Nassau Lawmakers Turn Focus To Health Commissioner's 'Flip Flop'

MINEOLA, NY — The schools mask mandate in Nassau County has taken on another angle in the battle between Democrats and the new Republican county executive Bruce Blakeman.

Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport), the County Legislature's Minority Leader, sent a letter to the Nassau Health Commissioner Lawrence Eisenstein, accusing him of flip-flopping to support Blakeman's anti-mask executive orders.

"[The directives] defy duly issued state health mandates orders are both grossly irresponsible and blatantly unlawful. It is inconceivable to us that you, as the county's chief medical officer would acquiesce in such orders," Abrahams wrote.

The lawmaker said: "Every doctor with a medical license in Nassau County has an ethical duty to raise his or [her] voice in denunciation of these harmful directives."

Despite omicron positivity rates still at 25 percent on Long Island, Blakeman went against Gov. Hochul and the state's health commissioner, days into his tenure, by handing the mask mandate to individual school districts.

Abrahams said Eisenstein is changing his stance to fit his new boss. He cited a Feb. 2021 OP-ED piece where he urged people to keep wearing masks even after getting vaccinated.

Recently, as Abrahams wrote, Eisenstein was quoted in Newsday saying "We are waiting on more clear science."

"Such an abrupt flip flop is medically inexplicable especially in the height of a resurgent pandemic," Abrahams said.

By not denouncing Blakeman's executive orders and "refusing to enforce the lawful mask requirements," Abrahams, writing on behalf of the minority caucus, said:

"You are in direct violation [of] your statutory duty as the county's local health officer."

To alleviate any confusion, Abrahams wants Eisenstein to make it clear to residents that they need to wear the face-covering.

"We also call upon you to unequivocally and publicly disavow County Executive Blakeman's unlawful orders, which clearly have not been issued in good faith," Abrahams said. "Failing that, we do not see how you can legitimately continue to function in your position of trust as Nassau County's Health Commissioner."