PANDEMIC IN THE CATSKILLS People wait to be tested for the coronavirus at a facility set up outside the entrance to the Emergency Room at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris on Thursday, Mar. 19. Manor Ink photo
Now, nothing is the same
Lethal contagion paralyzes nation, globe
By Jacob Pasquale | Manor Ink
Sullivan County, NY – Beginning at 8 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 22, New York State residents and local business were asked to change their routines for the foreseeable future. Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a mandate requiring all nonessential activity to cease statewide. Calling it action a “Pause,” the governor asked that shops providing nonessential services close and that workers and residents remain at home. His unprecedented action came as the state desperately attempts to stem the spread of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus.
The coronavirus contagion is a pandemic that originated in Wuhan, China. It has since spread to many countries, including the United States.
How can I avoid the coronavirus?
Take everyday preventive actions that are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for stemming the spread of respiratory viruses.
Avoid close contact with groups of people.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60-percent alcohol.
Feeling sick?
If you think you might have been infected with the COVID-19 virus, here’s what you should do.
First, don’t panic! Then, in order to prevent the spread of the virus, minimize social interactions, wash your hands, don’t touch your face and cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough.
If you are not ill with a fever, cough and shortness of breath, you do not need testing and will not be tested for coronavirus. Do not overwhelm already busy health workers with nonessential demands. Only individuals with these symptoms need to be tested.
Remember that 80 percent of individuals who test positive will self-resolve and get better at home without needing medical attention.
Find additional resources at the NY State Coronavirus Hotline, 888-364-4837, or online at ny.gov/coronavirus. The CDC’s website is cdc.gov/nCov.
The symptoms include a fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and in older people or people with certain medical conditions, these may result in death. Most cases of the coronavirus, about 80 percent, will be resolved without many or any symptoms and hospitalization. The main demographic at risk are people over 80 years of age and people with weakened immune systems. Even before Cuomo’s mandate, those individuals were encouraged to stay home and not go out unnecessarily.
To reduce the spread of the coronavirus, Sullivan residents are advised to wash their hands often, avoid touching their faces and cover their noses and mouths when sneezing or coughing. A person feeling sick should stay home, contact a doctor and follow instructions of medical professionals.
“We are taking the steps necessary to fulfill our obligation to protect and promote the health and welfare of all our citizens,” said County Manager Joshua Potosek.
Contagion increases daily
As of Mar. 27, there were 68 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the county. Potosek has declared a State of Emergency and has initiated a series of measures to preserve delivery of services and maintain residents’ health and welfare. County government offices are being staffed as lightly as possible, some with only one employee, so as to minimize the chances of coronavirus exposure and transmission. Offices of the County Clerk, County Treasurer and the DMV closed to the public last week, but now the entire Government Center is closed to everyone except essential workers.
“I ask the public to limit their submissions to the office to essential and time-sensitive business, if at all possible,” said County Clerk Russell Reeves. “I’m also asking that most court legal documents be e-filed, land records be e-recorded, or submitted by mail. Deeds can be dropped off in the Government Center lobby for recording. Pistol licenses and amendments will continue to be processed through the mail or the Clerk’s Office drop box.”
Gatherings of any size are prohibited for the time being, and restaurants and bars are take-out or drive-thru only, no dine-in. Nonessential businesses and venues like casinos and movie theaters are currently closed. Unnecessary travel was also banned by Gov. Cuomo on Mar. 22.
SOLD OUT The paper goods shelves at most stores were soon empty following the declaration of a state of emergency by Gov. Cuomo. Here an employee restocks shelves at Walgreens in Liberty. Manor Ink photo
All the county’s senior nutrition sites have been closed indefinitely in order to limit exposing senior citizens to the virus. Meals on Wheels deliveries will continue, however, and officials are working on further efforts to meet the nutritional needs of residents.
County officials will continue to work closely with local towns and villages, their police departments and state health authorities to address any impacts of coronavirus.
Health services respond
The Greater Hudson Valley Health System and Catskill Regional Medical Center are adhering to CDC recommendations and actively working with the state and county departments of health to ensure the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
Individuals who are experiencing symptoms and may have traveled to areas of concern, or have been in contact with somebody who has traveled to these areas, should call ahead to their health care provider before seeking treatment in person.
As with other infectious outbreaks, they and Crystal Run Healthcare are responding accordingly and have posted travel advisory signage at their entrances. They ask that anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms not visit either facility but seek medical attention at the testing sites set up for that purpose or consult their physician. Resources are limited and the county’s medical services could easily become overwhelmed.
“Catskill Regional and Grover Hermann in Callicoon have a total of 168 beds for sick patients,” said Public Health Director Nancy McGraw during a Facebook Town Hall on Thursday, Mar. 26. “Right now we have 161 persons in mandatory quarantine and 135 more people under precautionary quarantine.”
Assistance for businesses, schools
With many business shuttered or operating only remotely, and with all schools closed until April 15, life in Sullivan County has been greatly changed.
Restaurants, bars, hairdressers, gift shops and other nonessential businesses face the challenge of surviving for many weeks on limited income. Their employees, many of whom live from paycheck to paycheck, may find themselves out of work. Officials are considering various options to help the county’s commercial sector.
“We will be sending out a questionnaire to our local businesses to find out their needs,” said Potosek. “We can then match them up with funding sources. We also may provide no-interest loans.”
The county’s school districts have developed alternative instructional plans, including distance learning. They are also providing meals and offering daycare, with an emphasis on children of parents of first responders and health care workers.
Livingston Manor Central School will distribute two breakfast and lunch sandwiches to students on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Those meals will be delivered curbside by LMCS bus drivers making their regular routes. Other school districts are following suit with plans to offer meals consistent with in-school offerings.
The nonprofit organization A Single Bite and Foster Supply Hospitality have organized to supplement school efforts by feeding more than 300 people who are especially at risk for food insecurity. Family meals are being coordinated with school administrators and delivered to Livingston Manor, Roscoe and Sullivan West schools for distribution. For more information, contact your child’s school directly.
These efforts are being supported through donations to A Single Bite and a generous grant from the Rockland Relief Fund of the Livingston Manor Community Center. Additional contributions can be made to A Single Bite at asinglebite.org or to the Rockland Relief Fund at PO Box 1096, Livingston Manor, NY 12758.
County offers updates, help line for residents
Monticello, NY – In an effort to aid the most vulnerable populations, Sullivan County has opened an Emergency Community Assistance Center tomorrow, Friday, Mar. 20.
“Our Public Health Services call line has been inundated with requests for help and information, and this new Assistance Center will ensure that those who are unable to leave their homes can receive the assistance they need,” explained County Manager Joshua Potosek. “At the same time, the Center will field calls from those seeking to offer help and connect them with the right people and locations.”
INFORMING THE PUBLIC County Manager Josh Potosek explains the county’s efforts to contain the COVID-19 outbreak during a virtual Town Hall meeting on Facebook on Mar. 26. View the presentation here. Provided photo
Staff and volunteers are taking calls at 807-0925. Assistance will be prioritized to senior citizens, the physically disabled and others unable to shop for food, medicine and other necessities. Callers with health questions or other concerns should continue to dial Public Health Services’ hotline at 292-5910.
The Assistance Center operators also welcome those who are seeking to offer time, money, goods or services to people and organizations in need. Other county service updates While the Government Center in Monticello is now closed to the public, the Department of Community Services in Liberty will be providing some on-site services by appointment only for assessments and medication administration, in order to aid social distancing. Hours of operation are now Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Questions are welcomed at 292-8770.
The Sullivan County Office for the Aging has closed congregate nutrition sites that have been currently providing pick-up only meals. Those who need meals delivered are being identified and contacted. The Office itself is closed to walk-in appointments, with limited staff available to help by appointment only. Phone calls are being taken at 807-0241.
The Shopping Bus has ceased operation until further notice. Those individuals who use the bus will be contacted for other arrangements to make sure that everyone gets what they need.
“While we are always here to help, we strongly encourage people to reach out to their family, friends and neighbors to see how they can help,” said Office for the Aging Director Lise-Anne Deoul. “We want to encourage individuals that have informal supports in place to utilize them to enable those who need them most.”