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What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccine development

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Q&A: Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

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What to know about visiting nursing homes

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What to know about the CDC's double-masking recommendation

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Erin Serpico

Everyone age 12 and older is now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine in New York. Walk-ins are now available at all state-run mass vaccination sites, and some walk-ins are available at <a href="https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/vaccine">Suffolk County</a> and <a href="https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/vaccine">Nassau County</a> sites, too. 
But if you're still looking to make an appointment or are wondering where the vaccine is offered, the resources below may help. Officials have advised to keep checking for appointments as more doses become available and new slots continue to open. 
This page will be updated as more information becomes available. 
Find an appointment at state-run sites online: You can find out if you’re eligible, complete a prescreening and find state-run sites to schedule appointments by visiting this website: <a href="https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/">https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/</a>. 
If you’re eligible, you would be able to make an appointment at any New York State-run site. The state says appointments for second doses would be made automatically once you receive your first vaccine. 
Try getting an appointment at state-run sites by phone: Call the New York State Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4VAX (1-833-697-4829) for more information on making appointments at state-run sites. The hotline is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
Check the county websites: 
<ul> 
 <li>The <a href="https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/vaccine">Nassau County website</a> directs people to links to make vaccine appointments at county sites, through pharmacies, Northwell Health and the state.</li> 
 <li>The <a href="https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/vaccine">Suffolk County website</a> directs you to county sites, state-run sites, pharmacies and the Northwell Health website for appointments. 
 <ul> 
 <li>There's an <a href="http://vax4.suffolkcountyny.gov/patient/s/">Appointment Scheduler</a> that can be used to preregister people. You can fill out a survey, find out if you're eligible and provide contact information. Those who preregister will receive an email or text to sign up when appointments are available at county sites, a spokesman said.</li> 
 </ul> </li> 
</ul> 
Check on Northwell Health's website: The health system is booking appointments online. It said links to make appointments will appear on this website as they become available: <a href="https://www.northwell.edu/coronavirus-covid-19/vaccine">https://www.northwell.edu/coronavirus-covid-19/vaccine</a>. Northwell says people who get their first vaccine dose at one of their vaccination sites can schedule a second dose appointment either on site directly after receiving the first dose, or by calling the COVID vaccine hotline at (844) 919-VACC. 
For New York City: The city launched the Vaccine Finder, a tool residents can use to find the nearest location to make an appointment: <a href="https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/">https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/</a>. Currently, city-run sites are for city residents only, unless you’re an essential worker who works in New York City but lives elsewhere. 
<ul> 
 <li>For those who are homebound: New York City is providing Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccines for homebound eligible city residents. If you think you’re eligible, you can fill out this interest form, which the city will use to contact you to discuss eligibility: <a href="https://forms.cityofnewyork.us/f/home">https://forms.cityofnewyork.us/f/home</a></li> 
</ul> 
Your local pharmacies may have vaccines. Several pharmacies have said they have or will offer the vaccine as it becomes available, including independent pharmacies and chains: 
<ul> 
 <li>CVS Health said some of its pharmacies would start offering the vaccine to those eligible starting Feb. 12. People can register on <a href="https://www.cvs.com/">CVS.com</a>, using the pharmacy’s app or by calling 1-800-746-7287.</li> 
 <li>Walgreens said it will provide vaccinations in some states, including New York, starting in stores on Feb. 12 for those eligible. Appointments will have to be made online at <a href="https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19">Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine</a>.</li> 
 <li>King Kullen: The Long Island supermarket chain said the vaccine is available at eight pharmacy locations, and customers can search for and make appointments using the website at <a href="https://www.kingkullen.com/">kingkullen.com</a>.</li> 
 <li>Stop &amp; Shop said all of its Long Island pharmacies are cleared to vaccinate eligible individuals, and appointments must be made online. Eligible customers can visit <a href="https://stopandshop.com/covid-vaccine">stopandshop.com/covid-vaccine</a> to register for an appointment.</li> 
</ul> 
For veterans: The Northport VA Medical Center is calling veterans to schedule a vaccine appointment. For more information about vaccines for veterans, <a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/">visit this VA page</a>. 
For veterans in Nassau County: Nassau University Medical Center and the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency are partnering to vaccinate eligible veterans who are county residents, County Executive Laura Curran said. For more information or to make an appointment, you can call the Nassau VSA at <a href="tel:5165726565" target="_blank">516-572-6565</a>. 
Vaccinefinder.org: <a href="http://vaccinefinder.org/">The website</a>, run by Boston Children's Hospital, allows you to search for COVID-19 vaccines by inputting a ZIP code. The site collects information from pharmacies and states, an official said, although most states — including New York — have yet to provide the website with large-scale vaccine location information. <a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-long-island-new-york-1.50166010">Read more</a>. 
Other websites helping New Yorkers: Some people have used <a href="https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-websites-1.50190012">free websites</a> that compiled appointment availability and sent alerts when appointments became available for help getting an appointment, like <a href="https://nycvaccinelist.com/">nycvaccinelist.com</a>. 
Pop-up sites: The state has been expanding its efforts to vaccinate the populations hardest-hit by COVID-19 by opening pop-up sites at places like houses of worship and community centers. Appointments are usually coordinated through the sites. Get answers to your questions about pop-up sites <a href="https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-questions-pop-up-sites-1.50149056">in this Q&amp;A</a>. 
Try contacting your primary care physician or a <a href="https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/fqhc-and-vaccinations-1.50233127">federally qualified health center</a> to get more information.

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COVID-19 vaccines: How to book appointments on Long Island

How to get a COVID-19 vaccine appointment

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Pop-up sites take COVID-19 shots to targeted communities

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How to sign up for the coronavirus vaccine

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What happens after someone gets vaccinated against COVID-19

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Fact check: Clearing up 9 myths about the coronavirus vaccine

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Experts answer your COVID-19 vaccine questions 

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Robert Brodsky

For 10 months, we've heard the same message: avoid large crowds, practice social distancing and wear a mask. Those basic health precautions should continue, health professionals say, even after receiving two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Many wonder why those guidelines are still needed if the vaccine is safe and effective. Here are some key questions and answers: 
<h2>Why is a vaccine needed if social distancing and mask wearing can prevent the spread of the virus?</h2> 
Vaccines instruct the body how to successfully fight a virus without actually getting ill while public health measures, such as masking, rely on decreasing exposure to the virus. Wearing a face covering can reduce an individual's risk of contracting COVID-19 by up to 70%, according to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/masking-science-sars-cov2.html">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>. Vaccines approved by Pfizer and Moderna have shown to be more than 95% effective in blocking coronavirus infections. 
<h2>Do I still need to wear a mask and practice social distancing after being vaccinated? </h2> 
Yes. The vaccines require two shots, with Pfizer’s second dose coming 21 days after the first one and Moderna's after 28 days. It generally takes at least two more weeks for vaccinations to have maximum effectiveness. And the vaccine is still not 100% effective — although it generally will prevent you from getting seriously ill. 
But it remains unclear whether someone who has had the vaccine could still be a carrier of the virus, potentially transmitting it to those who have not been vaccinated, said Dr. David Battinelli, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Northwell Health. "We are not sure if you can carry COVID and give it to someone," after taking the vaccine, Battinelli told a <a href="https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-vaccine-newsday-live-1.50113928">Newsday Live panel</a> last week. 
<h2>How long do experts think wearing a mask and social distancing will last?</h2> 
Americans should continue with masking and social distancing until 75% to 85% of the population is vaccinated, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Herd immunity occurs when enough of a given population is exposed to the virus, typically though vaccination, limiting it's spread, and allowing the public to return to normal activities. 
It's not precisely clear when the United States will reach herd immunity as the time frame is dependent on a number of factors — the pace of vaccine distribution, a willingness of individuals to take the vaccine and it's general effectiveness — but Fauci recently estimated that it could occur by mid-fall. 
<h2>What activities can you feel comfortable doing in the immediate aftermath of being vaccinated? </h2> 
Most medical experts agree that a return to pre-2020 level activities, particularly international travel to locations where vaccinations have not been prevalent, will not be possible until we reach close to herd immunity. 
But many experts suggest that if you, and all of the people you want to see, have been vaccinated it may be safe to begin socializing, even indoors. But being in large groups, where it's impossible to know who has been vaccinated, will remain risky, experts say. 
<h2>How long will the vaccine protection last?</h2> 
Moderna's vaccine will provide immunity from the disease for at least one year, the biotech company said earlier this week. Pfizer has not reported similar data but health officials suggest the two vaccines work in similar ways and will therefore both require boosters, potentially annually. Additional data is expected in the coming months.

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What you need to do after getting vaccinated for COVID-19

What you need to do after getting COVID-19 vaccination

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New York's COVID-19 vaccine distribution has been underway for nearly two months, with the initial doses going to hospital workers, health care employees and nursing home residents and staff. But experts say the process is moving slower than anticipated, even as the state has expanded eligibility to essential workers, including police and firefighters and people 65 and older. <a data-onecms-id="contentid/storywidget.1.50116957" data-onecms-type="storywidget" href="#/content/contentid/storywidget.1.50116957">COVIDVACCINEINFOBOX</a>
 
Here's more information about the state's coronavirus vaccine distribution efforts: 
<h2>When could the general public get the vaccine in New York?</h2> 
It could take months until the majority of the state's nearly 20 million residents become eligible for the vaccine, officials said. In Fauci's Newsday Live interview, he said he hoped vaccinations of health care workers and other priority groups would be completed by the end of March or early April, paving the way for the general public to start being inoculated. 
<h2>How quickly do I need a second COVID-19 vaccine shot?</h2> 
The second dose of the Pfizer vaccine should be taken 21 days after the first shot. For Moderna, it's 28 days. But the timing of the shots need not be exact. The CDC says the second shots can be given up to four days earlier or later. 
<h2>Should I take the second dose from the same manufacturer as the first dose?</h2> 
Yes. Health officials say that the vaccines were tested based on the premise that recipients would take both doses from the same manufacturer. State officials will only administer the same vaccine to recipients when they sign up for a second dose. 
<h2>Who is administering the vaccine?</h2> 
State and local health department officials, hospital staff and volunteer-based medical reserve corps are helping to administer the vaccine. <a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/retired-nurses-return-1.50109842">R</a><a href="https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/retired-nurses-return-1.50109842">etired nurses</a> at NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island in Mineola, Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital in Oceanside, Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow and Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue are assisting in the effort.

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It's the critical decision that roughly 20 million Americans who have been infected with COVID-19 have had to face. They've tested positive for the novel coronavirus, recovered and are ready to end their quarantine. Now what? How do they know when it's safe? What's the protocol for seeing friends and family and going back to work? And what about taking another test? 
Here are some key questions about what to do next after recovering from coronavirus: 
<h2>When can I end my quarantine and start seeing other people after recovering from COVID?</h2> 
Most people can return to their normal routine 10 days after their symptoms first appeared, when they've been without fever for 24 hours and when other symptoms are improving, according to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/end-home-isolation.html#:~:text=You%20can%20be%20around%20others,the%20end%20of%20isolation%E2%80%8B">guidance</a> from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The loss of taste and smell can persist for weeks or months but should not affect those decisions, according to the CDC. 
<h2>What if I tested positive but experienced no symptoms?</h2> 
 The same rules exist. The CDC recommends that asymptotic individuals can be with others 10 days after their positive viral test. 
<h2>What if I had close contact with someone with COVID-19 but did not test positive?</h2> 
 The CDC recommends staying home for 14 days after the last exposure to that person. Some health care providers recommend doing the quarantine even after testing negative following exposure since the virus may not show up early on in the illness. 
However those rules do not apply if the person who had the close contact is themselves recovered from COVID within the previous three months and remains without symptoms. 
<h2>Do I need a negative COVID test before ending my quarantine?</h2> 
Most people do not require additional testing before they can be around others as long as they meet the other criteria, according to CDC guidelines. In fact, someone who recovered from the virus, and is not symptomatic, can still test positive for up to three months after diagnosis even though they are not infectious to others, the CDC says. 
<h2>What if I was severely ill with COVID and am immunocompromised? Do the same rules apply?</h2> 
Potentially no. The CDC recommends that people with severe to critical cases of COVID, or with severely weakened immune systems, could potentially remain infectious for up to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/duration-isolation.html">20 days</a> after symptoms first appeared. Immunocompromised COVID survivors could require additional testing to determine if its safe for them to be around others although those decisions should be made in consultation with a doctor, the agency said. 
<h2>Now that I have recovered from COVID, do I still need to wear a mask, practice social distancing and avoid large crowds?</h2> 
Absolutely. While it's rare, there have been some confirmed cases of reinfection with COVID-19, according to <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/if-youve-been-exposed-to-the-coronavirus#:~:text=Antibody%20tests%20can%20tell%20if,someone%20with%20new%20symptoms.">Harvard Medical School</a>. Experts do not know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from the virus. The protection gained from having an infection, known as "natural immunity," varies from person to person, experts say. 
Someone who has been reinfected, even if they experience no symptoms, also have the potential to spread the virus to others, according to Harvard. 
<h2>How soon can I can take the antibody test?</h2> 
Antibody tests can tell if someone has previously been infected with COVID-19. But the infected person doesn't begin producing antibodies immediately, <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/covid-19-antibody-testing/about/pac-20489696#:~:text=After%20infection%20with%20the%20COVID,re%20not%20tested%20too%20soon.">according to the Mayo Clinic</a>. It can take two to three weeks for a blood antibody test to turn positive. 
Antibodies may be detected in your blood for several months or more after recovering from COVID-19. While these antibodies likely provide some immunity to the virus, there's not enough evidence to know how long the antibodies last or to what extent a past infection with the virus helps protect you from getting another infection, according to Mayo officials. 
<h2> If I recovered from COVID, should I still take the vaccine?</h2> 
People who previously had COVID are still eligible to get the vaccine and may still benefit from getting vaccinated, according to the CDC.

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Answers to critical questions about ensuring others are safe after you recover

What to do to ensure you and others are safe post-COVID-19

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Denise M. Bonilla

President Donald Trump on Sunday night signed a $900 billion pandemic relief package that aims to bring much-needed funds to businesses and individuals impacted by COVID-19. 
The 5,593-page legislation extends or modifies many features of the CARES Act, Congress’ $2.2 trillion relief bill passed in March. It includes billions of dollars for schools, transit agencies and health care initiatives, such as vaccine distribution. 
Here are some critical questions and answers on what kind of relief is provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act: 
<h2>How much money will individuals and families receive?</h2> 
The funds going out to Americans are tax credits being advanced to taxpayers now based on their 2019 adjusted gross income. 
Individuals with a Social Security number, who are not dependents, will receive up to $600 if their income was under $75,000. Couples will receive up to $1,200, with an additional $600 per qualifying child, if their joint income was under $150,000. The amount given decreases by $50 for every $1,000 of income earned above these thresholds. 
Unlike the CARES Act, under this new relief package, families with mixed immigration status where one spouse has a valid Social Security number are now eligible for the payment. Their children can also receive $600 each if the child has a Social Security number. 
<h2>What about those $2,000 checks that the House of Representatives approved Monday night? </h2> 
The House passed increased relief assistance on Monday night, to an amount championed by Trump. 
The provision increases the amount of money individuals and families receive in stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000. Trump had advocated that amount before relenting and signing the current bill. 
On Tuesday Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to put the proposal up for a vote, saying the chamber would "begin a process" to address the issue. 
<h2>How and when will I receive the money?</h2> 
The IRS will use information from the most recent tax returns or Social Security data to provide the funds by either direct deposit or through a check in the mail to the last address on file. 
Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, had initially said the money could be distributed starting this week but Trump’s delay in signing the legislation has cast doubt on this time frame. The bill gives the Treasury Department until Jan. 15 to start distributing the money. 
<h2>What kind of help will businesses receive?</h2> 
Billions of dollars have been set aside for small businesses in the form of the Paycheck Protection Program, which offers low-interest and, depending on certain criteria, forgivable loans through financial institutions. 
Loans for this second round are limited to businesses with fewer than 300 employees which had a minimum of a 25% drop in gross receipts in a 2020 quarter compared to the same quarter in 2019. The maximum loan for second-time borrowers is $2 million. 
The qualifying expenses for which a PPP loan can be used have been expanded to include property damage, supplier costs and worker protection expenditures. 
The new legislation provides $20 billion for new Economic Injury Disaster Loan grants for businesses in low-income communities, as well as $43.5 billion for continued Small Business Administration (SBA) debt relief payments. 
<h2>What does this legislation do for unemployment benefits?</h2> 
The relief package extends two federal unemployment programs, providing a weekly $300 supplemental benefit for 11 weeks and extending unemployment benefits to workers who are traditionally ineligible, such as independent contractors. 
However, since Trump did not sign the legislation until after the two programs expired on Dec. 26, it is unclear how quickly they will resume or whether benefits will be made retroactive. As a result, workers may lose a week of benefits along with the supplemental $300. 
<h2>Is there assistance for renters?</h2> 
The relief package allocates $25 billion in rental assistance and extends the eviction moratorium through Jan. 31. 
Sign up for COVID-19 text alerts at <a href="http://newsday.com/text" target="_blank">newsday.com/text</a>.

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What you need to know about the pandemic relief bill

Your answers to questions about the federal COVID-19 stimulus bill

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A pair of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna have been approved by the FDA and are being distributed to health care workers and nursing home residents across Long Island. 
But as the distribution begins to filter down to the majority of the general population, questions remain whether employers can, and will, make coronavirus vaccination mandatory for their employees. Here are some critical questions: 
<h2>Can my employer require me to get the COVID vaccine?</h2> 
The short answer is yes, but with some exceptions. Private employers are legally permitted to define basic working conditions and can adopt health and safety standards for their workspace. Requiring employees to get vaccinated against diseases that could compromise health and safety in the workplace would be viewed as part of that ability, experts say. 
On Dec. 16, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued <a href="https://www.eeoc.gov/wysk/what-you-should-know-about-covid-19-and-ada-rehabilitation-act-and-other-eeo-laws" target="_blank">guidelines</a> stating that employers have the right to impose a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. The EEOC, the federal agency in charge of enforcing laws to prohibit discrimination in the workplace, previously allowed companies to mandate the flu vaccine. 
"Employers generally have wide scope" to make rules for the workplace, said Dorit Reiss, a law professor who specializes in vaccine policies at the University of California Hastings College of the Law. "It's their business." 
<h2>Are there exceptions that would allow me to refuse to take the vaccine?</h2> 
Yes, people can request exemptions for medical or religious reasons. But they are rare and fit specific criteria. 
<a href="https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/questions-and-answers-religious-discrimination-workplace" target="_blank">Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964</a> stipulates that if an employee has a "sincerely-held religious belief" that prevents them from taking the vaccine the employer cannot require the worker to be vaccinated. 
<h2>Are there exemptions for medical disabilities?</h2> 
Yes, the Americans with Disabilities Act stipulates that if an employee has a medical disability and cannot safety receive a vaccine, it cannot be mandated by the employer. 
<h2>What if an employee does not want to take the vaccine for political reasons?</h2> 
There is no political exemption. Social, political and economic beliefs — or a general "anti-vaxxer" position — are not considered a protected group under Title VII. 
<h2>What if an employer cannot grant an accommodation to the employee?</h2> 
If an employee qualifies for a religious or disability exemption, the business must try to provide a reasonable accommodation for the worker, such as switching them from working in the office to working from home while COVID-19 poses risks to public health, the guidelines stated. 
But businesses do not have to grant an accommodation if it will cause them an "<a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/29/1605.2" target="_blank">undue hardship,</a>" either because it's too costly, logistically burdensome or if it would compromise the health and safety of other employees. Under those circumstances, the employer would have the legal right to "<a href="https://www.eeoc.gov/wysk/what-you-should-know-about-covid-19-and-ada-rehabilitation-act-and-other-eeo-laws">exclude</a><a href="http://www.eeoc.gov/wysk/what-you-should-know-about-covid-19-and-ada-rehabilitation-act-and-other-eeo-laws"> that employee from the workplace</a>," according to the EEOC guidance. 
<h2>Under those circumstances, would an employer be allowed to terminate an employee for refusing vaccination?</h2> 
Not automatically. Before termination, an employer must determine whether the employee would be subject to any other local, state or federal regulations and if union labor rules would apply, But if no other possible accommodation can be made, an employee could potentially be terminated for refusing the vaccine, labor experts said. 
With The Associated Press 
Sign up for COVID-19 text alerts at <a href="http://newsday.com/text" target="_blank">newsday.com/text</a>.

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FAQ: Can your employer force you to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

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A new and more transmissible strain of coronavirus sweeping across the United Kingdom prompted Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Monday to ask airlines to include New York on the list of 120 nations that require all travelers coming from Britain to have a negative COVID-19 test before they get on the plane. 
The three airlines with direct flights between New York and the U.K. — British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Delta — have agreed to the request, Cuomo said. 
Several European nations, including Austria, Belgium, Italy, Ireland, Germany, France and the Netherlands, have banned incoming travel from England, citing concerns about the new strain. 
There are many questions about what the new coronavirus strain means for foreign travel, when it could arrive in the United States and how it will respond to the newly released COVID-19 vaccines. 
<h2>Should people be worried about this new COVID-19 variant? </h2> 
Dr. Aaron Glatt, chair of medicine and infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital in Oceanside, urged Long Islanders to stay calm, remain patient and continue with basic COVID-19 health guidelines including wearing masks and social distancing. 
"The answer is take a deep breath," Glatt said. "We don’t know what it means yet. We have had numerous times where it’s been thought some of the new strains are a little more contagious." 
<h2>How is this new COVID strain different?</h2> 
The variation found in the United Kingdom, known as "VUI — 202012/01," was first identified in September. U.K. health officials said they have identified 23 changes to the virus' genetic material — an unusually high number that appears to allow it to spread more quickly — that controls the spike protein, allowing COVID to penetrate host cells and cause an infection. 
<h2>Is this strain of the virus more deadly than current variants of the virus?</h2> 
Based on early research, public health officials say there's no evidence that the mutated virus is "any more dangerous or deadly than the strains that are currently out there," Surgeon General Jerome Adams said on CBS' "Face the Nation" Sunday. 
Vivek Murthy, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for surgeon general, appeared Sunday on NBC’s "Meet the Press," and said while reports appear to show the new strain is "more transmissible, more contagious," there is no "evidence yet that this is a more deadly virus." 
<h2>Is there a concern the COVID-19 vaccine would not be effective against this new strain? </h2> 
Public health officials are confident that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which have each been approved by the FDA, will be effective against this strain. "Even though there are variations of strain, all of them have this spike protein and the vaccine works against this spike protein," Glatt said. 
Adm. Brett Giroir, the Trump administration's coronavirus testing czar, said on ABC's "This Week" on Sunday that it's not uncommon for viruses to mutate. "We've seen almost 4,000 different mutations among this virus," Giroir said." "There is no indication that the mutation right now that they're talking about is overcoming England." 
<h2>What is the likelihood of this variant making its way to the United States? </h2> 
It remains unclear if the virus will be limited to Europe but public health officials and elected officials speculate it could be in United States already based on the volume of daily flights and thousands of daily passengers that arrive in the country from the United Kingdom. 
With AP

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The new, more transmissible coronavirus strain: What you need to know

New coronavirus strain: What you need to know

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A long-awaited vaccine for COVID-19 will soon be distributed across the globe, potentially bringing an end to the coronavirus pandemic. But the introduction of a COVID vaccine has many asking questions about its history, process and efficacy. 
<h2>How is a vaccine made in the lab?</h2> 
Viruses cause disease by reproducing themselves, often thousands of times, in the body. Vaccines are made by weakening a virus to prevent it from replicating, while still training the immune system to block the virus against infection. 
Scientists can weaken the virus in four ways: 
<ul> 
 <li>Changing the virus’ blueprint or genes so it replicates poorly. This is how the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccines were made.</li> 
 <li>Destroying the virus' blueprint or genes, preventing it from replicating at all. This is how the polio vaccine was made.</li> 
 <li>Using a fraction of the virus, preventing it from replicating itself. This is how the hepatitis B vaccine was developed.</li> 
 <li>Taking the toxin released from bacteria, purifying it, and killing it with chemicals so it cannot do any harm. This is how the diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccines were developed.</li> 
</ul> 
<h2>How was the COVID-19 vaccine made?</h2> 
Traditional methods for making a vaccine, while effective, are time consuming. Many of the leading vaccine candidates were developed by introducing targeted genetic material from the virus to create a coronavirus "spike protein" that will trigger an immune response with the recipient. Unlike previous vaccines, bits of the virus do not have to be generated in a lab. Instead, the vaccine delivers a genetic code that instructs cells to build certain proteins themselves. 
<h2>How many coronavirus vaccines will soon be available?</h2> 
Researchers are testing nearly 60 vaccines in clinical trials on humans. Among the most promising early candidates are vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, which claim to be 95% effective against the virus and are expected to be available to a limited number of people in the United States later this month. Long Island will receive 26,500 doses of the Pfizer vaccine as soon as this weekend, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Wednesday. Another vaccine by Oxford University and the biotech firm AstraZeneca could be on the way soon but has not proved as effective as others. A vaccine by the pharmaceutical company Novavax is in Phase 3 clinical trials. 
<h2>What do scientists look for to help them decide it’s a success?</h2> 
Clinical development of a vaccine is a three-phase process. During the first phase, a small group of people receive the trial vaccine. In the second phase, the clinical study is expanded and the vaccine is given to more people with similar ages and physical health for whom the vaccine is intended. In the third phase, the vaccine is given to thousands of people and tested for efficacy — to determine if it prevents the virus — and safety to see if there any side effects. 
<h2>How does the race for a COVID-19 vaccine compare to previous efforts during past pandemics? Were they made under the same pressures and time constraints?</h2> 
The race for a solution to the novel coronavirus is unique because of COVID's deadly nature and its ability to rapidly spread across the globe. The influenza pandemic of 1918, dubbed the Spanish flu, killed tens of millions across the globe, but it was not until the mid-1940s that a vaccine was distributed to the general population. 
Virus expert Jonas Salk began work in 1953 on a vaccine for polio, which was paralyzing up to 20,000 children annually, and it was declared safe and effective two years later. But Salk’s method of inactivating the virus was used incorrectly by manufacturers, leading 200,000 children to receive vaccines containing the live poliovirus. Roughly 200 children were paralyzed and 10 died from the flawed vaccine. 
<a href="https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/sign-up-for-covid-19-text-alerts-1.44425669?utm_source=postscript">Sign up to get COVID-19 text alerts</a>.

liFAQ201209

What we know about how the COVID-19 vaccine was developed

What we know about the development of the COVID-19 vaccine

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Matthew Chayes

President-elect Joe Biden <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/the-us-is-likely-headed-for-a-dark-winter-heres-what-that-means">has warned of "a very dark winter."</a> Mayor Bill de Blasio <a href="https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/771-20/transcript-mayor-de-blasio-holds-virtual-roundtable-community-ethnic-media">said Wednesday: "A second wave is bearing down on us."</a> Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said a day earlier: "I think there can be no doubt now that we are in that second wave that we’ve talked about for so long." 
<h2>What is a "wave" of a virus?</h2> 
One of the ways epidemiologists measure a pandemic disease’s progression is by tracking rates and raw numbers of infection, hospitalization, death and other factors, along a graph with x and y axes. The graphed trends are analogized to the waves of an ocean that can rise or fall, according to <a href="https://www.hofstra.edu/faculty/fac_profiles.cfm?id=2342">Martine Hackett, an associate professor of public health at Hofstra University</a>. The waves of a disease can be seen rising, falling or flattening depending on these metrics. A wave is over when the metrics decrease near zero. 
<h2>Are we in a second wave?</h2> 
Since after the first wave of coronavirus in the spring, infections, hospitalizations and deaths had all been declining precipitously on Long Island and in most of New York State. That lull — through July, August and September — lasted until about late October, when all three metrics and others began increasing. There is no one definition and arbiter of the coronavirus' second wave — some argue that the first wave never ended — but "whether it’s the first wave or second wave or third wave, the main fact is that these numbers are increasing and those increases mean more risk," she said. 
<h2>How high are the numbers on Long Island expected to reach?</h2> 
Based on Hackett’s back-of-the-envelope analysis of <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#forecasting_weeklydeaths">figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>, weekly deaths in New York are forecast to rise about 33% by Dec. 15. Statewide, there are about 300 a week dying of COVID-19, which would rise to about 400 under the forecast. It’s likely to be a similar proportion for Nassau and Suffolk counties, she said. <a href="https://www.stonybrook.edu/experts/profile/bettina-fries">Dr. Bettina Fries, chief of the division of infectious diseases and professor of medicine at Stony Brook University</a>, said she’s concerned that in two weeks, the number of hospitalized patients across the system could double. It was about 60 Tuesday. If it reached 120, that would mean a quarter of patients in the system would have COVID-19. The peak was 430 back in the mid-April, she said. Those trends would be seen across Long Island and impact medical care everywhere, she said. 
<h2>What’s causing the rate of COVID-19 to rise once again?</h2> 
It’s a mix of factors. Among then is <a href="https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-fatigue-long-island-1.50059824">pandemic fatigue — Long Islanders and others tiring of the restrictions such as banning gatherings and limiting indoor activity, and also of covering their faces with masks</a> — coupled with the colder weather, in which people can’t comfortably gather outdoors and are thus heading indoors where coronavirus-containing droplets can transmit virus more easily. 
<h2>Why is the death rate lower than in the spring?</h2> 
Clinicians have learned a lot about how to treat COVID-19 and its complications. Ventilators — one of the main ways of treating the most dire cases initially — <a href="https://www.statnews.com/2020/04/21/coronavirus-analysis-recommends-less-reliance-on-ventilators/">aren't used as much</a>. Many people died after being put on ventilators, some studies showed. <a href="https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/health-management/covid-19-therapies-where-are-we">There are now monoclonal antibodies and corticosteroid drugs that weren't around or used early on</a>. One method used to improve outcomes of COVID-19 patients is a simple one: "proning." <a href="https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/proning-covid-19-patients-reduces-need-ventilators">According to research at Columbia University</a>: "COVID-19 patients who could position themselves in a facedown, prone position while awake and supplied with supplemental oxygen were less likely to need intubation and mechanical ventilation." <a href="https://www.journalofhospitalmedicine.com/jhospmed/article/230561/hospital-medicine/trends-covid-19-risk-adjusted-mortality-rates">A study</a> of 5,121 hospitalizations, published in October in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, found that mortality dropped to 7.6% in August from 25.6% in March, even when age and other differences are taken into account. Nevertheless, even though the virus is more treatable than in the spring, there are so many people getting it now that thousands are dying every day despite the improved medical treatments available. There is no cure, and the vaccine won't be an immediate panacea. 
<h2>What is the state doing to prepare for a second wave?</h2> 
On Thanksgiving, <a href="https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-long-island-cuomo-1.50075632">Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced the state is readying a "winter plan"</a> to counteract a potential resurgence after the holiday: prioritizing keeping schools open, particularly for kindergarten through eighth grade; continuing the months-old "microcluster" and zoned approach to nipping smaller outbreaks in the bud; factoring in hospitalization rates, hospital bed figures, and whether non-COVID surgeries are available. "We've been through the worst, and while we're not done yet," <a href="https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-winter-plan-combat-covid-19-surge-new-york-state">he said in a news release</a>, "we are moving forward with the lessons we learned in the spring."

liFAQ201203

COVID-19 surge on Long Island: Your questions answered

What to know as COVID-19 surges on Long Island

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COVID-19 rates have surged across the state in recent months largely through small indoor gatherings, according to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and local health leaders. 
Long Island's positivity rates reached 9.1% Saturday, a figure that grew steadily throughout the holiday season. The increases have prompted local officials to bolster testing capacity, particularly in hard-hit areas where the virus has clustered. 
Here are some critical questions and answers on getting tested for COVID-19 on Long Island: 
<h2>Where can I get tested on Long Island?</h2> 
Dozens of urgent care facilities, medical centers, hospitals and drive-thru facilities across Long Island, from Elmont to Riverhead, are providing COVID-19 tests. Urgent care centers said they've seen their volume grow significantly since the start of the holiday season, with long lines for tests stretching several blocks. For many locations, testing is by appointment only and some facilities allow patients to wait in their cars until their testing facility is ready for them. Some labs offer testing to walk-ins as well. 
New York City now posts wait-time updates three times a day on Twitter pointing residents to testing sites with the shortest waits. Long Island does not yet offer such as service although Northwell Health, the region's largest health network, does post wait times at its facilities. 
Click <a href="https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you">here</a> for a state Department of Health tool to help you find a testing site near you. 
<h2>What sort of tests are available?</h2> 
Two kinds of tests are available to detect COVID-19: a diagnostic viral test to determine if you currently have the inflection and an antibody test to determine if you previously were infected. Currently, there are two types of diagnostic tests — molecular tests, which detect the virus’ genetic material and can take several days to get results, and an antigen, or rapid point-of-care test, that detects specific proteins from the virus and gives results the same day. 
Pharmaceutical companies have also introduced saliva tests, usually by prescription, that allow a patient to spit into a tube rather than get their nose or throat swabbed and at-home collection tests that allow individuals to collect samples at home and then send them to a lab. 
<h2>Where can I get rapid tests?</h2> 
Many urgent care facilities across Long Island offer rapid tests, with results often available within 30 minutes. Nassau County has partnered with area hospitals to open drive-thru testing sites offering rapid results in the Five Towns, Oceanside and Manhasset. 
<h2>When should I get tested?</h2> 
Not everyone should get tested for COVID, officials advise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that people showing symptoms of the virus, who have had close contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, or who have been referred by their health care provider, should get tested. 
<h2>How accurate are rapid tests compared with other diagnostic tests?</h2> 
Molecular tests are generally more reliable than rapid antigen tests, health experts agree. The rapid tests use a mucus sample from the nose or throat and have a higher chance of missing an active infection, according to the CDC. If a rapid antigen test shows a negative result, a health care provider may order a molecular test to confirm the result. 
<h2>Should I get tested before I travel?</h2> 
The CDC recommends that international air travelers get a viral test 1-3 days before their flight. Travelers should get tested 3-5 days after their trip and stay home for 7 days, the CDC says. If a traveler does not get tested, the agency says it’s safest to stay home for 14 days. 
New York State requires travelers who were out of state for more than 24 hours to obtain a test within three days of departure, before arrival in New York. The traveler must, upon arrival in New York, quarantine for three days. On day 4 of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain another COVID test. The state's guidance does not apply to travel to and from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont 
<h2>What do the different types of tests cost?</h2> 
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act mandates that all COVID-19 testing is free, whether or not the patient has insurance. However, rapid tests offered at some laboratories can have a separate charge while over-the counter testing kits, sold at many retailers, run in excess of $100. Patients may also be responsible for additional out-of-pocket costs if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 and require additional care. 
<h2>How do I get the results?</h2> 
The medical facility or lab that conducts the test and/or analyzes the sample should provide the result.

liFAQ201202

COVID-19 testing FAQ: What you need to know

Answering your questions about COVID-19 testing

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A second wave of COVID-19 infections is spreading across New York State, leading to additional restrictions on large gatherings, early closures at bars and restaurants and the threat of additional closures and lockdowns if cases continue to rise. The threat is particularly high during the holiday season, when many residents are traveling long distances and gathering in large groups with friends and family, health officials said. These are some frequently asked questions and answers: 
<h2>What are the state’s new restrictions on private gatherings?</h2> 
Beginning Nov. 13, indoor and outdoor gatherings at private homes are limited to no more than 10 people. Connecticut, New Jersey and Massachusetts are among the northeastern states with similar rules in place. The capacity limit, which is to be enforced by local authorities, does not apply to households with more than 10 people. 
<h2>I hear my community is part of a "microcluster" and is now in the state’s yellow zone because of rising coronavirus infections. What does that mean for me?</h2> 
Hampton Bays, Riverhead, Great Neck and Massapequa Park became the first four Long Island communities to be designated by state officials as <a href="https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/micro-clusters-yellow-orange-red-zones-long-island-new-york-1.50073089">"microclusters"</a> and to be put in the state's yellow zone because of a sustained increase in positive coronavirus cases. Businesses in the yellow zone are allowed to remain open and the capacity limit for houses of worship is unchanged at 50%. Nonessential mass gatherings, which generally require a permit, are limited to 25 people — indoor and outdoor. Restaurants can offer indoor and outdoor dining but with a limit of four people per table. While schools are not forced to close, they must test 20% of students, teachers and staff weekly. 
<h2>How can my community get out of the yellow zone?</h2> 
To be removed from the yellow zone, a microcluster community must show a decrease in the seven-day average positivity rate for coronavirus infections over a 10-day period and then keep the numbers down for at least three consecutive days. 
<h2>I want to visit my family for the holidays. What are the recommendations for traveling out of town?</h2> 
It may be a disappointment to many Long Islanders who haven't seen their family for months, but with COVID-19 continuing to spread, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends postponing travel and staying home to protect yourself and others from the virus. Airports, bus stations, train stations, gas stations and rest stops are all places travelers can be exposed to the virus in the air and on surfaces, according to the CDC. 
<h2>What if I still plan on traveling?</h2> 
If you are determined to hit the skies or the open road, the CDC urges Americans to wear masks in public settings, including mass transportation and at gatherings around people outside your household. The CDC also suggests avoiding close contact with those not in your household, frequently washing your hands and avoiding touching your mask, eyes, nose and mouth. The <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases_casesper100klast7days">CDC’s COVID Data Tracker</a> also provides the latest number of cases by state. 
<h2>Can I still go out to dinner, either indoor or outdoor?</h2> 
Yes, but bars and any restaurant with a liquor license throughout New York State are required to close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily. Restaurants are still allowed to provide curbside and food-only pickup or delivery after 10 p.m. but are not permitted to serve alcohol to go. State officials said any business with a liquor license would be subject to the new rules, including bowling alleys, movie theaters and pool halls. The rules also affect gyms that operate in the late evening hours.

liFAQ201127

As COVID-19 cases rise, what's allowed in New York — and what isn't

As COVID-19 cases rise, what's allowed in NY — and what isn't

liFAQ201127_photos

With coronavirus cases continuing to spike statewide, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has announced new regulations that require restaurants with liquor licenses, bars and gyms to shutter their doors at 10 p.m. while limiting gatherings in private residences to 10 people. 
The new restrictions, which apply to any facility with a liquor license, will take effect at 10 p.m. on Friday. The previous limit on gatherings at private homes was 50 people. 
<h2>Why is the state taking these actions?</h2> 
Cuomo and state officials contend that contact tracing shows that large gatherings, along with restaurants, bars and gyms, have been among the triggers causing an uptick in COVID-19 cases across the state. Long Island's positivity rate, which hovered around 1% for months, was 3.1% Wednesday while the statewide level was 2.95%. 
<h2>How will the restaurant and bar curfew work?</h2> 
Bars and any restaurant with a liquor license will be required to close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily. Restaurants will still be allowed to provide curbside and food-only pickup or delivery after 10 p.m. but will not be permitted to serve alcohol to go. The State Liquor Authority will issue additional guidance for licensees as to what sales can continue to be permitted. 
<h2>What other types of businesses would be impacted?</h2> 
State officials said any business with a liquor license would be subject to the new rules, including bowling alleys, movie theaters and pool halls. 
<h2>Are catering halls and other venues hosting private parties affected? </h2> 
The 10 p.m. closure applies to all restaurants or other SLA-licensed businesses, including catering halls, country clubs and event venues. However, the venues would be exempt from the 10-person capacity limit, even as local and state officials have said these types of events have occasionally turned into superspreader events. Catering venues, state officials said, are subject to capacity restrictions and regulations requiring masks when guests are not seated, as well as prohibiting dancing and gathering together when standing. 
<h2>Why the late-night prohibition on gyms?</h2> 
Cuomo said Wednesday that "gyms are also an identified spreading element." State officials Thursday said decreasing their hours of operation will limit the spread of the virus, allow gyms additional time to clean and sanitize and ensure that more people are home and not out in the community when spread occurs. 
<h2>How would the house party mandate work?</h2> 
The governor said indoor gatherings, including Halloween parties, have contributed to the increase in virus cases. Indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences will be limited to no more than 10 people. Connecticut and Massachusetts are among the states with similar rules in place. The capacity limit, which would be enforced by local authorities, would not apply to households with more than 10 people. It remains unclear — outside of complaints from neighbors — how officials could enforce the restriction on small indoor gatherings in private homes, including at Thanksgiving.

liFAQ201113

New York State's new COVID restrictions: What you need to know

What you need to know about the new statewide COVID restrictions

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Coronavirus: Your questions answered

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See the number of coronavirus cases in your community

IMG0NBU_WEB / mg

Got questions about coronavirus testing on Long Island and throughout the state and country? We have answers: 
<h2>How can I get tested for COVID-19?</h2> 
The state has two drive-thru coronavirus testing sites on Long Island, at Jones Beach State Park and Stony Brook University. The state advises people with a health care provider to first contact that provider about testing. 
The state sites are by appointment, by calling 888-364-3065. You will be asked questions about what symptoms you have. The information is sent to a database, and you are prioritized based on your answers to questions. If you are eligible for testing, you will be called with an appointment time. 
AFC Urgent Care, which has centers in Farmingdale, East Meadow and West Islip, has been doing 15-minute testing. Patients are taken by appointment, but each center is only doing about 100 tests per day. 
Other urgent care groups, including Northwell Health-GoHealth, also test, but&nbsp;not everyone who visits Northwell will get tested. The New Hyde Park-based health system recommends that patients call ahead, and make an appointment to be seen remotely or at an urgent care center.&nbsp; 
ProHEALTH, which runs a network of urgent care centers and primary care offices, offers drive-thru testing, but you must call their hotline to make an appointment before visiting one — and at some of their drive-thru centers, you must be a primary care patient of theirs to be considered. 
Suffolk County has expanded testing with&nbsp;locations in Huntington, Brentwood and Riverhead. Testing at those sites is&nbsp;by appointment only. If you have a fever over 100.5, severe shortness of breath, and a persistent cough, please call 845&nbsp;553-8030 for a screening or to make an appointment to be tested.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
<h2>Why are health care providers limiting who gets tested?</h2> 
The main reason: Test kits are limited. So patients are prioritized. Those who are at higher risk, which includes underlying respiratory conditions, may have a better chance of being tested. The same goes for older people, who are generally more at risk if they get&nbsp;COVID-19. Also, patients who show&nbsp;symptoms such as a fever of 100.4 or higher, dry cough and shortness of breath, could be prioritized. 
<h2>If a patient&nbsp;meets the standards, they'll definitely get tested, right?</h2> 
Not always. In many cases, a doctor might tell a patient that even if COVID-19 is suspected, it's better to stay at home. For example, a patient who has multiple symptoms, but no underlying conditions, could be better off resting and not risking infecting others by going out. But in other cases, yes, a medical professional will approve a test. 
<h2>Is it easier to get tested in other states?</h2> 
Actually, New York has tested more than other states. As of Tuesday, the state has reported 138,836 confirmed cases, and more than 340,000 people have been tested.&nbsp; 
<h2>Why are the tests so hard to come by?</h2> 
Testing, much like ventilators and personal protective equipment, depends on a supply chain that was not built&nbsp;to handle a pandemic. Clinical labs such as Northwell Health Labs have reached out globally to procure adequate testing kits and have even turned to making their own through 3-D printing technology. Northwell has printed its own nasal swabs capable of testing for COVID-19 at its Feinstein Institutes for Medical Technology. 
Also, as testing has increased, so has the workload at the labs handling them, which could lead to delays in posting results. 
With Joan Gralla and Olivia Winslow

LIFYI200408

What you need to know about coronavirus testing

What to know about coronavirus testing

Not everyone who wants a COVID-19 test can get one. There’s certain criteria that must be met for those across Long Island seeking tests.


Navigating coronavirus testing on LI

Newsday

Things to Do

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The ultimate guide to winter dining on Long Island

The ultimate guide to LI winter dining: Pop-up experiences, igloos, more

fdfmultimate201125TOP

Erica Marcus

Since March, Long Island diners have had to deal with the fear, isolation and boredom bestowed by COVID-19. Add to that no small amount of confusion. 
In terms of regulation, New York State is the primary actor here, although many state guidelines are derived from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other guidelines are the province of Nassau and Suffolk counties, and the hundreds of overlapping towns, villages and hamlets that make up Long Island’s government. It’s not easy for either restaurateurs or diners to know exactly who is responsible for regulating what. 
Take, for example, City Cellar in Westbury. Chef-partner Michael Abbiatello said he follows all state-mandated regulations and keeps his eyes peeled for visits from the State Liquor Authority, but it is the Nassau County Health department that has inspected his restaurant four times since March. "They were mostly concerned with the spacing of tables and whether staff was wearing masks," he said. He has not been knowingly visited by anyone from the Town of North Hempstead and it was the Village of Westbury fire marshal that inspected the outdoor tent before Nassau County would issue a permit for it. 
Nor can the medical community issue advice that will protect you 100% from getting infected. "Nothing we do is entirely without risk," said Dr. David Hirschwerk, an infectious diseases expert at Northwell Health in Manhasset. "If you are going out," he said, "you are having to rely on an environment that seems safe. Ultimately, these become personal decisions." 
In order to help you navigate those decisions, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked dining questions which, given experts' ever-evolving understanding of the virus, you can take with a grain of salt. 
How can diners assess the relative risks of dining inside vs. dining outside, and all the variations between? 
"Start with the premise, anything you do outside is better than anything you can do inside, with respect to COVID," said Dr. Hirschwerk. "After that, you need to factor in the other things we know that lower the risk of infection: maintain social distancing, avoid crowds, wear a mask." 
Can you minimize the risks if you decide to dine indoors? 
Hirschwerk, who has not dined inside a restaurant since March, suggested that you <a href="https://projects.newsday.com/long-island/tracking-the-coronavirus-on-long-island">check the rate of infection in the community you are dining in</a>. "And if you’re going to dine indoors, the smaller the group the better." Dr. Susan Donelan, medical director of health care epidemiology at Stony Brook University Hospital advised "limiting your dining companions to people who are as close to your bubble as possible. There’s a difference between eating out with someone you’re sharing a house with and someone who has just come from Florida." 
Does the "six-feet" rule refer to distance between tables or between chairs at adjacent tables? Do partitions reduce the requirements for socially distant tables? 
State guidelines say both indoor and outdoor tables must be separated from other tables by a minimum of six feet in every direction. If that is not feasible, physical barriers, at least five feet in height, must be erected. Counties and towns may require that the six feet be measured between chairs and not tables. 
What are the regulations for outdoor dining tents? When does a tent become a room? 
The state distinguishes only between indoor and outdoor spaces. An outdoor space can have a temporary or fixed cover (like an awning or roof) but the cover must have "at least two open sides for airflow." If you are in a tent with one or no open sides, the state considers it an indoor space that must follow the indoor rules. At City Cellar, Abbiatello said that when he enclosed his patio in a tent this fall, he lost some capacity but that, otherwise, it now functions as a second indoor dining room. "It's six feet between tables either way." 
Are there any ventilation standards for closed tents? 
This is a gray area since, unlike restaurants, tents do not have to pass rigorous health and safety regulations. Dr. Donelan suggested that whether you are dining inside a restaurant or in a tent, "the important thing is ‘air changes per hour’ — how much air is being circulated and how much of that air is new." The more sides a tent has open, the better, she said. And, somewhat counterintuitively, ventilation may well be better inside a restaurant than in a closed tent. 
Are there any rules governing heaters inside tents? 
The state cedes that power to counties, towns and villages. On Long Island, it is the individual fire marshals in each town and village who inspect tents and approves permits for their use. That’s why one restaurant’s tent might be allowed to have propane heaters, another’s might not. 
What about individual igloos, bubbles and greenhouses? 
These temporary structures are considered indoor spaces if they do not have two sides open. Either way, however, restaurants need to follow state-issued guidance on cleaning and disinfecting. Mirabelle in Stony Brook recently set up one igloo that accommodates up to six diners, all from the same party. Thus far, there hasn’t been more than one "igloo seating" per night but Mirabelle’s protocol is that after a group leaves, all surfaces are wiped down with disinfectant and then the space is treated with an electric sanitizing fog machine. 
Are there any new regulations governing restaurant ventilation systems since the pandemic? 
Not really. The state advises that "responsible parties should increase ventilation with outdoor air to the greatest extent possible." 
What about restaurant bars? 
On Long Island (but not in NYC), the state allows restaurants to operate bars provided customers are seated and there’s at least six feet between parties. Bar staff should also keep at least six feet away from customers, "when possible." If you order an alcoholic beverage, you must also buy some food to go with it, but "businesses may serve soft drinks without an accompanying food purchase." 
Do restaurants have to disclose when an employee or a customer tests positive? 
Some businesses announce on Facebook that an employee has tested positive; others shut down temporarily with no explanation. Whether it’s an employee or a customer, the responsibility for contact tracing falls to the county health authorities, not the restaurant. The state publishes extensive guidelines for disinfecting after someone has tested positive, but there is no requirement that the restaurant inform the public. And while restaurants are encouraged to "maintain a log of every person, including workers and vendors, who may have close or proximate contact with other individuals at the work site," the log excludes customers.

FDwinter201113

Winter dining on Long Island: Answering the biggest coronavirus safety questions

Are tents, igloos safe? LI's biggest winter dining questions, answered

Igloos and private greenhouses are among the many ways restaurants are getting creative as the temperatures drop and the pandemic restrictions tighten. Newsday's Faith Jessie visited ITA Kitchen in Bay Shore, H20 Seafood & Sushi in Smithtown and Danford's in Port Jefferson.


Restaurants get creative as winter approaches

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Stuck inside? Here are some upbeat ways to pass the time 

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David Olson

The image many&nbsp;might have of COVID-19 is an elderly person struggling to breathe, hooked up to a hospital ventilator. Or someone with a high fever, bad cough and shortness of breath. 
Yet the face of COVID-19&nbsp;also could be the teenager skateboarding down your street, or the middle-aged couple taking a stroll in the park. 
They all may look healthy. They may feel healthy. But they also may be carrying the virus, unknowingly infecting those around them. 
As many as 25% of people with the virus are asymptomatic and will remain so, Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in an interview broadcast Tuesday on National Public Radio. Those who get sick from COVID-19 may be capable of transmitting the virus for up to 48 hours before they have symptoms, he said. Both groups help explain why the virus has spread so quickly, he added. 
It’s unknown how many asymptomatic people there are — or for that matter, how many people overall carry the virus. The COVID-19 case numbers that local and state health departments release daily only capture those who test positive. State guidelines prioritize testing for high-risk people, such as elderly people, health care workers and those with certain underlying illnesses. Others, even with symptoms, say they have been rejected for testing. 
The public should assume anyone could be carrying COVID-19, said&nbsp;Danielle Ompad, an associate professor of epidemiology at the New York University School of Global Public Health in Manhattan. 
”I don’t think people realize that just because they’re not sick doesn’t mean they can’t be infected,” she said.&nbsp;“It’s a little counterintuitive for people to think they could be spreading virus when they feel completely fine.” 
Asymptomatic people are less likely to adhere to social-distancing guidelines, said Dr. Sharon Nachman, division chief for pediatric infectious diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. 
People with a fever and cough typically are “being incredibly smart about staying home and not going near anyone or doing anything,” she said. But many asymptomatic people who unknowingly carry the virus might not understand the need to self-isolate, Nachman said. 
People who don’t have the virus, in turn, are often hypervigilant for any signs of sickness. If someone coughs or sneezes, “Everybody steps back,” she said. They may let their guard down more with people they believe look healthy, she said. 
That is why social distancing is so important, said Dr. Bruce Polsky, chairman of medicine at NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola and an infectious disease specialist. 
“If you assume that a certain percentage of asymptomatic people will be shedding the virus, then it’s impossible to know in a real-life setting who those people are when you encounter them,” he said. 
Redfield said the growing evidence that there is significant transmission of the virus by asymptomatic people led to a review of the CDC's guidance that masks should be worn only by the sick or those at high risk of COVID-19 complications. On Friday, President Donald Trump announced that the CDC is now recommending that everyone wear cloth or other nonmedical&nbsp;masks in public. 
Polsky said before the announcement that he supports a revision of CDC guidelines. Surgical masks prevent the spread of droplets that contain the virus from people who are coughing, sneezing or even talking, he said. A mask gives uninfected people some protection from taking in the droplets, he said. 
With COVID-19 so prevalent, “I would say it is prudent when you are going to be interacting with people, and this would include going grocery shopping and such, it is prudent to wear a mask,” he said. 
Only a few weeks ago, even many medical offices were not assuming that some of their patients could be asymptomatic carriers of the virus, said Jeffrey Kwong, a professor of advanced nursing practice at the Rutgers School of Nursing in Newark, New Jersey. 
Kwong also works in a Manhattan primary care practice, and he recalled that until mid-March, employees would only wear N95 respirator masks — which provide more protection than surgical masks — with someone with COVID-19 symptoms or other respiratory issues. 
“As we were seeing more data and more cases, all of us came to the realization that this is much more prevalent and much more contagious than we initially thought,” he said. 
The office&nbsp;then began requiring N95 masks for all patient interactions, and a few&nbsp;days later switched&nbsp;to only telehealth appointments, he said. 
A study published March 16 in the journal Science estimated that in China, where the pandemic began, 86% of infections with the virus before Jan.&nbsp;23 were not documented, and that those people were the infection source of 79% of cases that were documented. 
Ompad said widespread testing would help indicate how many people are asymptomatic, and mass testing for the antibodies that the body creates to fight the virus would pick up people who had the virus but no longer do. If a vaccine emerges, and it is confirmed that people who have COVID-19 are immune from getting it again, data from testing would allow for prioritization of people who never carried COVID-19, she said. 
Until then, Ompad said, "the best intervention is to change people’s behaviors” through social distancing.

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CDC director: As many as 25% of people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic

Are you asymptomatic? You may never know

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Victor Ocasio

&nbsp;The state Department of Labor adopted a new "don't call us, we'll call you" protocol on Friday, April 10, after its&nbsp;phone lines were overwhelmed by thousands of New Yorkers calling to try to complete their unemployment claims.&nbsp; 
The new phone system accompanies a revamped online application process, which should allow most filers to complete their claims without a follow-up phone call.&nbsp;&nbsp;If more information is needed, an agency staffer will call you within 72 hours. 
If you&nbsp;used&nbsp;the old online application and were directed to call DOL to complete your&nbsp;claim, you&nbsp;should stop calling and wait for a call from a DOL representative, the agency said.&nbsp; 
An&nbsp;expansion&nbsp;of unemployment benefits was included in a federal&nbsp;economic relief bill signed into law in March, providing an extra $600 a week through July 31 on top of the unemployment aid that states provide, and extending benefits for&nbsp;13&nbsp;weeks beyond the standard six months. 
The legislation also extends unemployment benefits, for the first time, to gig workers&nbsp;and sole proprietors under its&nbsp;Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.&nbsp; 
Here are answers to common questions about the filing process: 
How do I file a claim? 
File online if you can.&nbsp;(The state hasn't allowed&nbsp;in-person applications since 2005.) 
To do so, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://labor.ny.gov./unemploymentassistance.shtm">labor.ny.gov./unemploymentassistance.shtm</a>. The site contains links to how-to guides for filing your claim. 
You may file online Monday-Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 
Click LOGIN and sign in with your NY.gov account if you have one. If you don't have an NY.gov&nbsp;account, scroll down to "Don't have an account?" and follow the instructions. 
If you must file by phone, call&nbsp;888-209-8124. The phone center is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 7:30 &nbsp;p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
To reduce stress on the online filing system and phone lines, DOL has assigned&nbsp;filing days&nbsp;for new claims based on the first letter of your last name.&nbsp; 
A-F: Monday 
G-N: Tuesday 
O-Z: Wednesday 
Missed your day: Thursday through Sunday 
Any claim you file will be backdated to the date you became unemployed. If you are eligible, you will be paid for all benefits due. 
How long will it take to receive my first unemployment check? 
Once a claim is complete, payments will be issued as soon as a week. Those who select direct deposit will likely receive their payment faster than those who&nbsp;select a&nbsp;check or debit card option. 
How much will I get? 
Your&nbsp;benefit rate is based on your&nbsp;recent wages. The current maximum weekly benefit rate in New York is $504. 
Will I receive the additional $600 on top of that? 
Yes. Those who are&nbsp;approved for unemployment benefits do not have to do anything else to be qualified for the&nbsp;additional $600 a week starting April 5 through July 31. 
How long will my benefits last? 
If you&nbsp;are still unemployed after the standard 26-week&nbsp;benefit period, you&nbsp;will receive up to 13 additional weeks of checks. 
Am I still required to provide proof that I’m searching for a job? 
Generally, you do not have to search for work if you were laid off because your employer closed or reduced operations due to COVID-19, and your employer told you that you will be called back to work when the business reopens. 
Barring that, you must search for work. The DOL said it is aware of the challenges&nbsp;to finding a job amid the pandemic&nbsp;crisis, but said applicants must make their best effort. 
The agency said benefit recipients must make sure to document their&nbsp;work search efforts and&nbsp;must submit proof of them if asked. Claimants risk losing their benefits if they do not search for work and submit proof of search efforts if asked.&nbsp; 
 
I have not been laid off but I am not receiving any income because my employer is currently closed. Can I file for unemployment? 
If you are not being paid your normal rate, you should file for unemployment insurance. 
Can I apply for unemployment to supplement some of my lost income due to a severe reduction in hours? 
Yes.&nbsp; If you earn less than $504 per week, you may be eligible for partial unemployment. You should file a claim to determine if you are eligible. 
What type of information do I need to apply for unemployment? 
Gather your&nbsp;information before filing a claim: SSN, driver's license information, your last W-2 (for employer information, employer number and wages); if you want direct deposit, get your account number and routing number. 
If my former employer contests my unemployment claim, am I out of luck? 
While that can happen, DOL&nbsp;recommends that you respond promptly to requests for further information; this can help the department make a determination faster. 
Will any assistance be provided to applicants who may not be familiar with computers or using the internet? 
Yes. The DOL will provide technical assistance through email or over the phone.&nbsp; 
Do you have to be a U.S. citizen, or be eligible to work in the United States,&nbsp;to get unemployment insurance? 
Yes. To be eligible, a worker must be legally authorized to work in the United States.&nbsp;. 
Are freelancers or gig workers such as Uber drivers now eligible for unemployment?&nbsp; 
Traditionally, independent contractors&nbsp;working in New York State are not eligible. However, under the recently signed federal expansions of unemployment coverage, they may be. Such workers can apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. For informaton on how to apply, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.labor.ny.gov/ui/pandemic-unemployment-assistance.shtm" target="_blank">labor.ny.gov/ui/pandemic-unemployment-assistance.shtm</a>. 
Are sole proprietors or owners of single-employee businesses&nbsp;eligible? 
Like independent contractors, self-employed individuals working in New York have traditionally not been eligible, but they may be under&nbsp;the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program and should apply. 
What if I was already receiving unemployment benefits? 
There are a few different situations regarding exhausted/expired&nbsp;benefits.&nbsp; 
- If your benefit year expired after July 1, 2019, you will need to file a new claim to receive 13 additional weeks of benefits. You will receive a letter in the mail from the&nbsp;DOL with more details. 
- If your benefit year has not expired, but you exhausted your 26 weeks of benefits, you will receive a letter from DOL advising you to begin certifying to receive the additional 13 weeks of benefits. 
- If your benefit year has not expired, but you stopped claiming benefits before your 26 weeks were up (for example, if you went back to work), begin certifying for benefits again to start receiving benefits. 
Are unemployment benefits taxable income? 
Yes. Unemployment benefits are subject to state and federal taxes.&nbsp;

BZQ&amp;A200405

Filing unemployment claims: What you need to know

Filing for unemployment: What you need to know

The New York State Department of Labor Unemployment released a public service announcement telling residents the department has made changes to meet the increased demand of those filing for unemployment amid the coronavirus pandemic. 


State Department of Labor Unemployment PSA

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Your guide to takeout on Long Island

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Long Island butchers, fish markets and more pivot to delivery

Updated: Local markets, wholesalers that deliver

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Though the pandemic is hitting its ninth month, these discounts for health care and hospitality workers are still as valid as ever. 
Here are five places to catch a break: 
Outback Steakhouse (multiple locations): Nurses, doctors, medical staff, police, firefighters and first responders get 10% off their check all day, every day. The offer excludes alcohol and valid ID must be shown. Call ahead for hours. More info: <a href="https://www.outback.com/">outback.com</a> 
Sur Argentinian Steakhouse (314 New York Ave., Huntington): Front-line health care workers are eligible for a 15% discount. Must show ID. It's open 7 days a week, from noon to 10 p.m. More info: 631-470-6300, <a href="https://www.surhuntington.com/">surhuntington.com</a> 
ZA (2 North Park Ave., Rockville Centre): This late-night pizzeria is providing hospital staff, police, firefighters and EMS workers with 10% off their checks. It's open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays from 5 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Thursdays to Saturdays it's open from 5 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. (It's other location is at 3601 Merrick Rd., Seaford; 516-785-5283.) More info: 516-678-5283, <a href="http://zalatenightpizza.com">zalatenightpizza.com</a> 
Pop’s Pizza (1021 Portion Rd., Ronkonkoma): Between 11:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., first responders receive a 15% discount on their pickup orders. Must show ID. More info: 631-736-3957, <a href="https://www.orderpopspizza.com/">orderpopspizza.com</a> 
Organic Krush (multiple locations): Michelle Walrath and Fran Paniccia, the women behind this health-focused eatery, are offering a 10% discount to health care workers who show their ID. They have outposts in Woodbury, Rockville Centre, Plainview, Roslyn and Amagansett, which is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Call ahead for store hours. More info: <a href="https://organickrush.com/">organickrush.com</a>

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Long Island restaurants offering discounts to health care and hospitality workers

LI eateries offering discounts to health care workers

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More than 83,000 New Yorkers have now tested positive for the coronavirus, including in excess of 17,000 Long Islanders. 
But numbers don’t tell the full story about the human toll of the worldwide pandemic. 
The desperate efforts for individuals to get scarcely available tests. The immeasurable physical, emotional and psychological pain left by COVID-19. And the nearly impossible choices families and health care professionals are forced to make in the midst of the&nbsp;crisis. 
Here are two&nbsp;of these stories: 
Nikita Addison
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Nikita Addison checked all the boxes for the coronavirus: fever, shortness of breath and a deep cough.&nbsp; 
The 31-year-old Freeport resident&nbsp;also has&nbsp;a compromised immune system due to years of steroidal&nbsp;and immunotherapy treatment&nbsp;that makes her particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. 
Addison, a senior coordinator at Altice, suffers from lupus, a disease caused when the immune system attacks its own tissues. She also has&nbsp;asthma and a history of pleural effusion, a buildup of fluid in the lungs. 
She thought it would be simple to get tested for the virus. But even after a visit&nbsp;to an urgent care center,&nbsp;an ambulance ride to a hospital, and an afternoon in the emergency room, Addison said&nbsp;she was unable to get a test because doctors argued her symptoms were caused by&nbsp;lupus. 
It would take another week for Addison to finally get tested and eight more days to learn the&nbsp;results — positive for the virus. 
"I am used to not feeling great because I have lupus," Addison said.&nbsp;"But this is a different type of feeling. I knew something was not right." 
Addison's ordeal began March 11 when she woke up with&nbsp;a nearly 101-degree fever, shortness of breath, a cough and&nbsp;muscle aches. She then&nbsp;went to an urgent care center. When&nbsp;flu tests came back negative, she was taken to a nearby hospital and put in an isolation room. A chest X-ray discovered inflammation in Addison's left lung and an emergency room doctor suggested she get tested for the virus.&nbsp; 
But hours later, the doctor told Addison&nbsp;that, after consulting with other hospital physicians, he believed her symptoms were caused by a lupus flare-up, she said. 
Addison rejected the diagnosis but&nbsp;the doctor sent her home, contending there was no reason to perform the test because&nbsp;“young people don’t get the coronavirus," she&nbsp;said. 
"I did not have enough energy to argue," Addison said.&nbsp; 
The next day, she spoke with her primary care physician and&nbsp;rheumatologist who&nbsp;agreed that her symptoms were unrelated to lupus. The doctors instructed Addison to return to urgent care&nbsp;but she said the facility would not test her because&nbsp;of a lack of&nbsp;"known" contact with someone who had previously tested positive for the virus.&nbsp; 
On March 18, Addison finally got tested at the Jones Beach drive-through center. Her positive results came&nbsp;March 26. 
"It was frustrating but I am just happy that I was one of the lucky ones," said Addison, who is finally starting to feel better. "It could have gone the other way." 
The Maichin family
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The Maichin family of Huntington&nbsp;are ready to turn the page on March&nbsp;and the seemingly endless array of medical maladies that have dominated their lives for weeks. 
Jennifer Maichin and her husband, Rob, each contracted the coronavirus. Their oldest daughter, Abby, 17, a Huntington High School senior and lacrosse star, got sick shortly thereafter but did not meet the criteria to get tested. She is presumed to be positive, her mother said. 
And&nbsp;then the Maichins' son Christopher, 15, experienced stomach pains and was diagnosed with appendicitis. But surgery requires a ventilator, which an area hospital&nbsp;said it could not supply because of the needs of COVID-19 patients, Jennifer Maichin said. Christopher was sent home with antibiotics, which they hope can reduce the need for surgery. 
"It's very confusing and you don't always know the right thing to do," said Jennifer Maichin, 48, a public school teacher. "But we have to trust the advice of people in our life that we truly trust. … You just need to do the best thing for your family and hope that you're right." 
The family's troubles began March 9 when Rob Maichin, 50, who works in medical sales, began feeling ill, with chills, body aches and fever. Five days later, Jennifer started having&nbsp;similar symptoms, although neither had respiratory ailments common with the virus. They&nbsp;quarantined themselves and eventually tested positive for COVID-19. 
Abby, who is set to attend Notre Dame University in the fall, then spiked a fever, but she was not sick enough to receive a test, her mother said. The teen has now fully recovered. 
Then, last week Christopher, who had been quarantining himself in the basement, started to complain of stomach pains. Jennifer FaceTimed with her brother, an emergency room doctor specializing in telemedicine, and concluded Christopher likely had appendicitis. 
The teen was taken to an area hospital, which confirmed the diagnosis. But the laparoscopic surgery required both anesthesia and a ventilator — a device&nbsp;in increasingly high demand because of the pandemic. 
The safest option, Jennifer Maichin said, was to send Christopher home with antibiotics and hope the ailment heals on its own. Christopher, who does not have a fever, has since also tested positive for&nbsp;COVID-19. 
Jennifer Maichin says she has not yet had time to process the events of the past three weeks but is grateful her family is safe. 
"We will be OK. We are all strong, otherwise healthy people," she said. "There's&nbsp;people in this world who are suffering a lot worse than us. And we feel for them."

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For some Long Islanders, coronavirus tests are a rare commodity

For some, it's a challenge to get tested for virus

James T. Madore

Federal laws took&nbsp;effect Wednesday&nbsp;that require small- and medium-size businesses to provide paid sick leave to employees with the coronavirus or those caring for a sick family member or looking after a child whose school is closed. 
The federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act follow a New York State sick leave law that went into effect on March 18. The state law, rushed through because of the pandemic, also contains a general requirement that all employees receive sick leave -&nbsp;but that provision doesn't go into effect until September. 
The laws differ in terms of who's&nbsp;eligible for paid leave, the benefit amount and its duration. 
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“The federal laws are broader and affect more people,” said Elizabeth E. Schlissel, a Rockville Centre attorney who specializes in employment law at the Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse &amp; Hirschtritt firm in Manhattan. "The New York law only applies if the employee is subject to mandatory or precautionary orders of quarantine or isolation issued by New York State, the New York Department of Health, a local board of health or any government entity authorized to issue such an order due to COVID-19. A doctor's order or note isn't sufficient." 
She said Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's closing of non-essential businesses and schools does not constitute an order of quarantine or isolation. 
 
The federal laws, which&nbsp;apply to businesses with fewer than&nbsp;500 employees and some government&nbsp;agencies, cover about half the U.S. workforce.&nbsp;The federal laws don't cover bigger employers because they are&nbsp;assumed to already provide paid sick leave.
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“Congress left substantial gaps that it so far has failed to fill,” said Vicki Shabo, senior fellow for paid leave policy and strategy at New America, a think tank in Washington. In&nbsp;some respects, she said, "the&nbsp;federal laws also aren’t as generous in the number of paid sick days or the wage replacement as the New York law.” 
She and others said employees of big retail chains, warehouses and delivery services, such as Amazon,&nbsp;aren’t eligible for the new &nbsp;federal laws even though they are still on the job and potentially at risk of catching the coronavirus.&nbsp; 
“There’s a huge health and economic risk because these workers aren’t covered,” Shabo said. 
Because the laws vary and provide different benefits under different circumstances, human resource experts said employers and employees should review the provisions under each law to determine what benefits apply. 
“Calculate the benefits from each law to determine which, if any, applies to the employee's particular situation,” advised Jessica&nbsp;C. Moller, a partner at Bond, Schoeneck &amp; King in Garden City&nbsp;“Despite their differences, the federal and state laws agree that employees cannot receive paid sick leave if they are able to work.” 
Here’s a primer on the new laws: 
FEDERAL LAWS Who’s covered: Employees who are unable to work and are employed by&nbsp;businesses that are still operating and have&nbsp;fewer than 500 employees, along with&nbsp;some government agencies.&nbsp;Employees must have been on the payroll for at least 30 days to qualify for coronavirus-related Emergency Paid Family and Medical Leave; there is no such requirement to qualify for coronavirus-related&nbsp;Emergency Paid Sick Leave. Employees who have been furloughed&nbsp;aren’t eligible for paid leave, while employees receiving paid leave aren’t eligible for unemployment benefits. 
Additional qualifications: Employees must be in quarantine or isolation for the coronavirus;&nbsp;have symptoms of the virus and be seeking a diagnosis;&nbsp;be caring for a sick family member; or looking after a child whose school was closed. 
Benefits: Sick employees receive up to two weeks of emergency paid sick leave at full salary; capped at $511 per day or a total of $5,110 for the leave period. Employees caring for a sick family member or watching a minor child receive two-thirds of their salary, up to $200 per day or a maximum of $2,000 for two weeks. Employees aren’t required to&nbsp;use their earned paid sick days before receiving emergency paid sick leave. 
Employees looking after a child whose school is closed can receive an additional 10 weeks of emergency leave at two-thirds of their salary, up to $200 per day or a maximum of $10,000 for the 10-week leave period. The leave period is shortened&nbsp;if the employee took paid family and medical leave prior to April 1.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; Employer notification: Employees may be required to notify their employer daily of their sick leave status and&nbsp;provide proof of their need for the leave.&nbsp;Employers also may require proof of the need for emergency paid family and medical leave. 
Funding:&nbsp;Employers are fully reimbursed through&nbsp;federal payroll tax credits. &nbsp;Freelancers and others&nbsp;who are self-employed&nbsp;also receive tax credits.&nbsp; 
Job protections: Employees&nbsp;will be able to return to work, though not always to the same job, unless their worksite is closed permanently. The protection doesn’t apply to employees taking family and medical leave who work for employers with fewer than 25 workers that eliminated jobs.&nbsp; 
Exemptions: Health care workers, emergency responders and employers with fewer than 50 employees may&nbsp; be exempted from the new laws.&nbsp; 
Duration of law: April 1 through Dec. 31 
More information: <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic">dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic</a> 
NEW YORK STATE&nbsp;LAW 
The coronavirus-specific portion of the law applies only to employees who are&nbsp;subject to a government-issued quarantine or isolation. If that should occur, an&nbsp;employee would be eligible for sick leave,&nbsp;paid family leave&nbsp;and/or short term disability,&nbsp;depending on the size of the employer, and their job would be protected.&nbsp; 
Who's covered: All workers, whether full-time or part-time 
Additional qualifications: Employees aren’t eligible if they vacationed in a foreign country with a coronavirus outbreak in violation of federal travel restrictions. They also aren’t eligible if they are asymptomatic or haven’t been diagnosed. 
Benefits: 
* Unpaid sick leave at employers with 10 or fewer employees and less than $1 million in 2019 profit 
* Paid sick leave of up to five days at employers with 10 or fewer employees and more than $1 million in profit; same for employers&nbsp;with 11 to 99 employees 
* Up two weeks of paid sick leave at employers with 100 or more employees and some government agencies 
Funding: None for&nbsp;employers 
More information: <a href="https://www.governor.ny.gov/programs/paid-sick-leave-covid-19-impacted-new-yorkers">ny.gov/COVIDpaidsickleave</a>&nbsp;or 888-364-3065 
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CLARIFICATION: Legal experts disagree on whether the state or federal laws take&nbsp;precedence. An earlier version of this story incorrectly implied that there was agreement.&nbsp;

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U.S. sick leave laws for coronavirus take effect

New federal sick leave rules for virus take effect

Networking is normally done with a handshake, but amid coronavirus shutdowns and social distancing many regional networking groups are looking to alternative means to adapt. 
This is especially necessary given New York’s mandate that establishments like restaurants, where&nbsp;groups traditionally meet, can only offer take-out services. 
Even before that order, local networking groups were &nbsp;making contingency plans &nbsp;to use things &nbsp;such as videoconferencing and traditional conferencing calls to stay connected. 
“I think it [networking] is going to evolve pretty quickly,” said&nbsp;Eric Groves, CEO of Boston-based Alignable, an online small business referral network with more than 4.5 million members. 
Technology has made it simpler to connect, and businesses should utilize those resources to stay connected, he said. 
“It’s very easy to get consumed with all the horrific things happening… but we need to focus towards the recovery,” he said, noting interaction is still important. 
“There’s something soothing about being able to look someone in the eyes,” said&nbsp;Groves. 
And that can still be accomplished via tools like videoconferencing, he said, noting his own team is doing that via Google Hangouts. 
Adrian Miller of Adrian Miller Sales Training in Port Washington and founder of Adrian’s Network, a networking organization with about 400 members, changed face-to-face networking meetings &nbsp;last week over to Zoom videoconferencing meetings and/or a conference call. 
They typically do three to four networking calls monthly anyway and about four in-person meetings monthly. 
But meetings for now will go virtual. Virtual networking breakfasts and happy hours start this week.&nbsp; 
Tom Gibson, founder of Melville-based networking group Interchange Business Organization, which has 21 teams that normally meet in-person weekly, has &nbsp;made a shift too. 
&nbsp;IBO &nbsp;has instituted Zoom videoconferencing meetings and sent out email instructions&nbsp;to the teams on how to facilitate&nbsp;them. .&nbsp; 
“People need to adjust with the current times,” he said. His group&nbsp;had 35 people on a recent Web meeting.&nbsp; "What was so great," he said, "were the stories everyone shared about how things were going in the midst of the coronavirus.&nbsp; People were talking about more family time and staying active." 
&nbsp; Many people are finding the Web video chats a great way to stay connected with their colleagues and clients he said, noting many IBO members plan to use this new format as part of their business model going forward. 
The Unicorn Network, a millennial business group, had planned to meet last week&nbsp; at a Westbury restaurant, founder Jillian Weston said, 
but instead about 15-20 members &nbsp;met at &nbsp;her&nbsp;house and later may turn to videoconferencing if necessary. 
“We’re doing what we can to keep the network connected and stay supportive of each other during this difficult time,” said&nbsp;Weston. 
Peter Goldsmith, chairman of technology advocacy group Plainview-based LISTnet, said&nbsp;many of its committee groups like a CEO group already met for the month. They also held a hackathon and networking event a couple of weeks ago and postponed a tech event they had scheduled for June until the fall.&nbsp;And nothing new has been scheduled given current circumstances. 
“We all have to be smart,” said&nbsp;Goldsmith. 
And that includes networking smarter, says Ellen Volpe, president of Huntington Station-based American Business Associates&nbsp;of Long Island, which has 12 chapters and 200-plus members. 
Individual chapters have gone to videoconferencing through Zoom, and they have had an Intranet portal since January where members can connect, make requests, etc. 
She also invited members to an ABA Zoom virtual happy hour last&nbsp;Friday. 
Everyone’s navigating new waters, Volpe said, and “since there’s no playbook, the best we can do is stay connected.”&nbsp;

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Networking options in viral times

Alternatives to networking amid coronavirus shutdowns

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Andrew Gross

Fans are facing the potential psychological impact of the lack of sports because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Professional athletes are facing the temporary loss of their livelihood through this indefinite hiatus, even if they are being paid. 
“I’ve enjoyed this past little while with my family and my kids, they definitely don’t really understand why I’m home so much,” Columbus Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno said on an NHL video conference call on Thursday. “But it’s getting to a point now where you just start to feel like things aren’t right. Sitting around and being told it’s going to probably be a little longer. It’s hard. It’s a mental game right now. But we know it’s for the right reasons. You see what’s going on around the world, it’s kept things in perspective for us.” 
Professional athletes are being kept away from both the competition and their usual training routines. Navigating those losses takes help. 
Baldwin’s Mark Lerman is a mental performance coach as well as a strength and conditioning coach who works with about 60 athletes, both through his affiliation with the United States Tennis Association — he also works in player development for the USTA —&nbsp;as well as his own clients. 
He has given the athletes he’s working with a three-pronged strategy for dealing with the current situation. 
First, he asks his athletes to set goals and try to grow “during this opportunity.” And, yes, looking at this as an opportunity for improvement is essential. 
“They deal with adversity every single day,” Lerman said. “This is another form of adversity. You have skills to meet this and deal with it. How are we going to deal each day? That’s optimistically and realistically rather than hiding and making excuses.” 
Second is to follow routines and schedules to maintain a sense of normalcy. 
“That’s exactly why,” he&nbsp;said. “They have such structured days. Now, the structure has been taken away. They have to be a little more independent.” 
Third is for the athletes to control what they can control. To that end, Lerman recommends minimizing social media interactions and computer screen time in general in order to maintain a better routine. 
“It’s a big factor here now in this environment,” he&nbsp;said. “Limiting the news cycle so you’re not constantly filled with fear and anxiety.” 
Lerman, in frequent communication with his athletes, said he has found them to have a “good mindset” about their current circumstances. 
He was on a recent conference call with seven pro athletes and Lerman said he was somewhat surprised at the “lightheartedness and joking around.” He believes that was a reaction to being able to connect with other athletes. 
“A lot of them are feeling cooped up,” Lerman said. 
“Their concerns are more about, when are we going back?” he&nbsp;said. “We don’t know when we’re getting back so how are we taking care of our bodies? Are we doing the strength and conditioning plans? Are we doing everything possible during this time?”

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How athletes can cope with time away from training, competition amid coronavirus crisis

How athletes can cope with time away from training, competition

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Business owners who have applied for federal disaster loans are being told they must reapply, officials said. 
The U.S. Small Business Administration confirmed Wednesday that applicants for its Economic Injury Disaster Loans should reapply using a revamped website, <a href="https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/">covid19relief.sba.gov/#/</a>, which launched earlier this week, according to Matt Coleman, a spokesman for the agency’s Region II, which includes New York State. 
He said all business owners need to reapply, including&nbsp;those who submitted loan applications&nbsp;via email, fax and snail mail, as well as through an online application portal that was disabled last week because of security concerns. 
The new process involves completing a brief online application and waiting for SBA to request financial documents about the business.&nbsp; 
“Confirmation is sent via U.S. Mail and applicants also receive email correspondence as well,” Coleman said. “Additional information may be requested, but they receive a confirmation of the application first.” 
The process is streamlined compared with one instituted last week after SBA learned the personal information of about 100 business owners was exposed when they used &nbsp;a now-disabled online portal. 
With the portal shut down, applicants were told to download PDFs of the application forms and upon completion upload them to the SBA website via a BOX widget. They also could submit&nbsp; the forms via email, fax and postal mail. 
By reapplying for a disaster loan, business owners “ensure they are considered for an advance of $10,000” on the loan, "which does not have to be repaid," Coleman said. He said receiving the advance is not contingent on the applicant's loan application being approved.&nbsp; 
The disaster loans are for up to $2 million per applicant and can be repaid over a maximum of 30 years. To be eligible, a business must have 500 or fewer employees. The interest rate is 3.75%. 
The loans also are for private nonprofits with an interest rate of 2.75%. 
More information is available at <a href="https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance">sba.gov/disaster</a>. The deadline to apply is Dec. 21.

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Small business owners must reapply for federal disaster loans

Applicants for SBA disaster loans must reapply

The U.S. Small Business Administration confirmed Monday that applicants for its Economic Injury Disaster Loan program can resume filling out and submitting applications via the web portal, after being shut down last week because of security issues.


Business

SBA reopens online applications for disaster loans

After 40 years of sobriety, Roy Kearse of Amityville no longer worries about relapsing into the black hole of heroin addiction that once landed him in prison and nearly cost him his life. 
But for those still grappling with their recovery — and who rely heavily on the structure of in-person meetings and group sessions — the forced isolation sparked by the coronavirus pandemic is a nightmare scenario that some experts fear could lead to a public health crisis. 
“People are afraid,” said Kearse, who serves as vice president of recovery at Samaritan Daytop Village, a Queens-based drug treatment center. “During times of crisis we always have to worry about people relapsing … So will some people fall through the cracks? Probably so. And will some people relapse? Probably so.” 
A ‘perfect storm’ 
As fears of the COVID 19 outbreak spread in recent weeks, many on social media posted memes facetiously asking how much wine or tequila would be needed to make it through the quarantine. News stories with instructions on how to make the “perfect quarantini” cocktail flooded the internet while thirsty Americans flooded liquor stores to stock up on supplies. 
For others, though, the federal guidelines that recommend limiting social gatherings to 10 or fewer people is no joking matter. 
Across Long Island, Alcohol Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings have been canceled or moved into online settings, limiting vital in-person options for substance abuse addicts struggling in real time to adapt to a new reality of social distancing. 
Treatment experts fear the worst. 
Even for those not in recovery, the coronavirus has many concerned about their health, along with the safety of their loved ones. Anxiety about a cratering economy is natural, experts say, while fears about job loss can serve as a&nbsp;trigger that causes many who are thriving in recovery to slip backward. 
Addiction expert Jeffrey Reynolds, president and chief executive of the Mineola-based Family and Children's Association, calls the coronavirus a “perfect storm” for the recovery community. 
“It’s a doomsday scenario and something that’s really, really difficult for folks to manage,” Reynolds said. “I am already seeing folks that are struggling to maintain their recovery.” 
Steve Chassman, executive director of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, said the primary concern is for individuals in recovery or treatment who have become disengaged from their self-help routine and seek relief in a bottle or a needle. Experts also expect a steep decline in new patients seeking treatment for substance abuse addictions. 
"There are heightened levels of fear, and self-medication is often part of that,” Chassman said. “For people new to the recovery process you bring a heightened sense of fear and anxiety. Coupled with a lack of social, if not moral support, it does put people at risk.” 
Options available 
With churches and nonprofits canceling 12-step meetings, treatment providers have transitioned to an array of remote services to treat clients. 
The state has expanded telehealth options, allowing many organizations to expand their ability to conduct video and phone conferencing with patients. Many groups already&nbsp;had 24-hour hotlines in place. 
Residential drug treatment programs have transitioned from group sessions to more one-on-one meetings, experts said. Some self-help meetings are being broadcast online while pockets of smaller AA or NA groups are arranging ad hoc meetings in outdoor settings. A recent AA meeting, for example, was held in a Northport gazebo, Chassman&nbsp;said. 
“It can seem like an interruption for people in self-help which is not helpful for people in recovery,” he said. “But I think you are going to find that the [AA] message&nbsp;of recovery will prevail and that for 84 years the concept of one substance abuser looking after another is unparalleled.” 
A 48-year-old East Meadow resident who has been sober from alcohol for the past four years said he is not particularly concerned about his own recovery. The man, who asked for his name not to be used to respect AA’s tradition of privacy, said he has signed up for several virtual meetings on Zoom, the videoconferencing app. 
But he is concerned about individuals who are new to the program and who rely on the security of in-person meetings. 
“I am concerned that this is a perfect excuse for newcomers not to continue with their sobriety and not go forward because if there are no meetings, well the liquor store is open,” said the man, who sells security equipment for a Manhattan company. “I am not as concerned about people in the&nbsp;program&nbsp;for a long time. But everyone is concerned for the newcomer.” 
Systematic weaknesses 
Transitioning to a remote treatment&nbsp;process is not without significant challenges. 
Nurses who would typically be needed to dispense medication at residential facilities are in high demand at hospitals. Emergency rooms are likely to become so inundated with coronavirus patients, providers fear, that doctors and nurses will have limited time and resources to treat only the most severe substance abuse cases and overdoses. 
“A crisis like this brings to bear weaknesses in the&nbsp;system,” said John Coppola, executive director of the New York Association of Addiction Services and Professionals. “The addiction field has been underfunded for years and has barely kept pace with inflation.” 
Treatment professionals say the coronavirus outbreak could not have come at a worse time, just as Long Island appears to have finally turned the corner on the opioid crisis. 
Opioid-related deaths in Suffolk dropped a projected 26%&nbsp;last year, from 380 in 2019 to 283 in 2019, according to the county’s Heroin and Opiate Epidemic Advisory Panel. Nassau officials have said 147 people died of overdoses in 2018, a 20%&nbsp;dip from the 184 fatal overdoses in 2017, according the county’s most recent data. 
The two counties saw a combined 617 opioid-related deaths in 2017, largely driven by the introduction of inexpensive&nbsp;but highly potent drugs such as fentanyl, according to data from area medical examiners. 
Treatment providers say they have made too much progress in combating the opioid epidemic to allow the virus to take them backward. They are embracing technology, spending more time on calls and video conferences with patients and finding creative ways to stay in touch. 
Reynolds said telemedicine is not perfect “but it’s better than nothing. We are making the best of it. There will be fallout, no doubt&nbsp;about that. But I think it will force a new way of delivering behavioral health … It’s a seismic shift for people in recovery.” 
While treatment options may change, Kearse said it’s essential that society’s most vulnerable do not feel abandoned during this crisis. 
“We in the provider community feel strongly that social distancing does not have to translate into social isolation,” he said. “They may not be able to come into centers but we want them to know there is a lifeline for them.”

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Experts fear coronavirus crisis putting those recovering from addictions at risk

Experts fear those recovering from addictions at risk

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Coronavirus key resources for Long Islanders

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