Vermont continues to see fairly low numbers of new cases of COVID-19 each day, and the state is taking cautious steps to re-open the economy. But how does that compare to our neighbors? We're checking in this week with reporters in each state (and Canadian province) that borders Vermont about how the disease is spreading and how their local government plans to re-open the economy. New York has been the hardist hit state in the country, measuring deaths in the tens of thousands.
VPR's Henry Epp spoke to Emily Russell, a reporter with North Country Public Radio based in Plattsburgh, New York. Their interview is below and has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Henry Epp: What's the overall statewide picture of COVID-19 in New York?
Emily Russell: New York really is the epicenter of this virus in the U.S. The state has seen more than 320,000 confirmed cases here. Out of that, nearly 20,000 New Yorkers have died due to COVID-19. So it's a massive tragedy that's unfolding here in New York State. A majority of those deaths are happening, you know, downstate in New York City and the surrounding suburbs. But it is also hitting parts of upstate New York. There have been outbreaks out west near Buffalo. In the capital district, we're keeping track of a couple of outbreaks at nursing homes in the Glens Falls area, which is southwest of Rutland. So, you know, there have been pockets of the state, including here in the North Country, that that have been hit pretty hard during this pandemic.
More from VPR: Reporter Debrief: Checking In On COVID-19 In Massachusetts
And in terms of the health care system's response, we've seen the photos and videos of hospitals in other parts of New York being overwhelmed at times. Has that been the case at all in your region?
As far as our hospitals and health care centers, we haven't really heard of any being overwhelmed with cases, but it has taken a real, I'd say, economic toll on the hospitals here. You know, we've seen layoffs, I think probably at most of our major hospitals here in the North Country. And and some of those places are, you know, some of the area's biggest employers. So that's had a real impact here in the North Country.
New York has also seen one of the stricter lockdowns in the country. Governor Andrew Cuomo has said the state will reopen by region. So what's next for the North Country and New York?
So the entire state is on pause, meaning all nonessential businesses are closed at least until next Friday. That's May 15th. And like you said, he has said he's okay with region by region reopening, but he has set up a list of requirements that regions have to meet. So hospitalizations and death rates need to be going down. Hospitals and regions need to have enough beds in case there's a surge of COVID cases. Cuomo has said he wants, you know, a certain amount of contact tracers. And also, and this is, you know, really important point, there needs to be enough testing in these places. He has called for regions to be testing about 3% of their population per month. Right now, the North Country has tested half of that. So to qualify to reopen by next Friday, at least partially, we'd need to double our testing capacity. And it's sort of tough to see that happening.
For a timeline outlining Vermont's response to COVID-19, head here.
How have people in northern New York reacted to the lockdown as it's gone on, and to these plans for reopening?
From what we've seen and heard, I think most people have followed the governor's orders in terms of staying home and wearing a mask. And then in terms of reopening, North Country Public Radio has been surveying people. We've actually heard from hundreds of people here in the region. Few people — I'd say less than 10 percent — say, "Yes, let's definitely go for it. It's time to reopen." More than a third say, "You know, no way, we are not ready. It's too risky." But there are a lot of people in the middle there who are seeing the economic toll that this is taking on our region. And people are, you know, ready to get back to work. But they're also aware that comes with risks. ... Like parts of Vermont, the North Country relies a lot on tourism dollars, specifically in the summertime. So it's going to be really interesting even once the economy reopens ... what it looks like. Will life get back to normal or will it be sort of a more subdued summer tourism season?
