Coronavirus Update, June 19, 2020
In Tompkins County the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 stands at 166 as of Friday. According to the Tompkins county health department. There are 4 more recoveries in the county, bringing the total recoveries to 162.
There are no new confirmed cases of the virus in Schuyler County as of Friday. According to health department officials all 14 people who were infected with the virus have recovered.
There are around 800 new cases of COVID-19 in New York State as of Friday, bringing the statewide total to over 386,500 according to the state department of health.
Cornell University has joined a number of other New York Universities in asking the State Government for funding after negative impacts caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The involved universities signed a letter that asked for a public hearing on the needs of students, emergency backing for students supported by Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, a rent relief fund for students, and continued funding for specific scholarships, the Ithaca Voice reports.
Cornell received 12.8 million dollars as a part of the Federal CARES act to contribute to student aid, but this money was only contributed to the spring semester, and will not support financially struggling students returning in the fall. Concern has risen over the fact that summer jobs, internships, and other income opportunities are hard to come by amid the pandemic.
Other schools who signed the letter include Ithaca College, Syracuse University, Tompkins Cortland Community College, University of Rochester, the SUNY and CUNY systems, among others.
The food pantry hosted on Tuesdays and Thursdays by Cornell, Greater Ithaca Activities Center, or GIAC, and the Food Bank of the Southern Tier will be moved from GIAC’s grounds this Tuesday, June 23 because the location is a polling place for the primary elections. According to 14850 magazine, the pantry this Tuesday will be in the parking lot of Alex Haley Pool at the corner of Albany and Esty Streets.
The pantry will be back at GIAC on Thursday, June 25. Food packages containing a three-day supply for families of four are given from 1-4 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Anyone who needs food is welcome.
Governor Cuomo announced Thursday that he is planning to issue an order that would allow the state to shut down businesses that violate COVID-19 re-opening procedure. According to the Times Union, this includes immediately revoking liquor licenses for bars and restaurants that do not abide by the rules.
In phase 3 of reopening, bars and restaurants are allowed to open, but must operate below 50% capacity, and guests from different parties will be required to stand at least six feet apart. Other businesses that do not comply with restrictions will face an immediate shutdown order. Cuomo says the state has received thousands of complaints about businesses not complying during the pandemic.
Cuomo’s actions come as states across the country who did not have the same restrictions as New York, are experiencing surges in COVID-19 numbers.
Contributing writing by WRFI News Interns Phoebe Harms, Tessie Devlin, and Jon Donville