Serving Great Neck, G.N. Plaza, G.N. Estates, Kensington, Kings Point, Lake Success, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock and Thomaston
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Friday, July 17, 2020
Vol. 95, No. 29
SCHOOLS & DOOMCHIN MURDER UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD TARGETS EDUCATION TRIAL BEGINS HUNDREDS OF WORKERS PAGES 23-27
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Mask rules draw ire, resistance Become issue as state virus order from April extended
BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z The enforcement of wearing face masks and complying with state-mandated safety precautions due to the coronavirus pandemic has led to members of a village’s security team suffering verbal abuse from residents. Village of East Hills Mayor Michael Koblenz said that while residents of his village are required to wear masks in the Park at East Hills, the streets are a different story. “It’s enforceable in my park, cause you can’t get in without a mask,” Koblenz said. “In the park, we can enforce it and not let you inside, but there’s nothing to be done when they say ‘no’ when they’re walking around on the streets.” At first, Koblenz said, East Hills security would stop while on patrol and ask anyone walking in village limits without a mask to put one on. The reactions, he said,
were “shocking.” “The security people asked them to put on masks and they’d get abused,” Koblenz said. “They’d do more than say no. And since they were abusive to our security staff, I’ve asked [the staff] to stop asking.” Security would also keep a log on incidents where those walking refused to wear a mask, he said. Koblenz said that other than enforcing the masks in the park, “there’s not much more we can do about it.” “My view is that people don’t take it seriously,” Koblenz said. “We don’t have any real enforcement power from the governor because the streets are the streets. I can’t protect people from themselves.” In mid-April, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order requiring New Yorkers to wear masks in public when they are unable to maintain a social distance, Continued on Page 35
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S OFFICE
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran presented the results of a bicounty economic impact study to the public last Thursday. See story on page 6.
School districts prepare for all reopening options BY E LL I OT W E L D
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday that if the School districts across the infection rate is below 5 percent North Shore are preparing for in a region, schools can reopen. a number of different versions He said this is the number that of what classes will look like in he will watch until the decision on schools is made in the first the fall.
week of August. If the infection rate jumps above 9 percent in a region, schools must close. In addition, Cuomo said schools’ plans must include measures for physical distancContinued on Page 45
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