Letters to the Editor - The Millerton News - 12-23-21

Ancramdale Neighbors Helping Neighbors awards vocational grants

Through a generous gift from an anonymous donor to Ancramdale Neighbors Helping Neighbors Association (ANHNA), the organization is helping two deserving students pursue their vocational goals.

ANHNA is proud to support Leslie Boice and Alyssa DeRocha in pursuing their career goals.

Leslie Boice received her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. ANHNA supported her efforts to pass the National Boards of Occupational Therapy and obtain her New York State License. She is presently using these skills with her work in the Webutuck Central School District.

Alyssa DeRocha is a half-time student at C-GCC working towards her nursing degree and license. She has a full-time job and plans on achieving her goal by the Spring of 2023.

Town of Ancram residents who wish to advance their job skills are encouraged to apply for these grants. To learn more about these grants contact Laura Ponkos at 518-329-2031 or Jane Moore at 518-339-0292.

For general information on how ANHNA can assist in potential community needs, call Jack Lindsey at 518-329-7306 or Hila Richardson at 917-414-8270.

In addition, you can reach us through email at ANHNAinfo@gmail.com. Contributions, and inquiries, can also be mailed to ANHNA, P.O. Box 97, Ancramdale, NY 12503.

Laura Ponkos

ANHNA Board member

Ancram

Amenia Town Board should endorse Gov. Hochul’s mask mandate

As of Dec. 16, the average daily rate for COVID infection in Dutchess County was 148 per 100,000 residents. That change shows a 93% increase over the last two weeks with 13 deaths, and a 15% increase in hospitalization.

Only 65% of Dutchess County residents are vaccinated.

In early December, Governor Kathy Hochul mandated all indoor venues except homes either require masks or vaccination. This statewide mandate took effect Dec. 10, and gave businesses those two separate choices, to continue through Jan. 15, 2022.

She later revoked the mandate after numerous counties, including Dutchess, refused to participate, but then reinstated it on Friday, Dec. 17, until at least Jan. 15, when she will re-evaluate conditions.

On Dec. 2, some upstate hospitals were required to end elective procedures due to an onslaught of Delta unvaccinated individuals and others with the new Omicron variant. Healthcare officials say a “perfect storm” of new COVID cases, staff shortages and filled nursing homes have created a crisis.

“COVID hospitalizations in the region have more than tripled since August when the Delta wave began to sweep through the state.” The state DOH is coordinating “with each impacted facility to ensure that National Guard deployments target each facility’s unique needs and that the additional staff is assimilated smoothly.” (NYTimes, Dec. 1.)

Until today, the last we heard from our county government was a dire alert in August. A.K. Vaidian, MD, former county health commissioner warned:

“Dutchess County has seen new COVID-19 case count rise at a dramatic pace over the past several weeks, with active case counts increasing nearly 200% since the end of July. Dutchess County is currently classified as a “High Transmission” area by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/DBCH/Docs/Public-Health-Alert-08182021.)

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said he would not enforce Gov. Hochul’s mandate, calling it “unenforceable.” Molinaro’s office said Dutchess County “does not have the public health resources necessary to enforce this public health regulation.” (Poughkeepsie Journal, Dec. 13.)

This is not leadership. It’s political pandering that is costing American lives.

Will the Amenia Town Board discuss this, publicly record its vote and support the mandate? This is necessary because of the massive misinformation about public health policy from the highest reaches of our county.

I would like the Town Board to encourage residents to get vaccinated and protect the community by explicitly supporting the mandate to wear masks at all indoor venues.

While we may not have the force, funds or backing of the county to require Amenia residents wear masks due to Molinaro’s undermining OUR COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, I do expect our town representatives to own their leadership role and publicly endorse this life-saving measure.

That leadership will influence those still wavering on vaccinations — thereby saving lives.

As a citizen and as a retired public health professional, I am asking the Amenia Town Board to make a statement in support of public health for our town and to urge individuals and businesses to get their vaccinations and wear masks indoors.

Nancy F. Mckenzie, PhD

Retired Professor, CUNY School of Public Health

Amenia