CORONAVIRUS UPDATE #5 FROM MAYOR MICHAEL LAVORATA

April 29, 2020

Dear Village Residents:

Thank you for your continued support as the Governor’s stay-at-home order continues in place, and has now been extended to May 15^th. As I write this, there are 447 reported people in Lindenhurst Village with the Coronavirus. I pray for each and every one of them for a speedy recovery. I also pray for those who are mourning their loved ones; family and friends who have been taken from us too soon because of this virus. Thankfully, the curve seems to be flattening, but it is still important to remain vigilant.

In my on-going messages, we at Village Hall are trying to provide our residents with the most up-to-date information on how our Village is coping with this unprecedented situation. Village Hall is currently still closed to the public, but our staff is still working, on-site and remotely, to keep our Village running and provide residents with any assistance. We are prepared and ready to re-open Village Hall, and our Rainbow Senior Citizens Center, as soon as the Governor allows us to do so.

I continue to find myself thankful for the small things we are still able to enjoy, that I confess I previously took for granted. For example, the beautiful, scenic view from our Charles J. Cowan Village Marina of the Great South Bay, Fire Island, Fire Island Lighthouse, the monument at Robert Moses State Park, the Captree Bridge, Ocean Parkway, Cedar and Gilgo Beach Marinas. With renewed awe, I appreciate how majestic this view is from our Lindenhurst community. So on a positive note, our Village Marina on South Wellwood Avenue remains open to the public, but you MUST wear a face mask, and practice safe, social distancing. Go down to the Marina, take a deep breath of fresh air, and enjoy the simple things in life and the beauty of Long Island.

I also miss, and took for granted, going to our local Lindenhurst restaurants and eateries. I am grateful to still be able to enjoy takeout meals, and exchanging a quick, friendly hello with the hardworking owners and staff of these establishments, but that cannot replace sitting down and enjoying the atmosphere and visiting with each other. I so look forward to the day I can enjoy a sumptuous meal in one of our wonderful eateries.

I once again extend a big thank you to the Lindenhurst Fire Department volunteer First Responders, Rescue Company, and EMTs. I am grateful to Chiefs Craig Santoli, Michael DeGregorio, Dave Collins, and Robert Santos for their leadership in overseeing the Fire Department’s response to the pandemic here in Lindenhurst. I also, again, thank our Department of Public Works employees for picking up our garbage and recyclables daily, and I continue to be grateful for our doctors, nurses, and hospital workers who are on the front-line every day trying to save lives.

God bless. Be well. Stay safe. Remain strong. Remember that social distancing will not stop love, peace, our friendship, and Lindy Pride. We are “Lindy Strong” and I am proud to be your Mayor.

Sincerely,

Michael A. Lavorata, Mayor

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE #4 FROM MAYOR MICHAEL LAVORATA

April 14, 2020

Dear Village Residents

As we shelter at home, our lives have changed.  We find ourselves in a time of waiting.  Waiting for answers.  Waiting for this virus to pass.  Waiting to get back to life as normal.  By now, most of us know of someone who has tested positive, or has passed from COVID-19.  As I write this, Newsday lists there are 289 people in Lindenhurst Village with the Coronavirus.  I continue to pray for each and every one of them for a speedy recovery,

We are not used to seeing our friends and neighbors wearing masks and gloves.  Many of our residents are facing financial hardships because of the virus. There is so much to be concerned about.

During these challenging times, I would like to dwell on the positive.  I am so grateful for the things I normally took for granted.  I am grateful that our grocery stores are open and the shelves stocked.  I am grateful to the staff of our local restaurants and eateries for providing takeout and delivery.  I am thankful, and so proud, of our Lindenhurst Fire Department EMTs, and our volunteer Fire Fighters & Rescue Company, for their selfless service during this difficult time.  I am grateful for our Department of Public Works employees for picking up our garbage and recyclables daily.  I am grateful for our doctors, nurses, and hospital workers who are laboring tirelessly trying to save lives.  It is often during difficult times that we see the best of people, and, once again, the people of Lindenhurst have shown us their best.  I am so grateful to be your Mayor.

We will get through this together; we have been through worse.  What has always made us “Lindy Strong” is our sense of community, and it is our shared bond of support and concern that will get us through the next few weeks.  Remember, it is always darkest before the dawn; DO not give up.  We will overcome this virus and get back to normal life, together.  I love Lindenhurst and your Village government is here for you.

Stay calm, carry on, and continue to follow the advice of the medical experts — wash your hands, do not touch your face, keep six-feet apart, stay home, and only go out for essential business.  Please continue to take care of yourself, your families, and each other.  May you all stay healthy and safe.  God bless you.

Sincerely,

Michael A. Lavorata, Mayor

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE #3 FROM MAYOR MICHAEL LAVORATA

March 31, 2020

Dear Village Residents:

As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic continues.  We are all navigating our way through this difficult time, but we will get through it together!  The Village Board and I have had to make some tough decisions recently, all with the same goal – to stop the spread of the virus and to protect our Village employees and residents.  Our Lindenhurst Community, as of today, has 64 positive COVID-19 cases, and we pray for a speedy recovery for each and every one of them.

It is important to remember that we need to be prepared, not scared.  I ask you to please listen to the experts.  They agree that staying apart is critical if we want to save lives and reduce the spread and strain on our health-care system.  Therefore, during this pandemic, I cannot ask you enough to practice “social distancing”, which means limiting all in-person, social interaction, as much as possible.

We appreciate our Lindenhurst EMTs, Paramedics, Ambulance/Rescue Company, Volunteer Firefighters, and all of the emergency service workers, doctors, nurses, medical, and hospital staffers working selflessly and tirelessly during this crisis.  We would also like to thank our Department of Public Works for continuing to pick up garbage and recyclables on a daily basis.

It is important during this national emergency that we unite as a community, follow the advice of the experts, and take responsibility for our actions to slow the spread of COVID-19.  To that end, many of our local businesses are no longer open to the public, but are still in need of our support.  Purchasing gift cards is a terrific way to show your support.  Also, carry out and delivery are still options at many of our local restaurants and eateries.  You don’t have to cook and the restaurant is making some money – a win-win for all!  As our Business Improvement District says, “Keep Lindy Healthy, Support Local Businesses, Take It To Go!”

It is important, as well, to stop the spread so that we can once again go back to the way of life we all cherish.  We have such a great Lindenhurst Community, with wonderful people, who help each other every day.  Once we get through this – and we will – we can then begin to heal together.  I love Lindenhurst, and I pray that all of you stay healthy.

Remember, during these difficult times, to check on your families, friends, and neighbors.  If they need anything, let me know; we do have some people that will help.

Sincerely,

Michael A. Lavorata, Mayor

March 18, 2020

Dear Village Residents:

If someone would have told me after our last Village Board meeting on March 3^rd 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.

Sincerely,

Michael A. Lavorata, Mayor

**Update – March 16, 2020 Declaration of Emergency. Village Hall is open for essential business only. Residents are encouraged to pay taxes by mail.

March 12, 2020

To All Village Residents and Visitors:

Although there have been no recorded cases of the coronavirus within the Village of Lindenhurst, in an effort of caution, we have prepared this letter to inform and educate you on the important steps we can all take in keeping the spread of the coronavirus at bay.

Please be assured that the Village is doing everything we can to keep our facilities safe and healthy in the presence of the coronavirus threat, including frequently and thoroughly sanitizing throughout Village Hall and in all Village departments, including the Department of Public Works and the Rainbow Center.  Meeting rooms and the Village Justice Court are also being sanitized frequently and thoroughly as well.

Prevention:

• 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.

Transmission:  The coronavirus is likely a respiratory virus spread from person to person in close contact through sneezing and coughs.  However, much is still unknown, and it’s unclear if a person can get the virus by touching a surface or object that has the virus and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes.

Symptoms and Complications:  Reported cases of the virus have varied symptoms, and some infected individuals have little to no symptoms.  Symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.  If you suspect that you have the coronavirus, please see a healthcare professional right away.

Resources:

New York State Department of Health: www.health.ny.gov/coronavirus

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/COVID19

World Health Organization: www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

Suffolk County: https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Health-Services/Health-Bulletins/Novel-Coronavirus

New York State Department of Health Coronavirus Hotline:

1-888-364-3065

The Lindenhurst Fire Department and Village Officials are continuing to monitor the situation, and will take steps to cancel and/or reschedule any events, if necessary, and inform our residents.

Sincerely,

Michael A. Lavorata

Mayor