Nassau Coronavirus Town Hall Meeting: 10 Things To Know

MINEOLA, NY — Nassau County Executive Laura Curran held a town hall Wednesday night via Facebook live where she updated residents on the county’s response to the coronavirus as well as answered residents' questions. According to Curran, there are now 3,285 positive COVID-19 cases in Nassau County as of Wednesday.

“Please keep in mind this number includes the very first cases that we got,” Curran said. “The first one that we got was on March 5, so a significant number of cases have already resolved.”

Below, Patch has included additional highlights from Wednesday’s town hall. Here are the 10 things you need to know:

1. The death toll in Nassau County is up to 17

Curran added that 14 people are hospitalized and remain in critical condition.

"That is a number that is constantly fluctuating," she said. "We see the toll this is taking on our communities and our families."

2. Police medics and fire EMTs responded to 76 COVID-19 calls Tuesday night
First responders in Nassau County are not immune to catching the virus when responding to calls for help. Curran said 33 members at the Nassau County Police Department are currently positive for COVID-19, and 80 police officers are in quarantine. Four corrections officers have also tested positive for the virus as well as one deputy sheriff.

3. It's unclear if schools will reopen by April 1
On Sunday, March 15, Curran took an emergency action and closed schools in Nassau County for two weeks. Gov. Cuomo soon followed suit with a similar order statewide.

"Now that the state has stepped in, they are the larger entity, they are in control," Curran said. "We are waiting for their guidance and waiting to see what the state decides to do. I think the state will have to assess whether and when we are flattening the curve. The governor has said we expect to hit the height of this crisis in 14-21 days. April 1 is only a week away."

4. If you have mild symptoms, stay home

According to Curran, often residents exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 that are mild, or they have no symptoms at all. "If that’s the case, there’s no reason to go to the hospital. If you have mild symptoms, you can stay home and take care of yourself, as you would during the flu," she stressed.

"This will protect our first responders," Curran said. "We have to do everything we can to keep them safe. It will also help not overly burden our health system, and keep other patients healthy as well."

5. Donations for gloves, masks are greatly needed

Curran is encouraging residents to donate gloves, masks and other medical supplies at field three at Eisenhower Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

"We’ve had an amazing influx of donations coming in, so please keep them coming in. It’s really, really important that we continue to give our first responders and healthcare workers the protection that they need," Curran said.

6. It's up to the state to determine if upcoming school taxes will be postponed

During Curran's town hall, she said she recognized that there is a lot of concern over residents' ability to pay taxes right now.

"People who aren’t earning paychecks, this is an issue," she said. "I’m also aware that our school districts have bills to pay they have a payroll to make."

Ultimately, she said it is up to the governor and the state legislature to determine whether to postpone taxes. "We have to wait to see what’s decided there," she said.

7. The county is working with its state and federal partners to help small businesses

According to Curran, the U.S. Small Business Administration is helping to provide low-interest loans to businesses who qualify. Curran said Sen. Chuck Schumer is working to get appropriate funding for the county to help recoup some of the business losses. She said she's also appointed a business advisory council to collect data on what Nassau County businesses need. She is encouraging all businesses owners in the county to take a 10-minute survey at https://www.hofstra.edu/economicimpact.

"It’ll be very helpful for us when it’s time to go to the federal government for help to show them exactly what the losses are," she said.

8. It's not clear when most small businesses will be able to open

While Curran said she'd like for things to reopen as soon as possible, the decision on when to reopen is up to the governor.

"We want people to get back to work as soon as possible, but we have to make sure we are protecting our vulnerable, we’re protecting our seniors so we can flatten the curve. The quicker that we can do that, the quicker we can get back to normal," she said.

9. Beware of price-gouging in Nassau County

Curran said her office has received 260 reports of price gouging and 60 violations have been given so far. She said one of those violations includes a Port Washington pharmacy that is selling masks for $20 a piece. "Total ripoff," she said in response.

10. If you’re not sick, or you’re not immunocompromised, you don’t need a mask
According to Curran, it’s better to reserve masks for the county's first responders and for its healthcare workers.

"If you have a box of mask and you don’t need them, consider donating them to Eisenhower Park," she said.

To watch Wednesday's town hall in its entirety, see below:

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