Morning News Brief

The COVID rate in New York continues its downward descent. As of Monday, the statewide 7-Day average positivity rate was reduced to 0.51%. It’s a new record for the ten consecutive day and the 63^rd straight day of decline. Hospitalizations dropped to 799 – the first time below 800 since October 8^th.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley is being joined by his colleagues in the Assembly and Senate Minority Conferences in demanding the termination of the state disaster emergency declared by Executive Order before the end of the legislative session, which is scheduled to finish this Thursday. As of June 2, New York State’s seven-day average coronavirus positivity rate was the lowest in the nation and hospitalizations also dropped to new lows. Within Hawley’s district numbers are similarly low, with a seven-day positivity rate of 1 percent in the Finger Lakes Region.

Governor Andrew Cuomo now says that most of the remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted once 70 percent of New Yorkers aged 18 or older have received the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccination series. After 70 percent of adult New Yorkers are vaccinated, businesses may choose to continue to adhere to the State’s guidance or implement other health precautions for their employees and patrons. Businesses are also authorized to require masks and six feet of social distancing for employees and patrons within their establishments. Any mask requirements that businesses choose to implement must adhere to applicable federal and state laws and regulations. The Department of Health continues to strongly recommend masks and six feet of social distancing in indoor settings where vaccination status of individuals is unknown.

There’s an innovative new Financial Literacy program through the Ministry of Concern, open to residents of Orleans or Genesee County, for ages 12 and up. The youth investment program will focus on everything from investing money and saving for the future to interviewing skills, how to get and keep a job, life insurance, budgeting and your credit score. Spots are limited. orleansadvocateministryofconcern.org.

After hours of confusion and outrage from parents across New York, a quick reversal by the State Health Department will ensure students continue to wear masks inside the classroom. The pivot came after an announcement on Friday that the mask mandate would be dropped for vaccinated students the following week. However, on Sunday, New York education officials sent a letter to districts clarifying mask guidelines would not be updated until more guidance was given from the CDC.

The Boards of Directors of The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming and Arc of Genesee Orleans announce Martin Miskell, current Executive Director of the Livingston-Wyoming chapter, will lead the agencies through their planned merger. The unification of the agencies serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families will create a one-chapter, four-county service area covering roughly 2,400 square miles—geographically, the largest Arc chapter in New York State.

Gasoline prices in Batavia are up 2-cents from a week ago, this according to Triple A. The Batavia average is now at $3.02 a gallon. Nationally, the average is at 3:05.