Headlines from the May 12th, 2020 edition of the Sullivan County Democrat newspaper

Catskill Regional Medical Center's Emergency Management Committee routinely conducts drills for anything from active shooters, mass casualties and even pandemics, hoping these things never occur, but ensuring there is a plan in place when a crisis does strike.

And to these committees, which are formed at hospitals across the globe, it is widely believed that a pandemic is the worst-case scenario.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, for the first time in his 25 years of hospital leadership, Catskill Regional Medical Center (CRMC) CEO Jonathan Schiller had to activate one such plan.

Headlines from the May 8, 2020 edition of the Sullivan County Democrat newspaper

Headlines from the May 5, 2020 edition of the Sullivan County Democrat newspaper

Headlines from the May 1, 2020 edition of the Sullivan County Democrat newspaper

Headlines from the April 28, 2020 edition of the Sullivan County Democrat newspaper

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther wants her constituents to know that she is there for them. As the coronavirus pandemic impacts the entire world, New York has become the epicenter in the United States.

“I hope all our residents of both Sullivan and Orange counties are hanging in there; this has been a really difficult moment in all of our lives,” Gunther said in a phone interview with the Democrat. “I want everybody to know that if you call my office… we're available, and any question is one that we're interested in and if we can help you in any way please call.”

It's been in the news that the federal government passed a coronavirus relief bill that includes funding for most Americans, as well as business loans to hopefully help the economy endure this difficult time.

The Democrat sat down with State Senator Jen Metzger via Zoom this week to discuss some of the most serious issues facing New Yorkers amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

“This has been an incredible challenge. So many of our small businesses are struggling and wondering about whether they'll be able to reopen with such a prolonged closure.”

After New York on PAUSE was extended by Governor Andrew Cuomo until May 15, Metzger stressed that we have to rely on public health experts to advise us as we move forward to reopen the economy.

Headlines from the April 24, 2020 edition of the Sullivan County Democrat newspaper

Headlines from the April 21, 2020 edition of the Sullivan County Democrat newspaper