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Rockland County Under Drought Watch Rockland County Under Drought Watch
Rockland County Under Drought Watch Rockland County officials warn residents to conserve water as the county is under a drought watch. According to the Department of Health, the county is experiencing extremely dry conditions this fall, with little rain predicted in the long-term forecast.  Although no immediate concerns exist for water sources, officials said they could become stressed if these dry conditions continue over the winter months.  A drought watch is the first of four levels of state drought advisories: watch, warning, emergency, and disaster. County officials said there was above-average rainfall in t…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
New Advisory Issued To NYers For Extreme Heat, Severe Storms, Unhealthy Air: Hochul New Advisory Issued To NYers For Extreme Heat, Severe Storms, Unhealthy Air: Hochul
New Advisory Issued To NYers For Extreme Heat, Severe Storms, Unhealthy Air: Hochul New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is urging residents to stay safe and hydrated as hot, humid air rolls into much of the state ahead of severe storms predicted to bring heavy rains and flash flooding.  In an announcement on Monday, July 8, Hochul warned that above-average temperatures and high humidity would arrive in the state in the next few days. This includes "feels like temperatures" at or above 95 degrees, which can cause an increased risk of heat illnesses, Hochul's office said.  Related Report - Rounds Of Thunderstorms Expected Over Span Of Days: Here's Timing In res…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Flu Cases Up, Now Deemed 'Prevalent' By NY Health Officials Flu Cases Up, Now Deemed 'Prevalent' By NY Health Officials
Flu Cases Up, Now Deemed 'Prevalent' By NY Health Officials If you haven’t gotten your flu shot this year, now’s the time to do so. New York State Health Commissioner James McDonald declared that influenza is “now prevalent” in the state on Wednesday, Dec. 6. The declaration requires healthcare workers who have not received this year’s flu vaccine to wear masks in places like hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices. "Health care personnel who are not vaccinated against the flu this season need to take extra precautions and wear a mask in health care facilities, as they are exposed to sick patients and come into close contact with those most vulnerab…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Polio Detected In Hudson Valley Wastewater For First Time In Weeks Polio Detected In Hudson Valley Wastewater For First Time In Weeks
Polio Detected In Hudson Valley Wastewater For First Time In Weeks For the first time in weeks, polio has been detected in wastewater in New York. Testing done in December 2022 revealed two new positive samples in Orange County, the Department of Health announced Friday, Jan. 6. Related Report: NY Declares Polio State Of Emergency After Virus Found In Wastewater On Long Island Health officials said the samples are genetically linked to the case of paralytic polio that was identified in Rockland County in July 2022, which marked the first time the disease had been seen in the United States in nearly a decade. In our latest polio wastewater report, 2 …

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by Michael Mashburn
News
NY Nursing Home's $16M Fraud Scheme Led To 'Devastating' Resident Abuse, Neglect, AG Says NY Nursing Home's $16M Fraud Scheme Led To 'Devastating' Resident Abuse, Neglect, AG Says
NY Nursing Home's $16M Fraud Scheme Led To 'Devastating' Resident Abuse, Neglect, AG Says Sexual abuse, unexplained bruising, unanswered call bells, and humiliating missed trips to the bathroom. Those were just some of the horrors experienced by residents at a New York nursing home stemming from a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme, according to a lawsuit from Attorney General Letitia James. Related Report: East Meadow Nursing Home Employee Sexually Assaulted Resident, Boss Covered Up Crime, DA Says The suit, filed Tuesday, Dec. 13, alleges that the owners of Long Island’s Fulton Commons Care Center, located in East Meadow, exploited New York’s Medicaid program to enrich themsel…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
COVID-19: NY Woman Distributed Forged Vaccine Cards On Facebook, Police Say COVID-19: NY Woman Distributed Forged Vaccine Cards On Facebook, Police Say
Covid-19: NY Woman Distributed Forged Vaccine Cards On Facebook, Police Say A New York woman is facing charges after allegedly distributing phony COVID-19 vaccine cards on social media, authorities said. Albany County resident Krystal Barton, age 36, of Cohoes, was arrested following an investigation by New York State Police. Troopers were first contacted on Tuesday, Oct. 25, with a report from the state Department of Health about forged vaccine record cards that were being distributed via Facebook. Investigators determined that Barton had provided a forged COVID-19 vaccine card to a healthcare facility in Albany in order to meet employment requirements, according…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Flu Season is Already Widespread Across New York, Health Department Says Flu Season is Already Widespread Across New York, Health Department Says
Flu Season is Already Widespread Across New York, Health Department Says As cooler weather has moved in across New York state, cases of flu have already become widespread. State health officials say the pesky, and sometimes deadly, virus is rapidly ramping up with 44 counties reporting flu cases in the first weeks of October. Statewide, 596 cases of the flu have been confirmed, compared to only 150 in the same time period a year ago. The regions reporting the highest number of cases include the New York City area, the Capital Region, and central New York with 57 percent of the confirmed flu cases being reported in those regions, the state Department of Hea…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
4 Polio Samples Confirmed In New County In Region 4 Polio Samples Confirmed In New County In Region
4 Polio Samples Confirmed In New County In Region New York health officials have found polio in more wastewater samples, indicating that the virus is likely spreading. The state health department said analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the presence of polio in four samples that were collected in Sullivan County. Two of the samples were collected in July and the rest were collected in August, officials said. Earlier Report: Polio Virus Identified In Wastewater Samples Taken In Two Locations In Orange County Polio has already been found in 43 samples in Orange and Rockland counties, as well as New Y…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
COVID-19: 'No More Quarantining,' Hochul Says, Outlining New Guidelines For NY Schools COVID-19: 'No More Quarantining,' Hochul Says, Outlining New Guidelines For NY Schools
Covid-19: 'No More Quarantining,' Hochul Says, Outlining New Guidelines For NY Schools Schools across New York State will ease their COVID-19 restrictions this fall to be more in line with federal guidelines, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced. During a public health briefing in New York City Monday, Aug. 22, Hochul said the state health department will advise school districts to enact new measures that are meant to keep kids in the classroom. Earlier Report: COVID-19: CDC Announces Sweeping New Guidance, Including For Schools, Quarantines That includes ending the “test to stay” policy, which previously required that students who had close contact with COVID-19 show a negative tes…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Hudson Valley Polio Case May Be 'Tip Of Iceberg,' State Health Commissioner Warns Hudson Valley Polio Case May Be 'Tip Of Iceberg,' State Health Commissioner Warns
Hudson Valley Polio Case May Be 'Tip Of Iceberg,' State Health Commissioner Warns A polio case identified in New York may be the "tip of the iceberg," the state's health commissioner is now saying. Dr. Mary T. Bassett issued the warning after officials said wastewater samples had detected the virus in Orange County shortly after officials confirmed a case in neighboring Rockland County in late July, the first time the disease has been seen in the United States in nearly a decade. "Based on earlier polio outbreaks, New Yorkers should know that for every one case of paralytic polio observed, there may be hundreds of other people infected," Bassett said in a statement.…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Polio Found In Wastewater In NY, Health Dept. Urges Vaccinations Polio Found In Wastewater In NY, Health Dept. Urges Vaccinations
Polio Found In Wastewater In NY, Health Dept. Urges Vaccinations Health officials in New York are urging residents to get vaccinated against polio if they have not yet done so. In an update Monday, Aug.1 the Department of Health said testing done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had confirmed that the polio virus was detected in wastewater samples in Rockland County in June. Earlier Report: First Polio Case In US In Nearly A Decade Reported In Rockland County “These findings underscore the critical importance of vaccination to protect all New Yorkers and New York children against polio,” the department said in a statement. Monda…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
First Polio Case In US In Nearly A Decade Reported In Hudson Valley First Polio Case In US In Nearly A Decade Reported In Hudson Valley
First Polio Case In US In Nearly A Decade Reported In Hudson Valley State health officials have confirmed a case of polio in New York, the first time the disease has been seen in the United States in nearly a decade. The case was confirmed in Rockland County, the New York State Department of Health announced Thursday, July 21. State and county health officials said they were advising medical practitioners and healthcare providers to be on the lookout for additional cases. Today NYSDOH notified NYers of a case of polio in Rockland County, identified through sequencing at Wadsworth, confirmed by @CDCgov. Working with @rockhealth & @nychealthy, we wil…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
New Case Of Monkeypox Reported In Hudson Valley New Case Of Monkeypox Reported In Hudson Valley
New Case Of Monkeypox Reported In Hudson Valley A Hudson Valley resident has tested positive for monkeypox, bringing the number of cases in the region to five. Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announced on Wednesday, June 29 that a county resident has been diagnosed with the orthopoxvirus, better known as the monkeypox. The confirmed case is limited to one person who has not had any contact with anyone locally and poses no risk to county residents, officials said. As of Tuesday, June 28, a total of 61 confirmed cases have been identified in the state including 55 in New York C…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
COVID-19: CDC Now Recommends Wearing Masks Indoors In These 40-Plus NY Counties COVID-19: CDC Now Recommends Wearing Masks Indoors In These 40-Plus NY Counties
Covid-19: CDC Now Recommends Wearing Masks Indoors In These 40-Plus NY Counties Most New Yorkers are being advised by federal health officials to start masking up due to the most recent surge of fresh COVID-19 infections that have been plaguing all 10 of the state's regions. With the positivity rate in New York topping 10 percent, according to the most recent update from the Department of Health, and with cases on the rise, most counties in the state have been advised to return to masking up while in indoor settings under guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Earlier this year, the CDC updated its guidance on mask-wearing to concentrate on…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
New York State To Provide Resources For Families Amid Baby Formula Shortage New York State To Provide Resources For Families Amid Baby Formula Shortage
New York State To Provide Resources For Families Amid Baby Formula Shortage Many New Yorkers got an unexpected alert on their cellphones as state officials seek to assist families struggling amid the nationwide baby formula shortage. On Friday, May 13, anyone who downloaded the NY State Excelsior Pass during the COVID-19 pandemic to prove their vaccination status received an alert advising that the state is prepared to provide resources to families. Original story - Parents, Retailers Deal With National Baby Formula Shortage According to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, since the recall of certain powdered infant formula products in February, the US Food and Drug A…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees Shift In Infection Rate, Cases; Latest Breakdown By County COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees Shift In Infection Rate, Cases; Latest Breakdown By County
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Sees Shift In Infection Rate, Cases; Latest Breakdown By County The positive COVID-19 infection rate in the Hudson Valley is trending in the right direction after dropping for three straight days. In the region, over the past three days, the seven-day average percent of positive tests in the Hudson Valley dropped from 7.82 percent to 6.88 percent as of Monday, May 9, according to the latest update from the state Department of Health. Statewide, the average infection rate is also on the decline, dipping from 7.23 percent on Saturday, May 7 to 7.03 percent of those tested on May 9. Twenty-one new COVID-19-related deaths were reported in New York in the l…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: 'Rising Tide' Of NY Cases Sparking Concern, Hochul Says COVID-19: 'Rising Tide' Of NY Cases Sparking Concern, Hochul Says
Covid-19: 'Rising Tide' Of NY Cases Sparking Concern, Hochul Says Some alarm bells are sounding for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul as new COVID-19 sub-variants have been spreading around parts of the state, causing concern as the number of new infections continues to rise. Hochul said that state health officials have identified two mutated strains of the high-transmissible Omicron variant that are the main culprit behind the “rising tide” of new cases of the virus in New York. The governor noted that health experts have found no evidence that the newly emerging strains of the virus are more severe than others, just more easily transferred. According to the D…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees New Increases In Cases, Infection Rate; Breakdown By County COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees New Increases In Cases, Infection Rate; Breakdown By County
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Sees New Increases In Cases, Infection Rate; Breakdown By County The positive COVID-19 infection rate in the Hudson Valley spiked dramatically as the region and state contend with new cases of the virus rapidly spreading across the state. In the Hudson Valley, the average seven-day average positive percentage of those tested in the region has risen more than a full percentage point in three days, up from 4.32 percent on Saturday, April 16 up to 5.34 on Monday, April 18, according to the state Department of Health. Statewide, during that same span, the average positivity rate rose from 4.78 percent to 5.33 percent as the new sub-variants threaten to …

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by Zak Failla
News
Hudson Valley Sees New Increase In Positive-Test Rate; Latest Breakdown By County Hudson Valley Sees New Increase In Positive-Test Rate; Latest Breakdown By County
Hudson Valley Sees New Increase In Positive-Test Rate; Latest Breakdown By County The positive COVID-19 infection rate in the Hudson Valley continues to rise as it hit a dubious milestone amid the new wave of fresh infections being recorded. In the region, the average seven-day average positive percentage of those tested in the Hudson Valley rose from 4.26 percent on Friday, April 15 to 4.32 percent the following day, and up to 4.61 percent on Sunday, April 17. Statewide, during that same span, the average positivity rate rose from 4.78 percent to 5.12 percent as the new sub-variants threaten to spread to other parts of New York. Related story - COVID-19: First Spread …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees Spike In Cases As Infection Rate Nears 5 Percent COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees Spike In Cases As Infection Rate Nears 5 Percent
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Sees Spike In Cases As Infection Rate Nears 5 Percent The positive COVID-19 infection rate in the Hudson Valley rose slightly over the weekend as New York contends with the latest rise of new cases of the virus. The average seven-day average percentage of positive tests reported in the region rose from 4.23 percent on Friday, April 8, to 4.39 percent the following day before dipping slightly to 4.38 percent on Sunday, April 10. Statewide, the infection rate also continues to rise, from 3.73 percent to 4.17 percent over the same time span. Thirteen new virus-related deaths were reported in New York on Monday, April 11, according to the Departm…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees New Increases In Infection Rate, Cases; Latest Data By County COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees New Increases In Infection Rate, Cases; Latest Data By County
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Sees New Increases In Infection Rate, Cases; Latest Data By County With Passover and Easter on the horizon, the Hudson Valley continues to see a rise in new COVID-19 cases as the region and state both saw the infection rate climb near 4 percent after plateauing earlier in 2022. The average seven-day COVID-19 positive infection rate in the Hudson Valley rose nearly .20 points, up to 3.78 percent of those tested on Wednesday, April 6, topping the statewide average of 3.39 percent. Ten new virus-related deaths were reported in New York, according to the Department of Health, including one each in Ulster and Westchester counties. Average seven-day Infection r…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees Increases In Cases, Infection Rate; Latest Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees Increases In Cases, Infection Rate; Latest Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Sees Increases In Cases, Infection Rate; Latest Breakdown By Community The Hudson Valley continues to see a rise in new COVID-19 infections as the region and state continue to see the positive infection rate climbing after plateauing following the winter surge of the virus. In the past week, the average seven-day average COVID-19 positive infection rate in the region rose from 2.27 percent on Monday, March 21 to 2.33 percent of those tested on Monday, March 28, according to the latest update from the state Department of Health. The rise marks the fourth-straight day that Long Island has seen its infection rate climbing. Statewide, the positivity rate is also …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees Uptick In Cases; Here's Latest Data By County COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees Uptick In Cases; Here's Latest Data By County
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Sees Uptick In Cases; Here's Latest Data By County The positive COVID-19 infection rate in the Hudson Valley ticked down slightly, though the number of newly reported cases is on the rise. In the past week, the average seven-day average COVID-19 positive infection rate in the Hudson Valley rose from 2.27 percent on Monday, March 21 to 2.33 percent the following day before dropping slightly to 2.32 percent of those tested on Wednesday, March 23.  Statewide, the positivity rate is also surging, up from 1.78 percent to 2.02 percent during the same time frame. Just five new virus-related deaths were reported in New York, according to the …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees New Increases In Cases, Infection Rate; Latest Data By County COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees New Increases In Cases, Infection Rate; Latest Data By County
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Sees New Increases In Cases, Infection Rate; Latest Data By County New York continues to see a rise in new COVID-19 infections across the state, including in the Hudson Valley, which has topped the 2 percent positive infection threshold. The average seven-day average COVID-19 positive infection rate in the region has been on the rise after bottoming out earlier this month, ballooning to 2.33 percent of those tested as of Tuesday, March 22, up 2.27 the previous day. Related story - COVID-19: US Infections Expected To Rise As Subvariant Cases Triple Every Two Weeks Statewide, the positivity rate is also surging, up to 1.94 percent on March 22 after holding …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Seeing Steady Increases In Cases, Positive-Test Rate; Here's New Data COVID-19: Hudson Valley Seeing Steady Increases In Cases, Positive-Test Rate; Here's New Data
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Seeing Steady Increases In Cases, Positive-Test Rate; Here's New Data New York continues to tout improved COVID-19 numbers, though the data has been slowly getting worse in the Hudson Valley. For the third straight day, the average seven-day average COVID-19 positive infection rate has slipped in the region, up to 2.40 percent of those tested on Sunday, March 20, up from below 2.20 percent throughout the rest of the week. Related story - COVID-19: US Infections Expected To Rise As Subvariant Cases Triple Every Two Weeks Statewide, the positivity rate is also on the rise, up to 1.92 percent on March 20, up from below 1.50 percent earlier in the month. In mid…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: NY Infection Rate Stays Below 2 Percent Over Two Weeks; Latest Hudson Valley Data COVID-19: NY Infection Rate Stays Below 2 Percent Over Two Weeks; Latest Hudson Valley Data
Covid-19: NY Infection Rate Stays Below 2 Percent Over Two Weeks; Latest Hudson Valley Data New York continues to tout improved COVID-19 numbers as the state has seen its positive infection rate hold steady under 2 percent for more than two straight weeks. After spiking at around 20 percent during the post-holiday surge of new infections, on Friday, March 11, New York’s positivity rate was 1.38 percent, its lowest seven-day average rate since July 20, 2021. In mid-January, the positivity rate in New York hovered around 20 percent for several weeks as the world contended with the Omicron variant of the virus. Seventeen new virus-related deaths were reported in New York in the late…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: Masking Decision Now Up To School Districts With NY Mandate About To End COVID-19: Masking Decision Now Up To School Districts With NY Mandate About To End
Covid-19: Masking Decision Now Up To School Districts With NY Mandate About To End With the statewide mask mandate set to expire for students and staff in New York schools, the decision about whether or not to send children to class with a facial covering will now fall on parents and local school districts. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that beginning on Wednesday, March 2, the mask mandate in schools would expire, citing recent improvement in COVID-19 numbers. Earlier story - COVID-19: New York Sets Date Mask Mandate For Schools Will End According to Hochul, she and her administration made the decision “based on the analysis of several key COVID-19 data trends an…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Mask Mandate In NY To Stay In Place For Next Month Until Appeal Decision COVID-19: Mask Mandate In NY To Stay In Place For Next Month Until Appeal Decision
Covid-19: Mask Mandate In NY To Stay In Place For Next Month Until Appeal Decision The mask mandate in New York could remain in effect for several more weeks as the courts determine its legality. An appellate panel of judges ruled this week reaffirming a lower court judge who recently granted a stay in the state’s lawsuit over its COVID-19 indoor mask mandate, which has become a point of contention for some New Yorkers. Earlier story - COVID-19: Mask Mandate Back In Effect In NY After Appeals Court Judge's Ruling The stay will extend until the appeal is decided, and the panel said the state has until Wednesday, March 2 to file its appeal, though New York Gov. Kathy Hochu…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Here's Percentage NY Cases Have Dropped Since First Week Of Month COVID-19: Here's Percentage NY Cases Have Dropped Since First Week Of Month
Covid-19: Here's Percentage NY Cases Have Dropped Since First Week Of Month The COVID-19 numbers in New York continue to show marked improvement as the state distances itself from the post-holiday seasons surge of new infections. After peaking on Friday, Jan. 7, COVID-19 cases in New York have dropped 90 percent, according to the latest update from the Department of Health, which is reporting improved virus-related data across the board. In the past 24 hours, the number of COVID-19 patients being treated for the virus in state hospitals is down by more than 550, and each of New York’s 10 regions has seen its average seven-day positive infection rate drop since the …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Hochul Extends NY Indoor Mask Mandate COVID-19: Hochul Extends NY Indoor Mask Mandate
Covid-19: Hochul Extends NY Indoor Mask Mandate New York’s COVID-19 mask mandate has been extended, even as the state is in court to determine its legality in certain settings. The mandate, which had been set to expire on Tuesday, Feb. 1, has been extended through Thursday, Feb. 10, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced. Related story - COVID-19: Mask Mandate Back In Effect In NY After Appeals Court Judge's Ruling An appeals court issued a stay on Tuesday, Jan. 25 that kept the mandate in place for businesses and schools during the appeals process, and court proceedings are scheduled for Friday, Jan. 28.  
“We are g…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Uncertainty Abounds After NY Supreme Court Strikes Down Mask Mandate COVID-19: Uncertainty Abounds After NY Supreme Court Strikes Down Mask Mandate
Covid-19: Uncertainty Abounds After NY Supreme Court Strikes Down Mask Mandate A Supreme Court justice on Long Island struck down the statewide mask mandate in New York, causing mass confusion and prompting a fight from Gov. Kathy Hochul and her administration. In Nassau County, Justice Thomas Rademaker ruled that Hochul’s office had overstepped its authority with its December mask mandate that was issued through then-acting Health Commissioner Mary T. Bassett. Instead, the judge said that it was not up to the Department of Health to approve the mandate, it instead should go through the Legislature, where it is potentially less likely to pass. Rademaker said that the…

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by Zak Failla