Legislature Recognizes Nassau County Healthcare Workers

Press release from Nassau County Government:

June 23, 2020

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nassau County had some of the highest number of positive cases of the novel coronavirus outside of New York City. While residents who were able to socially distance and quarantine at home did so, many members of the healthcare community, first responders, firefighters, Correction Officers and law enforcement could not.

On June 22nd, the Majority Caucus of the Nassau County Legislature joined with representatives from the Nassau County healthcare, police, firefighters, medics and first responder community to unveil a new recognition for those that served on the front lines of this health battle. The County Legislature debut a new “service bar” for uniformed officers that will be distributed to all Nassau County sworn officers and can be worn on their lapels, similar to those presented to officers after the 9/11. For non-uniformed healthcare workers, doctors and nurses, they will be given circular pins that can be worn to represent their service and emphasize the community’s thanks.

These pins and bars are the first items being presented to first responders and healthcare workers for COVID-19 service by any local government in New York State.

“While we were sheltering in place, our front line workers: our police, our doctors, our nurses, our firefighter, police medics, and correction officers, were all going to work every day, and were all going into situations that were highly dangerous, and were exposing themselves to potentially catch the virus,” Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello said. “These people are tremendously courageous and dedicated, and they are truly our heroes. These service bars and pins are a small gesture, but it’s a way to say thank you for all these brave men and women did during a harrowing time.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, police officers were out doing their job, and dealing with the disease, and sadly, many contracted the coronavirus. Thank God nobody died, but we had a couple that came very close, ” Nassau County PBA President James McDermott said. “There’s a saying that goes it’s the little things in life that make a difference, and getting this bar is exactly that. It’s a recognition for a job well done. I’m so proud of all of our police officers and detectives and supervisors for the work they did during the COVID-19 pandemic, and are continuing to do, because it’s it not over yet. Thank you for this recognition.”

“The first responders and healthcare workers that worked day in and day out during this crisis including not just the great doctors and nurses in the Nassau University Medical Center, but also many people you don’t hear about very often: the police medics, the deputy sheriffs, the probation officers, the health department officials, the fire marshals, the fire comm operators, the medical examiners unit, to name a few,” Ron Gurerri, Presiding of the Nassau County CSEA said. “These workers deserve out thank you and these pins and bars are a great way to show that.”

This press release was produced by Nassau County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.