NASSAU COUNTY, NY – While the recent resurgence of COVID on Long Island has created anxiety and rightful cause for concern, everybody can do their part to limit their risk, and protect their loved ones and neighbors. Rather than panic, we recommend controlling what you can. Take the simple measures which will allow you to go about your life while avoiding the virus. Although we can’t bring the risk of contracting COVID down to zero whenever we leave our homes, protective measures can limit spread of disease, and dramatically shift the odds of remaining healthy in our favor.
Wearing a mask is a life protecting measure, both for you and those around you. Avoid crowded situations, and stay distanced, even when socializing outside, at your office lunchroom, or in your own backyard with friends. You can still socialize in small numbers but do it safely. The same is true for shopping. Our businesses are gearing up for the holiday season. Shop early, and at off times to limit exposure to large crowds. Like socializing, shopping can be done relatively safely. Wash hands often and always have sanitizer available for use after touching public surfaces or shaking hands (try to use elbow bumps or waves instead of shaking hands.) When somebody has any symptoms, even general, mild symptoms like a runny nose or scratchy throat (especially children,) please stay home, call your medical provider and get tested for COVID. The continued successful reopening of in-person schools depends on parents helping ensure that kids with any potential risk are kept home and evaluated before coming back to school. Please limit travel, even to see loved ones, to only when it is absolutely necessary. Perhaps most importantly, if you are asked to isolate or quarantine, please take it seriously.
As the Department of Health continues our feverish disease investigation process, we recognize that most cases of COVID are traced to exposures which can be avoided. The tips above are things we can all control. Don’t panic, just control what you can. It appears we are much closer to having a vaccine help us get back to our regular lives. With your help, and by controlling what we can, we can get there.