A pole and wires are down in the roadway at 10797 Darien Alexander Townline Road, Darien. Contractors are on scene. The roadway is temporarily closed. Darien Fire Department was called, then asked to hold in quarters. The location is between Bowen Road and Route 238.

Press release:

Chris Jacobs, the Republican nominee for New York’s 27th congressional district, is calling on Congress to add additional funding to the Paycheck Protection Program.

“The CARES Act provided small businesses with a critical $350 billion in funding, but as the COVID-19 crisis continues more small businesses will need this critical funding to ensure they can care for their employees and still be operational when this challenge is over,” Jacobs said. “I am joining Secretary Mnuchin in strongly urging Congress to add critical additional funding to the program so any small business that needs help can get it. Our Western New York economy depends on it.”

Small businesses in Western New York and around the country are currently applying for the Paycheck Protection Program to ensure they can keep employees employed and cover essential operations of their businesses.

The Paycheck Protection Program is $350 billion loan program enacted as part of the CARES Act signed by President Trump. The program, governed by the Small Business Association (SBA), provides businesses an eight-week loan of cash flow.

The loan can be forgiven if the business uses at least 75 percent of the money to cover payroll costs and the remainder is used for rent, mortgage, or utilities. For more information, click here.

Dorothy Gerhart reads Robert Frost -- "The Exposed Nest." Gerhart is a member of Batavia Players.

James Catino, a lifelong resident of Batavia, a member of the SkyCats band and the Old Hippies, is stuck in Florida during the COVID-19 pandemic. He wrote this song for the folks back home, “The Sun Will Shine Again."

As many as 300 households were stocked with free food, much of it donated by local farmers, such as Star Growers, at Northgate Church's North Campus this morning.

Dozens of volunteers from United Way, Rotary, and GLOW Women Rise, were on hand to help load supplies into the trunks of cars that drove through the distribution line.

"One of the things we’re seeing in all of this is it’s not necessarily a financial need as much as it is, people are afraid," said Todd Rapp, coordinator of emergency disaster services for The Salvation Army in Batavia. "They can’t go to Tops. they can't go to Aldis. Even though they may have the financial means, they just can’t do it, so we’re helping everyone who needs it."

Mark Logan, director of operations at Northgate, with supplies donated by community members on Monday.

Press release:

Volunteers for Animals of Batavia is getting a $15,000 grant from the Petco Foundation to support its Community Spay/Neuter Program.

The Petco Foundation investment will help to provide low-cost spay and neuter of companion cats and dogs as well as community/feral cats to all residents of Orleans and Genesee counties, regardless of income levels.

Volunteers For Animals is a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the Genesee County Animal Shelter serving Genesee County.

As of the end of 2019, Volunteers For Animals assisted in the spaying and neutering of more than 4,200 cats and dogs by providing low cost spay/neuter vouchers to residents in Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties.

It has spent more than $350,000 in funding these surgeries through donations, grants and voucher copays, and is committed to reducing the number of “unwanted” cats and dogs in our community.

For more information about obtaining a spay/neuter voucher from Volunteers For Animals, visit www.vol4animals.org, email us at info@vol4animals.org or call 716-472-8968. Vouchers will not be sold at the Shelter.

For more on the Petco Foundation, click here.

The New York State Education Department has cancelled Regents exams scheduled for June, a move applauded by the state teachers’ union.

At the state education department’s meeting on Monday, NYS Chancellor Betty Rosa announced that the tests will be waived in response to the statewide closure of schools and districts to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus.

Earlier today, the NYSED Interim Commissioner Shannon Tahoe sent a letter to superintendents and principals of public and private schools informing them of the “adjustments that NYSED will make to the examination requirements that students must ordinarily meet in order to earn diplomas, credentials, and endorsements so that the cancellation of these exams will not adversely impact students.”

Tahoe wrote that educators should “be able to continue to focus their efforts toward local school and community needs and not have to be concerned about preparing students for State assessments.”

Her sentiments were echoed by Andy Pallotta, president of the NYS United Teachers President Andy Pallotta, who released the following statement:

“This is the right decision that will allow our students and their families to first and foremost focus on being safe and healthy without having to stress about preparing for traditional end-of-year exams this June. We thank Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa, the Board and the Department for putting students first with changes to state exam requirements that still allow their hard work toward achieving a diploma to be recognized without penalizing them during this unprecedented crisis.”

For Maiya Reinhart, however, a 12th grader at Batavia High, dropping the Regents exams is a sign that her high school days by over.

"Honestly, it's kind of sad that the Regents have been cancelled," said Reinhart, who was scheduled to take a Regents in Math. "This makes me lose hope that we're going to go back to school."

Reinhart, a standout athlete with a 94 scholastic average, said she alread has the five Regents she needs to graduate so she's "all set" in that regard.

She said she plans to enroll in a junior college and play softball, with hopes of eventually getting into a four-year college in Florida.

The cancellation of Regents exams comes during a “pause” order by Gov. Andrew Cuomo – extended until April 29. In mid-March, Cuomo ordered schools to close in light of the coronavirus. Schools then went to online learning, but both teachers and students found it difficult to continue. As a result, the Board of Regents halted tests for third- through eighth-grade students last month.

Tahoe’s letter indicates that no decision has been made yet on the August Regents exams.

The text of Tahoe’s letter follows:

Modifications to Diploma Requirements for Students Impacted by the Cancellation of June 2020 Regents Examinations

Because of the cancellation of the June 2020 Regents Examinations, the Department is making certain modifications to the assessment requirements that students must meet in order to earn high school diplomas, credentials, and endorsements. These modifications apply to all students enrolled in grades 7-12 during the 2019-20 school year who were intending to participate in one or more of the June 2020 Regents Examinations.

Regents Examination Exemptions

Students who during the June 2020 examination period would take one or more Regents Examinations shall be exempted from the requirements pertaining to passing such examinations in order to be issued a diploma. In order to qualify for the exemption, students must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

• The student is currently enrolled in a course of study culminating in a Regents Examination and will have earned credit in such course of study by the end of the 2019-20 school year;

• The student is in grade 7, is enrolled in a course of study culminating in a Regents Examination and will have passed such course of study by the end of the 2019-20 school year;

• The student is currently enrolled in a course of study culminating in a Regents Examination and has failed to earn credit by the end of the school year. Such student returns for summer instruction to make up the failed course credit and is subsequently granted diploma credit in August 2020;

• The student was previously enrolled in the course of study leading to an applicable Regents Examination, has achieved course credit, and has not yet passed the associated Regents Examination but was intending to take the test in June 2020 to achieve a passing score. (See FAQ # 5 for additional information.)

Pathway Assessments

Any student preparing to take a NYSED-approved +1 Pathway Assessment in June 2020 shall be exempt from the requirements pertaining to passing an approved assessment for the purposes of meeting the diploma requirements. In order to qualify for the exemption students must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

• The student is currently enrolled in the course of study leading to the +1 Pathway Assessment and will have earned credit in such course of study by the end of the 201920 school year;

• The student was previously enrolled in the course of study leading to the +1 Pathway Assessment, has achieved the applicable course credit and has not yet passed the associated +1 Pathway Assessment but was intending to take the test in June 2020 to achieve a passing score;

• The student is currently or was previously identified as an English Language Learner whose home language is one of the languages that is tested by the NYSED-approved Languages Other Than English (LOTE) +1 Pathway Assessments (Chinese, French, Italian, Korean, or Spanish), or a student who was deemed qualified by the principal in consultation with relevant faculty, and was intending to take the LOTE +1 Assessment in June 2020 to achieve a passing score;

• Or, a student who was deemed qualified by the principal in consultation with relevant faculty in the use of American Sign Language (ASL) and was intending to take the LOTE +1 Pathway Assessment in ASL in June 2020 to achieve a passing score.

Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Locally Developed Checkpoint B Examinations

Districts and charter schools may exempt the requirement of passing the locally developed LOTE Checkpoint B examination for any student who was intending to take such examination in June 2020 in order for the student to meet the requirements for an Advanced Regents diploma provided that the student will have earned at least 3 diploma credits in the LOTE subject prior to the end of the 2019-20 school year.

Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credential and + 1 Pathway:

Any student exiting high school in June of 2020, including a student with a disability who meets the eligibility requirements for a Superintendent’s Determination of a local diploma, who is unable to complete the requirements for the CDOS Commencement Credential or the CDOS +1 pathway as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, and has demonstrated proficiency of the CDOS learning standards, may be granted a waiver from the completion of the 216 hours of Career and Technical Education (CTE) instruction and/or the 54 hours of work-based learning requirement.

With regard to students who are continuing their high school education beyond the 2019-20 school year, such students may be exempted from the requirements that were not met due to COVID-19 closures in the 2019-20 school year. Such students must fulfill any requirements scheduled or planned for completion in subsequent school years.

Students preparing to take a NYSED-approved examination leading to the CDOS commencement credential or CDOS +1 Pathway who are meeting or have met the expectations of the course of preparation for such examination may be exempted from the examination requirement for this pathway for the purpose of using the +1 Pathway to earn a Regents or local diploma.

Use of Safety Nets

All current safety net options remain in effect for all students and must be considered in the determination of which diploma type can be awarded. To determine whether general education students, English language learners, and students with disabilities are eligible to earn either a Regents or local diploma, districts and charter schools should consider an exempted examination to be a score of 65.

However, students with a disability eligible for the compensatory safety net may not use exemptions on tests to compensate for lower test scores. (See FAQ #32-33). Any student including a student with a disability who does not earn a Regents or local diploma continues to be eligible for a free appropriate public education until the end of the school year in which the student turns age 21, or until the receipt of a Regents or local high school diploma.

Mastery, Honors, Technical Endorsements, Seal of Biliteracy

Examinations from which students have been given an exemption as a result of the COVID-19 related cancellation of the June 2020 Regents Examinations shall be excluded from any calculation used for determining eligibility for an Honors or Mastery endorsement on a diploma. In the case of Honors endorsements to either a Regents Diploma or a Regents with Advanced Designation Diploma, if a student achieves a calculated average of 90 or above (without rounding) of all examinations taken applicable to their diploma type, they will attain the honors endorsement on such diploma. Any examination exempted as a result of COVID-19 related cancellation of the June 2020 examinations shall not be included in such calculation. 

In the case of a mastery in mathematics and/or science endorsement, the student must achieve an 85 or above on two Regents Examinations in mathematics and/or science, in addition to any Regents Examination for which the student was exempted in that subject. (See FAQ #26.)

In the case of the CTE Technical Endorsement, schools may exempt the student from the requirement of the three-part technical assessment for students scheduled to complete their technical studies and who have been successful in their coursework up to the point of the COVID-19 related school closures. Consideration should be given to length of program, percent of program unfinished, and whether the student has demonstrated the technical skills and knowledge to warrant such endorsement.

Please note that students shall be exempted from the three-part technical assessment requirement for the purpose of meeting the +1 pathway to a diploma; however, districts must make an individual determination of knowledge and skill attainment in granting the Technical Endorsement.

Guidance addressing how students can complete the requirements for the Seal of Biliteracy will be issued under separate cover and will include a separate set of frequently asked questions.

Recording Student Scores for the COVID-19 Exemptions

NYSED will develop and disseminate guidance on how schools/districts should record the exemptions from examination requirements in their student management systems. The Department will develop new codes for reporting “COVID-19 Exemptions” and provide further guidance. Student transcripts should not reflect an examination score for any examination for which the student is exempted.

Accountability Determinations

NYSED will not make high school accountability determinations for the 2019-20 school year based on the performance of the 2016 accountability cohort (i.e., the students who first entered grade 9 in September 2016). Instead all schools and districts will maintain in the 2020-21 school year the same accountability status that the school or district was assigned for the 2019-20 school year.

NYSED will work with the United States Department of Education to determine a methodology for meeting federal accountability requirements and making accountability determinations beginning with the 2017 accountability cohort (i.e., students who first entered grade 9 anytime between and including July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018). More information on this issue will be forthcoming.

August Regents Examinations

The Department has yet to make a decision about the August 2020 administration of Regents Examinations and will issue a separate announcement when such decision is made. However as stated previously, any student who enrolls in summer school to make up failed course credit in a course leading to a Regents Examination and is subsequently granted such credit, shall be exempt from the culminating Regents Examination.

Attached to this memorandum is a list of frequently asked questions that will be updated regularly on NYSED’s COVID-19 Information site. Any questions about the exemptions from examination requirements or the effect of such exemptions on student qualification for a diploma should be directed to emscgradreq@nysed.gov.

The Department is grateful to the dedicated educators, school staff, community members, and parents who are working so diligently to ensure that students are safe and well. Please continue to monitor NYSED’s COVID-19 Information site for additional guidance as it becomes available.

CLICK this FAQ link to learn more.

It is safe to say that the COVID-19 crisis is fostering a spirit of unity here despite mandated social distancing. One door in the city is an example.

The Batavian received two photos from the Sanfratello family on Prospect Avenue in Batavia this afternoon.

"My daughter Kyla and myself did a little something to show others we are all in this together," says Kim Sanfratello. "Thought we would share it with you. We painted it on our front door window."

From Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary:

Together (adverb): with or in proximity to another person or people

Synonyms: at one and the same time; in or by combined action or effort

Related words: concertedly, hand in glove

Genesee County COVID-19 briefing for April 7, 2020

UPDATE: There are 10 new positive cases. All 10 were in quarantine at the time the positive tests came back. There is one person hospitalized. There are a total of 44 positive tests now reported in Genesee County.

UPDATE: I had audio difficulty with the stream again today. I'm not sure why but have an idea of a couple of things to try before the next Zoom conference we try to stream to see if I can fix it. There's a point when the sound goes away. That's when I plug in my headphones in anticipation of asking questions so there will be no echo. That means my desktop mic is putting up the audio and it's not coming through the computer as it should. I thought I had found the fix for this. So there's some sound dead spots in this recording and you can hear me typing at times, etc. I'll see if the county can provide us with the recording they made.

Written briefing from Public Health:

New Cases

• As of 2 p.m. today:
  • Genesee County received 10 new positive case of COVID-19 for a total of 44 positive cases
    • Seven are under the age of 65 residing in the central part of Genesee County.
    • Three are under the age of 65 residing in the eastern part of Genesee County.
    • 10 of the positive cases were under precautionary or mandatory quarantine when they became symptomatic.
• Orleans County: 2 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 17
  • One of the positive cases is under the age of 65 and lives in the eastern part of Orleans County
  • One of the positive cases is under 65 and resides in the central part of Orleans County
  • One of the Orleans positive cases were under precautionary or mandatory quarantine when they became symptomatic.
• Contact tracing has been initiated for all new cases.  Known contacts have already been placed under mandatory quarantine and will be swabbed if indicated (if symptoms become present).
• If a person is identified as a contact, they will be notified by the County Health Department, quarantined and if warranted, swabbed if indicated. Limited information is provided to the public in compliance with HIPAA regulations and out of the respect of those impacted by this virus.
• When, and if, there is a situation where potential contact is made in a public location where contact tracing doesn’t have actual names we will send out a media announcement to help seek contacts.

Genesee Orleans County Health Departments COVID-19 Status                                                                            As of 04/07/20

County

# Positive

#Negative

Mandatory Isolation (Positive)

Mandatory Quarantine

Precautionary Quarantine

# Deaths

#Recovered

Genesee

44

291

33

38

1

1

10

Orleans

17

177

13

26

2

0

4

Total

61

468

46

64

3

1

14

Click here to view the Genesee and Orleans County online map of confirmed cases
 

OPERATIONAL UPDATES

• Our local numbers are increasing.
  As reported last week, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have been preparing for an increase in positive cases and COVID-19 activity within our communities.
  We are working diligently to conduct contact tracing among new positive cases as well as monitor symptoms for individuals who are under mandatory quarantine. The past two day’s jump in numbers is reflective of increasing community spread and the fact that many people are not practicing social distancing and following the guidance and recommendations. Staying home is one of your best defenses against contracting or transmitting COVID-19. By limiting contact with others, and practicing preventative health measures, we can continue to reduce the spread in our communities.
• Going out for essentials - recommendations.
  If you have to pick up essential items such as groceries or prescriptions, only one (1) member of the house hold should be going out. Make a list ahead of time to limit your exposure in the store. Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between you and other people. Do not bring in unessential items such as purses, phones, etc. These items can carry germs from the store and back home with you. Wash your hands frequently and use a cloth face shield to protect yourself and others from spreading the virus.
• Because COVID-19 is circulating locally, we can’t stress enough how important social distancing is and that EVERYONE needs to take this seriously and stay home! It is your social and civic responsibility to protect yourselves and others.

Businesses and Employers

• Essential Businesses must continue to comply with the guidance and directives for maintaining a clean and safe work environment issued by the New York State Department of Health and every business, even if essential, is strongly urged to maintain social distance to the extent possible.
• As an employer or business, it is your responsibility to protect your workforce and to follow and understand guidance as it pertains to COVID-19. The health and safety of your employees should be your utmost concern. Below are some things to consider:
  • Actively encourage sick employees to stay home. Develop policies that encourage sick employees to stay at home without fear of repercussions, and ensure employees are aware of these policies.  There is a lot of guidance and information available to businesses and employees in regards to coverage of wages and protections related to COVID-19
  • Provide education and training materials in an easy to understand format and in the appropriate language and literacy level for all employees, like fact sheets and posters.
  • If an employee becomes sick while at work, they should be separated from other employees, customers, and visitors and sent home immediately. Follow CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting areas the sick employee visited.
  • Have conversations with employees about their concerns. Some employees may be at higher risk for severe illness, such as older adults and those with chronic medical conditions.
• The Governor has established the New York State PAUSE Enforcement Assistance Task Force where individuals can file complaints regarding the operation of non-essential businesses or gatherings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Click here to file a complaint online. You may also call 1-833-789-0470. Businesses that are not in compliance with the Governor’s executive order may be penalized. This area continues to be problematic, we continually receive calls on both businesses and gatherings occurring. We all must ad hear to the guidance and limit these gatherings.  Continued intentional actions are placing folks in compromising situations and perpetuating the spread.
• If you believe your employer is in violation of either existing labor laws or recently issued executive orders, please contact the New York State Attorney General’s office at (212) 416-8700 or Labor.Bureau@ag.ny.gov

The Use of Cloth Face Coverings

• The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies). The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected. Recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms. Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing or proper hand washing.
   
• The cloth face cover should:
  • fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
  • be secured with ties or ear loops
  • include multiple layers of fabric
  • allow for breathing without restriction
  • be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape
     
• The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
• Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

Tips to Stop the Spread in our Communities

• Follow guidance from authorities where you live.
• If you need to shop for food or medicine at the grocery store or pharmacy, stay at least 6 feet away from others.
• Use mail-order for medications, if possible.
• Consider a grocery delivery service.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others, including when you have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store.
• Stay at least 6 feet between yourself and others, even when you wear a face covering.
• Avoid large and small gatherings in private places and public spaces.
• Children should not have in-person playdates while school is out.
• Stay connected while staying away. It is very important to stay in touch with friends and family that don’t live in your home. Call, video chat, or stay connected using social media.

Mental Health

• Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations and having to socially distance yourself from someone you love can be difficult. Below are resources that can help you connect to a professional that can help you though these challenging times:
  • Care + Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 at 585-283-5200 or text "Talk" to 741741
  • New Yorkers can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling
  • Head Space: https://www.headspace.com/covid-19

Public Health Week

• Public Health is often in the background working to educate and protect our residents and visitors who live work and plan in our communities. However, during this time of COVID-19, we are on the frontlines working collaboratively with our partners to address what is going on in our communities.
• During Public Health Week (April 6-12) we are reminded that we as a community are public health. What each of us chooses to do regarding the orders and guidance of our government leaders will impact how long we will be shut down and can impact the number of lives saved or lost. 
• We encourage you and your family to take this week to consider what truly is necessary each time you walk out your door. Can you still help an older family member while protecting them through social distancing by adding their grocery list to yours? Can you teach your children how to prepare healthy meals, keep their surroundings clean? Can you seek emotional support by phone or Facetime? Can you encourage and support your children in their studies? Can you learn about a new culture or a new language online? Can you be kind to others by respecting what they are doing is to help protect you, your family and your neighbors?
   
• We are all Public Health and as Public Health professionals we appreciate you!

Press release:

In partnership with FoodLink of Rochester, The Salvation Army of Batavia is hosting a “Pop Up” mobile pantry on Wednesday, April 8, where individuals come in their cars and are provided fresh and shelf stable items distributed by volunteers into their trunks.

It will be held 9 a.m. in the parking lot of Northgate Free Methodist Church, North Campus, 8160 Bank Street Road, Batavia. One box per household. No deliveries will be available. There are a limited number of boxes available.

Currently, Salvation Army feeding programs are seeing a 50-percent increase in participation statewide.

“The reality is much more dire here in Batavia,” said Lieutenant Rachel Moore of The Salvation Army in Batavia. “Our pantry is quickly being depleted as the demand for food has dramatically increased during the COVID-19 crisis.”

According to Lt. Moore, The Salvation Army of Batavia is currently in need of donations to sustain its food pantry including:

• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Canned meat
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Cereal
• Pasta and pasta sauce
• Rice

“With the help of the community, we can continue to fulfill our mission of 'Doing the Most Good' during this unprecedented and uncertain time,” Lt. Moore said.

(Editor's note: The free food giveaway is not residency or income based and is available to all.)

A pickup truck in the area of Circular Hill Road in Le Roy was reported at a rock pile and the driver was loading rocks into the bed of the truck. A Le Roy police officer says he found tracks from the truck, which has left the scene. The rocks are said to belong to the Town of Le Roy.

A field fire that is moving toward trees is reported in Darien at 10186 Harlow Road. Darien Fire Department is responding. The location is south of Broadway Road (Route 20).

UPDATE 2:31: Fire is out; it is advised that the field be sprayed down. Corfu Fire Department is asked to respond for mutual aid.

Jane Burk reads Dylan Thomas "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night." Burk is a member of Batavia Players.

If you would like to read a poem, please send a video of you reading a favorite poem to:   howard@tehbatavian.com

From Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer:

I hope that this message finds you and your family safe and healthy. As you may know, Governor Cuomo recently announced an Executive Order instructing local hospitals and healthcare providers to surrender ventilators in order to support patients in the New York City region.

Healthcare providers from our region are expressing their concerns about the impact this could have on our community’s ability to fight the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic moving forward.  

Jody Lomeo, president and CEO of Kaleida Health, recently said in a statement, “Hoping for no surge here or a promise of reimbursement for ventilators in the future -- at time of great uncertainty -- would be irresponsible. I cannot jeopardize our workforce and the very patients that we are responsible to care for.”

In response to the concerns raised by local providers, I joined several of my colleagues in writing to the Governor requesting that he reconsider this Order.

I am hopeful the Governor and Department of Health will listen to medical providers, who are on the front lines fighting this pandemic, and work with other states who have a surplus of supplies, to acquire critical devices.  

To be clear, there is a real and ongoing need for medical supplies in the New York City metro area, however, it should not come at the expense of other communities in the state. It has been well documented that in the days and weeks ahead cases are expected to peak in our region. Now is not the time to export critical medical devices.

Press release:

Washington, D.C. — Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Senate Committee on Aging Ranking Member Bob Casey (D-PA), Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Vice Chairman Tom Udall (D-NM), and Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-MI) today unveiled the COVID-19 “Heroes Fund.”

It is the Senate Democrats’ proposal for the provision of pandemic premium pay to reward, retain, and recruit essential workers.

Senate Democrats’ proposed “Heroes Fund” consists of two major components: a $25,000 premium pay increase for essential workers, equivalent to a raise of $13 per hour from the start of the public health emergency until Dec. 31 and a $15,000 essential worker recruitment incentive to attract and secure the workforce needed to fight the public health crisis.

Grueling Months Ahead

Essential frontline workers are the true heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic response in America.

Senate Democrats believe in providing premium pay to frontline workers during this pandemic not only to reward essential workers’ for their great personal sacrifices, but also to ensure the retention of essential workers who are working grueling hours on the frontlines of this crisis as well as the recruitment of additional workers who will be needed in the months ahead.

A Summary of Senate Democrats’ COVID-19 “Heroes Fund” proposal can be found here and below:

“Thousands of workers report to the frontlines of our nation’s pandemic response each and every day, placing themselves squarely in harm’s way to serve the needs of others,” Schumer said. “Senate Democrats’ proposed ‘Heroes Fund’ would provide premium pay to these essential workers — the doctors and nurses, grocery store workers, transit workers, and more who are central to fighting this crisis — and would establish an incentive system to retain and recruit the workforce needed for the long months to come.

"Essential frontline workers sacrifice daily for our collective health and well-being, and Senate Democrats are fully committed to supplying these heroes the financial support they deserve.”

The COVID-19 “Heroes Fund” Summary

Senate Democrats’ Proposal for Pandemic Premium Pay to Reward, Retain, & Recruit Essential Workers

Essential frontline workers are the true heroes of America’s COVID-19 pandemic response. Senate Democrats believe in providing premium pay to frontline workers during this pandemic to reward essential frontline workers, ensure the retention of essential workers who are working grueling hours on the frontlines of this crisis, and promote the recruitment of additional workers who will be needed in the months ahead.

As the Congress looks at a potential fourth COVID-19 bill, the following proposal is meant for consideration by Members of Congress, key stakeholders, and the American people. Our proposal consists of two major components:

1. A $25,000 pandemic premium pay increase for essential frontline workers, equivalent to a raise of an additional $13 per hour from the start of the public health emergency until Dec. 31.
2. A $15,000 recruitment incentive for health and home care workers and first responders to attract and secure the workforce needed to fight the public health crisis.

Structure of the Pandemic Premium Pay

To meet the goals of reward, retention, and recruitment, we propose a set dollar amount per hour with a maximum amount for the year, for a definite duration, and with an additional bonus for workers who sign up to do such essential work during this crisis.

Amount of Pay Premium -- Our proposal:

• Uses a flat-dollar amount per hour premium model in order to ensure it is clear, simple, and lifts up particularly those workers making lower wages;
• Would give each essential frontline worker $13/hour premium pay on top of regular wages for all hours worked in essential industries through the end of 2020;
• Would cap the total maximum premium pay at $25,000 for each essential frontline worker earning less than $200,000 per year and $5,000 for each essential worker earning $200,000 or more per year.

Duration of Premium -- The premium pay period:

• Must be for a specified and clear duration of time to ensure workers can rely on it for their economic security and plan for needs like additional child care.
• Should cover all hours worked by each essential frontline worker through December 31, 2020, or until the worker’s salary-based maximum premium pay is reached.

Premium Pay as a Recruitment and Retention Incentive.In order to recruit the additional health care workers, home care workers, and first responders needed over the coming months, our proposal

• Would provide a one-time $15,000 premium for signing on to do essential work.
• Would limit eligibility for this incentive premium to essential health and home care workers and first responders that are experiencing severe staffing shortages impeding the ability to provide care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Premium Pay and Worker Incentives Delivery Mechanism

Our proposal would fully federally-fund the premium pay and recruitment and retention incentive. We will continue to seek input on the specific mechanism for delivering the pay to workers, as well as the universe of “essential workers” to be covered. The new federal fund would partner with entities designated as an “eligible employer” – states, localities, tribes, and certain private sector employers – to issue the funds premium payments to eligible workers. Frontline federal employees would also be granted the new benefit of up to $25,000.

COVID-19 Heroes Fund. The new COVID-19 Heroes Fund would provide funds directly to eligible employer-partners so that they could distribute the premium payments.

• Employers in industries engaged in “essential work” would apply to the Heroes Fund for funds to be used to add line-item premium pay to employees’ or independent contractors’ paychecks. The eligible employer would track these payments, provide payroll records demonstrating premium payments, and return any unspent funds to the agency.
• No employer would be required to participate, but all would be strongly encouraged to and the program would be widely advertised.
• An entity that contracts directly with the state, locality, Tribe, or the federal government (e.g., to provide care to people with Medicare and Medicaid coverage) would be considered a private sector employer, and employees of this entity who are designated as “essential” would be eligible for premium pay. Similarly, an eligible employer is also an individual who hires someone designated as “essential” through programs established through the State (e.g., self-directed care arrangements). This would help ensure coverage of the 2.2 million home health aides, direct service providers, and personal care workers who provide services to more than 12 million Americans.
• Eligible employers would submit applications for the recruitment and retention incentive premium on a rolling basis.

Federal Workforce -- Our proposal would ensure all federal government essential frontline employees receive the same $25,000 premium pay benefit provided to other essential workers.

• Coverage should be expansive to capture all federal employees with public-facing positions. This includes Title 5 employees and employees of all other federal personnel systems (e.g., employees of the Postal Service, TSA, VA, FAA, District of Columbia, and federally-funded Indian programs.
• The benefit would be limited to frontline and public-facing positions – employees who are not teleworking from their homes.

Additional Background and Commentary

Precedents -- Disasters require exceptional flexibility in standard work schedules and assignments and often put first responders and other essential workers in dangerous situations. To ensure this critical workforce is compensated appropriately, there are precedents for funding hazard premium pay and worker incentives through a federal program.

FEMA, through the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Response and Emergency Assistance Act and the Disaster Relief Fund, is currently authorized to reimburse state, local, and tribal governments for straight-time and premium pay associated with disaster response. Extraordinary costs (such as call-back pay, night-time or weekend differential pay, and hazardous duty pay) for essential employees who are called back to duty during administrative leave to perform eligible Emergency Work are eligible for reimbursement in certain circumstances.

This authority has been used many times over the last few years to pay for personnel costs associated with enforcing curfews, facilitating evacuation routes, and restoring critical infrastructure. Past usage illustrates precedent for federal funding of critical state, local, and tribal employees performing essential response functions that keep our communities safe in times of disaster.

Essential Frontline Worker definitions -- As mentioned above, the definition of essential frontline workers for purposes of both the premium pay increase and the recruitment-retention incentive will be the subject of debate. This proposal is not meant to exclude any worker from this conversation. Rather, we hope this proposal will encourage a discussion about how large and diverse this universe of workers truly is. Our goal is to make federal, state, tribal, local and private sector essential workers that are at risk eligible for this benefit.

Retroactive Pay -- Workers who have been on the frontlines since the initial declaration of the Public Health Emergency on January 27, 2020, could receive a lump sum of backpay of $13 per hour for work before enactment. These workers would continue to receive the $13 per hour premium pay on top of regular wages moving forward, but these workers would still be subject to the maximum premium pay cap outlined above.

Additional Benefits for Essential Health and Home Care Workers and First Responders -- The employers of frontline health and home care workers and first responders should be eligible to apply for a second round of premium pay funds of up to $10,000 as those workers continue to combat the virus.

Death Benefits -- It is a deeply disturbing but unfortunate reality that some of our frontline workers are making the ultimate sacrifice to the nation through their work fighting COVID-19.  Their families rightfully deserve to receive the full amount of the premium pay as a lump sum in addition to all other forms of death benefits.

Protections from Corporate Expense Shifting -- Certain large corporations engaged in the provision of essential services and goods employ essential frontline workers who are deserving of premium pay. However, massive corporations should make investments in providing premium pay of their own accord before trying to participate in this program.

Protecting Workers and PPE -- Senate Democrats have been fighting to give essential workers the protections and equipment they need to stay safe. The CARES Act provided billions of dollars for PPE, and Democrats have pushed the Administration to appoint a czar to handle all manufacturing and distribution of critical PPE. We must do more to ensure all frontline workers have the protective gear they need to perform their jobs safely, and we need a strong emergency temporary standard to protect all workers.

When the Village of Bergen was forced to scale down its workforce due to the coronavirus, Mayor Anna Marie Barclay told administrative assistant Cortney Gale she needed a project to keep her busy.

“Little did I know I’d end up running a meal delivery program for the village and town to support our seniors who are not getting out, as well as families struggling financially through this crisis,” Barclay said. “The worst is not being able to hold my little grandsons. We are down to one person in the office and one person in each department, so it’s hard to get much accomplished.”

Barclay started looking for something to do to support the community, especially those who are vulnerable or elderly. She checked with the Bergen Methodist Church who was not able to prepare their weekly Wednesday night meals, with the social distancing mandate. She also checked with St. Brigid’s Church in Bergen and Our Lady of Mercy in Le Roy, where she learned chef Don Antinore was no longer able to prepare his Friday night fish fries.

Dawn Brinson, who cooks at the Methodist Church with volunteers Connie Fiedler and Carrie Wies, said they would be willing to prepare a meal on Monday and Wednesday for home delivery, and Antinore agreed to prepare a Friday meal with support from Father Matthew Phelan and many of their volunteers at Our Lady of Mercy. 

Barclay asked all of her staff at the village office to give her names of people they knew who might benefit from a home-delivered meal. This included seniors and families who might be out of money.

She made 70 phone calls and on March 27, Barclay, her husband, David, and village volunteers made their first delivery of 40 fish dinners. Last Friday, that number had increased to 55.

David Barclay made a spreadsheet of homes who wanted meal delivery and developed a route for each driver.

Volunteers included one lineman, one DPW employee, one water treatment plant employee and one member of the office staff. Village employees rotate their volunteer duties.

Village resident Kathy Fink also delivers meals. The Barclays drive to Le Roy to pick up the Friday meals and bring them to the volunteer drivers. 

When word spread of their mission, Leslie Hill, who does wedding flowers, donated carnations for each meal recipient. 

One day, Bob Bausch, the former Genesee County legislative chairman, volunteered to deliver a route. He lives in Bergen.

Barclay said they are taking every precaution when delivering meals. Drivers wear masks and place the meals on the recipient’s porch, or in some cases on a chair the resident has placed there. Then they ring the doorbell and go back to their vehicle. 

Barclay said they have received monetary donations from the community to help with purchase of food, and ANG Supermarket in Churchville donated 20 pounds of ground beef.

In addition to their home delivered meals, Bergen supported their community with a $500 donation from the Friends of Bergen to the North Bergen Presbyterian Church’s food pantry. Barclay said the food pantry is open on Wednesday and Saturday. 

The village also wants to bring some cheer to the children in Bergen, and on Saturday, the Easter Bunny will ride on a fire truck through the village.

Barclay said she is confident they are doing some good in this time of crisis.

“It’s great to be able to help,” she said.

Photos courtesy of Anna Marie Barclay.

Top photo: Sandy and Norm Pawlak, left, and David and Anna Marie Barclay load their vehicles with meals for seniors who are confined to their homes during this coronavirus pandemic.  

Below, Bergen Mayor Anna Marie Barclay, left, and village lineman Matt Sluberski set off to deliver meals to seniors, a service Barclay started to fill time while village operations are scaled back during the coronavirus pandemic.

Bottom, Zack Kuter, an employee of the Village of Bergen DPW, is one of the volunteers who delivers meals to seniors during the current coronavirus pandemic.

Press release:

New York Farm Bureau is requesting immediate help for farmers who are facing serious economic challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. The recently passed CARES Act provides $9.5 billion in funding for USDA, and NYFB is encouraging that funding to be used for direct payments to farms.

NYFB President David Fisher has sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to make the case for federal assistance which spells out a number of ways USDA can help a diverse range of farms in New York weather the storm that is affecting millions of small businesses. This would help offset the fact that most farms may not meet the traditional eligibility requirements for Small Business Administration programs. At a time when food security is of utmost importance, we must do everything we can to keep farmers in business during this most challenging time.

The letter from President Fisher reads in part, “While no one could have predicted the extent of this virus on the country or its food supply, the impacts have been real and unprecedented for America’s farmers, including those in New York. Not only have farmers experienced the loss of markets, dumping of products, and labor disruptions, also there remains uncertainty of when they may see any type of recovery.”

In addition to direct payments, some additional requests include:

• USDA should immediately make purchases of dairy products including but not limited to fluid milk, butter, cheeses and dry milk powders. Additional support could be provided through export assistance programs and direct commodity support.
• The creation of a voucher program for people in need through the Milk Donation Program, as authorized under the 2018 Farm Bill, to facilitate the distribution of donated milk through grocery stores and other venues since some food banks and food pantries often do not have enough cold storage to accept large quantities of highly perishable products.
• With the steep decline in purchases in the food service sector, USDA should consider developing a purchase program that would quickly provide stability to all impacted fresh produce growers through the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. 
• Provisions should be made for livestock, equine, horticulture, craft distilleries, maple producers and more who are facing closures and a significant loss of business.

Read the requests made by NYFB to assist farmers across the state and the full letter here.

Submitted photo and press release:

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many across the world requiring every qualified medical professional to assist with this crisis. Despite the negativity and disruption to daily work and routines, many acts of kindness and generosity have bonded citizens and rekindled devotion to saving lives and minimizing pain or discomfort.

This ripple effect has also made its way to Genesee Community College. In the most difficult times, Antoinette and Emmett Clancy reached out to bear wonderful news.

The Clancy's contacted Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs, Jennifer Wakefield, inspired by news stories of selfless medical professionals aiding patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They recounted one emotional story in particular, at Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey last week, when an unidentified man held up a sign to the hospital window thanking medical staff for saving his wife's life.

"And this is why we love what we do as nurses," Antoinette (née Marchese) Clancy said, "directly helping others and making their lives better."

The Clancy's have decided to award an additional 10 scholarships for the 2020/2021 academic year to support second year nursing students who have exhibited dedication and excellence in their first year of study, and promise to continue this distinction in their second year.

"Nurses are the backbone of the medical system. Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, there is no better time to recognize nurses and their role in the system," Clancy said.

"Because of the Clancy Family's generosity and love for Genesee Community College and the community in which they were raised, they recognized the need to continue assisting nursing students to complete their education," James M. Sunser, Ed.D., president of Genesee Community College said.

"The increased number of scholarships will not only help in the fight against COVID-19, but will help increase the number of skilled rural nurses in Western New York which we so desperately need."

Last fall, the Antoinette Marchese Clancy Scholarship Fund was established through a generous gift from the Clancy family and recognizes Antoinette, GCC Class of 1974.

Each year going forward, this scholarship will support several second-year GCC nursing students who are academically in the upper third of the class and have illustrated excellence in their clinical performance.

Antoinette Marchese grew up in Batavia and in 1970 graduated from Notre Dame High School where she had met her husband, Emmett Clancy. After working as a nurse's aide at St. Jerome's Hospital, she enrolled at D'Youville College, but transferred and graduated from GCC in 1974 earning the Nursing Excellence Award, an honor that is still very important to her.

The Clancy family, now residing in California, has grown to include five children and 11 grandchildren throughout their 45-year marriage.

The formal recognition reception with the Clancy's in attendance was scheduled next month on May 14. Their visit was to be a highlight of the 50th Anniversary of GCC's Nursing Program and the annual nursing graduation ceremony. The ceremony will be postponed to May 2021.

"Just as the Olympics have been postponed until 2021, so has celebrating the 50th Golden Anniversary of Genesee Community College's Antoinette Marchese Clancy School of Nursing. We will celebrate the 2020 milestone and the success of the program in May 2021," Emmett Clancy said.