Local Links To Help...And The Retail Therapy Guide 8/27/2021
/
|
|
|
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
|
Stepping Down: Dr. Anil Vaidian MD, Dutchess County's Commissioner of Behavioral and Community Health (DBCH)
/Dr. Anil Vaidian MD, Commissioner of Behavioral and Community Health (DBCH) for Dutchess County, is stepping down after 4 years of service. Dr. Vaidian made public appearances in the winter of the pandemic 2020, making himself available to communicative opportunities like “Current Conversations” with the Highlands Current in November, 2020. He made a few other appearances on the Dutchess County Facebook page via video.
In 2021, once the COVID-19 numbers decreased in Dutchess County, Dr. Vaidian was less in the public eye. For the latest COVID-19 increase due to the Delta varient, Dutchess County did not immediately make an public health alert, when Orange and Sullivan Counties did. Days later, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro did make an COVID-19 update via the County’s Facebook page. Dr. Vaidian was not part of that announcement.
As a point of interest as it relates to Beacon, the City of Beacon’s former City Administrator, Anthony Ruggiero, left his Administrator position in Beacon to take the position of Assistant Commissioner of Administration with the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health.
The press release from Dutchess County is below in full:
Dutchess County Commissioner of
Behavioral and Community Health to Step Down
Poughkeepsie, NY… Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro announced today that Anil Vaidian MD, MPH will step down as the Commissioner of Behavioral and Community Health (DBCH) following a four year plus tenure dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Vaidian’s resignation is effective Friday, September 10th, 2021.
Dr. Vaidian joined the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health in April 2017, following more than 13 years of local county public health service at the Rockland County Department of Health and Westchester County Government’s Division of Disease Control.
Dr. Vaidian’s decades of experience as an infectious disease specialist has been crucial as he has notably led the Department of Behavioral & Community Health team as they have continued to deal with the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, which has consumed public health professionals since January 2020. Dr. Vaidian has been at the forefront of the County’s efforts, providing public health guidance to the community from the initial press conference announcing the first positive case in March 2020, to hundreds of conference calls with community leaders, hospital and healthcare professionals, school district leaders, faith-based organizations as well as virtual town hall updates and videos for the public over the past 17 months.
Dr. Vaidian said, “It has been my blessed good fortune to work along with and besides such wonderful staff and colleagues dedicated to highest standards of public health and community service. I am grateful to County Executive Molinaro for the opportunity to work this talented team of people. I will miss the enthusiasm, perseverance, and unrelenting pursuit of DBCH’s mission: To protect, promote, and improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of our community. Despite the long hours and everchanging circumstances, their unwavering commitment to that mission has been evident each and every day during this battle against COVID-19 as we have sought to inform and protect our residents. I know the entire DBCH organization will continue to be successful in serving our community’s well-being.”
County Executive Molinaro said, “Dutchess County is a healthier community due to the four-plus years Dr. Vaidian served as our health commissioner. Faced with a pandemic the likes of which we’ve never seen in our lifetimes, Dr. Vaidian oversaw our county health department through its most challenging times in memory, using his infectious disease expertise to inform and educate our residents while formulating public health guidance to protect them. I thank Dr. Vaidian for his service to Dutchess County, and look forward to finding a similarly competent leader to guide the dedicated and talented DBCH staff for years to come.”
The County will begin an executive search for an individual with the necessary combination of management skill and clinical knowledge to serve as Commissioner. An Acting Commissioner from within the Department of Behavioral and Community Health will be appointed by County Executive Molinaro in September, pending approval by the New York State Department of Health.
Compass Arts Announces Last InterConnected Event - Poetry In The Park - This Thursday
/
Join The Poet Gold for a solo performance of spoken word and poetry that speaks to the hearts of humanity on issues of facing our fears, our truths, social justice, building bridges, and triumphing through hope and love.
When: Thursday, August 26, 2021 (rain date September 2)
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: South Avenue Park, Beacon NY
Musical accompaniment by award-winning violinist Gwen Laster and Damon Banks on bass.
Poetry collage kits designed by Romina Robinson, using the words of Poet Gold will be available as a self-guided activity before the performance.
This is a BYOS event! Bring your own SCISSORS!
The kits will have everything to make a collage, including a glue stick, but we invite you to bring a pair of scissors in order to truly customize your piece.
8/20/2021 COVID-19 Active Cases Beacon, Fishkill, Wappingers, Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County
/
Photo Credit: Screenshot on 8/20/2021 of the Dutchess County Dashboard
We are bringing back the COVID-19 Tracking articles while we stay mindful of what is going on with transmission and positivity rates, and the possible waning efficacy of the vaccination that 55% of residents did take all doses of in Dutchess County. As the virus was declining, in June 2021, there were 56 Active Cases in Dutchess County. On August 18, 2021, there are 732 Active Cases in Dutchess County, according to Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro during an address he delivered via Facebook. Today, there are 30 Active Cases in Beacon. Dutchess County is considered to be in a “High Transmission Rate” according to the CDC.
“56 Active Cases in Dutchess County in June 2021
732 Active Cases in Dutchess County on August 18, 2021”
As the Delta variant thrives in other states A Little Beacon Blog is starting to track the COVID-19 numbers again. You can track it 24/7 by visiting the Dutchess County Dashboard here. Readers have asked a few questions since the last time we were tracking this in May 2020. Those questions and answers are below:
What used to be the high Active Case Count in Beacon?
At one point in mid May 2020, there were 146 Active Cases in Beacon. Active Cases hovered in the 130s for a bit, and then the gradual decline began.What was happening by May 2020?
Well, as of March 2020, restaurants had been shut down. They began selling booze-to-go on March 17, 2020, according to Eater NY. By May, there were calls to open outdoor dining. By June, outdoor dining was approved in New York, and Beacon introduced “parklets” for people to dine in parking spots. Also according to Eater NY, on March 25, 2020: “The pioneering, Mumbai-born Chef Floyd Cardoz dies. He was one of the first major figures in the NYC food world to die from complications related to COVID-19. In the months that followed, the staggering toll the virus took on the city included the deaths of dozens of hospitality industry workers, chefs, and restaurant owners.”Are Active COVID-19 Hospital Cases separated by Vaccinated or Non-Vaccinated?
According to Dutchess County Communication Director Colleen T. Pillus in response to ALBB’s question: “Our dashboard does not separate out vaccinated/non-vaccinated in the hospital count at this time.” However, Dutchess County does have the information, as noted in a 8/18/2021 address to residents by Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro.Do we know the number of people who have died due to COVID-19 complications in Beacon?
According to Dutchess County Communication Director Colleen T. Pillus in response to ALBB’s question: “We do not publish mortality numbers by municipality.”
“Long-Haul COVID” is not tracked in the Dutchess County Dashboard.
”Long-Haul COVID” is a condition that develops in some people after they first contract the virus. People who have it speak of fatigue lasting for months, pain, and other compromising symptoms. Beacon’s Councilperson Air Nonken Rhodes began speaking openly about their own life with long-haul symptoms, which you can read about here.
COVID-19 Case Numbers
8/18/2021
Dutchess County Active Cases: 732
Dutchess County Deaths: 458
Dutchess County Hospitalized: 28
Beacon Active Cases: 31
Fishkill Active Cases: 63
Fishkill Village Active Cases: <5
Poughkeepsie Active Cases: 106
Poughkeepsie City Active Cases: 140
Wappinger Active Cases: 59
Wappingers Falls Village: 20
Hyde Park Active Cases: 49
8/19/2021
Dutchess County Active Cases: 739
Dutchess County Deaths: 460
Dutchess County Hospitalized: 32
Beacon Active Cases: 30
Fishkill Active Cases: 64
Fishkill Village Active Cases: <5
Poughkeepsie Active Cases: 101
Poughkeepsie City Active Cases: 133
Wappinger Active Cases: 61
Wappingers Falls Village: 21
Hyde Park Active Cases: 50
8/20/2021
Dutchess County Active Cases: 725
Dutchess County Deaths: 461
Dutchess County Hospitalized: 28
Beacon Active Cases: 30
East Fishkill Active Cases: 64
Fishkill Active Cases: 56
Fishkill Village Active Cases: 6
Poughkeepsie Active Cases: 103
Poughkeepsie City Active Cases: 131
Wappinger Active Cases: 56
Wappingers Falls Village: 19
Hyde Park Active Cases: 46
|
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
|
Reminder On Comment Etiquette During COVID Times - What Comments Will Be Deleted
/
Hello,
We are reaching a temperature in the world where patience is running thin, for many numbers of reasons. As A Little Beacon Blog covers COVID news, the articles that present facts may generate emotions - from all people. Hearing from each other and learning from each other is very important. As important as it is reading multiple media outlets and scientific studies to educate yourself to make informed decisions. We are taking this time to revisit the Comment Policy at A Little Beacon Blog, and add to it.
Comments that are wildly inappropriate will be deleted from social media platforms (Instagram and Facebook), and may not be published here at the blog. All comments here at the blog require our approval first before showing up. Just like how Letters to the Editor require approval from a newspaper before being published in print.
Comment Policy For COVID Times
Critical Comments: While an audience may follow and support a publication or shop at a store, a person from the audience may disagree with that publication or store on some matters. Speaking about this is healthy and at times, helpful. It can encourage a useful debate that can impact change. While it is hard to take criticism, it sometimes needs to be said. Do be mindful of how you are saying it in public. Consider if it is best said directly to the company or person you are trying to influence.
Name Calling etc. “libtard”: During these times, the term “libtard” has been used a lot. This term is insulting to people who are developmentally different, and are able to think in more beautiful ways than many people can think. If the term “libtard” is used, the comment will be deleted without question. No matter if a good point was made in it.
Throwing Spite, “Hate”: If comments include sentences like “you are showing your hateful face,” they will be deleted. There are better, more effective ways you can say this.
Misinformation: If you are stating a theory, and if you are stating it as fact, it might be deleted. Providing a URL link is useful so that people can follow what you are talking about. If this is your own idea that has never been published, then please indicate that. One never knows where the next great idea comes from.
Comments With Misinformation That Are Kept: There are times where a comment that is smearing something or someone, or casting doubt on something or someone, is kept and not deleted. This may be for a variety of reasons:
The person is aggressive, and deleting them will only make it worse and cause them to post more.
The person is semi-right, even if others don’t want to believe that.
Especially during COVID, there are different theories and studies being cited. There may be a study that is driving the thought process of a group of people. If another person has an answer that disagrees with that study, or reveals that the authors of the study, for instance, found problems with their own study, it is useful for other readers to know about that. Out in real life and on other platforms with comments, as these things are being discussed, it is useful to know what others found regarding disproving a theory, or proving a theory.
Comments Used In Quotes: If you say something in Comments, either as your business account, or as your personal account, your comment may be used in an article. This may surprise you if you leave a sarcastic comment, where, for instance, when people are complaining about traffic, and you want to make a point about how people get upset about police enforcement and instead you think that the police should hand out lollipops and hold balloons, we may quote you on that as an actual good idea. While you may have said it with sarcasm, we may use it, and attribute it to your business and name. Any comment left on an ALBB space, which are public and not private groups, is eligible for being used in an article elsewhere with attribution to your name and business.
Life: We are at a point now in the pandemic, where we need people to live a healthy life. That is the end goal. We want to live happy lives, and we can do so while armed with information so that we can make safe choices that maintain and allow for our happiness. Please remember that in your tone. Even if you are upset at a group of people who have made a choice that can negatively impact your life. If that is the case, a different tact needs to be taken in order to change their minds.
Repeating Yourself: If you repeat yourself to one person, or several people, too many times, as in, you made your point now move along, your subsequent comments may be deleted.
Wishing Ill-Will: If you wish someone ill-will, like by saying that a group of people should not go to the hospital, your comment very well may be deleted. There are times when nurses and other medical professionals respond to comments like that with useful, supportive statements, saying how they value all lives. That would be an example of why a comment like that is left. If you repeat yourself after saying it once, your comment may be deleted.
No Notice Of Deletion: If your comment is deleted, you will not be notified by ALBB. If you notice that your comment disappeared, and you want to ask us about it, you can, and we will tell you that it was deleted.
We Can All Be “Got”: Every single one of us, myself included, can have the best of us gotten. We can snap, lose our temper, and let out our harshest, sharpest tongue. Sometimes it’s needed. Sometimes we can take a moment to walk away, step outside, touch a tree to feel nature, and re-calibrate perspective.
Turning Comments Off: Comments will only be turned off for a post when it goes on for so long; no more good points are being made; only slingshots of mud, ill-will or unease. It takes time to moderate comments. If we lack this time, because we are researching other articles or being with our family, then the comments will be shut off.
Honestly, very few comments are deleted on ALBB. People generally are considerate to each other in this space. Thank you so much for creating and honoring that type of space. This publication does not benefit from comments. We don’t seek them out. We don’t play comment contest games, none of that. We do know the value of comments in algorithms, and honestly believe that it’s a shame that algorithms work that way. We just want to get you information.
Thank you for reading.
Dutchess County In "High Transmission" AKA Active Cases of COVID; Beacon's Numbers Rise
/
Summer is over. COVID is here. Delta is driving it (like in India, and 99% in the UK), and that variant is only the current variant. Like a hurricane, COVID mutates and spins off different variants that scientists may or may not have seen under their microscopes as they look for predictions as to what comes next in this pandemic. Delta is breaking through the vaccinations, but the vaccinations seem to be holding it at bay for the most part for the people who vaxed. If you were hitting the snooze button on COVID, this is your wake-up alarm bell.
The Director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Francis Collins, told Fox News Sunday (8/15/2021) as quoted by CNN: "That was January, February, that shouldn't be August. But here we are with the Delta variant, which is so contagious, and this heartbreaking situation where 90 million people are still unvaccinated, who are sitting ducks for this virus, and that's the mess we're in."
According to that CNN article on 8/15/2021, “the rate of new hospitalizations among people in their 30s increased by nearly 300% over the past month, according to an analysis of data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New Covid-19 hospital admissions among people in their 30s are now the highest since the pandemic began, according to the data.”
On a personal note, in this week alone, every time I call my mom to ask her a question about the weather, she informs me of a new friend of hers who is infected or in the ICU. There are 10 in her acquaintance sphere alone, 3 of whom are in the ICU.
The CDC’s Evolving Guidance
On July 27, 2021, the CDC updated their information to include mask guidance for what to do indoors. In the olden days (June 2021), the guidance was the reward of taking the mask off if you were vaccinated. Turns out that was bad advice, or advice that is bad if only 50% of this country is vaccinated, while most of the world is also not vaccinated, and the virus mutates and essentially causes another tsunami of active cases.
Plus, of those vaccinated, how long the vaccination efficacy lasts before a booster is needed. Which was just announced today, that 3rd shots would be approved 8 months after for those already vaccinated.
Perhaps this vaccination is like an allergy pill? Or cortisone shot? Works for limited time, and then you get it again? The Whooping Cough vaccination works that way, although years are between its doses.
COVID In Dutchess County; Definition of “High Transmission”
Today is August 17, 2021, and on August 14, 2021, ALBB posted a picture in Instagram of what may now be an outdated sign in a business storefront window. The sign read that all employees were vaccinated, and that if you were too, you could be mask-off. This was a positive sign for getting vaccinated, as not all business owners in Beacon are vaccinated, but was a discouraging sign for masks, during a time when Delta is now officially raging.
A reader saw the post, and sounded the alarm. They directed us to this CDC link, which says this about masking: “If you are fully vaccinated, to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.”
The words “substantial or high transmission” are linked to in the definition, and seem to be key words here. People who think very literally may interpret “high transmission” to mean: “a small room with lots of people where the virus could spread shoulder to shoulder.” Turns out, “high transmission” is the equivelent to “Active Cases” on the old-not-old COVID trackers. It means, if a lot of people in your area are infected with new cases of COVID. Dutchess County is one such county that is “high transmission.”
Red indicates areas where there are a lot of Active Cases, aka “High Transmission.” This illustration, from 8/14/2021 show that it is the entire country, minus those little blue dots.
Photo Credit: CDC
You’ve seen the memes and illustrations of the United States being all red, for “high transmission.” It means the country is on fire with new Active Cases. According to the Dutchess County Tracker, as of today, there are 732 Active Cases in Dutchess County, and 31 in Beacon. In the original raging days of COVID-19, 31 in Beacon was kind of a high number. Yesterday it was 27.
The Dashboard does not indicate if these are breakthrough cases, cases with the unvaccinated, or children under 12 years who cannot vaccinate yet.
Dutchess County has not issued a warning or alert. ALBB reached out to the Dutchess County Executive’s Office yesterday for comment, after Sullivan and Orange Counties issued strong mask advisories, but Dutchess County has not responded yet.
Vaccination rates in Dutchess County are 55% for fully vaccinated people, which means, people who have completed the required amount of shots for their vaccine brand. While the county does tout a more impressive rate of 71%, that is for people who have taken at least one dose. Time will tell how these percentages will change once the Boosters become the norm, and dashboards will need to track when people get their 3rd (and 4th, and 5th?) shots.
Representative Maloney Offers Help To Loved Ones Trying to Leave Afghanistan, and Acknowledges Mistakes
/Representative Sean Maloney issued a statement regarding Afghanistan. It has been published in full below:
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, released the following statement on the developing situation in Afghanistan.
“No one watching the heartbreaking images out of Afghanistan should deny that mistakes have been made, which require immediate correction, but I continue to believe the President has made the right decision in bringing our troops home from Afghanistan and I applaud him for tackling this difficult but necessary project.
“For 20 years, thousands of U.S. troops have fought and sacrificed to bring the perpetrators of the 9/11 terror attacks to justice. We successfully killed the mastermind of that attack and destabilized Al Qaeda’s operations across the middle east.
“The last two decades of war have come at a great cost to our U.S. service members and their families. It is harrowing to see the Afghan government fall after countless Americans sacrificed so much to help the Afghan people and to provide the government the resources and training necessary to take control of their country and build a better future.
“There has been clear, bipartisan agreement that we could not stay in Afghanistan indefinitely. Right now, our top priority must be the safe return of U.S. civilians, service members, diplomats, and Afghan allies. The Biden administration must put forth the resources necessary to complete this effort.
"I will continue to monitor this developing situation and will be briefed as a member of the House Intelligence Committee in the near future.”
If you or a loved one needs assistance leaving Afghanistan, please contact my office at 845-561-1259 or complete this form.
Volunteer Opportunity: Rainbow Pool River Extraction From Hudson River
/
Volunteers Needed To Help Take The Rainbow Pool Out Of The River
When: Thursday, August 19, 2021 - Saturday, August 21, 2021
Time: 9am
Who: Thursday - Friday involves the disassembly lighter-duty work whereas Saturday involves the wet, in the river, heavy extraction work. Individuals with mandated volunteer service hours accepted!
Email: kmanz@riverpool.org to volunteer or visit the Riverpool Website and complete the volunteer form.
Snacks and beverages to be provided!
Beacon's City Council Masks Up For In-Person Public Meeting, And Other Highlights From Monday's Council Meeting
/
The City of Beacon has moved from digital-only City Council Meetings to in-person meetings weeks ago. The Council stated that they missed each other, and even welcomed their most staunched and harshest citizen critics when citizens stepped up to the podium during regular Public Comment session to deliver their thoughts, which usually results in the Council being a punching bag. Those who show up to deliver verbal thoughts, however, usually move a needle in the direction that they are advocating for.
When the City Council resumed in-person meetings several meetings ago, the national media said that COVID was on the run. Some people were getting vaccinated, Governor Cuomo hadn’t resigned yet, his nightly emails were pretty upbeat, and Beacon’s COVID numbers were on the lower end. Until the Delta variant.
Today, Beacon’s COVID numbers for Active Cases are at 29, Dutchess County at large is at 721, Sullivan County mandated masks for all County buildings, and Orange County is strongly recommending all residents to mask up in pubic indoor settings.
For the first time since their in-person meetings, the City of Beacon masked up for the in-person meeting this Monday night, as did several attendees in the audience. Neither the City of Beacon nor Dutchess County has issued a statement or guidance about masking up in public indoor spaces. ALBB reached out to Dutchess County on Monday morning, but has not heard back yet.
Meanwhile, the Council covered a lot of ground in the double Workshop/Regular Public Meeting combo this evening for the summer schedule, including:
Money transferred in the City of Beacon’s General Fund, including $66,418 transferred for “Employee Discipline.“
Promotion of Police Officer Kelvin Grey to the Position of Detective and the Appointment of Stephen Donovan to the Position of Police Officer.
Award of lifesaving action preformed by Beacon’s Fire Fighting crew.
Continued Affordable Housing Discussion.
Continued Employment Discussion about how the City Administrator could or should present potential hires to the Council. Councilperson Jodi McCredo has been asking for more information for the council to make more informed decisions about who they are hiring across all departments and positions, but the City Administrator Chris White is hesitant of “wasting the Council’s time” with hiring information, and is leaning toward only presenting the Council with detailed information about Department Heads, and not lower level positions. The Council needs to vote on any hire, regardless of how high or low the position is, and at times, is presented with a minimal amount of information on a new hire, or a promotion of an existing employee.
Money transferred in the General Fund, including $66,418 transfered for “Employee Discipline.“ There is at least one Employee Disciplinary hearing going on now involving Highway Department Employee (and former Highway Superintendent) Reuben Simmons, who is currently on both paid and unpaid leave with the City of Beacon, during a labor shortage when the City of Beacon cannot fill all of their open positions, including Summer Help. The City of Beacon’s Labor Attorney, Lance Klein with Keane and Beane, has been representing the City for years on the case against Reuben. From when Reuben was stripped of his job title of Highway Superintendent in 2018, to now where he is on paid and unpaid leave as a Maintenance Worker since January 2021. Reuben is one of the few Black (mixed-race) employees for the Highway Department. Hearings to push him out of employment, during a national labor shortage, do cost the city money.
Orange County (Newburgh, etc.) Health Department Strongly Recommends Masks For All In Public Indoor Spaces
/
The Times Herald-Record has reported that Orange County issued a public health alert on Thursday, August 12th, 2021 that all residents should wear masks indoors when in public spaces, regardless of vaccination status. This, as Sullivan County announced the following day that masks were required to be worn inside of all County buildings. Dutchess County has not issued guidance thus far. ALBB has reached out to Dutchess County today for comment (Monday August 16, 2021) and will update this article if a response comes. Orange County is across the Hudson River from Beacon, and is home to Newburgh and many other communities.
Before issuing a mask requirement, Dr. Irina Gelman, DPM, MPH, PHDc, the Commissioner of Health for Orange County, said that she is waiting to see what if anything will be done at the state level, as Kathy Hochul moves to become governor on Aug. 24 after Andrew Cuomo's formal resignation.
According to the CDC, Orange County, Sullivan County, and Dutchess County are all in “high transmission” areas, which to the CDC means a rise in Active Cases. See the CDC’s tool here. Areas in “high transmission” areas are strongly recommended by the CDC to mask up indoors in public spaces regardless of vaccination status.
Sullivan County Reinstates Required Masks In All County Buildings Regardless Of Vaccination Status
/
Announced on Friday, August 13th, and first reported by the Times Herald-Record, Sullivan County reinstated its required mask policy for all County buildings. Sullivan County Manager Joshua Potosek issued an Emergency Order reinstating the facial mask-wearing requirement for employees and visitors to all County buildings.
In a press release, County Manager Joshua explained: “This measure is designed to limit the spread of coronavirus, the Delta variant of which appears to be significantly driving up infections. Due to the limited capacity of our local health systems and our obligation to provide a safe workplace, this Order is necessary.”
Orange County issued last week a recommendation that all residents wear masks inside of public places regardless of vaccination status, as reported by the Times Herold-Record. The article reported that Orange County is waiting for the new governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, before they decide to make a recommendation on a requirement.
Dutchess County has not made an announcement yet that ALBB is aware of. Should they, this article will be updated.
The CDC Recommendation
As of July 27, 2021 until today, the CDC recommends that fully vaccinated people wear a mask when in a public indoor setting with “substantial or high transmission.” The CDC defines “substantial or high transmission” as the number of Active Cases in a county. All 3 counties - Dutchess, Sullivan and Orange - are considered “High” transmission by the CDC.
As of today 8/16/2021, the Active Case numbers for Sullivan and Dutchess Counties are as follows:
Sullivan County
143 Active Cases
Area: 997 mi²
Population: 75,116 (2019)
.0019 (active cases / population)
Dutchess County
721 Active Cases
Area: 825 mi²
Population: 294,218 (2019)
.0024 (active cases / population)
Inside Of Beacon City Schools
According to the Beacon City School District during their re-opening announcement, New York State has not provided guidance, and the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Education Department is deferring to the CDC for guidance. The Beacon City School District is requiring wearing masks for all students, staff and administrators regardless of vaccination status in indoor settings, but not outdoors. It is also providing for frequent mask breaks.
The Emergency Order takes effect at 8 a.m. this Monday, August 16 and will remain in place until further notice. It applies to everyone, whether vaccinated or not against COVID-19.
|
![](<img data-file-id="3358410" height="250" src="https://mcusercontent.com/c9f3d962a878a83b6ed54f7c7/images/4fd138e0-c965-f21f-590b-6be958064181.jpg" style="border: 0px initial ; width: 192px; height: 250px; float: right; margin: 0px;" width="192" />)
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
|
Beacon School District Releases Reopening Details; Presented By Superintendent Landahl
/
On August 12, 2021, Beacon City School District released reopening guidelines for the 2021/2022 school year, presented delivered by Superintendent Landahl. Overall, the district is following the New York Department of Health and the New York State Education Department’s guidance, who advised districts to follow the CDC school opening guidelines for the upcoming school year. Dr. Landahl opened his presentation with this observation: "New York has been an interesting state to do my profession in, as no one wants to seem to give any guidance."
“I’m a big believer in vaccines, and a huge believer in this one.”
The overall goals for the 2021/2022 school year is for a full 5 days of in-person learning with safety measures put into place to keep schools open and students healthy during the ongoing pandemic. The number one item that Dr. Landahl asked of parents was for patience, as guidelines shift and realities of implementing guidelines with young people can be challenging.
District Practices For Reopening
The biggest change from last year is that the hybrid model will be discontinued. Dr. Landahl reiterated that every level of government that is issuing guidance has prioritized in-person learning, but to be prepared to shift into Remote if a school has an exposure, or if Contact Tracing will take too long to identify individual students or staff as an alternative to closing. For students with serious health compromises, Dutchess BOCES may be offering a program, Dr. Landahl said.
Kickoff Guidelines:
5 Days In-Person Instruction/Experience. The hybrid schedule will be discontinued. No cohort groups will be made (this was when students in a class were divided into 2 groups: blue and gold).
Remote Learning will be available to all students, a school, or a classroom if there is a closure due to COVID-19.
Masks indoors will be required for all individuals, students and staff, regardless of vaccination status. The policy will be reviewed throughout the school year. All of the governing bodies recommenced wearing a mask indoors, including Beacon’s District Physician.
Masks are not required outdoors. When kids are outside for recess, lunch, etc. This guidance was released at the end of the 2020/2021 school year in the spring.
Masks are required on buses and for indoor sports, but not for outdoor sports per the outdoor mask guideline.
“Rugs are coming back!” to the elementary schools, Dr. Landahl confirmed.
Distancing will be the CDC distancing requirement of 3 feet. When distancing is not feasible, layered prevention strategies will be implemented.
Ventilation will be in all classrooms, which are outfitted with a portable HEPA filter and MERV-13 filter.
Daily health screener (the online health form to fill out) will be continued.
Cleaning protocols will be continued. Classrooms will be sanitized every night.
Vaccination opportunities will be promoted. Most drug stores are now offering free vaccines.
Positive Test Result of Child: If a whold class is out due to a positive test result with large exposure, then the whole class switches to Remote. If it is a single child pulled out resulting from Contact Tracing indicating a small or no exposure, the district is currently brainstorming this with the county. “We don’t have a Remote apparatus that a child can just slide into,” Dr. Landahl stated. He may have been referring to the Blue and Gold hybrid days, where Remote instruction was always in motion on any day for a different group.
BCSD Is Getting Guidance From New York State Governing Bodies
On advisement from the New York Department of Health and the New York State Education Department the BCSD will be following the CDC school opening guidelines for the upcoming school year. Dr. Landahl reiterated that the CDC “highly recommends a mask mandate in Dutchess County” based on community transmission, which currently is “High” and is climbing. To illustrate the spike, the number of active COVID-19 cases in June 2021 was 56 people. The number of people on August 12th, 2021 was near 700 (as of August 28, it was 878).
Masking is so important to be mandated, Dr. Landahl explained, because: “Proper masking allows us to reduce the number of staff and students who have to quarantine through contact tracing. If you are wearing a mask, you are mostly exempt from quarantining per CDC.”
Remote Learning
The current intent is full time 5 days, with preparations in place for if a school needs to be shut down for COVID-19 exposure. Last year, Contact Tracing was rigorously conducted within the district by district staff to advise affected persons to stay home, while the school could remain open.
“We are evaluating a program for remote learning at BOCES for students with a serious medical condition that prevents them from attending in-person education and creating a process that will identify those students,” Dr. Landahl said.
Vaccines In Beacon City School District
Vaccines are not mandatory for students or staff in the Beacon City School District. When asked why by a parent on the webinar Town Hall call, Dr. Landahl answered he was not aware that any district is able to require vaccinations, unless that directive comes from New York State. “All of our employees work under contracts, which have different bargaining units. If we were to go in that direction, directive would be coming from the state level.”
At this time, the percentage of teachers, staff, and students over the age of 11 who are vaccinated is unknown. BCSD was not in the habit of collecting it, as collecting it was not required by any governing body. However, Dr. Landahl is looking into ways to collect that data to make available to the public.
In terms of Dr. Landahl’s personal opinion on vaccinations, he was not shy to state it: "I'm a big believer in vaccines, and a huge believer in this one. Vaccines are working, please consider getting vaccinated!"
The district will work on holding vaccination clinics to increase the rate with students and will work with the local health department on education efforts for people who have questions. Dr. Landahl stated that he is interested in finding funding to assist with testing.
Ventilation In The Schools
The currently known transmission method of COVID-19 is primarily airborn, with less focus on surface transmission. Each classroom uses a MERV-13 filter in its air handler unit and has a portable HEPA filter. Nightly sanitation will continue.
Editor’s Note: not every classroom has an air conditioning unit, such as in South Avenue. Perhaps the pandemic or climate crisis can allocate funding for standing air conditioning units or mini-splits to help the children and teachers stay cool. Concentrating and staying hydrated is quite difficult in high temperatures.
Outdoor learning opportunities are at the schools, such as a math class on a sidewalk at South Avenue Elementary, and band class held outside at Rombout Middle School may continue. Lunches at schools were taken outside at times, weather permitted.
Health Screening In The District
While no longer recommended by New York State, Dr. Landahl said, the district will continue with using the daily health screener, which is an online form parents need to fill in an hour before school. It can make a parent extra mindfull that they are sending in a sick child when they click the box that says “sore throat” or “sneezing.” It is unclear at this time if submitting a sick screener triggers the need to get a COVID-19 test, which is burdensome on the parent for time and health insurance reasons, as tests are not free (unless you find a New York State facility), and can trigger an additional doctor appointment for a cold that would otherwise have been mild enough to forgo a doctor appointment.
The district is discontinuing the use of temperature screening before the school year. “Very few districts used it last year and there is a growing consensus that it is not an effective way to screen COVID-19,” Dr. Landahl stated. “It is not the best allocation of resources to identify [active cases of COVID-19]."
Distancing and Breakfast/Lunch
"Last year, distancing recommendations were a lot different,” Dr. Landahl said during the presentation. “That was our biggest reason for being in the hybrid model for as long as we were." Following these recommendations, he said, there was little transmission. “If [a situation] needs to be below 3 feet [of distancing], we will use other layered methods. Like filtration and staying home if you are sick.”
The CDC recommends 3 feet distancing in schools with mask wearing. This is an example of a layered approach to achieve more desirable circumstances.
As for eating breakfast and lunch, each school is preparing different lunch plans to make sure students can eat lunch and stay as distanced as possible, Dr. Landahl said. Plans include some outside eating, split lunch shifts, etc. Exact plans for this are still in development and will be developed in a school-by-school plan.
COVID-19 Testing In The District
COVID-19 testing is voluntary, and testing is recommended for staff and students as a further mitigation effort. “We are exploring different ways to accomplish this hopefully in partnership with Dutchess County,” Dr. Landahl stated, reiterating that he hoped for funding from Dutchess County.
Editor’s Note: As of August 24, 2021, Funding has since been introduced by the new Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul. COVID-19 testing is very burdensome for those with different health insurance requirements. Some health insurance companies require doctor's note (which requires an additional appointment). If COVID-19 testing is required for school, like to return to school from a sick health screen form, some health insurance companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield won't cover the test at all (which can range between $150 - $300), and defers coverage to the school district's health insurance.
Since Governor Hochul took office, new guidelines have been released, like a universal mask requirement being instituted at all schools by the Department of Health, as well as options to mandate vaccinations for school employees. Dr. Landahl will deliver an updated to this initial presentation on August 31st or September 1st.
Click here to access the slides to his August 12th presentation.
Click here to watch his August 12th presentation on YouTube.
Beacon City School District Begins Updating Parents On Thursday About Tentative Reopening Plans
/
It’s coming…the first day of school. With COVID-19 and the Delta variant, New York’s Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker issued short guidance on August 5, 2021 that the districts in New York State can make their own decisions. “With the end of the state disaster emergency on June 25, 2021, school districts are reestablished as the controlling entity for schools. Schools and school districts should develop plans to open in-person in the fall as safely as possible, and I recommend following guidance from the CDC and local health departments."
According to WKBW Buffalo, an ABC affiliate, the New York State Education Department will issue COVID-19 Guidance to schools and districts. “This is necessary in light of the continued absence of health-related school opening direction and assistance from the Governor’s Office and the State Department of Health.” The Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, has since resigned after a state investigation investigated him for allegations of sexual harassment. New York’s Lieutenant Governor, Kathy Hochul, will be stepping in.
Over the summer, prior to the Delta variant surge, New York State felt push-back over a mask debate, and rescinded its mandate on young children wearing a mask at daycares. At the time, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro issued a letter to the media on 6/4/2021 when the state rescinded their mask mandate stating: “I’m happy New York State has seen what counties have known for months: The science has repeatedly shown there is little to no transmission of the virus in school settings. Today’s announcement, though long overdue, is further evidence the COVID-19 emergency has receded, and Dutchess County continues to encourage residents to choose to get vaccinated and we take steps to get back to living our lives fully!”
It is not clear if Dr. A. K. Vaidian, MD, MPH, the Commissioner of the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health agrees that there is little to no transmission of the virus in school settings. The Beacon City School District had isolation and contact tracing procedures in place for when students, staff or administartors tested positive for the coronavirus, as a way to minimize school closures when someone did test positive.
Last August in 2020 before the vaccination was being given, Dr. Vaidain was quoted in the Poughkeepsie Journal as being appreciative of testing, isolating and contact tracing efforts. Last August, Dr. Vaidain stated: “Looking into the fall, from a public health standpoint, the schools and colleges have always been the biggest unknown," the health commissioner said, "and probably the biggest driver of community transmission if we don't have a handle on it."
Since then, many teachers and administration staff in Beacon’s district, as well as parents and some siblings of children under 12 years, have gotten vaccinated.
This year, In early July 2021, the CDC issued school guidance for the 2021/2022 school year, encouraging children to wear masks in schools, especially for those under 12 who cannot be vaccinated yet.
What Will Beacon City School District Decide To Do?
On Thursday (8/12/2021), at 7pm the Beacon City School District Superintendent, Dr. Matt Landahl, will host a Zoom Town Hall to discuss Beacon's status with school opening plans.
Dr. Landahl stated: "While we are still awaiting some guidance from the state, I think it is important to start reaching out with what we have planned already and what we are planning and to also do my best to answer questions."
The link to the meeting will be Thursday afternoon, and will be recorded and published on the District's website. Dr. Landahl is known for his clear slide presentations of the points he covers during these Town Hall meetings, and has indicated in an email to district parents that he is going to make those available again, to help everyone follow along with the District’s thinking in their guidance. "If watching one of these presentations is not your thing,” he stated, “I will include the slides and key talking points in the email I send tomorrow."
And to think, the most stressful part of this time of year used to be when the school supply list was coming out.
A Little Beacon Blog
GET THE RSS FEED:
Support for this publication comes in part from these businesses. We have highlighted what makes them special on their own dedicated pages. Want your business listed here? See the "Sponsor Spotlight" or "Event Promotion" option in our Advertising Page.
A podcast from A Little Beacon Blog.
Your hosts: Katie Hellmuth martin & Brandon Lillard.
Beacon and the Hudson Valley are filled with really talented people. Reach them now by posting a Job Listing with A Little Beacon Blog.
ALBB IS A MEDIA SPONSOR FOR:
Categories
- A Little Beacon Space
- ALBB Merch
- Activism
- Airbnb
- Art
- Artists
- Beacon
- Beacon City Schools
- Beauty
- Beauty Guide
- Behind the Scenes
- Black and Brown Community
- Books
- Business Directory
- Business in Beacon
- CSA
- City Council Meetings
- City Council Workshop Mee
- Classes
- Classified Ads
- Come In!
- Community Announcements
- Development
- Donations
- Dutchess County
- Ecology
- Environmental
- Events
- Farming
- Film & Television
- Fitness
- Food
- Fundraisers
- Galleries
- Halloween
- Happening This Weekend
- Health and Wellness
- Hiking & Biking
- History of Beacon
- Holiday
- Hudson
- Hudson River
- Hudson Valley
- Human Rights
- In The News
- Job Listing
- Kids Classes
- Kids Events
- Kingston
- LGBTQ
The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.