“There is no legitimate health reason,” Governor Andrew Cuomo told reporters today of the current federal request for an identification number to administer COVID-19 vaccines, calling it an attempt to extort information that could be used to deport people. “I will not do it. I wouldn’t do it when they extorted me on [the] Trusted Traveler Program, and I won’t do it now,” said Cuomo.

As COVID-19 cases continue to spike in the county, two more elderly residents have died of the disease.

“It could take one year to vaccinate the population using only a private sector network. This country can’t afford to take one year to do vaccinations,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo today of the White House plan for distributing COVID-19 vaccines.

With 53 new COVID-19 cases overnight and the highest hospitalization rate since June, county workers will be on staggered shifts and working remotely.

Albany County’s health department is having workers carry on their essential duties from home after four employees tested positive for COVID-19.

Sacrificing the safety of children for political expediency is unacceptable. Schools need both accurate guidance and adequate funding to keep our children safe.

“I’m scared as hell,” said Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy. “Thanksgiving is around the corner.”

The town of New Scotland recently clarified its employee policy with regard to COVID pay.

Albany County continues to experience an uptick in COVID-19 cases with 32 new cases reported on Saturday morning.

Two reports from the state comptroller’s office show that, while Wall Street is doing well in the midst of the pandemic — securities-industry profits grew by 82 percent in the first half of 2020 — Main Street is not.