Teachers and administrators had very little time to prepare for the weeks-long closings of their schools but have been pleasantly surprised with how teaching online has gone so far. 

In the midst of the pandemic, Governor Andrew Cuomo softened election requirements; candidates now need to collect only 30 percent of the statutory threshold. Michelle Hinchey, a Democratic candidate for the state Senate’s 46th District, is challenging the petition her Democratic opponent for the nomination, Gary Greenberg, had submitted. Greenberg suggested that the challenge is emblematic of insider-versus-outsider politics.

“There are still people that feel we are overreacting,” said Steven Hanks, chief clinical officer of St. Peter’s Health Partners. “We are in support of the governor’s increase of at least 50 percent.”

ALBANY COUNTY — In the midst of his press conference on Tuesday morning, Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy got a text saying that two more COVID-19 patients had been hospitalized: both are men, aged 44 and 68.

“Take this serious, folks. Please,” he said.

These local students have been named to the dean’s list at the State University of New York College of Technology at Delhi for the fall 2019 semester, each with an academic average of 3.50 or higher:

— Douglas Ayombisa of Voorheesville;

— Kristina Belser of Altamont a graduate of C A Bouton Junior Senior High School;

These local students were named to the dean’s list or received a similar honor from their college or university for the fall 2019 semester:

— Danielle Abbruzzese of Altamont, at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island, with a grade-point average of 3.4 or higher; 

These local students have recently distinguished themselves:

— Thomas J. Cunningham of Slingerlands, in the Game Design and Development program at State University of New York at Canton, was named to Fortnite Esports Team; 

Jacqueline A. (née O’Brien) Robinson “was united with God on Thursday, March 19, 2020,” her family wrote in a tribute. She died at home with her husband of 46 years, Michael, by her side. She was 66.

“With more people working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, essential services are more vital than ever before,” says a release from Dig Safely New York. “Being home means that we are more reliant than ever on having our electricity, gas, telecom, and water services on and working.”

Area schools are closed leaving kids without structure and without an opportunity to socialize in traditional ways — potentially for months. Psychiatrist Jessica Griffin, who is an associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, speaks about potential impacts of social distancing on children and how those impacts can be mitigated.