East Hampton Supervisor Asks For Gear For Grocery Workers

East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc has issued an appeal to the public to donate face masks and gloves to be used by grocery store workers across the town.

“With face masks and gloves in short supply, and critical supplies routed first to health care workers and emergency first responders, residents are asked to donate any masks and gloves that they can spare for distribution to stores to help protect their workers,” the supervisor said in an April 11 press release.

Items can be donated by leaving them in one of two collection boxes in the town, located outside Town Hall at 159 Pantigo Road and at police headquarters at 131 Wainscott Northwest Road in Wainscott.

Van Scoyoc also asked town residents wear cloth face coverings when going outside. This followed recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The supervisor also announced the New York State Department of Labor, after shutting down its unemployment application system overnight, opened it again April 11, unveiling a revamped, simplified unemployment application form. It will be open from 7:30 AM to 7 PM daily. It will be shut down overnight to allow the department to process new applications.

The Department of Labor also expanded its call center forces.

The online changes do not affect those already receiving unemployment benefits. The state already began sending out weekly federal unemployment benefit bonuses of $600 to those who received benefits this past week.

t.e@indyeastend.com