COVID-19

Press release:

Beginning this week, Tops will be rolling out additional safety measures at all of its 162 stores in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Those safety measures include providing all of its associates with American made cloth face masks to ensure their associates health and well-being while serving the community as essential workers.

This safety measure is in addition to the 5,000 face shields already distributed to its workforce. These masks have been ordered from multiple providers in order to ensure that the quantities needed are available.  

The masks that Tops is providing to their associates are American made, which was important to Tops as a company. An added bonus was that some masks were even made locally in Buffalo, where Tops is headquartered.

Tops is confident that the masks will be distributed to all associates by the end of this week. In the meantime disposable masks will be available. 

“There is nothing more important to Tops than the health and safety of our associates, customers, vendors, and their respective families,” said Chairman and CEO Frank Curci. “We have been laser-focused on COVID-19 since it became clear that the United States was going to be greatly impacted by this pandemic and can assure the public that we are implementing the safety and sanitation protocols that are being recommended by the experts available to us.

"As this crisis has unfolded, I know that our protocols have evolved to stay abreast of the latest medical and scientific advice coming from these health experts and Tops can pledge to you that we are fully engaged on this task for the sake of all involved.”   

Tops is also 90-percent complete with the installation of plexiglas on both sides of its registers as of today, and is complete with the installation of Plexiglas at all of its customer service desks, pharmacy, and fuel stations. In total the company will have installed nearly 1,000 plexiglas safety shields by close of business on Wednesday, April 15.

Additional safety measures rolled out at all stores include providing gloves for their associates, hand sanitizer and wipes for their associates and customers respectively, and the newly instituted Comfort Zone areas at the registers, pharmacy, and deli areas, which provides more social distancing between customers as well as the customer and Tops associate.

Further, an associate is assigned at each store specifically in charge of sanitization of the front end registers, check stands, conveyor belts, customer service desks, point of sale devices, restrooms,and other frequently touched surfaces most accessed by customers on a continual basis during operating hours.

From Senator Charles E. Schumer:

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer today (April 13) doubled down on his push to have the federal government cover the entire cost of federal disaster aid, just like after 9-11 and Superstorm Sandy.

This follows a successful push for the Trump administration to approve New York State’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic Major Disaster Declaration request, unlocking billions in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) money for New York.

Under the current federal arrangement, FEMA is only expected to pay 75 percent of New York’s emergency expenses to fight the virus, sticking New Yorkers to foot the rest of the bill.

Schumer had previously written the president, along with a coalition of bipartisan senators, requesting this cost-share adjustment under all COVID-19 Emergency Declarations.

NY: Nation's first COVID-19 Major Disaster Declaration

Now, Schumer has written directly to President Trump, and called him, to urge the administration to grant a waiver allowing 100-percent federal cost share for New York State for all work under the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration and subsequent first-in-the-nation COVID-19 Major Disaster Declaration.

Schumer explained that with the rapid pace of spread in New York, the state is facing an explosion in the cost of fighting COVID-19, and needs full federal support in its efforts.

His push comes after he made a personal calls to President Trump and FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor over the past few weeks, urging the president to approve the waiver.

The administration has not yet acted to provide New York with the maximum possible funding, despite precedents such as previous Democrat and Republican administrations’ approval of cost sharing waivers during FEMA’s response to September 11^th and Hurricane Sandy, both events which had devastating effects on New York.

“With the COVID-19 pandemic reaching alarming new levels in New York every day, New York’s health care system and our state and local governments are being strained to the max,” Schumer said. “As our nation’s heroes continue to battle this deadly disease, it’s incumbent on the federal government to give them every tool the need to fight and recover as soon as possible.

"As the epicenter of this global pandemic, New York has paid more than any other state when it comes to front line workers, doctors, nurses, and victims. It is imperative that this waiver get approved with all due speed to ensure that New Yorkers are not forced to pay even more.”

Traditionally, a Major Disaster Declaration allows access to the Disaster Relief Fund, currently a $40 billion pot of money that can be used to pay for Public Assistance, including Emergency Protective Measure, in New York at a 75 percent federal to 25 percent state cost share.

However, Schumer argued, New York’s economy has been deeply impacted by the outbreak, leaving it ill-prepared to shoulder the burden of the local share of FEMA aid, warranting an immediate waiver of the state’s portion of this cost share and full, 100-percent federal financial support.

Coronavirus toll

Schumer’s push comes after New York State Department of Health reported more than 170,000 positive cases of COVID-19 and more than 7,800 COVID-19 deaths as of 1 p.m. April 10^th.

To date, New York has been obligated over $1.24 billion from the Disaster Relief Fund, which has paid for the conversion of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center into a temporary hospital, as well as other line items necessary to fighting the outbreak.

From Neighborhood Legal Services:

Neighborhood Legal Services is a free civil legal services firm serving Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans counties.

It specializes in domestic violence prevention, divorce, eviction prevention, health insurance access, disability, student loans, SNAP, shelter and other government benefits.

Neighborhood Legal Services’ new Justice Bus program works with community-based agencies to increase access to justice by bringing lawyers into communities where the most vulnerable Western New York residents need legal assistance for basic needs such as food, shelter and safety.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Neighborhood Legal Services’ Justice Bus program will provide expanded telephone access to free civil legal services on Monday and Thursday evenings from 5 – 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as follows:

Domestic Violence/Family Legal Needs -- (716) 847-0650, ext. 279

Landlord/Tenant Legal Needs -- (716) 847-0650, ext. 272

COVID-19 Programs/Government Benefits/Health Insurance -- (716) 847-0650, ext. 221

Student Loans/Social Security Disability/SSI/Benefits Counseling -- (716) 847-0650, ext. 302

Neighborhood Legal Services, which has an office in Batavia, remains open for TELEPHONE INTAKE during the COVID-19 pandemic Monday through Friday. Genesee/Wyoming/Orleans County residents can call (585) 343-5450, or email: contactus@nls.org.

We can help with domestic violence and other family law matters; health insurance; government benefits/SNAP/shelter/benefits counseling; Social Security disability/SSI hearings; and evictions/housing conditions/housing discrimination matters.

Briefing

Press release:

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have received three more COVID-19 cases. Orleans has two new cases and Genesee has one.  Contact tracing has been initiated.  There is currently no further information to release on ages and location.

Mapping to include the positive cases from the weekend will be updated on Monday afternoon.

We encourage everyone to continue social distancing and staying home. 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 play dates 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.

Grandma Carol Sliker, of East Pembroke, was sad about missing Easter Sunday with her grandkids, so the Sliker family organized an impromptu private Easter Parade just for grandma.

Photos submitted by Brittany Riley.

We don't normally share things like this, not having a Letters to the Editor section, but this was nice to highlight on an Easter Sunday during the coronavirus:

To the girls at the Batavia Dunkin’ Donuts. thank you for the free coffees for the nurses and healthcare workers. I got my two coffees free from the Batavia Dunkin because I am a nurse and a healthcare worker. You guys made my day being open and made me tear up for the thank yous!!!!

I wanted to let everyone know how awesome they made me feel for being a nurse in this COVID-19 time!

Larissa Miller, an LPN at the New York State Veterans Home.

Photo and cutline submitted by Randy McIntire.

Margaret Worthington's family wanted to wish her a Happy Easter on Sunday. Margaret is a resident at Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation.

They were able to put their wish in chalk while she looked on from her window, while under protective quarantine.  They spoke on the phone where she expressed her thanks and her love for her family.  

As time went on, more and more residents began waving and before we were finished we were wishing a Happy Easter to many onlookers.  

From left are Lisa, Mackenzie and Chris Lavrey, Amy, Kayla, Derek and Randy McIntire, Jeff McIntire and Cindy Reynolds, Randy and Colleen McIntire.

Near the end of today's briefing by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Jesse McKinley, Albany bureau chief for the New York Times, at the prompting of The Batavian, asked the governor a question about the increase of cases in two rural counties, including Genesee County.

Press release:

• Issues Executive Order Expanding Eligibility for More Individuals to Conduct Antibody Tests
• Governor Joins NGA Chair Maryland Governor Hogan in a Bipartisan Effort Calling for $500 Billion in Aid to States; Reiterates Call for the Federal Government to Repeal SALT
• Governor Returned Ventilators to Pathways Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Niskayuna; Thanks Facility for Generous Contribution in Fight Against COVID-19
• Confirms 8,236 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State - Bringing Statewide Total to 188,694; New Cases in 44 Counties
• Governor Cuomo: "We need to be smart in the way we reopen. What does smart mean? It means a coordinated approach, a regional approach, and a safe approach. Nobody wants to pick between a public health strategy and an economic strategy. As Governor of this state, I'm not going to pick one over the other. ... The last thing we want to see is an uptick in that infection rate and an uptick in those numbers that we worked so hard to bring down."
• Cuomo: "We'll also do an executive order today which directs employers to provide essential workers with a cloth or surgical face mask to their employees when they are interacting with the public. They should provide those masks cost-free."
• Cuomo: "We have to also expand testing. ... There aren't a tremendously large number of people with anti-bodies, which is good news because we kept down the infection rate. But that is an important test and we have to get that test to scale and this executive order will help do that."
• Cuomo: "When things are at their worst is when you will see the good, the bad, and the ugly. out of the blue a phone call came where a nursing home in upstate New York said we understand downstate may need ventilators. We want to let them borrow 35 ventilators. Unsolicited they just called and offered the 35 ventilators. we're going to find our way through this because there is an inherent goodness in people that will surprise you and they will rise to the occasion."

Video: Easter message from Rev. Dr. Roula Alkhouri, Batavia First Presbyterian Church

We're trying something new tonight. Rather than a live stream interview, we invited Tim Hens to join in a conversation about current events. You know Hens as the county highway superintendent but that isn't what we'll be talking about tonight.

Your feedback on this format is welcome. You can type comments during the live stream on YouTube by clicking here.

The American Legion marquee sign outside the Legion Hall on Alexander Road, Batavia.

It was a busy day for the Easter Bunny in Genesee County today, among the stops -- the Village of Alexander, where the Bunny was given a ride and escort by the Alexander Volunteer Fire Department for all the children to see.

Press release:

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have received six more COVID-19 cases. Orleans has two new cases and Genesee has four. Contact tracing has been initiated.

There is currently no further information to release on ages and locations. Mapping to include the positive cases from the weekend will be updated on Monday afternoon.

We encourage everyone to continue social distancing and staying home. 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.

The Health Department does not released further information until Monday afternoon.

Le Roy Oatkan Knight Golf Coach Amy Brotherton rallied her current and former players to produce a quarantine golf video. 

Principal Tim McArdle said it is a tribute to all Section V golfers and pros missing "Moving Day at the Masters Golf Tournament."

Press  release:

• Governor Sends Letter Calling on the U.S. Treasury to Ensure New Yorkers Do Not Have Their Stimulus Payments Frozen by Banks or Seized by Creditors as Soon as They Arrive
• Confirms 9,946 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State - Bringing Statewide Total to 180,458; New Cases in 49 Counties
• Cuomo: "Reopening is both a public health question and an economic question and I'm unwilling to divorce the two. There is no economic answer that that does not attend to public health. ... you can't ask the people of this state or this country to choose between lives lost and dollars gained. ... I understand the need to bring back the economy as quickly as possible. I understand people need to work. I also know we need to save lives and we have. One cannot be at the expense of the other."
• Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo earlier today announced a new partnership with the New York State Court System to create a pro bono network of volunteer lawyers to provide New Yorkers with free legal assistance. Volunteers will begin to receive training and start offering assistance next week. Lawyers interested in volunteering can sign up at www.nysba.org/covidvolunteer. 
• Governor Cuomo also issued a letter calling on the U.S. Treasury to ensure New Yorkers do not have their stimulus payments frozen by banks or seized by creditors as soon as they arrive.