Erie County Health Department Update ( 3.26.20 )

The Erie County Department of Health is making the following announcements

  • We have received reports of 31 Erie County residents who are hospitalized as of yesterday due to COVID-19. As of today at 12 p.m. we have had 166 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Erie County residents.
  • FRAUD ALERT: At this time there are no FDA-approved drugs or treatments for COVID-19. There are also no over-the-counter COVID-19 tests. If you get an email, phone call, offer by mail or other solicitation for these scams, hang up and ignore them. This is a very important warning to reinforce for every Erie County resident. The best medical advice for you comes from your physician.
  • Our COVID-19 Information Line team is working with many county departments and outside agencies to keep our Frequently Asked Questions updated. Review that list here: http://www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=frequently-asked-questions-and-answers-about-covid-19-coronavirus
  • People who use or operate ride shares, taxi services or public transportation should make every effort to keep six feet away from others to the extent that is possible. Taxi and ride share operators should take steps to properly disinfect hard surfaces in the vehicle in between riders and stops.
  • The Division of Environmental Health offices at 503 Kensington Ave. in Buffalo have restricted access to the public by appointment only.

o   Complaints about public health hazards will continue to have on-site inspections.

o   Public Health Sanitarians are continuing surveillance and investigation programs for restaurants as they have shifted to take-out only service.

o   Property transfer inspections are suspended until further notice. Replacement sewage system design and inspection will continue.

o   Vector control work for exterior baiting will continue.

o   Our Rabies Program is available by phone at (716) 961-6800. Individuals who encounter a bat or other wild animal, or who are bitten by a dog, cat or other mammal, should call our office.

o   ATUPA/Tobacco Program with local retailers, though compliance checks with minors are suspended.

  • We are sharing this resource from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for assistance in quitting smoking and tobacco use. https://smokefree.gov/ has texting programs, phone apps and a live online chat to support people in reaching their smokefree goals.
  • Erie County has received information from some local employers who are expanding hiring at this time. This list is subject to change, but as of this afternoon the following companies and web sites have career and application information available:

o   Amazon: https://www.indeed.com/q-Amazon-l-Buffalo,-NY-jobs.html

o   ARC of Erie County: www.arceriecounty.org

o   Catholic Health: https://jobs.chsbuffalo.org

o   Community Services For Every1: www.csevery1.com

o   CVS: https://jobs.cvshealth.com

o   Dash’s Market: https://www.dashsmarket.com

o   Dollar General: https://careers.dollargeneral.com

o   Erie County Medical Center (ECMC): www.ecmc.edu/careers

o   General Mills: https://careers.generalmills.com

o   HiOperator: https://www.indeedjobs.com/hioperator-417bd07/jobs

o   Instacart: https://shoppers.instacart.com

o   Kaleida Health: https://www.kaleidahealth.org/careers

o   O-at-ka Milk Products: https://oatkamilk.com/careers

o   OLV Human Services: https://www.olvhumanservices.org/careers

o   SERVPRO Southtowns: https://www.servprothesouthtowns.com/careers

o   Steuben Foods            : http://www.steubenfoods.com/job-openings

o   Suburban Adult Services: https://www.sasinc.org/Careers

o   Tops Markets: https://www.topsmarkets.com/Careers

o   Upstate Niagara Cooperative: https://www.upstateniagara.com/careers

o   Walmart: https://careers.walmart.com

o   Wegmans: www.jobs.wegmans.com

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Shock as GOP leader moans that history’s ‘oppressors’ don’t get celebrated



A House Republican berated Smithsonian history director Anthea Hartig, suggesting that historical 'oppressors' should receive more celebration.

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), chair of the House Oversight subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, called the hearing Tuesday to challenge how the National Museum of American History tells the nation's story.

It marked the first time a top Smithsonian leader had been publicly grilled by Congress since President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing officials to "remove improper ideology" from the institution's museums.

Burchett opened Tuesday's session by accusing the museum of having "become infected by a woke ideology that has seeped into public displays, educational materials, and planning documents."

"But in the museum's current telling, history is just an ongoing power struggle between oppressors and the oppressed," Burchett said. "Only the oppressed are celebrated, especially illegal immigrants."

Burchett then challenged Hartig over exhibits on "race, identity, gender, and sexuality."

"Yes, sir," Hartig replied. "We strive to create a museum where our visitors will be inspired by the collections, programs, and exhibitions, and they will choose what they each will do to keep our American democracy strong and vibrant, and they'll play that chosen part with passion. That is our hope."

Burchett pointed to images he had posted on a display board behind him, describing what he called sexually explicit content in museum exhibits.

"You have pictures of bondage," the lawmaker complained. "You have some overtly sexual things up there. You have transgender folks...?"

"The exhibition and project you're referring to is Girlhood: It's Complicated, which was a temporary exhibit in our museum that closed —" Hartig began.

"Ma'am, I didn't ask you that," Burchett cut her off. "I asked you: do you think it is appropriate?"

Hartig said the exhibit had featured, with the author's permission, a 13-year-old's diary that covered sleepovers, Latin class, and math exams. She said the exhibit carried a parental advisory label at its entrance.

"Do you think that is appropriate for a child to see? Yes or no?" Burchett pressed.

"I understand your question, sir," Hartig said.

"No — don't. You're not answering. You're just running on, ma'am," Burchett shot back.

In his closing moments, Burchett cited three statements he attributed to Hartig — that America was founded on "the supremacy of white men," that loving America is "very complicated," and that the nation's 250th anniversary is worth "problematizing."

"It is the honor of my career to serve as the Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the National Museum of American History," Hartig replied when asked if she should continue leading the museum.

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