Oneida County looks to provide financial incentives for COVID vaccinations starting this week By Luke Perry
Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente recently said that his new initiative Boost Oneida County could be moving forward any day now. The program, proposed in the State of the County address, utilizes a phone app to provide monetary incentives for residents to get vaccinated, which can be spent at local small businesses.
Picente told Talk of the Town (WUTQ in Utica) the benefit is twofold: get people vaccinated and help businesses. The program, funded by the American Rescue Plan, “injects the money back into the community.” and helps “to get people back to supporting local businesses that have suffered.”
Picente is hopeful a start date will be announced early this week. Finances are being finalized. Picente reached out to other governments to see if they want to participate, but had not heard back from any yet.
Photo from Executive Picente
New York recently relaxed mask mandates for fully vaccinated residents reflecting updated guidance by the CDC. Nationwide chains, including Target, Walmart, and Starbucks, recently lifted their mask mandates.
In Oneida County Picente said “there are more businesses sticking with wearing masks right now,” particularly small business. Picente thinks requiring mask is “a good decision.”
“I still think in closed, different areas, you should be protected,” Picente said. The County Executive still wears a mask into businesses whether or not it is required.
“We don’t know what is next in terms of this pandemic and whether it for sure will go away,” Picente said.
Luke Perry is Professor of Political Science at Utica College
