Tuesday August 17, 2021
MEDIA ALERT: Clinton County Health Department Media Conference - Thursday
A Facebook live media event will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 19, 2021. Updates will be provided on the status of the COVID-19 virus’s impact on Clinton County.

Speakers will include:
  • John Kanoza, P.E., P.G., Clinton County Director of Public Health
  • Mark C. Davey, Ed.D., District Superintendent/ Chief Executive Officer, Champlain Valley
  • Educational Services
  • Dr. Alexander Enyedi, President of the State University of New York – Plattsburgh
  • A representative from the University of Vermont Health Network—CVPH
Stefanik Works to Support Restaurants Impacted by COVID-19
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has cosponsored the Entrepreneurs Need Timely Replenishment for Eating Establishments (ENTRÉE) Act, legislation that would redirect unused COVID-19 relief dollars to American restaurant owners who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Stefanik joined her colleagues in this effort as restaurant owners have been working tirelessly to serve their employees and communities in the midst of industry changes due to COVID-19.
 
Specifically, the ENTRÉE Act would:
Provide $60 billion to the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Restaurant Revitalization Fund using already allocated COVID relief funds that have not yet been spent;
  • Require all applications to be received, reviewed, processed, and disbursed on a first come, first served basis; and
  • Increase oversight responsibilities and audit requirements for the SBA to safeguard American taxpayer dollars.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Stefanik has been quick to support restaurants mitigating the negative impacts of COVID-19. In 2020, she was an original cosponsor of the Restaurants Act.
Parliament Dissolved at Trudeau's Request - Triggering Sept. 20 Election
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pulled the plug Sunday on his minority Liberal government, arguing that Canadians deserve a say on how to finish the fight against COVID-19 and build back the shattered economy.

But opposition leaders blasted Trudeau for putting his quest for a majority ahead of the health and safety of Canadians, plunging the country into what they called an unnecessary and reckless election just as a fourth wave of the deadly coronavirus is gathering steam across the country.
Deadline Approaching for HERO Act Employee Notification
As we have previously described, the HERO Act requires employers to adopt and maintain an airborne infectious disease prevention plan to be implemented when an airborne infectious disease is designated by the New York State Commissioner of Health as a “highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health.”
 
The deadline for communicating the existence of your plan to your employees is Saturday, September 4, 2021.
Small Business Vaccine Tax Credit
From our friends at the US Chamber, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) earlier this year, which included a tax credit for small employers that offered paid time off for receiving and recovering from the COVID-19 vaccine. The tax credit helps businesses incentivize their workforce to get vaccinated and give their employees the proper time they need to get vaccinated.

The program is available through September 30, 2021
Essex County Returns to Mask Mandate in Government Buildings
Essex County supervisors have ordered a return to indoor mask mandates in county buildings due to a spike in Covid cases likely tied to the highly contagious delta variant.

Towns were being asked to follow suit, said Supervisors Chair Shaun Gillilland. The county was recommending businesses do the same, although because a state of emergency is no longer in effect it does not have authority to mandate masks on private property.

Department of Public Works Director Jim Dougan said signage was being placed on county buildings and electronic signs were being placed near the grounds of the county fair, which begins this week. Masks at the fair will be needed inside, but not outside.
Today's Dose is Generously Supported By:
Divisions and Resources of the North Country Chamber of Commerce
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North Country Chamber of Commerce
518.563.1000