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Friday, August 27, 2021
Vol. 96, No. 35
SCHOOLS & EDUCATION
VGN ADOPTS DEFINITION
HOCHUL IN, CUOMO OUT AS GOV
PAGES 23-26
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Gov implements mask mandate in N.Y. schools Hochul order consistent with North Shore district policies BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z School districts on the North Shore rolled out plans for safely reopening this fall, imposing mask mandates and other measures even before New York’s new governor announced that masks would be required in all schools in the state to stop the spread of the coronavirus. The mask mandates have been met with ire from some residents. On Tuesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul, who replaced Andrew Cuomo after he resigned in disgrace, said at a news conference: “My number one priority is getting children back to school and protecting the environment so they can learn safely. I am immediately directing the Department of Health to institute universal masking for anyone entering our schools.” Hochul said the state will use $335 million in federal funds to launch a program that will provide coronavirus testing in all school
districts. Hochul also advocated for teachers and staff members to be vaccinated, but aims to arrange weekly testing for those not vaccinated. Over the past week, the Mineola, Roslyn, Sewanhaka and New Hyde Park-Garden City Park school districts unveiled reopening plans. The North Shore school districts called for mask mandates for indoor activities, regardless of a student or staff member’s vaccination status, along with three feet of social distancing in the classroom. Districts said they will adhere to guidelines from the state Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding any further measures that may need to be taken with a rise in cases with the delta variant. According to CDC guidelines, a close contact is defined as someone who was within six feet of an infected individual for at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period, Continued on Page 34
PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHWELL HEALTH
Northwell Health administered the third doses of the coronavirus vaccine to members of the immunocompromised community, including Dr. David Chiang (right) of Lake Success last week. See story on page 2.
Great Neck man arrested on rape, sexual abuse charges BY R OB E RT PELAEZ A Great Neck man who allegedly raped and tortured a woman in his home earlier this year was indicted by a grand jury last Thursday, according
to the Nassau County district attorney’s office. Yossef Kahlon, 55, and a woman whose name was not disclosed met at his home in Great Neck on Jan. 25. The two went inside the home when Kahlon asked her if she
would agree to be bound, according to the indictment. The woman agreed but told Kahlon that she did not desire to be hurt, according to the indictment. Kahlon ignored her request and began Continued on Page 34
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