Important Info to Protect You & Your Family from Coronavirus
In light of the ongoing recent outbreak of coronavirus, here is some information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that will help you and your family stay informed and safe.
Symptoms of the coronavirus may appear 2-14 days after exposure and can include fever, coughing and shortness of breath. Call your healthcare professional if you develop symptoms and have been in close contact with a person known to have coronavirus or if you have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of coronavirus.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, click here to learn more about how the coronavirus may affect you.
- If you are a healthcare professional, click here to learn more about how you can protect yourself while caring for our communities.
- If you travel frequently, click here to learn more about travel procedures and best practices.
- If you are a business owner, click here to learn more about strategies you can use to protect your customers and employees.
There is currently no FDA approved vaccine to prevent coronavirus. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, the CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, and then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
If you believe you are sick, click here to follow the CDC's recommended procedures, which include:
- Stay at home except to get medical care.
- Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home.
- Make contact with your General Practitioner, but call ahead before visiting a doctor's office.
- Call the State of New York Coronavirus Hotline 24/7 at 1-888-364-3065 for additional information on testing.
- Wear a face mask.
There are now five drive-thru diagnostic testing sites in our Congressional District. To request an appointment, please see the information below:
Riverhead Drive-Thru Testing Site
To make an appointment, call 845-553-8030.
Stony Brook Drive-Thru Testing Site
To make an appointment, call 1-888-364-3065.
ProHEALTH in Riverhead Drive-Thru Testing Site
To make an appointment, call 516-874-0411.
Coram Drive-Thru Testing Site
To make an appointment, call 845-553-8030.
Southampton Drive-Thru Testing Site
To make an appointment, call 845-553-8030.
In combating the spread of this virus, the federal government has taken unprecedented steps to ensure that travelers do not spread the virus in the United States, including travel restrictions from some highly affected countries, and has declared a public health emergency that has allowed for the utilization of reserve funding to help support response efforts.
In addition to taking steps to ensure medical professionals have the tools they need to confront any outbreak of the coronavirus, including expediting the availability of diagnostic tests, the federal government is working to expedite the development of a vaccine, therapeutics and monoclonal antibodies that can be used both to protect from infection and treat people already infected.
It is an honor to represent you in the House, and if you have any questions about how the coronavirus is affecting our community on Long Island, please do not ever hesitate to reach out to my office at (631) 289-1097.