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Rockland’s County Executive is concerned that EMS workers have been left out of the initial COVID vaccine roll-out here in New York. The vaccine from Pearl River’s Pfizer got FDA approval late Friday. With 170,000 doses expected in the first wave, there’s apparently not enough for everyone who would conceivably qualify from the very beginning. Other essential workers like ICU, long-term care facility workers who interact with residents, and others are higher in line to get vaccinated first. Rockland County Executive Ed Day says EMS personnel should be on that list as well…

In his press briefing on Friday, New York governor Andrew Cuomo said those in minority communities also need to be considered ahead of others…

Cuomo is also concerned there’s too much skepticism over taking the vaccine. He says it’s critical to get between 75 and 85 percent of the population vaccinated to be effective, but polls show half the population isn’t ready to take the vaccine just yet.

COVID-19 by the numbers now, here in Rockland, we’ve got 73 in the hospital confirmed with coronavirus, and a total of 2,216 active cases. The state says since the crisis began, we’ve had a total of 23,680 reported cases, 175 more than Friday, and the number of deaths in the county since the pandemic began remains at 716.

Two North Rockland villages are offering free COVID-19 testing and kits thanks to Good Samaritan Hospital staff and help from the town of Ramapo. Town of Haverstraw supervisor Howard Phillips says the villages of Haverstraw and West Haverstraw helped arrange the events being held tomorrow and Wednesday at the Knights of Columbus…

Along with the free test you’ll also get a COVID kit that includes gloves, masks and hand sanitizer, and gift certificates to McDonald’s and Wendy’s while supplies last. That’s tomorrow from 11-3pm and Wednesday from 1-6pm at the Knights of Columbus building at 56 West Broad Street in Haverstraw.

The East Ramapo School District was the first in the county to report a COVID case and shut down classes when the crisis began last spring. Interim superintendent Dr. Ray Giamartino says since then, they haven’t seen any spikes in cases. Dr. Giamartino says the data shows more cases have been among the adult populations rather than the students, but students do suffer in different ways…

Schools in the county have taken different approaches to handling their COVID situations. While North Rockland has decided to go full-remote until mid-January, East Ramapo is taking it on a case-by-case basis.

Pearl River-based Pfizer and their partner BioNTECH have gotten the thumbs-up from an independent panel of experts. NBC News says the panel recommends the FDA greenlight the vaccine for emergency use for those 16 and older. FDA approval and mass vaccinations could start within days. It’s already been approved in the UK, Canada and Bahrain.

COVID-19 by the numbers now, here in Rockland, we lost two more to COVID, bringing the total to 716, 17 since the month began. We’ve got one in the hospital being examined, another 81 there have been confirmed with coronavirus, and a total of 2,225 active cases. The state says since the crisis began, we’ve had a total of 23,505 reported cases, 197 more than Thursday.

The GARNER Arts Center’s holiday drive-through art and light show, “LET THERE BE LIGHT!,” premiers this weekend in Garnerville. Jesse Heffler of the Garner Arts Center says guests will be safely guided in their cars along an elegantly decorated path that includes illuminated window art, massive outdoor video projections, music, immersive light displays and more…

The event is being held this weekend and next weekend, the hours for Saturday are 5-9pm and Sunday 5-8pm. You can also see it next Friday the 18th from 6 to 9pm. The Center is on West Railroad Avenue in Garnerville. Tickets are $25 per car for up to five guests, $35 per car with six or more. For more information click here, or visit their website, www.GarnerArtsCenter.org.