Last week I allowed our local State of Emergency due to COVID-19, which was declared on March 16, 2020, and extended every 30 days, to expire. With Rockland’s COVID case numbers steadily decreasing and the number of people vaccinated increasing this situation is no longer an emergency.
In March 2020 we acted to protect the health and safety of our friends and neighbors and while these past 15 months have been difficult, we have overcome so much. I have witnessed so many examples of neighbors coming together, regardless of age, gender, race, or religion, to support each other during the pandemic and I hope to see that continue as we keep taking steps towards normalcy.
Emergency Orders and powers are intended to be temporary; we do not live in an autocracy. And while I am glad to see Governor Cuomo lifting many of New York’s restrictions, it is time to end his State of Emergency, all his Executive Orders and restore control to localities and the Department of Health.
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We have made great progress locally in our vaccination efforts including helping over 13,000 seniors obtain a vaccine appointment early on in this process. Our Department of Health has hosted pop-up vaccine clinics all around Rockland at houses of worship and community organizations as have other local providers. They have already or will soon visit some of our larger businesses to vaccinate their employees and increase the ease of access and availability of the vaccine.
We are doing everything we can to keep taking these positive steps while protecting residents. If you would like to schedule an appointment for a 1st dose COVID-19 vaccine at any Rockland County Department of Health Clinic visit: http://rcklnd.us/covid19. To search for additional COVID-19 vaccination opportunities nearby visit: https://www.vaccines.gov/search/.
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Our main focus turns to continuing to support local businesses and residents as we move to fully recover from the pandemic. We are working with the County Legislature to plan how best to utilize the $63.18 million in American Rescue Plan federal funding coming to Rockland. But we encourage businesses, landlords and tenants to take advantage of funding that is available right now.
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program for Rockland County is accepting applications from tenants and landlords for rent and utility assistance via the NYS portal: http://otda.ny.gov/ERAP. The Program assists households behind on their rent that have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 and are at risk of homelessness or housing instability.
The Rockland County Department of Social Services can assist residents with applying Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM at: 50 Sanatorium Road, Building L, Pomona, NY, or by calling 845-364-3316.
Funding is also available through the NYS COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program for small and micro businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations impacted by the pandemic.
Grants will be for a minimum award of $5,000 and a maximum award of $50,000 and will be calculated based on a New York State business' annual gross receipts for 2019. The grants will be flexible and can be used for a number of different business operating expenses including payroll, rent or mortgage payments, taxes, utilities, PPE or other business expenses incurred between March 1, 2020, and April 1, 2021.
For more information about applying visit: https://nysmallbusinessrecovery.com/
As we move forward with a full recovery, let us always remember how we came together in the face of a common enemy and found ourselves drawing strength from the common dreams and desires we always shared but sometimes forget. We are resilient and together there is no challenge we cannot overcome.