Soft Paws: Canine emergency kits

By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

Greene County has reported its first confirmed case of monkeypox, according to the New York State Department of Health.

The name of the town or other identifying information about the person who contracted the virus has not been released.

As of July 20, the state confirmed 756 cases of the virus, with the majority of cases, 711, in New York City, 18 in Westchester County, nine in Suffolk, four each in Nassau and Monroe counties, two in Erie, and one each in Sullivan, Chemung, Rockland, St. Lawrence, Tompkins, Albany, Orange and now Greene.

Monkeypox, or orthopoxvirus, is a rare viral infection that is mild in many cases but can cause hospitalization and death. Infections spread from person to person, or from a contaminated object to a person.

The virus is rarely seen in the United States, but has been spreading globally in numerous countries that do not typically have cases, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Assemblyman Chris Tague, R-102, encouraged New Yorkers to learn more about the virus and find out how to avoid its spread.

“While I do not feel this announcement is one that should cause people any undue fear or worry, I want the people of Greene County and elsewhere in the 102nd Assembly District to know we are aware of the spread of monkeypox and are prepared to do everything we can for those who may become affected by it,” Tague said in a statement. “What’s most important is to know about monkeypox, how it spreads, and the importance of taking action if you believe you or someone you love may be infected with the virus.”

Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion and a rash that can resemble pimples or blisters. The rash frequently appears inside the mouth and on the hands, feet, chest and genitals, according to the CDC.

There is a vaccination available to protect against monkeypox. The Greene County Public Health department said in a statement that the following individuals are recommended by the CDC to get vaccinated: people who have been identified as a contact with someone with monkeypox, those who may have been exposed to the virus, who have had multiple sexual partners in the past two weeks in an area where monkeypox has been confirmed or with a partner who has been diagnosed with monkeypox.

Vaccination clinics are being held at the Saratoga County Department of Health, the only county in the Capital Region to be allocated doses of the vaccine. The next clinic is scheduled for Friday, July 22, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at 6012 County Farm Road in Ballston Spa. No appointments were available as of Thursday morning.

At press time, no vaccination clinics have been scheduled in Greene County.

On July 21, the state Department of Health announced New Yorkers can sign up to receive monkeypox alerts on their smartphone by texting “MONKEYPOX” to 81336. You can also opt in for messages based on your location of interest.

By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

CAIRO — Ralph Osterhoudt was one of the first 32 Americans to enter the gates of the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp and saw sights he will never forget.

“It was terrible, terrible, terrible,” Osterhoudt said. “There were three buildings. People would come in on a train and every person on it — kids, older people, women — were told to strip and take off all their jewelry and put it in a pile. They were told they were going to get a shower — there were things in the ceiling that made it look like a shower, but they were gassed.”

Osterhoudt served in the U.S. Army in heavy artillery, under General George Patton, including in the Battle of the Bulge. To this day he still has three scars from three different battles. But he says he will never forget the things he saw when he entered Auschwitz.

“I saw a pile of ears with earrings on them — if they didn’t take them off, their ears were cut off,” Osterhoudt said. “There was a pile of fingers — if they didn’t take off their rings, their fingers were cut off with hedge shears.”

It is those memories that keep Osterhoudt going to every veterans’ event he can find — to tell his first-hand account of World War II and what he and his fellow service members experienced.

Osterhoudt was the honoree at this year’s Let’s Ride to Benefit Our Veterans motorcycle run last Sunday, now in its third year. Last year’s event drew 136 riders, but this year torrential downpours were forecast so turnout was lower than expected, with about 30 motorcyclists participating.

The route was shorter than usual, too, about 65 miles in total, due to safety concerns with thunderstorms and heavy rains expected. Normally a 130-mile route through Greene County and the mountaintop, this year’s route was shortened to traveling from the Red Rooster Bar and Grill to Prattsville and back.

The group raised just under $2,000 for the day, organizer Melissa Buffett said.

Osterhoudt rode in a Ford Fairlane as the guest of honor. Even at 97 years old, he continues to spread the word about the war and its innumerable tragedies.

“You can find me at almost any veterans’ event, from New York City to Albany. I’m here to remind everyone of that time in history. If I wasn’t here, maybe there wouldn’t be a person here that remembers World War II, but I’m here so they will remember it.”

He wants his fellow service members who did not make it back home to be remembered always.

“I’m doing this for the guys that didn’t make it because otherwise they will be forgotten,” Osterhoudt said. “Thousands of 18-year-old guys — people don’t know it, but half of them froze to death. They died because they froze. We can’t forget about them.”

Osterhoudt is a highly decorated veteran, having earned three Bronze stars, the Purple Heart and the French Medal of Honor.

Melissa Buffett, the motorcycle run’s organizer, said proceeds from the event will go to the group Mended Swords, a nonprofit organization that aids veterans. Buffett launched the motorcycle run three years ago.

“I am fanatic about veterans and this is something we need to do as a community,” she said.

Taryn Purro, owner of the Red Rooster Bar and Grill on Main Street in Cairo, each year lends a hand by donating the use of her restaurant and food for the event.

“Helping veterans and people in the service was really big for my father and it’s just something we have always supported,” Purro said. “Veterans are the ones who always put the people of this country first. They give us our freedom and they make the ultimate sacrifice. They leave their friends and family, and sometimes they lose their lives. They put all of us first.”

The motorcycle run drew numerous veterans and family members of veterans, like retired Cairo police officer Tom Plank.

“My father was a WWII veteran,” Plank said. “Veterans, especially from World War II, are near and dear to my heart. My dad was a vet and he fought for our country.”

Greene County Sheriff Peter Kusminsky turned out to show his support and said remembering veterans is important.

“We need to never forget the sacrifices that veterans made to ensure that we continue to enjoy the rights that we have,” Kusminsky said. “It’s extremely important that we never forget them and that we continue to honor them.”

Army National Guard veteran Mike Dunker helped organize the run.

“Once I found out that we were doing this for Ralph — I’m a vet, my father is a vet, so this is important to me,” Dunker said. “These people have died for our country and [Ralph] survived. Because of all of them, we are living free.”

Pastor Anthony Covino recited a prayer before the motorcycle riders took off on their route.

“The lives of our nation and preservation of this great country wouldn’t happen without our veterans,” Covino said to the group assembled in prayer. “I feel in my heart that they don’t get enough recognition, enough support, so if we can come together like this, whether it’s a large group or a small group, I’m sure it means a lot, especially to those who are here today who have served. I thank you for your time and the sacrifice that you made for your country.”