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Essential nonresident workers who drive into the US have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 22, the White House was expected to announce.
Truck drivers, emergency responders and government officials will be held to the same rules as those traveling across the border from Canada or Mexico for pleasure, a top official in President Biden’s administration said Tuesday.
Under the new policy, American citizens and permanent residents would still be allowed to enter the US even if they had not rolled up their sleeves, but would face additional COVID-19 tests as a both a public health precaution and disincentive to remain unvaccinated, according to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The White House delayed a vaccination requirement for essential travelers earlier this month so as to not interrupt intracontinental trade, which has continued unabated since the start of the pandemic.
– CCHD offers free COVID-19 vaccine clinics every Thursday. To register call 518-565-4848. To schedule a Pfizer or Moderna booster, visit www.clintonhealth.org/covid19vaccine.
– Local Vaccination data: https://public.tableau.com/…/viz/Covid-Draft/Dashboard. According to the North Country COVID Vaccine Dashboard 114,661 total doses of COVID-19 Vaccine were given in Clinton County as of 11/14. As of 11/14, 68% of all Clinton County residents had at least one dose of the vaccine and 65% of residents had completed their vaccine series. 77% of residents 18 years and older have received at least one dose.
Since our 11/22 update, 33 additional lab-confirmed COVID-19 positive cases have been reported. CCHD has received notification of an additional COVID-19 related death of a Clinton County resident. This death bring the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Clinton County to forty-six.
Here are links to some frequently requested data:
– A full list of Clinton County COVID-19 testing providers can be found at www.clintonhealth.org/covid19.
– CCHD offers free COVID-19 vaccine clinics every Thursday. To register call 518-565-4848. To schedule a Pfizer or Moderna booster, visit www.clintonhealth.org/covid19vaccine.
– Local Vaccination data: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/adkaco/viz/Covid-Draft/Dashboard. According to the North Country COVID Vaccine Dashboard 114,661 total doses of COVID-19 Vaccine were given in Clinton County as of 11/14. As of 11/14, 68% of all Clinton County residents had at least one dose of the vaccine and 65% of residents had completed their vaccine series. 77% of residents 18 years and older have received at least one dose.
– NYS Percentage positive results: https://forward.ny.gov/percentage-positive-results-county-dashboard. According to NYSDOH 435 people were tested in Clinton County on 11/21. As of 11/21, 7-day average % positive in Clinton County = 6.2%.
– Vaccination information: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ or http://www.clintonhealth.org/covid19vaccine/
– NYS School Report Card (providing school and college data): https://schoolcovidreportcard.health.ny.gov
– North Country Region hospitalization data: https://forward.ny.gov/daily-hospitalization-summary-region. As of 11/21, 83 individuals hospitalized (18 ICU) in the North Country Region.
Highlights of the Peru Town Board’s November 22, 2021 meeting.
This year’s Christmas Tree lighting at the Little Ausable River Park Gazebo will take place on December 10th at 7 p.m. (originally scheduled for Dec. 3rd) The Peru Fire Department will make its traditional appearance. Noting the public’s COVID concerns, the Board has not planned the traditional activities inside the Peru Community Church Fellowship Center.
A few weeks ago, Peru deposited $353,274.55 of its $706,550 in CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds. The remainder should arrive in mid-2022. The Board plans to use the money to help pay for the state-mandated wastewater treatment plant upgrades. (Supervisor Brandy McDonald said the CARES Act news was reported at a previous meeting. The Peru Gazette did not attend the October 25th meeting.)
The City of Plattsburgh loaned Peru a used large capacity sidewalk plow. If it works, Peru may purchase it.
In other actions, the Board:
Accepted Keith Dew’s resignation as a highway department employee with thanks for his long service to the town. Dew will retire effective January 17, 2022.
Approved hiring Jason Burl as a highway department temporary full-time motor equipment operator at a $19.75 hourly wage. Burl has a Class A driver’s license, meaning he will operate all the department’s trucks.
Approved a multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan. Clinton County, Peru, and nearby communities formulated a cooperative hazard reaction strategy. Federal regulations require hazard mitigation strategies to be eligible for any federal funds.
Approved a three-year snow and ice removal agreement with Clinton County. Peru plows and sands 30 miles of county highways for about $136,000 annually. The agreement includes 1%, 1.5%, and 2% price annual increases, plus extra monies if fuel prices increase.
Accepted an R R Charlebois $252,500 bid for a 2023 Model 114D Freightliner dump truck outfitted with snowplow gear. Charlebois will not deliver the vehicle for at least twelve months.
Discussed not permitting cannabis dispensaries and on-site cannabis consumption sites in the Town of Peru. Town Attorney Matt Favro will research the definition of dispensaries and on-site consumption sites. Favro said the Board might want to permit some cannabis sales while not permitting others. He said the Board should consider if it is willing to forgo potentially significant tax revenues.
Noted that NYS DOT approved reduced a speed limit on Valley View Drive. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said Valley View Drive is a small residential area leading off the Signor Road. It’s a loop with sharp turns, making it very difficult to speed.
The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. to discuss new legal issues.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik today sent a letter urging the New York State Farm Laborers Wage Board to postpone any consideration of reducing the overtime threshold for farm workers.
In the letter, Stefanik warned that the proposed consideration of lowering the overtime threshold from 60 hours per week would harm North Country farms, raise the labor costs by $264 million per year across the state, lead to higher unemployment, and cause the price of local products to increase.
“Our New York farms are in jeopardy once again as the Board reconvenes to consider lowering the overtime threshold…Sadly, many New York farms, including those who have been in business for multiple generations, would not be able to survive this change. This would also put thousands of farm laborers out of work, increasing the unemployment rate in New York and across the nation,” Stefanik wrote.
The letter was addressed to Governor Kathy Hochul, New York Farm Laborers Wage Board Chair Brenda McDuffie, New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon, and New York State Department of Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball.
“Agriculture contributes nearly $6 billion per year to the state’s economy , and we remain one of the top producing states for apples and dairy in the nation. If the overtime threshold is lowered below 60 hours per week, our state’s economy and agricultural industry will undoubtedly suffer,” Stefanik concluded.
