Massapequa, NY
News
COVID-19: Cuomo Lays Out Plans For Phase II Of Vaccination COVID-19: Cuomo Lays Out Plans For Phase II Of Vaccination
Covid-19: Cuomo Lays Out Plans For Phase II Of Vaccination New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo laid out the state’s plans for the second phase of administering COVID-19 vaccines to essential workers and the general public most at-risk of catching the virus. This week, Phase I of the state’s vaccination plan began, as the first frontline healthcare worker in Queens was given New York’s first dose, with other allocations shipped to hospitals across the state. Earlier story - COVID-19: First NY Vaccine Administered To Critical Care Nurse Phase I of the plan, as dictated by the state, is earmarked for healthcare workers, nursing home residents, and employ…

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by Zak Failla
Newark, NJ
News
Nurse Celebrates Birthday By Becoming First NJ Healthcare Worker To Get COVID-19 Vaccine Nurse Celebrates Birthday By Becoming First NJ Healthcare Worker To Get COVID-19 Vaccine
Nurse Celebrates Birthday By Becoming First NJ Healthcare Worker To Get Covid-19 Vaccine University Hospital nurse Maritza Beniquez beamed and clapped her hands, as she became the first healthcare worker in New Jersey to receive the COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday morning. Her 56th birthday.  "This is the best birthday present ever!" the frontline nurse said with state officials by her side. "I couldn't wait for this moment to hit New Jersey. I couldn't wait for this moment to hit the U.S... to have this vaccine." University Hospital was one of six in the state to receive the Pfizer vaccine Monday, and an additional 53 hospitals in New Jersey were expected theirs later this…

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by Cecilia Levine
Massapequa, NY
News
COVID-19: Indoor Dining To Close In NYC, Possibly Other Areas; New Rules For Gyms, Salons In NY COVID-19: Indoor Dining To Close In NYC, Possibly Other Areas; New Rules For Gyms, Salons In NY
Covid-19: Indoor Dining To Close In NYC, Possibly Other Areas; New Rules For Gyms, Salons In NY The New York State Department of Health and Gov. Andrew Cuomo have made some revisions to guidance for certain businesses as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations keep increasing. With hospitalizations up to 5,159, the highest since mid-May, and the positivity rate statewide rapidly climbing, Cuomo announced on Friday, Dec. 11 that some businesses will be rolled back to help curtail the spread of the virus. As of Monday, Dec. 14, indoor dining in New York City will be closed, though outdoor dining and takeout will still be permitted.  Cuomo also said that health officials are evaluating…

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by Zak Failla
Hackensack, NJ
News
UPDATE: NJ Hospitals Await First Batch Of COVID-19 Vaccines UPDATE: NJ Hospitals Await First Batch Of COVID-19 Vaccines
Update: NJ Hospitals Await First Batch Of Covid-19 Vaccines NOTE: A spokeswoman for Hackensack University Medical Center said Friday that the hospital hadn't yet received the initial doses of COVID-19 vaccines. "We do NOT have any vaccine at this point nor does anyone else in NJ," said the spokeswoman, Mary Jo Layton. This corrects a previous story published here following what staffers said was a notification that initial shipments of the vaccines had arrived and will continue to do so. ****** HUMC was expected to be among the first hospitals in New Jersey to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Officials couldn’t provide an exact number, although …

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by Jerry DeMarco
New Canaan, CT
Lifestyle
Grace Farms Continues With PPE, Food Mission, Will Reopen To Public When 'Safe' Grace Farms Continues With PPE, Food Mission, Will Reopen To Public When 'Safe'
Grace Farms Continues With PPE, Food Mission, Will Reopen To Public When 'Safe' You cannot walk the meandering trails on the 80-acre property in New Canaan nor settle in for lunch at The Commons or walk through the common space to admire the SANAA building and drink in its sleek sloping glass and steel architecture under one metal roof — on a hill that suggests it is floating on a river. But make no mistake, while temporarily closed for the public's safety, Grace Farms is fully operational, continuing with its mission to provide medical supplies to first responders and healthcare workers in Connecticut and food relief to people in Fairfield County. Since March whe…

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by Donna Christopher
Brentwood, NY
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Tribeca Film Festival Heading To Long Island As Drive-In Experience COVID-19: Tribeca Film Festival Heading To Long Island As Drive-In Experience
Covid-19: Tribeca Film Festival Heading To Long Island As Drive-In Experience The Tribeca Film Festival is taking its show on the road and will be arranging drive-in screenings of films across the country, including on Long Island. Rather than canceling the event altogether, the famed festival will be screening films at Nickerson Beach in Lido Beach on most weekends in July. The schedule and list of films to be shown has not been finalized or released. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale on Monday, June 22. According to organizers, the movies screened will be "a curated selection of new, classic and independent films, as well as special music and sports events."&nbs…

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by Zak Failla
Lakewood, NJ
Police & Fire
HERO: Surveillance Tapes Capture Brick Police Officer Saving EMT HERO: Surveillance Tapes Capture Brick Police Officer Saving EMT
Hero: Surveillance Tapes Capture Brick Police Officer Saving EMT Brick Township police released a video on Wednesday showing one of its officers saving an EMT. Sgt. Charlie Kelly used abdominal thrusts to save one of the township's EMTs, a spokesman for the Brick Police Department said.  While EMT Katelyn Lammer was stationed to screen people entering Brick Town Hall, she began to choke on her food, the department said on Facebook.  "She could not clear her own airway, and that's when things got scary. Luckily, our officers working the Front Desk sprang into action." The rescue can be viewed by clicking on the police department's Facebook pag…

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by Jon Craig
Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Lifestyle
'RHONJ' Stars Auction Off Dresses To Benefit COVID-19 First Responders 'RHONJ' Stars Auction Off Dresses To Benefit COVID-19 First Responders
'Rhonj' Stars Auction Off Dresses To Benefit Covid-19 First Responders How much are you willing to pay? Clothes worn by "Real Housewives of New Jersey" cast members are being auctioned off to help those on the frontlines of coronavirus. "The Real Housewives Reunion Dress Benefit Auction" was launched by Miami housewife and celebrity chef Ana Quincoces to benefit. Teresa Giudice, Jennifer Aydin, Jackie Goldschneider and Margaret Josephs donated items -- some valued at more than $5,000. Bidding starts Friday at 9 a.m. and will continue for two weeks. Proceeds will go to First Responders First, which provides healthcare workers with PPE, food and more.…

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by Cecilia Levine
West Milford, NJ
News
COVID-19 Antibody Tests Available In Passaic County COVID-19 Antibody Tests Available In Passaic County
Covid-19 Antibody Tests Available In Passaic County Passaic Urgent Care Center will now offer on-site COVID-19 antibody tests in addition to its standard virus testing, officials said. Operated by MedRite urgent care provider, the facility, located at 154 Main Ave., will be open for both walk-in and pre-registered appointments Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The COVID-19 antibody test is designed to determine whether or not a patient has been exposed to the new coronavirus and has developed disease antibodies. This serology test is for patients who “do not have symptoms of COVID-19 or are not …

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by Valerie Musson
Massapequa, NY
News
COVID-19: New York Air National Guard Long Island Flyover Set COVID-19: New York Air National Guard Long Island Flyover Set
Covid-19: New York Air National Guard Long Island Flyover Set The New York Air National Guard will salute healthcare workers who have battled the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic for months during a flyover of hospitals and health facilities. The 106th Rescue Wing “Salute Long Island Flyover” begins at noon in Suffolk County on Friday, May 15, from F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton. It's expected to continue till around 2 p.m. Three aircraft, an HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue airplane and two HH-60G Pave Hawk search and rescue helicopters will participate. The flight path of the flyover by the New York Air Nation…

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by Kathy Reakes
Brentwood, NY
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Violinist Performs Daily For First Responders, Neighbors In Westchester COVID-19: Violinist Performs Daily For First Responders, Neighbors In Westchester
Covid-19: Violinist Performs Daily For First Responders, Neighbors In Westchester During these times of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been at least one positive change. Many people are showing how much they care about each other.  They're doing it by clapping and banging pans each night at 7 p.m. to honor first responders, healthcare workers, and each other. One Westchester resident is doing her part -- and then some. Meet Rosemarie Castellano of New Rochelle.  Every night, she joins in the 7 p.m. cheer and pot banging and then pulls out a violin and stands on her balcony near Glen Island and plays a beautiful piece of music for all who want to…

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by Kathy Reakes
Teaneck, NJ
News
'Here For You': Holy Name Nurses Comfort Dying Man Without Family During COVID-19 Battle 'Here For You': Holy Name Nurses Comfort Dying Man Without Family During COVID-19 Battle
'Here For You': Holy Name Nurses Comfort Dying Man Without Family During Covid-19 Battle A man without family battling coronavirus at Holy Name Medical Center died holding the hands of nurses who cared for him. The hospital shared the story in an emotional Facebook post that identified the Bergen County man only as "Louie." “We stroked his hair,” the post reads. “We laid our hands on his legs and arms. We spoke to him in prayer and whispers.” Louie’s nursing team took turns holding an iPad so that Louie could talk to his caregiver and friend of 20 years, Mary, through FaceTime. “And even when the team who responded to Louie had to return to care for others who needed them, th…

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by Valerie Musson