Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo (R,C,I-Sayville) is heartbroken but not surprised to read Attorney General Letitia James’ report that theDepartment of Health did indeed underreport the number of deaths in nursing homes connected to COVID-19. Along with this concrete revelation, the 76-page report further details how nursing home staffers were not given adequate personal protection equipment, and that any mention of going public with information or not coming in to work was met by management with threats of job termination.

“The fears that many of my colleagues and I had were unfortunately verified today: the governor and the state health department willingly put COVID-19 patients, the elderly and nursing home workers at risk, which led to an unnecessary deaths; they then tried to hide their mistake and deceive the public by fudging the numbers,” Gandolfo said. “In the wake of this confirmation, we now know that the administration failed to keep some of the most vulnerable of our population safe. Today, I’m thinking of those who have had to wait so long for closure, and even longer for explanations; I will also be coordinating with my colleagues to ensure that the Legislature regains its full power, because it is clear that the Legislature needs to have a seat at the table.”

As Long Island, and to a greater degree Suffolk County, were some of the hardest-hit areas in the state during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gandolfo knows what this report means to the citizens of the 7^th Assembly District. His office is available for comments, concerns, questions and support at 859 Montauk Highway, Suite 1, Bayport, NY 11705, or by phone at 631-589-0348.