According to the Nassau County Dept. of Information Technology, as of 5 p.m. on May 13, there had been 170 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus in the Plaza and that number does not include any pending cases from the state Department of Health.
We in the Plaza have the second-highest number of cases on our peninsula and we must continue to take this plague seriously. Walking around the village, members of our campaign have seen several people out walking without masks. Many experts have said “use a mask” while others have said “not necessary to use a mask.” We feel that for the health and safety of our residents, it’s better to err on the side of caution.
Although Gov. Cuomo’s May 14 Executive Order has slowly begun to loosen the quarantine restriction in Phase One industries, he did not include Nassau County in that order because all of the established criteria for reopening had not yet been met. He did add that additional counties meeting the established criteria will be permitted to reopen their Phase One industries without further Executive Orders. Additionally, all enforcement mechanisms by state and local governments will continue to be in effect until at least June 13.
This leaves us without our usual Memorial Day Parade and ceremony at the Old Village Green to remember those who gave their lives so that we could live in freedom. It seems to us that an appropriate way to mark the solemnity of the day would be to stop whatever we are doing and observe a minute of silence at noon on Memorial Day. We will also be asking the Plaza Vigilant Fire Company to sound their sirens at noon to mark this memorial. It seems the least we can do to honor the memory of those who have fallen in battle.
It appears that the curtailment of our freedom of movement will continue until at least the middle of next month, so our wish and hope for everyone is to remain patient just a little bit longer.
Be well and stay safe.
Leonard Katz
Revive Great Neck Plaza
