Suffolk Coronavirus: Excitement 'Palpable' As Businesses Reopen

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — "Suffolk is back!" That was the happy cry among county business owners Wednesday as Long Island entered Phase 2 of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan to reopen the economy after the coronavirus pandemic left them shuttered for months.

County Executive Steve Bellone made stops at downtowns across Suffolk, including Riverhead, where he met with Supervisor Yvette Aguiar and Police Chief David Hegermiller for a taste of Snowflake Ice Cream. He also headed to Blue Point Brewing in Patchogue and also visited Huntington and Port Jefferson Village, among others.

Wednesday, he said, was a "very important day. A very big day for us. Phase 2 is where a significant amount of economic activity came back into the system," including retail stores, outdoor dining, professional office buildings, real estate offices, car leasing operation, and both hair salons and barber shops.

Phase 2, he said, gave residents a sense of normalcy. "Something as simple as getting a haircut or going out to dinner with family and friends — I saw that in the various downtowns. You could feel the positive energy, the excitement about being in their favorite stores," Bellone said. "It was palpable."

The day was a bright spot for business owners and customers alike who were embracing the "normal" after having gone through the "horrific experience of the past few months and feeling abnormal in so many ways," Bellone said.

"It was a great day for Suffolk County," Bellone said. "Entering Phase 2 marks a turning point in this recovery and in this overall crisis. We look forward to Phase 3." Although there is work to be done, he said, "In a big way, I feel like we're off to a good start."

Part of the reason small businesses were able to open with mandated safety protocols was the distribution by Suffolk County of free personal protective equipment, he added. The "Small Business COVID-19 Supply Program" allows small business owners, not-for-profit organizations, faith-based groups and others to avail themselves of face coverings and hand sanitizer free of charge, while supplies last.

So far, 403 businesses have filled out the application and 226 have picked up the kits; a total of 1,000 are available, Bellone said.

To apply, click here.

Youth sports 'critical'

Bellone said he has asked New York State to accelerate the opening of youth sports countywide, just as he urged the reopening of outdoor dining and live graduations.

"Youth sports are critical," Bellone said. "We need to provide as many things as possible for kids to do."

And, he said, the outdoor environment is "safest" in terms of the coronavirus and also a good alternative to young people staying at home playing video games or engaging in other sedentary activities.

While looking closely at areas such as upstate that are preparing to enter Phase 3, Bellone said there are compelling reasons to consider accelerated movement for certain activities into Phase 3.

He has already asked that youth sports kick off, Bellone said, and he believes museums and other cultural institutions might be included, with limited capacity protocols.

Some of those organizations, he said, were "lumped into" Phase 4, in the mass gatherings category, but now, officials should be "looking to get down into the details, including what can be pulled out and opened safely," he said.

When asked about the aquarium in Riverhead, Bellone said the issue of animal safety is currently being discussed with the health department.

Also, when asked if the low number of new cases after crowded protests countywide might indicate a good sign, Bellone said that while it's a "little too early to be drawing conclusions . . . my hunch is that being outdoors is a safe environment."

Protesters, he said, may not have been social distancing but were wearing masks and were outdoors.

Hospitalizations continue to decline

A total of 48 new positive coronavirus cases were reported countywide, bringing the total to 40,512. During a 24-hour period on June 9, hospitalizations declined by 14, for a total of 151; the number of patients in ICU beds decreased by one, for a total of 45, Bellone said.

Hospital capacity stands at 3,037, with 1,027 beds available, or 66 percent; there are 576 ICU beds countywide, with 234 available, or just under 60 percent.

Altogether, 15 patients went home over the past 24 hours. And four others lost their lives.