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Written by: Stacie M. Waldman

Published: 11 February 2020

Created: 11 February 2020

Last Updated: 11 February 2020

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In the two months since “patient 0” was diagnosed with novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China, news of the virus, dubbed 2019-nCoV has topped headlines as the incidence of the disease in humans continues to rise and the mortality rate remains high. This week, several people on a cruise ship docked at a port just south of New York City tested positive for what is being called 2019-nCoV. The Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Yokohama, Japan has reported that 135 people on board are infected with the virus. Country by country, the viral outbreak is being classified as a public health emergency.

How is it spread?
First thought to be spread only from animal to human, the CDC has now confirmed that the 2019 novel coronavirus is communicable from person-to-person similar to how influenza or other respiratory pathogens are spread (via respiratory droplets after an infected person coughs or sneezes). The “basic reproduction number,” or R0, is used by scientists to determine the average number of people who become infected by a single carrier of the virus. The flu (this flu season) has an R0 value of about 1.3; a study published Jan. 29 in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) estimates an R0 value for the new coronavirus to be 2.2. This very early estimate suggests that each person who tests positive for 2019-nCoV infects an additional 2.2 people.

What are the symptoms and what is the incubation period after exposure?
According to the CDC, at this point, the incubation period seems to be between 2-14 days and symptoms range from almost none to fever, cough and shortness of breath. Some patients have a much more serious respiratory response, develop severe pneumonia and succumb to the virus. Thankfully, researchers have quickly developed an accurate and rapid method for testing for 2019 nCoV. Patients who have suspected infection or exposure to the infection can be isolated and diagnosed. If you have any of these symptoms after having contact with someone suspected of being positive for 2019-nCoV, contact your health provider immediately.

What are recommended preventative measures?
The CDC recommends regular handwashing and the wiping down of household surfaces to prevent any kind of transmission of illness, including 2019-nCoV. Covering the mouth and nose while sneezing is also suggested. Handwashing with soap and water is more effective than using alcohol-based hand sanitizer, although it should be used when regular handwashing is not possible. In light of the severity of this virus, people should stay home when sick and avoid others who seem sick. The CDC does not recommend that the general public use face masks.

Is there treatment for 2019-nCoV?
There is no vaccine and no anti-viral treatment available at this time. Once a patient has been infected, treatment is simply supportive care.

What are the current numbers for 2019-nCoV?
As of February 10, 2020, there are 12 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in the United States and 68 cultures are pending. There have been 42,638 cases in total in 28 countries. A total of 36,080 people are currently infected with 82% experiencing mild symptoms and 18% in serious or critical condition. To date, there have been 1,016 deaths which means a very early mortality rate estimate of around 2.4% which is higher than the mortality rate for seasonal influenza.

What is Westchester County doing about the potential for 2019-n-CoV?
The New York State Department of Health has set up a hotline at (888) 364-3065 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) where Department of Health experts will be available to answer questions and concerns. You can also call your health provider if you are feeling ill or have questions.

Dr. Judy Stone, an infectious disease expert, recommends, "Any new infection is scary because of the unknowns. Just as with influenza, you can markedly reduce your risk of infection by careful and frequent handwashing (and use a paper towel to turn off the faucet!) and keeping your hands away from your face." And as the CDC suggests, stay home if you are sick.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 06 February 2020

Created: 06 February 2020

Last Updated: 06 February 2020

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This week we noted that three former Scarsdalians are featured in three films currently on view.

First, former Scarsdale resident and famed storyteller Sandi Marx is profiled in a new documentary called THE FABULIST, that follows her life for the past two years. The film chronicles the life of Marx, a successful talent agent for nearly 25 years who decided to take up a new career as a Live Storyteller at an age when most people are retiring. The Fabulist tells her story as she navigates the NY Storytelling and Comedy scene, performing in bar basements and back rooms while battling the challenges of her age and compromised health. Marx calls the film “A love letter to my friends, family, and the story telling community.”

The film has been selection by the Big Apple Film Festival Winter 2020 and will be shown on Tuesday February 11 at 9 pm at the Cinepolis Theater at 260 West 23rd Street. Click here to view the trailer and click here to buy tickets.

Another Scarsdale celebrity Jacob Appel is the subject of a documentary now streaming on Amazon Prime. By all accounts a genius, Appel grew up in Scarsdale where he attended the Heathcote School when he was inspired by teacher Ed Grossman to write his first play. At Scarsdale High School he distinguished himself as the #1 debater in New York State. He went on to study at Brown, and then earned a total of nine advanced degrees, including a masters in American History, an MFA in creative writing, an MFA in playwriting, an MPH from Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, a medical school degree from Columbia University and a law degree from Harvard, all while writing stories and plays at the same time. The movie has some wonderful scenery of Scarsdale and includes retired SHS Teacher Neil Ginsberg who said, “Jacob is so smart but treats everyone as an equal.” For his part, Jacob credits the high school with offering him so many teachers “who cared a lot about me.” Today he writes and teaches ethics at Columbia Medical School.

The description of the 46-minute film says, “He's a doctor, a lawyer, a bioethicist, a college professor, a licensed New York City tour guide, a poet, a playwright, an award-winning novelist, a devoted son and a true friend. In this upbeat documentary profile meet the most prolific, most accomplished, least boastful person in America. Brilliant and humble, that's him, alright. That's Jacob Appel.” The movie also features another Scarsdalian, writer and actor Peter Grosz. The documentary, called “Jacob,” is streaming free on Amazon Prime.

Last, we watched Judy, the movie about Judy Garland’s late years, starring Renee Zelwegger, who puts on a stunning performance. The film chronicles Judy’s late career, when she battles her third husband Sidney Luft for custody of their two young children, Lorna (born 1952) and Joey (born 1955). Liza Minelli, her first child was already 22at the time and living in California. The movie largely takes place in London where Judy is attempting to rekindle her career.

So how does Scarsdale figure into this? As it turns out, Liza lived in Scarsdale with Liza, Lorna and Joey from June to December 1961. After Garland divorced Luft, she lived with Lorna and Joey at the home shown below at 1 Cornell Street.1 Cornell Street, Scarsdale

According to the Scarsdale Cultural Reconnaissance Survey, the home, called Lindenwald is thought to have been erected for the Gail Bordon and his wife Margaret. Gail was the son of the founder of the Borden's Condensed Milk Company.

Here is a memory of the family’s time in Scarsdale. “Both Lorna and Joe have fond memories of their time in Scarsdale, which included a class trip to the zoo and trick-or-treating with their mother dressed as a clown. Liza was enrolled at Scarsdale High School, where she starred in their drama club’s production of The Diary of Anne Frank. The play was so successful that they took the production on a tour of Israel, Athens, and Rome.”

When she died from an overdose at the age of 47 in 1969, Garland was buried at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale. However her remains were ultimately moved to Forever Cemetery in Hollywood so that she could be buried alongside her children Lorna and Joey.

The movie is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 29 January 2020

Created: 29 January 2020

Last Updated: 31 January 2020

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Although the Scarsdale Bowl Dinner, honoring an exemplary community volunteer, has been held since 1944, this year’s Bowl dinner will be anything but traditional.

Most in the community do not realize that the Scarsdale Foundation, the group that hosts the dinner, offers much-needed scholarship funds to college sophomore, juniors and seniors from Scarsdale. These grants are often given to students who received assistance for their freshman year from the Scarsdale PTA Scholarship Fund – which only awards grants to SHS seniors entering college. The Foundation traditionally fills the gap in subsequent years, giving out around $130,000 per year – and has to dip into their endowment for the shortfall between what they raise and what they give. They currently depend on a few generous donors to fund all the scholarships.

College tuition has jumped more than 40% in the last ten years. To meet this need, the Foundation hopes to increase the amount of scholarship money per student and increase the total amount of scholarship awards.

That’s where the Scarsdale Bowl Dinner comes in. Unlike most organizations, who use their annual gala to raise funds, the Bowl Dinner has never been a fundraiser. The dinner ticket price simply covered the cost of the meal– and that was that.

Now the Scarsdale Foundation has moved the dinner to another venue and will increase the price slightly. The Foundation is hoping to raise additional funds for scholarships at the dinner through table hosts, a new Volunteer Honor Roll, a raffle and donations. According to Nancy Michaels, who chairs this year’s Bowl, “The former model was not sustainable.” She said that the Foundation will use this year’s Bowl to “engage community members by increasing awareness and outreach.”

This year’s dinner will be held at Braeburn Country Club on Wednesday April 22 at 6:30 pm. The theme is “Shine on Scarsdale,” as the Foundation has helped the community shine for nearly 100 years. The dinner hosts are reaching out to all segments of the community and hope that the event draws a wide swath of Scarsdale, including those new to town and those who have lived here for decades – along with volunteers, people who work here and anyone with a connection to Scarsdale.

One key element of the dinner will remain the same. The purpose of the evening is to celebrate volunteerism and the two honorees that have been selected to receive the 2020 Scarsdale Bowl.

In the spotlight this year are a star volunteer couple: Jon Mark and BK Munguia. BK has been a staunch defender of Scarsdale’s non-partisan system, serves on the Board of the Scarsdale Foundation and was the President of the Scarsdale Teen Center.

Jon Mark is a former Mayor of Scarsdale, two-term Village Trustee and can be found volunteering everywhere and anywhere he is needed.

Come out and celebrate Jon, BK and everyone who volunteers to make Scarsdale such a special place – and help some very worthy students at the same time.

Watch for your invitation in the mail and mark your calendar for Wednesday April 22 at 6:30 pm at Braeburn Country Club. Learn more about the Scarsdale Foundation and the Scarsdale Bowl here.

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Written by: Diane Greenwald

Published: 19 January 2020

Created: 19 January 2020

Last Updated: 19 January 2020

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The following was submitted by Diane Greenwald of Scarsdale:
On Wednesday evening January 15, I went to the high school for a well-attended fireside chat sponsored by the Scarsdale Adult School. Local resident and podcast phenom, Chris Riback, interviewed Rick Wilson, the GOP political operative and attack-ad producer. Out of step with his own party, never-Trumper Wilson frequently appears on CNN and MSNBC. He launched the Lincoln Project, a super-PAC for conservatives opposed to Trump. He is now peddling his most recent book, billed as an ‘insider’s guide’ on how Dems can beat Trump in the 2020 election.

I attended the event because 1) I am friendly with Chris and he invited me; 2) I support the Scarsdale Adult School; and 3) I actively support inspiring pro-choice Democratic candidates across this country. I was curious.

Good news first: Chris Riback was an excellent interviewer! He was quick, funny and prepared. His daughter sat behind me, proudly snapping photos, which reminded me how warm a local community event can be. It’s also always exciting to see the work of yet another stellar Scarsdalian. We boast so many!

Rick Wilson was witty and direct, rattled off a litany of insights about Trump, his enablers and hangers on, and even called out Fox News as the darkest force in America. It’s depressing stuff. Wilson offered some advice, much of which I agree with:

• Don’t nominate Sanders, who isn’t even a Dem and is “like, 850 years old.” Check.
• Focus on the critical states, like Ohio, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, etc. Check.
• Hey campaign! Don’t take your foot off the gas until you win. Check.
• Don’t hang your hopes on young people, they typically don’t vote. Check.
• The country is more moderate than lefty progressive. Check.
• Support Senate candidates across the country and make McConnell worry; he cares more about holding power in the Senate than he cares about Trump and could, maybe, cut and run. Check.

Wilson went on. He noted that Senator McConnell raised $200M already to spread out to hot senate races, the same amount Bloomberg has already spent on himself. Interesting. Wilson further noted that a woman can and has won the popular vote, but that the electoral college isn’t going anywhere so be sure to focus on it. He counseled party discipline. OK, thanks.

Here is the rub. I am wary of a cynical, jaded and long-time Republican strategist lecturing me and the Democrats. Trump didn’t rise out of nowhere, and I’m concerned by the lack of humility that comes with Wilson’s commentary.

Rick Wilson began by saying, “I have not changed.” And that’s a problem, a disappointment. Wilson bemoaned an American tribalism that he helped create in his decades of work leveraging and unleashing simplistic, dismissive fear-mongering messages for a buck. And though he claims devotion to the Constitution and the rule of law, he doesn’t seem to have much faith in human beings. “Just win.” He says. OK, but at what cost to our national fabric? Playing to anti-intellectualism, encouraging sound-bite decision making, and amplifying base fears doesn’t get us to a better America.

Wilson is a strategist first, stating on his website that he enjoys, “overthrowing governments” along with fishing. This is sport to him, and his long career making hard-hitting, dismissive attack ads for Republican candidates is part of the problem, not the solution. Democrats are not pure as driven snow nor are they of one mind, and politicians all are a strange breed, but the adherence to the most base and manipulative instincts in campaigning can’t be a good answer.

I can’t forget that Wilson was part of the machine that made ‘liberal’ a dirty word, demonized our government, unleashed hatred, and divides for political expedience. Wilson spent a career filling seats with bodies, not with quality candidates. I don’t think he can have it both ways-- be a puppet master, manipulating the masses AND espousing value in an America he made a career of undermining.

Politics and policy are complex work that requires vision, patience, diplomacy, character, compromise and intelligence. And we should be promoting those qualities and leaving behind the dirty games targeting the ‘under-educated’ (Wilson’s word) and uniformed with incendiary rhetoric.

Wilson and I agree on one key thing – anyone would be better than Trump, the most corrupt, lawless, morally bankrupt, racist, sexist, xenophobic bad actor we have ever known in the presidency. For example, Wilson sheepishly acknowledged that even… dare I say it… Elizabeth Warren would be better. He may not agree with her on much, he said, “but she isn’t insane.” In fact, he goes one to point out that Warren is smart, prepared, experienced, compassionate and honest. (I’ll quote Wilson, offering the same comment he shot at an audience member later in the program: “Duh.”)

I have no idea who to back for the presidency and Wilson didn’t help much (though I was struck by how many of us spontaneously clapped at the mention of Amy Klobuchar, hmmm…) but I think it’s a good start not to undermine anyone and to focus on those fundamental qualities -- smart, prepared, experienced, compassionate and honest. Let’s sell that to the public!

In the end, Wilson may be good at dishing, and offer clear-eyed strategy, but I didn’t buy his book. He struck me as too mercenary, not a man making amends. The GOP isn’t hiring him, so he has targeted a new audience! Not Florida evangelicals, but me, whom he noted by my demographic highlights – a white, educated, suburban woman and lifelong Democrat who is afraid of 4 more years of Trump. He knows his market, he claimed! But hey, not everything is predictable – I said no thanks, I’m not buying.

Thank you to Chris Riback and the Scarsdale Adult School for a great event!