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Public Health COVID-19 briefing for May 8, 2020

SITUATIONAL UPDATE: STAY HOME; WASH HANDS; SOCIAL DISTANCING; WEAR A FACE COVERING!

Nurses’ Week – we would like to take a moment to thank our nursing teams in both counties as well as all the nurses who are working so hard to help those under their care. They daily provide care, instruction, encouragement, compassion, and strength to the patients and their families they are in contact with. We greatly appreciate all you do every day no matter if it is a routine day or in the midst of a pandemic, thank you!

New Cases

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received one new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 162 positive cases.
    • The positive case resides in Batavia.
    • The positive case is in their 80s.
    • The newly positive individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • One of the previous positive cases has recovered and has been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Five of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
  • Orleans County received zero new positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 124 positive cases.
    • Two of the previous positive community cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Seven of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
    • “We are reporting that an individual (under 65 years of age) who lived in The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center passed away. Due to privacy issues, we are not releasing further details about this individual. I would like to express my sincerest sympathy for these individuals’ family and friends.”

Click here to view the Genesee and Orleans Counties' online map of confirmed cases.

The facility breakdown is only showing those facilities from where we received a postive swab for COVID-19. Facilities will be added when and if there is a positive case of COVID-19. If a regulated facility from either of our counties is not listed, there are no positive cases of COVID-19 as of the release of this briefing. The local health departments do not have oversight with many regulated facilities, which may include nursing homes, correctional facilities, hospitals, etc.

• COVID-19 Serology Testing (SARS-CoV-2): Serology tests look for antibodies (proteins that fight off infections) in the blood to better understand how many COVID-19 infections have occurred. Provides a more complete estimate of how common COVID-19 is (or the incidence of infection) and is a guide to control measures, such as social distancing.
  • Forty-four residents of Orleans County had the serology test for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and four returned positive. A total of 336 residents of Genesee County had the serology test for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and 12 returned positive.
  • Serology tests are not used for diagnosis. These tests are more for research to help in the development of vaccines and in understanding the scale of the pandemic.
  • The tests look for the antibodies in the blood. If antibodies are found it means there has been a previous infection. It takes 1-2 weeks after the first symptoms appear for antibodies to develop in the body. Antibodies can take 2-3 days after infection to develop, so people should not get the antibody test too early or it may give false negative results. This is an aid in identifying individuals with an adaptive immune response to COVID-19, indicating recent or prior infection. There are also several different strains of coronavirus and the antibody may pick up a different coronavirus type other than the current pandemic novel strain, causing positive for coronavirus antibodies. Not everyone will develop an antibody response.
  • It is currently unknown if someone who has been infected with COVID-19 will be immune to the virus if exposed in the future.
  • Resources:

1. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/emergency-situations-medical-devices/faqs-testing-sars-cov-2#serology;
2. https://www.idsociety.org/globalassets/idsa/public-health/covid-19/idsa-covid-19-antibody-testing-primer.pdf;
3. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/serology-surveillance/index.html.

• Mothers’ Day: As with any special holiday, it is important during COVID-19 we continue social distancing. This is not the time to be having barbecues, large family gatherings. Honor your Moms creatively by facetiming, sending them some special treats, calling on the phone, but if you don’t live in the same household honor them from a distance. Keep your Moms healthy and safe and stay 6 feet away. We don’t want to see a rise in positive cases because people didn’t heed social distancing.
• In order to un-PAUSE safely, we need to continue to be intentional about social distancing, properly wearing face coverings, handwashing/sanitizing and limiting time in public. As seen over the last week there have been daily increases in community spread cases of COVID-19. If we see a significant increase in community acquired positive cases it may hinder our ability to move forward and reopen our counties. It is up to each of us individually to adhere to the guidelines in place, this is about respecting others and their safety understanding as we protect others we are protecting ourselves.
  • Phased Plan to Reopen New York:  https://www.governor.ny.gov/programs/new-york-forward
    • Do No Harm and Strengthen Healthcare System – Based on CDC recommendations, regions must experience a 14-day decline in hospitalizations and deaths on a three-day rolling average. Regions with few COVID cases cannot exceed 15 new total cases or five new deaths on a three-day rolling average. A region must have fewer than two new COVID patients admitted per 100,000 residents per day.
    • Testing and Contact Tracing – Regions must implement a testing regimen that prioritizes symptomatic persons and individuals who came into contact with a symptomatic person, and conducts frequent tests of frontline and essential workers. Every region must have the capacity to conduct 30 diagnostic tests for every 1,000 residents per month.
    • Priority Industries for Reopening:
      • Phase One:  Construction; Manufacturing & wholesale supply chain; Select retail using curbside pickup only
      • Phase Two:  Professional services; Finance & Insurance; Retail; Administrative support; Real Estate & Rental Leasing
      • Phase Three:  Restaurants & Food Service; Hotels & Accommodations
      • Phase Four:  Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Education
• ROC COVID-19 Health Screener:  This symptom tracker for the Greater Rochester region is a scientific study collected aggregate date by zip code to track hot spots of COVID-19. The data will potentially show how the virus may be spreading, identify areas that may be at risk and determine how our efforts are working to slow the spread. You can participate by taking the daily survey whether you are having symptoms or are feeling healthy. It just takes a few seconds. To learn more go to:  https://www.roccovid.org/index.html
• New York State is seeking contact tracers. If you are interested in this position, click https://orleanscountyny.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/050620-Reopening-Guidance-and-Fact-Sheet-GO-Health-1.pdf here to apply to be a part of the NYS Contact Tracing team. This is a moment of crisis and New York needs our help as soon as possible.
• The Nursing Home hotline number is 833-249-8499 or click the link for the online form:  https://ag.ny.gov/nursinghomes
• Prepping for Reopening Our Region:  The Health Departments have developed a guide to use in developing business or organizations re-opening plans. Please click here for a reopening guidance and fact sheet in response to COVID-19 developed by the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. For further information on the NYS Plans, click here.
• Swabbing and antibody testing is becoming increasingly available in the WNY region. If you are experiencing symptoms, contact your primary care provider and they will determine if testing is right for you. If the counties receive an increase in swabbing supplies and the protocol for testing is changed, we will notify the public. The Health Departments are not providing public swabbing due to lack of supplies. For more information on testing click here.
• There is still no cure or vaccination available for COVID-19. Be alert to scams or home remedies. Contact your primary care provider if you have any symptoms and follow his/her instructions.

Mental Health

• Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations and having to socially distance yourself from someone you love can be difficult. Below are resources that can help you connect to a professional that can help you through these challenging times:
  • Care + Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 at 585-283-5200 or text "Talk" to 741741
  • New Yorkers can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling

Domestic Violence

• For New Yorkers in need of help or assistance, they can text 844-997-2121 or can go to the new confidential online site to reach a professional at www.opdv.ny.gov The new text program and confidential online service will make it easier for victims who are isolated with their abusers to get help. Both the text and online service are staffed 24/7 by the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Staff who are experts in the area of domestic violence.

A stove fire with flames showing is reported at 1451 Indian Falls Road. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding, along with mutual aid from Corfu and the City of Batavia FAST team. The location is between Little Falls Road and Evergreen Drive.

UPDATE 3:09 p.m.: "They are reporting the fire is out," says a dispatcher.

Press release:

Today (May 8) Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the window for survivors of child sexual abuse to file lawsuits under the New York Child Victims Act has been extended an additional five months to Jan. 14.

“We applaud Governor Cuomo’s decision to give survivors of child sexual abuse more time to come forward and file their cases during these unprecedented and difficult times,” said attorney Jeff Anderson, of Jeff Anderson & Associates.

The New York Child Victims Act allows survivors of child sexual abuse in New York an opportunity to take legal action for the abuse they suffered, however only for a limited time. The legislative “window” to file cases was set to expire on Aug.13.

Press release:

St. Ann’s Community at The Greens, located at 1 West Ave. in Le Roy, will be holding a car parade on Sunday, May 10^th at 10:30 a.m. in honor of Mother’s Day.

Cars will line up beginning at 10:10 a.m. and the parade starts at 10:30 a.m.

Families will be able to participate in the parade as a way to say, “Happy Mother’s Day!” to the moms in their lives who live at The Greens, while still respecting current social distancing guidelines.

The parade will drive through the parking lots on campus, pausing every few minutes to allow waving, sign displays, and more. Decorations, instruments, singing, and other tributes to the residents are strongly encouraged.

Employees at St. Ann’s Community at The Greens who had the idea of organizing the Mother’s Day parade hope it will bring a much-needed smile to not only the moms on campus, but all of the residents who live there.

“Mother’s Day is an opportunity for us to honor the many women of influence in our lives,” said Jennifer Blackchief, vice president of Housing at St. Ann’s Community.

“The ways we can do that this year has changed, but it certainly isn’t stopping us. This parade will bring our residents, families, and community together for one beautiful and memorable celebration.”

Interview with David Bellavia, Medal of Honor Recipient, and a one-time candidate for NY-27. We're going to talk about the NY-27 race and the situation with the novel coronavirus. We're scheduled to start at 2 p.m.

Photo by Frank Capuano.

Photo by Patricia Morgan.

Everyone has suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. While we are all having different experiences, most of us can empathize with the heartache of high school seniors as their final academic year is cut short.

No prom, no traditional graduation, no final chance to take that SAT one more time, no chance for that banner season (or not) during Spring sports — the list goes on.  

Pembroke High School alumna, mom and community member Jessi Boardman found a way to shine a light on what has become a clouded senior year for the teens.  

The inspiration was triggered by the announcement on May 1 that there would not be a return to school this year in New York State. Boardman set about appealing to local residents to determine if anyone in addition to herself was interested in an "Adopt-A-Senior" program.

The response was overwhelming.

A Facebook page was started to promote the program and within 24 hours all 79 graduating PHS seniors had been adopted!

Those who adopt a senior can shower the student with anything special that comes to mind — gifts, letters, social media posts, recognition — whatever inspires them. All in an effort to do something special for each and every senior.

“It’s been a very cool thing,” Boardman said, as she has watched the community come together to support the effort and give the seniors a “joyful distraction from the current situation.”

The camaraderie on the page is great and the kids “feel the community love, even as they suffer the loss of having been cheated out of the full experience of senior year.”

Boardman hopes that other local schools will jump on board and develop a similar program for their seniors. This is an opportunity to make it special for them.

As she said, “everyone has a connection with senior year being one of the best parts of their life. These kids are missing out …it resonates with all of us and gives us a way to express the great pride we have in our community. It’s been a very cool thing!”

(Photo courtesy of Tammy Richley​.)

While Batavia Town Board members are thankful that municipal operations during the COVID-19 pandemic have continued with minimal disruption, they’re also hopeful that a plan to reopen the Town Hall on West Main Street Road comes to fruition in the days ahead.

The board, along with Town Engineer Steve Mountain, gathered via videoconference on Wednesday afternoon to tackle the issues surrounding how to move from “brick and mortar thinking” to a next generation virtual Town Hall or operations center, including the future of the space used for Town Court proceedings.

With construction design for a new Town Hall postponed indefinitely, Supervisor Greg Post posed the question, “How do we move forward from what has been a traditional (form of operating) to something closer to what we’re really doing now?”

Post mentioned the dire forecast contained in the latest coronavirus impact report from the New York State Association of Counties – possible losses of up to $9 million in both sales tax and state aid to Genesee County – as a reason for the Town to take steps to reduce overhead and to make sure that the pipeline for sustainable economic development does not become clogged.

Currently, the engineering, building and inspection departments have been able to maintain a high level of activity, he said, working remotely, using the telephone and utilizing the Town Hall only when necessary.

“They have said they can follow a schedule that will work for them that won’t require any additional footprint in the building,” Post said.

Other Town employees, however, most notably the clerk’s staff, regularly work at the Town Hall, which also serves the public in various capacities.

Council Member Chad Zambito suggested reconfiguring work spaces or cubicles for employees to use, potentially on a staggered system depending upon the day of the week.

Town Clerk Teressa Morasco said that could work “depending on how many are in here, but there needs to be more privacy if we get back to more people in the office.”

Council Member Patti Michalak wondered if the courtroom could be used for employee work space, prompting Post to mention the uncertainty surrounding the court system’s future.

“As it stands now, (the court) is inadequate and, obviously needs a several million-dollar makeover,” he said, adding that he doesn’t know if there will be one court or four regional courts in Genesee County.

Mountain recommended that each department head submit a restarting plan for the board to review, outlining ways to work remotely and specific needs related to using the Town Hall.

“It’s a reimagining of a new type of Town Hall,” he said, downplaying thoughts of expanding the building, which would have to be “much larger if we want to operate as we have in the past.”

Morasco said relief from social distancing mandates would determine when residents would be able to use the drive-thru window, while Council Member Sharon White noted that although the safety procedures have been working, “I would hate to see it continue forever as I miss the interaction with everybody.”

Post said he isn’t convinced that the virus won’t return, but he was able to find a silver lining as it relates to the construction of a new Town Hall.

“If this happens, and it is likely it will happen again, I guess the positive side is that it came before we spent $6 million on a facility and couldn’t use it.”

New Cases

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received four new positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 161 positive cases.
    • Two of the positive cases reside in Batavia, one resides in Bethany, and one resides in Alabama.
    • Two individuals are in their 30s, one individual is in their 40s, and one individual is in their 50s.
    • Three of the newly positive individuals were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Two of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Five of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
  • Orleans County received 15 new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 124 positive cases.
    • One of the new positive cases resides in Yates, one resides in Shelby, one resides in Albion, one resides in Gaines and one of the new positive cases resides in Kendall.
    • Ten positive cases reside at The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehabilitation Center.
    • The newly positive cases has two individuals in their 30s, one individual in their 50s, four individuals in their 60s, three individuals in their 70s, five individuals in their 80s, and one individual in their 90s.
    • One of the community newly positive individuals was on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Eight of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
    • “We are reporting that an individual (over 65 years of age and who had underlying health conditions) who lived in the community, who had tested positive for COVID-19 has passed away,” said Paul Pettit, director of the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments. “We have also had an individual who lived in The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center pass away. Due to privacy issues, we are not releasing further details about either of these individuals. I would like to express my sincerest sympathy for these individuals’ family and friends.”

Click here to view the Genesee and Orleans counties' online map of confirmed cases.

A female about 5 years old is reportedly walking alone down the roadway in the area of Watson and Thorpe streets on the Southside of the city. She appears to be "carrying a screwdriver in her mouth." City police are responding.

A large grass fire is reported at 8289 Sackett Road in Bergen. It is about 30 from a structure a dispatcher called "a shop." The location is between North Lake and West Sweden roads. Bergen Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 1:21 p.m.: Byron's brush truck is called to provide mutual aid. A couple of vehicles are now involved in the blaze.

Photos submitted by Michael Shortt.

Photo by Connie Barberio

Press release:

The New York State Police today (May 7) announced that the Trooper entrance exam that was scheduled to be held this October has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applications for the exam will be suspended until a new date is announced. Those who have already signed up will have their applications canceled and will be issued a refund. They will need to reapply once the exam is rescheduled.

The State Police appreciates all of those who have shown an interest in joining one of the most highly respected law enforcement agencies in the nation.

A new exam date will be announced when appropriate on our online newsroom, and at this website here.

Briefing

Mary Sage, a longtime nurse at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia with two “retirement” dates on her resume, said she didn’t blink an eye when hospital officials summoned her back into duty during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They called me out of the blue. I didn’t expect it but I never hesitated. I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll come back; not a problem,’ ” Sage said today during a Zoom videoconference set up by the Rochester Regional Health public information department.

Sage has been assigned to the medical surgery floor, located on the second floor’s new wing, and is taking care of a variety of patients, including those infected with the coronavirus.

She said she is tapping into her vast experience and knowledge gained over 30 years in the profession to provide just what is needed during what she calls a “very frightening” time.

“I am a better nurse today and a better person today because I’m older (she’s 72) and as you age, you certainly get wiser,” Sage said. “I’ve had to take care of a sick husband, I’ve been a patient myself, and I do believe that makes me a better nurse …”

She said that she has dealt with all kinds of illness, but nothing like the coronavirus that has swept through the world.

“I had a patient last week who they all of a sudden put her on COVID restrictions. It’s very frightening for them. I didn’t hesitate. I garbed up and did what I do,” she said. “But I realized very quickly that the patients are very frightened because they don’t understand what’s happening. You have to go through a lot of explanation – there’s a lot of testing, a lot of this and a lot of that. We have to garb, they have to put the mask on – and it’s just very frightening. But I think with a lot of reassurance, they get through it.”

Sage, who has held several positions at UMMC including supervisory roles, said she recalled the time many years ago when an infection control specialist came to the hospital and taught the nursing staff about pandemics.

“We kind of laughed, but I’m not laughing today … this is the real deal. It’s scary for everybody,” she said, adding that the woman patient with the virus was retested and fortunately the results came back negative.

Since coming back for another stint at UMMC, Sage said that learning the computer has been a “big-time change but it has been fun.”

“I understand that we’re in the information age, however I am a bedside nurse,” she said proudly. “You come into this facility and I’m going to take care of you. So, for me, the computer is secondary but it’s still important. Nursing at the bedside and taking care of your every need is more important to me.”

Sage, who also has volunteered in the surgical waiting area at UMMC since 2011 – racking up 728 volunteer hours through 2019, said she is currently working on a per diem basis. She retired as a full-time nurse for the first time in 2010 and then again in 2016.

“I have been working a couple days since I came back trying to gear up – orientation, learning the computer, getting back in gear,” she said. “It just depends … if we have another surge in the fall, I may work sporadically through the summer and come back in the fall – and I’m perfectly willing to do that.”

Her willingness to jump back into the fray exemplifies the caring nature of nurses and casts a bright light on the profession, which is celebrating National Nurses Week through May 12^th, which happens to be the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

“I remember that when I was very young, this was something I always wanted to do,” said Sage, who grew up in Wyoming County and now lives in Clarence. “Unfortunately, … my parents didn’t see education as very important in those days. But I was still determined. I worked for a year, I saved my money and came to Catherine McAuley School of Practical Nursing here in Batavia that was associated with St. Jerome Hospital. That’s where I got my initial training – in 1967.”

A graduate of Genesee Community College and Daemen College in Buffalo, Sage explained just how far nursing has progressed.

“We carried our meds on a little tray, we gave enemas and passed a few aspirin. The doctors did everything else. When the physicians came into the nurses’ station, you stood up and gave them your chair,” she said. “The information age has certainly enhanced nursing, but once you’re a bedside nurse, you’re always a bedside nurse."

Sage said as she matured she “changed her MO” as far as taking care of patients – shedding a task-oriented approach – and finding satisfaction in knowing she is helping another person.

“I probably would have come back here for nothing because I like doing what I’m doing,” she said. “… that’s what I love the most, that I can go into a patient’s room, I need some basic information and pick up right away. That’s what I care about the most.”

Her children have followed her into the medical field.

Daughter, Barbara, an Elba resident, is a registered nurse at UMMC in charge of the surgical associates’ office, and her son, Jeff, whose home in Akron is not far from his mom’s house, is an athletic trainer at Daemen College in Buffalo.

Asked if it was a good thing that her son is nearby, Sage said it usually is but not at the moment because of the social distancing mandates.

“I can’t see the grandkids right now, so on my way home I’m going to stop and do a dance outside their window,” she said, noting she also enjoys gardening. “You gotta keep moving.”

Photos at top: Mary Sage, taken while speaking via Zoom videoconferencing service earlier today with Stacey Pastuszynski of Rochester Regional Health public information office in background; Sage, second from left, on the UMMC medical surgical floor; Sage and her nursing colleagues.

Joshua Stanley Martaus, 36, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree. At 3:07 p.m. on May 5, a motor vehicle was stopped on Route 33 in the Town of Batavia following the alleged observation of a vehicle and traffic violation. The operator, Darlene Martaus, was driving while her privilege to do so is allegedly suspended in New York. Her passenger, Joshua Martaus, allegedly possessed crack cocaine at the time. Both were issued tickets to appear in Town of Batavia Court on June 8. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

David E. Brege Jr., 33, of West Center Street, Medina, was arrested May 5 by the Genesee County Local Drug Task Force. He is charged with: unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation; and possession of a hypodermic instrument, a misdemeanor. His arrest followed a complaint investigated by the City of Batavia Police Department wherein he was allegedly found in possession of marijuana and hypodermic needles on West Main Street in Batavia. Brege was issued a computer-generated appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court at a later date. Additional charges are possible pending results from the Monroe County Crime Lab. In addition to city police, this investigation was assisted by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office and the Genesee County District Attorney's Office.

Press release:

Purple Pony Therapeutic Horsemanship is holding a drive-thru parade event Saturday at its KD Ranch home in Le Roy to benefit Crossroads House.

Participants will get a gift bag as they enter the property and will stay in their vehicle as they drive thru and get to meet our COVID-19 masked therapy horses and handlers.

Riders, parents, volunteers and the public are invited.

At the end of the parade, each vehicle will drop off raffle tickets they have received and have a chance to donate to Crossroads House. This should be a very fun event.

What: Drive-thru parade meet the Purple Pony therapy horses and their handlers

Why: Benefit for Crossroads House

When: Saturday, May 9th from 10 a.m. to noon

Where: KD Ranch home of Purple Pony -- 8321 Lake Street Road, Le Roy

Press release:

U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Congressman Antonio Delgado, and U.S. Congressman Lee Zeldin announced Wednesday (May 6) new legislation, the Direct Support for Communities Act, which provides local governments with direct federal relief that can be used to pay for essential services and offset lost revenues and increased costs from the COVID-19 emergency.

This local assistance would complement critical relief that states also require in this crisis, which the representatives are simultaneously aggressively pursuing.

The representatives are concerned about the layoffs of public health care workers, firefighters, police, sanitation workers, teachers and other vital public servants in New York, and are fighting to ensure that all counties, cities, towns, and villages, regardless of size, have the financial resources necessary to continue to provide these necessary services and to avoid local tax and fee increases that will put more burden on already cash-strapped families and businesses in this crisis.

“Local governments are hamstrung trying to deal with lost revenue and mounting costs in the face of the pandemic,” Senator Schumer said. “Under our proposal, counties, cities, towns, and villages of all sizes could count on direct, guaranteed financial relief, instead of having to layoff vital workers, cut important services, or raise taxes and fees at absolutely the worst time.

"Local governments deserve nothing less than our strongest federal support, and I am doing everything I can to get significant and flexible federal aid to our states and local governments included in the next legislative package Congress considers.”

“Our local governments are facing unprecedented financial hardship, as the COVID-19 outbreak has caused costs to surge and revenue to dwindle," Senator Gillibrand said. "Direct federal relief for local governments is absolutely critical as they grapple with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This smart and necessary proposal will ensure local governments have the resources to pay our first responders, health care workers, teachers, and public servants, and can continue serving our communities without raising taxes or fees. I will do everything in my power to ensure that this proposal is included in the next economic relief package.”

“Upstate New York is facing an urgent, immediate funding crisis," Congressman Delgado said. "Our counties and municipalities are laying off employees and the lack of funding going directly into local communities is jeopardizing the livelihood of our first responders, our emergency medical services, cops, teachers and more.

"We need to provide local government with funding expediently and I am glad to introduce a bipartisan, bicameral solution. This is one of many steps that must be taken to support our rural communities and to make sure that they are able to receive the essential services needed for sustainability during this public health emergency.”

“Our local governments have been on the frontlines in the battle against coronavirus, and they will be critical in finishing the fight on the ground,” Congressman Zeldin said. “In light of historic, enhanced budgetary shortfalls caused by this ongoing outbreak, we must ensure our local governments have the direct funding they need to recover fiscally.

"This bipartisan proposal helps deliver vital funding to counties, towns, cities and villages of all sizes so that we can ensure our communities emerge on the other side of this outbreak stronger than ever.”

“On behalf of the local governments, we commend Senate Leader Charles Schumer for standing up for the New York State and local taxpayers in the face of great adversity," said New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario. "Senator Schumer understands the severity of this public health crisis and the economic impact it is having on state and local government.

"County governments, as regional entities, are facing a potential loss of billions in revenue directly associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales tax, tourism and hotel/motel occupancy tax, entertainment revenue from casinos, and numerous other local fees will all see dramatic decreases.

"Combined with looming state reimbursement cuts, local governments will be in dire straits and face an unprecedented fiscal storm, at the same time we are on the front lines battling the COVID-19 pandemic. Without critical federal assistance, the fiscal outlook for counties could become catastrophic. House Appropriations Chair Rep. Nita Lowey and the House Democrats will release their proposal to provide assistance to state, county and municipal governments.

"We also commend Senator Gillibrand, Rep. Antonio Delgado, and Rep. Lee Zeldin for introducing legislation providing direct aid to counties on the basis of population, with all counties receiving an award. This aid is necessary to establish a foundation for the reopening of our communities and county leaders are grateful for the historic leadership of the entire bipartisan NY Congressional Delegation speaking as one voice for the state of NY and all its local governments and we urge swift action by the Congress and the President.”

"The New York State Conference of Mayors thanks Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, Representative Delgado, and Representative Zeldin for their support of a direct funding stream to all local governments,” said Peter A. Baynes, executive director, New York State Conference of Mayors.

“The allocation mechanism they have proposed will ensure that no community is left behind. Whether big or small, urban or rural, New York's cities, villages, counties and towns have collectively lost billions of dollars in revenue solely as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their local economies cannot restart, much less return to their previous condition, unless the federal government provides the funding necessary to offset local revenue lost by no fault of municipal leaders."

Under the "Direct Support for Communities Act," the local relief fund would be split 50/50, half committed to cities, towns and villages, and half committed to counties:

• Of the portion allocated for cities, towns, and villages, 70 percent would go to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement communities using the CDBG formula through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to allocate the funding.
• The remaining 30 percent for cities, towns, and villages would be send to states, which would be required to sub-allocate the entire amount within 30 days to all non-entitlement communities in the state based on population.
• The portion of emergency fiscal assistance for counties would be allocated across all counties based on population. The exception to that formula is that a current CDBG entitlement county would receive its entitlement amount if it is higher than what that county would receive under an allocation based on population.

Local governments would be able to use this federal relief to help address costs associated with lost revenues and response to the pandemic, in an effort to help avoid cuts to essential services and local tax and fee increases.

This proposed formula for local fiscal relief is intended to be incorporated into a larger legislative package that will also include significant fiscal relief for state, local, and tribal governments; retroactive availability to use the Coronavirus Relief Fund in the CARES Act for lost revenues; and other important matters.

Genesee County legislators are making it clear to their constituents that there is “no joy in Mudville” after having to strike out previously approved revenue distribution payments to towns and villages due to the financial devastation caused by COVID-19.

The Ways & Means Committee today, via Zoom videoconferencing, supported a new resolution that immediately rescinds measures passed in 2018 and 2019 that authorized the county treasurer to make annual payments – in quarterly amounts – to the towns and villages.

It will now be forwarded to the full legislature for voting, likely at its May 13^th meeting.

“The members of the legislature do not take this move lightly,” Committee Chair Marianne Clattenburg said. “These circumstances are really something that nobody could have foreseen. Hopefully, they’ll be limited in scope and we’ll get through this and we won’t have a go-around again, but we don’t even know if that’s the case right now.”

Clattenburg emphasized that legislators will stay in contact with town and village officials, adding that “when we are able to get back to them with some more revenue sharing, we will certainly have those conversations.”

The resolution refers to the sacrifices the county has had to make through this crisis, including: the elimination of multiple capital projects and asset acquisitions; instituting a hiring freeze; furloughing many (currently 48) employees; and cutting contracts and agreements with outside agencies.

Legislature Chair Rochelle Stein said they have no choice but to stop the payments until further notice in light of the uncertainty surrounding any aid from the federal or state government.

“Our responsibility is to stay abreast of the situation of where the revenue is coming from,” she said. “The county treasurer has been authorized to make these payments without any further action from the county legislature, and that is the purpose for rescinding these – to remove that authority from the treasurer. We understand that the COVID impact could be with us until 2024 and I think that we’re being generous with that timeframe right now.”

County Manager Jay Gsell cited a report released today by the New York State Association of Counties that, he says, points to “very severe and drastic prospects in the loss of sales tax and state aid.”

The report, Gsell said, predicts that Genesee County could lose from $4.2 million to $9.9 million in sales tax and from $3.3 million to $8.4 million in state aid depending upon the gravity of the economic condition at the state level.

“This is truly not a good 'new normal' but it is something we’re going to have to deal with,” Gsell said. “One of the small glimmers may or may not be federal stimulus 4.0. The U.S. Congress and the President effectuating what we know at the moment does include resources for state, counties, cities, towns and villages -- and that our state senators are solidly behind -- (would help to alleviate the local situation).”

Legislators John Hilchey and John Deleo agreed with the latest action.

“In light of the pandemic now, we can’t fulfill our obligations to those two resolutions of 2018 and 2019 and this gives us a chance to reset with us rescinding until further notice,” Hilchey said. “It’s something we have to do to get out from the obligations of those prior resolutions.”

Deleo said dealing with the potential cuts along with state mandates is discouraging.

“The thing is, we’ve always been very thrifty and frugal, and this is definitely unforeseen and this is going to hurt,” he said. “Now to have this thrusted upon us. With all the mandates that New York State kept throwing on us and now they’re going to cut even more, this is going to be one hell of a ride.”

Clattenburg said that municipalities have entered an “age of austerity … that needs to be across every level of government.”

“I think it needs to be in school districts, our towns and villages and in city budget. The recognition (must be realized) that for a lot of people life has changed dramatically. People are losing jobs and they might not get back those same jobs.”

For Stein, it’s a matter of the legislature living up to its obligations in the most effective fashion.

“We are sharing everything we that we know and being honest and transparent,” she said. “Our responsibility in the county is to provide public health and public safety and emergency operations here, and we are taking care of those responsibilities on behalf of the entire population and communities of Genesee County.”

Daily Briefing:

New Cases

• As of 2 p.m.
  • Genesee County received three new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 157 positive cases.
    • Two of the positive cases reside in Pembroke and one resides in Batavia.
    • One individual is in their 20s and two of the individuals are in their 30s.
    • Two of the newly positive individuals were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Zero of the previous positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Five of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
    • We have removed a "positive / recovered" individual that was determined to be a false-positive result. Therefore, the total positive case number will be one less and has been adjusted in our data. No further information will be shared.
  • Orleans County received four new positive case of COVID-19, for a total of 109 positive cases.
    • Two of the new positive cases reside in Ridgeway and one of the new positive cases resides in Shelby.
    • One positive case resides at The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehabilitation Center.
    • The newly positive cases has one individual in their 40s, two individuals in their 50s and one individual in their 80s and older.
    • None of the community newly positive individuals were on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic.
    • Eight of the total active positive cases are hospitalized.
    • We have also received word of another death of an individual who lived at The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center. Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this individual at this very sad time.

Click here to view the Genesee and Orleans counties' online map of confirmed cases.

Looking to cut through the red tape, the New York State Department of Labor is starting what Commissioner Roberta Reardon terms a “streamlined process” to allow those who missed unemployment benefits because the certification process was not completed.

Reardon, addressing the news media by telephone this afternoon, said the agency is taking steps to get benefits to nearly a half million New York residents who failed to submit the federally mandated certifications along with the applications.

“Today, I am announcing that we will be launching a streamlined process for New Yorkers to submit previous week certifications online,” she said. “As part of this new process, we will directly email New Yorkers with missing certification from previous weeks to inform them of the situation and we will include in that email a secure form that they can use to submit their information – which we will verify, process and pay.”

The commissioner said the DOL has identified more than 470,000 New Yorkers with “completed, processed and payable unemployment benefit applications who did not submit certifications in previous weeks, effectively leaving their money on the table.”

This amounted to more than 697,000 missed certifications, she said, that, if received, would have totaled approximately $480 million in benefits.

“No one should miss out on their benefits because of red tape, including these federally mandated weekly certifications,” she said.

Reardon said the agency previously emailed 90,000 New Yorkers who had completed and processed claims but did not received funds due to an accompanying certification. Those with no email address would receive a phone call or, as a last resort, a letter in the mail.

She said that going forward, the fastest way to file is online by going to www.labor.ny.gov/signin.

Reardon also said the DOL will be releasing a “fact sheet” to inform people of their claim status.

“Many people have seen 'pending' as their status for far too long and I understand the anxiety that this can cause,” she said. “When you don’t know where you are in the process or why you are there, you feel powerless. This new resource will outline the main reasons why someone’s claim may be pending, so you can have a better sense of the work we are doing to process your application.”

Statistically, more than 30 million Americans have filed for unemployment insurance since the COVID-19 crisis began, including 1.6 million New Yorkers, Reardon said. As of today, the NYS DOL has paid $5.8 billion in unemployment benefits as a result of the pandemic.

“For context, we paid out $2.14 billion in unemployment benefits during the entirety of 2019,” she said. “That means in just two months we have paid out nearly three times the total level of benefits that we paid all last year.”