TODAY's DOSE

Thursday August 26, 2021

Area Unemployment is 31% Lower than the State at Large

According to unemployment numbers for July, released this week by the N.Y.S. Labor Dept., unemployment in our area continues to outperform the state-at-large by more than 30% and show half the unemployment rates experienced in July 2020. Statewide unemployment for July 2021 stood at 7.6% compared with:

5.3% in Clinton County
4.9% in Essex
5.3% in Franklin
3.9% in Hamilton
4.8% in Warren.

In July 2020, most area counties ranged from 10.2% to 11.8%.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19 in Franklin County Answered by the Franklin County Health Department

How many cases are currently in the county?

The level of community transmission in Franklin County is HIGH. People are interacting more closely with each other which is allowing the disease, including the more infectious Delta Variant, to spread more easily throughout our communities. All of us - vaccinated and unvaccinated - are empowered to help stop the spread by following the COVID-19 safety guidelines we’ve practiced since the start of this pandemic:

Wear face coverings in all indoor public places,

Continue to wash your hands frequently,

Sanitize high touch areas in your home,

Gather outdoors with only a few people at a time,

If unvaccinated, please get vaccinated,

If you feel sick, stay home!

How do I find information about current positive COVID cases, isolations and quarantines in Franklin County?

Go to the Franklin County website https://www.franklincountyny.gov/ and click on “COVID-19 Updates and Guidance” for regularly updated information.

The Crime Analysis Unit of Franklin County updates the isolation map as often as staffing and time allows. We understand that maps are helpful but please be aware that COVID-19 is in every community and safety guidelines should be followed in every township in Franklin County, not just in townships that have confirmed cases.

How many cases are among vaccinated people?

We are finding that about 40% of our positive COVID cases are in vaccinated people. Some COVID-19 infection is expected in vaccinated people. As coronaviruses mutate, variants arise - such as the Delta variant- and these variants are able to infect the vaccinated, but those who are vaccinated have more protection against becoming very sick and hospitalized, and perhaps dying.

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Quebec Unveils Details of How its Vaccine Passport Will Work

As promised, Quebec’s vaccine passport system will be ready in time for its Sept. 1 start date.

Health Minister Christian Dubé outlined the details of the passport at a news conference Tuesday. As of next week, Quebecers wanting access to non-essential services will have to show proof of vaccination, as part of the provincial government’s plan to avoid another lockdown amid the fourth wave of COVID-19.

The passport will be in effect for such places as restaurants, bars, gyms, cinemas, outdoor festivals and events and some sports activities in schools. To enter these spaces, Quebecers will have to show the QR code provided by the government after vaccination — either on paper or through a smartphone application — plus a form of government-issued photo ID. Children below the age of 13 will only need to show their government-issued ID.

About five million Quebecers, representing 90 per cent of the vaccinated population, have already downloaded their QR codes. Those who haven’t can do so on the government of Quebec’s website. People who are not able to download their digital QR codes are being asked to call 1-877-644-4545 to order a printed, wallet-sized version.

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North Country Workforce Development Board Apprenticeship Roundtable

The North Country Workforce Development Board has started a series of roundtables offering businesses in our area information on the various SUNY apprenticeship programs available.

They have collaborated with various experts in our region to present information on apprenticeships appropriate for your business.

This first roundtable will be focused on Housekeeping and how the use of apprenticeship can be of value in the hiring process for this in demand line of work.

Details:

Date: September 2, 2021
Time: 10:00AM

RSVP HERE

WEBINAR: Mandating COVID-19 Vaccinations in Your Workplace: Pros and Cons

Join the North Country Chamber of Commerce and Jaci Kelleher, Esq. of Stafford-Owens Law Firm for a discussion on the pros and cons of "Mandating COVID Vaccinations in your Workplace".

The FDA may soon give full approval to one or more of the COVID vaccines. Once that happens, employers may be interested in exploring the option of mandating that their employees be vaccinated.

Topics will include:

How vaccine mandates may be implemented
How mandated vaccination may affect your company
Policy manual considerations

Details:

Date: Tuesday, August 31st
Time: 9:00am - 11:00am
Cost: $15 members & partner members | $30 not yet members
Proceeds will support the continued work of your Chamber during this time

Speaker:

Jaci Kelleher is an attorney at Stafford, Owens, who regularly practices in the area of employment law and representing employers.

If you have questions or need further information, please contact Alyse Buskey via email or call her at 518.563.1000.

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If you have questions or need help registering contact Alyse at 518.563.1000 or email her at alyse@northcountrychamber.com.

North Country Chamber Job Fair - September 15th!

It’s almost time for the Fall Job Fair!

Don’t miss this chance to let prospective employees know about the employment opportunities available in your organization.

Qualified employees are important to every successful business and, now more than ever, the North Country Chamber of Commerce realizes how important it is to give our member businesses the opportunity to showcase their job openings.

Fee for participating employers if registering BEFORE August 25, 2021: