MsKreed

Looks like a journalistic choice, more than a change of tune. WENY says: "80 employees resigned or let-go due to vaccine mandate" WETM that Moss cited worded it: "Arnot Health: ICU at 100% capacity; approx. 80 unvaccinated employees laid off" Bottom line is that they lost 80 employees to this mandate.

There really isn't a distinction, is there? Those 50 "voluntary resignations" were predicated on the fact that they would not meet the requirement. All 80 fell outside the mandate, whether they proclaimed it in advance or not. And unemployment won't cover any of them - regardless of whether they "resigned" or were "dismissed".

Reach out to Grasso and ask where he can point you since Downtown Development won't respond.....he seems motivated to call BS when he sees it.

There are a number of cities that build "pedestrian friendly" spaces that boost business traffic (Ithaca Commons, Corning Gaffer District, etc). HOWEVER.....I think that sort of thing has to be part of a bigger revitalization strategy. It can't just be "pedestrian friendly" if it's just providing more places for existing vagrants to loiter. The idea should be to draw people (in cars) into the area and be inviting enough that they will park those cars and wander and linger. That means having available parking that is convenient, safe and affordable....so people will leave those vehicles unattended for while they dally around town and explore what it has to offer. This is something Corning could do better at, but is still far superior to Elmira. The mall has plenty of parking, but has seriously declined on what it offers to encourage that lingering traffic. Besides Arts in the Park and Farmer's markets, Elmira could try offering things like pageants, craft shows, boat shows and putt-putt that are spaced out to motivate people to keep wandering.....without the counter-productive money-grab that discourages vendors to participate.

I remember when I moved into my first apartment. Fully furnished with noisy appliances and second hand dishes that didn’t match....but felt so exciting to be “independent” and gonna be living the dream. 🤣

That's why I mentioned it....cuz that was the sort stuff that I first thought of when you brought up the idea "continuing in-depth" discussion.

To be honest, I haven't noticed much "new" in the way of posts? I really liked this idea: But it doesn't seem you opted to go with that approach on topics that I'd have thought would lend themselves to this idea. Like we already had Cuomo "proposes" legalized marijuana, then the legislation "passing" that....topics that could have been one continued and evolving discussion (that would avoid anyone needing to repeat earlier thoughts from another thread, etc). Seems like adding discussion of the "results" of legalization into an existing topic.....would have supported the notion of "continued conversation as things progressed". Likewise, maybe building in the existing topic of vaccine mandates ordered for healthcare, could have worked better that a new topic to discuss "fallout" of those mandates.

I do believe this is needed. And wonder if the DEA's arbitrary authority to classify it a schedule 1 narcotic is a hindrance to private industry creating a test that is more accurate. Aside from driving, there is also the question of work... I know employers can unilaterally prohibit employees from "illegal drug" use, so complete abstinence should theoretically be expected because - Schedule 1. On the other hand.....presence of lower scheduled drugs like morphine or fentanyl can be exempt by a prescription. Opioids can linger in the system for a few days (but less than cannabis), so it's not "proof" that one is impaired if a test is positive for opioids. But a positive pot test is an immediate "fail"... This is a distinction that I think can be a real safety/legal issues. Particularly when it comes to Workers Comp insurance, which increasingly require drug tests to assess whether the employee was under the influence, and deny claims. For instance, if Jack is a forklift operator who has a script for oxycodone 'as needed', he should abide by the "do not drive or operate heavy machinery" warning. However, even if taking it on Saturday and Sunday makes him woozy over the weekend, it wouldn't prohibit him from working Monday. If he miscalculates a tiny bit on Monday and is injured operating his rig.....He'd likely be considered "at fault" if he'd tested positive for pot, but not for a positive opioid test. Even though he "may" have still been popping pills Monday, it can't be proven and he was "legally" prescribed the drug. However.....if he had Jill spotting for him and she was also injured when he tipped the forklift......is it fair for her claim to be denied if she had a brownie 10 days ago? There are some indicators for sure. But it needs to be distilled down to measurable empirical proof. Not subjective observations of an arresting LEO, because they said it is so. It is disturbing to rely on some magically "infallible" aptitude for spotting drug impairment (in this link) that are claimed to identify drug use that can't be detected by blood or urine tests.

The highlighted "attribution" point is soo, so so relevant.....that attribution is precisely why any local business person would welcome such calls on stories even tangentially related to their field. In the same way a collectible toy guy or other "local expert" would welcome the citation...local news media have a wealth of sources like this that they have totally abandoned.

Lack of "imagination", journalistic training and adequate pay for those skills? My Journalism professor (20 years ago) emphasized that "all news is local".....meaning that for every one of the state and national stories that's pulled off "the wire" a real reporter can find a local official, business or resident who that story could impact....preferably both pro and con perspectives. A quick look at some of the state and national stories from some local news agencies in the last day that "could" have included some local perspective: Toy Hall of Fame finalists (Pick up the phone and talk to a local retailer of collectible toys?) Senate leaders spar over raising the debt ceiling (surely there is an investment counselor or econ professor at a local college who would take your call) Simone Biles Congressional testimony on gymnast abuse (no attempt to reach out to local athletes or experts) Tax filing extension for some NY businesses affected by Hurricane Ida (advice from a CPA or tax attorney?) Granted....the local TV media relies heavily on unpaid or barely paid interns to provide "coverage", and beyond that the ones getting paid could often earn more at McDs. So verbatim regurgitation of "packaged" news is getting what they pay for.

I don’t know that’s the root cause. I think the broad authority that NYS DOH has to pass controlling regulations has more to do with it than union force. Healthcare employees in NYS public service were singled out in the original order (before expanding to private providers)....and represented by the same unions as those in other jobs titles with testing options. The federal mandate for ALL federal employees and contractor, as well as private employers over 100 workers applies to private workforce with and without union representation, but still has vax or test options.

Sadly....There’s a growing trend that insists we can’t be one and not the other....because those two notions are completely synonymous: When that distinction has been offered by Moss or Strange, there’s a former local elected official incessantly attacking them who appears convinced (as are many) of the above definition....that anti-mandate is the exact same concept as anti-vax. Diatribes and obtuseness displayed by the "mandates with no alternatives" adherents frequently come from individuals with as much authority (even greater authority at state & federal levels) and/or public influence as the current HHS Chair....and are as dangerous and divisive as the ignorant rants coming from him.

Unfortunately, this is too true. There's a mob mentality, exacerbated from Cuomo to Hochul....and POTUS that seems to make it acceptable (even noble) to dismiss reasonable caution (as well as sincerely held convictions, IF the fetal tissue allegation is true).....and just scream "safe and effective" at a louder volume. As ignorant and combative as are theories like tracking chips and transhumanist DNA alterations insane BS....some of that 'masked' distinction (aka thoughtless omission/dismissal) of sane rational concerns comes off as equally ignorant and hostile for someone within that 'rational concern' realm. Bombardment of rhetoric from the anti anti-vax mob mentality already drastically compouds the stress as Ive worked with my allergy specialists to determine the safest course of action. If my job was on the line in addition to that anxiety and harassment? Quitting would absolutely be the best and healthiest choice (for mental well being).

Honestly, no. I don't. I'd recalled that you'd made some acknowledgement to medical exclusions in the EARLIER TOPIC pertaining to mandates for healthcare workers, but once you created this separate topic, not so much. You've seemed more like bordering on unilateral contempt the unvaccinated....even after I'd tried to make allusions to medical contraindications/exemptions at least three times. Under a different format (like social media), your remarks "here" would pretty much be the exact stuff I'd filter or put on "snooze".

This is the first I'd heard of this claim. If true, I do see many people could sincerely find that objectionable (even if I personally don't). I get that sentiment....I really do. But I also feel that can apply to any number of "limits" that someone may have for their personal career choice. Whether they're putting up with low pay, exhausting shifts, aches from heavy lifting, shitty clueless administration.....or a work schedule that interferes with their Euchre league, their choice whether to stay or go is likely to affect patient care and coworkers' burden. What does that verbal browbeating look like? : Of course, you're welcome to your own views. I'm not entirely clear if the STFU and aversion to "woe is me" stories is confined to conspiracy-based anti-vaxx zealots....or whether anti-vax B.S. statistics and "facts" that aren't backed up extends to those with medical contraindications to vaccine ingredients. It does seem like you've expressly opted not to note any distinction between reasonable or unreasonable "choices" not to vaccinate. Copy that. I'll also make a note to refrain from "woe is me" stories if I ever have a raging infection that doesn't respond to the myacin antibiotic family...since it's my "choice" to have penicillin & sulfa allergies.

I guess "Devil's Advocate" is one angle....but frankly, I'm weary of the reductio ad absurdum that's become rife on both sides. Being among the minority of people for whom vaccines can pose real life risks, the ever-louder screams of "safe and effective!! 😬" by keyboard warriors almost feels a little threatening at times. As if either we minority cases are expendable, or the harpies are just too thick-headed and self-righteous to grasp (or respect) others' circumstances.

That's a loose analogy, but not exactly an apples to apples comparison, since one is a minute amount administered intradermally as opposed to a full dose. I for one, voluntarily sought out intradermal testing for the likely allergens in the various vaccines. The positive reaction determined for the doctors that an intramuscular full vaccine is a really bad idea. I really can't fathom why so many politicians and vaccine mandate supporters are so vehemently opposed to testing options that are supported by science.....even at the risk of dangerously low staffing rates. Yeah, valid or absurd, it's their choice. And cries of "abandoning patients" seems a bit too Soviet for me.....as if the collective has some "right" to their servitude.

Considering that healthcare workers in NYS are explicitly denied any option for Covid (or covid antibody) testing...... this mandate most certainly differs from the quoted example. It even differs from existing vaccine mandates that have never required someone with a medical contraindication or existing immunity to be vaccinated anyway. The arbitrary premise that vaccination is the only option is decidedly unscientific. Removing religious exemptions was already permitted a few years ago RE school requirements for measles vaccines. However, this one is the first I've ever heard that excludes medical exemptions and proof of immunity (natural or vaccine derived).

I’m fighting the urge to weigh in on the fact that people are conflating various premises. The concern that Moss’s post (and officials of other counties) are expressing isn’t whether or not vaccines are a good idea, but rather the question of how to deal with the “reality” that as many as 20-30% of the (already declining) healthcare workforce could very likely leave service rather than comply.....which will have a drastic impact. It’s also disappointing that the new governor hasn’t addressed the gaping aperture in her predecessor’s EO that omits any contingencies for medical exemptions and/or natural immunities from previous infections. (To be fair to Hochul, neither of those points were considered in the new mandates that POTUS outlined either).

The Chemung County Exec posted on his FB page that he echoes the concerns of these officials from 10 upstate counties: Considering, at less than 3 weeks away, the state's current 80% vaccination rate among hospital staff and 76% among nursing facility staff (with some counties significantly lower).......it is baffling to me that so many keyboard warriors replying to his post seem to think it will be OK to lose up to 20-30% of the healthcare workforce rather than consider an alternative to this mandate.

Still working? Even many not working had the same (or higher) income until this week when the bonus $300 finally expires. Hell, I've heard stories of people who didn't work to begin with (on SSI/public assistance) skipping rent. At least property owners have some recourse available now: No doubt there will be plenty of red tape and delays to get those hearings, but it's a little more than they had before. And more satisfaction than employers who reported workers refusing to return to work....staying home and getting paid more.

Over the years, Cuomo often touted that The Great New York State Fair held a "special" place in his heart. He celebrated the long "tradition". He bragged about the "food". He praised the "entertainment". And he emphasized that it was an "investment" that would grow revenue. What got under my skin was that he rarely (IF EVER) spoke of the fact that the whole concept of Fairs was built on the goal of fostering and promoting agriculture. Let's hope the new governor is less tone deaf.

Yep...sounds like prior to age 17 he'd already "pursued but didn't follow through with earlier legal action". Makes you wonder if the parents needed to act on his behalf as a minor and didn't want to acknowledge their part in it....or something like, he'd have needed to name the parents as respondents as well? LOL...That's one angle 😄 And sounds like he did that to some degree. On the other hand, how happy would you (or a lot of young men) be to embrace it if baby penis pics of you surfaced for the public to see? Say, like on your band page or something. I do think it's unlikely that the record company, eta al, being sued really did anything illegal....but like a lot of child entertainment situations, not much concern for the kids' long term well-being.

It sounds like the parents got $200 bucks. This is a more personal (and human) take than citing the black n' white legalese of the lawsuit....sort of the same kind of double-edged feelings as I was imagining. Part cool, part financial compensation, as well as some element of genuine personal embarrassment. Likely similar (late onset) embarrassment as any 17 yr old's feelings about naked baby pictures showing up at a family reunion, etc.....stuff you may have thought was okay (or even funny/cute) as a younger kid can take on new light as you mature. But on a far greater scale. Full Story HERE

I agree with you on that, unless there's proof of either that these allegations are true: In which case, it would make me wonder why (or if) his parents didn't take action way back when.