Town of Minisink
Emergencies only dial 911.
Please call Town Clerk at 845-726-3700, ext. 1, if you need any additional information.
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Information regarding COVID
The US government will relaunch a program to provide free Covid-19 home tests to Americans, US Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday.
US households can order four free tests from www.Covidtests.gov starting September 25.
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Will your expired COVID at-home tests still work? Check this FDA list
After a summer lull, COVID-19 is back and sending some New Yorkers digging into closets to find at-home COVID test kits, only to discover months-old expiration dates on boxes.
But before tossing the test kits, New Yorkers should check a federal website that explains how and why that expiration date on the box has actually been extended, in many cases, by months following analysis by the Food and Drug Administration.
When can I use an expired COVID test?
The expiration date for an at-home COVID-19 diagnostic test may be extended as additional stability data is collected, FDA says.
You can check the Expiration Date column of the List of Authorized At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests( https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list) to see if the expiration date for your at-home OTC COVID-19 test has been extended and how to find any new expiration date.
Further details about the extension process are available on the FDA website, fda.gov, or through the agency's hotline 1-888-INFO-FDA.
How much have COVID test expiration dates been extended?
In April, the FDA released the most recent list of COVID test kit extensions, including some that added months to the shelf-life of particular brands.
For example, one brand of Abbott's BinaxNOW COVID test kits received a 15-month to 22-month shelf-life extension. That means a kit with an expiration date on the box of May 12 is now safe to use until Dec. 12.
But other brands received shorter extensions, which underscored the importance of checking the list to get the most accurate details.
Will COVID tests work beyond extended expiration date?
Using at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests beyond their extended expiration dates is not recommended by the FDA.
COVID-19 tests and their components may degrade, or break down, over time, FDA says, and because of this, expired test kits could give inaccurate or invalid test results.
Do you need to take another COVID test after getting a negative?
Yes. The FDA recommends repeat testing following a negative COVID-19 antigen (at-home) test result whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms.
COVID-19 antigen (at home) tests are less accurate than molecular tests and may not detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus early in an infection or in people who do not have COVID-19 symptoms.
Among the FDA recommendations:
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, test again 48 hours after the first negative test, for a total of at least two tests.
If you do not have COVID-19 symptoms, test again 48 hours after the first negative test, then 48 hours after the second negative test, for a total of at least three tests.
If you get a positive result on any COVID-19 test, you most likely have COVID-19 and should follow the CDC guidance for people with COVID-19.
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***Switching from STAR exemption
to a check in NY***
For additional information go to the Assessors page
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Making a Difference
The Food Pantry
at the
Westtown Evangelical Presbyterian Church
807 Route 284, Westtown, NY 10998
Who: Town of Minisink & Greenville Residents Only
When: The 3rd Saturday of every month
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
For more information or to make a donation
call 845-726-3922 and leave a message
Contact our Town Clerk to submit Community Event notices on this website.
-Submissions must at be in JPEG, PNG or PDF format.
-Must be submitted at least two weeks prior to event.
Contacts
Tel 845-726-3700
Fax 845-726-4205
e-mail:
TownClerk@townofminisink.com
Address:
Town of Minisink
20 Roy Smith Drive
Westtown, NY 10998
Regular Hours:
Monday-Friday
9 am-3 pm
Evening Hours available by Appointment
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Orange County recognizes National Suicide Prevention and Awareness
National suicide prevention month
Goshen, N.Y. – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus and Commissioner of Mental Health and Social Services Darcie Miller are recognizing National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, which is observed each year in September.
According to data provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. and the 12th leading cause of death in New York State. It is the second-leading cause of death for 10–34-year-olds. On average, 132 Americans die by suicide each day. In 2019, the suicide rate was 1.5 times higher for Veterans than for non-veteran adults over the age of 18. Ninety percent of those who died by suicide had a diagnosable mental health condition at the time of their death.
“People with mental health issues often feel isolated and alone,” Neuhaus said. “I am proud that Orange County offers a variety of excellent resources to help. The County’s dedicated Mental Health Staff, under Darcie Miller’s leadership, work hard to provide awareness and the necessary resources. Suicide is an issue in all segments of society, and help is just a phone call away for residents who feel overwhelmed or who believe someone close to them is at risk.”
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers the following suggestions for talking with someone at risk of suicide:
Speak openly and honestly about your concerns. Asking someone directly if they are considering suicide often provides relief.
Be willing to listen with compassion and without judgment.
Offer to help find support and assistance. Someone who is considering suicide often cannot see solutions to their problems.
If you can, accompany the person to a hospital, an emergency room, a therapist, a member of the clergy, or other support who can help.
Do not promise secrecy.
Remove the means of suicide or separate the person from the means if you can do so safely.
After you’ve helped the individual connect with someone who can help, check in with them, and remain as involved and supportive as you can.
“Recognizing the signs of suicide can help to save lives,” Miller said. “Given the right information, everyone can intervene to get help for suicidal or at-risk family members, friends, or acquaintances. Help is just a phone call away for residents who feel overwhelmed or think someone close to them is at risk.”
Miller noted that Orange County has a variety of suicide prevention resources for residents:
The Orange County Crisis Call Center is available to any individual who has a Substance Use Disorder, Developmental Disabilities, and/or Mental Illness, and to their loved ones, by dialing 311 or 1 800-832-1200.
If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately.
If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 988 or text TALK to 74174.
For more information, please visit the Orange County Suicide Prevention Task Force webpage at https://www.orangecountygov.com/2067/Suicide-Prevention.
The County will host its Out of the Darkness suicide walk on Sunday, September 24th. For more information about the event, go to https://rb.gy/db1lo.
E-ZPass On-the-Go
The Town of Minisink is now a participating E-ZPass On-the-Go retailer! You can purchase your prepackaged E-ZPass tag for $25.00 from our Town Clerk's Office. There is no additional cost for getting an E-ZPass tag at an On-the-Go location, the full $25.00 payment is moved to your account as soon as you register your tag. Its as E-Z as 1-2-3, stop by and purchase your tag, mount the tag in your vehicle and register your tag within 48 hours! Stop by our Town Clerk's Office and get yours today!!