Afternoon News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on November 13, 2020
Superintendent of Schools for Batavia Anibal Solar Jr has announced that 2 staff members at Batavia Middle school have tested positive for COVID 19. The 2 staff were asymptomatic but 1 other staffer and 50 students have been ordered to self quarantine for 2 weeks. Instruction at the school will continue using the hybrid schedule and contact tracing is underway. Several schools in our area have had to switch to online education or had grades that were all put on remote learning. Please continue to make smart choices about socializing and mask wearing.
The health department has released that a person who tested positive for COVID 19 was at Batavia’s Original on Friday and Saturday between 4:30 and 10pm. Anyone who visited Batavia’s Original should monitor themselves for symptoms till at least November 21st. Batavia’s Original has been shut down until at least Monday as 5 workers tested positive. Owner Kathy Ferrara says she thinks a lot of young people think the pandemic is over and people need to be taking it seriously. None of the five who have tested positive for COVID-19 contracted the virus at work, Ferrara said. Three had been to Halloween parties and one hosted a card game and the other contracted it from a family member.
Erie County sheriff Tim Howard says that he and his deputies will not break up Thanksgiving dinners and that thanksgiving traditions should not be stopped or interrupted by Governor Cuomo’s Mandates. According to Governor Cuomo there are not to be gatherings of more than 10 people in private residences for any reason including thanksgiving. This mandate is following national health figures such as Dr. Anthony Fauci saying that we don’t want to give COVID when we give thanks. The remarks by Sheriff Howard answer the question that many had, how will this new mandate be enforced? Governor Cuomo has not addressed this question.
There is a high wind watch for Genesee county and other parts of western NY form today until Monday. Southwest winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour are expected with gusts of up to 60 mph possible. Be alert for downed trees or power lines. Report power outages to your electric company.
New York Independent living is proud to announce that the Young Leaders and advocates network is joining the family of agencies. The young leaders and Advocates network is a 50 year old organization where young people with disabilities fight for an equal voice in issues effecting their lives. More than 35 thousand people between ages of 14 and 30 live with disabilities in western NY.
