(Editor’s note: Orleans Hub welcomes submissions for a new series – “Pandemic Perspectives” – where local residents share how the virus has impacted their lives. We’d like to hear from business owners, teachers, parents, pastors, nurses, doctors, first responders and others in the community. Send submissions to news@orleanshub.com.)
Photo by Tom Rivers: Vivian Rivers is shown front of Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex before playing in a game for the Houghton Women’s Soccer team. She played on the team in 2017 and 2018.
By Vivian Rivers
In the past week, I have learned the vulnerability and impermanence of a personal agenda.
As a first semester senior at Houghton College, I filled my days with classes and homework as an international development major with minors in writing and communication. I spent time supporting the students who lived in my designated wing as Resident Assistant of a women’s dorm on campus.
On Saturdays I went to Buffalo to tutor refugee children who need help learning English. Besides being a full-time student, I was busy being a daughter, big sister, friend, girlfriend, and other roles to the many people I love.
Just over a week ago, I told a few of my friends that I doubted our small private school would send us away because of the Coronavirus. Only a couple days later, we received an email telling all students to leave campus for the rest of the semester. In a matter of hours, I had packed (shoved) my belongings together, rushed through a series of elbow-tap goodbyes, and moved back to my hometown of Albion, New York.
I have yet to fully process what is happening or how much I am missing, but I feel the gravity of this new apocalyptic world. I know for sure that I won’t be able to do development research in Sierra Leone like I planned to this summer. It looks like I won’t be able to march in Houghton’s commencement ceremony this May, either. The biggest loss is all the precious moments and memories with my friends from all over the country and globe that I said an abrupt goodbye to last Monday indefinitely.
I have friends who lost their final sports season. I have friends now scrambling to make different wedding plans. I have friends from around the world who feel torn between staying here (but where, exactly?) or forced to buy expensive plane tickets to go home. I have friends who don’t have homes or homes they don’t feel safe in. We’re all losing something in this transition.
Photo by Guthrie Collins: Vivian Rivers, second from right in back, joins other members of Gillette Hall Resident Life staff at the start of the fall semester.
The shift to digital learning will also look different for each of us. Professors are probably struggling as much, if not more than students, by transferring their teaching online. Music and STEM majors are especially baffled by the challenges of continuing their studies via social distancing. To those I’ve spoken with, it feels impossible. One of my closest friends, a physics major, told me about the lab equipment Houghton is loaning out to each physics student. “It’s not going to work,” he told me. But it will have to.
While there’s a lot of uncertainty and fear, I don’t think I have ever felt more united with humanity as a whole. There is unison to be found in the shared grief over cancelled events; anger at the realities currently imposed on us; and collective fears about the future. I think this unity is what can give us as people of Orleans County and the wider world the hope that will get us through this difficult time.
But that starts with caring deeply for our neighbors. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), we can care for each other best by being responsible and staying inside. For me, this looks like reading books I didn’t have time to read in the busyness of the semester, (trying) to learn Spanish, ordering takeout from local restaurants, doing yoga, and so on.
I recognize that I am deeply privileged to use this time in such a way, but I also recognize that going out to fulfill any kind of unnecessary personal agenda would be reckless and could endanger many people. I hope you feel the unison in all of the emotions we are experiencing together, and feel obligated – even honored – to do your part to care for all people.
(Vivian Rivers, 20, of Albion is the daughter of Tom and Marsha Rivers.)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 March 2020 at 9:04 am
Photo by Darren McGee, Office of the Governor: Andrew Cuomo gives a press briefing on Saturday in Albany.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Saturday issued an executive order to temporary close the Department of Motor Vehicles for all in-office visits.
The governor also suspended all road tests until further notice. All reservations have been cancelled.
Many of the DMV transactions can be handled online, including license renewals. (Click here to be directed to the state DMV.)
License and permit expirations, including registrations with expiration dates of March 1, will be extended, the DMV posted on its website.
“As DMV responds to the impact of COVID-19, the processing of some transactions and the provision of some services may be delayed,” the DMV posted on its website. “Thank you for your understanding.”
Cuomo, during a press briefing on Saturday, urged New Yorkers to practice humanity and to show one another kindness and compassion as the state works to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The time is now to show some kindness, to show some compassion to people, show some gentility,” Cuomo said. “Yes, we have a problem. Yes, we will deal with it. Yes, we will overcome it. But let’s find our better selves in doing it, and let New York lead the way in finding their better selves and demonstrating their better selves. That is the New York destiny and that is the New York legacy. And that is why I am proud to be a New Yorker and to be Governor of this great state.”
Funny joke. That is how my conversation started with Fin, my cat. Her jaw was agape with laughter. Can’t recall what the joke was, but knowing Fin it was all about trouble, because trouble is her middle name. She makes me laugh a lot with her silly ways.
With all the uncertainty in the world lately, it put me to thinking about what it is that can put me at ease quicker than anything else. You know what it is? A great big belly full of laughter.
Laughter is a funny thing. Get it a funny thing…hahaha, sometimes I am my own best audience.
I can find all kinds of things to laugh at and when all else fails I just laugh at myself. I figure there are different kinds of laughter. When many of us were young we could get on a fit of laughter for no reason at all. Maybe your brother was making faces at the dinner table. Your parents were annoyed and wanted you to “knock it off” but you just couldn’t. Loved those laughing fits. It was like a secret club for you and whoever provoked it.
How about the nervous laughter brought on by embarrassment? I personally am really famous for the inappropriate laughter, that is my all time favorite. Like when my friend’s dog flew through the air with the greatest of ease and bit my hubby on the butt. He was sore, but I laughed all night. I had to have a conversation with myself to impress upon the fact that it was not funny.
What about the laugh or cry laugh. That has come in handy a lot. When we had our house fire I fell back on laughter like a crutch.
No matter what you are struggling with always find a way to turn to laughter. It truly is the best medicine (Rx). Maybe it is a TV show like The Golden Girls. That Blanche always cracks me up.
The great thing about laughter is that you can write and fill your prescription for free. Laughter is a great anxiety release and sometimes we all really just need a good belly laugh to get the blood pumping and clear our heads. Laughter releases all those good hormones that help keep our immune systems strong.
I challenge everyone to think about laughter as your oxygen mask. When you are struggling release it from the “overhead” compartment. Then take whatever is on your mind and find the laughter in it, even if it is not appropriate..that is OK.
I know that many things are not a joke, but allow yourself to be happy and take back your joy. Most challenges pass with time so don’t get bogged down with the uncertainty.
Laughter is contagious so spread it around. Everything does not have to be so serious, unless it is seriously funny! Life is so much better when you are laughing 🙂
Back to Fin, I remember her joke now – Q. Why do cats make terrible storytellers? A. They only have one tail!
Join My Blog live online at https://www.positiveperksposts.com to catch up on weekly photo perks and past posts. Like and share your comments on what has made you laugh out loud. Happy Perks to Everyone!
Truly,
Debbie Burgoon London
Your Sassy Small Town Missus from Albion
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 March 2020 at 10:02 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ELBA – The sun goes down this evening in Elba. This photo was taken looking across the big drainage ditch along West Muck Road off Route 98. This is not far from the Barre town line and Orleans County line.
The Elba mucklands include about 90 miles of drainage ditches. The muck was originally a swamp that was drained beginning in 1915 by many immigrants from Poland and Italy.
The weather forecast for this week includes a high of 36 and sunny on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
The highs for the rest of the week include 41 on Monday, 46 on Tuesday, 47 on Wednesday, 53 on Thursday, 46 on Friday and 50 on Saturday.
The muck has been fertile farmland for growing onions, lettuce, potatoes, carrots and other crops.
LOCKPORT – Niagara County Public Health Director Daniel J. Stapleton today said that since last night the county has received five new positive test results from the New York State Department of Health.
As of this morning, Niagara County now has 9 positive results 61 people quarantined, 10 in isolation and still 5 pending test results. It is believed all new cases were via community spread.
“This shows how rapidly the situation changes. As of 5 p.m. yesterday, we had not received any new positives from DOH and within a couple of hours, we had five,” said Stapleton. “I have heard some say that our numbers are merely a function of our testing and if we could do testing at the rate we would like, there would be many, many more positives. To that, I say, I absolutely agree. The community needs to act as if COVID-19 is everywhere because in all likelihood, it is.”
The five new positives are:
• 33-year-old male in North Tonawanda who is in ICU at a local health care facility
• 51-year-old female in North Tonawanda who is in home isolation
• 43-year-old female in North Tonawanda who is in home isolation
• 64-year-old male in North Tonawanda who is in home isolation
(Note: these four North Tonawanda cases have no apparent connection to each other)
• 29-year-old female from City of Lockport who is in home isolation
Stapleton also released contact tracing information for the previous positive cases that the county was already investigating. This means the times and locations these folks were several days prior to showing symptoms. To be clear, this information is not related to the five new positive results.
“In these cases, the length of time that has passed and the fact these individuals self-quarantined quickly after feeling symptomatic worked in our favor,” said Stapleton. “Plus, we have unique circumstances in which some positives were mainly in health care facilities or in their homes for non-COVID-19 related issues. We reviewed these findings with the New York State Department of Health and they determined the chance of community spread from these individuals is minimal.
“But that is not meant to make the public take this any less lightly,” he said. “As we see today with five new positives, the virus is continuing to spread and will continue.”
By Kim Pritt, Contributor Posted 21 March 2020 at 3:00 pm
Let’s go on an adventure together …. Hunting For Treasures!
I admit, when I travel I do enjoy visiting the tourist spots – you know, those places that are famous (or infamous) that everyone wants to see just once in their life. But, I also like to seek out what makes wherever I am stand out from any other place. I like to find the quirky little out of the way place you can only find there or someplace that tells a story of that town’s past or showcases local heroes, artists, or chefs.
So, I like to do my homework before I go. I like to visit the area’s tourist website and also Google the area to see what comes up. I also visit sites like TripAdvisor to search for “Things To Do” in the area and use the website “Roadside America” to find the not-so-well known points of interest. If I have a car, I take time to just drive around town looking for murals, statues, and signs pointing me to points of interest that didn’t come up on any searches. If I don’t have a car, I try to do tours, such as hop-on-hop-off type bus tours or other ways to see the local attractions – my hotel usually will have lots of great suggestions, too.
I get especially excited when I find things like art walks or themes throughout a town or city. Here are just a few of the cool things I’ve found in my travels:
• Rapid City, S.D. has branded itself “City of the Presidents” to build on the Mount Rushmore attraction. Downtown Rapid City has a wonderful life-sized statue of a President on every street corner representing every President in a pose that showcases his personality. My two favorites were John F. Kennedy depicted walking with young John-John holding a toy airplane and Abraham Lincoln sitting in a chair with his young son kneeling beside him in a Civil War costume and Lincoln handing him a toy canon. (see these photos and of more of the Presidents on my blog at https://thoughtsbykim.com/2018/10/01/2018-caravan-tour-south-dakota/).
• Plymouth, Mass. has sculptures of huge lobsters hand painted by local artists scattered throughout their downtown area. There was one painted like a rock star holding a guitar above his head, one painted like a sea captain, and others with historic scenes on them.
One of several lobsters around Plymouth, MA painted by local artists – this one tells the story of the pilgrims.
• San Francisco, Calif. has an ongoing annual fundraiser called “Hearts of San Francisco” with large hearts painted by local artists that sell for enormous sums of money to benefit vulnerable residents through a fund associated with Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. The hearts have raised over $220 million to date and can be found throughout the city. One in particular caught my eye when I was there in 2017 that was painted by singer Tony Bennett and sold for about $3 million!
• Mobile, Ala. shows off their culture with large clam shell sculptures painted by local artists that can be found throughout the city.
Clam shell in Mobile, AL depicting the old Southern Culture.
• In Louisville, Ky., I found Cave Hill Cemetery – a gorgeous garden styled cemetery established in the mid-1800’s. It has rolling hills, lakes, streams, abundance of nature, and lots of stunning statues and memorials – some of the most unusual memorials I’ve ever seen! It is where Muhammad Ali and Colonel Sanders of KFC fame are buried. I spent a couple hours driving through and looking at all the cool statues and memorials. It was quite a treat!
• Sioux Falls, S.D. has an amazing Sculpture Walk through their downtown area. Some sculptures depicted historical references of the area, some were quirky, some cultural, and some were even interactive. The sculptures line multiple streets in the downtown section of the city and is worth the stroll to see them all.
An interactive sculpture along Sioux Falls, SD Sculpture Walk showing a conductor in shorts and army boots with a xylophone and chimes that can be played by passersby.
• In Dubuque, Iowa, I enjoyed a stroll along the city’s River Walk on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River looking at various sculptures created by local artists and loads of art scattered throughout the downtown area.
These are just a few examples…I find wonderful treasures like these just about everywhere I go! Many cities and towns across the country love to showcase their local artists and history with murals, art walks, and themes. Even our own Albion has the beautiful downtown benches painted locally and the wonderful murals downtown. Another fairly local example is the town of Chittenango, N.Y. – the birthplace of L. Frank Baum – author of the Wizard of Oz books. They have yellow brick sidewalks and loads of Oz themed shops and a wonderful Oz themed library – they even have an annual Oz-stravaganza festival the first weekend in June every year. (to read about my visit to Oz, click here: https://thoughtsbykim.com/2017/07/16/visit-to-the-land-of-oz-june-2017/)
When traveling, be sure to look for the unique things that are local treasures found wherever you happen to be…near or far! You’re sure to enjoy what makes every place on earth “special” in some way! Visit my Blog at www.thoughtsbykim.com for more on these and other adventures I’ve enjoyed over the years – search with key words or just scroll through the posts and see where I might take you.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 March 2020 at 1:58 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Zack Dugan gives a haircut to Frank Strasburger today at Zack’s Barbershop on Main Street in Albion.
Dugan has been busy the past two days since the governor announced barbershops and hair salons are being required to temporarily close at 8 p.m. today until further notice. The governor issued the directive Friday morning as an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The governor announced this morning the state now has more than 10,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19.
Dugan has been a barber for seven years and has owned his own business in Albion since 2014.
“Everything will work itself out in time,” he said. “Hopefully once I get back up and open when this is over people will storm in to get their hair cut.”
Strasburger, owner of Frank’s Auto Center in Albion, knew this could be the last day for a while to get a haircut. He said his business has suffered during the virus shutdown, with people cancelling appointments for car repairs or to buy a vehicle.
“I’m hoping this won’t last too long,” he said about the slowdown to try to curtail the coronavirus.
Dugan, 30, urged people to not be too stressed by circumstances and try to enjoy more time at home.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to spend time with their families,” Dugan said. “It will slow down life a little bit.”
Marcell Taylor, owner of Absolute Xquisite Cutz on East Bank Street in Albion, gives a hair cut to Dan Perl of Elba today.
Taylor runs the business with another barber. They are open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
“It’s going to hurt,” Taylor said about closing the business. “But in the bigger picture it’s better for everyone to help slow this virus down. You have to take a short-term loss for a longer-term gain.”
Taylor also works as a regional administrator for PathStone and was required to work from home this past week.
Lynn Burgess, owner of Lynn’s Salon on West Park Street in Albion, shares a light moment with Debbie Prest during a haircut.
Burgess has been cutting hair for 20 years. She was planning to close temporarily after Orleans County announced on Thursday afternoon the county had its first confirmed case of coronavirus.
Burgess said she works with many senior citizens and didn’t want to put them at risk, or any of her other customers and her family.
She has a list of customers she will call when she is given the OK to open.
Amber Mogle, owner of the Roots hair salon in Albion, gives a haircut to Carrie Moyer of Albion. Mogle has owned Roots for about 2 ½ years and has been working in Albion the past 10 years.
On Friday when she received the notice from the state that she would need to close indefinitely.
“I’ve already cried over it,” she said. “There’s nothing else I can do about it. You just have to deal with it.”
Three hairdressers and one nail technician work at Roots. Mogle called people with appointments next week and is trying to get in as many people as possible before closing at 8 p.m. today.
“I would feel much more relieved if I knew how long this would last,” she said. “I’m thankful the community here has always supported us.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 March 2020 at 11:12 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Ron Oliver, left, of Albion receives two to-go meals on Friday from Faith Smith, director of the Community Kitchen at Christ Church in Albion.
Oliver took one of the meals to a friend who is usually a regular participant at Community Kitchen on Fridays.
The kitchen closed off its dining area last week and is continuing with to-go meals.
Smith and her husband Michael wait at the entrance of Christ Church on West Park Street for people to receive their meals. They made 75 meals on Friday which included tuna casserole, with peaches and garlic bread. The bread was donated by Subway.
The Community Kitchen typically welcomes 75 to 200 people. Mr. Smith said many of the people often will spend an hour or more in the dining area. They enjoy the chance to connect with their friends.
“A lot of people who come here love to socialize,” he said.
Peggy Francisco, a volunteer for the Community Kitchen, helps organize the food in the dining area, which was off-limits to the public.
The volunteer crew of three looks for people to serve on Friday at about 5 p.m.
Faith Smith has been the director of the Community Kitchen for 11 years. On Friday she also prepared 15 kids’ bags with cereal, gummy bears, granola bars and juice bags.
She also prepared 40 bags with food for senior citizens and 30 other family bags with food and activities, including kits for making Easter eggs. Some of the food for seniors will be set outside a seniors house to minimize any person-to-person contact.
This sign lets the public know the Community Kitchen is open on Friday.
Governor temporarily bans all non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Friday he is signing the “New York State on PAUSE” executive order, a 10-point policy to assure uniform safety for everyone.
It includes a new directive that all non-essential businesses statewide must close in-office personnel functions effective at 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, and temporarily bans all non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason.
Andrew Cuomo
Governor Cuomo also announced “Matilda’s Law” – named for the Governor’s mother – to protect New York’s most vulnerable populations, including individuals age 70 and older, those with compromised immune systems and those with underlying illnesses.
The measure requires this group of New Yorkers to stay home and limit home visitation to immediate family members or close friends in need of emergency assistance. If it is necessary to visit such individuals, the visitor should get prescreened by taking temperature and seeing if person is exhibiting other flu-like symptoms. Both individuals should wear a mask for the duration of the visit.
The Governor also announced a 90-day moratorium on any residential or commercial evictions.
Additionally, amid a shortage of personal protective equipment — or PPE — products in the state, including gloves, masks and gowns, the Governor is asking all PPE product providers to sell to the state any products that are not essential or not currently being used. Businesses interested in selling products to the state should contact Simonida Subotic at 646-522-8477 or covid19supplies@exec.ny.gov.
The Governor is also encouraging any company with the proper equipment or personnel to begin to manufacture PPE products if possible. The state is willing to provide funding to any company to obtain the proper equipment and personnel. Businesses interested in receiving state funding to manufacture PPE products should contact Eric Gertler at 212-803-3100 or COVID19supplies@esd.ny.gov.
“We know the most effective way to reduce the spread of this virus is through social distancing and density reduction measures,” Governor Cuomo said. “I have said from the start that any policy decision we make will be based on the facts, and as we get more facts we will calibrate our response accordingly. This executive order builds on the actions we have taken to reduce the spread of the virus and protect the wellbeing of our friends, colleagues and neighbors. But again, I want to remind New Yorkers that the panic we are seeing is outpacing the reality of the virus — and we will get through this period of time together.”
The Governor’s 10-point NYS on PAUSE plan is as follows:
• Effective at 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, all non-essential businesses statewide will be closed;
• Non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason (e.g. parties, celebrations or other social events) are canceled or postponed at this time;
• Any concentration of individuals outside their home must be limited to workers providing essential services and social distancing should be practiced;
• When in public individuals must practice social distancing of at least six feet from others;
• Businesses and entities that provide other essential services must implement rules that help facilitate social distancing of at least six feet;
• Individuals should limit outdoor recreational activities to non-contact and avoid activities where they come in close contact with other people;
• Individuals should limit use of public transportation to when absolutely necessary and should limit potential exposure by spacing out at least six feet from other riders;
• Sick individuals should not leave their home unless to receive medical care and only after a telehealth visit to determine if leaving the home is in the best interest of their health;
• Young people should also practice social distancing and avoid contact with vulnerable populations; and
• Use precautionary sanitizer practices such as using isopropyl alcohol wipes.
“Matilda’s Law” includes the following rules for vulnerable populations:
• Remain indoors;
• Can go outside for solitary exercise;
• Pre-screen all visitors and aides by taking their temperature and seeing if person is exhibiting other flu-like symptoms;
• Do not visit households with multiple people;
• Wear a mask when in the company of others;
• To the greatest extent possible, everyone in the presence of vulnerable people should wear a mask;
• Always stay at least six feet away from individuals; and
• Do not take public transportation unless urgent and absolutely necessary.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 March 2020 at 9:30 am
Photos courtesy of Kim Corcoran
KENDALL – The electricity was fully restored in Kendall at about 1:40 a.m. in Kendall after several utility poles snapped on Kendall Road at 1 p.m. on Friday due to powerful winds.
National Grid had new poles in place and the power back on for all of its customers about 12 hours later, although many customers came back on line much sooner.
About 1,500 National Grid customers initially lost power.
Kim Corcoran took these photos. The poles came down near the Kendall Elementary School.
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 21 March 2020 at 8:47 am
Historian urges people to document experiences during current coronavirus
“Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 6, No. 11
As our community comes together to support one another during the current COVID-19 epidemic, we must remember to document our own stories for posterity. The local written record of events relating to the 1918 Influenza Pandemic is minimal and limited to statistical records gathered by the New York State Department of Health and scattered newspaper clippings.
Diaries and journals would provide the greatest detail from first-hand accounts. Although we have some limited oral histories from the 1970s provided by those who grew up during the pandemic, it is difficult to gain an accurate picture of the everyday lives of Orleans County’s residents. As a historian, I urge everyone to document the events we are living through so that future historians may have an opportunity to understand the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on our lives.
In 1919, the New York State Department of Health provided documentation on the Spanish Influenza (H1N1) pandemic as it spread across the country. Early documentation suggests that Kansas was the first location where the disease was encountered. The Department of Health wrote that “the use of the term ‘Spanish’ is unfortunate and has served to create the impression that a new and especially dreadful disease has appeared.” Historians have noted that the term “Spanish Influenza” likely resulted from the lack of press censorship in neutral Spain during World War One, where the influenza outbreak was publicized far more than in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The Spanish Influenza caused a variety of symptoms, the most prevalent being a temperature between 102-105ºF, body aches, nasal discharge, and a dry cough. Some cases included red or watery eyes, a slightly red throat, nausea, and diarrhea. Of course, atypical cases presented with minimal symptoms but remained highly infectious. Lacking antivirals and vaccines, physicians relied upon isolation, quarantine, good personal hygiene, disinfectants, and limited public gatherings to mitigate the spread of the disease. The fact that approximately 30% of U.S. physicians were deployed into military service limited access to health services in rural locations throughout New York.
The New York State Department of Health relied upon preexisting policies and procedures to limit the spread of the virus. According to Sanitary Code, spitting in public places, on sidewalks, and on the floors of public buildings was forbidden and considered a misdemeanor. The Public Health Council also pushed for legislation that made it a misdemeanor to cough or sneeze without properly covering your mouth or nose. Physicians treating infected patients were encouraged to wash their hands frequently and wear gauze masks whenever possible.
When quarantining those with influenza, individuals were expected to remain secluded inside of a well-ventilated room when families were around. Dishes and utensils used for eating were to be boiled after use and handkerchiefs, napkins, and towels were burned after use. In locations where large portions of the community were infected, the Department of Health encouraged no public funerals, keeping windows open to ensure adequate ventilation, and closing amusement locations (specifically movies and theatres).
Although the Spanish Influenza was deadly to children under five and adults over 65 years of age, the virus also affected a relatively healthy segment of the population, those between the ages of 20 and 40. In Orleans County between October and December of 1918, the Department of Health estimated 2,279 cases of influenza across a population of 33,919 (approximately 6.7% of the total county population). Comparatively speaking, outbreaks of other communicable illnesses such as the measles (79 cases), Scarlet Fever (35 cases), and Tuberculosis (33 cases) dwarfed in comparison.
Newspapers provide a glimpse at the local response to the influenza pandemic. In early October of 1918, Brent Wood presented as the first confirmed case of influenza in Albion. The son of Rev. Edwin Wood of the Pullman Universalist Church, Brent was taken ill at Buffalo where he was to enter military service.
In the coming weeks, the Gillett and Benton Corners School Districts in Barre closed due to influenza outbreaks and other school districts followed suit. Teachers received their regular salary if the school closed on account of sickness, however, teachers who proactively closed their school would not receive pay for the duration of the voluntary closure.
In mid-October, the Medina Board of Trustees mandated the closure of all churches, theatres, schools, fraternal organizations, and public meetings, anticipating a need to shut down for one to two months. Although cases locally subsided into late October, the celebration of peace on November 11, 1918 caused a spike in cases throughout Western New York.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 March 2020 at 7:29 pm
Pettit urges younger people to not feel invincible to coronavirus
In addition to the concerns over the coronavirus, the Public Health Department in Orleans and Genesee counties warn this has been one of the worst flu seasons on record.
Orleans County has 249 confirmed cases up to March 7, including 24 the week ending March 7. In Genesee County, there are 562 cases of the flu this season, including 32 cases the week ending March 7, Paul Pettit, the Public Health director, said during a daily news briefing today.
Pettit has been updating reporters and the community with 4 p.m. press briefings since Tuesday.
Orleans County had its first confirmed case of coronavirus on Thursday. That person over age 60 is currently on vacation out of state. The person likely caught the virus in Orleans and then developed symptoms out of state. The person is in isolation, away from other people.
Genesee County reported its first confirmed case of coronavirus on Wednesday.
Pettit made a point today to tell younger people they aren’t safe from the virus. In fact, the CDC reports that 38 percent of the people hospitalized in the United States are between the ages of 20 to 54.
“Younger folks can get this,” Pettit said during today’s conference. “Anybody can get Covid-19. We need to remind folks that just because you feel invincible, you feel strong, you can still get Covid-19.”
Younger people could be infected with the virus, but may not be as adversely affected by it as people who are elderly or immune-compromised. However, younger people can still spread the virus around the community, putting others at risk, Pwttit said.
He urged people to practice social distancing, staying at least six feet away from other people.
“Stay home if you’re sick,” he said. “We don’t want folks out and about if you’re sick.”
He urged people to wash their hands frequently, clean common areas such as door knobs, and call ahead to the doctor’s office if they are feeling symptoms of a respiratory illness.
Pettit said the Health Department and Emergency Management Office in both counties are pushing for more swabbing kits so more people can be tested for the coronavirus in Orleans and Genesee counties.
“We are still very frustrated by lack of swabbing kits,” Pettit said. “We’re doing our best and we’re working hard to get those.”
Emergency toll procedures enacted due to coronavirus
Press Release, Thruway Authority
The Thruway Authority today announced emergency toll procedures will be in place effective Sunday, March 22, at approximately 8 p.m., at cash toll lanes on the Thruway’s ticketed-system.
This plan will convert the collection of cash tolls to toll billing by the license plate during the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) response in New York State. The procedures will be in place until further notice.
“We are implementing these emergency toll procedures for the health and safety of our employees and motorists,” Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll said. “We need the next 48 hours to take necessary operational steps to implement the procedures effectively and seamlessly. In the meantime, we continue to enhance safety measures to protect toll collectors and motorists. We thank the toll collection staff and all of our workforce for their dedication during this public health crisis.”
Effective Sunday at approximately 8 p.m., when non-E-ZPass customers enter the Thruway in a cash lane, they will continue through the lane without collecting a ticket. When the customer exits the Thruway, they will inform the toll collector which exit they entered the Thruway and provide the toll collector their license plate information, without paying cash to the toll collector. Customers without an E-ZPass should not enter an E-ZPass lane, as they will receive an E-ZPass violation.
Motorists will then be sent a bill in the mail in approximately 30 days. Toll bills will be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle at the address on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Once they receive a bill in the mail, customers can pay with a credit card through the Thruway Authority’s website.
E-ZPass customers should travel through E-ZPass lanes and be billed as they normally would. E-ZPass customers who travel through a cash lane will be given a green light to pass through by the toll collector.
Motorists who wish to save time and bypass the emergency toll procedures can sign up for E-ZPass online.
The emergency toll procedure information will be displayed on Variable Message Signs (VMS) prior to the toll plaza and posted on a sign at the toll booth.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 March 2020 at 3:40 pm
Provided photos
KENDALL – The powerful wind gusts snapped a series of utility poles on Kendall Road this afternoon at about 1 p.m., knocking out electricity for about 1,500 National Grid customers. This is near the Kendall Elementary School.
The power company said 1,490 customers were without electricity after the poles were snapped. The outage was down to 983 at 3:30 p.m.
National Grid is estimating a full restoration at 4:30 p.m.
As our community comes together to support one another during the current COVID-19 epidemic, we must remember to document our own stories for posterity. The local written record of events relating to the 1918 Influenza Pandemic is minimal and limited to statistical records gathered by the New York State Department of Health and scattered newspaper clippings.
