(Submitted Photo)

NEW YORK - Congressman Anthony Brindisi held a second teleconference last week, inviting members of the public to hear up to date information from medical professionals and community leaders.

On Thursday Brindisi’s teleconference covered a number of topics, including the coronavirus stimulus check, statewide hospital usage, and continued impacts on local communities.

“Now is the time for diligence, and while health officials do their jobs, we all have a duty to do our part,” said Brindisi. “Even those who are young and healthy need to consider the elderly and people with underlying conditions.”

“We are a community and rely on everyone to do their part.”

One of the topics discussed during the conference was the concept of individuals infected with coronavirus from New York City being transported for treatment to hospitals in other parts of the state.

“My understanding right now is that the City of New York is working very hard to increase hospital capacity, as I mentioned the Army Corp of Engineers is working diligently to try and address any overflow by looking at sites in the City like the Jacob Javits Convention Center” said Brindisi. “Obviously if you can keep people close to home, and treated closer to home that would be ideal.”

“Hopefully there isn’t a need for folks to come to other parts of the state, but I know all of the health systems are preparing in the event that something like that might happen.”