Interview With Yankee Clipper Diner, Who Re-Opened As Takeout With Precautions

The Yankee Clipper Diner is a favorite restaurant with Beaconites both young and old. The restaurant was established in 1946, served customers back when Nobody’s Fool was filming in Beacon (starring Paul Newman, and is a scene in the movie) and is a regular eatery for locals like former Mayor Randy Casale. Since 2003, the diner has been owned and operated by two sisters and their husbands: Petros and Tonia; and Nikos and Katina. Tonia and Katina grew up in the diner business and their husbands — both from the Greek isle of Andros — run the Yankee Clipper kitchen.

Photo Credit: Yankee Clipper Diner

When New York’s PAUSE went into effect on March 22, 2020, the Yankee Clipper tried to stay open with takeout, but on March 28, 2020, they temporarily closed the diner. They announced via Instagram: “The health and safety of our family, employees and customers is always our top priority. We are sorry for any inconvenience. We greatly appreciate all the support from our customers and the community during this hard time.” Days later they launched a GoFundMe campaign to help raise money for the staff, which has raised $3,280 to date.

On Wednesday, April 29, 2020, the Yankee Clipper opened back up, with a “Distance Makes Us Stronger” theme. They announced ordering protocols via Instagram, giving customers the ability to pay over the phone or in person, but stating that only a limited number of people were allowed in the restaurant at once, and that if you really needed to pay in person, you could do so, but needed to wait outside. Curbside service is available, where the staff brings it to your car, or you can pick it up from a table in the vestibule. Delivery to your front door is also an option.

So far in Beacon, the businesses that put forth their safety protocols before opening are seeing success with the public - with distancing incorporated. How did their opening weekend go? Keep in mind, if you’re reading this from out of town, and want to drive to Beacon to eat at restaurants in Beacon, they are doing takeout only, so you’ll need to eat the food in your car or a secluded park spot. Most who walk on Main Street are wearing masks. While not as congested as NYC, walking past people or turning the corner quickly into a group of people is common. So bring your mask!

A Little Beacon Blog checked in with the Yankee Clipper to find out how the first weekend went. Keep in mind, they are open every day:

ALBB: How have people been with social distancing?
YC: Our customers have been very good with it. Poeple have been respecting boundaries and the set-up we have in place as precautions.

ALBB: Have customers been wearing masks when picking up food?
YC: Yes, 99.9% of customers are wearing masks when picking up food.

ALBB: Are regulars so excited to order from you again? Your Instagram photos are incredible!
YC: Our regulars have been so supportive and very excited that we are open again. The support from them in our first few days open was overwhelming and we feel very blessed and fortunate to have such loyal customers.

ALBB: Has it helped your business at all to do takeout? Or is it too early to tell?
YC: Under the circumstances, takeout is working out. We have still taken quite a hit in comparison to our normal business. But we are very grateful for the takeout business we do have.

ALBB: Do you do catering or large orders?
YC: Yes, we do offer catering. On Mother’s Day, we offered family meals. We can accommodate any size order.

ALBB: In the future do you want customers in the restaurant? Or are you comfortable with monitoring things and doing takeout?
YC: Of course we would love to open up our dining room again to all of our customers. We miss the interaction with them and miss providing the service and experience of dining out. Of course when we do reopen, we will do what the state asks of us and we will take additional safety precautions to keep ourselves, our staff, and customers safe.

Find out the takeout and delivery status of other restaurants in Beacon by clicking on A Little Beacon Blog’s Restaurant Guide.

Happy Mother's Day - The Year It Snowed On The Mountain

Snow on Mount Beacon. Other areas near Garrison saw snow in the several centimeters.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Every year the weather does something dramatically different here in Beacon. Like the time a huge snow dump fell in March 2017, or the years that the just-blossomed magnolia tree petals were snowed on more than one year in a row. Or the time one of the worst blizzards with power-outages happened in October 2011. Memory doesn’t serve when recalling these swings in the weather, and the usual reaction is to freak out.

In this year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the stubbornly cold mornings and rainy afternoons have added to the trying times as we all stay home, and pine to go outside for something different. Yet, during the time of coronavirus, when the weather is nice, a new natural fear creeps in that everyone will forget about the invisible beast and go out to walk Main Street and gather together in parking lots and back yards. It is so hard to remember the threat we cannot see.

Thank goodness for daily briefings from Governor Cuomo in New York and Dr. Amy Acton, MD, MPH Director of Health for the Ohio Department of Health (see the New York Times deep-dive grammar-based analysis of why Dr. Amy’s message of staying home is so effective to those who believe her, yet House Republicans in Ohio refuse to even own a mask as they tried to strip her of recommendation power - she is strongly supported by Republican Governor Mike DeWine). Ohio had a swift shut-down policy. As of today, Ohio has 21,131 confirmed cases and 1,271 deaths, while neighbor Michigan, who also has a governor who maintains a stay-at-home order but contends with groups of dissenters, has 46,756 confirmed cases and 4,526 deaths.

At this point, the only way this blogger has come to be able to live in peace with this cold weather is to view it as a polar vortex that is saving lives by keeping us indoors - even if at all. For the record, last year was a chilly May. I know this because my daughter’s birthday is in late May, and for the past 5 birthdays, it had been brutally hot - almost 90 degrees - balloon popping hot. Last year, not so much. And it rained. Roses are expected to bloom in late May, so on this sunny Mother’s Day Weekend, we’ll see if they come out on schedule this year, or if they have been developing a new normal.

The Retail Therapy Guide - 5/82020

This Mother's Day Edition of the Retail Therapy Guide is dedicated to a mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, who lost her son, Ahmaud Arbery, when he was shot and killed while out jogging. If you have not seen the now famous video that shows it, you can watch it here. Ahmaud was the baby of 3 children. He was an avid runner and football player. His birthday was today. Many runners today dedicated their runs to him using #irunwithmaud to further bring attention to the case. If you have not watched the video yet, you should reconsider and watch it. FUNDRAISERS - HELP IN THE TIME OF THE PANDEMIC At the request of one of our new reader supporters, A Little Beacon Blog complied an easy list of fundraisers to contribute to whenever you want to. Some of these are date driven. Those will be posted to the top of the list. This is a live guide, so refresh the page, and give when you can! Just an hour left on this neighborhood one that is spreading finance and hope to a lot of different people. Get This Guide > MOTHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE Featured Gift: Beacon Bee If you’ve heard that local honey is the best, then you’re going to love these all-natural beeswax-based skin and hair products from Beacon Bee. The beeswax is taken from their own hives. The scents are delicious, and everything can be packaged into wedding favors as well. A perfect gift for a person who loves Beacon and beeswax based beauty. Shop Now > Facebook Live Event: Mother's Day Fundraising Concert In Memory of Toshi Seeger Day: Sunday, May 10, 2020 Time: 10am-10pm Location: Facebook Live Original, folk and grassroots activist musicians have been the heartbeat of Clearwater’s musical community; and over two dozen artists from around the country will be performing in a 12-hour Mother’s Day Tribute to Toshi Seeger on Sunday, May 10th from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The event will be curated by a favorite Clearwater Festival performer, Fred Gillen Jr.  Read more about this event in our article. Check our Calendar and Events Guide regularly for upcoming events throughout the week!   Last Friday, we brought you Who's Brewing Coffee In Beacon. This week we're bringing you the BEER! Check out Who is Brewing Beer And Selling Cans In/Near Beacon!  Visit A Little Beacon Blog's Restaurant Guide for updates on who is open, delivering, or has paused for now. EAT CHURCH - THEY ARE BACK!!! Eat Church is back! The food truck up on the hill at Industrial Arts at 511 Fiskill Avenue. Pick up some cans at Industrial Arts, and some warm street food! The truck is naturally socially distanced. Plenty of parking in the swooping parking lots. WHEN: Thursday - Sunday, 4-8pm HOW: Call (917) 364-0838 to place your order. OR use Grubhub for delivery. OR place pickup order on their website www.eatchurch.com. They added ordering to their website! Follow them on Instagram (@eatchurch) for daily specials only available at the truck. Eat Church is a ALBB Sponsor! Information >   THE BEACON HOTEL RESTAURANT Newly open for take-out, The Beacon Hotel Restaurant's menu is perfect for a polar vortex during a pandemic. Fresh cheese ravioli with creamy tomato prosciutto sauce - sign us up! Call to place your order! 845-743-6527 Information >   MIZZ HATTIE'S BBQ Don't make your mother cook on Mother's Day. Let @mizhattiesbbq give your mother a meal she won't forget! $80 Mother's Day Meal includes: 8 pc Southern Friend Chicken 1 pint of pulled pork 1 Container baked beans Green or pasta salad Corn Bread Bread Pudding A half tray of Mac & Cheese And a bottle of wine (compliments of @therooseveltbar) Call 914-656-7325 to pre-order today! Located inside the Hudson Valley Food Hall. Information > BEACON NATURAL MARKET The Beacon Natural Market is looking for a couple good people to join their team. Email your enquiries to beacon348@mail.com. Include your name, phone number, and work experience. No phone calls at this time please. Information >   BARB'S BUTCHERY Barb’s Butchery is coming back starting Friday, May 8th! Open daily 8am-6pm. 40% off the freezers on Friday, 5/8/20. The grill will be on, take out only… The store front is open as usual, limited to three customers at a time and please wear a mask. We will start taking orders on Thursday morning. Give them a follow on Instagram @barbsbutchery or on Facebook.     BINNACLE BOOKS “Plagues and Peoples” by William H. McNeill, Carlo Caduff's “The Pandemic Perhaps: Dramatic Events in a Public Culture of Danger”, or maybe “Flu: The Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and the Search for the Virus that Caused It” by Gina Kolkata, yeah, it's a mood for sure, but these are some of the books for sale at binnaclebooks.com. “SHOP ONLINE” and search, browse suggested titles and new releases, and click to order. Follow their eye-catching Instagram account at @binnaclebooks to see what's in stock! They are still taking care of local delivery for in-store stock as well, so keep those requests and inquiries coming! Information > Binnacle Books is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!   LUXE OPTIQUE Enjoy this throwback video from Luxe Optique's Spring Photo Shoot. These photoshoots is an opportunity to bring together talented people from all over the Hudson Valley. If you know someone that might be interested in collaborating on a shoot with Luxe Optique, reach out to them and let them know!  See full video here > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you! PTACEK Home PTACEK HOME has exactly what you need to say thanks to Mom. She'll love the gift, and you'll like the price because a Sale is going on now! Ordering is stress free with immediate front door delivery - giving you plenty of time to plan Sunday with Mom. See more furniture on their website. Visit ptacekhome.com for more information!  PTACEK Home is a Sponsor, thank you!   CUTE STYLES FOR KIDS Put the scissors away!!  Check out these cute style for the little ones! They are quick and easy.  Send a DM to @audrinashair on Instagram for suggestions on styles and products.  Let her know A Little Beacon Blog sent you!   BEAUTY TIP Are you trimming your own bangs? Shaping your own beard? Plucking your own eyebrows? Massaging your own neck? If you miss your stylist for these things, go ahead and send them some cash when you're doing this beauty update to yourself. They will thank you, and it helps them see you on the other side. BEBHAKTI YOGA CENTER beBhakti Yoga Center is celebrating Mother's Day and the moms in our lives--which is why they are offering "Bring Your Mom for Free" for this Sunday's class-- May 10th at 9:30am.  Give the gift of yoga to the one who gave you the gift of life. If your Mom can't make it on Sunday--gift her with one of our on-demand class offerings at the link below so she can practice anytime.    HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY The library continues with their Helen Savoit Day Time Book Club. For this month, book club member - and all adults! - are welcome to answer the following four questions regarding "The Last Runaway" by Tracy Chevalier. Email your answers to Alison at adults@beaconlibrary.org by (and including) Tuesday, May 12th. Alison will then compile everyone's answers and email them back to everyone using first name only. The questions are: 1. What roles does silence play in this novel? 2. What friendships meant the most to Honor? Were they surprising? 3. How important is quilt-making to Honor and society at the time? Is a quilt just a quilt or much more? 4. Who, in this novel, is searching for freedom? In what way? Also at the Howland Public Library for grades 6-9 is their Online Philosophers Youth Café via Zoom this Wednesday, May 6th and 4pm. Dan Fisherman will be hosting a Youth Philosophers Cafe for young inquiring minds in grades 6-9. Dan will lead students in in a discussion that explores a philosophical, ethical, or socio-political issue.  This sessions will be held via Zoom.  Click here for more information. ANTALEK & MOORE Have you met Antalek & Moore's May Client Spotlight? If you are a member of the Beacon community, chances are you know of Dr. Norm Schofield, owner of Chiropractic Group of Hudson Valley. Dr. Schofield started his practice here in 1993.  He always knew he wanted to come back "home" as the 4th Schofield generation to grow up in Beacon and continue to invest in the local community. "Not only have we had the privilege to work with Chiropractic Group of Hudson Valley for the past 20 years, but agency founder Fred Antalek also partnered with Norm to create the Norm Schofield Golf Tournament and Scholarship Fund in honor of Norm's father," says Antalek and Moore in this video they produced.   Learn more about Dr. Schofield and Chiropractic Group of Hudson Valley in Antalek and Moore's Client Spotlight video. Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you! TIN SHINGLE Creative business types are always looking for inspiration on how to keep going - especially during a socially distanced shut-down. Tin Shingle's Teslie Andrade interviewed Albany based photographer Elario Photography, and was the subject of his new FaceTime-based photo shoot. While you're getting inspired on a new pivot your own business could mak during this time, check out this Beacon-based photographer who is also well-versed in the digital photo world (but does know the value and wonderful aroma of the darkroom), Ron Donofrio. Read This > We got a suggestion in from a reader, who wanted to know how to send A Little Beacon Blog financial support to help us continue to produce. Even just $5. First of all: THANK YOU to that reader for wanting to do this! Support Here > People Who Have Given Reading your comments of what ALBB means to your life has been humbling and keeps us going. Thank you. See Who Supported >

SIGN UP FOR THIS NEWSLETTER

Clearwater To Host A Mother's Day Fundraising Concert In Memory of Toshi Seeger Sunday May 10th

Original, folk and grassroots activist musicians have been the heartbeat of Clearwater’s musical community; and over two dozen artists from around the country will be performing in a 12-hour Mother’s Day Tribute to Toshi Seeger on Sunday, May 10th from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The event will be curated by a favorite Clearwater Festival performer, Fred Gillen Jr.  

Tribute to Toshi Seeger

This Mother’s Day event will be a special tribute to Toshi Seeger, whose creative vision and environmental work made an enormous impact in the Hudson Valley, which lives on in Clearwater’s traditions still today. Beyond being an organizer, mother, road manager, photographer, and camera woman, Pete often credited his wife Toshi as being "the brains behind the operation.” Toshi also served on the Newport folk Festival board from its inception, insisting that they bring the musicians to the stage that were the mentors to the popular folk musicians of the ‘60s. She helped found Folklore Research Films, worked on the Rainbow Quest TV Series, produced by Sholem Rubenstein. Toshi was also the Executive Producer of "The Power of Song." She booked many musicians for Clearwater’s Great Hudson Revival, started the groundbreaking Litter-Picking & Recycling initiative and ensured wheelchair accessibility and ASC Interpretative Signing at the Festival. 

Story tributes to Toshi Seeger will happen throughout the day by musicians, Seeger family members and others.

Facebook Live Concert Lineup

The Facebook Live concert will raise much needed funds for Clearwater’s critical environmental action initiatives and educational programming.  Performers and presenters include: David and Jacob Bernz, Laura Bowman, Tom Breiding, Sarah Browne, Kitama Cahill-Jackson, Julie Corbalis, John Cronin, Moraya DeGeare, KJ Denhert, Emma's Revolution, Susan Fisher Wright, Lori Frazer-Gross, Fred Gillen, Jr, Shirl and Steve Kaplan of Great Blue, Manna Jo Greene, Lisa Gutkin, Reggie Harris, Markley & Balmer, Mel and Vinnie, Rick and Donna Nestler, Tinya Seeger, Carolann Solebello, Spook Handy, and Matt Turk. 

Click here to see the full schedule and concert lineup —  https://www.facebook.com/events/3086082568081247/

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global crisis and leaves many of us unable to be together on Mother’s Day.  We hope to bring families together and share some music in the spirit of Clearwater’s folk and grassroots tradition.

This concert and other Clearwater fundraising efforts support the important environmental work, which includes:

• promoting safe decommissioning of nuclear power plants, including Indian Point. Clearwater sponsored the ground-breaking Fall 2019 Regional Decommissioning Forum whose information was the foundation of legislative policy in 2020 for a state-wide Decommissioning Oversight Board of New York State agencies; 

• opposing new fossil fuel plants such as the proposed Danskammer expansion;

• participating in the investigation of industrial runoff into the Hudson River from riverfront communities;

• promoting the cleanup of PFOS, which contaminated Newburgh’s drinking water supply, from the source at Stewart Air National Guard Base; 

• ensuring accountability in the ongoing participation in the Hudson River PCB remediation;

• and building a renewable energy future with the development of a seven-county Mid-Hudson Regional Renewable Energy Implementation Plan. 

More information about this Mother’s Day Tribute to Toshi Seeger fundraising event will be available at https://www.facebook.com/events/3086082568081247/.

About Hudson River Sloop Clearwater 

Launched in 1969 by legendary folk singer and activist Pete Seeger, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater has been at the forefront of the environmental movement as champions of the Hudson River. To date, more than half a million people have experienced their first real look at an estuary’s ecosystem aboard the sloop Clearwater.   Clearwater has become the grassroots model for producing positive changes to protect our planet. For more information, visit www.clearwater.org.  

Mother's Day Gift Guide - Shop These Beaconites!

Mothers love a good snuggle with their children (even older ones!), and they love some pampering too. And for people to just read their minds and do the things that need done! If you are buying for your mom this Mother’s Day, go wild. Because she needs the brightness in the day (but stay within budget…she might hand-slap you), and local businesses need the support too.

Below is A Little Beacon Blog’s Mother’s Day Gift Guide, where we feature our advertisers who continue to support us and help make this all possible. Thanks everyone!

---

LUXE OPTIQUE

181-183 Main St.
Beacon, NY 12508
(845) 838-2020
Shop Now

The easiest thing you could do here, is to buy Mom a Gift Certificate. She may be holding out - denying herself the super special pair of glasses that Luxe Optique specializes in sourcing the world for. That’s right - the world. Because these are not mass produced glasses. These are hand-crafted glasses that we promise you - will get your mom compliments from everyone. That’s right - everyone. She deserves this. Make her go.

---

PTACEK HOME

146 #2 Main St.
Beacon, NY
(845) 424-6112
Shop Now

PTACEK Home is your local source to exceptionally made furniture. Pieces you are not likely to see in stores. Unless you are in their own store! On Main Street in Beacon. Help them stay in Beacon by taking advantage of their Sale. Just look at those wooden planters!

---

BEACON BEE

(845) 337-8319
Shop Now

If you’ve heard that local honey is the best, then you’re going to love these all-natural beeswax-based skin and hair products from Beacon Bee. Started by Deb and Matt, who became beekeepers years ago when curiosity and appreciation for bees drove their passion to develop balm in a variety of sizes, scents, and formulations. The beeswax is taken from their own hives. The scents are delicious, and everything can be packaged into wedding favors as well. A perfect gift for a person who loves Beacon and beeswax based beauty.

---

Who Is Brewing Beer And Selling Cans In/Near Beacon?

Photo Credit: Beer World

Bright Spring days and lazy weekends call for brews that are powerfully refreshing. But, who is brewing beer and selling cans in Beacon during the COVID-19 Pandemic? Here is something that might make your day… ALL of the Breweries in Beacon are continuing to sell beer! Talk about essential… AND, some of them are delivering too!

---

BREWERS BREWING

HUDSON VALLEY BREWERY

7 East Main Street
Beacon, NY, 12508
Delivery Info HERE

---

2 WAY BREWING COMPANY

18 West Main St
Beacon, New York 12508
(845) 202-7334
Call For Curbside Pick Up
Beer Menu HERE
delivery coming soon…

---

INDSUTRIAL ARTS BREWING COMPANY

511 Fishkill Ave
Beacon, NY 12508
Take-Out Beer Only
Order Online HERE

---

DRAUGHT INDUSTRIES

394 Main St.
Beacon, NY 12508
(845) 440-8682
Call Or Head On In For
To-Go Beer
Beer Menu HERE

---

NEWBURGH BREWING COMPANY

88 South Colden St.
Newburgh, NY 12550
(845) 569-2337
Pick-up/Delivery
Beer Menu HERE

---

OBERCREEK BREWING COMPANY

59 Marlorville Rd.
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
(845) 632-1078
Growler Fills Only
Beer Menu HERE

---

COUSINS ALE WORKS

1582 U.S. 9.
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
(845) 632-1319
Take Out/ Curbside Pickup and Delivery
Beer Menu HERE

---

MILL HOUSE BREWING COMPANY

289 Mill ST.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
(845) 485-2739
Curbside Pickup and Delivery
Beer Menu HERE

---

EQUILIBRIUM BREWERY

2-8 South St.
Middletown, NY 10940
(845) 956-0211
Pickup and Delivery
Beer Menu HERE

---

BARS THAT SELL CANS OF BEER

MELZINGAH TAP HOUSE

554 Main St.
Beacon, NY 12508
(845) 765-2844
Take Out
Beer Menu HERE

---

STORES THAT SELL BEER

BEACON CRAFT BEER SHOPPE

262 Main St.
Beacon, NY 12508
(845) 202-7470
Call With Questions Or Requests
Beer Menu HERE

---

BEER WORLD EXPRESS

1444 NY-9D.
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
(845) 838-0260
Delivery
Beer Menu HERE

---

(5/1/2020) COVID-19 Numbers for Beacon (on the rise), Fishkill, Wappingers, Newburgh, Philipstown

Today was a beautiful day, and tomorrow may be as well. It’s hard to remember about the virus when the weather is so nice. Mask and face coverings by people on Main Street in Beacon has been mixed but good. Social distancing practices encouraged by most eateries and essential businesses has also been good. It should also be noted that we are past the 2 week mark since the Easter and Passover holidays, which is when people may have broken “sphere lock” and joined with family members not normally quarantining together in their homes for a family gathering. Family and friend gatherings, or gatherings in groups like on a bar patio, have been known to be a time period of virus spread.

Active cases in Beacon are on the rise, with today’s Active Case count being 134. When A Little Beacon Blog first started tracking this in our Excel spreadsheet back on 4/25/2020, the Active Case count was 110 just a week ago. The Active Case count is a fluctuating number that can go up or down, and is presumed that the Active Cases are people who continue to test positive and are fighting the virus.

[UPDATE: Edit made to this article based on population of Town of Wappingers].

The number of people testing positive per day has remained in the high 40s for each of Beacon, Fishkill and Wappingers. As for Orange County, who is testing more people than Dutchess County, they continue to see an increase in the number of people testing positive (101 people yesterday, 159 people today), while the Active Case Count remains at 587 in Orange County.

Sources:
New York State Tracker: Updated daily.
Dutchess County Tracker: Updated daily, but there could be lags, according to their Source notes.
Orange County Tracker: Updated daily, with the exception of municipality information which is updated every 2-3 days, according to their Source notes.
Putnam County Tracker: Updated daily.
Google via Wikipedia
Testing is limited, which implies that people testing positive for COVID-19 is not total, as many people are not tested.

DUTCHESS COUNTY 5/01/2020

How Many People Tested In Dutchess County:
15,558 (yesterday 15,085 via New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested POSITIVE As Of This Day:
3,049 (yesterday, 3,002, via New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested This Day:
473 (previous day 443, via New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested POSITIVE This Day:
47 (previous day 48, via New York State Tracker)
Number Of People Hospitalized For COVID-19 As Of This Day:
69 (yesterday 69, via Dutchess County Tracker)
How Many COVID-19 Related Deaths As Of This Day:
38 (yesterday 37, via Dutchess County Tracker, but Google shows 73 (previous 70))

BEACON
Active COVID-19 Cases In Beacon On This Day:
134 (yesterday 129, via Dutchess County Tracker)

FISHKILL
Active COVID-19 Cases In Fishkill On This Day:
175 (yesterday 171, via Dutchess County Tracker)
Active COVID-19 Cases In East Fishkill On This Day:
151 (yesterday 146, via Dutchess County Tracker)

WAPPINGERS
Active COVID-19 Cases In Town of Wappingers On This Day:
163 (yesterday 162, via Dutchess County Tracker)
Active COVID-19 Cases In Wappingers Falls Village On This Day:
45 (yesterday 44, via Dutchess County Tracker)

ORANGE COUNTY 5/01/2020

How Many People Tested In Orange County:
28,848 (yesterday 28,009, via New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested POSITIVE In Total:
8,910 (yesterday 8,751, via New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested On This Day:
839 (previously 787, via New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested POSITIVE On This Day:
159 (previously 101, via New York State Tracker)
Number Of People Hospitalized For COVID-19 As Of This Day:
147 (yesterday 147) (via Orange County Tracker)
How Many COVID-19 Related Deaths As Of This Day:
329 (yesterday 329, via Orange County Tracker)

NEWBURGH
Active COVID-19 Cases In Newburgh On This Day:
587 (587, via Orange County Tracker)
Active COVID-19 Cases In City of Newburgh On This Day:
1,165 (1,165, via Orange County Tracker)

PUTNAM COUNTY 5/01/2020

How Many People Tested In Putnam County:
4,429 (yesterday 4,170, via New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested POSITIVE As Of This Day:
1,003 (yesterday 990, via New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested On This Day:
115 (previously 144, via New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested POSITIVE On This Day:
13 (previously 20, via New York State Tracker)
Number Of People Hospitalized For COVID-19 As Of This Day:
20 (via Orange County Tracker)
How Many COVID-19 Related Deaths As Of This Day:
45 (yesterday 45, via Putnam County Tracker)

PHILIPSTOWN
Confirmed COVID-19 Cases In Total In Philipstown As Of This Day:
102 (yesterday 98, via Putnam County Tracker)
Putnam doesn’t seem to publish an “Active Cases” per city/town/village number like Dutchess and Orange do. “Active Cases” can fluctuate up or down. “Confirmed Cases” only go up, as they are cumulative.

(4/30/2020) COVID-19 Numbers for Beacon, Newburgh, Fishkill, Wappingers, Philipstown

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Beacon and Wappingers went up by a handful. Newburgh’s active cases continues to rise.

Sources:
Dutchess County Tracker:
Updated daily, but there could be lags, according to their Source notes.
Orange County Tracker:
Updated daily, with the exception of municipality information which is updated every 2-3 days, according to their Source notes.
Putnam County Tracker:
Updated daily.
Google via Wikipedia
Testing is limited, which implies that people testing positive for COVID-19 is not total, as they are not tested.

DUTCHESS COUNTY 4/30/2020

How Many People Tested In Dutchess County:
15,085 (yesterday 14,215, via New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested POSITIVE As Of This Day:
3,002 (yesterday, 2,881, via New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested This Day:
443 (previous day 556, via New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested POSITIVE This Day:
48 (previous day 64, via New York State Tracker)
Number Of People Hospitalized For COVID-19 As Of This Day:
69 (yesterday 64, via Dutchess County Tracker)
How Many COVID-19 Related Deaths As Of This Day:
37 (via Dutchess County Tracker, but Google shows 70)

BEACON
Active COVID-19 Cases In Beacon On This Day:
129 (yesterday 114, via Dutchess County Tracker)

FISHKILL
Active COVID-19 Cases In Fishkill On This Day:
171 (yesterday 170, via Dutchess County Tracker)
Active COVID-19 Cases In East Fishkill On This Day:
146 (yesterday 152, via Dutchess County Tracker)

WAPPINGERS
Active COVID-19 Cases In Wappingers On This Day:
162 (yesterday 152, via Dutchess County Tracker)
Active COVID-19 Cases In Wappingers Falls Village On This Day:
44 (yesterday 42, via Dutchess County Tracker)

ORANGE COUNTY 4/28/2020

How Many People Tested In Orange County:
28,009 (yesterday 26,342, via New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested POSITIVE In Total:
8,751 (yesterday 8,488, via New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested On This Day:
787 (previously 606, via New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested POSITIVE On This Day:
101 (previously 114, via New York State Tracker)
Number Of People Hospitalized For COVID-19 As Of This Day:
147 (yesterday 153) (via Orange County Tracker)
How Many COVID-19 Related Deaths As Of This Day:
329 (yesterday 311, via Orange County Tracker)

NEWBURGH
Active COVID-19 Cases In Newburgh On This Day:
587 (534, via Orange County Tracker)
Active COVID-19 Cases In City of Newburgh On This Day:
1,165 (1,044, via Orange County Tracker)

PUTNAM COUNTY 4/28/2020

How Many People Tested In Putnam County:
4,170 (yesterday 4,170, via New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested POSITIVE As Of This Day:
990 (yesterday 970, via New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested On This Day:
144 (previously 251, via New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested POSITIVE On This Day:
20 (previously 24, via New York State Tracker)
Number Of People Hospitalized For COVID-19 As Of This Day:
NA (via Orange County Tracker)
How Many COVID-19 Related Deaths As Of This Day:
45 (yesterday 43, via Putnam County Tracker)

PHILIPSTOWN
Confirmed COVID-19 Cases In Philipstown As Of This Day:
Putnam doesn’t seem to publish an “Active Cases” number like Dutchess and Orange do.
98 (via Putnam County Tracker)

The Retail Therapy Guide - 5/1/2020

READER SUPPORT A Little Beacon Blog would not be here if it weren't for YOU, our dear readers.  And we wish to share our heartfelt thanks and acknowledge you for your continued support. If you've been following us on Instagram (@alittlebeacon), we've been sharing messages from readers who have contributed through our Readers Support page.  FUNDRAISERS - HELP IN THE TIME OF THE PANDEMIC At the request of one of our new reader supporters, A Little Beacon Blog complied an easy list of fundraisers to contribute to whenever you want to. Some of these are date driven. Those will be posted to the top of the list. This is a live guide, so refresh the page, and give when you can! Start Here > MEET THE ARF ALL STARS Now more than ever ARF Beacon need your support and have launched for #givingtuesday Meet The ARF All Stars!  Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, they are not able to maintain operations as normal.  The main source of funds for ARF come through fundraising events & food/supply drives which have all been postponed indefinitely. They have many animals that have been here a long time that may never be adopted through no fault of their own, "but we love them all," says ARF.  Your donation for one will help continue to provide the care needed for that pet and all of the ARF dogs and cats until they find their forever homes or no longer need ARF. But some pets come back, like Max, who came to ARF as a 3-month pup when a high-kill shelter wanted to put him and his siblings to sleep. He's back after his adopter needed to move and surrendered him. You can select the pet you want to donate to, as well as other animals in ARF's care, as needed. To see the individual animals you can donate to, click here.  The shelter will be closed to the public until further notice. This campaign is only a week long, and there are only 6 days left! Please contact ARF at www.arfbeacon.org if you are considering adoption. FIREFLY YOGA FUNDRAISER Yoga is a passion for our Managing Editor, Marilyn Perez. She practices yoga, completed her teacher training, and currently teaches at Firefly Yoga in Fishkill.  They just set up a GoFundMe page in order to help with rent and utilities, continue to provide free morning meditations, free classes on Wednesdays, as well as a full digital class schedule. Check out Firefly Yoga GoFundMe Page to learn more about this community and to donate. BEACON HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS The Governor announced today that both grade schools and colleges were officially closed for the remainder of the school year. In his message to the community sent via robo-call, Beacon's Superintendent Matthew Landahl gave a moment of consideration for the Senior class. A fundraiser has been started for them, by way of yard signs. Buy a sign for $20 and show your support in your yard. Donate Now >   Howland Public Library presents "Finger Fables For Families!" Facebook Live Day: Sunday, May 3, 2020 Time: 11am Location: Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/beaconlibrary/ Got some squiggly squirming children? Get them engaged with "hands-on" storytelling! Join local storyteller Jonathan Kruk, live on Facebook Sunday 11am-12pm. Guided by a master tale-teller, children turn their hands into fabulous characters. Information > The CINEHUB Virtual Coffee Hour Day: Wednesday May 6, 2020 Time: 1pm Location: The CINEHUB via Zoom RSVP via Facebook or send them an email! Staying connected with peers is a part of staying positive and being ready for work when it returns.  Join them at the next virtual coffee event! Information > Stony Kill Spring Plant Sale Days: May 7-9, 2020 Time: See below Location: Stony Kill Foundation, 79 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY Stony Kill is pleased to bring you their annual Plant Sale to help generate much-needed funds for the Farm. With the recent announcement that NYS remains on pause till May 15, their plan for pick up of your plants at the farm will no longer be an option, so they are delivering your plant order to your home. This is an important fundraiser for Stony Kill right now. Orders due by Tuesday, May 5th. Information > Digital Theater with Story Screen Days: Every Day Time: Any Time Location: Your Couch Have you checked out any of the digital movie offerings from Story Screen you can watch from your home? Movies are curated by Story Screen. You can even buy a gift card for the movie lover in your life!  Make tonight a movie night!  Information >   Has your coffee routine changed in the last two months? We put together a list of where you can still get your hot (or iced) cup in Beacon - Coffee Is Essential! Who Is Roasting And Pouring Coffee In Beacon? Visit A Little Beacon Blog's Restaurant Guide for updates on who is open, delivering, or has paused for now. THE BEACON HOTEL RESTAURANT The Beacon Hotel Restaurant is re-opening! The restaurant will be opening their doors for delivery and takeout/curbside pick up starting next Wednesday, May 6th. They will be introducing an exclusive express menu and operating with limited hours for the time being. "To do our part to support the local community, we will be providing all meals at reduced prices!" New hours starting next Wednesday are: Wed, Thurs & Fri 2-8pm Saturday 12-8pm Sunday 12-5pm They will also be donating 10% of all sales each week to various local “non-essential” small businesses. We are all in this together! Information > KITCHEN SINK Rejoice! We are so excited to learn that Kitchen Sink is launching STUFF’d!  The KS team will be bringing you a fun take-out pop up for the next few weekends. "Over the past 5 years we have loved making all different types of “dumplings” from the kreplach we served on opening night, potstickers, raviolis, empandas and more," says Kitchen Sink via Instagram. This weekend’s menu is now live their website (http://www.kitchensinkny.com/). Order online or via phone starting  take-out this weekend 4-8pm. Hungry yet? Information > YANKEE CLIPPER DINER Nothing says mouth watering like a diner breakfast right?  The Yankee Clipper Diner is once again OPEN for take out, curbside pickup, delivery, and pick up in vestibule. Hours are 9:00am - 8:00pm 7 days a week - classic diner-style. Due to increased precautions and government mandates, they are not allowed to have multiple customers in the diner at once. "If you would like to place your order in person, come in and place your order at the register and please wait for your order too be ready outside or in the vestibule," they instruct. Information > MEYER'S OLDE DUTCH FOOD & SUCH Make your own with Meyer's Olde's Dutch Sangria kits - everything you need to make your own sangria for $30.  Kits contain: 1 bottle Teira Sauvignon blanc 1 container MOD pink mix - Gifford pamplemousse, Beefeater gin, Campari and Grapefruit juice 1 container sliced grapefruit Meyer’s Olde Dutch is going take out only for now. We encourage you to order online at www.meyersoldedutch.com. Hours are currently 11:30am until 8pm Sunday through Thursday; Friday and Saturday 11:30am until 9pm. Scheduled orders for pickup only. Information > BARB'S BUTCHERY This was exciting to see in our Instagram feed! Barb's Butchery is coming back! Beginning with a freezer sale next Friday, May 8th, and opening shop "somehow" Saturday, May 9th.  Stay tuned and give them a follow on Instagram @barbsbutchery or on Facebook. BAJA 328 It's gonna warm up this weekend, stay cool with a Baja 328's Signature Margaritas! Baja 328 is still offering pick-up and delivery orders, including go-to drinks. This includes one of their signature margaritas!  Information > Baja 328 is a Sponsor, thank you!     MOTHERS DAY GIFT GUIDE ALERT Yes, A Little Beacon Blog is having a Mothers Day Gift Guide this year! Can include food or shopping. From time to time, we curate a gift guide for something special, like Candles for a moment of thanks to those who have passed during the pandemic, to great Easter ideas for those egg hunts. For those types of gift guides, we open it up far and wide for submissions at no charge. For traditional Gift Guides, like a Mothers Day, we can do this, but in order to help us continue to run this publication, we need to charge for placement in this type of traditional gift guide. PRICING: Current Advertisers: Free Level 2 Treatment - the works! Level 1: $50 (listing in Gift Guide) Level 2: $100 (listing in Gift Guide + Instagram feature) If interested, please email us and we'll send you the link to purchase/support, and we'll get your promotion set up! BINNACLE BOOKS Forget Amazon! Order Binnacle! Support Main Street for your literary needs.  Visit binnaclebooks.com and select “SHOP ONLINE” and search, browse suggested titles and new releases, and click to order. What's your next book order? Ours is Chronicles of Narnia for the kids, and maybe this one by Kelly O'Connor McNees, "Undiscovered Country," a novel inspired by the lives of Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok. Follow their eye-catching Instagram account at @binnaclebooks to see what's in stock! They are still taking care of local delivery for in-store stock as well, so keep those requests and inquiries coming! Information > Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you!   LUXE OPTIQUE The Beacon Community misses you too Luxe Optique! Don't forget to check out their store online at https://www.luxeoptique.com where you can get $25 off a year supply of contact lenses and free shipping!  Look With Your Eyes > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you! PTACEK Home Take a nap on some Hudson Valley wood! PTACEK's Sprawl Day Bed is now 30% off, along with the rest of the Chunk Line and Trim Line, throughout May! Purchasing safe and easy - they offer curbside pickup or front door delivery.  Visit ptacekhome.com for more information!  PTACEK Home is a Sponsor, thank you! LLTO (LIVE LIGHT TRAVEL OFTEN) These sweet hand carved paddle trays bring warmth to any surface. It’s nice to bring the forest inside. Use while snacking, or change up your desk with a new shape made from a natural element to place your pencils on. Each board is rich with its own unique teak root pattern. Sustainably harvested in Bali. Shop Now > LLTO is a Sponsor, thank you! THE CRAFTY HAMMER One of the first things The Crafty Hammer did upon moving to Beacon was to advertise with A Little Beacon Blog. We will never forget their support and generosity, and are doubly sad to report that they are pulling up the pins and leaving Beacon. The husband and wife team both have lung diseases that make dealing with the virus too risky. Everything in the shop is for sale (most everything). Find pieces of decor, shelving, bins, and more. See their Facebook page for pictures, and contact Joely Polokoff joely@thecraftyhammer.com with questions and interest. Start Browsing > BEAUTY TIP Are you trimming your own bangs? Shaping your own beard? Plucking your own eyebrows? Massaging your own neck? If you miss your stylist for these things, go ahead and send them some cash when you're doing this beauty update to yourself. They will thank you, and it helps them see you on the other side.   BEACON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER The Beacon Performing Arts Center has released a bunch of brand new online classes for the month of May!  Classes for as young as 2 years all through college.  Each class is 4 weeks only. Plus, register your child for one class, and they can register for a second age-appropriate class for half price! Register two or more siblings and they receive 20% off. "We understand this is a difficult time financially for many families. We have many scholarships available for Hudson Valley area children." Please email Info@BeaconPerformingArtsCenter.com! Classes include Broadway Babes, Musical Theater Dance, and Nailing Your Audition! You can see the full list of classes and register by clicking here.  Please note: Each class much have a minimum of 5 participants to run. COMPASS ARTS Compass Arts classes are in the middle of their Spring session. Many of their classes have moved online on Zoom.   You can find their current and upcoming sessions online.  The next session begins the first week of May and lasts through the first week of June.  Check their schedule for specific dates depending on the class.  Information > HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY The library continues with their Helen Savoit Day Time Book Club. For this month, book club member - and all adults! - are welcome to answer the following four questions regarding "The Last Runaway" by Tracy Chevalier. Email your answers to Alison at adults@beaconlibrary.org by (and including) Tuesday, May 12th. Alison will then compile everyone's answers and email them back to everyone using first name only. The questions are: 1. What roles does silence play in this novel? 2. What friendships meant the most to Honor? Were they surprising? 3. How important is quilt-making to Honor and society at the time? Is a quilt just a quilt or much more? 4. Who, in this novel, is searching for freedom? In what way? Also at the Howland Public Library for grades 6-9 is their Online Philosophers Youth Café via Zoom this Wednesday, May 6th and 4pm. Dan Fisherman will be hosting a Youth Philosophers Cafe for young inquiring minds in grades 6-9. Dan will lead students in in a discussion that explores a philosophical, ethical, or socio-political issue.  This sessions will be held via Zoom.  Click here for more information. ANTALEK & MOORE Defensive Driving is back! Now you can do the online version of the Defensive Driving Class. Antalek and Moore highly recommends that you take this class in order to qualify for these benefits: • May reduce up to 4 points on your driving record • Save up to 10% off on a vehicle liability, PIP (Personal Injury Protection) and collision premium for up to 3 years off Principal Operator • No formal tests! From the comfort of your home, only $29.95 per person with PROMO CODE: 501 Sign Up Now > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you! TIN SHINGLE Late night TV is back. No studios. No Audiences. In the days since the coronavirus pandemic forced hiatus, the late-night comedy shows are gradually coming back. Many of them returned to their familiar broadcast time slots, but in completely different forms. Tin Shingle has researched these shows to include names of producers and assistants to contact, for brands who are getting the word out about their business, and feel that the audiences of these shows would resonate with your message. Learn More > We got a suggestion in from a reader, who wanted to know how to send A Little Beacon Blog financial support to help us continue to produce. Even just $5. First of all: THANK YOU to that reader for wanting to do this! If you are feeling like you want to send ALBB anything as a reader then visit the new link in the ABOUT tab, called: “I Want To Support ALBB!” Different amounts are available, starting at $5. Click here  or the graphic above to learn more on how you can help! Support Here > People Who Have Given Reading your comments of what ALBB means to your life has been humbling and keeps us going. Thank you. See Who Supported >

SIGN UP FOR THIS NEWSLETTER

Local Fundraisers Going On Now - Help In The Time Of The COVID-19 Pandemic

At the request of one of our reader supporters, A Little Beacon Blog complied this easy list of fundraisers to contribute to whenever you want to. Some of these are date driven. Those will be posted to the top. This is a live guide, so refresh the page, and give when you can!

GOING ON NOW - LIMITED TIME

• We don’t know of any super fast, limited time fundraisers going on at the moment, but if we missed yours, let us know about it here!

FIRST RESPONDERS

First Responders Fund

The fund will assist COVID-19 healthcare workers and first responders with expenses and costs, including child care. Donations can be made electronically at www.healthresearch.org/donation-form/ or by check, mailed to "Health Research, Inc., 150 Broadway, Suite 560, Menands, NY 12204." (For checks, the donor should specify the donation is for "COVID-19 NYS Emergency Response.")

Rombout Middle School PTO - Food For Local Front Line Workers

The Beacon High School Softball Program and the Rombout Middle School PTO organizations are organizing this. They are raising money to provide food to local medical workers. As a community, we want to thank them and make them smile! Additionally, 100% of the money raised goes directly to local families while supporting Beacon restaurants.
Donate Here >

LIFE IN GENERAL

Beacon Mutual Aid

A group started by Beaconites, for Beaconites, to help with any need anyone has. If people are in quarantine and cannot get food or to the pharmacy, this group can help. People can email, text or call with their requests, and the problem or request gets figured out. Beacon Mutual Aid is also involved with getting people in need free groceries. Donations go towards these causes.
There is no ask that is too big, and no one will ever be shamed for asking for what they need.
Ways To Donate: Email beaconmutualaid@gmail.com, call 845-288-2559 or venmo: mutualaidbeacon
Learn More (English) > or Learn More (Spanish) >

FOOD SECURITY

Beacon Farmer’s Market via Common Ground Farms

Beacon’s Farmer’s Market is managed by Common Ground Farms, and reaches a lot of people who want fresh food, and who live in economic hardship. They have accepted forms of payment from economic benefits programs including SNAP, and WIC and FMNP checks. During this time of COVID-19, two main setbacks have happened: 1. the open-air market closed and moved to an online ordering system, with delivery and pickup, and 2. the market is unable to take SNAP payments but is using a workaround to make that happen which you can read about here if you need to use SNAP. Donations made to the Beacon Farmer’s Market will help them continue making these leaps in technological advancements (they have already built 2 websites to take online orders), deliver to people in need, and give SNAP users money to use. You can also buy a load of produce for a family in need with allocation of your donation.
Donate Here >

Tiny Food Pantries in Beacon via Fareground

A Tiny Food Pantry is a 24/7 open air food pantry with a “give what you can, take what you need model.” Donate food to it by placing the food directly onto the shelves. Donate money to Fareground, who has these locations in their rotation of food security caretaking.
Locations: Binnacle Books 321 Main Street; Beacon Recreation Center 23 West Center Street
Donate Here >

Fareground

Fareground, Inc., a charitable 501(c)(3), is a women-run food justice, anti-hunger organization, dedicated to nourishing the community by increasing access to healthy and affordable food by supporting and creating opportunities for delicious meals, education, and volunteer opportunities. They currently are part of the coordination and financial effort in making Free To Go Dinner Bags available for pickup on Mondays mornings at Beacon High School and South Avenue. These are bags of groceries designed to feed a family of 4. Fareground also delivers these To Go Dinner Bags to people who live in housing communities in Beacon. This is key, because families in housing communities sometimes cannot get out to food distribution sites if both parents are at work, or a single parent is raising the family, for examples.
Donate Here >

Hudson Valley Eats

Hudson Valley Eats was started by restaurateur Janet Irizarry, who is committed to making sure everybody eats. She is an expert in food waste and tries to connect people with food. She lists many donation ideas as they come.

PETS

Safe Haven Thrift Shop & Pet Food Pantry

A nonprofit organization that has been running a pet food pantry for 8.5 years helping Dutchess County residents feed their pets. They are also involved with the Beacon Barks Parade. Normally, the residents they assist have to meet an income requirement. However, many people right now are out of work due to the virus, and they want to temporarily help them. Pet food is available for pickup on Saturdays.
Location: New address is: 1545 Route 52, Suite 8, Fishkill
Day: Saturdays only from 10AM – 1PM
How To Donate:
1. Drop off bags of cat or dog food during the pick-up hours listed above.
2. Write a check to Safe Haven Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 596, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533

SCHOOLS

Beacon High School Seniors

You can show your support for Beacon’s senior class with a yard sign. The proceeds go directly to the Senior class. Buy a sign for $20 and show it in your yard.
Donate Now >

FARMING

Common Ground Farms

LOCAL BUSINESS

A Little Beacon Blog keeps track of fundraisers launched by businesses in our Restaurant Guide, Shopping Guide, and Business Directory. Please browse there, and the link for the fundraiser will be listed with the corresponding business.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Dutchess Responds
Mutual Aid Plan For Dutchess

HIRING: SBA Seeking Customer Service, Legal Review, Loan Processing, More Positions Related To Disaster Effort

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, SBA (Small Business Administration) is hiring for a number of positions. The positions available include support in the following:

• Call Center Customer Service Representative

• Document Preparation/Legal Review/Loan Closings

• Loan Processing/Credit Analysis/Mortgage Underwriting

• Program Support

Each bullet point entails several positions such as Disaster Recovery Specialist, Paralegal Specialist, Program Support Assistant, and much more.

Click HERE to see full list of positions and to apply.

Nursing Homes In Dutchess County Get COVID-19 Testing Focus - Pilot Program Launching In Beacon's Wingate As Testing Reveals Concern In Ulster

During a time when the press corps covering the daily pandemic briefings from Governor Cuomo pursues the governor with unrelenting questions on the COVID-19 status of nursing home residents and PPE supplies, the death toll of elderly residents mounts in New York City and surrounding counties. Dutchess County announced this week (4/28/2020) a new testing program to test residents living in the 13 nursing homes within Dutchess County.

Citing an uptick in reported COVID-19 cases as a result of recent testing in Ulster County, Dutchess County will begin testing every nursing home resident, beginning with Wingate in Beacon. According to the county’s press release, testing in Ulster County “has heightened concerns about potential spread of coronavirus, as 96 out of 330 residents at two Ulster County nursing homes tested positive for COVID-19 – with many of these cases exhibiting no symptoms (asymptomatic) and the individuals had only been in contact with healthy residents and staff members.”

The number of reported deaths in nursing homes in Dutchess County is 13 people as of yesterday (4/29/2020), as reported by New York State on this daily nursing home tracker. The number of deaths of people in nursing homes or adult care facilities in Orange County is 92 people, and in Putnam County it is 12 people. In Nassau County, it is 424 people, and in Kings County it is 447 people, and in Bronx County it is 570.

Dutchess County will begin releasing testing data from the nursing homes, said Communications Director Colleen Pillus. According to state data, there have been six deaths at the Ferncliff Nursing Home. Any home that has fewer than five deaths is not published at this time by New York State, citing privacy concerns.

The State Of Nursing Homes During The Pandemic

Publications like ProPublica have been covering the story for some time, and recently published this story of a daughter who removed her father from Queens Adult Care Center after he showed symptoms and was being neglected by fearful staff members, according to the article. Reporters at Governor Cuomo’s briefings have been asking for weeks for COVID-19 statistics at nursing homes, which New York State only recently starting releasing. Each day that the statistics had not been made public, Governor Cuomo cited delays from the nursing homes who were overwhelmed with caring for their residents. The total number of deceased people from nursing homes in New York State is 3,688, as of 4/29/2020.

To illustrate how quickly COVID-19 can spread through a nursing home, which Governor Cuomo has likened to a fire spreading through dry grass, Deadline.com has been publishing updates about elderly residents living in The Actor’s Fund Home in Englewood, N.J., a home for retired entertainers, from actors of stage and screen to screenwriters, dancers, producers and directors. The home has been forthcoming to its families with email updates, and to the media. The facilities administrator told NJ Advance Media that as of 4/14/2020, the facility had 12 residents test positive. As of 4/21/2020, 10 residents had died from COVID-19, as reported by Deadline.com, although the first reported death from COVID-19 was recorded on 4/10/2020, according to Deadline.com. About 35 to 40 staff had tested positive, though there have been no reported deaths of employees.

Dutchess County Testing and PPE

County Executive Marcus Molinaro has petitioned Governor Cuomo for 2,000 test kits for Dutchess County’s newly formed Nursing Homes Task Force, according to the county’s press release. “As the initial pilot gets underway,” the press release said, “and as tests are made available from New York State, Dutchess County’s Nursing Home Task Force will collaborate with each of the nursing home facilities’ infection control specialist to plan for each facilities’ specific needs, including providing adequate PPE supplies for staff to ensure there is no cross contamination during testing.”

Testing staff members at the nursing homes will not be included in this targeted testing, “as testing kits are limited,” confirmed Communications Director Colleen Pillus to A Little Beacon Blog when asked for clarification. Reports from outbreaks happening in nursing homes across the state, like this one in Hornell, include a focus on staff members who test positive, as reported by the New York Post.

Currently in Dutchess County, nursing home residents are only being tested when they present symptoms, said Dutchess County’s Communication Director Colleen. Moving forward in this new pilot program, elderly residents will be tested once as opposed to an ongoing way, as testing results take time to come back, said Colleen. Of the 13 nursing homes, one nursing home - Wingate in Beacon - will be the pilot location for this new program.

Who Oversees Nursing Homes?

As explained by Governor Cuomo repeatedly during briefings, nursing homes are generally private institutions that need to follow licensing requirements from New York State. According to The Leader, New York State will open an investigation into nursing homes, led by Attorney General Letitia James, “which will focus on whether nursing homes and adult-care facilities appropriately followed state law and regulation as the coronavirus went on its torrid spread in New York,” stated the article.

According to Dutchess County’s press release on its new testing program program: “Although nursing homes are under the authority and oversight of the New York State Department of Health, County Executive Molinaro established Dutchess County’s Nursing Home Task Force, under the direction of Dutchess Behavioral and Community Health (DBCH), to be in regular contact with nursing home leadership. The Task Force keeps open lines of communications, offers guidance where appropriate, and helps facilities address concerns and emerging issues, convening weekly conference calls with nursing homes.”

The announcement went on to address PPE needs: “Among the pressing needs has been the provision of PPE supplies to meet heightened New York State Department of Health mandates for nursing homes. Dutchess County has worked closely with the nursing homes, providing isolation suits and gowns, eye protection, N95 respirators, surgical masks, as well as hand sanitizer.”

Mental Health Assistance Provided For Nursing Home Staff, By Dutchess County

County Executive Molinaro has a strong track record on mental health for this region. Mental health assistance has been created for employees working in nursing homes. According to the press release: “Staffing has also been a concern for nursing homes. Stress levels and fear for all essential employees remain high and there is always a concern about lack of staff availability should there be large numbers of staff who need to be quarantined. News of deaths in nursing homes in other areas of the state and nation creates anxiety for staff, patients, as well as their families.

”To help combat the extreme amount of stress this pandemic has placed upon nursing home and residential facility staff, County Executive Molinaro and Deputy Commissioner of DBCH Dr. Jacqueline M. Johnson have mobilized the Dutchess County Trauma Team to provide mental health support. This collaborative team of mental health and substance abuse professionals respond to unpredictable and extreme events in Dutchess County. Led by Dr. Ellen Marx, the team will provide an in-service to nursing home staff to discuss the range of emotions the pandemic causes in general, work-related frustration and anxiety, dealing with grief, the importance of self-care, and much more. Individuals are helped to review their situation, encouraged to express the wide range of emotions traumatic events bring up, and identify strengths and ways to cope.”

Nursing Homes in Dutchess County 

This list has been provided by Dutchess County:

ArchCare at Ferncliff (formerly Ferncliff Nursing Home)
21 Ferncliff Road, Rhinebeck, NY 12572  (845) 876-2011    

The Baptist Home
46 Brookmeade Drive, Rhinebeck, NY 12572 (845) 876-2071    

Sapphire Wappingers Falls
37 S. Mesier Ave., Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 (800) 501-3936    

The Eleanor Nursing Care Center
419 North Quaker Lane, Hyde Park, NY 12538 (845) 229-9177    

Fishkill Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing
22 Robert R. Kasin Way, Beacon, NY 12508-1199 (800) 501-3936 

The Grand Nursing and Rehabilitation at Pawling
9 Reservoir Road, Pawling, NY 12564  (845) 855-5700  

The Grand Nursing and Rehabilitation at River Valley
140 Main St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (845) 454-7600    

Lutheran Care Center at Concord Village
965 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 (845) 486-9494 x215    

Northern Dutchess Residential Healthcare Facility - The Thompson House
6525 Springbrook Ave., Rhinebeck, NY 12572  (845) 871-3760     

Renaissance Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
4975 Albany Post Road, Staatsburg, NY 12580 (845) 889-4500      

The Pines at Poughkeepsie
100 Franklin St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601  (845) 454-4100

Wingate at Beacon
10 Hastings Drive, Beacon, NY 12508  (845) 440-1600    

Wingate at Dutchess
3 Summit Court, Fishkill, NY 12524  (845) 896-1500

UPDATE: 7 Of The 20 People Who Died At Home In Dutchess County Since March 12, 2020 Tested Positive For COVID-19 After Death

In a followup to yesterday’s article on home deaths being tracked in Dutchess County’s Tracker, A Little Beacon Blog has acquired some data on people in Dutchess County who have died at home, and were tested for COVID-19 by the medical examiner’s office after they passed away.

According to Dutchess County, since the week of March 12, 2020, approximately 20 people have died at home, and were subsequently tested for COVID-19 by the Dutchess County medical examiner’s office. Of the 20 people who died at their homes since March 12, 2020, seven of them tested positive for COVID-19, said Colleen Pillus, Communications Director for Dutchess County, who received the number from the medical examiner’s office.

This week on April 27, 2020, the Washington Post reported on a Yale analysis done for that publication that there was a spike in non-COVID-19 tested deaths at home for the period of March 2020 as compared to 2019. The article and analysis do not provide conclusions as to why this spike in deaths has occurred, but does provide insight into different states, including New York, New Jersey and Michigan.

When asked by A Little Beacon Blog if this trend was reflected in Dutchess County, the county’s Communications Director responded that she does not at this time have the comparative data on those who died at home during the same period the previous year. “That would take some significant time to pull, and I am not sure when someone at the ME’s (medical examiner’s) office will have the opportunity to do so,” Colleen said.

It should be noted that Dutchess County has been pulling a significant amount of data during this short period of time, and is making what they can available to the public. They have been responsive to our questions, which has been helpful for reporting.

(4/28/2020) Numbers for Beacon, Fishkill, Wappingers, Newburgh, Philipstown

The number of people newly infected with COVID-19 continues to rise across counties reported on here. We have added Putnam County and Philipstown to this report. If a number has not been updated in a county, we check stats at Google, who is reporting county information, including number of deaths.

Sources: New York State COVID-19 Tracker, Dutchess County COVID-19 Tracker, Orange County COVID-19 Tracker, Putnam County Tracker, Google via Wikipedia
Dutchess County Tracker: Updated daily, but there could be lags, according to their Source notes.
Orange County Tracker: Updated daily, with the exception of municipality information which is updated every two to three days, according to their Source notes.
Putnam County Tracker: Updates regularly and posts PDF of additional breakdowns.
New York State Tracker: Updated daily.
Testing is limited, which implies that people testing positive for COVID-19 are not the total number of cases, as most people are not tested.

DUTCHESS COUNTY 4/28/2020

How Many People Tested In Dutchess County: 14,215 (yesterday 13,649, New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested Positive So Far: 2,881 (yesterday, 2,817, New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested Today:
556 (previous day 223, New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested POSITIVE Today:
64 (previous day 24, New York State Tracker)
Number Of People Hospitalized For COVID-19 Right Now:
71 (yesterday 77) (Dutchess County Tracker)
How Many COVID-19 Related Deaths So Far:
36 (no change reported in Dutchess County Tracker, but Google shows 68)

BEACON
Active COVID-19 Cases In Beacon As Of Today:
114 (yesterday 114, Dutchess County Tracker, no change reported)

FISHKILL
Active COVID-19 Cases In Fishkill As Of Today:
170 (yesterday 174, Dutchess County Tracker)
Active COVID-19 Cases In East Fishkill As Of Today:
152 (yesterday 155, Dutchess County Tracker)

WAPPINGERS
Active COVID-19 Cases In Wappingers As Of Today:
152 (yesterday 155, Dutchess County Tracker)
Active COVID-19 Cases In Wappingers Falls Village As Of Today:
42 (yesterday 43, Dutchess County Tracker)

ORANGE COUNTY 4/28/2020

How Many People Tested In Orange County: 26,342 (yesterday 25,740, New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested Positive So Far: 8,488 (yesterday 8,374, New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested Today:
606 (previously 645, New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested POSITIVE Today:
114 (previously 136, New York State Tracker)
Number Of People Hospitalized For COVID-19 Right Now:
153 (yesterday 168, Orange County Tracker)
How Many COVID-19 Related Deaths So Far:
311 (yesterday 310, Orange County Tracker)

NEWBURGH
Active COVID-19 Cases In Newburgh As Of Today:
534 (no change reported, Orange County Tracker)
Active COVID-19 Cases In City of Newburgh As Of Today:
1,044 (no change reported, Orange County Tracker)

PUTNAM COUNTY 4/28/2020

How Many People Tested In Putnam County: 3,919 (yesterday 3,763, New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested Positive So Far: 946 (yesterday 932, New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested Today:
150 (previously 82, New York State Tracker)
How Many People Tested POSITIVE Today:
14 (previously 7, New York State Tracker)
Number Of People Hospitalized For COVID-19 Right Now:
13 (yesterday 16, Orange County Tracker)
How Many COVID-19 Related Deaths So Far:
43 (Putnam County Tracker)

PHILIPSTOWN
Confirmed COVID-19 Cases In Philipstown As Of This Day:
97 (Putnam County)

Are COVID-19 Home Deaths Recorded In Dutchess County Tracker? Yes - Plus The Increase In Deaths Across The U.S. Since March

With new questions and answers evolving around COVID-19 coming out of the medical community almost daily, questions arise about the cause of death of people who died at home, and if they were COVID-19-related. If COVID-19 related, were they tested and included in the Dutchess County death counts?

According to Dutchess County’s Communication Director Colleen Pillus, the answer is yes. “Any positive results received by the medical examiner are included in the Dutchess County Data Dashboard,” she told A Little Beacon Blog by email.

According to Medical Examiner Dr. Dennis Chute, those who die at home and test positive for COVID-19 are being counted. Dr. Chute explained the process to A Little Beacon Blog by way of Colleen: “If an individual dies at home, the death is called into our office and a medicolegal death investigator takes the call, usually from the police dispatcher. If the decedent was on hospice, then our office releases the case, does not respond to the scene, and the death certificate is done by hospice.”

“If the individual is not on hospice care,” he continued, “then the medical examiner responds to the death scene, and either the medical examiner or the private medical doctor must sign the death certificate. In these cases, the medical examiner will decide whether to bring the decedent to the medical examiner's office depending on the circumstances and medical history. In non-hospice cases, if the history is consistent or suspicious for COVID-19, but if there has not been a premortem test done, we will take a specimen for COVID-19 testing.”

Since the week of March 12, 2020, there has been approximately 20 cases tested at the medical examiner’s office. [UPDATE 4/30/2020]: Of the 20 people who died at their homes since March 12, 2020, seven of them tested positive for COVID-19, said Colleen, who received the number from the medical examiner’s office.

We are also awaiting an answer about whether the number of deaths at home is higher than the period compared to the previous year. [UPDATE 4/30/2020]: Colleen has responded that she does not at this time have the comparative data on those who died at home during the same period the previous year. “That would take some significant time to pull, and I am not sure when someone at the ME’s (medical examiner’s) office will have the opportunity to do so.”

Heart Attacks and COVID-19

Recently heart attacks and strokes are being studied as doctors are understanding more about how the disease attacks the body. An article at Kaiser Health News has pulled together two sources, Politico and ABC News, following the question of heart attacks as it pertains to New York and patients here.

Politico published on 4/25/2020 that the first recorded death of COVID-19 was of a woman from San Francisco, CA, who died of a massive heart attack, according to the autopsy conducted by the county medical examiner on February 7, 2020, but not signed until April 23, 2020. According to the article, she “had no coronary heart disease or clotting that would have caused a heart attack.” She was “mildly obese and had a mildly enlarged heart.” She had evidence of the coronavirus infection in her heart, trachea, lungs and intestines, and originally complained of flu-like symptoms in the days before her death.

The Kaiser article also reported on an ABC news report looking at how New York City became the epicenter of the coronavirus on March 20, “but city records analyzed by ABC News suggest a crisis swelling far earlier, signaled by a sudden uptick in cardiac arrest cases that experts now say were likely linked to the virus. Emergency calls for cardiac arrest began to climb in mid-February, in close-knit neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens, some of the same local areas that would soon form the "epicenter of the epicenter" of America's coronavirus pandemic. (Pezenik, Katersky, David and Dastmalchi, 4/27)”

Uptick In Home Deaths In U.S. Since March 2020

The Yale School of Public Health conducted an analysis of federal data for the Washington Post, which revealed a spike in deaths during March through April 4, 2020. The Washington Post published those results on 4/27/2020 and included a variety of graphs showing the data for different states, including New York, New Jersey and Michigan.

According to the article: “The analysis also suggests that the death toll from the pandemic is significantly higher than has been reported,” said Daniel Weinberger, a Yale professor of epidemiology and the leader of the research team. “It’s really important to get the right numbers to inform policymakers so they can understand how the epidemic is evolving and how severe it is in different places,” Weinberger said.

The article goes on to suggest that the “national tally also shapes the public’s perception of how serious the disease is, and therefore how necessary it is to continue social distancing despite economic disruption.”

However, it was also noted by the Washington Post: “The excess deaths are not necessarily attributable directly to COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. They could include people who died because of the epidemic but not from the disease, such as those who were afraid to seek medical treatment for unrelated illnesses, as well as some number of deaths that are part of the ordinary variation in the death rate.”

As more data comes out, clearer answers to questions like these will come.