Dear Families,
These uncertain times make it difficult to plan for the future. As Governor Cuomo announced plans this week to reopen the state on a regional basis, there are still many unanswerable questions about health and safety. It’s hard to predict what life will be like in the coming months, but as a community that lives and works in close proximity, we must do everything we can to protect both our individual and collective health.
It seems like there is a direct, inverse relationship between nice weather and staying isolated at home. If you are out in public spaces, and especially if you are in a crowded area, you must wear a mask (or face covering). It is the smart and responsible thing to do and it is also the law. Normalizing face coverings, especially for our children, is an important part of creating safety in our future. Face masks are available for purchase at the Farm Store and proceeds are donated to various organizations including the school.
In Columbia County, positive cases have been on the rise. Partly due to an increase in access to testing but also because, as we know, the virus is present and continuing to spread locally.
We have not yet reached our peak
. Particularly hard hit are our nursing homes. Numbers continues to rise for residents and staff of Columbia County nursing homes.
A few resources and points of information I’d like to share with you:
- As of yesterday, there were still available slots for the rapid testing event tomorrow, Friday May 8th at Columbia-Greene Community College. For more information on getting tested, see the Columbia County Department of Health’s website.
- The Columbia County Recovery Kitchen is a pop-up soup kitchen cooking and delivering meals to families most in need that are referred to them through the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement and Columbia County Social Services. Please consider volunteering or making a donation here.
- We are seeing a severe blood shortage due to the implementation of social distancing and cancellation of blood drives nationally. If you are a person who is eligible to give blood, please consider doing so tomorrow at Taconic Hills High School (73 Route 11A) from 9am – 3pm.
- Lastly, a reminder about campus being closed for the time being. This, unfortunately, includes the swimming pond as well as the farmyard, play yards, picnicking areas, and recreational areas of the campus. Thank you for your understanding.
As always, please let me know if you are experiencing Covid-like symptoms or had a known exposure or positive test. And please stay home for 14 days if you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of illness. I’m here for support as needed.
Take good care,
Kara Desiderio
School Nurse
