Coronavirus News: Driveway Jazzercise to stay in shape during pandemic

NESCONSET, Long Island (WABC) -- Along with gyms and fitness facilities, Jazzercise locations have also been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

One location in Nesconset has yet to reopen its doors since closing in March.

"Completely shutdown," Tara Griesing said. "I haven't really been back here. Nobody's been here. It's sad, but we have to do what's safe for everybody"

So like many others, she took her craft to the the virtual world, offering classes on Facebook.

"I wanted to do something, so I immediately started a group on Facebook and added my members, friended a lot of them, added my members," she said. "And then I started doing some classes online."

But Griesing wanted to find another way to keep the Jazzercise community involved and engaged, so she started the Birthday Brigade -- visiting members in their driveway for outdoor group classes.

"With the Birthday Brigades, we've already formed this close-knit group, and everybody wants to be there for one another," she said. "So it's just a fun thing to do, and they want to show up. And that's the thing, they show up and we dance and we have a great time, and it's nice to be able to bring a smile to someone's face."

While practicing social distancing and wearing masks, the Jazzercise Birthday Brigade has been attracting more and more members and filling up the calendar.

"We have another five in August," Griesing said. "We have another how many in September? I think I have seven in September. But I started this group on Facebook, and more and more girls are joining."

7 On Your Side goes to mayor after NYC nurses slammed with parking tickets

7 On Your Side stepped in to help after dozens of nurses, touted as front-line heroes who risked their lives during the COVID pandemic, were slapped with thousands in parking ticke

COVID-19 Help, Information. Stimulus and Business Updates

UPDATES

New York City

New Jersey

Long Island

Westchester and Hudson Valley

Connecticut

7 On Your Side Investigates: Up to 4,000 coronavirus cases prevented by NYC contact tracers

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio along with local health experts have repeatedly called contact tracing a key element in preventing another spike of coronavirus in the city.

REOPENING INFORMATION

What's Open, What's Closed

Reopening New York State

Reopening New Jersey

Reopening Connecticut

Total count of NYC, Long Island COVID-19 cases based on patient address