Board Of Supervisors Chair Blasts Vaccine Distribution System
by Doug La Rocque
In a statement released by his office on Tuesday, January 12, Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell was very critical of New York State’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout, saying “this situation has gone beyond crazy.” Murell continued by saying “Governor Cuomo’s vaccination distribution quote-plan-unquote has done nothing but sow confusion in the state and Columbia County,” “Every day seems to bring another random announcement that does nothing to further the cause of getting the vaccine in the arms of our residents.”
The governor’s announcement last Friday that vaccine distribution was being expanded to include the 1B and now 1C categories caused an avalanche of telephone calls into the county Department of Health, Chairman Murell said. That barrage of calls continues as county residents seek to determine their eligibility, and, if possible, to sign up for their vaccine.
“As soon as someone hung up the phone, another call comes in, which has only been exacerbated by the state’s hotline being overwhelmed,” said Chairman Murell. “The system, such as it is, is broken.”
On Wednesday, the Chairman offered a clarification seeking to add context to remarks made Tuesday in a press release issued by his office that addressed vaccine distribution. “My press release was not an attempt to politicize the situation-it was about the fact that the frustration in this process lies in the random nature of the direction received from New York State who is responsible for the vaccine distribution to localities.”
“At the heart of my statement in this case were the three changes made by New York State in the distribution process over the course of the weekend. The county Department of Health simply is unable to adjust to these constant changes and continue to do its job effectively, and it’s unfair to expect otherwise.”
Houghtling Responds
New Lebanon Town Supervisor Tistrya Houghtling is the newly elected Minority Leader of the Board, and she tells The Eastwick Press “we need to get vaccines in people’s arms as quickly as possible and the lack of available vaccines is troubling.
Right now is not a time to be pointing fingers but a time to be coming together across political lines and working together to find solutions to get everyone vaccinated as quickly as possible. This is not, nor should it ever become, a political issue.”