A Hopeful Sign:The New York PAUSE order is set to expire statewide on Friday. However, reopening the parts of our economy that were shut in March due to the virus will be done on a regional basis and in phases in order to prevent a potential resurgence of COVID-19 infections. Suffolk and Nassau Counties will be grouped together to comprise the Long Island Region.
Where Do We Stand?As of the latest update, our region met five of the seven criteria necessary for reopening. 
Suffolk County Data (current as of 5/11/2020)
Monitor the region’s progress at: https://forward.ny.gov/regional-monitoring-dashboard.
Once our region has met the requirements, it will then be permitted to commence its reopening which will consist of four phases. At least two weeks will separate each phase to allow for appropriate monitoring and analysis of the impacts the change has on infection and hospitalization rates. 
Reopening our economy and keeping our neighbors safe will require the efforts of hundreds of contact tracers. As a result, New York State will hire and train a team of staff working remotely to support the NYS Department of Health and Local Health Departments to perform COVID-19 contact tracing in communities across NYS. If you are interested is serving your community in this capacity, please visit https://careers-pcgus.icims.com/jobs/5244/contact-tracer/job to learn more about this opportunity.
Cautious Optimism While we all are hopeful that we’ve turned a corner in the fight against this novel coronavirus, health officials are encouraging people to remain vigilant, not only for this virus’s well documented symptoms and complications, but also for new ones directly impacting children.
Currently, there have been over 70 reported cases within the state of children - predominantly school-aged - experiencing symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease and toxic shock-like syndrome possibly due to COVID-19. The illness being called pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome has taken the lives of three young New Yorkers including a 5-year old in New York City, a 7-year old in Westchester County and a teenager in Suffolk County.
You should seek immediate care if a child has: - Prolonged fever (more than five days)
- Difficulty feeding (infants) or is too sick to drink fluids
- Severe abdominal pain, diarrhea or vomiting
- Change in skin color - becoming pale, patchy and/or blue
- Trouble breathing or is breathing very quickly
- Racing heart or chest pain
- Decreased amount of frequency in urine
- Lethargy, irritability or confusion
 Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
What You Should Know When you hear, read, or watch news about an outbreak of an infectious disease such as COVID 19, you may feel anxious and show signs of stress. These signs of stress are normal, and may be more likely or pronounced in people with loved ones with heightened risk. In the wake of an infectious disease outbreak, monitor your own physical and mental health. Know the signs of stress in yourself and your loved ones. Know how to relieve stress, and know when to get help. Know the Signs of Stress Behavioral, physical, emotional, and cognitive responses are all common signs of anxiety and stress. You may notice some of them after you learn about an infectious disease outbreak. Recommendations Monitor Your Behavior - Increase or decrease in your energy and activity levels
- Increase in your alcohol, tobacco use, or use of illegal drugs
- Increase in irritability, outbursts of anger and frequent arguing
- Having trouble relaxing or sleeping
- Crying frequently
- Worrying excessively
- Wanting to be alone most of the time
- Blaming other people for everything
- Having difficulty communicating or listening
- Having difficulty giving or accepting help
- Inability to feel pleasure or have fun
Monitor Your Body - Having stomachaches or diarrhea
- Having headaches and other pains
- Loss of appetite or eating too much
- Sweating or having chills
- Getting tremors or muscle twitches
- Being easily startled
Monitor Your Emotions - Being anxious or fearful
- Feeling depressed
- Feeling guilty
- Feeling angry
- Feeling heroic, euphoric, or invulnerable
- Not caring about anything
- Feeling overwhelmed by sadness
Monitor Your Thinking - Having trouble remembering things
- Feeling confused
- Having trouble thinking clearly & concentrating
- Having difficulty making decisions
You can manage stress by taking time to take care for yourself Keep Things in Perspective Set limits on how much time you spend reading or watching news about the outbreak. You will want to stay up to date on news of the outbreak. But make sure to take time away from the news to focus on things in your life that are going well and that you can control. Get the Facts Find people and resources you can depend on for accurate health information. Learn from them about the outbreak and how you can protect yourself against illness, if you are at risk. You may turn to your family doctor, a state or local health department, U.S. government agencies, or an international organization. Keep Yourself Healthy - Eat healthy foods, and drink water.
- Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine & alcohol.
- Do not use tobacco or illegal drugs.
- Get enough sleep and rest.
- Get physical exercise.
Use Practical Ways to Relax - Relax your body often by doing things that work for you
- Take deep breaths, stretch, meditate, wash your face and hands, or engage in pleasurable hobbies.
- Pace yourself between stressful activities, do a fun thing after a hard task.
- Use time off to relax, eat a good meal, read, listen to music; take a bath.
- Talk about your feelings to loved ones and friends often
Pay Attention to your Body, Feelings and Spirit - Recognize and heed early warning signs of stress.
- Recognize how your own past experiences affect your way of thinking and feeling about this event, and think of how you handled your thoughts, emotions, and behavior around past events.
- Know that feeling stressed, depressed, guilty, or angry is common after an event like an infectious disease outbreak, even when it does not directly threaten you.
- Connect with others who may be experiencing stress about the outbreak. Talk about your feelings about the outbreak, share reliable health information, and enjoy conversation unrelated to the outbreak, to remind yourself of the many important and positive things in your lives.
- Take time to renew your spirit through meditation, prayer, or helping others in need.
Need Help?The current health crisis posed by COVID-19 is changing the way Behavioral Health services are being delivered. All the following providers are responding with safe, creative and remote connections to care. HELP IS AVAILABLE, so check out these resources: Suffolk County Behavioral Health Resources (English) Recursos de salud conductual del condado de Suffolk (Spanish) - ANY New Yorker can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling
- Health care workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741-741 to access 24/7 emotional support services.
- Compassion Fatigue for First Responders and Healthcare Professionals offered by LICADD – Free 24 Hour hotline-631-979-1700 - Clinician is always available - will speak to a person
- Support for Front-Line Medical and Human Service Professionals, First Responders, Veterans and others Affected by COVID-19, FREE: 24-hour, 7 days a week confidential crisis response, assessing callers’ needs and linking them to tailored support. Call FSL’s DASH Hotline any time: 631-952-3333 or www.fsl-li.org
- Long-Term -Care Facilities workers -Free support. A voluntary, confidential opportunity to share stress reactions and learn new coping skills via telehealth audio/video conferencing.Education, support, and linkages to additional services.Mitigation of post-traumatic stress reactions. Call Robyn Berger-Gaston, LCSW-R, FSL Division Director 631-591-7580 or rberger-gaston@fsl-li.org
 Help for Victims of Domestic Violence
COVID-19’s impacts on daily routines have made this a very difficult period in our lives. During times of fear and stress, victims of domestic violence may be even more reluctant to seek help. According to data provided by New York State, Domestic Violence reports were up 30 Percent this April as compared to last year. To better protect victims, New York State has modernized its domestic violence hotline with a new text program and confidential online service to aid victims of abuse and provide potential lifesaving ways to get help. Can Text 844-997-2121 or Can Go to the New Confidential Online Site to Reach a Professional on www.opdv.ny.gov. If you are a victim of violence call 911 immediately if in immediate danger. Remember, if you or someone you know is being hit, pushed, verbally and/or sexually assaulted, help is also available from locally based organizations working to protect victims of abuse. The numbers below can provide information, resources and a listening ear. Call anytime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: - Crime Victims 24 hour Hotline: 631-332-9234
- Hate Crime Hotline: 631-626-3156
- Sex Offender Tip line Call: 1-(855) PFML TIP or 631-316-3237
- V.I.B.S. Victims Information Bureau, Suffolk: 631-360-3730 x 112
- L.I. Against Domestic Violence Hotline: 631-666-8833
- L.I. Against Domestic Violence Office Phone: 631-666-7181
- Brighter Tomorrows Inc.: 631-395-1800 Ext 110
- Crime Victim Center (formerly Parents for Megan’s Law): 631-689-2672
- Crime Victim Center (formerly Parents for Megan’s Law) All Violent Crime Hotline: 631-626-3156
- Crime Victim Center (formerly Parents for Megan’s Law) Rape Crisis Hotline: 631-332-9234
- The Retreat: 631-329-4398
Keep InformedResidents who have questions related to COVID-19 should continue to visit the County website: www.SuffolkCountyNY.gov or call Suffolk 3-1-1 (631-853-6311 if outside the County) where you will be directly connected to a live operator who can direct your call to the appropriate place.
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