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Volume 213, No. 38
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Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, September 23, 2021
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COOPERSTOWN AND AROUND
Healthcare groups take different vax views
Nana found in Springfield
Despite court stay, Bassett to require employees to comply; Cooperstown Center asks state to reconsider
The mystery of the missing Nana in Springfield Center was solved last week when Nicole Dillingham claimed the lost letter from her grandson, Graham. Dillingham said the letter, which was addressed only to Nana, Springfield Center, got to her “Only through the persistence of The Freeman’s Journal and Candace, our wonderful postmistress!” Farmers’ Market to celebrate anniversary The Cooperstown Farmers’ Market will celebrate its 30th anniversary Saturday, Sept. 25, at 101 Main St. in the Pioneer Alley. There will be music, games and activities, as well as the normal vending from local farmers. In addition, the market will announce the winning name in its “name our rooster statue,” promotion. The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the market will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The curbside pick-up program has ended and all sales will be done inside the market.
By KEVIN LIMITI Healthcare groups in Otsego County are dealing with the state’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers and the need to keep their facilities staffed. Bassett Healthcare Network, one of the largest employers in the area, is determined to vaccinate its entire workforce in spite of backlash and the potential loss of employees.
who have chosen to receive their COVID-19 vaccine,” Ibrahim wrote. “Whether you were among the first to get vaccinated in December, you just recently received your vaccine, or fall somewhere in between, I am so grateful for the choice that you made, and I know that our patients are as well.” The decision for Bassett workers to be vaccinated came as a response to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s mandate
that all healthcare workers should have the vaccine, whether or not the employee has cause for a religious exemption. Bassett Healthcare Network has given a Monday, Sept. 27, deadline for employees to get at least one dose of the vaccine. Workers who don’t get the vaccine won’t be fired, however they won’t be allowed to work either. See VACCINE, Page A2
Protesters decry mandates in Cooperstown, Oneonta By KEVIN LIMITI
Anti-mask and anti-vaccine protesters staged two rallies in Otsego County in the past week, bringing their message to Bassett Healthcare and others. Hundreds of protesters, along with Assemblyman John Salka, RBrookfield, marched to A.O. Fox Hospital and through Main Street in Oneonta on Friday, Sept. 17. Protesters also marched Tuesday, Sept. 21, in Cooperstown, from the Otsego County Courthouse to Bassett Medical Center. The protesters chanted slogans such as “stop the mandate” as they walked through downtown INSIDE Oneonta towards the hospital. There were signs that said “unmask our ►TED TALKS: TedxOneonta returns after a one-year hiatus. children” and “protect our liberties.” The vaccine mandate from Bassett Page A3. Healthcare Network was in response ►Chic Walshe: Milford girls, to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s mandate Cooperstown boys win opening-round games. Page A7. that all healthcare workers should be vaccinated. ►A FISHING TALE: Coop native Prior to the march, the Oneonta pursues dream of being a protesters rallied at Damaschke professional bass fisherman. Field. Page A7. ►a HEART FOR HArtwick: “I’m here to support the medical Retiring President Margaret professionals and support their right Drugovich said she will miss to not have an injection they’re the Oneonta community. not confident in,” Salka said. “Last Page A9. year they were heroes, this year ►GReat GROFF: Author Lauren they’re zeroes.” Groff’s new book looks at In a speech prior to the March, Marie de France. Page A12. Salka said healthcare workers were “being treated like garbage” and Follow Breaking News On “second class citizens.” He also derided medical advisor Anthony OTSEGO.com Fauci for “lying” about masks. Salka was possibly referring to when in the ►RABID ANIMAL: The Otsego beginning of the pandemic, Fauci County Department of Health said people didn’t need to wear reported a bat found in the masks. Cooperstown area tested “I’m proud to walk with you up positive for rabies last week. to Fox Hospital,” Salka said. “I want ►Sports UPDATES: With high to thank everyone for being here school sports going on, get the today.” latest scores online. Bernard Holoquist, who works ►COVID UPDATES: Coronaviat Bassett Medical Center as an rus cases continue to rise in anesthesia tech, said he was “praying Otsego County. I keep my job,” because of the vaccine mandate. The deadline for healthcare workers at Bassett to get the first shot
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Bassett has made some progress on the vaccine front. According to an internal email penned by Bassett Healthcare CEO Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, vaccinations of its employees are at 90%. About two weeks ago, the vaccination rate was only 75%, according to Bassett officials. Ibrahim said these numbers were increasing daily. “Specifically, I want to say thank you to the many, many of you
Kevin Limiti/The Freeman’s Journal
An unidentified protester demonstrates against vaccination mandates at Bassett Healthcare Network in Cooperstown on Tuesday, Sept. 21.
of the vaccine is Sunday, Sept. 27. “Eighteen months I was good enough for them,” Holoquist said. Holoquist gave a speech where he said he believed his freedom was being taken from him. “I believe our liberty is gone or it’s going to get even worse,” Holoquist said, who said, “the goalposts keep moving” in regards to the COVID virus. “Wear a mask, we wore a mask. Take a shot, we take a shot.” Much of the rhetoric in the speeches was based on a reluctance to wear masks and get vaccines, and a general mistrust of the information being put out about the COVID response. “They don’t do masks in Florida. They don’t do masks in South Carolina,” Holoquist said. “Why do we do masks? You have to wake up.” However, Florida’s COVID rates
are among the worst in the nation during the Delta variant, with a positivity rate of above 11% last week, according to the Florida Department of Health. The New York Times reported last week that about 450 people a day are currently dying of COVID in Florida, compared with 33 per day in New York. Holoquist said that he lived a life like he didn’t care if he died. “Why are you worried about the shot if you can give it and get it?” Holoquist said. Gina Madeiros, who also works at Bassett Hospital as a supervisor, said she was there because of “medical freedom and choice.” Madeiros emphasized she wasn’t anti-vaccine but she had the virus previously and believed her antibodies were enough. “You don’t get the flu shot when you’ve had the flu,” Madeiros said. “I watched patients die because they
didn’t take medical advice and that’s their right. I should have that right also. I have until Sunday. ... I’ve been poor my whole life. I finally got a career and now I have to choose. That’s not fair.” According to the CDC, reinfections with COVID are rare but do occur. However, there is not much data, yet, on how common reinfections are, how severe they are, or whether an individual is able to spread the virus if re-infected. Also unknown is how the Delta variant, which is more contagious, and other future variants, will factor in to reinfections. As the group marched through downtown Oneonta to Fox Hospital and back to Damasckhe Field, there were many vocal supporters near by who honked their horns or showed support. Not everyone was supportive See PROTESTS, Page A2
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD