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NY County's Mask Ban Signed Into Law; Here's Possible Sentence For Violations NY County's Mask Ban Signed Into Law; Here's Possible Sentence For Violations
NY County's Mask Ban Signed Into Law; Here's Possible Sentence For Violations It’s now against the law to cover your face in public in this New York county. On Long Island, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed the “Mask Transparency Act” into law during a ceremony held Wednesday morning, Aug. 14. It came a little more than a week after the Republican-controlled county legislature passed the act by a vote of 12-0 on Monday, Aug. 5. All seven Democrats abstained from voting. Earlier Report: Nassau County Criminalizes Mask Wearing Amid Rise In Covid-19 Cases The bill makes it a misdemeanor for anyone 16 and older to wear a face mask in public spaces in…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
NY County Criminalizes Mask Wearing Amid Bump In COVID-19 Cases NY County Criminalizes Mask Wearing Amid Bump In COVID-19 Cases
NY County Criminalizes Mask Wearing Amid Bump In Covid-19 Cases Lawmakers in a New York county approved a controversial bill criminalizing mask wearing amid a summer bump in COVID-19 cases. On Long Island, the Republican-controlled Nassau County Legislature passed the “Mask Transparency Act” by a vote of 12-0 on Monday night, Aug. 5. All seven Democrats abstained from voting. The bill makes it a misdemeanor for anyone 16 and older to wear a face mask in public spaces in the county. It also gives private businesses the right to prohibit masks on their premises. It grants exceptions for health or religious reasons, though that distinction will be determ…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Canadian Fires: Westchester Cancels Outdoor Activities, Urges Precautions As Smoke Fills Air Canadian Fires: Westchester Cancels Outdoor Activities, Urges Precautions As Smoke Fills Air
Canadian Fires: Westchester Cancels Outdoor Activities, Urges Precautions As Smoke Fills Air As smoky skies cover the Hudson Valley as a result of Canadian wildfires, Westchester government officials are canceling outdoor activities and urging residents to take measures to protect their health.  In response to the poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke making its way to the Northeast, Westchester officials are canceling all county-sponsored outdoor events on Wednesday, June 7.  Additionally, officials are also urging all organizations within the county to also cancel their outdoor events.  As a third response measure, officials are also asking all county employee…

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by Ben Crnic
News
COVID-19: Indoor Mask-Wearing Recommended In Westchester County By CDC COVID-19: Indoor Mask-Wearing Recommended In Westchester County By CDC
Covid-19: Indoor Mask-Wearing Recommended In Westchester County By CDC The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending indoor mask-wearing in 14 New York counties in its latest COVID-19 data tracker report. The CDC displays counties in orange, yellow, or green on a color-coded map shown in the image above to guide local residents and authorities: Counties shown in orange are where the CDC advises wearing masks indoors.  Counties shown in yellow are places in which those at high risk for severe disease should be cautious. In green counties, indoor masking is not necessary. As of Friday, Jan. 13, these New York counties are in the “ora…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: CDC Now Recommends Indoor Mask-Wearing In These 9 NY Counties COVID-19: CDC Now Recommends Indoor Mask-Wearing In These 9 NY Counties
Covid-19: CDC Now Recommends Indoor Mask-Wearing In These 9 NY Counties The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending indoor mask-wearing in nine New York counties in its latest COVID-19 data tracker report. The CDC displays counties in orange, yellow, or green on a color-coded map shown in the image above to guide local residents and authorities: Counties shown in orange are where the CDC advises wearing masks indoors.  Counties shown in yellow are places in which those at high risk for severe disease should be cautious. In green counties, indoor masking is not necessary. As of Friday, Dec. 9, these New York counties are in the “or…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: CDC Recommends Indoor Mask-Wearing In These 5 NY Counties COVID-19: CDC Recommends Indoor Mask-Wearing In These 5 NY Counties
Covid-19: CDC Recommends Indoor Mask-Wearing In These 5 NY Counties The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending indoor mask-wearing in five New York counties in its latest COVID-19 data tracker report. The CDC displays counties in orange, yellow, or green on a color-coded map shown in the image above to guide local residents and authorities: Counties shown in orange are where the CDC advises wearing masks indoors.  Counties shown in yellow are places in which those at high risk for severe disease should be cautious. In green counties, indoor masking is not necessary. As of Saturday, Dec. 3, these New York counties are in the “…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: CDC Recommending Indoor Mask-Wearing In These NY Counties COVID-19: CDC Recommending Indoor Mask-Wearing In These NY Counties
Covid-19: CDC Recommending Indoor Mask-Wearing In These NY Counties The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending indoor mask-wearing in four New York counties in its latest COVID-19 data tracker report. The CDC displays counties in orange, yellow, or green on a color-coded map shown in the image above to guide local residents and authorities: Counties shown in orange are where the CDC advises wearing masks indoors.  Counties shown in yellow are places in which those at high risk for severe disease should be cautious. In green counties, indoor masking is not necessary. As of Friday, Nov. 18, these New York counties are in the “o…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: CDC Now Recommending Indoor Mask-Wearing In This Hudson Valley County COVID-19: CDC Now Recommending Indoor Mask-Wearing In This Hudson Valley County
Covid-19: CDC Now Recommending Indoor Mask-Wearing In This Hudson Valley County The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending indoor mask-wearing in five New York counties in its latest COVID-19 data tracker report. The CDC displays counties in orange, yellow, or green on a color-coded map shown in the image above to guide local residents and authorities: Counties shown in orange are where the CDC advises wearing masks indoors.  Counties shown in yellow are places in which those at high risk for severe disease should be cautious. In green counties, indoor masking is not necessary. As of Friday, Nov. 4, these New York counties are in the “or…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: CDC Now Recommending Indoor Mask-Wearing In 7 NY Counties; Here's Rundown COVID-19: CDC Now Recommending Indoor Mask-Wearing In 7 NY Counties; Here's Rundown
Covid-19: CDC Now Recommending Indoor Mask-Wearing In 7 NY Counties; Here's Rundown The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending indoor mask-wearing in seven New York counties in its latest COVID-19 data tracker report. The CDC displays counties in orange, yellow, or green on a color-coded map shown in the image above to guide local residents and authorities: Counties shown in orange are where the CDC advises wearing masks indoors.  Counties shown in yellow are places in which those at high risk for severe disease should be cautious. In green counties, indoor masking is not necessary. As of Thursday, Oct. 27, these New York counties were in th…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: CDC Now Recommending Indoor Mask-Wearing In 10 NY Counties; Here's Rundown COVID-19: CDC Now Recommending Indoor Mask-Wearing In 10 NY Counties; Here's Rundown
Covid-19: CDC Now Recommending Indoor Mask-Wearing In 10 NY Counties; Here's Rundown The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now recommending mask-wearing in 10 New York counties amid an uptick in COVID-19 cases. The CDC displays counties in orange, yellow, or green on a color-coded map shown in the image above to guide local residents and authorities: Counties shown in orange are where the CDC advises wearing masks indoors.  Counties shown in yellow are places in which those at high risk for severe disease should be cautious. In green counties, indoor masking is not necessary. As of Thursday, Oct. 20, these New York counties were in the “orange” zone:…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: CDC Now Recommending Indoor Mask-Wearing In 12 NY Counties; Here's Rundown COVID-19: CDC Now Recommending Indoor Mask-Wearing In 12 NY Counties; Here's Rundown
Covid-19: CDC Now Recommending Indoor Mask-Wearing In 12 NY Counties; Here's Rundown The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now recommending mask-wearing in 12 New York counties amid an uptick in COVID-19 cases. The CDC displays counties in orange, yellow, or green on a color-coded map shown in the image above to guide local residents and authorities: Counties shown in orange are where the CDC advises wearing masks indoors.  Counties shown in yellow are places in which those at high risk for severe disease should be cautious. In green counties, indoor masking is not necessary. As of Thursday, Oct. 13, these New York counties were in the “orange” zone:…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: CDC Now Recommending Indoor Mask-Wearing In 9 NY Counties; Here's Rundown COVID-19: CDC Now Recommending Indoor Mask-Wearing In 9 NY Counties; Here's Rundown
Covid-19: CDC Now Recommending Indoor Mask-Wearing In 9 NY Counties; Here's Rundown The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending mask-wearing in some New York counties for the first time in months as a result of an uptick in COVID-19 cases. The CDC displays counties in orange, yellow, or green on a color-coded map shown in the image above to guide local residents and authorities: Counties shown in orange are where the CDC advises wearing masks indoors.  Counties shown in yellow are places in which those at high risk for severe disease should be cautious. In green counties, indoor masking is not necessary. These New York counties are in the “or…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
Americans 'Self Silencing' In Record Numbers, New Study Reveals: Here's What It Means Americans 'Self Silencing' In Record Numbers, New Study Reveals: Here's What It Means
Americans 'Self Silencing' In Record Numbers, New Study Reveals: Here's What It Means If you’ve ever found yourself hiding your true opinion just to avoid ruffling feathers, you’re not alone, according to a new study from the think tank Populace. Researchers wanted to find out how prevalent self-silencing, or preference falsification, is - defined as saying what you think others want to hear rather than what you truly believe. What they found is a tendency for people of all demographics to succumb to social pressures to have the “right” opinion when it comes to hot-button issues like abortion, mask wearing, and discussing gender identity in schools, despite their true feelin…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
COVID-19: CDC Recommends NYers Wear Masks Indoors In These Counties COVID-19: CDC Recommends NYers Wear Masks Indoors In These Counties
Covid-19: CDC Recommends NYers Wear Masks Indoors In These Counties New Yorkers are being encouraged by federal health officials to start masking back up amid the latest surge of new COVID-19 cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance on mask-wearing to concentrate on COVID hospitalizations, hospital capacity, and newly reported infections, permitting most of the state to drop the mandate. With the state reaching a seven-day average COVID-19 infection rate above 7 percent, and new cases on the rise across New York, most of the state has been advised to take precautions to help curtail the spread of the virus. The …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: New Mask Guidance Coming Soon, CDC Director Says At White House Briefing COVID-19: New Mask Guidance Coming Soon, CDC Director Says At White House Briefing
Covid-19: New Mask Guidance Coming Soon, CDC Director Says At White House Briefing The “new normal” may start to look more like the “old normal” as federal health officials are expected to loosen up COVID-19 mask mandates across the country. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced during a White House briefing on Wednesday, Feb. 16 that the agency will “soon put guidance in place” regarding mask-wearing. The announcement comes as the country continues to recover from the surge of Omicron cases that mounted over several months around the holiday season. Walensky said that the CDC will monitor certain metrics s…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Mask Off - Hochul Drops Mandate For Businesses, Schools Could Follow Soon COVID-19: Mask Off - Hochul Drops Mandate For Businesses, Schools Could Follow Soon
Covid-19: Mask Off - Hochul Drops Mandate For Businesses, Schools Could Follow Soon The indoor mask mandate is being largely lifted in New York as the state continues to recover from the January surge of new infections. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday, Feb. 9 that she is lifting the mandate requiring a mask or proof of vaccination to enter indoor places, including restaurants and bars. The move is effective as of Thursday, Feb. 10, though local counties, cities, and businesses can still opt to enforce mask-wearing at their discretion. “We are not where we were in early December,” Hochul said. “New Yorkers did the right thing to get through the winter su…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
COVID-19: Man Charged With Assault Over Altercation About Mask In Hudson Valley, Police Say COVID-19: Man Charged With Assault Over Altercation About Mask In Hudson Valley, Police Say
Covid-19: Man Charged With Assault Over Altercation About Mask In Hudson Valley, Police Say A man is facing charges after police said he punched a victim at a thruway service area during an argument about mask-wearing in the Hudson Valley.  New York State Police troopers responded to a report of a physical altercation at the Malden Service Area on I-87 in Ulster County the town of Saugerties at about 3:50 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 6. Investigators determined that a patron got into an argument with 28-year-old Angel Carrera Gomez, of South Carolina, over Carrera Gomez not wearing a mask, police said.  State Police said Carrera Gomez punched the victim in the face, w…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: CDC Cuts Isolation Time In Half For Those Not Displaying Symptoms COVID-19: CDC Cuts Isolation Time In Half For Those Not Displaying Symptoms
Covid-19: CDC Cuts Isolation Time In Half For Those Not Displaying Symptoms The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shortened the amount of time it recommends people isolate if they have contracted COVID-19 and are not experiencing symptoms. The CDC said in an announcement on Monday, Dec. 27, that based on what is currently known about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, it is reducing the recommended time for isolation from 10 days to five days for those who have tested positive and are asymptomatic.  After leaving isolation, people should wear a mask for the next five days when around others, the CDC said. Health officials said those who are …

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: These Will Be Key Signs When End To Pandemic Is Coming, CDC Director Says COVID-19: These Will Be Key Signs When End To Pandemic Is Coming, CDC Director Says
Covid-19: These Will Be Key Signs When End To Pandemic Is Coming, CDC Director Says The COVID-19 pandemic is now nearly two years old, and there's still no end in sight. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky says there are two key signs to look for down the line that are key indicators when the time comes that it does finally wind down. The first is a manageable number of hospitalizations, and the second is a significant drop in the number of daily deaths, she said in an interview with ABC News. To get there, Walensky emphasized the importance of relying on strategies that have proven to be effective, namely vaccines and mask…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
COVID-19: NY Announces New School Guidelines For Masks, Social Distancing COVID-19: NY Announces New School Guidelines For Masks, Social Distancing
Covid-19: NY Announces New School Guidelines For Masks, Social Distancing With schools ready to begin reopening, the New York State Department of Health has just laid out its guidance for mask-wearing and social distancing for students and staff. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the Public Health and Health Planning Council passed an emergency regulation and a determination was issued requiring all teachers, administrators, and other school employees to submit to weekly COVID-19 testing unless they show proof of vaccination. The emergency regulation authorizes the state Health Commissioner to require weekly testing or proof of vaccine…

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by Zak Failla
Business
COVID-19: Wegmans Announces Change In Mask Policy COVID-19: Wegmans Announces Change In Mask Policy
Covid-19: Wegmans Announces Change In Mask Policy Wegmans has announced a change to its COVID-19 masking policy after reviewing updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The company announced on Tuesday, Aug. 3, that effectively immediately, all employees are required to wear masks in its stores.  Effective immediately: After reviewing the updated guidance from the CDC & state & local health departments, we strongly encourage all customers, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask while shopping with us. All employees are now required to wear a mask in our stores. — Wegmans Food Markets…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: 12 More NY Counties Reach CDC Level Recommending Indoor Mask Use In Public Settings COVID-19: 12 More NY Counties Reach CDC Level Recommending Indoor Mask Use In Public Settings
Covid-19: 12 More NY Counties Reach CDC Level Recommending Indoor Mask Use In Public Settings The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified 12 more counties in New York state where masks should be worn indoors in public settings, according to new guidance prompted by a surge of COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant. The CDC announced last week that people should return to wearing masks indoors in areas with “substantial” and “high” COVID-19 transmission. As of Monday, Aug. 2, the list of New York state counties where vaccinated people should resume wearing masks indoors is shown in the first image above - counties in either red or orange.  Putnam, Sulli…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
COVID-19: New Poll Reveals Percentage Of Americans Who Haven't Changed Mask-Wearing Habits COVID-19: New Poll Reveals Percentage Of Americans Who Haven't Changed Mask-Wearing Habits
Covid-19: New Poll Reveals Percentage Of Americans Who Haven't Changed Mask-Wearing Habits When it comes to mask-wearing, just because you can ditch them, should you? A newly released Monmouth University poll found that since vaccines became more prevalent, public anxiety about contracting COVID-19 plummeted, though nearly half of Americans are still choosing to continue wearing facial coverings. Even with one in five adults continuing to refuse to get the shot, the new poll also found that nearly four in 10 Americans have not changed their mask-wearing habits, even with updated guidance not making non-mandatory under the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) …

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by Zak Failla
Business
Popular Area Supermarket Announces New Mask Policy Popular Area Supermarket Announces New Mask Policy
Popular Area Supermarket Announces New Mask Policy A popular supermarket is adjusting its policy on mask-wearing as the country continues its rapid recovery from the winter surge of COVID-19. In the wake of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and health departments in the tri-state area loosening the guidance on facial coverings for vaccinated people, Stew Leonard’s announced new guidelines for both customers and employees. As of Wednesday, May 19, customers can begin shopping at Stew Leonard’s locations in New York and Connecticut without a mask, though employees will continue to wear facial coverings through at least Mem…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Mask On? Mask Off? Cuomo Said State Is 'Reviewing' New CDC Guidance COVID-19: Mask On? Mask Off? Cuomo Said State Is 'Reviewing' New CDC Guidance
Covid-19: Mask On? Mask Off? Cuomo Said State Is 'Reviewing' New CDC Guidance Mask and facial covering restrictions may soon be eased up for fully vaccinated New Yorkers as the state and country recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state is independently reviewing new CDC guidance on mask-wearing for vaccinated individuals indoors. The new guidance from the federal government calls for continued mask-wearing in more crowded indoor spaces such as on mass transportation, hospitals, prisons, or homeless shelters, but eases restrictions on workplaces, schools, and similar locations. Earlier story - COVID-19: CDC Issues Brand-New Guida…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: NY Adopts New CDC Guidance On Mask Wearing COVID-19: NY Adopts New CDC Guidance On Mask Wearing
Covid-19: NY Adopts New CDC Guidance On Mask Wearing New York will be adopting the new, more flexible mask-wearing guidance that has been provided by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). The CDC announced on Tuesday, April 27 that people who are fully vaccinated - one shot of Johnson & Johnson or two doses of Pfizer or Moderna - will no longer have to wear masks while gathering in small groups outside. Earlier story - COVID-19: CDC Announces Major New Guidance On Mask Wearing During a COVID-19 briefing later that day in Johnson City, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo confirmed that the state will be following that guidance an…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
COVID-19: CDC Announces Major New Guidance On Mask Wearing COVID-19: CDC Announces Major New Guidance On Mask Wearing
Covid-19: CDC Announces Major New Guidance On Mask Wearing The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has just released major new guidance on mask-wearing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the new guidance, announced Tuesday afternoon, April 27, people who are fully vaccinated and who are outdoors no longer have to wear masks if they are gathered in small groups. Masks should still be worn at heavily attending outdoor gatherings, including concerts and sports events, where social distancing is not possible, the CDC said. It is also safe for those fully vaccinated to return to several activities inside, including attending religious ser…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: With Vaccinations Ramping Up, Should You Still Wear A Mask Outdoors? Experts Weigh In COVID-19: With Vaccinations Ramping Up, Should You Still Wear A Mask Outdoors? Experts Weigh In
Covid-19: With Vaccinations Ramping Up, Should You Still Wear A Mask Outdoors? Experts Weigh In Wearing a mask in public has been a staple during the COVID-19 pandemic. But now that more than half of US adults -- about 135 million people 18 and older -- have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, many are ready to go maskless - at least when outdoors. In order to achieve herd immunity, though, medical experts say 70 percent of Americans must be fully -- not just partially --- vaccinated. In other words, we're not quite there yet. COVID-19: Here's Number Of Americans Who've Become Infected Despite Being Vaccinated, CDC Says That means people should continue to wear masks in pu…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Positive-Test Rate Remains NY's Highest; Latest County Case Breakdown COVID-19: Hudson Valley Positive-Test Rate Remains NY's Highest; Latest County Case Breakdown
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Positive-Test Rate Remains NY's Highest; Latest County Case Breakdown There was a slight downtick in positive infection rate in the Hudson Valley for the first time in several days, but the region remains the hottest spot in New York for the virus. Hudson Valley counties were reporting a total of more than 1,000 newly confirmed COVID-19 infections on Friday, April 2, as the region continues contending with the latest spike of cases across the country. The average seven-day positive infection rate of those tested in the Hudson Valley dropped for the first time this week, modestly from 4.87 percent to 4.84 percent on Thursday, April 1. Statewide, the positive …

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: CDC Revisiting Guidance After Study Reveals New Safe Social DIstance For Students COVID-19: CDC Revisiting Guidance After Study Reveals New Safe Social DIstance For Students
Covid-19: CDC Revisiting Guidance After Study Reveals New Safe Social DIstance For Students With President Joe Biden pushing to have all students back in the classroom within his first 100 days in office, and no later than the fall, the Centers for Disease Control is evaluating its guidance on socially distancing inside schools. Currently, students are advised to stay at least six feet apart while wearing facial coverings, however, a new study found that the number could possibly be dropped to three feet of social distance while still maintaining the safety of students and staff. A study recently published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, looked at 242 school districts…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Infection Rate On Rise; New Breakdown Of Cases By County COVID-19: Hudson Valley Infection Rate On Rise; New Breakdown Of Cases By County
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Infection Rate On Rise; New Breakdown Of Cases By County The positive COVID-19 infection rate in New York is on the rise, though the Hudson Valley saw less than 1,000 new cases, according to the latest data released by the state Department of Health. According to the state Department of Health, the average seven-day COVID-19 infection rate rose in the Hudson Valley for the third straight day, up from 4.49 percent on Friday, March 12 to 4.62 percent on Sunday, March 14, the highest rate in the nation, ahead of Long Island (4.40 percent), and New York City (4.15 percent).  A total of 833 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Hudson Valley ou…

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by Zak Failla