Afternoon News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on August 28, 2020
With the declaration by President Trump of the FDA approving the emergency use of convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID 19 doctors are urging all eligible donors to give. Eligible donors are people who have contracted and recovered from the coronavirus. The plasma has antibodies that help the body fight off the coronavirus. Although there are some who doubt its effectiveness, especially with the president touting it as an effective treatment, the FDA and Mayo clinic say it is safe and helps most patients with the recovery.
Governor Cuomo has announced new guidelines for colleges. Very much like his announcement about public schools, Cuomo said if any college confirms 100 positive cases or a number of cases equal to 5% or more of the campus population, they will be required to switch to remote learning for two weeks.
Your COVID 19 update: Genesee county has no new cases and one person has recovered. Orleans county has 1 new case. 3 new people are on travel quarantine in Genesee county. There are now 2 active cases in Genesee and 3 active cases in Orleans counties.
Erie County is in the spotlight for having a positivity rate of over 1 percent with 4200 tests taken and 45 positive results yesterday. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the caution flag in Western New York will be raised a little higher and that he is sending in the state department of health swat team and open up 8 new testing sites including 3 in the city of buffalo. A food manufacturing plant in Chautauqua county is thought to be a center for many of the cases.
Superintendents across New York state called on the governors office to delay the start of school sports with a letter from the New York State council of Superintendents. They would like school sports delayed until January 1st 2021. Governor Cuomo responded yesterday with a rare move of putting the ball back in their court by saying the decision was up to the schools. “If a school superintendent doesn’t want to do it, then don’t do it,” said Cuomo. “We won’t mandate them to play.”
New York State Fair may not be happening this year but there is a virtual option. The American Dairy Association North East will still be making the butter sculpture and will release a time lapse video of its creation September 1st. The New York Animal Agricultural Coalition will be visiting farms and live streaming cow births. Several fair food options are available for drive thorough at the fairgrounds orange lot in Syracuse. Although none of this is on the Fair’s website, check their social media page for contests and events.
