Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on December 1, 2021
A spike in COVID cases and hospitalizations has incentivized Monroe County to announce a state of emergency starting December 1. Like Erie County masking will be mandated for all county buildings. But unlike Erie when it comes to private businesses, for now, the masking rules are up to them. As of now businesses such as Tops and Wegmans are having all their employees mask and have for some time, they are encouraging customers to mask but not making it mandatory.
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is now collecting his $4,219 monthly pension, according to a spokesperson for the Office of the New York State Comptroller. In total, he will receive around $50,000 a year and he received his first payment in October 2021. Cuomo announced his resignation in August following an investigation into sexual harassment allegations against him. New York Attorney General Letitia James said the independent investigation found he sexually harassed multiple women and violated state and federal laws. Currently in NYS, the pension of a public official can only be reduced or revoked if they are convicted of a felony related to his/her official duties.
Governor Kathy Hochul says there are between 32 and 36 hospitals in New York State right now that will be ordered to stop elective surgeries come Friday. This is because they’re struggling with staffing and bed capacity. She’s also using her emergency power to work on getting National Guard members into nursing homes that need staffing help. Hochul has the power to enforce these measures through the disaster emergency declaration she issued the day after Thanksgiving.
Buffalo Bills Quarterback Jake Fromm is signing with the New York Giants according to the NFL Network. Fromm was drafted by the Bills in the fifth round, 167th overall, in the 2020 NFL Draft. He has not played in a regular season NFL game since being drafted and he has been on the team’s practice squad this season. Giants starting quarterback Daniel Jones strained his neck early in last week’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles and his status is TBD for the Giants’ game Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
