5 Things That Happened While You Were Out: Nov. 16, 2020

Though vaccine approval is on the horizon, it will be months yet before they are ready for mass distribution. The political landscape remains sketchy, with President Donald Trump still refusing to concede or facilitate President-elect Joe Biden’s transition.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says if the positivity rate in the five boroughs rises above 3 percent, public schools will have to shut down. In Chicago, the mayor announced a sizable stay-at-home advisory to slow the spread. Likewise, Philadelphia is expected to announce new restrictions soon to address rising COVID cases.

Several governors of Northeastern states hit hardest by the pandemic met over the weekend to discuss a new joint approach. They are closing watching the rising hospitalization rates as well as public and private gatherings that are fueling the spikes.

2) Today was the deadline for sexual abuse cases to be filed against the Boy Scouts of America so they could be part of the organization’s bankruptcy case. This number is much higher than expected.

The BSA filed for bankruptcy protection in February when it appeared it would have to face hundreds of cases. In a formal statement, BSA officials said they are shocked and devastated by the number of claims and the damage they have done to the organization.

The last reported number of claims filed earlier today was at 88,500, with the deadline set for 5 p.m. EST. All claims in by that time will be included in the compensation fund established during the bankruptcy proceedings. The fund’s amount is unknown and is expected to be one of the most discussed issues during negotiations.

The organization will likely have to contribute a considerable portion of its assets to settle these claims, on top of what its insurance may cover. The BSA has attempted to be open during the claim process, consistently expressing grief and sorrow about the situation.

The BSA has been around for 110 years and is seen as a stronghold in the civic life of many Americans. For the past few decades, there has been a massive decline in membership numbers, however, as well as more and more scandals.

Though the BSA has made many adjustments from the sex abuse cases in the 1960s, ’70s, and 80’s such as abuse prevention training, criminal background checks, and increased preventative rules, it was not enough.

After today, no additional sexual abuse claims can be filed, according to the terms of the bankruptcy case. However, they can still be issued against specific state councils in states with a victim look back clause in their statute of limitation laws.

3) In Onondaga County, the Board of Elections has had eight workers test positive for COVID-19 out of a staff of approximately 30. Because of this outbreak, the county’s remaining absentee ballots will not be counted until after Thanksgiving.

The BOE Commissioners Michele Sardo and Dustin Czarny said that approximately 30,000 absentee ballots remain to be counted. As a result, at least four races are too close to call:

• 50^th Senate District – Democrat John Mannion vs. Republican Angi Renna
• 127^th Assembly District –  Democrat Al Stirpe vs. Republican Mark Venesky
• Onondaga County Family Court – Democrat Christie DeJoseph vs. Republican Sal Pavone
• NYS Supreme Court – Democrat Rory McMahon vs. Republican Michael Young

The first three are contained within Onondaga County, and so won’t likely be finalized until December. The Supreme Court races covers multiple counties, so a winner might be declared earlier.

All told, it is suspected that around 100 volunteers, party organizers, journalists, and lawyers have been exposed.

4) Over the weekend, a Saratoga Springs City Hall legal department employee tested positive for COVID-19. The employee was working in City Hall on Thursday, November 12, and Friday, November 13. Those in contact with this employee are to self-monitor.

The building will be closed until further notice for a thorough cleaning and disinfection. Tomorrow’s City Council meeting will be streaming on Zoom starting at 7 p.m. If you wish to attend the forum for the public portions, you can sign up here.

There will be a streaming meeting Monday at 10 AM for their Preliminary Agenda meeting.

5) Starting tomorrow, Saint Rose will be switching to all remote-learning for the rest of the fall semester.

Residence halls will stay open, but dining services will be take-out only. All in-person gatherings and athletics are on pause starting tomorrow as well. This is two weeks earlier than scheduled, as Saint Rose had planned to be all remote after Thanksgiving break.

The college has had 17 total cases so far, and eight that are currently active.