The number of positive COVID-19 cases continues rise across the state, and there have now been cases reported in all five East End towns. New York State, Suffolk County, and all local towns and villages have declared states of emergency. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has ordered all non-essential businesses to close as of Sunday at 8 p.m. and to have their employees work from home if possible in an effort to stop the spread of the virus.
"These are legal provisions; they will be enforced," Governor Cuomo said. "There will be a civil fine and mandatory closure for any business that isn't in compliance."
The governor has also ordered that all non-essential gatherings or social events be canceled and that people of all ages, including children and teenagers, maintain a distance of six feet from each other when in public. People have been ordered to avoid all outdoor recreational activities that involve close contact with others. Information on the governor's order can be found here.
The Basics of COVID-19
COVID-19, also called coronavirus, is a highly contagious illness. Eighty percent of those who have COVID-19 will not require hospitalization, but 20 percent of cases are more serious, and a person may have the virus even if they are not showing severe symptoms. Older people and those with underlying medical issues are the most vulnerable, but in Suffolk County, about half of all the cases as of Friday were in people in their 40s and 50s.
Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and usually develop between 2 and 14 days after a person has been exposed to the virus. The Centers for Disease Control website is cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html.
Health Care
Most doctors are not seeing patients in their offices right now. If you have a medical issue that needs attention, you should call your providers first. Some healthcare systems are using technology like video conferences for appointments.
Suffolk County set up a mobile testing facility at Stony Brook University this week, more than 250 tests had been conducted on the first day. Appointments for testing are required; people should not simply go to the test site. Those in need of an appointment can call 888-364-3065. Spanish language access is available by holding on the line. The testing site is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The site has six lanes and can accommodate up to 1,000 tests per day, according to an email from Representative Lee Zeldin.
A separate triage unit has been set up at Stony Brook Southampton's Parrish Hall for patients with suspected cases of COVID-19 so that they do not have to be in the general population in the emergency room. According to the hospital, visitors to the emergency department will be screened with questions about fever, respiratory illness symptoms, travel history, and exposure to known cases of COVID-19. If a patient arrives at the hospital with a cough or fever, they must wear a mask before entering the emergency department. Visitors to each hospital department, including pediatrics, are limited.
More information is available online at https://southampton.stonybrookmedicine.edu/patients-visitors/visitor-information/visiting-hours.
Groceries, Food Pantries, Takeout
Local Stop and Shop stores and I.G.A. markets are holding senior-citizen-only hours and closing earlier than usual to restock shelves and sanitize the facilities. In East Hampton and Montauk, the I.G.A. stores are limited to the elderly, immuno-compromised, and first responders from 7 to 8 a.m. each day. At Schiavoni's I.G.A. in Sag Harbor it is 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays for people 60 and older, and in Amagansett, Cirillo's Market is for ages 62 and up from 9 to 10 a.m. each day. At King Kullen in Bridgehampton, the hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., though there are no reserved times for seniors.
The East Hampton Food Pantry has adjusted its distribution procedure. Only one client at a time will be allowed to enter the Pantigo Road building.
Senior citizens have been asked to arrive at 1 p.m. for pickups. Delivery can be requested for those who cannot leave the house at 631-324-2300. All others will be welcomed after the older clients have been served. The pantry has gone to a twice-monthly schedule: After Tuesday, the next pickup day will be April 7, then April 21, both from 1 to 6 p.m.
The Amagansett pantry at 486 Montauk Highway will suspend operation after Tuesday, and its clients will have to go to the East Hampton location. Vicki Littman, the East Hampton Food Pantry chairwoman, said she anticipated an escalating need and that additional financial contributions were urgently needed.
Restaurants may do takeout and delivery services only. Gyms, movie theaters, and other entertainment centers are temporarily closed by state order. All other businesses must require their employees to work from home, except for “essential services” such as pharmacies, food stores, and medical facilities.
Town Services
East Hampton Town Hall and Southampton Town Hall are closed to the public, but many services and resources are online at ehamptonny.gov and southamptontownny.gov. East Hampton Town is operating its transportation service, and its human services department is still able to assist in many ways. The phone number is 631-329-6939.
School Services
The East Hampton School District and Bridgehampton School District are providing packages of breakfast and lunch foods for all students 18 and under on weekdays. In East Hampton, food is available in the bus loop at the district office, 4 Long Lane. People with last names from A to M can come between 9 and 10 a.m., and those with last names from N to Z can come between 10 and 11 a.m.
The Bridgehampton School is now providing a weekly care package of meals to students in need of breakfast and lunch foods. The care packages are available between 8 and 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton,141 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, on the ongoing basis of necessity or by request. Food delivery can also be arranged by contacting the school administration at 631-998-1398.
The Sag Harbor School District is also serving food, though only to students already on the free and reduced-price lunch program.
With Reporting by Carissa Katz and David Rattray
Note: Since this article was first published, the Bridgehampton School has changed its meal distribution plan. The article has been updated to reflect these changes.