Independent Perspective 1679

Erie County Office for People with Disabilities Coronavirus Resources

Host:  Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is once again Frank Cammarata, Executive Director of the Erie County Office for People with Disabilities (ECOPWD). And your host is yours truly Ernie Churchwell. Welcome back to the program Frank.

Guest:  Thanks as always great to be with you.

Host:  Pleasure again. For those that missed the last show, Frank gave us a lot of figures about the spread of the coronavirus in Erie County and its effect on people with disabilities. And speaking of which, for people that didn't catch that show, what is it that your office does and whom does it serve?

Guest:  Sure. So, we are primarily the advocacy piece for people with disabilities. I report directly to the County Executive. I have an advisory council that we meet on a monthly basis as well as a core advisory group that talks about the pandemic on a monthly basis. And all that information is reported directly to the County Executive as well as Dr. Burstein from the Department of Health.

Host:  Great. Last show you addressed the statistics on people that have been infected, hospitalized and succumbed to the COVID-19. And we won't get into that again because you've got some fresh ground. You already touched on the value of vaccination and the mask mandate for New York State. You have other resources that people should know about. What sorts of things should they know or do to help protect themselves against COVID-19?

Guest:  So, I think you know, for Erie County residents, one of the most important things that people need to know is that Erie County is maintaining, continues to maintain both vaccination and testing sites. And those vaccination and testing sites are free to the public. Okay. I want to make very clear though that it is only Erie County specific sites. Erie County, I should say Erie County sites that are operated by the county because you could go to Rite Aid, CVS, etc., and unfortunately you're going to have to pay, but if you go to a site that's operated by Erie County, those are free for both the vaccine and for testing. Information is readily available at erie.gov/COVID-19. One of the I guess really the most important phone number that everybody in our area needs to know is 858-2929 That's our Erie County vaccine COVID hotline. If anybody has any questions regarding the pandemic, has any specific needs with regard to the pandemic and COVID-19, 858-2929 is the number and you'll be able to reach somebody right away. We have honestly Ernie I think we have 20 or 30 operators working Monday through Friday, so it's great. There are other really terrific resources out there that I could strongly recommend like the cdc.gov, New York State Department of Health, Erie County Department of Health and my boss, the County Executive does a weekly update, weekly press update both on Facebook and on YouTube. So, you can go to the erie.gov, Erie County government YouTube site to look at those, to review those. You can go to Facebook page, the Facebook page as well. So great resources to update yourself and be aware of the different opportunities for again for the vaccine and for testing.

Host:  Alright, and although you speak for Erie County, just about all the counties within the sound of your voice, have some sort of free vaccination and testing opportunities therein, they just need to look online or call their counties to find out what they are.

Guest:  Specifically, their County Department of Health, right, Ernie, yes.

Host:  Would you believe we're running low on time again, I'm sure that people will have additional questions for you. How can you be reached?

Guest:  Anybody can reach me Monday through Friday. We are here 8:00 to 4:30 in the afternoon. My direct number is 716-858-6215. If you have any questions, if you have any need one and what I should have told you already one of the things that the county is providing is mobile vaccine. If somebody needs, if somebody can't get out of their home and needs the shot at home, reach out to us or call 858-2929.

Host:  All right, thanks so much Frank, you have a good one.

Guest:  You too Ernie, take care.

Host:  You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today has been Frank Camerata, Executive Director of the ECOPWD, and I've been your host Ernie Churchwell.