‘There is nowhere near the amount of vaccine for the number of people who are eligible to receive it. This whole process will be determined by the supply of the vaccines and as such we need to be flexible as we anticipate the situation will continue to change. We ask and urge patience among our residents.’ – Shelley Stein, Genesee County Legislature chair

Press Release, Genesee County Legislature

With New York State under increasing pressure to allocate the various Covid-19 vaccinations that in some instances have been destroyed or continue to be stored without being used, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on January 8 that a new group of recipients would be eligible to receive the vaccinations.

This new group – categorized as 1b – is confined to those 75 years and older as well as utility workers, corrections officers, first responders (police, firefighters, EMTs and support personal) and primary through grade 12 school faculty and staff, including licensed childcare providers.  For a full list of priority workers, click here.

People age 75 and over will primarily be vaccinated at pharmacies and other sites that are part of the “retail network.” Use the online tool to find a location. Beginning at 4 p.m. today, the Covid-19 Vaccination Hotline will open for scheduling vaccination appointments for eligible New Yorkers: 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).

“Residents need to be aware that we have already received reports where people are being contacted by scammers about how they can get a vaccine,” said Genesee County Legislature Chair Shelley Stein. “We are asking those who are eligible for the vaccine to please register on-line or call the Covid-19 Vaccination Hotline to schedule an appointment.”

For others in groups 1a and 1b they can see local information about clinics and clinic schedules (click here) and fill out a registration form and schedule an appointment. Clinics may fill quickly, so please be patient and check the site periodically.

In Genesee County there are approximately 4,892 residents/employees in 1a and in Orleans County there are about 4,321 residents/employees in 1a.

There are approximately 8,525 residents/employees in 1b in Genesee County, including 4,809 age 75 years and older and 6,032 residents/employees in 1b Orleans County, including 2,959 age 75 years and older.

To date, approximately 200 doses of the vaccine have been received by both counties (400 total). Not all of the doses of the vaccination have been administered, but all of the doses are already scheduled for vaccination over the next few days.

“As the numbers demonstrate, there is nowhere near the amount of vaccine for the number of people who are eligible to receive it,” Stein said. “This is a rapidly changing situation, so we understand the frustrations, questions and concerns that we are receiving from many residents. This whole process will be determined by the supply of the vaccines and as such we need to be flexible as we anticipate the situation will continue to change. We ask and urge patience among our residents.”

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

CLARENCE – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is announcing that the Paycheck Protection Program has been re-opened for first and second-time borrowers.

“Since I took office this summer, I have made it a top priority to extend the Paycheck Protection Program. It has supported 51 million American jobs, with 12 million of those in rural communities and thousands of them right here in Western New York,” Jacobs said. “The re-opening of this program represents our continued commitment to supporting the hard-working American small business owners and employees who are the backbone of our local communities and economy.”

The Paycheck Protection Program re-opens today for first-time borrowers through community financial institutions. On Wednesday, January 13th, the program will be open to second-time borrowers. A borrower is eligible for a second draw if they: 1) received a first-time loan and has or will use the full amount for authorized uses; 2) has no more than 300 employees; and 3) can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.

In addition, when the most recent COVID-19 package was signed into law, it enacted a provision that ensures expenses paid for with PPP loan funds will be considered tax-deductible. This upholds the original intent of the CARES Act.

“I successfully joined my colleagues in strongly advocating the allowance of tax deductibility for loan expenses. Many businesses accepted these loans under the premise they would not be surprised with an additional tax burden this coming year,” Jacobs said. “I’ll keep working to support small businesses, protect and create jobs, and move our Western New York economy forward.

For more information regarding the re-opening of the Paycheck Protection Program, click here.

In 11th State of the State Address today, Governor Andrew Cuomo said defeating Covid-19 is critical for the state to get back on its feet and move forward. The governor said the fight against Covid can’t mean crushing the economy and businesses.

The governor offered a seven-point plan for the state in 2021.

“First, we must defeat Covid and beat back the assault as the virus rages in these next few months,” Cuomo said. “It will not be easy. A high-performing hospital system, as well as the diligence of New Yorkers, are the keys to stop the spread.”

The second point: the state must vaccinate 70 to 90 percent of the nearly 20 million New Yorkers – “quickly, safely and fairly,” Cuomo said.

The third point is addressing a short-term economic crisis, a record $15 billion state deficit. Cuomo said a federal government led by President Joe Biden should be more willing to help states and local governments with their big budget deficits. Covid has resulted in a loss of tax revenues and more expenses in fighting the virus.

Legalizing online sports gambling and passing a comprehensive adult-use cannabis program will bring much-needed revenues to the state. Cuomo said the cannabis program also is a social justice issue that will decriminalize unlawful possession of marijuana.

In his fourth point, Cuomo says an economic resurgence is possible. “We simply cannot stay closed until the vaccine hits critical mass,” he said. “The cost is too high. We will have nothing left to open. We must reopen the economy: smartly and safely. Also, we must energize the lagging private sector and rebuild our economic platform – our transportation system and infrastructure – for the next generation of growth.”

Fifth point, Cuomo proposed making New York the global leader in “the long overdue economic shift to green energy.” Embracing green energy will create thousands of good, secure jobs, Cuomo said.

Sixth point, Cuomo said the state needs anticipate how Covid will transform society and economy, and capitalize on those coming changes.

Cuomo wants the state to pass the Medical Supplies Act. He said the United States was ill-prepared for the global pandemic and faced a severe shortage of basic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), leaving frontline health care professionals vulnerable to contracting the disease.

To promote domestic manufacturing of critical medical equipment and to reduce dependency on overseas products, the Medical Supplies Act will prioritize buying American-made PPE and medical supplies.

In the seventh point, New York must address the systemic injustices exposed during this year’s low tide in America – the inequity, the racism, the social abuse, Cuomo said.

One of the proposals calls for eliminating Health Care Premiums for low-income New Yorkers. Covid exposed “persistent, staggering healthcare disparities in this country and in New York State. Blacks, Latinos, Asians and poor communities paid the highest price for Covid-19,” Cuomo said.

Increasing access to affordable healthcare will help address disparities and help ensure that New York emerges from the pandemic stronger and more equitable. Through New York’s successful health insurance exchange, the New York State of Health, low-income families qualify for the state’s Essential Plan for free or with a maximum premium of $20 a month per person.

However, families and individuals still struggle with the expense. To make coverage more affordable for low-income New Yorkers, Governor Cuomo will eliminate these monthly premiums for over 400,000 New Yorkers, saving families nearly $100 million per year in premiums and enrolling 100,000 New Yorkers who are currently uninsured.

Groups now eligible to make appointments in 1B  also include first responders, corrections officers, teachers and other school staff, in-person college instructors, childcare workers, grocery store workers, transit workers and individuals living and working in homeless shelters

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the  New Yorkers within priority group 1B can now begin scheduling appointments with individual providers, including pharmacies, local health departments, and hospitals, to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

Those now eligible to receive the vaccine include individuals 75 and older, first responders, public safety officers, teachers and other school staff;  in-person college instructors, childcare workers, public-facing grocery store workers, transit workers and individuals living and working in homeless shelters.

Eligibility determinations and a list of nearby providers where appointments can be scheduled can all be done through New York’s new “Am I Eligible” app. New Yorkers can begin calling the New York State Vaccination Hotline at 4 p.m. on Monday, January 11: 1-833-NYS-4VAX (1-833-697-4829). Click here to determine eligibility and schedule appointments with administrating providers.

Since federal supply severely limits the ability to distribute vaccine, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.

New York’s vast distribution network and large population of more than 4 million eligible individuals in this priority group dwarf the vaccine supply coming from the federal government, which is arriving at a rate of approximately 300,000 doses per week. As such, eligible New Yorkers should be prepared to receive an appointment date as far as 14 weeks in the future.

“After 10 long months, the expansion of eligibility for additional New Yorkers to begin making their Covid-19 vaccination plan is a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Governor Cuomo. “The vaccine is the weapon that will end the war, and as we continue to prioritize healthcare workers as hospital capacity necessitates, New York is proud to have reached this milestone and we strongly encourage all who are newly eligible to schedule their free vaccination appointment as soon as possible.”

Under New York’s expanded eligibility, the following individuals will now be eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment:

Individuals Age 75 and older

First Responders and Support Staff of First Responder Agencies

• Fire Service
• State Fire Service, including firefighters and investigators (professional and volunteer)
• Local Fire Service, including firefighters and investigators (professional and volunteer)
• Police and Investigators
• State Police, including Troopers
• State Park Police, DEC Police, Forest Rangers
• SUNY Police
• Sheriffs’ Offices
• County Police Departments and Police Districts
• City, Town, and Village Police Departments
• Transit of other Public Authority Police Departments
• State Field Investigators, including Department of Motor Vehicles, State Commission of Correction, Justice Center, Department of Financial Service, Inspector General, Department of Tax and Finance, Office of Children and Family Services, and State Liquor Authority

Public Safety Communications

• Emergency Communication and Public Safety Answering Point Personnel, including dispatchers and technicians

Other Sworn and Civilian Personnel

• Court Officers
• Other Police or Peace Officers
• Support of Civilian Staff of any of the above services, agencies or facilities

Corrections

• State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Personnel, including correction and parole officers
• Local Correctional Facilities, including correction officers
• Local Probation Departments, including probation officers
• State Juvenile Detention and Rehabilitation Facilities
• Local Juvenile Detention and Rehabilitation Facilities

P-12 Schools

• P-12 school or school district faculty or staff (includes all teachers, substitute teachers, student teachers, school administrators, paraprofessional staff, and support staff including bus drivers)
• Contractors working in a P-12 school or school district (including contracted bus drivers)
• In-Person College Instructors
• Employees or Support Staff of Licensed, Registered, Approved or Legally Exempt Childcare Setting
• Licensed, Registered, Approved or Legally Exempt Childcare Providers
• In-Person College Instructors

Public-Facing Grocery Store Workers

Public Transit

• Airline and airport employees
• Passenger railroad employees
• Subway and mass transit employees (i.e., MTA, LIRR, Metro North, NYC Transit, Upstate transit)
• Ferry employees
• Port Authority employees
• Public bus employee

Individuals living in a homeless shelter where sleeping, bathing or eating accommodations must be shared with individuals and families who are not part of your the same household

Individuals working (paid or unpaid) in a homeless shelter where sleeping, bathing or eating accommodations must be shared by individuals and families who are not part of the same household, in a position where there is potential for interaction with shelter residents

Until this point, 2.1 million New Yorkers in priority group 1A have been eligible to receive the vaccine. This includes patient-facing health care and other critical hospital workers, seniors living in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, and people with disabilities living in congregate settings.

Distribution sites were established directly within hospitals, FQHCs, and urgent care clinics to provide direct access to all those eligible. To further accelerate the vaccination rate of priority health care workers, and begin the vaccination of group 1B essential workers and 75-plus year olds, New York has established a network of distribution sites that will supplement the work being done in hospitals to prevent any one hospital from becoming overburdened.

This new network will utilize doctors’ offices, Federally-Qualified Health Centers, county health departments, ambulatory centers and pharmacies to get doses in the arms of eligible New Yorkers.

More than 1,200 pharmacies have already committed to participating in this network, with nearly 500 scheduled to come on-line this week. Providers across the state will begin accepting vaccination reservations on Monday, January 11, when a centralized state website goes online that lists nearby providers where appointments can be scheduled.

Pharmacies will be provided vaccines for New Yorkers aged 75 and older, while hospitals will continue vaccinating 1A healthcare workers, and local health departments and union-organized efforts will serve essential workers in 1B.

The weather forecast shows another week in Orleans County without harsh winter weather. There are some snow showers in the forecast but there will be highs above freezing in the 30s or low 40s this week, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

The forecast today says snow showers before noon, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers after 5 p.m. with a high near 38. The low tonight will be around 29.

The forecast the rest of the week includes a slight chance of snow showers on Tuesday with a high near 34 and overnight low around 30.

Wednesday will be mostly cloudy with a high near 38 and overnight low of 33. Thursday is forecast to be mostly cloudy with a high near 40 and overnight low of 33.

Friday will have a chance of rain and snow showers before 9 a.m., then a chance of rain showers with a high near 41. The overnight low will be around 29.

Saturday is chance of rain and snow showers with a high near 36 and overnight low of around 26.

Press Release, VA Western New York Healthcare System

VA Western New York Healthcare System announced Dr. Philippe Jaoude was selected as chief of staff.

Dr. Jaoude

Dr. Jaoude is a board-certified physician in Sleep, Critical Care, and Pulmonary Medicine and is certified as Diplomate in the American Board of Internal Medicine. He has been with VAWNYHS since 2013 and has held several chief and director level positions to include Acting Chief of Staff, Chief of Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, along with Chair of the Cardiac Arrest Committee.

He received his M.D. from Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2000 and later completed his internship there in 2001. Dr. Jaoude then went on to complete his residency in internal medicine in 2004, a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care in 2011 and a sleep medicine fellowship in 2012 from The State University of New York at Buffalo.

His professional appointments include several years as an attending physician at Buffalo General Hospital and VAWNYHS. He has held a variety of appointments at SUNY Buffalo since 2001 to include Assistant and Associate Professor for Clinical Medicine.

Dr. Jaoude is a member of CHEST (a peer reviewed medical journal and society), The American Thoracic Society, and The American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He has published over 18 peer reviewed journal articles including several book chapters and abstracts covering his experiences, findings, and outcomes in multiple medical specialties. He resides in Williamsville with his family.

VA Western New York Healthcare System is a Joint Commission accredited multi-site health care system with medical centers in Buffalo and Batavia and eight Community Based Outpatient Clinics employing over 2,200 employees who care for over 50,000 veterans.

The average price for gas in New York State is $2.39 a gallon today, which is down 34 cents from a year ago, AAA Western and Central New York is reporting today.

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.32, up 6 cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.59.

AAA Western and Central New York reports the following averages:

• Batavia – $2.31 (up 4 cents since last week)
• Buffalo – $2.33 (up 7 cents since last week)
• Rochester – $2.36 (up 6 cents since last week)

Pump prices are on the rise despite gas demand falling to the lowest level recorded since the end of May 2020, AAA said.

Domestic crude prices climbed above $50 per barrel while total refinery utilization increased from 79 percent to 81 percent leading to higher pump prices. If crude prices continue to stay above $50 per barrel alongside higher refinery utilization rates, drivers could see pump prices continue to climb, which is unusual given that low winter gas demand typically pushes prices to their lowest point of the year, AAA said.

Crude prices increased last week after Saudi Arabia announced that it would cut its crude production by 1 million barrels per day in February and March after OPEC met with its partners, including Russia and Kazakhstan, to discuss their ongoing production reduction agreement. If total domestic crude supply continues to drop, crude prices could continue to increase and push pump prices higher, AAA said.

Legislation will include electric, gas, water, telecommunications, cable and internet

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a proposal to prohibit utility disconnections in regions that are under a state of emergency as part of the 2021 State of the State.

The Governor will propose legislation that will apply to electric, gas, water, telecommunications, cable and internet services. Utilities that fail to comply will be subject to penalties.

“In a year in which we dealt with an unprecedented pandemic, ferocious storms added insult to injury by knocking out power for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers,” Cuomo said. “Utility companies provide essential services, and we need to make sure they continue to provide them, rain or shine. That’s why we’re proposing legislation to make sure that New Yorkers, especially those living in regions under states of emergency, have access to these critical services to provide for themselves and their families.”

Cuomo has taken a series of actions to protect New Yorkers’ access to utilities during the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, the Governor signed legislation extending a moratorium that prevents utility companies from disconnecting utilities to residential households that are struggling with their bills due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Utility companies must instead offer these individuals a deferred payment agreement on any past-due balance.

Provided photos

ALBION – The Tree House, which opened in March 2020 in downtown Albion, has relocated to the space for the former Rainbow Preschool at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex, 243 South Main St., and given the site a vastly new look.

Michelle Waters

The move more than doubles the space to 3,500 square feet for the Tree House, which offers child enrichment programs, parent-child classes and birthday parties.

“We are able to have different classes and offerings at the same time,” said Michelle Waters, Tree House owner. “We are so excited!”

The space for many years was used by the Rainbow Preschool, until it was closed in late August by the Arc of Genesee Orleans.

The announcement today that Rainbow Preschool is closing ends a program that is nearly 50 years old.

For nearly 50 years, the Arc ran Rainbow Preschool, serving children ages 2 ½ to 5 with developmental and intellectual disabilities. At its peak, the school served 300 children. The enrollment for 2020-21 was at 26 students.

Michelle Waters opened The Tree House on March 12 at 116 North Main Street, 2nd Floor. That was just before the state imposed restrictions to slow the spread of Covid-19. Waters was forced to temporarily close to in-person services.

Waters was able to pivot the business that specializes in preschool and toddler programs. She developed activity kits to help families who suddenly had children home – nearly all the time. She delivered them throughout Western New York. Those kits were fun and educational.

The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce in November recognized The Tree House as the “New Business of the Year.”

Waters said The Tree House provides in-person programs that meet social distancing and public health guidelines.

“The Tree House is the place for the kind of loud and messy fun that promotes learning,” Waters said. “From musical instruments to the ooey gooey there is something sure to inspire wonder in your child.”

Proposals would expand mental health and substance use disorder services in underserved and rural communities

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced legislation to expand and improve access to telehealth for all as part of the 2021 State of the State. The Covid-19 pandemic laid bare the inequities in our healthcare system and showed that telehealth is a critical tool to expand access and lower costs for low-income communities, especially for behavioral health support. During the crisis, the Governor took executive action to expand access to remote care, and these proposals codify and build on those successful reforms.

In partnership with the Reimagine New York Commission, the Governor will enact comprehensive telehealth reform to help New Yorkers take advantage of telehealth tools and address existing roadblocks.

These reforms will address key issues like adjusting reimbursement incentives to encourage telehealth, eliminating outdated regulatory prohibitions on the delivery of telehealth, removing outdated location requirements, addressing technical unease among both patients and providers through training programs, and establishing other programs to incentivize innovative uses of telehealth.

“While New York State has been on the cutting edge of promoting telehealth for its residents, the adoption of telehealth by both patients and providers has been slow,” Cuomo said. “Covid-19 has changed not only the way we live, but the way healthcare providers support their patients, especially in regard to mental health. New Yorkers have adapted throughout 2020, but it is time to push telehealth to the next level in New York State and fully integrate it into our existing healthcare system. These proposals will better allocate our healthcare and technological resources for the 21st century.”

Governor Cuomo proposes comprehensive reforms to permanently adopt Covid-19-era innovations that expanded access to physical health, mental health and substance use disorder services including:

Unlocking the Benefits of Telehealth Through Policy Modernization

The Governor’s proposal includes the following regulatory and statutory changes to allow for greater flexibility in where and when patients use telehealth, while maintaining oversight to ensure high-quality care is delivered:

• Eliminating obsolete location requirements by requiring Medicaid to offer telehealth reimbursement for services rendered to patients regardless of where the patient or provider is located in a non-facility setting;
• Developing interstate licensing reciprocity with states in the Northeast region for specialties with historical access shortages to ensure that there is sufficient access to medical and behavioral health professionals; and
• Continuing Covid-era flexibilities for mental health and substance use disorder services by allowing certain unlicensed staff, such as Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor trainees or Peer Specialists, to deliver substance use disorder and mental health services. This also includes eliminating the remaining in-person evaluation requirements before telehealth services can be delivered, expanding the types of staff who can deliver remote services, developing a regulatory structure for a predominantly virtual outpatient substance use disorder treatment program and exploring the expansion of existing initiatives that extend behavioral health services into nursing facilities. This will include reimbursement of all mental health and substance abuse provider types, including certified recovery peer advocates so patients and providers can choose the care setting that best suits their needs.

Ensuring Coverage and Reimbursement for Telehealth

Telehealth played an indispensable role in providing quality care to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. To build on what we have learned during the crisis, the Governor’s proposal will:

• Require commercial health insurers to offer a telehealth program to members, and provide Medicaid coverage, subject to federal approval, to cover services furnished telephonically when medically appropriate;
• Ensure that telehealth is reimbursed at rates that incentivize use when medically appropriate; and
• Require providers to disclose to patients in writing or through their websites whether they provide telehealth services. Require insurers to provide up-to-date information in their provider directories about which providers offer telehealth services. Any telehealth platforms offered as part of a mandatory telehealth program will be required to participate in the Statewide Health Information Network for New York or otherwise demonstrate interoperability with other providers in the insurer’s provider network.

Expanding the Use of Technological Advancements in Health Care

The Governor’s proposal will also facilitate the adoption of innovations in technology to ensure higher quality and more efficient care for patients by:

• Requiring insurers to offer members an e-triage or virtual emergency department platform that enables individuals to receive a symptoms assessment and a referral to a network of providers or a nearby Emergency Department when warranted, allowing New Yorkers, particularly in underserved areas that lack health infrastructure, to receive better and faster care in times of emergency;
• Facilitating the use of expert consultations between providers via telehealth by encouraging insurers to reimburse providers directly for engaging in e-consults or permitting the inclusion of insurers’ costs associated with e-consult platforms within the health care service costs. The increased use of e-consults will empower primary care providers to make accurate treatment decisions and help patients avoid unnecessary and costly care; and
• Streamlining the SHIN-NY patient consent process to increase interoperability and record access amongst health care providers.

Supporting Patients and Providers Through Professional Development, Education, and Innovative Support Programs

While regulatory flexibilities have increased access to services for many New Yorkers, telehealth is new for many and education and outreach is needed to help get people comfortable connecting with a provider from their home, while providers are also learning how to most effectively use this technology. With the support of the Reimagine New York Commission and the Department of Health, two initiatives are already underway to ensure the successful adoption of telehealth by patients and providers:

• Launch of a new Telehealth Training program created with the leadership of the Reimagine New York Commission in partnership with SUNY Stony Brook and the Northeast Telehealth Resource Center, and with support from Weill Cornell Medicine, Cityblock Health and additional advisors. Designing an open access, continuing professional education curriculum on telehealth will help providers deliver higher-quality care — especially as technologies continue to develop as New York State is paving the way on these tools; and
• Pilot of an innovative telehealth facilitator program conducted by AlRnyc and Mt. Sinai Health Partners, under the guidance of Schmidt Futures and the Reimagine New York Commission. The program aims to improve comfort with and access to telehealth tools for underserved populations, including through hands-on support for the intake and onboarding process. Patient discomfort with and lack of access to technology is a deterrent and this program will help inform how New York can best assist people in learning to use telehealth and lay the groundwork for future expansion.

Chart information from Governor’s Office.

The Finger Lakes Region continues to have among the highest positivity rates for Covid-19 tests in the state, and the region also has the highest percent of Covid patients hospitalized in NY.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo provided an update on Saturday of the state’s fight against the spread of Covid. The state on Friday set a new record high for Covid tests, with 258,031 results reported with 16,943 positive for a positivity rate of 6.57 percent.

The Mohawk Valley had the highest percent positive at 10.50 percent, followed by the Finger Lakes at 9.83 percent.

The nine-county Finger Lakes Region, which include Orleans County, has 887 people hospitalized with Covid, for 0.07 percent of the population, well above the state-wide percentage of 0.04 percent.

The number of people hospitalized with Covid in the state declined on Friday by 34 to 8,527. There were 188 Covid-related deaths for 31,519 confirmed Covid-related deaths in the state since March.

Cuomo on Saturday also announced three additional cases of the more contagious UK strain of the Covid-19 virus have been identified in New York. Two of the cases are connected to the initial discovery of the UK strain identified in Saratoga Springs, while a third case, unrelated to the Saratoga Springs exposures, has been traced back to an individual living in Massapequa, Nassau County.

The cases were sequenced through Department of Health’s Wadsworth laboratory which has analyzed more than 2,200 viral sequences as part of the state’s UK strain testing program.

“The UK strain is here, it is real, and the Usain Bolt-like speed through which it spreads is nothing short of frightening,” Cuomo said. “There’s no mystery as to how it got here – it got on a plane and flew here from Europe, just like the original strain did. Yet, the federal government continues to refuse to learn from the spring and mandate testing for all international travelers. Their failure to act means the rest of us need to be that much more vigilant in our work to stop the spread, as well as do all we can to accelerate the distribution of the vaccine.”

The pace is increasing in administering vaccine doses of Covid-19. New York has administered 543,147 doses so far. In the first week (Dec. 14-Dec. 20) there were 33,709 doses administered, followed by 102,190 doses in the second week (Dec. 21-Dec.27), 148,165 doses in week three (Dec. 28-Jan. 3) and 259,083 doses so far in week four, which started Jan. 4.

“The good news – a new testing record has been set. The bad news – three more cases of the UK Covid strain have been found,” Cuomo said. “If we are to beat Covid once and for all, we need to win the footrace between how fast the infection rate rises and how fast vaccinations are administered.”

Hats off to the Hat!

National Hat Day is January 15th. Do you own many hats? I have quite a few.

I like them, buy them, then rarely wear them. Not because I don’t like them. I feel pretty smart in them. But you see if I am keeping it 100%. I just don’t want to mess my hair up! Vanity is real.

The best time for a Hat is when you wake with AM bedhead, simply throw a hat on. The best hats for this situation are the ball caps. Put it on, throw your pony through the back hole and snap the back. If you are of the male persuasion, just put it on.

I like the fedora. My closet has a nice burgundy fedora. It lets one channel Lady Gaga. I put a beautiful brown feather in it. That hat made its way a-top my head to my cousin’s birthday party. Great hat and makes the statement you have arrived and are ready to mingle.

Goodness, my closet has alot of straw hats too. Some feature large rims, some have a southwestern flare and there is even a straw visor. These are perfect for a summer day when we need to protect our delicate skin and eyes from the sun but do not want to end up with a sweaty head of hair.

Then there is the cowboy or western hat. There are a few of those in my closet as well. There is my white Bailey Hat that hangs on a hook, waiting for an occasion up to its standards to re-debut after 30 years. Most certainly there is the standard weaved hat with the little leather band and shiny embellishments that has made its way to a few concerts.

Tucked in the closet is even a crochet cowboy-style hat with a big yellow flower on it. That is my lucky casino hat. I like to wear that to play the slots. It has been known to bring on luck. Lately I have been putting on the knit stocking cap hat, for practical reasons. In my box are snug ones, knit ones with big balls on the top and even one with a visor sewn into it.

Mostly I like my old khaki Tilley hat. This old beauty keeps my head dry, protects my eyes and slides on easily without messing my hair. Whether your hat makes you feel like a star, smart, chill or even lucky, embrace the hat this week to bring some much needed fun and attitude into the world. Dance to the beat of your own drummer – don’t be shy. Let your hat bring you into a world of imagination and break from the mundane everyday life.

I think on January 15th I might wear my white sailor hat. That hat found its way to my head a few summers back in Captiva Island. I was at a Love Boat themed party – remember that fun show from the 70s with Doc Bricker, Isaac, Julie, Gopher, and Capt. Stubing. I am going to keep it on all day and into January 16th because January 16th is National Nothing Day.

Nothing says do nothing like sitting in a chair, day drinking rum punches, imagining being on a tropical island while reading a scandalous novel. So put your hat on and dream big! Dream hard enough, it might even come true. What is your favorite hat?

To see the Low Boy visit My Blog live online at https://www.positiveperksposts.com and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and share your comments.   

Truly,
Debbie London

PEMBROKE – When the Western New York National Veterans’ Cemetery opened for interments on Dec. 18, Orleans County veterans were among the first to volunteer to provide honor guards for every veteran whose burial takes place there.

Honor guards who offered to provide their services, in addition to Orleans County, are Genesee, Erie and Wyoming counties. Each county is assigned a day, with Orleans County responsible for Tuesday burials.

Jim Freas from Medina has been in charge of organizing the honor guard, which includes veterans from VFW and American Legion posts in Medina, Lyndonville, Albion and Holley.

On Tuesday, those who participated in a Batavia veteran’s funeral were Freas, Glenn Whitmore of Gasport, Dave Kusmierczak of Medina, Steve Johnson from Lyndonville, John Follman of Lyndonville, Greg Stanton of Medina, Tony Vicknair of Lyndonville, Orville Prutin of Albion, Ron Ayrault of Holley, Al Pulcino of Holley and Larry Szatkowski of Medina.

An honor guard, made up of veterans from VFW and American Legion posts in Orleans County, fire a 21-gun salute at a local veteran’s funeral Tuesday at the Western New York National Veterans’ Cemetery. Honor guards from Genesee, Orleans, Erie and Wyoming counties are each assigned a day to participate in funerals at the cemetery.

Any veteran and his or her spouse is eligible to be interred in the National Cemetery, said Brooke Tinaglia, management analyst for the cemetery. The cemetery accepts coffins or cremations.

Each interment will have two members of the active military, representing the branch in which the deceased veteran served. These two military members will unfold and ceremoniously refold an American flag and present it to the family. This is followed by a 21-gun salute by the honor guard and playing of Taps.

“It’s an honor to be here and give fallen veterans a last military honor,” said Specialist Cameron Sackett from the Masten Street Armory in Buffalo, who with Sgt. Austin Dycha of Buffalo has participated in four veterans’ funerals.

Freas said more volunteers are needed to participate in the honor guard. For the time being, honor guards must wear black trousers, a black jacket, white shirt, and black shoes and cap. Freas said by January 2023, honor guards from each county will be required to have a standard uniform.

Freas also said so far no veterans from Niagara County have stepped up to fill one day and anyone interested can volunteer by contacting their veterans organization.

Funerals are scheduled at 10 and 11 a.m., noon, and 1 and 2 p.m. each day, Monday through Friday. Interment for any eligible veteran can be arranged through their funeral home at the time of need, by presenting their discharge papers, Tinaglia said.

Since the cemetery opened, there have 37 interments, most of whom are from Western New York or have roots in the area, Tinaglia said.

Jim Freas, left, a member of the Medina VFW and American Legion, stands with Specialist Cameraon Sackett and Sgt. Austin Dycha from the Masten Street Armory in Buffalo, prior to a funeral for a local veteran Tuesday at the Western New York National Veterans’ Cemetery in Pembroke.

Districts will perform musical, Little Women, after last year’s show cancelled due to Covid-19

File photo by Tom Rivers: Layna Viloria, second from right, portrayed Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act, which was performed  in Lyndonville in March 2019. It’s the last show performed by the combined drama program of Lyndonville and Medina. Last spring’s show was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

LYNDONVILLE – The combined Lyndonville and Medina high school drama program will perform a musical this spring.

It will be a much different experience for the cast, with rehearsals and the performance, director Jennifer Trupo said.

Last year’s school musical was cancelled in the spring due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Covid caseload remains high with restrictions still in place on crowd sizes.

Lyndonville and Medina plan to put on the show, Little Women. Trupo said that show doesn’t have a large cast ensemble and there “isn’t a ton of dancing.”

There will still be solos, duets and some songs with the entire cast. They won’t be performing in front of a live audience. The performance will be recorded and then made available by streaming online, with tickets to be purchased online, Trupo said.

Most of the rehearsals will be online with the students not together in-person as a group. As the spring show gets closer, there will be some group rehearsals, blocking and vocals – “just not as much as we are used to in the past,” Trupo said.

Friday was the deadline for students to audition for the show. Trupo said Little Women will be an opportunity for students to shine on stage.

“There are several great roles in this production and we will be doing it with an expanded cast,” Trupo said in her message. “I love you and I miss you and I can’t wait to see you, online.”

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has issued a press release to the public in light of the recent steady increase of Covid-19 cases in Orleans Community Hospital.

The information comes from Jessica Capurso, director of Education, Outreach and Marketing at the hospital’s Community Partners.

With the onset of Covid-19, Orleans Community Health went immediately into “ready mode” and braced for the impact this would have on the community. All elective services were mandated to be shut down, walk-in services at Medina Memorial Hospital and the Middleport lab draw station were placed on hold and a multitude of restrictions, processes and procedures were put in place to ensure the safety of residents, staff and community.

For the most part, Orleans County and Orleans Community Health’s Medina Memorial Hospital have managed to remain under the radar and had only experienced a limited amount of cases. The hospital has since been able to resume elective services and added pre-registration for all lab and imaging services.

In addition, Orleans Community Health is providing Covid-19 screening, testing, and most recently began administering Covid-19 vaccinations. Dedicated healthcare workers are taking on extra shifts and filling in for roles they would not normally be working, Capurso said. She added they are so very proud of everything they do for patients and the community members.

If one reviews the daily reports that are received from the Department of Health, they will notice for the past six weeks the number of Covid-19 positive cases has been on a steady rise, resulting in an uptick in the Emergency Room cases that are being received at Medina Memorial Hospital, along with an uptick in the number of those patients being admitted into the hospital.

The hospital is asking the community to please continue to do their part and take every precaution they can to slow the spread of Covid-19. This includes wearing a mask covering the mouth and nose (a cloth mask should be washed after every use).

Do not wear the mask under your chin or store it in your pocket between uses. Clean hands often, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Put distance between yourself and other people (at least six feet).

“We ask this not only because we want you to remain healthy, but because we do not want to be mandated to shut down elective services again in our community,” Capurso said. “We want to continue providing these services to our community and it takes all of us working together to achieve this goal.”

For more information on the vaccine, click here.

Information on testing is available by calling (585) 589-2273 to make an appointment at the Albion Healthcare Center on Route 31.

Other information on ways to further help the hospital can be obtained by contacting Heather Smith, Orleans Community Health Foundation director at (585) 798-8426.

Those who would like to work with the hospital can click here for more information.