Backlash against Blakeman's choice of health commissioner

                                                                     

Bruce Blakeman announces appointment of Irina Gelman (at microphone) as health commissioner

Was it only a few months ago that Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman appeared on national television,  assailing Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul's  Covid-19 school mask mandates and standing up for parental rights?

He had just won a stunning upset against popular incumbent Democratic County Executive Laura Curran last November, in part by campaigning against forced masking of school children and promising parents that he would issue an executive order to ban it.

Parents rallied with Blakeman over a year ago, demanding Curran "unmask our kids"  and praised Blakeman after he took office in January when he issued that order, giving school boards the option to mask their students.
 

Blakeman at rally last year calling for an end to school mask mandates

Now angry parents are again crowding onto Blakeman's Facebook page, but this time to protest Blakeman's choice of Orange County Health Commissioner Irina Gelman to replace departing Nassau Health commissioner Larry Eisenstein.

Gelman is a podiatrist with a master's degree in public health.

She also was a strong proponent of mask mandates, child vaccination and a Hochul supporter, according to upset parents who are posting on Blakeman's page.

One wrote, "She is a fear-mongering, pro-masking, pro-vaccine, ultra liberal PODIATRIST. Poor poor choice." 

A less combative poster wrote: "Bruce you’ve appointed some fantastic appointee’s so far, however this one doesn’t seem to fit the bill for Nassau County. Anyone who believes in Masking and or Vaccinating Children will not gain positive support from 99% of Nassau Residents. Your supporters, your voters. I’d probably reconsider this one."

Another poster wrote, "Looks like Mr. Blakeman was nothing but a Trojan horse - an establishment puppet. Shocking and very sad."

Even Orange County parents are warning about Gelman, advising Nassau parents to be wary.

One wrote: "Orange County resident here. Happy to be rid of Gelman but sorry for Nassau County residents. You just got yourselves a pro mask and pro Covid vaxxer. I suggest you guys start asking questions and demanding answers.

They even posted copies of a letter that Gelman wrote in February to the Warwick Valley Central School District, telling them "schools must have multiple mitigation measures in place such as universal masking, distancing, vaccination, testing and upgraded ventilation when possible."

"Mask wearing is not a matter of opinion," Gelman added.

Blakeman meanwhile keeps posting the same reply:

"She understands my position when it comes to COVID mandates."

That doesn't satisfy most posters. 

"If you cannot respond with anything other than your canned response that she understands your position, then why bother posting! You absolutely NEED to respond to this complete betrayal to those who got you elected!!" one person replied.

And Blakeman's response is a far cry from his past rhetoric. 

"Parents have a fundamental right to make health care decisions on behalf of their children, " Blakeman said after he took office. "Government may not infringe upon these rights without a compelling reason. School boards are comprised of elected officials who make decisions based upon the unique circumstances of each district. They are in the best position to make these decision, not an autocracy in Albany."

He told Laura Ingraham, a Fox cable tv host who has millions of viewers, "Because what we’ve seen is masks really do nothing in combating the Covid-19 spread." 

"I haven't seen any study yet that masks prevent Covid-19 transmission," Blakeman said.

On the same day that Blakeman appeared on Fox News dismissing masks, Nassau legislative Democrats demanded that Eisenstein "unequivocally and publicly disavow" his boss's position.If not, they said, they said he could no longer function in his job.

"We call on you to immediately dispel the public confusion we believe you have caused by your waffling regarding masks in order to reassure Nassau residents that they can and should comply with the state face-covering requirements to protect themselves and their neighbors," they wrote Eisenstein.

Sure looks like Democrats got what they wanted. 

Eisenstein is leaving at the end of this week to take a new job with the Catholic Health network and his replacement has fully endorsed masks in the past.

A Democratic spokesman declined to take a victory lap -- or comment.

                                                                  

Partial first page of Gelman letter to school district