Mineola, NY – As a way to honor and remember those who perished from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nassau County Legislative Majority has introduced a resolution to establish a permanent memorial at Eisenhower Park. The measure will go before legislative committees this coming Monday with a goal of having the memorial in place later this year.
“Nassau County has been one of the hardest hit areas from this global tragedy and this memorial will serve as a lasting tribute to the thousands of local residents who succumbed to this deadly virus,” said Legislator Bill Gaylor. “We can never take away the pain that the families of victims of COVID-19 have suffered but we can make sure that their memories will live on and this memorial will help serve that purpose.”
To date, there are more than 28 million known cases of the virus in the U.S alone and over 500,000 deaths. In Nassau County nearly 150,000 people have contracted COVID-19 and of those infected over 2,900 have died. While the numbers continue to improve, Nassau County’s COVID-19 positivity rate remains among the highest in New York State.
“March 1, 2020, marked the first recorded case of COVID-19 in New York State so it is only fitting that we move forward this month with making plans for this memorial during the one year anniversary that marks this sad chapter in world history,” said Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello. “Eisenhower Park is a fitting location for the memorial for us to remember and mourn the loved ones that have been lost to this pandemic.”