After more than a year of strict safety guidelines, Schoharie County is inching towards normalcy.
Almost all county offices opened to the public on Monday; previously, people needed appointments to visit any office.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Federice acknowledged the reopening and relaxing of rules at supervisors’ meeting Friday, where supervisors who were vaccinated no longer wore masks.
“We’re trying to bring things back to normalcy, whatever that is. It’s been so long,” Mr. Federice said.
The one exception to open offices is the Department of Motor Vehicles, which will remain appointment-only.
To use other offices, vaccinated people must provide proof; those not vaccinated must continue to wear masks.
Speaking to supervisors, County Public Health Director Amy Gildemeister applauded the growing improvement.
“A whole lot of rules are changing,” she said. “It’s very exciting. It’s a dramatic move forward.”
That move forward comes with vaccinations, Dr. Gildemeister said.
As of last week, 11,787 county residents have completed vaccinations, and 13,391 have had one dose, she said.
The Health Department has continued its vaccination clinics, Dr. Gildemeister said, adding that the Pfizer vaccine is the only one approved for 12- to 14-year-olds.
Seward Supervisor Earlin Rosa asked what percentage of the population had to be vaccinated to reach herd immunity––when there’s a minimum chance of COVID to spread.
Dr. Gildemeister said she’s heard that 70 percent is enough but added that 85 to 90 percent is a better figure. Schoharie County isn’t that high yet.
Asked about businesses and mask compliance, Dr. Gildemeister said businesses can put up signs requiring customers to continue wearing masks if they’re not vaccinated.
“We rely on people to do the right thing,” she said.
But Dr. Gildemeister cautioned that cases are still high worldwide, especially in Southeast Asia.
“And we could have a variant that doesn’t respond to the vaccine,” she said. “We’re watching those variants. They may be virulent.”
According to a press release from the Governor’s office, Schoharie County has had 1,679 COVID cases, including eight new ones last week.