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Health

On Call: Trust Is Paramount

If, like most Americans, you have been waiting with bated breath for signs that the Covid-19 pandemic is winding down and that a return to normalcy has finally arrived, then you probably heaved a great sigh of relief at some point over the past two weeks as the Centers for Disease Control announced that vaccinated individuals could dispense with wearing masks in most settings. On May 19, New York followed suit and adopted the same guidelines, except where certain municipalities, businesses, schools, and settings such as hospitals or doctors' offices still require them.

May 26, 2021
A Stranger Saved Her, Now Former Co-Workers Are Paying It Forward

Joanne Goerler didn't want to retire in January from her teaching job at the John M. Marshall Elementary School, where she had worked since 1989, but she didn't really have a choice. The Covid-19 pandemic posed a life-threatening risk to her immune system, which had been compromised by a blood cancer called myelodysplastic syndrome, a surprise diagnosis Ms. Goerler received in the spring of 2018 after having some routine bloodwork.

May 26, 2021
Tentative Steps Toward Normal as South Fork 'Reopens' Along With State

On Wednesday for the first time since Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo imposed an executive order 13 months ago requiring face coverings in public, people could go into a store or a walk down Main Street without a mask -- provided they were fully vaccinated. The change comes as the number of vaccinated people continues to grow and the infection rate across the state and here in Suffolk County drops to levels not seen since September and October.

May 20, 2021
Pediatric Vaccine Clinic Is Saturday; Volunteers Needed

Dr. Gail Schonfeld of East End Pediatrics will run a youth vaccine clinic this weekend in response to the federal government's May 10 announcement expanding emergency use athorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to include adolescents 12 to 15 years of age. Previously, children had to be 16 or over to receive shots.

May 20, 2021
On Call: It's Time to Talk Ticks

It is that time of year again here on the East End of Long Island, when the phones in doctors' offices start to ring seemingly constantly with patients calling with questions about tick bites.

May 20, 2021
As Covid Numbers Fall, New York to Adopt C.D.C.'s Guidance on Masks

Effective Wednesday in New York, people who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 no longer need to wear masks or physically distance, both indoors and out. Immunocompromised and unvaccinated people should continue to wear a mask and practice social distancing, and masks will still be required in schools and correctional and health care facilities, on public transportation and in nursing homes and homeless shelters.

May 17, 2021
Moderna in Montauk and Vaccines for Young Teens

Local officials and health professionals continue to expand access to Covid-19 vaccines on the South Fork. Stony Brook Southampton Hospital will hold a pop-up vaccination clinic at the Montauk Playhouse on Thursday to administer the Moderna vaccine and there is a pediatric vaccination clinic slated for next week in East Hampton for children 12 to 18, following the C.D.C.'s emergency use authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for that age group on Wednesday.

May 12, 2021
Public Health Policy and Preparedness Training for New Yorkers

With the goal of building "an informed network of community health leaders across the state," New York State has established the Citizen Public Health Training Course, which is open to all New Yorkers who would like to learn about and prepare for public health emergencies.

May 11, 2021
On Call: Is the Pandemic Over?

It's hard not to wonder if the Covid-19 pandemic is finally over, especially as spring brings fairer weather and nature is exploding into life everywhere you look. With new mask-wearing guidelines released last week and businesses reopening in many states, we've come a long way.

May 6, 2021
'Somebody Kiss Me, Quick': Vaccinated and Ready to Live It Up

After having spent more than a year following Covid-19 precautions, East End residents who are fully vaccinated are easing back into normal life with shopping trips, dinner parties, and family get-togethers. "The first thing I did was host three dinner parties in one week," one resident said. For another, a trip to supermarket "was like going to Saks Fifth Avenue."

Apr 29, 2021
Fully Vaccinated? You Can Ditch the Mask Outside

Following C.D.C. guidance, New Yorkers who are fully vaccinated will no longer be required to wear masks outdoors, "except in certain crowded settings and venues," and to make it easier to get the vaccine, the state is opening all of its mass vaccination sites to walk-ins. 

Apr 28, 2021
Restrictions to Be Eased for Restaurants, Catered Events

Pandemic-related restrictions on restaurants, gyms, offices, casinos, and catered events, will be relaxed the coming weeks in New York, a direct result of improving Covid rates in the state, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Wednesday.

Apr 28, 2021