-19: New York Air National Guard Long Island Flyover Set
Covid-19: New York Air National Guard Long Island Flyover Set The New York Air National Guard will salute healthcare workers who have battled the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic for months during a flyover of hospitals and health facilities. The 106th Rescue Wing “Salute Long Island Flyover” begins at noon in Suffolk County on Friday, May 15, from F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton. It's expected to continue till around 2 p.m. Three aircraft, an HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue airplane and two HH-60G Pave Hawk search and rescue helicopters will participate. The flight path of the flyover by the New York Air Nation…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Violinist Performs Daily For First Responders, Neighbors In Westchester COVID-19: Violinist Performs Daily For First Responders, Neighbors In Westchester
Covid-19: Violinist Performs Daily For First Responders, Neighbors In Westchester During these times of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been at least one positive change. Many people are showing how much they care about each other.  They're doing it by clapping and banging pans each night at 7 p.m. to honor first responders, healthcare workers, and each other. One Westchester resident is doing her part -- and then some. Meet Rosemarie Castellano of New Rochelle.  Every night, she joins in the 7 p.m. cheer and pot banging and then pulls out a violin and stands on her balcony near Glen Island and plays a beautiful piece of music for all who want to…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
COVID-19: Healthcare Workers Not Showing Higher Rate Of Infection Than Public, Data Shows COVID-19: Healthcare Workers Not Showing Higher Rate Of Infection Than Public, Data Shows
Covid-19: Healthcare Workers Not Showing Higher Rate Of Infection Than Public, Data Shows Frontline healthcare workers in downstate New York are not being infected by novel coronavirus (COVID-19) at a higher rate than the general public, according to new data. State officials tested more than 27,000 healthcare workers in 25 downstate hospitals to see how many workers had the antibodies indicating that they had tested positive for COVID-19 and then compared those numbers to the data from the general public. The survey found that 6.8 percent of Westchester healthcare workers tested positive for the antibodies, compared to 13.8 percent of the general population. On Long Island, 11.…

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by Zak Failla
Business
COVID-19: BJ's Offers Special Shopping Hours For First Responders, Medical Workers COVID-19: BJ's Offers Special Shopping Hours For First Responders, Medical Workers
Covid-19: BJ's Offers Special Shopping Hours For First Responders, Medical Workers BJ’s Wholesale Club is paying it forward to the essential workers on the frontlines battling the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The wholesale giant is showing its appreciation for first responders and healthcare workers by providing a free four-month Inner Circle membership to the warehouse club, including a special “appreciation hour” on Sundays. From 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Sundays, BJ’s will have an “appreciation hour” when those workers can shop at BJ’s outlets without any membership, as of Sunday, April 19. First responders and healthcare workers can sign up for their complimenta…

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by Zak Failla
Business
COVID-19: Northwell Front-Line Workers Will Get $2.5K Bonus, One Week Of Paid Time Off COVID-19: Northwell Front-Line Workers Will Get $2.5K Bonus, One Week Of Paid Time Off
Covid-19: Northwell Front-Line Workers Will Get $2.5K Bonus, One Week Of Paid Time Off New York’s largest hospital system will be rewarding its employees on the front line battling the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak with bonuses and time off. Northwell Health announced that it will be awarding employees a lump-sum payment of up to $2,500 and a week of paid time off that can be used during their time working for the company. “Our dedicated staff’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been nothing short of heroic. Thanks to the courage and commitment of our front-line caregivers, we answered the call-in service to the patients and communities who entrust us with their c…

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by Zak Failla
Business
COVID-19: Restaurants' Feed Frontlines Initiative Pledges $250K For Hospital Staff Daily Meals COVID-19: Restaurants' Feed Frontlines Initiative Pledges $250K For Hospital Staff Daily Meals
Covid-19: Restaurants' Feed Frontlines Initiative Pledges $250K For Hospital Staff Daily Meals Those on the front lines are giving everything they have to help save lives during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic two restaurant companies have organized an effort to provide healthy meals while they are working. Chopt Creative Salad Co. and Dos Toros, have organized their “Feed the Frontline” initiative, a program created to provide medical professionals with healthy meals every day while they’re at work.  As a part of this initiative, both companies, as well as the participating sponsors, have raised over $250,000 to launch and support the program, in which they will be provid…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
COVID-19: State Launches 'I Stay Home For' Campaign, Using Celebrities, Social Media COVID-19: State Launches 'I Stay Home For' Campaign, Using Celebrities, Social Media
Covid-19: State Launches 'I Stay Home For' Campaign, Using Celebrities, Social Media New York State has launched a campaign to encourage residents to stay home and help combat the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday, April 8 that the state was launching the “I Stay Home For” social media campaign, which is designed to encourage New Yorkers to stay at home and practice proper social distance protocols. “This is about who you are staying home for. This is not about staying home for yourself,” Cuomo said. “You stay at home for others, for the vulnerable people, who if they get this, they are in a very scary state. You’re doing it fo…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Latest Updates On Cases, Deaths In Nassau, Suffolk COVID-19: Latest Updates On Cases, Deaths In Nassau, Suffolk
Covid-19: Latest Updates On Cases, Deaths In Nassau, Suffolk Long Island continues to see more deaths and new cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), though “the worst is over,” in the New York City area, according to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. There are currently 24,358 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nassau County, which have resulted in 232 deaths. In Suffolk County, there have been 21,643 confirmed cases, which led to 568 reported fatalities. During his daily COVID-19 news briefing on Monday, April 13, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that there are now 195,031 confirmed cases statewide, which have resulted in the death of 10,056 New Yorkers. E…

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by Zak Failla
Business
COVID-19: CDC Issues New Guidelines For Essential Workers COVID-19: CDC Issues New Guidelines For Essential Workers
Covid-19: CDC Issues New Guidelines For Essential Workers The federal government has provided new guidelines for essential employees battling novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that will make it easier for them to return to work after being exposed to the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced this week that essential workers who have been exposed to COVID-19 can go back to work if they are asymptomatic without having to wait out the originally mandated 14-day self-quarantine. Robert Redfield, the director of the CDC, said that employees such as healthcare and food supply workers will be permitted to return back to work under ce…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Wearing A Face Mask? Here Are Some Important Safety Steps To Remember COVID-19: Wearing A Face Mask? Here Are Some Important Safety Steps To Remember
Covid-19: Wearing A Face Mask? Here Are Some Important Safety Steps To Remember With protective face masks becoming a new safety statement amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control is offering advice to ensure they are used most effectively. The CDC recently changed its stance and said that those venturing into the community during the COVID-19 outbreak, after initially saying it was only key for healthcare workers. “CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. 
“CDC a…

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by Zak Failla
Business
COVID-19: Stop & Shop Donating 5,000 Meals Daily To Metro NY, Boston Hospitals COVID-19: Stop & Shop Donating 5,000 Meals Daily To Metro NY, Boston Hospitals
Covid-19: Stop & Shop Donating 5,000 Meals Daily To Metro NY, Boston Hospitals Stop & Shop is entering the fight against novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and will provide thousands of fresh meals to frontline healthcare workers in metro New York and Boston hospitals. The grocery store-giant announced this week that it plans to donate 5,000 meals daily to first responders at hospitals caring for COVID-19 patients. The donations were expected to start immediately as of Friday, April 3. In New York, meals will be provided to Mount Sinai Hospital in East Harlem, Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside, and Long Island Community Hospital in Suffolk County. “Medic…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Suffolk Officials, Police Deliver Food, Thank Workers At Testing Center COVID-19: Suffolk Officials, Police Deliver Food, Thank Workers At Testing Center
Covid-19: Suffolk Officials, Police Deliver Food, Thank Workers At Testing Center Suffolk County leaders showed their appreciation for those fighting the battle against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) by delivering food during a recent "Feed Our Heroes" event. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart joined officers from Suffolk County Police Department fraternal organizations and other law enforcement agencies on Sunday, March 29, to deliver plenty of goodies to medical and military personnel and others working at the COVID-19 testing site in Stony Brook. Those helping included members of the department's Asian Jade S…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
COVID-19: 253 New Deaths Reported In New York As Statewide Cases Hit 66,497 COVID-19: 253 New Deaths Reported In New York As Statewide Cases Hit 66,497
Covid-19: 253 New Deaths Reported In New York As Statewide Cases Hit 66,497 There has been 253 new novel coronavirus (COVID-19)-related deaths in New York as the number of confirmed cases climbed to 66,497 statewide. At his daily news briefing on Monday, March 30, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that there have now been 1,218 deaths in New York tied to COVID-19, with 9,517 currently hospitalized. Of those hospitalized, 2,325 are in the ICU. Since the outbreak began, 4,204 patients have been hospitalized and have been discharged. New York’s 66,497 COVID-19 cases remain the most in the nation, ahead of New Jersey (13,386 cases), California (6,266), Michigan (5,4…

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by Zak Failla
Business
COVID-19: Job Postings For Healthcare Workers, Cleaners Spike Amid Crisis COVID-19: Job Postings For Healthcare Workers, Cleaners Spike Amid Crisis
Covid-19: Job Postings For Healthcare Workers, Cleaners Spike Amid Crisis All hands are on deck as job postings for healthcare workers and cleaners have reportedly spiked amid the COVID-19 outbreak. With demands for doctors, nurses, mental health professionals and cleaning crews on the rise, there has been a 35 percent rise in job postings online, according to a report on LinkedIn.  Ads for cleaners have also risen 75 percent since the outbreak as companies clamor to assure customers and employees they are safe by sanitizing their premises. In a special edition of LinkedIn’s Workforce Report, it was determined that March’s healthcare job postings have peake…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19 'Milestone': Respiratory Therapist Extubates First Patient In Two Weeks COVID-19 'Milestone': Respiratory Therapist Extubates First Patient In Two Weeks
Covid-19 'Milestone': Respiratory Therapist Extubates First Patient In Two Weeks A photojournalist at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey caught a respiratory therapist at just the right time. Jeff Rhode had minutes to spare while working his way from the 6th floor to the second, the ICU when he stumbled upon Brenda "taking a much-needed break" on Wednesday, March 25. The health care worker was on a phone call staring at the New York City skyline, Rhode said. "After a polite 'hello,' she told me: 'It's not a sunny day, but it is a great day,' with a smile," the photographer said. "The first patient since the craziness started two weeks ago had been extubat…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
COVID-19: Personal Protective Equipment Needed For Frontline Workers, NY Nurses Union Says COVID-19: Personal Protective Equipment Needed For Frontline Workers, NY Nurses Union Says
Covid-19: Personal Protective Equipment Needed For Frontline Workers, NY Nurses Union Says As the number of novel coronavirus cases increases across the state, the New York Nurses Union says there is a great need for protective gear for frontline workers. In a statement issued on Tuesday, March 17, the union said that as the focus is on creating additional hospital beds and the associated medical equipment, frontline workers such as doctors and nurses, as well as first responders are in need of the correct protective equipment. The main concern is if health care workers are exposed unnecessarily, they will have to be isolated or quarantined or will themselves become ill. The uni…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
* Updated * COVID-19: Long Island Schools To Close For Next Two Weeks * Updated * COVID-19: Long Island Schools To Close For Next Two Weeks
* Updated * Covid-19: Long Island Schools To Close For Next Two Weeks New update: All public and private schools on Long Island will be closed for two weeks to help combat the spread of the novel strain of the coronavirus. The closures in Nassau and Suffolk counties start on Monday, March 16 and last through Friday, March 27. Both counties are developing plans to provide food pickup for needy students and for health-care workers with school-aged children. School facilities will be closed for instruction, but administrators and teachers may still use school buildings for distance-based learning and for distribution of grab-and-go meals in…

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by Daily Voice