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COVID-19: Huge Hudson Valley Gathering Prompts Health Department Warning COVID-19: Huge Hudson Valley Gathering Prompts Health Department Warning
Covid-19: Huge Hudson Valley Gathering Prompts Health Department Warning A mass religious gathering in the Hudson Valley in which thousands congregated, most without wearing masks or socially distancing, has prompted action from health officials amid the COVID-19 outbreak.  Photos circulated on social media this week that showed “thousands” attending a peaceful prayer demonstration in Orange County at a synagogue in Kiryas Joel on Sunday, Sept. 13. A tweet from Satmar Headquarters with the accompanying photos read: “Pictorial of 1st day of #Slichos with Satmar Grand Rebbe Aron in the main Shul of the Town of Palm Tree in Kiryas Joel, the newly construc…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Visitation Restrictions Relaxed At Nursing Homes, NY DOH Says COVID-19: Visitation Restrictions Relaxed At Nursing Homes, NY DOH Says
Covid-NY DOH Says New York is easing up on its nursing home visitation restrictions as the state continues to combat the spread of COVID-19. On Tuesday, Sept. 15, state health officials announced that approximately 500 of the state’s 613 nursing homes can reopen to visitors if they have not had any positive COIVD-19 cases for at least 14 days, down from the previous mandate of no cases within 28 days. The new rules come into effect on Thursday, Sept. 17 following thousands of confirmed and presumed COVID-19-related deaths in nursing homes across the state, especially at the outset of the outbreak. "We under…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
COVID-19: With Virus Still Around, Getting Flu Shot Now More Important Than Ever, Experts Say COVID-19: With Virus Still Around, Getting Flu Shot Now More Important Than Ever, Experts Say
Covid-19: With Virus Still Around, Getting Flu Shot Now More Important Than Ever, Experts Say The flu vaccine will not interfere with the body's ability to fight off COVID-19 -- in fact, according to the CDC, it is more important now than ever before to get vaccinated.  Less than 50 percent of adults got a flu vaccine in the 2017-2018 flu season, according to the CDC; an even smaller percentage of adult minorities were vaccinated that year, according to the agency.  Although social distancing is still encouraged in light of the pandemic, officials recommend making an exception to get vaccinated.  "Since hospitals and doctors' offices are going to be very busy ca…

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by Christina Coulter
News
COVID-19: Over 20 Students Suspended For Violating Safety Guidelines At NYU COVID-19: Over 20 Students Suspended For Violating Safety Guidelines At NYU
Covid-19: Over 20 Students Suspended For Violating Safety Guidelines At NYU More than  20 students have been suspended by New York University for failing to comply with COVID-19 safety guidelines. The suspensions come just days after both in-person and remote classes began on Wednesday, Sept. 2. The university did not give details on the students' suspensions, which were announced in a Twitter post. "More than 20 NYU students have been suspended so far," the post read. "Please don't be the next. Avoid parties and bars. Wear a mask. Keep your distance." The university has launched an email address for members of the NYU community to report "If you see someone…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Poll Reveals Percentage Of NYers Who Are Comfortable Going To Restaurants, Bars, Gyms COVID-19: Poll Reveals Percentage Of NYers Who Are Comfortable Going To Restaurants, Bars, Gyms
Covid-19: Poll Reveals Percentage Of NYers Who Are Comfortable Going To Restaurants, Bars, Gyms New York residents are reluctant to return to several  indoor activities, including indoor dining and going to the gym, according to a brand-new poll. The Siena College Research Institute statewide poll was conducted Thursday, Aug. 20 through Thursday, Aug. 27 by random telephone calls to 343 adults via landline and cell phones and 402 responses drawn from a proprietary panel of New Yorkers. Majorities of those polled are not comfortable dining inside restaurants (58 percent), going to the gym (70 percent), theater (73 percent), bowling alley (65 percent) or bar (72 percent)…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
COVID-19: SUNY New Paltz Students Test Positive After Pickup Basketball Games, Some Quarantined COVID-19: SUNY New Paltz Students Test Positive After Pickup Basketball Games, Some Quarantined
Covid-19: SUNY New Paltz Students Test Positive After Pickup Basketball Games, Some Quarantined Two more students have tested positive for COVID-19 following off-campus pickup basketball games among SUNY New Paltz students that's put administrators on edge and led to the quarantine of 12 students, bringing the total number of positive cases up to three.  According to the college's website, the two students tested positive for the virus this week -- and one has already recovered.  The two students were reportedly in contact with the first SUNY New Paltz COVID case, which was announced by the college on Thursday, Aug. 27.  The first student to test positive had reportedl…

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by Christina Coulter
Schools
COVID-19: Marist Dorm Quarantine Lifted After Tests Come Back Negative COVID-19: Marist Dorm Quarantine Lifted After Tests Come Back Negative
Covid-19: Marist Dorm Quarantine Lifted After Tests Come Back Negative A dormitory-wide quarantine in Marist College's Champagnat Hall, its largest housing unit, has been lifted after students' COVID tests came back negative.  The quarantine, which ended on Thursday, Aug. 27, was put in place after an off-campus student tested positive for the virus, then "came into contact with several Marist students, including residents of Champagnat Hall, at an off-campus party," according to a letter that the college sent to students. According to the college's Executive Vice President Geoff Brackett, only test results from students that were quarantined in…

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by Christina Coulter
News
COVID-19: New Restrictions Placed On NY Restaurants, Bars COVID-19: New Restrictions Placed On NY Restaurants, Bars
Covid-19: New Restrictions Placed On NY Restaurants, Bars New York has announced new restrictions for restaurants and bars that are open during the COVID-19 pandemic. The New York State Liquor Authority said that activities such as dancing, karaoke, live entertainment, comedy shows, darts, cornhole, and pool are not allowed at bars and restaurants. Live music at bars cannot be advertised, all live music must be non-ticketed events and cover charges aren't allowed. Despite the restrictions and guidance issued by state health officials and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, dozens of restaurants and bars have been found in violation, with patrons cr…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Marist College Suspends 15 Students For Violating Guidelines At Off-Campus Party COVID-19: Marist College Suspends 15 Students For Violating Guidelines At Off-Campus Party
Covid-19: Marist College Suspends 15 Students For Violating Guidelines At Off-Campus Party More than two dozen students have been suspended by Marist College in Poughkeepsie after a party in which many failed to follow COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and the college's president is threatening to close the campus if it happens again. "I would like to emphasize how strictly we’ll be enforcing our policies and the serious disciplinary consequences students will face if they don’t abide by them, including suspension and dismissal from the college," President Dennis J. Murray said in a statement to the college community. "We have already suspended 15 Marist students for not follo…

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by Joe Lombardi
Sports
COVID-19: Here's State Guidance On Reopening Gyms, Fitness Centers COVID-19: Here's State Guidance On Reopening Gyms, Fitness Centers
Covid-19: Here's State Guidance On Reopening Gyms, Fitness Centers When gyms and fitness centers in New York State reopen next week, they will have a new look due to certain COVID-19 restrictions required by the state. New York State has released guidance on how gyms and fitness centers can safely reopen as of Monday, Aug. 24 once they’ve been inspected by local officials to ensure they are in compliance with state guidelines. Original story - COVID-19: NY Gyms, Fitness Centers Given Green Light To Reopen With Certain Restrictions When gyms open, they can only do so to 33 percent of its maximum capacity, including employees and patrons, all of whom will b…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Liquor Licenses Of 38 NY Bars Suspended For Violations Of State Pandemic Guidelines COVID-19: Liquor Licenses Of 38 NY Bars Suspended For Violations Of State Pandemic Guidelines
Covid-19: Liquor Licenses Of 38 NY Bars Suspended For Violations Of State Pandemic Guidelines New York has suspended liquor licenses for 38 more downstate bars after finding what it labeled "egregious violations" of COVID-19 pandemic-related executive orders.  Thirty-seven of the establishments are in the five boroughs, and one is on Long Island: Elliot's at 23 Woodcleft Avenue in Freeport. Over the last week, the state's multi-agency task force — led by the State Police and State Liquor Authority — has conducted 6,887 compliance checks, issuing violations at 162 establishments.  Businesses found in violation of COVID-19 regulations face fines up to $10,000 per viola…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Wegmans' First Westchester Store Draws Plenty Of Customers On Opening Day Following Storm Wegmans' First Westchester Store Draws Plenty Of Customers On Opening Day Following Storm
Wegmans' First Westchester Store Draws Plenty Of Customers On Opening Day Following Storm It didn’t happen quite as planned before the COVID-19 outbreak, but Wegmans has officially opened its first supermarket in the Hudson Valley. A day after Tropical Storm Isaias wreaked havoc in the Northeast, customers flocked to the newest Wegmans location drawing a crowd even before it opened its doors for the first time in Westchester at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5 in Harrison. The market, on Corporate Park Drive near I-287, I-684, I-95 and the Hutchinson River Parkway, was originally scheduled to open earlier this year, but the grand opening ceremony was forced to be pushed due to the CO…

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by Zak Failla