Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday that the state’s COVID-19 contact tracing program will begin this month, aimed at understanding and controlling the spread of the virus in the months and years ahead. The program will operate through the next flu season, and it will be implemented in coordination with tri-state […]
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New task force is studying how and when to re-open New York schools
The state Education Department announced Wednesday that it is forming a task force of educational leaders to examine how to begin reopening public schools. However, some experts are cautioning that it’s still not safe for students or faculty. “Throughout the pandemic, we have seen many examples of how schools across […]
Cohoes incinerator found to be burning toxic chemicals, polluting nearby areas
On Monday, a report from Bennington College indicated that the Norlite Incinerator plant contaminated the city of Cohoes and surrounding areas with Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, from burning aqueous fire fighting foam, a chemical that is linked to a variety of cancers and has been produced in the United States since […]
State investigating nursing homes’ COVID-19 responses
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the State Department of Health will be working with the Attorney General’s Office to investigate nursing homes that are failing to communicate COVID-19 test results and virus-deaths to residents’ families. In addition, the governor announced a new directive requiring nursing homes to immediately report the […]
Large coalition asks Legislature to ban fracking waste in New York
On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, a coalition of 129 environmental, health and community groups issued a letter to the State Senate and Assembly requesting they close a loophole in state regulations that exempts certain oil and gas waste from being regulated as hazardous waste. Although New York has […]
Cuomo issues executive order for optional postage-paid absentee ballots
In response to New York’s continued stay-at-home order to decelerate the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order to send postage-paid absentee ballots to all registered voters as an alternative to voting at the polls in June. On Monday, the state Board of Elections made the decision […]
Publisher’s Corner: The only way to get rid of Trump is at the ballot box
I have been getting a lot of letters positing that Donald Trump is a very bad man so someone, somehow, has to do something about that. Here are a few of them: Dear Doctor: Trump is so dangerous that the 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution should be invoked. […]
Cuomo lays out a plan — with strict requirements — to reopen parts of New York
Some of New York’s regional economies could be re-opening on May 15, or soon after, if they can meet the strict requirements outlined by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday. “We want to reopen, but we want to do it without infecting more people or overwhelming the hospital system,” Cuomo said. […]