Coronavirus Update, September 25, 2020
Looking at the local COVID-19 caseload, the latest numbers, released Friday from the Tompkins County health department, indicate that there is 1 additional positive, and 3 new recoveries. According to the County Health Department, that leaves 21 active cases of COVID-19 in Tompkins.
In Schuyler County, there is 1 new case of COVID-19 reported as of Friday, according to their Health Department. 1 active case remains.
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In other COVID news, The Ithaca Tompkins International Airport tarmac will be the site of a physically distanced workout tomorrow. Local community leaders will participate in the event to encourage viewers at home to support local nonprofits, such as the United Way of Tompkins County, the Child Development Council and the Ithaca Youth Bureau.
Tompkins Weekly reports that the virtual workout, “Moment of Movement: Giving our Youth a Flying Start”, was inspired by another airport fundraiser, the annual Runway 5K. That fundraiser had to be canceled due to the pandemic, but Airport Manager Mike Hall figured that a different event could be held on the surface of the tarmac. Planning for the event was initiated around the same time that the state gave approval for gyms and fitness centers to re-open.
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New York will be leading a clinical advisory task force independent of the federal government to review every COVID-19 vaccine that is authorized for distribution.
In his announcement, Governor Cuomo expressed his distrust of the “federal government’s opinion” amid their response to the pandemic. He added that he wouldn’t recommend that New Yorkers rely solely on the federal government’s word, noting, “the White House's dispute with the FDA raises serious questions about whether or not the vaccine has become politicized".
New York Governor Cuomo announced in a press conference yesterday that the task force group will be composed of top medical and science experts. The group is charged with evaluating both the effectiveness, and safety, in fighting the novel coronavirus.
Contributing writing by News Volunteer Esther Racoosin