January 7, 2022 Daily Headlines
On Thursday, Cornell announced it was moving to remote learning for the first two weeks of the spring semester. According to 14850.com, the University is also expanding its move-in period and staggering move-in schedules. Cornell will require students to take a COVID test both before and after arriving on campus and is requiring all students to receive the COVID vaccine booster. Tompkins County saw a surge in COVID cases last month fueled largely by spread among college students.
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On Wednesday, the Tompkins County Health Department updated it’s COVID guidelines recommending a 5 day isolation period after either a positive test or the onset of symptoms. According to the Ithaca Voice, the department previously told residents to remain isolated for 10 days. The CDC changed it’s recommended isolation period to 5 days last week. The county says residents can leave isolation after 5 days if symptoms have either resolved or are improving. But residents should continue to wear a mask when around others for another 5 days.
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Tompkins County is distributing 4,600 COVID test kits throughout the county. Local governments will be responsible for distributing the tests within their own towns, cities, and villages. The county is prioritizing those who can’t purchase tests from local pharmacies or online. The county is also distributing 500 K-N95 masks. For more information visit the county website at Tompkinscountyny.gov/health
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Earlier this week Governor Kathy Hochul gave the State of the State address, where she named a number of policy proposals. According to the New York Times, the Governor said she would implement a $1.2 Billion tax cut for the middle class in 2023, two years earlier than planned. The governor also proposed a $25 Billion investment in building and maintaining affordable homes. Hochul proposed overhauling housing regulations allowing for bigger apartment buildings with more density. Additionally, the Governor proposed investing $4 Million in wages and bonuses for healthcare workers. The goal of this proposal is to increase the number of healthcare workers in New York state by 20 percent. On climate, Hochul proposed a $5 Million investment in the state’s offshore wind industry.