Weekend News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on November 14, 2020
Governor Cuomo and President Trump are arguing with new Yorkers in the middle again. Cuomo says that he won’t authorize the distribution of the new Covid 19 vaccine until he is assured that it is completely safe and the distribution plan is altered from its’ flawed state to one that is more equitable for people of color. Trump says that New York won’t be able to receive the vaccine until Cuomo authorizes it. Cuomo plans a meeting with 5 other governors this weekend to work on aligning their states’ policies and making each other aware of what they are doing. Cuomo had complained that the vaccine would not be accessible to people of color if it was distributed to Dr’s offices, pharmacies and clinics. Twenty four people died from COVID-19 in New York Thursday. Another 1,700 patients were hospitalized, 331 were in the ICU, and 137 were intubated. Across the Country more than 1800 people died from the coronavirus between Thursday and Friday and the number of new cases went over 170 thousand in 24 hours. Trump says the plan is to vaccinate frontline workers, high risk persons and the elderly first and then the rollout of the vaccine to the general population is expected to start in April.
Bars, restaurants, and gyms are now closing at 10pm across new York state. Seating at restaurants is now restricted to 4 people or less. Curbside food pickup can continue past 10 but not alcohol service. Also Cuomo has restricted private gatherings in homes and residences to 10 people or less.
The high wind warning continues until Monday at 1am with southwest winds of 25-40 miles per hour expected and gusts of up to 65 mph possible. Watch out for downed trees and power lines and be careful when traveling south or north especially in a high profile vehicle.
The local 4-H teens club is collecting items for a mitten tree for local families in need. Members of the club donated holiday stockings and gifts for deployed military members with items such as gum, candy and puzzles. The mittens will be displayed at cornel cooperative extension till December 14th and then mailed to the military. They are asking that people also donate scarves, hats, coats and mittens to be donated to needy local families. You can donate at the Cornell cooperative extension office from 8:30-5 Monday – Friday.
Do you have an electric car? More charging stations are coming to New York state. Because of a lawsuit settlement with Volkswagen over their illegally cheating emissions tests and deceiving customers into believing that their vehicles had lower emissions than they actually had 14.73 billion dollars will be going to the states. New York state received 127 million dollars and will be using 20 million of that to build more electric vehicle charging stations. Developers are asked to apply for funds to build the fast charge stations. The first round of funding goes to Central New York, North Country, Finger Lakes, and Western New York.
