Update for Tuesday, April 21, 2020:

• To view today’s Virtual Town Hall with Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney and Congressman Antonio Delgado, click HERE.
• In today’s (Tuesday) press conference, Governor Cuomo announced some parts of the state would be allowed to begin offering elective surgeries again. He did specifically listed Dutchess County as one of the counties that cannot begin elective surgeries.
• He also reiterated that he would look at reopening the state on a regional basis. The areas would be reopened based on what the spread, hospitalization, and containment efforts are for the region, along with the testing capacity of the region to test and trace positive cases.
• Governor Cuomo will go to Washington, D.C. today to speak with President Trump on how to implement testing and how the federal and state governments will work together going forward.
• The State Comptroller’s office has released a “COVID-19 Financial Survival Toolkit for New Yorkers.” It can be found HERE.
• A FAQ document was released by Empire State Development regarding how Code Enforcement Officers should handle all of the changes coming down from Albany. That FAQ document can be found HERE.
• The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce is encouraging individuals to post updates about their business, regardless if the business is a member of not, onto the Member News portion of their website. If you are a member of the Chamber and want to post, click HERE. If you are not a member and want to post, click HERE.
• Dutchess Tourism has put together a video to highlight the resiliency of our community, and to promote the new #WeWillFlyAgain campaign. You can view their video and find useful resources HERE.
• Remember today is #TakeoutTuesday, so be sure to support your local restaurants by ordering a to-go or delivery meal to ensure our local restaurants can remain open! You can find a list of restaurants open for pickup or delivery HERE.

If you have any questions regarding the information in this notification or any other business related concerns and suggestions, please email Contact@DutchessBNN.com. Please do NOT contact elected officials regarding information in this email as they are currently inundated with handling the government response to this crisis. This network was created to help coordinate responses and share the burden, and we ask that you please contact us with any questions or concerns so our elected officials can focus on their task at hand. Thank you for your continued support through this time.

Watch today’s video from County Executive Marc Molinaro about getting tested for Coronavirus in Dutchess County. Over 11,000 Dutchess residents have been tested and we expect our partners in the healthcare community to test thousands more in the coming weeks.

In Dutchess County as of April 20, there have been:

-2,176 confirmed cases of COVID-19

-11,017 tests administered

-283 recoveries

www.dutchessNY.gov

Update for Monday, April 20, 2020:

• In today’s (Monday) press conference, Governor Cuomo announced there would be a minimum of 20% cut in state funding to schools, hospitals, and local government if the federal government does not provide unrestricted additional funding to the states. This number could go up to 50%.
• He also announced a new pilot program for testing methods that will be implemented in public housing in New York City. If the program is successful, it will be expanded to the rest of the state.
• Governor Cuomo also announced there were no plans to reopen schools as of right now. If a school attempts to reopen before the mandated May 15 closure, the governor said he would shut them down. A public health plan will be developed in the future that will make schools safer through social distancing and disinfecting efforts.
• A new Essential Business Guidance was released by the state yesterday. It can be found HERE. Guidance has also been issued about the reopening of golf courses and what is permitted with them open. That guidance can be found HERE.
• The state’s Department of Labor has released a fact sheet on the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. This is a program for those who cannot work because of the COVID-19 restrictions. Information on the program can be found HERE.
• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has announced a grant program for small businesses, that will give up to $5,000 per business. You must have between 3 and 20 employees, be in an economically vulnerable community, and have been financially harmed by COVID-19. You can find out more and apply for the grant HERE.
• The Small Business Development Center has created an online video for those local organizations that have been approved for and/or received a loan under the paycheck protection program. You will need to make sure that you manage those funds correctly to qualify for forgiveness. This webinar will provide you with the following information: Forgiveness terms, calculations, documentation and frequently asked questions. To learn more, click HERE. 
• Are you an essential business in need of employees? List your business and job postings HERE and email Kadiyah at klodge@dutchessonestop.org to be added to the Dutchess One Stop listing found HERE.
• The U.S. Department of Labor has compiled a number of resources for employees in a single location. The resources and additional information can be found HERE.
• Interim guidance has been issued that advises OSHA compliance officers on how to evaluate employer’s good faith efforts regarding COVID-19. That guidance can be found HERE.
• Remember tomorrow is #TakeoutTuesday, so be sure to support your local restaurants by ordering a to-go or delivery meal to ensure our local restaurants can remain open! You can find a list of restaurants open for pickup or delivery HERE.

If you have any questions regarding the information in this notification or any other business related concerns and suggestions, please email Contact@DutchessBNN.com. Please do NOT contact elected officials regarding information in this email as they are currently inundated with handling the government response to this crisis. This network was created to help coordinate responses and share the burden, and we ask that you please contact us with any questions or concerns so our elected officials can focus on their task at hand. Thank you for your continued support through this time.

If you were forwarded this email, but would like to be added to the email list, please let us know by emailing contact@DutchessBNN.com

www.dutchessNY.gov

The groceries are coming to Beacon again this Wednesday, April 22nd. There will be free boxes of groceries available for pick up for anyone experiencing financial hardship.

Pickup Locations;

*At Rombout Middle School from 10:00-11:00am

*At South Avenue Elementary school from 10:00-11:00am for pedestrians only–no car pickups please

 ​

This food is brought to you by the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley with the support of; Beacon City School District, Common Ground Farm, Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Green Teen Program, Land to Learn, City of Beacon, and Mutual Aid Beacon.​​

Thank you all!

As the weather continues to warm up, the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health (DBCH) warns that ticks are becoming more active and residents should be taking   precautions to prevent tick bites and reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases including Lyme Disease, Babesiosis, Powassan and other tick-borne diseases. Vigilance about tick bite prevention is critical as many residents are enjoying the outdoors for solitary activity, or with immediate household members, as they follow the “NYS on Pause” guidelines to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “As residents enjoy the outdoors, following the proper steps to prevent the spread of Coronavirus – household members only, social distancing and face coverings when encountering other people – it is important to also take tick prevention precautions so you can remain safe at home without the complication of tick-borne diseases. Remember, ticks don’t social distance, so check yourself to protect yourself whenever you spend time outdoors.”

To reduce the risk of contracting a tick-borne disease, residents are reminded  to take the following precautions:

• Wear light-colored clothing with a tight weave to spot ticks easily.
• Wear enclosed shoes, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck pant legs into socks or boots and shirt into pants.
• Use an EPA registered insect repellent. The EPA has an online search tool to find the right insect repellent. Keep insect repellent easily accessible near the front door, in the shed, garage, or car to make sure it gets used consistently. 
• Treat shoes, clothes and other outdoor gear with permethrin to help reduce tick bites.
• Check clothes and any exposed skin frequently for ticks while outdoors.
• Stay on cleared, well-traveled trails. Walk in the center of trails. Avoid dense woods and bushy areas. Ticks are mainly found in low-lying vegetation, therefore stay clear of leaf litter, brush and high grass whenever possible.
• Bathe or shower as soon as possible after going indoors (preferably within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks.
• Place clothes in the dryer on high heat for 30 minutes to kill any ticks lingering on the fabric. 
• Do a final, full-body tick check at the end of the day (also check children and pets) and remove ticks promptly.

Behavioral and Community Health Commissioner Dr. Anil Vaidian said, “Containment and mitigation of Coronavirus is certainly what we are focused on, but just because one disease is posing a greater threat, doesn’t mean the others stop. Enjoying the outdoors is so important for our mental well-being, particularly during these challenging times.  Taking the time for extra precautions to prevent tick bites will help protect you and your family from the stress and pain of tick-borne diseases.”

Family pets also need protection. Use veterinarian-recommended tick repellents for indoor/outdoor pets, such as an anti-tick collar. Prompt removal of any ticks that are found attached to a person or a pet decreases the risk of disease transmission. Remove attached ticks by using fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close as possible to where it is attached to the skin and pull straight out. To view a video demonstrating proper tick removal, as well as other important tick-borne disease prevention information, visit DutchessNY.gov/BeTickFree.

For more information about tick-borne diseases, including prevention resources, visit https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/DBCH/Tick-borne-Diseases.htm

The groceries are coming to Beacon again this Wednesday, April 22nd. There will be free boxes of groceries available for pick up for anyone who needs them.

Pickup Locations;

*At Rombout Middle School from 10:00-11:00am

*At South Avenue Elementary school from 10:00-11:00am for pedestrians only–no car pickups please

 ​

This food is brought to you by the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley with the support of; Beacon City School District, Common Ground Farm, Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Green Teen Program, Land to Learn, City of Beacon, and Mutual Aid Beacon

Watch today’s video from County Executive Molinaro as he shows you how to make a cloth mask (without having to sew) in just a few seconds! Effective tonight, New York State has ordered everyone (not just essential workers) to wear face coverings in public whenever social distancing is difficult.

As of April 17, 2020, in Dutchess County there have been:

-2,044 confirmed cases of COVID-19

-9,933 tests administered

-214 recoveries

www.dutchessNY.gov

1. COVID Counts:  In the county, there are 1,800 active coronavirus cases.  In Beacon, we have 97 active cases – that’s our first decline.  Hopefully we’re peaking in Beacon.  But you can’t let up – you help make everyone safer.
2. Weekend:  The weekend is upon us.  Remember, starting this evening at 8 PM, the Governor has ordered: “In public, if there’s not social distancing, you must wear a face covering.”  So, this means:
   • First and foremost, social distancing is required.  Only if that’s not happening, then a face covering is required.
   • If you’re outside alone, or only with household members, or in your own yard è you don’t need a covering.
   • But if you’re in a tight public space è you must wear face covering.
   • On MetroNorth trains, both conductors and riders will now need face coverings.  They also announced reopening the north stairs at the Beacon station – hooray.
   • On the city’s website is great new guidance from the State on social distancing and face coverings, along with dozens of FAQs on all aspects of COVID-19.
   • Always be respectful and reasonable in your interactions with others.
3. Census:  Don’t forget the census.

Beacon has really pulled together.  Thank you for all those involved in so many volunteer efforts to help others.  Thank you all for doing your part.  Keep it up. 

Our offices remain open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. We are able to accept visitors only under strict limitations. Call or email before visiting – many issues can be resolved without having to leave the safety of your home: 845-486-2555, ofa@dutchessny.gov.

Continuously-updated information relevant to Dutchess County regarding coronavirus/COVID-19 is available at www.dutchessny.gov/coronavirus.

Other topics include:

• OFA Volunteers Meet Seniors’ New Needs
• “Dutchess Responds” Continues
• Common Coronavirus Scams
• Useful Links

View or download the latest issue on DutchessNY.gov (.pdf) >>>

www.dutchessNY.gov