Legislative District 14 Update:
Dear Resident,
Earlier this week, I was part of a unanimous vote by the Nassau County Legislature to establish a permanent memorial at Eisenhower Park to honor and remember those who have perished from the COVID-19 virus. Most importantly, this includes more than 3,000 lives that were lost in Nassau County alone. The bill to create the memorial has been sent to the County Executive for signature with a goal of having it in place later this year. I also attended a vigil service this past Monday along with other government officials and religious leaders to pay tribute to those who died from the virus.
It is gratifying to acknowledge that two other COVID-19 related proposals I have been advocating for have finally come to fruition. The first one was the opening of the Nassau Coliseum as a mass vaccination site and the second one was a dedicated phone number for seniors to call to make vaccine appointments. For months, my colleagues in the Legislative Majority and I called on the state and the County Executive to open a site at the Nassau Coliseum. Similarly, we requested that a dedicated phone line be set up for our seniors after hearing from so many who were struggling with the challenges of making their appointments online. With both provisions now in place, more of our residents will have access to the vaccine, especially those who are our most vulnerable. Now, seniors can call the coronavirus hotline at 516-227-9590 with any questions they may have, or to get the help they need to schedule their vaccine appointments at the Nassau Coliseum or other available locations. This hotline is operating Monday-Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:45 pm. Nassau County is also maintaining a pre-registration list for all who are eligible to receive the vaccine. To learn more or to sign up, please visit: https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/vaccine.
As I travel around and interact with my constituents, there is a collective sigh of relief from people I speak to as more vaccine becomes available and more of our residents get vaccinated. Although we are not out of the woods yet, the increased positivity is, dare I say it, infectious, and emotionally beneficial to us all. In the meantime, I will continue to look for ways to tackle the various issues that are associated with COVID-19 so as to assure the residents that they are being listened to and that their needs and concerns are being addressed.
On another note, I am joining my colleagues in the Legislative Majority in supporting two virtual food drives. One is being coordinated by Island Harvest Food Bank and will help to benefit clients of The Safe Center LI in Bethpage. The other drive is being coordinated by Long Island Cares-The Harry Chapin Food Bank. As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit Long Islanders particularly hard and while area food pantries have ramped up their collection and distribution efforts, the surge in demand has created even more challenges than usual.
Donating is fast and easy and can be accomplished by visiting either of the following websites:
http://weblink.donorperfect.com/IslandHarvestFoodBank/FeedingNassau
https://yougivegoods.com/nassaulegislaturefooddrive2021
I encourage my fellow Long Islanders to show their generosity by assisting us in this worthwhile endeavor to help those who are struggling with food insecurity.
As always, please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and ideas you may have with respect to the County or on any particular issue that you think I may be able to assist you with. You may contact me at (516) 571-6214 or by email at LSchaefer@NassauCountyNY.gov .
Sincerely,
Laura Schaefer