Coronavirus Update, September 7, 2020
The number of positive COVID-19 cases in Tompkins County have increased by 34 since Thursday, according to numbers released by the County health Department. There were 12 more cases on Friday, 12 cases reported Saturday, and 10 more positives as of Sunday. 7 cases recovered over the weekend. According to the County Health Department, that leaves 88 active cases of COVID-19 in Tompkins.
In Schuyler County, there are no new cases of COVID-19, according to the most recent numbers reported Monday. According to the Schuyler Health Department, 1 active case remains.
One of the recent positives reported in Tompkins is with another employee of The Boatyard Grill in Ithaca, who may have exposed restaurant patrons to the virus last week. The Health department says the second case is tied back to the previously identified positive case reported last week. The employee may have exposed the virus to patrons at Boatyard Grill on Friday Aug 28th through September 2nd, between the hours of 4-11pm.
People who were in close contact with the employee at these times are being asked to get tested for COVID-19, and quarantine themselves for 14 days. More information on getting a COVID test locally can be found at tompkinscountyny.gov/health.
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New York State has issued guidelines for how popular agritourism businesses, such as U-Pick farms, corn mazes, and haunted houses, will operate this Fall amid the pandemic.
The Ithaca Voice reports that as long as social distancing is practiced and masks are worn, most fall activities are able to go on. For any activity there is a cap of 33 % occupancy allowed on the premises, including visitors and staff.
Businesses that offer the public to pick their own produce, apples, pumpkins and more are permitted to open - however, businesses that offer U-pick apples will now allow customers to consume or dispose of picked fruit on its property.
Since haunted houses are considered “low-risk indoor arts and entertainment” they will be allowed to open. However, they must adhere to a capacity of 25 percent or lower, and require face coverings and social distancing. Additionally, drive-through haunted houses, and corn mazes, will be allowed, though individuals must remain in their vehicles at all times aside from using the restroom.
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The Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America, or DSA, and the Tompkins County Workers' Center held a Labor Day broadcast from 1-6pm today, featuring conversations with local labor activists.
The theme for the broadcast was, "Essential Workers Deserve More than Gratitude". According to the Facebook event, the hosts hope to recognize how throughout the pandemic, the government and economy have “put hard-working, low-wage, essential workers in danger”.
The Workers' Center also presented the Awards for labor, usually announced at the annual Labor Day picnic. DSA activists also discussed how folks can get involved with the local political programs and socialist organizing groups.
The full broadcast is below. Learn more at tcworkerscenter.org and dsausa.org.
Contributing writing by WRFI News Volunteer Mark Klohmann