Upstate regions struggle to meet testing benchmark for COVID reopening By Luke Perry
Governor Cuomo recently signed an executive order extending the state of emergency in New York until June 6. This grants the governor authority to extend New York State on Pause, which is set to expire on May 15. The state has developed a four phase reopening plan whereby regions that meet benchmarks can progress through the phases.
Five regions are considered lower risk and will potentially begin to reopen next week: Mohawk Valley, Central New York, Southern Tier, North Country, and The Finger Lakes.
The Mohawk Valley and Central New York recently released a Restart Flow Chart that depicts the organizational dynamics surrounding their reopening plans.
Photo from WKTV
The Mohawk Valley and Central New York meet most benchmarks, but fall short on testing. New York requires each region “to have the capacity to conduct 30 diagnostic tests for every 1,000 residents per month.” Governor Cuomo said “the state is rapidly expanding capacity statewide to help all regions meet this threshold.”
New York has tested more people than any other state, but this has been concentrated downstate. Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente told Talk of the Town (WUTQ in Utica) that upstate counties are “not going to be able to match that number so we got to have more dialogue with the state and flexibility there.”
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said “we have or will have met all of the seven guidelines put forth by the state for restart” by May 15. McMahon added “I believe that we have now when you look at our testing data over the last 7 days.”
So far, just New York City and Mid-Hudson Valley have met the testing benchmark.
“The most telling thing, especially for Upstate,” Picente said, “and you saw it in our numbers, is the facility breakdown and the issue of closeness and congestion within a facility.” Green Empire Farms in Madison County recently became the biggest coronavirus cluster in Upstate New York.
The 32 acre farm is enclosed in a greenhouse. Half of the 340 workers tested positive. Many are migrant workers who live nearby in close quarters. Facility challenges “need to be handled better by the state, “ Picente explained, “particularly in regards to nursing homes and correctional facilities.”
Picente encounters two predominant views, one is concerned, and does not want to reopen too soon. “I think we’re all in that group,” Picente said. The other group believes “we really need to get going” with reopening the economy. Picente recognizes that “people are frustrated” and “people are struggling.”
Oneida County recently received their tax revenues for March. There was a 25 percent sales tax reduction. New York Pause was in effect for a little less than half of the month.
Unemployment grew to 14.7 percent on Friday, the highest level since the Great Depression. Picente said that 15,000 people in Oneida County are now collecting unemployment assistance.
Picente is holding a Facebook Townhall to discuss the reopening process on Monday at 6:00pm.
Luke Perry (@PolSciLukePerry) is Professor of Government at Utica College
