Guilderland has joined neighboring municipalities in approving the burying of a cable to bring electricity from Canada to the New York City area. Several citizens and a dissenting town board member raised environmental and human-rights concerns about the megadams producing the hydropower.
“The homeless tend to be very vulnerable to COVID and that’s because there’s a good percentage of them that are older and also have pre-existing conditions — diabetes, heart problems as well as issues with substance abuse and mental health and behavioral issues,” said Albany County Department of Social Services Commissioner Michele McClave.
Albany County residents who call 518-447-7777 will be directed to services relating to health insurance, pregnancy support, domestic violence, addiction support, social services, and more. The monthly call volume has about doubled since June.
In a poll released today, half of the members of New York State United Teachers say they are reluctant or unwilling to go back to in-person instruction this fall amid ongoing concerns over the health and safety of reopening school buildings.
The “million-dollar question,” Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy said, is: “Are we going to get back to some type of normalcy and how long will it take?”
The age group with the highest number of cases, at 480, remains those between the ages 20 to 29. Albany County Health Commissioner Elizabeth Whalen said she is concerned about that age group “in terms of spread and in terms of more potential infection.”
In discussing its goals, as ideas popped liked fireworks, the Guilderland School Board focused on social justice. The board plans to formalize its goals at its Aug. 11 meeting.
Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy revealed that an antibody test showed he had had COVID-19 in December or January when he was traveling out-of-state. He added, “It doesn’t mean I can’t get it again … so I am cautious.”
School leaders planning reopening are “repurposing” resources as they face added expenses to keep students and staff safe from COVID-19. At the same time, Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy is urging residents to show support for the Democratic federal stimulus plan that includes funds for state and local governments.