The Peru Gazette

Source: N.Y. announces new grant funding for northern border communities | Sun Community News ALBANY | With state budget negotiations still underway April 1, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced $4.6 million in new federal grant funding available for Northern Bord

Source: City police reform plan approved | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | In the March 31 Common Council Meeting the council voted to approve the City of Plattsburgh Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative Plan after they made minor changes to some wording a

Source: If coming into New York after traveling, do you still need to quarantine? – syracuse.com

Source: By The Numbers: Biden’s $2 Trillion Infrastructure Plan | Vermont Public Radio

Source: Governor signs bill ending long-term solitary confinement | News, Sports, Jobs – Adirondack Daily Enterprise

Source: State Troopers begin deployment of body cameras | NCPR News

Source: One Year of Border Closure – Mountain Lake PBS

CVPH effort underway to promote awareness, recruit donors

PLATTSBURGH, NY (03/31/2021) — COVID-19 survivors can now help others fighting the virus by donating convalescent plasma at the Adirondack Region Blood Center, a program of the University of Vermont Health Network- Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH).

“If you give someone who is sick with COVID-19 convalescent plasma, especially in the early stages of the infection, it can help them fight the virus and recover,” explained CVPH Infectious Disease Specialist Keith Collins, MD. He added that timing plays an important part in the success of this therapy.  “A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that if it’s given within 72 hours of them getting sick with symptoms, they are about half as likely to be hospitalized.”

The physician, who has been caring for COVID-19 patients in Plattsburgh since the virus first appeared in the North Country, encourages everyone who has had COVID-19 to consider donating.  “This is a way for people to help. It is probably the best way anyone who’s had COVID-19 can help if they’re willing to at least get screened, to see if they could be a donor. It would make such a big difference,” he said.

The blood of COVID-19 survivors contains antibodies, substances that can attack the virus and help battle the disease. Antibodies are located in plasma, the liquid portion of blood, which is collected during a special donation process called apheresis.

“Anyone who has had COVID will have antibodies however, for convalescent plasma to be effective as a therapy, a certain level of antibodies must be present,” explained Dr. Collins.  Donors are screened prior to the donation process to determine the level of antibodies in their plasma.  “A good rule of thumb is that if you have been hospitalized because of COVID-19 it’s likely your plasma contains an appropriate amount of antibodies.”

In an effort to recruit donors and raise awareness about the benefits of convalescent plasma, CVPH is sharing information with COVID-survivors as they leave the hospital and includes additional information on the Adirondack Region Blood Center webpage, UVMHealth.org/GiveBlood.

Donors must also be at least 14 days COVID symptom-free or have a negative test and meet all other blood donation requirements. Anyone who is vaccinated against COVID-19 is not eligible to donate convalescent plasma at this time.

Donations take place by appointment at the Adirondack Region Blood Center, 85 Plaza Blvd. The process takes about 30 minutes to complete.  Appointments can be scheduled by calling (518) 562-7406.

Source: City & State Albany Agenda co-sponsored by the Greater New York Hospital Association

Source: Malone police reform plan sparks controversy then conversation on racism | NCPR News

Source: Regulators and Rebels pt 2: Clarence Petty’s surveys | Adirondack Explorer

Source: Vt. officials to open vaccinations to out-of-state students by April 30

Source: In A ‘Fishbowl’: Vermont Border Towns Fight Feds’ Push For Surveillance Towers | Vermont Public Radio

Kari Rios once had everything she needed: an apartment, a well-paying job, a reliable car. As a single mother, she had some long days. But those pillars of stability made her feel that nothing could stop her.  “I was on top of the world,” she recalled. Then, in early 2017, her son’s father stopped paying child support. Suddenly her nursing assistant salary was no longer enough — for the $1,249 rent, and the gas, and the heat, and the groceries. The bills piled up until the only thing that felt unstoppable

Source: Homeless Vermonters Are Having Trouble Getting Their Federal Stimulus Checks | Economy | Seven Days | Vermont’s Independent Voice

Source: Pfizer Says COVID-19 Vaccine Shows ‘100% Efficacy’ In Adolescents | NCPR News

Source: City & State Albany Agenda co-sponsored by the Greater New York Hospital Association

Source: Syracuse prosecutor Carla Freedman poised to become U.S. Attorney for Upstate region – syracuse.com

WPTZ Weather Source: First Warning Weather

Source: New York is latest state to legalize recreational marijuana

Source: Out-of-state college students in Vermont not vaccine eligible, Scott says – VTDigger