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