My Basket of Eggs

It is Easter Weekend so I thought I would share my basket of eggs. I boiled and dyed them myself. Aren’t they so colorful, the perfect way to brighten Easter and celebrate spring? Love the way the sun is bouncing off the eggs like little beacons of hope on the horizon. As usual this got me to wondering…why eggs at Easter?

It all started with the desire to not be wasteful. In history, eggs were not permitted after lent. So in an effort to keep them from going to waste, eggs were hard boiled in hopes to preserve them until after lent.

In following lent all kinds of interesting things happen to the Easter Egg within different cultures. Jewish people peel them and dip them in salt water prior to their celebrations. The Mediterranean people will have an egg-banging ceremony where they bang their eggs together and the last one with an unbroken egg is deemed to have good luck for the year.

Some other fun traditions are Easter Egg Hunts, Rolling Parties and even an Egg Dance Party where everyone dances around the eggs in an effort to not break them. Definitely doing that last one this year.

The coloring of the Eggs is a very diverse tradition as well. Different cultures do very unique decorating of their eggs. Check them out on Wikipedia, some of them are truly spectacular, not like my simple little marble eggs above. On My Perks Post Page there is a picture of an egg my cousin Michele did. Now that is a proper way to celebrate the Easter Egg.

The egg itself is a symbol of fertility and rebirth. Seems appropriate for the season since Easter is the day Jesus was resurrected and spring itself is a season of rebirth and resurrections of all those beautiful trees and flowers that lay dormant in the winter. Makes people get all up in their feels knowing that the universe is offering a fresh start each spring.

To be serious though, my favorite egg is not the boiled egg, but rather the Cadbury Creme Egg. Which brings me to my next observation, the Easter Egg has inspired all kinds of eggs, notably the chocolate foiled eggs, the speckled malt eggs (love those), the Reese’s Peanut Butter egg and other sweet confections.

Many of our Easters this year will be a lot quieter than past years. Everyone is practicing good social distancing so we can all be together again real soon. So try not to be down about it, maybe color a few eggs, put some music on and dance to celebrate the resurrection of our lives which is on the horizon. Call someone who needs a little Easter boost or better yet video chat. Make yourself a ham sandwich and drink some wine!

Whatever you do today know that just as Jesus rose up, we will rise up too. Because we were all made in the divine image. Here is a little Easter blessing: “I wish you and your loved ones the renewal of love, life and joy. Have a Blessed Easter.”

To see Michele’s Exquisite Egg visit My Blog live online at https://www.positiveperksposts.com and catch up on weekly photo perks and past posts. Like and share your comments. Happy Perks to Everyone!

Truly,

Debbie Burgoon London
Your Sassy Small Town Missus from Albion

Provided photos

HOLLEY – The Easter Bunny spent a couple hours greeting people from a Holley fire truck today. The bunny rode with a procession of Holley and Clarendon fire trucks, including Clarendon’s new rescue/pumper.

The parade passed through the Village of Holley, Ridge Mobile Estates, Countyline Trailer Park and Thomas Estates.

The Schutz family waves to the Easter Bunny.

The Strathearn Family provided the Easter Bunny for a couple hours.

“A huge thank you to the community for coming out and waving to the Easter Bunny during this Covid-19 pandemic and social distancing as I’m sure most of these kids would have loved a picture with the bunny,” according to the Holley Fire Department. “This is truly a hard time for all during a holiday.”

Press Release, Acting Niagara County Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti

LOCKPORT – Acting Niagara County Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti, along with all Niagara County law enforcement partners, reported that drug overdose cases have increased during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number of drug overdose cases dispatched by the Sheriff’s Office from Jan. 1 to April 6 has increased over 35 percent for the same time frame in 2019.  These overdose cases result in an EMS and law enforcement response to render aid for the stricken person and are also taxing our potentially overburdened hospitals in Niagara County.

A number of factors could be contributing to this rise, including the adjustment of methadone clinic hours, decreased availability of methadone or other synthetic treatments for opioid abuse, a heightened sense of anxiety and job loss. Often substance abuse leads to other crisis situations in the life of an abuser, including family problems, other criminal acts or in extreme cases, overdose and possibly death.

People are urged to make contact with the Niagara County Crisis Services Hotline at (716) 285-3515 for early intervention and assistance with these or any problem relating to substance abuse.

Family members and friends are also encouraged to be observant for any signs of a known substance abuser slipping back into a pattern of abuse.

Everyone should be aware of some signs of an overdose:

• Person is not responsive
• Fingertips or lips turn blue or gray
• Breathing is slow, shallow or has stopped
• Person is gurgling or making snoring noises

“We need to keep an eye on our loved ones, friends and neighbors during this pandemic,” said Acting Sheriff Filicetti. “Please watch out for signs of obvious drug use or depression that could contribute to an overdose.”

He also stressed that help is available, including the crisis hotline for early intervention and calling 911 in any emergency situation. In the event that you call 911, do not leave the victim alone.

Multiple doses of Narcan may be required to reverse the effects of the overdose. In New York State, the Good Samaritan Law states that anyone who in good faith seeks care for themselves or someone experiencing a life-threatening emergency will not be charged or prosecuted for a drug or alcohol related offense, including possession of drug paraphernalia, with some exceptions.

Laura Kelemen, Director of the Niagara County Department of Mental Health, notes that “fear and anxiety, as well as loneliness and isolation are frequent triggers for alcohol or other drug use. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use at this time, know that you are not alone. There is help, there is hope.  Please reach out to Crisis Services 24 hour phone line at (716) 285-3515 for free, confidential assistance. We can connect you with support.”

Despite what people may believe or have been told, treatment providers in our community remain open and remain committed to meeting the needs of individuals in our community. Most programs are offering services delivered via phone or video conference, often with staff working remotely. New clients are asked to contact each program directly by phone to ask about how to get involved in treatment. Self-help groups and peer support providers are also hosting online or phone support groups. Crisis Services or the Sheriff’s Office can provide people with further specific information.

Niagara County District Attorney Caroline Wojtazsek, a member of the Niagara County Opiate Task Force Law Enforcement Sub-committee, advised that “it probably is time to reconvene the task force and assess strategies based upon this escalation.”

There are 2 more confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Orleans County, bringing the county’s total cases to 26, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is reporting this afternoon.

Genesee County has four more cases, for 74 total.

Contact tracing has been initiated with the Health Department advising known contacts of the people who tested positive for Covid-19 they need to be quarantine for the next two weeks. If those people develop symptoms of Covid-19 they will be swabbed and tested for the virus.

The Health Department doesn’t have additional information to be release publicly on ages and location of the new cases. Mapping to include the positive cases from the weekend will be updated on Monday afternoon, the Health Departments said.

“We encourage everyone to continue social distancing and stay home,” the Health Departments said in a statement. “If you need to go out, for essential needs, only one person should be running those errands so as not to risk further exposure. This is not a time for gatherings or date night. The life you save may be you or a loved one. We can do this together…we are one day closer to this being a memory.”

Governor sees hopeful signs as deaths plateau, intubations decrease

Photo by Tom Rivers: The flag is lowered outside the Orleans County Jail today. The governor ordered flags be lowered out of respect for New Yorkers who have lost their lives to Covid-19. The executive order for lowering flags is in effect while the state is on “Pause,” with schools and nonessential businesses closed. That is until at least April 29.

New York State suffered another day on Friday with nearly 800 deaths from Covid-19, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said today.

With 783 reported deaths from Covid-19 on Friday, the state has now lost 8,627 people to the virus.

That is five straight days over 700 with 731 on April 6, 779 on April 7, 799 on April 8, 777 on April 9 and 783 on April 10.

The only good news in the numbers is the death rate seems to have reach a plateau, Cuomo said.

“It is stabilizing at a horrific rate,” he said at an 11:30 a.m. news conference. “These are just incredible numbers depicting incredible loss and pain.”

He is hopeful those grim statistics will show a declining death rate. He noted that untubations at hospitals across the state for Covid-19 were down on Friday.

“That’s a very good sign,” he said.

The governor has currently closed schools and nonessential businesses until at least April 29. He acknowledged there is pressure to reopen businesses and restart the state’s economy.

But Cuomo said the state needs more widespread testing with a quick turnaround first.

He quoted Winston Churchill, the British prime minister during World War II: “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

He worries there could be a second wave of the virus if the state moves too quickly to reopen businesses and schools. He urged New Yorkers to stay vigilant with social distancing and staying home as much as possible.

The governor was asked if he is open to serving as president, a vice presidential candidate, or in the cabinet at the White House. Cuomo told reporters he won’t pursue any of those positions.

“I’m not running for anything,” he said. “I’m governor of New York State and that’s where I’m going to stay.”

The governor said he has not considered politics in the response to the pandemic.

“The best thing we have done to date is we have kept politics out of it,” he said.

Cuomo offered praise to President Trump for his attention to the state.

“The president has been responsive to New York State and he has done it quickly,” Cuomo said. “He has really responded to New York’s needs.”

The governor has criticized the federal CARES stimulus bill for not doing enough for the state. He said a new stimulus is needed to make up for huge revenue shortfalls for the state and local governments.

He also called on Congress and the president to eliminate the SALT provision that capped the federal deduction on local and state taxes at $10,000. Removing the cap would help New York taxpayers, Cuomo said.

The state will be convening a task force to look at a timeframe for reopening businesses. Cuomo wants a coordinated reopening that continues to protect public health.

“Reopening is a public health question and an economic question,” he said. “I’m unwilling to divorce the two. Don’t ask the people of the state or country to choose between lives lost and dollars gained.”

Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined more than a dozen colleagues in urging Senate leaders to provide funding for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in the fourth COVID-19 relief package.

If Congress fails to increase this funding, lawmakers warn that USPS services may be reduced or limited leaving millions of American families without the ability to receive medicine, pay bills, receive their social security benefits and remain in contact with loves ones.

“The United States Postal Service employs thousands of New Yorkers and plays a vital role in our daily lives,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The loss of these services would devastate rural communities, as well as the health and safety of Americans. I’m thankful for these hardworking people who are putting their lives on the line in the middle of this pandemic to keep Americans connected. I am proud to fight for them so they can continue to deliver mail and help keep our communities safe.”

New York State has one of the highest employment rates of letter carriers in the nation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, New York alone has over 22,000 USPS letter carriers delivering people essential needs such as medicine prescriptions, social security benefits, and bill payments.

Additionally, USPS services play a necessary role in containing the COVID-19 outbreak and protecting people across the state who may otherwise be forced to put themselves at greater risk of contracting this potentially fatal disease. In the letter, Senator Gillibrand urges Congress to increase funding, reimburse the USPS for lost revenue, and forgive USPS debt.

During the third coronavirus package negotiations, House Democrats proposed investing $20 billion to reimburse the USPS for lost revenue and forgiving the USPS of its debt, according to the letter signed by Gillibrand.

“We strongly urge you to include these important investments in the next coronavirus package,” she wrote in an April 7 letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer. “The future of the USPS, along with its nearly 650,000 employees and millions of consumers, are counting on it.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Daffodils in an Albion backyard are shown on Thursday morning after a blast of snow hit the area.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a high wind warning from 10 a.m. Monday to 2 a.m. Tuesday for Orleans County. The advisory also includes Niagara, Monroe, northern Erie, Genesee and Wyoming counties.

There will be southwest will from 30 to 45 miles per hour with gusts up to 70 mph expected.

“This will be a dangerous situation,’ the Weather Service said. “Very strong winds will result in numerous downed trees and power lines. Extensive power outages and property damage are expected.”

The forecast the next few days includes mostly sunny with a high near 46 today, followed by a high near 59 on Sunday, which is Easter.

On Monday, the high will be near 65 with a 100 percent chance of rain, between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Tuesday will be mostly sunny with a high near 44.

MEDINA – In light of the current coronavirus pandemic, Orleans Community Health is making changes which will enable Medina Memorial Hospital to accept patients, should that need arise.

“We are trying to ramp up in case we get an influx of patients,” said Cindy Perry, director of outreach, education and marketing at Community Partners for the hospital. “We are cross-training staff now.”

Already in effect, visitations to the hospital are forbidden, and lab testing is only being done at the Orleans Community Health Center in Albion. Some X-rays can also be performed in Albion, by appointment only, and in addition, they are offering Telehealth medicine in Albion. Albion is still seeing primary care patients, but people should call first, not just walk in.

In an emergency, X-rays and certain surgeries can be done at the hospital. MRIs continue to be done at the hospital, as the MRI unit is separate at the back of the hospital, near the business office, and patients do not need to enter the hospital for this service. They may make a reservation by calling 798-8054. There is reserved parking for MRI patients, who can also register there.

Perry said the hospital is working with the Health Department and Center for Disease Control and Prevention. They are taking applications for jobs to develop a pool of people, such as nurses, CNAs, physician assistants, lab technicians, maintenance personnel, housekeepers and security people in case the hospital gets inundated with patients.

In the meantime, hospital personnel are working with Rochester Regional Health, Medina’s affiliate health care system, to see if the best option would be accepting COVID-19 patients or an overflow of regular patients.

Heather Smith, director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation, said in a letter to community supporters that the events have thrown the hospital for a loop.

“We were in the midst of planning events and social gatherings, working on grant and foundation applications and meeting with corporate and private supporters, and then it all changed,” Smith said. ‘Events have been postponed and some have been canceled entirely. The focus of our funding applications is changed along with how we reach out to everyone in the community.

“We are in unprecedented times,” she continued. “Having to shift gears when we are moving full speed in one direction, then making a quick change down another path has been challenging. However, there has not been time to stop and ponder it. This new path is focused on fulfilling the immediate need of supplies for Orleans Community Health that are vital to the protection of our staff and patients. We are meeting this need with a tremendous amount of support from the local community.”

Smith said, at this point in time, more than 150 community members and businesses have donated supplies, safety equipment, comfort items, food and personal protective equipment. Yet, with all the supplies that have been donated, the hospital is still in need of purchasing additional medical grade N-95 masks and much needed and more efficient sterilization equipment.

“We are receiving information that this supply is becoming available for purchase and we need to secure orders now,” Smith said. “The financial impact of preparing for COVID-19 has yet to be realized, but one thing is for certain, it will be significant.”

In her letter Smith has asked those who are able to consider a donation to the hospital at this time.

“If there was ever a time to help us out, now would be it,” she said. “We will get through this – together while apart. We will adapt. We will learn lessons.”

“Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 6, No. 14

This image shows the steamer Arundell approaching Oak Orchard Harbor around 1904 or 1905. Built by the Bell Iron Works at Buffalo in 1879, this iron hull steamer was operated along the southern coast of Lake Ontario during the summer months through 1910.

When this photograph was taken, the Arundell was owned and operated by the Cole & Holt Lines of Bay City, Michigan and was brought each spring to Lake Ontario by way of the Welland Canal. The steamer frequently carried Orleans County passengers during picnic days and pioneer events.

The company advertised “Good meals on steamer at 50 cents,” and “No dust, cool breeze and a pleasant time guaranteed” for its excursion trips across the lake. These relaxing jaunts included stops at Olcott Beach, Point Breeze, Charlotte, Sodus Point, Fairhaven, Oswego, Cape Vincent, and Clayton; the typical cost of a round trip ticket from Olcott to the Thousand Islands was $5.00 per person. During the earliest years of operation around the Buffalo Harbor in the 1880s, a ticket would run approximately 50 cents for gentlemen and 25 cents for women and children.

In 1904, the company operating the steamer was charged in the death of George Reed of Niles, NY, a passenger who boarded the previous year for an excursion trip to the Thousand Islands. Reed’s wife claimed that the employees and agents on board the Arundell got her husband “beastly drunk” and stowed him away in a bunk below deck. When reaching Fairhaven, the crew allegedly carried the semiconscious man to shore and left him there. At some point the man regained his composure and attempted to find his way inland but stumbled into the water and drowned. The $15,000 lawsuit did not appear to have any long-term effect on the operation of the steamer.

The steamer suffered an unfortunate accident in 1908 when she travelled too close to the shores of the St. Lawrence River and ran aground on the Fineview Shoals near Wellesley Island. She was towed to Kingston and placed in dry dock for several weeks for repairs; the accident set the company back several thousands of dollars.

Shortly after this image was taken, the steamer was sold to the Crawford Transportation Company of Chicago, who used her as a ferry on Lake Michigan until she suffered a tragic fire and burned in 1911. Although her time as a transportation vessel was not over, her time as the “Queen of Lake Ontario” was complete. The Arundell was rebuilt, sold, and renamed Brewster in 1921. The steamer sank after a collision with the Sterling Lake on the James River in Virginia in 1922.

Orleans County doesn’t have any new confirmed cases of Covid-19 today after seeing the number of positives quadruple in a week.

Orleans County on Thursday was up to 24 confirmed cases. A week before that, the county had six cases.

Paul Pettit, the public health director for Genesee and Orleans counties, reported today that there aren’t any new confirmed cases in Orleans and one person who tested positive for the virus has recovered.

Genesee County reported seven new cases and now has 70, Pettit said, with six of the new cases in central Genesee and one in the western part of the county.

Pettit said next week the Health Department will start releasing a town by town breakdown of the cases in the two counties, which now number 94 combined. Currently the Health Department reports if the person who tested positive lives in either the eastern, central or western part of Orleans or Genesee.

The new cases in Genesee include two people in their 20s, one in the 30s, one in the 60s and three in their 70s.

Pettit said he expects the numbers will continue to steadily rise in the two counties the next two to three weeks, and that could continue in an upward trajectory. A lot of the success in fighting the spread of Covid-19 depends on the community’s adherence to social distancing, washing their hands frequently and staying home as much as possible.

Sunday is Easter and Pettit said that holiday tends to be a big day for social and community gatherings. He urges everyone to keep the gatherings small with no more than 10 people, including among families.

“I want to thank all the members of our community that are really buckling down and adhering to social distancing,” Pettit said during an afternoon news briefing. “I want to thank those folks that are taking it seriously.”

However, the Health Department in the two counties gets many reports of people gathering in large numbers.

“What you do impacts all of us,” Pettit said. “In order to get through this we need to adhere to the guidelines.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – RESTORE Sexual Assault Services, a program of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York, has put hundreds of orange flags on the front lawn of the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church in Albion.

The flags are out in April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Each of the five counties that RESTORE serves (Monroe, Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming and Livingston) is hosting a display in April emphasizing the role communities play in standing against sexual violence, RESTORE officials said.

The RESTROE hotlines continue to be staffed (585-546-2777 in Monroe County; 1-800-527-1757 in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans & Wyoming counties) for 24 hours a day.

The agency said it also remains in contact with law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and the medical fields to stay current on emerging updates and options for survivors.

Counseling, referrals, and crisis support will continue via communication methods the survivor feels comfortable using, including phone calls, video chats, texting, and emails. For more information, please contact our hotlines or email RESTORE@ppcwny.org.

For more information on RESTORE, click here.

Many participating agencies are focused now on serving people during pandemic

Press Release, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni

ALBION – The Albion Police Department unfortunately has to announce that the annual Orleans County National Night Out event scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 4, has been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The event has been rescheduled for Oct. 6, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Because of weather concerns in October, the committee is considering a venue change for the location of the event. The location change has not yet been determined.

The National Committee for National Night Out has suggested the date change not because the mandated closures are believed to be still in effect in August, but because of the work currently being done by all the participants of National Night Out events.

The local event has over 50 participants that are civic organizations that help our community in every way imaginable. These organizations are currently working very hard in these uncertain times we are all facing because of the pandemic.

The Orleans National Night Out Committee does not want these fine organizations to stop doing the great work they doing for people in need in our community, to plan for the National Out event.

Our goal is to have the 2020 October event the best we have ever had.

Press Release, New York State Association of Counties

The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) has sent a letter to the New York Congressional Delegation calling on Congress to swiftly pass a fourth stimulus bill that provides additional funding for counties and the State of New York.

Specifically, the counties are supporting Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s request seeking an increase in federal Medicaid assistance and unrestricted federal funding to address lost revenue and an increase in need for social services provided through New York’s counties.

“Through our public health department hero’s, first responders, and the social service workers helping families cope with the economic devastation of COVID-19, counties are on the front lines of this crisis,” said NYSAC President John F. Marren. “We are thanking our congressional delegation for their support and leadership, and we are asking them to support the Governor’s request for additional federal assistance so that counties can continue providing services through this crisis.”

Counties are looking for support for funding and administering a wide array of social services—TANF, HEAP, child support, child welfare services and adult protective services—that are of increasingly vital importance during the COVID-19 pandemic and the acute economic slowdown brought on by social distancing.

“Whether it’s the heroic doctors, nurses and staff of our local health departments, our first responders or the social service providers who are helping families as they cope with the economic devastation of COVID-19, counties are on the front lines of this crisis,” said NYSAC President John F. Marren. “While counties are grateful for the support we’ve received from the New York Delegation, the depth and length of this crisis is placing incredible strain on our local governments and we need swift, additional assistance from the federal government to continue providing the services our residents depend on.”

Services administered and/or funded by counties in New York (which are unique in the nation) include:

• Medicaid-administered and funded by counties
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – Administered by counties
• Women, Infants and Children (WIC) – Administered by counties through their public health departments
• Safety Net Assistance – Counties administer and fund 71%
• Child Care – Subsidized by some counties in New York
• Child Support Enforcement – Administered by counties
• Early Intervention and Pre-School Special Education – Counties in New York contribute roughly 50% of the total cost to each program.
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – Counties play a large role in paying for and coordinating services
• Preschool Special Education Programs – Counties and NYC spend about $800 million per year on this program
• Summer School Special Education Program – Counties contribute roughly 10%, roughly $40 million annually

“The federal support is critical during these extraordinary times, and we urge the federal government to move quickly to pass a fourth piece of recovery legislation that provides direct support to the state and to the local governments in the form of increased Medicaid funding and unrestricted aid,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario. “We are one New York, and the state’s ask to the federal government ought to be supported by the thousands of local government elected officials. We are partnering with the state in solidarity to get the assistance New York needs.”

CO has recovered from virus and will to work next week

Press Release, Niagara County Acting Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti

LOCKPORT – Niagara County Acting Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti announced that a civilian support staff employee of the Niagara County Correctional Facility has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

The employee’s symptoms were identified through our employee health screening process which is performed before any employee is authorized to enter the facility.  When the symptoms were identified, the employee was not allowed entrance into the facility and was advised to contact a health care provider for further guidance.

This screening process was instituted in the early stages of this pandemic to ensure the safety of our employees and inmates at the facility. Upon learning that this employee had developed symptoms, the work area was completely cleaned and disinfected prior to allowing anyone else into the area.

Fortunately, this employee works in the same area of the facility each day and has limited contact with other employees or inmates. Cleaning has been enhanced in all areas of the facility to follow health department guidelines.

The Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Niagara County Health Department to ensure that testing is available to any staff member showing symptoms.

This is the second employee of the correctional facility to test positive for Covid-19. Since the start of this pandemic, a total of 12 employees have been tested. In our continuing efforts to protect the staff and inmates, we have instituted the mandatory wearing of surgical masks by all correction officers and staff who are unable to maintain proper social distances because of the nature of their work.

“The safety and health of our staff and inmates continues to be my number one priority,” said Acting Sheriff Filicetti. “I am grateful to our staff for remaining diligent in trying to prevent COVID-19 from entering the Niagara County Correctional Facility.”

Filicetti is also pleased to announce that our Corrections Officer who tested positive last week has recovered from the virus and will be returning to work next week.

‘The bad news is we continue to lose a tremendous amount of lives and endure great pain as a state.’ – Gov. Andrew Cuomo

New York State suffered 777 deaths from Covid-19 on Thursday, which is down slightly from the record high of 799 on Wednesday and 779 on Tuesday.

The state has now lost 7,844 deaths to the coronavirus, that is nearly three times the number of people – 2,753 – who died during the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, during a news conference today, said the rate of new hospitalizations and intensive care admissions from Covid-19 is dropping from the high points about two weeks. That makes him optimistic the state will see a significant drop in deaths from Covid-19 as the curve is flattened.

“The bad news is we continue to lose a tremendous amount of lives and endure great pain as a state,” Cuomo said.

The actions by the state to close schools and nonessential businesses has made a difference in flattening the curve. He said residents need to continue to stay home as much as possible, practice social distancing and wash their hands frequently.

Pushing the cases down and avoiding a second or third wave depends on people keeping their distance from others so the virus doesn’t spread, Cuomo said.

“There is no natural trajectory,” he said about the projected number of Covid-19 cases. “The trajectory is the trajectory we create by our actions.”

The governor said he wants to see the state reopened for businesses and normal life. But he said there needs to be widespread availability of testing.

He urged President Trump to institute the Defense Production Act to mandate and pay private sector companies to make millions of tests quickly.

“You’re going to need government intervention to make that happen,” Cuomo said. “The federal government is in the best position to do that.”