The Peru Gazette

Today the U.S. death toll from the Coronavirus pandemic topped 100,000, a tragic milestone. This is an unfathomable and immeasurable loss. Words simply fail in capturing the scale of this loss and the trauma and grief it has caused. Each person who we lost was loved. Each person will be missed. We stand united in grief and mark this solemn day for our nation.

1. Long Island met all seven metrics and began Phase 1 reopening today. At this point, every region in the state excluding New York City has begun the reopening process. For details and information about the different phases of this process visit forward.ny.gov.

2. The number of total COVID hospitalizations continues to decline. Total hospitalizations are at 4,208, from 4,265 the day before. The number of new COVID hospitalizations fell to 181, from 201 the day before. Tragically, we lost 74 New Yorkers to the virus yesterday.

3. I am calling on the U.S. Senate to pass a COVID relief bill that helps all Americans and provides fiscal support to states. State and local governments have seen revenues go down and costs go up due to COVID — we need federal relief so that we can support hospitals, firefighters, teachers, police officers and other working Americans. In Washington D.C. today, I also met with President Trump and urged him to support a public infrastructure program to help supercharge the economy. We have shovel-ready projects in New York — all we need is federal approval.

4. Remember to respond to the Census. Every New Yorker should respond to the Census — it is safe, easy and can be done online from the comfort of your own home. Let’s make sure every New Yorker is counted. Complete the Census today at my2020census.gov.

5. If you have symptoms, get tested. There are over 760 locations in the state that offer testing — find one here. If you go to a testing site run by New York State, all testing is free of charge. If you are getting a test at a site operated by local governments, private companies including pharmacies and medical practices or not-for-profit organizations, you are advised to check with the testing site and your own health plan in advance of being tested to confirm you will not be responsible for any fee.

6. New York rest stops, text stops and welcome centers remain open. Rest rooms, gas and vending machines continue to be available — and enhanced cleaning measures have been implemented. New Yorkers should continue to wear a mask in public, including rest areas.

Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: Finley, a 6-year-old Golden Retriever from Canandaigua, NY, was recognized by Guinness World Records for being able to hold six tennis balls in his mouth with no assistance — shattering the previous record of five tennis balls. Congratulations to this very good boy on his world record.