Community Fund Grants, Drive-by Celebrations, Golfing Fall to Coronavirus

Broome County's confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to rise with a total of 110 reported on April 10.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, who earlier in the week issued an order directing residents to only shop on even days if their birth year ends in an even number and odd calendar days if their birth year is an odd number, has announced a couple additional directives in order to deal with the pandemic.

Garnar says the gatherings of people to drive by homes and institutions to celebrate birthdays, weddings, school unity or holidays can no longer be allowed.  Video of these "drive-by celebrations" frequently shows several cars lined up close together with several people milling around to participate or gatherings of people on lawns, possibly not adhering to the distancing guidelines.

The County Executive has also announced the cancellation of the Small Community Grant Program for the year 2020. The decision was made together with Legislature Chairman Daniel J. Reynolds.

The program would have provided up to $150,000 for a variety of small projects in communities throughout Broome and has been in existence for about two years.

Garnar says the money freed up will be used for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The Executive says the county funds will be able to purchase:

• 50,000 N-95 masks
• 250,000 surgical masks
• 15,000 face shields
• 15,000 gowns
• 75,000 gloves
• 12 infrared thermometers
• Additional testing supplies

Earlier April 10, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced all golf courses would be closed.  Those facilities had remained open under the NY PAUSE directive but the Governor said there were too many concerns about the spread of the coronavirus through gatherings of golfers on the course, safety of the staff and ability to properly sanitize golf carts, cups and other items at golf courses.