DEAR EDITOR:
After the recent discovery of troubling COVID-19 ‘hotspots’ throughout the metropolitan region, Governor Cuomo launched the Cluster Action Initiative - a three-tiered framework of restrictions that will be strategically implemented to squelch outbreaks in their earliest stages so that they do not wreak further havoc.
While I am grateful that communities within the 16th Legislative District have not been directly impacted by a COVID-19 hotspot as of this moment, this development must serve as a stark reminder to all of us that continued vigilance is essential as we navigate the days and weeks ahead.
With colder weather on the horizon, it is especially important to commit to washing your hands frequently, wearing masks, and observing proper social distancing. If you feel ill - and especially if you experience ailments consistent with a symptomatic case of COVID-19 - stay home and call your doctor right away. Even if you are feeling well, adherence to these CDC guidelines is essential because you may be an asymptomatic carrier that can infect others.
Actively monitoring your health will give you the necessary knowledge for making informed decisions that will protect your family, your friends and your entire community. That is why I have worked alongside Dr. Perry Frankel and Advanced Cardiovascular Diagnostics throughout the pandemic to bring mobile COVID antibody testing to Hicksville, Syosset, and twice to Plainview. Our series of pop-up clinics allowed hundreds of residents to learn their COVID antibody status and undergo important cardiovascular exams in a convenient setting. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Frankel for his unwavering commitment to this crucial public health initiative.
After resoundingly flattening the COVID-19 curve this summer, Nassau County is approaching a pivotal moment in this pandemic. Now more than ever, it is essential for all of us to take proactive, proven steps to preserve our hard-fought progress.
Arnold W. Drucker, of Plainview, was first elected to the Nassau County Legislature in 2016. He represents the 16th Legislative District in the Nassau County Legislature.