SARATOGA SPRINGS — Hospitals have become the epicenter of COVID-19 around the world, and while most feelings concerning COVID-19 include fear and anxiety with the unknown, two women at the center of it all boiled their experience thus far with COVID-19 down to one word: heartwarming.

Dr. Jacqueline Smith, hospitalist, is a member of Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Inpatient Medicine at Saratoga Hospital. She works with Clinical Coordinator Christina (Chrissy) Citarella, BSN, RN. Citarella is a Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse working with inpatients. Both women have worked countless hours since COVID-19 hit the community in early March.

On January 20, 2020 a 35-year-old man returned to his home in Washington state after recently travelling to Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak. That date marks the first recorded case of the virus in the United States. News across the states travelled fast, and Citarella said the first change she noticed in her usual daily routine was the unknown surrounding the virus at the time.

“Initially, when we started hearing about the COVID patients—that the hospital would potentially be seeing these patients—we had a lot of questions, a lot of uncertainty, and the staff just wanting to know what was our plan, what are we doing here,” Citarella said. 

Both Citarella and Smith said they started self-isolation early on due to their jobs in the healthcare industry. Citarella said she wanted to keep herself, family, and co-workers safe and took to extreme social distancing as the best approach. 

In her own personal life, Smith said she experienced the same initial changes the rest of the world had, and started to self-isolate weeks before the rest of the community on principle, because she was working in the hospital. 

“I considered myself high risk and took every precaution possible to avoid being with other people,” Smith said.

In her professional life, Smith said COVID-19 is a daily-changing thing. Since beginning to work with patients who had the disease, everything changed in the way they practiced. Daily conversations involving personal protective equipment (PPE) have happened regularly since.

“We have constant conversations about PPE and how to keep ourselves safe. We’ve seen a ton of innovation, which is so heartwarming, in terms of different ideas for PPE. It’s been very useful. So every day is a brand new experience, really,” Smith said. 

Angelo Calbone, President and CEO of Saratoga Hospital, shared his perspective concerning the hospital and how the institution has worked as a collective with other hospitals. Calbone said they coordinate through an early morning call with all the institutions throughout the region as a daily check-in. During that call, they compare notes, share approaches and learnings, and get a sense of what each institution is experiencing and how they’re managing it. 

“For the first time in my career, the entire region is functioning, in some ways, as a single health system and not really as competitors. It’s been a satisfying, but unique, experience that I think is helping prepare all the institutions, including Saratoga, really to be in the best position,” Calbone said. “As a collective, we have discussed and implemented changes, such as checking temperatures at all of our doors and timing the curtailment of visitors…we did that in somewhat of a coordinated fashion. We shared how we’re each using our protective equipment for our staff, testing the science and keeping an eye toward what makes our staff safest.”

MIXED EMOTIONS

While the virus forces the community apart, Smith said she was profoundly struck by the mixed emotions COVID-19 brought with it. She said working with a disease that is known as scary—and not yet over—creates questions concerning the unknowns of the virus. However, along with that feeling of fear and sadness the virus creates, Smith countered, “People truly need us, so that is rewarding.” 

Calbone has seen that rewarding sense reflected in hospital workers. He couldn’t think of an adjective strong enough to describe the extent to which Saratoga Hospital staff have invested their commitment to patients. He said the time and energy spent in having good plans in place appears to be paying off well, and the staff has left him in awe. 

“Their focus, calmness, and ability to take this work on while keeping their heads up has just been…we always knew we had a great staff but really seeing them work through this has been just impressive,” Calbone said. 

Smith reflected the same ideas as she mentioned her own amazement with not only the nursing staff, but with other staff, such as the kitchen and cleaning crews. She described everyone as being high quality, caring, and willing to help with whatever anyone needs, creating an amazing atmosphere at work. 

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A key part in that atmosphere is the interaction both Smith and Citarella have with patients. Smith described her interactions as heartwarming, stating patients appreciate them in return and feel concerned about the staff, which she said is highly unusual. 

“It’s a comfort to me. As much as we care, they’re caring as well,” Citarella said. 

Smith said, “It also feels very heartwarming to me, caring about those patients. I want to cheer when someone leaves the hospital—I’m just so happy for them.”

Saratoga County reported its first COVID-19 case on March 7, 2020. On March 27, 2020, Saratoga County reported its first COVID-19 death. Despite the span of increasing reported cases over the last month, Calbone said social distancing is key to helping stop the spread. As of April 7, 2020, the Saratoga County Office of Emergency Services reported 167 confirmed cases in the county. 

“Social distancing and staying at home are the very best things the public can do right now. Our impression is that it’s working and having a positive impact. It hasn’t stopped this, but we do think we are seeing signs that the rate of growth is slowing, which allows all the regional hospitals to better manage the influx. We appreciate what the community is doing, we can tell, and we think it’s working,” Calbone said.

THE UNKNOWN & THE UNCERTAINTY

After reporting the county’s first case one month ago, both Smith and Citarella noticed fear isn’t playing a large part in the virus anymore. They said they no longer see fear in patient’s or co-worker’s eyes as they work with the virus. 

“This is very scary, but I have to say, the staff has done an absolutely phenomenal job being extremely professional and calm. I don’t see fear in people’s eyes. I think everyone just wants to help and that is pretty amazing,” Citarella said. 

Both women said they feel very safe while working at the hospital, but that feeling changes as soon as they step out of that environment. Citarella is living at her home with her husband, practicing social distancing even inside the home. Besides an occasional trip to the grocery store, Citarella said she keeps to herself. 

“I feel very safe [at work]. Being out in the grocery store—it’s the unknown and the uncertainty there,” Citarella said. 

Smith said she currently lives by herself, so while it’s easy to self-isolate, the biggest challenge she faces is venturing out to get groceries.

“I have not been to a grocery store in probably a month, and I’ve managed to order things online, but I can’t do that anymore. They’re just not available. I’m going to have to go to a grocery store. I’ve put it off for three weeks now,” Smith said. “I’m becoming a really creative cook,” Smith finished with a laugh. 

But it’s no laughing matter for those who travel to the grocery store. From being exposed safely to COVID-19 on a daily basis, Smith doesn’t feel that she should be in a grocery store but simply has no other choice. To keep the safe feeling they have inside the hospital when they are out in public places, such as grocery stores, both women said social distancing is key in uncontrolled environments. 

“What influences people to do the right thing? [By not social distancing] people are not choosing the right thing. Why do they do that…I don’t know,” Smith said. 

Calbone reflected those same feelings about the safe environment the hospital generates. He said a combination of limited building access, proper hand washing hygiene, and masking has all contributed to create that protected environment. 

“We have long-established protocols and products here on how we disinfect and isolate areas. The public can’t access this building anymore. General visitors can’t come anymore. Other businesses and locations can’t necessarily make that work. If they don’t want the public accessing their space, they can’t do business. Whereas, we can keep our staff here taking care of patients, restrict a lot of traffic, and still do what we need to do,” Calbone said. 

Calbone encouraged the public to continue proper social distancing and recommended masks should be used as well in public places. He said the masks provide more protection when it’s on someone who is sick. If everyone in public spaces uses masks, it can create a more comfortable sense, similar to the atmosphere the hospital holds. 

At the end of the day, Calbone said personal health comes first. While practicing social distancing, proper hand washing, and self-isolating all contribute toward limiting the spread of COVID-19, people still need to pay attention to their health. 

“If people need healthcare, they should not be afraid to access healthcare. The emergency room is open; we can still manage almost any case here in the organization. We would hate for people who need care to be staying away, allowing their conditions to worsen because they somehow think they shouldn’t or can’t access the hospital. We know that perception probably exists, but that really isn’t the case,” Calbone said.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Jessica Holmes and Nicolina Foti, from the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County, interviewed three farms to discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on the agricultural community.

The results, they say, showcase the strong relationship between the consumer and the direct market farmers. 

Willow Marsh Farm in Ballston Spa. Willow Marsh Farm has seen an increase in milk, eggs, yogurt, and butter sales with the uncertainty of COVID-19. They have also seen an increase in new wholesale accounts, an increase in supply for existing accounts, and an influx of new customers. 

“I think there has been a realization from people as to what real, locally sourced food is,” said Chuck Curtiss of Willow Marsh Farm.

King Brothers Dairy in Schuylerville. Home delivery service has increased, breathing life back into the times of the milkman. During the past week, King Brothers Dairy has seen a 50% increase in their new consumer base.

“I hope we will retain the customers we have obtained during COVID-19, but what I am sure of is the bridge in the educational gap from how we get our food and where it comes from,” said Becky King of King Brothers Dairy.

Smith’s Orchard in Charlton.  Smith’s Orchard has been stocking their meat in the freezer as fast as it has been leaving. They have also been advertising sales on applesauce apples as a fun family quarantine activity. While they have decided to close the doors to their pie shop for the next two weeks, they will be accepting orders with scheduled pickups, according to Shelley Smith of Smith’s Orchard. 

“There is this symbiotic relationship between all of the farms, and how we find a way to survive,” Becky King said. 

WILTON — Construction on the first Wilton Aldi’s began this month with clearing the plot of land. The only work being performed is the clearing of the town road and infrastructure for the building. Due to COVID-19, these are the only construction items that are considered essential. The store will be built on 2.10 acres off of Lowe’s Drive in the Wilton Marketplace. The Wilton Planning Board originally approved the Aldi’s store in February of 2019. According to the meeting minutes, there will be store access through Lowes and a new road will connect with Old Gick and have a pedestrian connection in the future. The Planning Board was not available for comment at this time.

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Hannaford Supermarkets is donating $750,000 to numerous hunger relief and homeless outreach organizations throughout the Northeast as they work to support some of the most at-risk members of the community during the pandemic.

The health crisis and related economic impact are creating unprecedented demand for food assistance, resulting in operational disruptions and significant new costs for the agencies that provide emergency meals. In addition, individuals who rely solely on pantries and shelters – or who live on the street – face particular risk of contracting and spreading the virus because they have no home to shelter within.

Hannaford’s donation includes:

• A total commitment of $550,000 to food banks in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York and Massachusetts. This includes $300,000 in new funds, in addition to a recently announced $250,000 donation to the food banks.

• A total of $200,000 to organizations that work with homeless people. The donation will be used to help create social distance among these individuals, while helping them to meet the most-basic needs of survival and staying healthy amid the crisis.

 “Every day, we are learning more about the impact of this virus and responding together as a community to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Hannaford President Mike Vail. “Our company and our associates are working hard in our grocery stores to meet the most-basic needs of our community during this difficult time: food and medicine. We hope that this donation also will help the most-vulnerable of our neighbors meet their fundamental needs of staying fed and healthy, during this difficult time.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Adirondack Trust Company announced it has secured a five-star rating from BAUERFINANCIAL, the Nation’s Premier Bank Rating Firm. 

A five-star rating indicates that the bank excels in areas of capital adequacy, profitability, asset quality and much more. Earning and maintaining this top rating for 55 consecutive quarters puts Adirondack Trust in the most prestigious bracket as an Exceptional Performance Bank.

“I am often asked what it takes to be a 5-Star bank,” BAUERFINANCIAL President Karen Dorway said. “Like so many other things in life, success in banking boils down to knowledge. Knowledge of banking, of course, but knowledge of its customers and the communities the bank serves are equally important. This intimacy enables the bank to steer clear of danger and work with customers for a common goal. It’s what gets so many community banks, like Adirondack Trust, through the tough times unscathed.”

“We are pleased to continue to be honored by BAUERFINANCIAL as an Exceptional Performance Bank,” Adirondack Trust Company President & CEO Charles V. Wait, Jr. said of the achievement. “We are focused on maintaining a very strong balance sheet and our strong financial discipline has helped us to achieve this honor. We are grateful for the support we’ve received from our customers and our communities since our founding in 1901.”

BAUERFINANCIAL, Inc., based in Coral Gables, Fla., is the nation’s leading independent bank and credit union rating and research firm, has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. No institution can pay for or opt-out of a BAUERFINANCIAL rating. Star ratings are all available for free at bauerfinancial.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — As first responders rush into homes and areas they have no idea could contain COVID-19, Kennedy Property Management (KPM) Restoration is disinfecting firehouses to help keep them safe. 

Each week, owner James Kennedy works with three different crews to head out to disinfect local firehouses at no cost. Kennedy said the company is covering all of Saratoga, Mechanicville, Ballston-Spa, North Greenfield, Glens Falls, Corinth and Schuylerville.

“We’re doing as much as we can to give back to the community. We wanted to give back to our community and our small little town,” Kennedy said. 

KPM uses a fogging product in addition to hospital grade sanitizing and disinfectant. Kennedy said as soon as the crew arrives at the firehouse, they first wipe everything down. They then use a fogging disinfection system, which distributes aerosol disinfection using a fogging machine. The crew then finishes by wiping everything down again. 

“Every week we’re going to do that for them for a little bit,” Kennedy said. 

Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, Kennedy said he received a shipment worth $75,000 of materials they are now using for firehouses as well as reported COVID-19 cases they are called to clean. 

Kennedy said the company’s main focus is water restoration and mold remediation, but said it felt good to give back to the community in this way.

“It feels good that I’m giving back,” Kennedy said. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Online classes for anyone willing to learn more about mindset and coping with COVID-19 will be offered starting next week by ECS Psychological Services.

Erin Christopher-Sisk, founder of ECS Psychological Services, and her team will offer multiple online videos and Q&A sessions to provide the opportunity to ask direct questions to clinicians. 

“You’re going to have a live interactive opportunity to ask a trained mental health professional some questions,” Dana Jacobs, clinical supervisor and director of military programs, said. “We’re really excited to have the opportunity to offer some of these classes.”

Jacobs has worked as a clinical supervisor for the past few years and will conduct a psychological education online class that focuses on the power of positive thinking during COVID-19. The class will focus on how people can shift their perspective to focus on a different mindset. 

“Right now, a lot of people are focusing on ‘I’m stuck at home’ vs. ‘I have the opportunity to be safe in my home’ and ‘I have a chance to connect with people in a different way,’” Jacobs said.

She added rather than focusing on this awful thing that’s going on and how it’s not creating some positive things, focus towards creating positive things based on this situation.

Kelly Tobin, one of ECS psychologists on staff, will offer another class, which focuses primarily on how much fear is playing a role and how well people are coping with it right now. 

“Essentially she’s going to be helping people to learn and discuss how they can identify when our threats are fear based vs. reality based. It could be things that are coming from our past that really might be informing how we’re viewing current situation and not necessarily the reality of the current situation,” Jacobs said. 

She added that Tobin also will teach guided imagery, some deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation to prevent panic in fear based anxiety. 

In addition to these interactive classes, Jacobs said a Facebook Live Q&A would be hosted as well. The classes will be offered at no cost as Jacobs said ECS didn’t want the cost to be a barrier to helping out the community in any way they could. 

“Right now when we’re struggling in lots of different ways, not least of which is financial. Just being able to offer these classes for free is exciting. That way if you have insurance, great, and if you don’t that’s okay too,” Jacobs said. 

Jacobs added that more pop-up classes could be offered in the future based on interest. 

“Quite honestly we’re just hearing from the population that we already work with and the population that’s reaching out to us. Our philosophy at our practice has always been to meet the needs of the community, so were more than happy to open up other classes based upon interest,” Jacobs said. “What are people needing right now, what do they want to know and we’re willing to come up with some materials to help them through that.”

Specific dates and times have not been selected for the classes yet, but Jacobs said more information can be found online on ECS website as well as their social media sites.

The online platform ECS will use is still being discussed, but ECS does have HIPPA compliant video platforms visits for adults and children they may use. 

ECS operates out of multiple locations. Their Church Street location is easy to reach from Ballston Spa, Greenfield, Wilton, Corinth, Amsterdam, Clifton Park and other areas south and west of Saratoga Springs. Their Lake Avenue office is the home of our Therapeutic Farm and offers, group counseling, therapy cats and dogs along with access to our beautiful gardens and walking trails. It is at this location that they partner with Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, Inc. to offer Equine Assisted Learning. 

FREE LIVE Q&A WITH LICENSED THERAPIST
Wednesday, April 22 | 1-1:30 p.m. 

Live Q&A session to address coping tips, concerns surrounding COVID-19, protecting our mental health and more. Please join from your computer, tablet or smartphone:
global.gotomeeting.com/join/948417461
You can also dial in using your phone: +1 (646) 749-3122
Access Code: 948-417-461

FREE INFORMATION GROUP SESSION
Thursday, April 23 | 1 – 2 p.m.
Free online session to learn and discuss how to identify when our threats are fear- or reality-based. Participants will also learn how to use guided imagery, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation to prevent panic.  Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
global.gotomeeting.com/join/771013013
You can also dial in using your phone: +1 (646) 749-3122
Access Code: 771-013-013

New to GoToMeeting? 
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
global.gotomeeting.com/install/948417461

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Evan deJonghe, of deJonghe Original Jewelry, auctioned off a pendant on Facebook to raise money for the Franklin Community Center in Saratoga Springs. 

“As jewelers there’s not much we can offer in a world health pandemic. But we wanted to give back in some way, so I brainstormed some ideas of how we could sell jewelry to raise money. I decided to auction off our Spirit of Life pendant in 14k yellow gold via our facebook page for a 24-hour period,” deJonghe said. 

The pendant retails for $285 but sold in the auction for $450, all of which was donated directly to the Franklin Community Center which helps families in need. 

“We have been creating the Spirit of Life in jewelry form for over 30 years when my father Dennis decided to start our Saratoga Collection. She stands proud in Congress Park…symbolizing life and health and is a landmark in town. This made it a perfect piece to auction off for charity during this health crisis,” deJonghe said.

This community has supported the business for over 30 years and this is one way to give back. Many of their Facebook followers were eager to participate as well, showing that we’re all in this together and willing to donate money to help where we can.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Stewarts Shop announced after another successful Holiday Match season and checks are now in the mail to local children’s charities. 

Funding has now been allocated to 1,753 organizations across the communities where Stewart’s Shops are located.

From Thanksgiving Day through Christmas Day, customers donated almost $900,000 to the program, which was doubled to about $1.8 million with the Stewart’s match. There are no administrative costs with this program, meaning 100% of the funds collected and matched, benefit these organizations.

 “Given the current uncertain circumstances, the Holiday Match Program means more this year than ever before and provides non-profit organizations with some certainty and much needed assistance. This true collaboration and support from our customers along with the Stewart’s match will positively impact children’s charities all year long”, says Stewart’s Foundation president Susan Dake.

 The Stewart’s Holiday Match program has now allocated more than $30 million since the program’s inception in 1986. The success of program is credited to Stewart’s customers for their generous contributions, dedicated shop partners who worked diligently to collect the funds, and to the media partners who helped spread the word.

Stewart’s Shops is committed to giving back to the communities in which they are located, donating approximately $2.5 million a year to local non-profits with The Dake Family Foundations contributing an additional $5 million. 

ALBANY — Bernard Paprocki, director of the U.S. Small Business Administration office that covers Albany, said the volume of calls they are getting is unprecedented as businesses shut down due to the coronavirus. 

His best advice for small businesses is to make sure the applications are precise and accurate. If your small business anticipates applying for SBA small business recovery loans be prepared. Compile information to document your monthly payroll costs. Include wages, tips, health care benefits and insurances for your employees over the last 12 months. 

These expenses will likely be the basis of calculating eligible funding amounts for loans and will help you be better prepared to apply as soon as program details are announced. Additionally, if anyone is looking for assistance and counseling on how to complete their SBA loan, please schedule an online counseling appointment with Albany’s Small Business Development Center or contact Service Corps of Retired Executives Bill Edwards at 518-893-7364.