I am truly alarmed about today’s announcement that an Executive Order will be issued to force hospitals across the state to turn over ventilators and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently not being used. Under the order, the National Guard will be deployed to collect the equipment—which I believe will only heighten the anxiety of a population already on edge due to this crisis.

The people of Central and Northern New York have always been there to help those in need. That being said, our rural hospitals have limited resources. The future is unknown, and as Coronavirus cases continue to rise in our region, we need to be prepared for a potential surge. Even now, local hospitals are in dire need of PPE.

I have been in communication with area hospitals and am committed to working alongside them, as well as my partners in government to ensure the health care needs of our region, both now and in the future, are met as this pandemic continues.