Erie County Office for People with Disabilities and the effects of COVID

Independent Perspective 1678

Guest is Frank Cammarata on the services of Erie County Office for People with Disabilitiues and the effects of COVID.

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

Guest:  Thank you, Ernie. Always good to be with you.

Host:  It's our pleasure. And you're here because you have a handle on what's going on in Erie County concerning the coronavirus pandemic, but first, for people that aren't familiar with you, whom does your office serve and what sort of things does it do for them?

Guest:  Well, Ernie, we are here as in multiple roles. One of the roles that I play is the ADA Coordinator for the county as well as the advocate for people with disabilities for Erie County. We have an advisory council that we maintain that has people with disabilities on it to provide input and that input I directly provide to the County Executive so his so as to make him aware of the goings on in the disability community.

Host:  And for people that aren't familiar with what ADA is, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, one of the most important pieces of legislation ensuring the rights of that population. But I gather that you’ve got some information on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting residents and people with disabilities in particular.

Guest:  Well, interestingly enough, Ernie I am on the County Executive’s Vaccine Task Force, which I think is quite an important role, because the County Executive wants to make sure that there is equity across the board with regard to vaccine distribution, as well as making sure that people with disabilities are being treated equitably throughout this, unfortunately, this almost two year old pandemic at this point.

Host:  But I gather that you know something about the number of cases, fatalities and such?

Guest:  Sure, and I was going to say I'm happy to give you those numbers. Now, I’ve got to be honest, I'm not happy to give you those numbers because they're not happy numbers. But at this present time, we are looking at you know, and keep in mind this is just for Erie County but in Erie County alone we have had 144,605 cases of the coronavirus. We have unfortunately we've had 2,289 people pass away from the coronavirus. Keep in mind this is just Erie County okay. Right now, we are looking at a 47% increase for positive reports over last week. So right now, Omicron is very active in our Erie County and especially in the younger folks. The 20 to 39 age group. It is you know it's very active, so very concerning. Right now, we're looking too at approximately 73.2% of our Erie County residents have had one dose of vaccine and we have 67.5% of the county residents are fully vaccinated, fully vaccinated meaning they have received that booster shot.

Host:  Alright and what should people with disabilities do to protect themselves the best way possible?

Guest:  Most importantly, get the vaccine. Get that booster. If you've gotten the vaccine, if you've gotten both doses of the vaccine, and you're able to get the booster shot, please get that booster shot. Please as you may or may not be aware, there is a facemask mandate in which people need to wear a mask when they go into public settings, grocery stores, recreational facilities etc. You need to be wearing that mask.

Host:  Well, thank you, Frank. We're totally out of time. I'm sure people have questions. How can they reach it?

Guest:  They can reach me at my office Ernie 858-6215 and we're always happy to help out.

Host:  Thanks so much for being with us Frank.

Guest:  You got it Ernie.

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