The Best Way to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones is to Get Vaccinated December 4, 2021Dear Friends,Thanks to a nation-wide effort led by the Biden Administration to combat the pandemic and expand access to COVID vaccines, many of us were able to enjoy an in-person Thanksgiving with our loved ones last week. This was a welcome and heartening change from last year. But, difficult and frustrating as it is to say, this pandemic is far from behind us.Time and time again just as we seem to be getting a handle on the virus, new and alarming news comes to light, most recently with the seemingly sudden emergence and spread of the Omicron variant. As we read about rising cases across Europe and regions around the world, we must also reckon with troubling spikes in our backyards:In Albany county new daily caseloads rose past 200 multiple days in a row;Since reopening in September, Capital Region schools have averaged 500 total new COVID cases per week. This week, they skyrocketed past 1,200 new cases; andJust the other day the Omicron variant, first detected in the U.S in California, has been reported in New York State.These findings are disturbing, but despite this bleak news, we cannot lose heart or forget that there remain proven and effective steps to keep our communities safe. As has become almost second nature for me and many of you, continue to wear masks in public spaces indoors; be alert for symptoms in yourself and others and if you feel sick, isolate yourself and get tested.Most crucially, make sure that you are vaccinated and—if you are eligible—get your booster shot. If you are 18 years and older and received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna initial vaccine series at least six months ago, or the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least two months ago, you are eligible for a booster.Building on this important work, this week President Biden also outlined a clear and powerful new strategy to combat COVID and stop the spread as we head into the hard winter months. The President’s plan includes:Delivering boosters for all adults to ensure the nearly 100 eligible Americans who have not yet gotten their booster receive one as soon as possibleVaccinating kids and families to keep our schools open, launching hundreds of family vaccination clinics and reviewing school COVID-19 prevention policies to avoid closures of entire classrooms or schoolsExpanding free at-home testing for Americans, providing health plan coverage of no-cost rapid, over-the-counter COVID-19 testsImplementing stronger public health protocols for safe international travelEnsuring protections in workplaces to keep our economy openStrengthening our national volunteer emergency medical response corps to help battle rising cases and support communities in need Supplying treatment pills to help prevent hospitalizations and deathContinuing the commitment to global vaccination efforts by donating 1.2 billion doses across the worldSteps to ensure we are prepared for all scenarios, including accelerating the development and deployment of new vaccines and boosters if needed for the Omicron variant or future variantsAs we approach two years with this pandemic, I know it can seem hopeless and like we are moving backwards. But we must not forget the incredible strides we have made—lifted by the astounding work of our scientists and researchers to develop a safe, effective vaccine.We have gotten this far together, and together we will make it through. As always, thank you for reading. Your friend, DID YOU KNOW?  Throughout this pandemic, my office and I have worked to make sure you remain informed with the latest local, state and federal updates and recommendations. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:  The US Small Business Administration announced updated guidance for COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program applicants to better serve small business owners in need, while funding remains available. The COVID EIDL and advance programs still have billions of dollars available to help small businesses hard hit by the pandemic, more than 3.8 million businesses employing more than 20 million people have found financial relief through SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans. The SBA will accept and review reconsideration and appeal requests for COVID EIDL applications received on or before December 31.Applicants must have an eligible small business, nonprofit, or agricultural business located in the United States or its territories. Visit www.sba.gov/eidl to learn more about eligibility and application requirements.  Apply HERE!