Afternoon News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on November 16, 2020
Tops Markets, Batavia
Tops friendly markets has released their limited item list in case of scarcity cause by a resurgence of COVID. Disinfectant spray, wipes, sugar and peanut butter are on the list where a person can only buy 2 per customer. Toilet paper of 16 rolls or more, paper towels and household cleaners are limited to 1 per person. Wegmans has also released a similar list.
Governor Cuomo doubled down on saying that the COVID vaccine distribution program will lead to inequities in communities of color by threatening to sue the federal government. The current plan has the vaccine being distributed through pharmacies, doctors offices, hospitals, and clinic which Cuomo says aren’t available in communities which are made up predominantly of people of color. The governor wants special funding for vaccines to be distributed in churches, community centers, and other local facilities. “If the Trump administration does not change this plan and does not provide an equitable vaccine process, we will enforce our legal rights,” Cuomo said. “We will bring legal action to protect New Yorkers.” Cuomo says that the NAACP and National Urban League are partnering with him in the legal fight. Trump has said that the government will withhold the vaccine from New York state if Cuomo refuses to allow it to be distributed.
The Batavia business improvement district board of directors announced today that Christmas in the city and holiday parade are canceled due to the coronavirus. The board says that due to the uncertainty of COVID-19, the need for social distancing, and the concern for the health of the community, vendors, volunteers, and attendees they have decided to cancel this event for 2020.
Crossroads house is holding a pop-up garage sale on Black Friday November 27th from 9-3 and that Saturday from 9 to 1. Crossroads house has a huge trailer filled with Christmas decorations, vintage glassware, collectibles, and many other treasures along with the comfort foods cookbook which is on sale for 14 dollars.
For the first time in a long time the price of gas rose in western NY. In Batavia the price went up by a whole penny after dropping a penny a week for about the last 7 weeks. The national average has gone up by 2 cents over last week. The price of crude oil jumped 18 percent on news of a vaccine for COVID.
The Bills lost to the Arizona cardinals by a whole 2 points yesterday after a last second hail Mary touchdown pass brought the score to 32-30. The Bills had just gone into the lead 2 minutes earlier. They are now at 7 and 3. Next game for the Bills is against Los Angeles Chargers in LA Sunday at 1pm.
