COVID-19 has affected county health and finances
July 21: Steve Neuhaus pointed to the top right of his daily update form. “You see what’s there?” he asked with a mischievous grin. On the top left was the county logo. On the other side was the Seabees insignia. A lot has happened since last year when the county executive spent six months with the Seabees in the Middle East.
The form tells a story that he shares during his daily calls with the town supervisors. The information appears to be encouraging. Eighty percent of the ICU beds in the county and 25 percent of the normal hospital beds are open and available. Every county department is close to full strength.
“It’s been a wild trip,” the executive admits, “and it’s not over yet.” The virus isn’t finished with the county. The form, which he adapted from the military, shows there were 33 new cases last weekend.
During the worst part of the pandemic, the disease had a mixed effect on behavior. There was a decrease in suicides and police calls (both good results), but an increase in domestic violence and overdoses.
And COVID-19 has affected more than the health and behavior of county residents. It’s had an impact on our economy. Mr. Neuhaus reports that, for the first part of the year, sales tax revenue is down by 13 percent and the state is struggling with a $13 billion budget gap.
“We’ve been through tough times before,” the executive admits. He says the county has tried to make up for part of its lost revenue by offering retirement incentives and by pushing off some costly projects.
One project that is not being pushed off is the annual air show. It will take place on Aug. 29 at the Orange County Airport in Montgomery.
Unlike Stewart, the airport offers 250 acres that can be shut down for all uses other than the show.
This year’s lineup includes the Thunderbirds, the F22 Raptors, the US Navy, the F-35 team, and the U.S. Army parachuters.
Mr. Neuhaus is excited about the show. He’s also eager to share pictures from the fishing trips he’s taken with his four kids. They’ve caught some whoppers in the Hudson, the Moodna and Greenwood Lake.
But, primarily, the executive is enthused about his constituents. He says that county residents have held 30 “Black Lives Matter” rallies and four “Back the Blue” demonstrations. On occasion, the two groups have crossed paths without any confrontation.
And that could bode well for the nation. “Whoever wins the Presidential election,” Mr. Neuhaus reasons, “is not going to bring us together. So grass roots communities, like ours, will have to lead the way.”
