Omicron has everyone on edge
While the omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus has investors buying then selling-off in a flurry of confusion, President Joe Biden has shifted his thinking to avoid a lockdown of the type Americans saw in 2020, the Wall Street Journal is reporting. Travelers coming to the U.S. must have been tested within 24 hours of stepping on the plane, and the mask mandate that requires people to wear masks in public spaces such as train stations and airports will extend to March, though it was set to stop in January. The New York Times has a story covering medicos who initially said the evidence did not support booster vaccinations for adults, but now are saying get the booster. Biden, reportedly, is not waiting for more doctors; he plans an announcement of more changes later today. [Omicron may affect the re-opening of Saratoga Springs City Council meetings, which are only fully re-opening starting next week. Read our coverage here.]
ETEC home to weather science at UAlbany
Companies that need to know the weather are finding a home in the ETEC Building’s incubator space on the UAlbany campus, a story in the Albany Business Journal is reporting. Companies can utilize data from the New York State Mesonet program, which collects weather and agriculture data, such as wind data and soil temperature, from towers in every county in the state. People who run the center and those who use the data see an economic use of this data, from helping drones fly to farming.
Transportation to affordable housing
A 60-unit apartment complex in Ballston Spa has big shoes to fill, a story in the Times Union says. Property values are climbing in Saratoga County, pushing out young professionals such as teachers and those who earn at the lower end of the income spectrum. As well, half of the units in the complex will be set aside for those who need support to overcome substance abuse or mental illness, the story says. Another complex is planned for Corinth. One issue that faces developments like these: placement of the housing must be near bus routes to help those without cars.
DEC hires two land use coordinators
The state Department of Environmental Conservation has hired two new staffers to help coordinate sustainable use of public lands in the Adirondacks and Catskills, the Adirondack Daily Enterprise is reporting. The Adirondack Park coordinator will be Josh Clague while the Catskills get McCrea Burnham, both longtime DEC staffers. Generally, their work will cover overseeing management plans, the use of common resources, and the challenges that mount between jurisdictional boundaries. They also will help improve equity and diversity outreach in education and park operations, according to the story.