Weekend News Brief
Written by Dan Fischer on September 20, 2024
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee is urging all Empire State motorists to be aware of motorcyclists. Data shows that motorcycle accidents account for 15-percent of all traffic fatalities nationwide. And there have been at least 66 deadly motorcycle crashes in New York this year, a number that’s likely to rise. Drivers should look out for riders before changing lanes or pulling out into traffic. Motorcycle operators must also make sure they’re always wearing the proper safety equipment.
A case of West Nile Virus is being confirmed in Niagara County. The Niagara county Department of Health made the announcement on Thursday. It’s the first case of the mosquito-borne virus in the county this year and the infected resident is currently in the hospital being treated. The virus shows little to no symptoms for some, but for others, severe symptoms include high fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness and paralysis. There have been 200 cases this year with ten of them in New York.
The number of COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in Monroe County, but health officials say there’s no cause for concern just yet. Right now, there are over 100 people in the county hospitalized due to the illness but the death toll remains low. Experts expect there to be another surge in cases during the fall and winter months. They say the best things for people to do are to test if they experience symptoms and make sure to get an updated COVID-19 booster shot.
Governor Hochul is out with new health care access legislation for New York. She signed one law that requires Medicaid reimbursement for ambulance services when on-location treatment is administered and/or when transportation is provided to alternative health care settings rather than a general hospital. A second law authorizes ground ambulance and advanced life support first response teams to store and distribute blood and administer transfusions, much like authorizations provided to air ambulance services. Hochul said this ensures essential treatment and transportation for New Yorkers so they can get treatment during an emergency rather than worrying about the cost or availability of critical health care.
The State’s unemployment rate is on the rise again, with private sector jobs declining. The state Labor Department’s latest report indicates the state’s jobless rate rose a tenth of a point to four-point-four-percent in August. This is the second-straight month with an increase, and it follows four straight months of declines leading up to May. In the meantime, the number of private sector jobs in New York decreased by 8,100.
The Elba Fire Department is having their fall chicken BBQ tomorrow from 11:00 until 2:00 or until sold out, at the Elba Recreation Hall at 7143 Oak Orchard Road. It’s drive-through only. $14 includes chicken, salt potatoes, baked beans, roll and a dessert.
The Genesee Senior Foundation will be celebrating 50 years of the Office for the Aging with dinner and dancing on Thursday, September 26th. The Batavia Downs Event Center is where the fun will be starting at 4:30, with dinner followed by live music provided by the Batavia Swing Band. The last dance is at 8:30. It’s open to Genesee County residents 55 and over; tickets are $25 each and may be purchased at the Office for the Aging. For more information, please call 343-1611.
NBC News feature…
Federal officials are warning that a drop in vaccinations in the U.S. may have led to an increase in flu deaths among children. The CDC said Wednesday that nearly 200 children died from influenza-related illnesses during the most recent flu season, and that most of the children who died were eligible for a vaccine but didn’t receive one. It said the deaths coincide with overall drops in vaccinations among children. As of May, the CDC said only 53-percent of children in the U.S. were vaccinated for the flu this season, which is down from the previous year.
