ALBANY – Capital Region residents overwhelmingly say they’ll need increased safety measures against the novel coronavirus before feeling safe at work again, according to a new Times Union-Siena College Research Institute poll.
The poll found that on a bipartisan basis, residents want employers to provide masks, sanitized workplaces and personal protective equipment at work. But they also indicated they want larger public health measures that aren't available right now as well, such as widespread diagnostic and antibody testing as well as a treatment for COVID-19 or a vaccine.
The poll asked 1,007 residents for their opinion on how necessary 10 different conditions are before they feel safe going back to work, ranging from employer-provided masks to a vaccine for the coronavirus being available.
Of those surveyed who are still working outside the home, 52 percent said they trust employers to take the necessary steps to protect employees and clients.
RELATED: Siena poll shows gender, political differences on virus
Join the conversation about this Times Union-Siena College Research Institute poll in a 9 a.m. webinar on Wednesday, May 13, with Siena pollster Don Levy and Times Union editor Casey Seiler. The free event will stream live at timesunion.com; register now at https://capitalregionrebound.eventbrite.com
While that answer shows that those who are still working outside the home have confidence that their employer will try to keep them safe, their answers on what "safe" is, show that it may be a difficult goal to reach, said Donald P. Levy, director of the Siena College Research Institute.
"It seems to me that the concept of safe is a very, very high bar," Levy said. "In reality, what these numbers say to me is, even though half of them say they have confidence in their employer, they're going to have to accept a certain amount of risk because the percentages that said each of these conditions are necessary are incredibly high."
According to the poll, 74 percent said they would want there to be a treatment for COVID-19 going forward in order to feel safe at their workplace, 61 percent want their workplace reconfigured for social distancing and 53 percent said they want a vaccine. Additionally, 75 percent want masks and 72 percent want their workplace sanitized daily.
The high desire for a vaccine or treatment isn't surprising, said Albany County Public Health Commissioner Elizabeth Whalen.
"I think people are understandably concerned about risk to themselves and their loved ones," she said. "People want to ensure that they have information that they need to be as safe as possible."
Scientists and public health officials have said the earliest a vaccine is expected to be developed is at least a year away and it could be longer than that before a vaccine is widely available to the general public. At the same time, doctors have struggled to find an effective treatment for COVID-19 patients and there is no preventative medication available as there is for other viruses, such as HIV.
Companies are already preparing for some of those challenges while also dealing the with uncertainties around possible new state mandates and rules on how and when they can reopen. Last month Gov. Andrew Cuomo laid out a seven-point plan for regions to meet before they begin the first of several phases for re-opening their economies. Regions that see cases spike during the re-opening process will be forced to shut back down, leading to more uncertainty.
The best steps any employer can take is to be educated and build social distancing and sanitization measures in to their work environment, Whalen said.
"The employer can’t completely mitigate risk, nor can anyone at this stage," she said. "But as long as we can inform what people are doing so their risk is as low as possible, and that involves a lot of education and a lot of change of habits."
As the pandemic arrived in the Capital Region in mid-March, Andrea Crisafulli, president of Crisafullli Bros. Plumbing and Heating, was preparing to expand the company's office to a new location. That logistical challenge instead became a rush to figure out how to best protect their employees and customers as the company rushed to order laptops, upgrade their phone systems for remote work and secure safety equipment for technicians going in to people's homes.
Times Union photographers capture life in the Capital Region during the coronavirus pandemic. Click through to see scenes from the crisis.
A man wears a bandana on his face as he mows the grass at Glens Falls City Park on Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Glens Falls, N.Y. People are seen spaced accordingly as they socialize in the background. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
A healthcare worker gives a patient paperwork at a COVID-19 testing site behind Warren County Municipal Center on Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Queensbury, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
A healthcare worker gets a sample from a patient at a COVID-19 testing site behind Warren County Municipal Center on Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Queensbury, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Healthcare workers are seen waiting for patients at a COVID-19 testing site behind Warren County Municipal Center on Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Queensbury, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Nurses and staff from St. Peter's Health Partners line South Manning Boulevard outside St. Peter's Hospital where they held a candle lighting ceremony in celebration of National Nurses Month on Wednesday night, May, 6, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. A similar event was held at Samaritan Hospital in Troy. Organizers hope that the ceremony shows that healthcare workers can serve as a guiding light through the COVID-19 pandemic. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Nurses and staff from St. Peter's Health Partners line South Manning Boulevard outside St. Peter's Hospital where they held a candle lighting ceremony in celebration of National Nurses Month on Wednesday night, May, 6, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. A similar event was held at Samaritan Hospital in Troy. Organizers hope that the ceremony shows that healthcare workers can serve as a guiding light through the COVID-19 pandemic. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Nurses and staff from St. Peter's Health Partners line South Manning Boulevard outside St. Peter's Hospital where they held a candle lighting ceremony in celebration of National Nurses Month on Wednesday night, May, 6, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. A similar event was held at Samaritan Hospital in Troy. Organizers hope that the ceremony shows that healthcare workers can serve as a guiding light through the COVID-19 pandemic. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Hamburgers are prepared for waiting customers during the opening day for Jumpin' Jack's Drive-in on Tuesday, May, 5, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. The famed local eatery is currently only taking orders by phone for curbside pickup during the coronavirus lockdown. Customers are asked to remain in their cars, and bathrooms are closed. They're open 11a.m. - 8.p.m. daily, according to their website. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Flames rise from the grill as hamburgers are cooked during the opening day for Jumpin' Jack's Drive-in on Tuesday, May, 5, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. The famed local eatery is currently only taking orders by phone for curbside pickup during the coronavirus lockdown. Customers are asked to remain in their cars, and bathrooms are closed. They're open 11a.m. - 8.p.m. daily, according to their website. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Jeff Pepper, owner of CK Cycles, sprays a disinfectant on bikes brought in for repairs at his shop on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, in Colonie, N.Y. Customers are met in the parking lot by employees of the bike shop. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Rojay Ragbeer, left, an employee of CK Cycles, checks for a leak in a tire on Mary Jo Conover's bicycle in the parking lot of the bike shop on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, in Colonie, N.Y. Employees of the shop are meeting customers in the parking lot to take their bikes in for repairs. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Albany County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen goes over COVID-19 case numbers following the county's daily coronavirus news briefing on Monday, May, 4, 2020, at the Albany County Office Building in Albany, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Rev. Scott VanDerveer is seen offering prayers for the memory of one of his parishioners who just died of COVID-19 from outside The Pines at Catskill Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation on Friday, May 1, 2020 in Catskill, N.Y. He then prayed for all the staff and residents of the facility, blessing the whole building and everyone inside. He was capturing everything on video to post on his parishes Facebook page. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Bob Desrosiers, left, assists as Rev. Scott VanDerveer blesses the room of a parishioner who just died of COVID-19 with holy water and then performed a ceremonial blessing of the other residents from outside The Pines at Catskill Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation on Friday, May 1, 2020 in Catskill, N.Y. He was capturing everything on video to post on his parishes Facebook page.(Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Tahlia Hadley, chaplain, St. Peter's Health Partners, left, and Aloysius Kabunga, manager spiritual care for St. Peter's Health Partners stand inside St. Peter's Hospital where they work on Friday, May 1, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Protesters gather outside the state Capitol on Friday to decry Gov. Andrew Cuomo's decision to close businesses in New York in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Steve Hughes / Times Union
Health care workers are seen taking down personal information from drivers at a coronavirus testing site at the Washington Irving Education Center on Wednesday, Tuesday, April 29, 2020 in Schenectady, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Ellis Hospital health care worker Sam Westbrook is seen getting a sample from a person at a coronavirus testing site at the Washington Irving Education Center on Wednesday, Tuesday, April 29, 2020 in Schenectady, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Bags of personal protection equipment (PPE) is seen in a bucket at a coronavirus testing site at the Washington Irving Education Center on Wednesday, Tuesday, April 29, 2020 in Schenectady, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Bus driver Danielle Vadney, left, accepts donated food from Ruth Dickson on Thursday, April 30, 2020, in Rensselaer, N.Y. The employees of the Rensselaer City School District volunteered their time to hold a fill-a-bus food drive to help support the backpack program and Concerns U food pantry. Dickson was dropping off over 100 cans of soup that had been donated from her church, the Rensselaer Presbyterian Church. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Donated food is seen on the seats of a school bus on Thursday, April 30, 2020, in Rensselaer, N.Y. The employees of the Rensselaer City School District transportation department volunteered their time to hold a fill-a-bus food drive to help support the backpack program and Concerns U food pantry. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
A sign points to the new Ellis McClellan Street campus COVID-19 testing site on Monday, April 27, 2020, in Schenectady, N.Y. Schenectady opened its first mobile testing sites this week. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
People are tested at the new Ellis McClellan Street campus COVID-19 testing site on Monday, April 27, 2020, in Schenectady, N.Y. Schenectady opened its first mobile testing sites this week. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Some of the face masks made and sold by Maria Fitch on Etsy, an e-commerce website focused on handmade goods, on Friday, April 24, 2020, at her home in Colonie, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Maria Fitch wears one of her self-styled masks which she sells on Etsy, an e-commerce website focused on handmade goods, on Friday, April 24, 2020, at her home in Colonie, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Some of the face masks made and sold by Maria Fitch on Etsy, an e-commerce website focused on handmade goods, on Friday, April 24, 2020, at her home in Colonie, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Some of the face masks made and sold by Maria Fitch on Etsy, an e-commerce website focused on handmade goods, on Friday, April 24, 2020, at her home in Colonie, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
When the COVID-19 pandemic closed school buildings across New York state, a chain reaction took place that affected school-age children. Students had to quickly adapt to remote learning, figure out if their Wi-Fi connection would be suitable to connect with teachers, and face the challenge of not being able to see friends and family. On a much more basic level, students and families had to figure out where meals would be coming from daily. To assist with that need, staff members at Averill Park Central School District have come together to form a food service and delivery program. Now a full month into the closure of school buildings, APCSD is making roughly 2,500 meals per week, including 1,250 breakfasts and 1,250 lunches. "We are still required to follow the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program meal pattern, so the meals consist of the same components that are offered in school," APCSD Director of Food Services, Colleen Wise, said. "Each breakfast includes whole grains, milk, juice and fruit. Lunches include whole grains, meat or a meat alternative, such as cheese or yogurt, fruit, vegetables, and milk."
When the COVID-19 pandemic closed school buildings across New York state, a chain reaction took place that affected school-age children. Students had to quickly adapt to remote learning, figure out if their Wi-Fi connection would be suitable to connect with teachers, and face the challenge of not being able to see friends and family. On a much more basic level, students and families had to figure out where meals would be coming from daily. To assist with that need, staff members at Averill Park Central School District have come together to form a food service and delivery program. Now a full month into the closure of school buildings, APCSD is making roughly 2,500 meals per week, including 1,250 breakfasts and 1,250 lunches. "We are still required to follow the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program meal pattern, so the meals consist of the same components that are offered in school," APCSD Director of Food Services, Colleen Wise, said. "Each breakfast includes whole grains, milk, juice and fruit. Lunches include whole grains, meat or a meat alternative, such as cheese or yogurt, fruit, vegetables, and milk."
Members of the community drop off donations as Northway Church Partners with Veterans Community and Housing Coalition to Feed Homeless Veterans on Friday, April 24, 2020 in Clifton Park, N.Y. Donations will go directly to the Vet House which provides beds to homeless veterans as well as distributed to vets and families in permanent supportive housing. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Members of the community drop off donations as Northway Church Partners with Veterans Community and Housing Coalition to Feed Homeless Veterans on Friday, April 24, 2020 in Clifton Park, N.Y. Donations will go directly to the Vet House which provides beds to homeless veterans as well as distributed to vets and families in permanent supportive housing. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Members of the community drop off donations as Northway Church Partners with Veterans Community and Housing Coalition to Feed Homeless Veterans on Friday, April 24, 2020 in Clifton Park, N.Y. Donations will go directly to the Vet House which provides beds to homeless veterans as well as distributed to vets and families in permanent supportive housing. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Advocates calling for the release of medically vulnerable prisoners because of the pandemic, honk their car horns as they held a protest outside the New York State Executive Mansion on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Advocates calling for the release of medically vulnerable prisoners because of the pandemic, honk their car horns as they held a protest outside the New York State Executive Mansion on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
A form with blood samples to test for COVID-19 antibodies sits on a desk after being collected by the New York State Department of Health on Monday, April 20, 2020, at a supermarket on Central Avenue in Albany, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Workers with the New York State Department of Health collect blood samples to test for COVID-19 antibodies on Monday, April 20, 2020, at a supermarket on Central Avenue in Albany, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
An employee at Roy's Caribbean Restaurant food truck next to West Capitol Park steps outside as their season begins on Monday, April 20, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, food trucks will be separated from one-another by at least ten feet and have to comply with all other social distancing requirements. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren
A customer gets a bottled water from Roy's Caribbean Restaurant food truck next to West Capitol Park as their season begins on Monday, April 20, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, food trucks will be separated from one-another by at least ten feet and have to comply with all other social distancing requirements. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren
Teachers and staff from Sheridan Preparatory Academy drive in a parade to show how much they miss their students on Friday, April 17, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Teachers and staff from Sheridan Preparatory Academy drive in a parade to show how much they miss their students on Friday, April 17, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
A walk-up coronavirus testing site was on Friday morning, April 17, 2020, outside the Whitney Young Health Center in Albany, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Healthcare workers staff a walk-up coronavirus testing site on Friday morning, April 17, 2020, outside the Whitney Young Health Center in Albany, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Workers tape each others wrist at the top of their gloves at the Capital South Campus Center which one of three new walk-up COVID-19 test sites on Thursday, April 16, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. An appointment is required at the sites. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy and County Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen announced the opening of three walk-up COVID-19 test sites including this one at the Capital South Campus Center on Thursday, April 16, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. An appointment is required at the sites. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy and County Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen announced the opening of three walk-up COVID-19 test sites including this one at the Capital South Campus Center on Thursday, April 16, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. An appointment is required at the sites. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Volunteer Maya Lewis from Watervliet places a watermelon into a food box as she and other volunteers prepared the boxes that would then be handed out to those in need during a mass food distribution on Thursday, April 16, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. The event is part of the Catholic Charities’ mobile outreach program. Catholic Charities teamed up with the Regional Food Bank to get food to those in need in the City of Albany. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Volunteers from the Mechanicville-Stillwater Elks assist Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York members in distributing food to Saratoga County residents during a drive-through food pantry event on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at the Mechanicville-Stillwater Elks in Mechanicville, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Volunteers from the Mechanicville-Stillwater Elks assist Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York members in distributing food to Saratoga County residents during a drive-through food pantry event on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at the Mechanicville-Stillwater Elks in Mechanicville, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Volunteers from the Mechanicville-Stillwater Elks assist Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York members in distributing food to Saratoga County residents during a drive-through food pantry event on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at the Mechanicville-Stillwater Elks in Mechanicville, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Volunteers from the Mechanicville-Stillwater Elks assist Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York members in distributing food to Saratoga County residents during a drive-through food pantry event on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at the Mechanicville-Stillwater Elks in Mechanicville, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Volunteers from the Mechanicville-Stillwater Elks assist Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York members in distributing food to Saratoga County residents during a drive-through food pantry event on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at the Mechanicville-Stillwater Elks in Mechanicville, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Volunteers from the Mechanicville-Stillwater Elks assist Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York members in distributing food to Saratoga County residents during a drive-through food pantry event on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at the Mechanicville-Stillwater Elks in Mechanicville, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
School 18 faculty and staff drive their vehicles through a neighborhood as they take part in a parade to see their students and their families on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, in Troy, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Vincenzo Murello, left, 5, his sister, Ella Jo Mastroianni, 2, and their grandmother, Mary Mastroianni, third from left, and their mom, Nicole Mastroianni, wave to School 18 faculty and staff as they drive through the neighborhood during a parade on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, in Troy, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, at right, says four more people have died from COVID-19 in the county, bringing the death toll to 20. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Quick Response technician Austin Connors uses an electrostatic sprayer to disinfect a fire truck at Knickerbacker Ice Arena on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 in Troy, N.Y. Quick Response was disinfecting Rensselaer County police cars, fire trucks and ambulances for free to help during the coronavirus outbreak. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Quick Response technician Austin Connors uses an electrostatic sprayer to disinfect a police car at Knickerbacker Ice Arena on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 in Troy, N.Y. Quick Response was disinfecting Rensselaer County police cars, fire trucks and ambulances for free to help during the coronavirus outbreak. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Quick Response technician Austin Connors uses an electrostatic sprayer to disinfect firefighters gear and their fire truck at Knickerbacker Ice Arena on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 in Troy, N.Y. Quick Response was disinfecting Rensselaer County police cars, fire trucks and ambulances for free to help during the coronavirus outbreak. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
A bicyclist wearing a protective mask and gloves sets out on his bike from a home on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 in Troy, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Picnic tables and benches are covered with caution tape to deter people from gathering in Powers Park due to the coronavirus on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 in Troy, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Staff at Pathways Nursing and Rehabilitation Center wheel ventilators back into the center after they were returned by the state on Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Niskayuna, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Governor Andrew Cuomo helps unload a ventilator at Pathways Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Niskayuna, N.Y. The state was returning ventilators that the center had loaned out to help fill the need of ventilators during the pandemic. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Governor Andrew Cuomo talks with staff at Pathways Nursing and Rehabilitation Center through a closed window on Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Niskayuna, N.Y. Governor Cuomo was at the center to thank them for the ventilators they loaned the state during the pandemic. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks at a press event at Pathways Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Niskayuna, N.Y. The state was returning ventilators that the center had loaned out to help fill the need of ventilators during the pandemic. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Karen Bradley, director of the Schenectady County Public Library, works the phones inside the county's food distribution center where food packages for those in need are prepared by county employees during the coronavirus lockdown on Friday, April 10, 2020, at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady in Schenectady, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Schenectady County employees answer phones inside the county's food distribution center, where food packages for those in need are prepared by county employees during the coronavirus lockdown on Friday, April 10, 2020, at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady in Schenectady, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Food packages for those in need are packaged by Schenectady County employees during the coronavirus lockdown on Friday, April 10, 2020, at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady in Schenectady, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Food packages for those in need are prepared by Schenectady County employees during the coronavirus lockdown on Friday, April 10, 2020, at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady in Schenectady, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Tianna Pettinger of East Greenbush, left, and her daughters Ellienna, 9, and Marianna, 12, right, watch as the Easter Bunny rides on a firetruck through East Greenbush neighborhoods on Friday, April 10, 2020 in East Greenbush, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
The Easter Bunny rides on a firetruck through East Greenbush neighborhoods on Friday, April 10, 2020 in East Greenbush, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
A sign thanking CDTA drivers is seen on a tree along New Scotland Ave. on Friday, April 10, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Flags are seen flown at half-staff on the Capitol building on Friday, April 10, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo directed flags to be flown at half-staff for the victims of the coronavirus. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
A mask is seen on the Lewis A. Swyer statue in Academy Park on Friday, April 10, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Crews unload one million surgical masks from a 767 plane that came in from China, at the Albany Airport Cargo Facility on Thursday, April 9, 2020, in Latham, N.Y. The aircraft is owned by Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Crews unload one million surgical masks from a 767 plane that came in from China, at the Albany Airport Cargo Facility on Thursday, April 9, 2020, in Latham, N.Y. The aircraft is owned by Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Volunteers at the Dome load food from the Regional Food Bank into the cars of people affected due to closures because of coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 in Watervliet, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Mayor Charles Patricelli, right, watches as volunteers at the Dome load food from the Regional Food Bank into the cars of people affected due to closures because of coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 in Watervliet, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Volunteers at the Dome load food from the Regional Food Bank into the cars of people affected due to closures because of coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 in Watervliet, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Pedestrians are seen wearing a protective mask as they walk down a sidewalk along State St. on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
A sign in the door of Stacks Espresso Bar on Broadway states that they are closed during the coronavirus lockdown on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
A sign in the door of Albany Upstate Dental alerts patients of new business hours during the coronavirus lockdown on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Annabelle Carroll, who suffers from autism, is delighted at the sight of surprise parade thrown by friends and well wishers to celebrate her eleventh birthday on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, on Sycamore Street in Albany, N.Y. An Albany fire truck and several Albany police cars led the parade. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Friends and well wishers parade past Annabelle Carroll's home to celebrate her eleventh birthday on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, on Sycamore Street in Albany, N.Y. Carroll, who suffers from autism, was delighted to see an Albany fire truck and several Albany police cars join her parade. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
From left, Kevin O'Connor, Albany County director of Economic Development, Conservation and Planning, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, and Albany County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen unveil a $100k consultant's report during a press conference on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. The report states why the county should create a new economic development office and local development corporation. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Schenectady City Councilwoman Marion Porterfield, background, speaks with employees of Mohawk Ambulance after prayers were said outside the ambulance garage for the workers and the patients they care for on Sunday, April 5, 2020, in Schenectady, N.Y. A group of religious leaders and members of their congregations along with Schenectady City Councilwoman Marion Porterfield held a vehicle caravan on Sunday visiting first responder locations. At each site one pastor and one member of their congregation got out and prayed. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Jeannette Roundy stands in the doorway of the art room at Yacon Village, the homeschool community center she created on Friday, April 3, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
BJ Aviza, a volunteer at The Furry Friends Pet Food Pantry at the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, is seen carrying food to her car at the shelter on Monday, April 6, 2020 in Menands, N.Y. For those who are ill or in self-isolation and live in Albany, Rensselaer or Saratoga County, the Society can deliver food. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Work continues as a COVID-19 drive-through testing site is set up at the University at Albany on Sunday, April 5, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. The testing site will start up on Monday and is only for those who make appointments beforehand. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Work continues as a COVID-19 drive-through testing site is set up at the University at Albany on Sunday, April 5, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. The testing site will start up on Monday and is only for those who make appointments beforehand. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Work continues as a COVID-19 drive-through testing site is set up at the University at Albany on Sunday, April 5, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. The testing site will start up on Monday and is only for those who make appointments beforehand. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Tammy Ogden, a senior recreation therapist in the department of psychiatry at Albany Med, poses for a photo outside the hospital on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Locked main gate at the Saratoga Race Course on Thursday April 2, 2020 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The tourism bureau in Saratoga Springs says the city and region could lose a billion dollars if Saratoga Performing Arts Center and New York Racing Association are affected. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
A man walks down a near empty sidewalk along Broadway on Thursday April 2, 2020 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The tourism bureau in Saratoga Springs says the city and region could lose a billion dollars if Saratoga Performing Arts Center and New York Racing Association are affected. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Christine Murphy is seen serving customers in their car out of the Snowman-to-go trailer parked behind the main ice cream stand on Friday, April 3, 2020 in Troy, N.Y. Her husband and owner of Snowman, John Murphy, carefully set up everything to deal with social distancing but was forced to close when people ignored the safeguards. He's allowing pre-ordered pickup and trying to figure out how to reopen. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Molly Sky, 4, stands wither her mother Alexa, left, as they wave to Watervliet School District teachers and staff during a caravan parade through the city on Friday, April 3, 2020, in Watervliet, N.Y. Students and family members came to their doorsteps to reconnect with school staff members following the coronavirus lockdown. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Watervliet School District teachers and staff members wave to students and family while taking part in a caravan parade through the city to reconnect with students during the coronavirus lockdown on Friday, April 3, 2020, in Watervliet, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
St. Peter's Hospital facilities workers Jim Larm, left, and Gary Bright install a Life Net windsock on a light pole next to a helipad in a parking lot on the Hackett Blvd. side of St. Peter's Hospital on Friday, April 3, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
A helipad is surrounded by barriers in a parking lot on the Hackett Blvd. side of St. Peter's Hospital on Friday, April 3, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Veterinarian Assistant Tracy Powell, left, holds Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, as Dr. Pamela Reppert listens to her heartbeat outside Saratoga Springs Veterinary Hospital on Thursday April 2, 2020 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The animal hospital set up a fenced in fresh air veterinary care examining room outside their building and had the animal's human stay inside their car. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
FULL STORY: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Saratoga-Springs-veterinarian-creates-outdoor-15174808.php
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Dr. Pamela Reppert, left, checks the ears of Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, as Veterinarian Assistant Tracy Powell holds her outside Saratoga Springs Veterinary Hospital on Thursday April 2, 2020 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The animal hospital set up a fenced in fresh air veterinary care examining room outside their building and had the animal's human stay inside their car. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
FULL STORY: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Saratoga-Springs-veterinarian-creates-outdoor-15174808.php
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Wayne Wilson of Saratoga Springs holds his Tea Cup Poodle Mena-oo in the waiting room which is in his car outside Saratoga Springs Veterinary Hospital on Thursday April 2, 2020 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The animal hospital set up a fenced in fresh air veterinary care examining room outside their building and had the animal's human stay inside their car.(Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
FULL STORY: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Saratoga-Springs-veterinarian-creates-outdoor-15174808.php
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Veterinarian Assistant Tracy Powell lets Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, jump into her owner's car after being examined outside Saratoga Springs Veterinary Hospital on Thursday April 2, 2020 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Alia Sahlborg brought Lucy in for a routine check-up. The animal hospital set up a fenced in fresh air veterinary care examining room outside their building and had the animal's human stay inside their car.(Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
FULL STORY: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Saratoga-Springs-veterinarian-creates-outdoor-15174808.php
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Volunteers including Mayor Bill Keeler, left, and organizer Theresa Bourgeois, right, help Cohoes residents in need of food as they pick up bags of groceries from their cars at the Emergency Food Distribution at the Cohoes Visitors Center on Thursday April 2, 2020 in Cohoes, N.Y. The people picking up food were in need as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Chibao Miaw, left, and his wife, Lilly Miaw go through face masks and other protective gear outside of UPS after picking up the shipment of boxes on Thursday, April 2, 2020, in Latham, N.Y. Chinese community members have been organizing shipments of the supplies from China to distribute to area hospitals. Many of the masks have been donated by Chinese community members or their relatives in China. The local community has also raised $35,000 to purchase more protective equipment in China and to have it shipped over. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
A sign warning people how to reduce the risk of contracting coronavirus is posted at a Washington Avenue Capitol entrance on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. The Capitol complex has been closed to visitors during the outbreak. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Columbia High School seniors, from left, Julia Poitras, 18, Brady Hoffman, 18, Jessica Vorst, 17, and Ella Conway practice social distancing as they meet up in the school's parking lot on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 in East Greenbush.
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
A rainbow made of fabric is seen on a porch of a home on Rt. 20 on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 in Stottville, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
A view of the first non-hospital testing site for COVID-19 at Community Care Physicians on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, in Latham, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
A view of the first non-hospital testing site for COVID-19 at Community Care Physicians on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, in Latham, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
A view of the Arbor Hill Firehouse on North Manning Boulevard on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, in Albany. The firehouse was shut down Monday so it could be cleaned after a firefighter tested positive for COVID-19.
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Susan Dunckel, owner of Sweet Sue's Copper Pot, applies a vanilla buttercream icing to a four inch round pound cake on Monday, March 30, 2020, in Troy, N.Y. Dunckel began selling the cakes made to look like a roll of toilet paper on Saturday and Monday was the first day she began filling all the orders. Becky Kendall, background, a recruited baker that Dunckel has brought in to help fill the orders. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Dan Lundquist shared this collage of rainbows in windows in Albany’s Woodscape neighborhood on March 30, 2020.
Courtesy of Dan Lundquist
Parking lots at Albany International Airport are virtually empty during the coronavirus outbreak on Monday, March 30, 2020, in Colonie N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Campsites are closed for the season at Thompson's Lake State Park Campground on Monday, March 30, 2020, in New Scotland, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
A Gulf gas sign displays a price of $2.17 per gallon for regular gas with cash payment on Monday, March 30, 2020 in Colonie, N.Y. Gasoline prices in the Capital Region are down nearly 30 cents a gallon from a month ago, according to AAA Fuel Gauge reports. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
District Attorney candidate Matt Toporowski throws bottles of hand sanitizer to people outside the New York State Capitol as he campaigns on Friday, March 27, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. People in his campaign made the hand sanitizer out of aloe vera gel and 91% alcohol. Toporowski is endorsed by Working Families and Citizen Action. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
A sign is seen on a car that was in a caravan with District Attorney candidate Matt Toporowski as he threw bottles of hand sanitizer to people outside the New York State Capitol as he campaigns on Friday, March 27, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, left, and Albany County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen hold a press conference to discuss coronavirus in Albany County on Sunday, March 29, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Albany County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen talks about coronavirus in Albany County on Sunday, March 29, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Karen Kissinger, of Delmar, uses the app House Party to connect with family and friends across the country during the coronavirus crisis. Share your story about coping with the isolation of the coronavirus outbreak here. You can send the Times Union your pictures by email at submit@timesunion.com or by text 518-250-9866.
Courtesy of Karen Kissinger
National Guard troops listen as New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks to the press at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, on March 27, 2020. - The New York National Guard, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and Javits employees are constructing a 1,000-bed facility at the center, as the state tries to contain the rising coronavirus cases. (Photo by Bryan R. Smith / AFP)
BRYAN R. SMITH/Getty
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Members of the National Guard wait the arrival of New York Gov Andrew Cuomo at the Javits Convention Center, which is being turned into a hospital to help fight coronavirus cases on March 27, 2020 in New York City. Across the country, schools, businesses, and places of work have either been shutdown or are restricting hours of operation as health officials try to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty
A face mask is seen on a street near a curb on Friday, March 27, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. Protective face masks have been in short supply since the coronavirus pandemic started. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Members of Albany Police Athletic League (PAL) including Leonard Ricchiuti, Jr., executive director, deliver bags of cheer to some of the homebound seniors at St. Vincent?•s Apartments on Friday, March 27, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. They're also delivering to Holy Wisdom and St. Sophia?•s, and the South Mall Towers. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
A large group of people are seen playing basketball at the Livingston and Lake Playground on Friday, March 27, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. Many people are still playing basketball in groups and not keeping a safe distance during the coronavirus outbreak. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Department of Recreation employees Casey Craig, left, and Johnny White post signs on the basketball equipment at Washington Park informing the public not to use them on Friday, March 27, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. They told young men who were there alone they were fine. The city is discouraging groups of people playing basketball or other sports that involve close contact. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
J.C. Glindmyer, owner of Earthworld comics, waits on the curb for two customers to drive up on Thursday, March 26, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. Glindmyer started doing curbside delivery to customers on Wednesday, the day new releases come out. He said that customers should email the shop or reach out through the shop's Facebook page or Instagram account to place an order. Glindmyer said that he opened the comic book store in 1983 and is just trying to get comics into the hands of his customers as they are staying home. The shop will be doing curbside delivery till 6pm on Friday and 5pm and Saturday, then customers should check the website or Facebook page for information on what days they will be open next week. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Sign for the Jericho Drive-In on Thursday, March 26, 2020, in Bethlehem, N.Y. The Chenette family has owned Glenmont's Jericho drive-in theater for 26 years but now they are trying to find out if they can once again open next month or even earlier. They've been getting calls from longtime customers who want to go to the movies but can't due to coronavirus. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
George Hillenbrandt of Guilderland practices his chipping to get ready for the golf season at Schenectady Municipal Golf Course on Thursday, March 26, 2020 in Schenectady, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
A pedestrian wears a protective face mask as he walks down a street on Thursday, March 26, 2020 in Troy, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Shaker Road Elementary first-grader Kennedy Pielo, 7, holds a sign in support of school staff during a school parade on Thursday, March 26, 2020, at the corner of Albany Shaker Road at Osborne in Colonie, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Olivia Dunn Jimmy Taylor are pictured with their baby daughter, Rosalind Olga Taylor, on Thursday, March 26, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. New parenthood has been bittersweet for Olivia and Jimmy ?‘ they're head over heels for their new baby girl, but heartbroken that their parents have not been able to hold or be near their first grandchild. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
Emma Sawyer, left, general manager of Savoy, volunteers with the Feed Albany program in front of the restaurant Savoy on Lark St. Wednesday, March 25, 2020 in Albany, N.Y Feed Albany is a COVID-19 relief program to help people in need such as restaurant workers who are unemployed due to the coronavirus. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
The Times Union Center displays messages relating to the coronavirus in between concert advertising on Wednesday March 25, 2020 in Albany, N.Y #518RAINBOWHUNT refers to hundreds of local families and businesses that are spreading joy in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak by displaying rainbows in their windows or front yards. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
People keep their social distance while standing in line for the food pantry at Saint Vincent DePaul Parish Center on Wednesday March 25, 2020 in Albany, N.Y (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Employees from Upstate Pressure Cleaning sanitize and disinfect a CDTA bus stop enclosure along Western Ave. on Wednesday March 25, 2020 in Albany, N.Y They were cleaning all the CDTA bus stops. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Douglas Estadt, owner of Capital Distillery, talks to customers Dave Catalfamo of Albany and his sister Dori Parla of Connecticut who were looking to buy vodka and hand sanitizer on Wednesday March 25, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. Dave and Dori were taking care of their elderly father who is a WWll veteran. Doug has been making hand sanitizer with the "tails" left over when he distills vodka, adding tea tree oil and lavender as well as aloe vera gel. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Mary Bon, minister of music at The First Church in Albany, makes her way past worshipers in vehicles on her way to the pulpit during a drive-in service on Sunday, March 22, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. The church usually begins their drive-in services in May but started them early to give people a place to go for Sunday service where they can still be isolated from each other. Senior minister Mashona Walston said that she plans to continue the services, holding them every Sunday at 10:30am. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
East Greenbush Supervisor Jack Conway stands in an empty part of town hall on Monday, March 23, 2020, in East Greenbush, N.Y. East Greenbush has closed it's parks and almost all town hall workers are working from home. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Times Union
Police tape is used to mark off playground equipment at the Seventh Street Park on Monday, March 23, 2020, in Watervliet, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Robert Palmer of Albany is seen sitting in the cab of his truck with pizza and a drink at the Plaza 23 truck stop on Monday, March 23, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. Drivers are finding new hurdles as they try to deliver the goods, including limited opportunities for food and showers. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
The Saratoga County Office of Emergency Services distributed personal protection equipment (PPE) and hand sanitizer to nursing home facilities, senior facilities, medical support staff and emergency responders this past weekend March 22, 2020.
Provided
Tents set up for COVID-19 screening are seen behind Samaritan Albany Memorial Hospital on Friday, Mar. 20, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. (Jenn March, Special to the Times Union)
Jenn March/Jenn March Photography
Schenectady High School U.S. history teacher Mike Silvestri calls his students who he sees are not logged on to Google classroom at his home on Friday, March 20, 2020 in Rensselaer, N.Y. Silvestri's 14-year-old daughter Zoe, a freshman at Albany High School, is seen working on a paper for school. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Craig Weston, chief pilot of Sky Photos LLC, shared this photo of Albany at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2020. "Not quite normal traffic," he said.
Courtesy of Craig Weston
A view of the empty lot at the temporarily closed Macy's store in Colonie Center on Thursday, March 19, 2020, in Colonie, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Michelle Kern of Rotterdam looks at pistols as she waits to buy ammunition for hunting at Upstate Guns & Ammo store on Thursday, March 19, 2020 in Schenectady, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Exterior of the coronavirus testing tent in the rear parking lot at Albany Medical Center on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
People line up outside of Trader Joe's before they open for the day on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 in Colonie, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, left, Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, second from left, Deputy Minority Leader, Joseph Griffo, and Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan hold a Senate session on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. All the other senators voted remotely so as not to be in the chamber next to each other due to the corona virus. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Trader Joe's employee Sophia Therodorou dispenses hand sanitizer to customers as they enter Trader Joe's on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 in Colonie, N.Y. The store was letting 50 people in at a time. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Almost every cart had toilet paper in it as customers leave BJ's Wholesale Club on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 in Colonie, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
An electronic sign with the message "stay home, stop the spread" is seen southbound on Rt. 787 on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 in Albany, N.Y. The sign also rotated with the message "save lives, #flattenthecurve." (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
A sign is posted on the front door of The Fresh Market on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 in Lathem, N.Y. The sign asks for customers to reserve the first hour between 8 A.M. to 9 A.M. for seniors and other customers who are at risk. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
Herbert Sodher sits in his living room on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. next to a large photo of he and his wife Cynthia on their wedding day given to them on their 50th wedding anniversary. Cynthia is an Alzheimer's patient in hospice in Saratoga Springs and Herbert is unable to visit her because of new rules at the hospice that limit visitations to cases only when the patient is close to death. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
YWCA staff members Shara Branon-Bender, left, Angelina Jones, second from right, and Rick Rivera, right, help bring in food to the YWCA delivered by Pete Borys, in truck, of the Food Pantries for the Capital District on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 in Troy, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union
The company moved their in-office workforce from nearly 60 to less than 12, instituted a number of new procedures, including masks and PPE for field workers, wrote up a sanitizing checklist for employees, staggered shifts and charged certain office employees with sanitizing common spaces at least twice a day. Field employees ask customers if anyone in their home is sick and ask them to email a follow up several days after their visit while commercial construction workers are working six feet apart.
"We've covered what we can think of," she said.
Under Cuomo's phased reopening plan, companies like Crisafulli will be among the first allowed to fully return and with that comes a certain amount of pressure, Crisafulli said.
"I feel a lot of pressure on us to do this right," she said. "If we don't do things right, we'll pull everyone else back and affect the rest of the economy."
Not all employers have been as successful in preparing their employees for working in a pandemic. Sergio Adams, a construction consultant with the state Office of General Services said in the early weeks of the pandemic, his office has received mixed messages on public health guidelines like wearing a mask at work and once they became required in the office, had to provide that equipment themselves.
"It left a lot of people in the dark," he said. "To be honest, it's tough. I have a kid at home and during this time child care is especially expensive. A lot of that money is going toward child care."
Adams said when the office begins to fully reopen, he hopes there are clearer lines of communication on expectations for employees and the steps that being taken to keep them safe.
"If they're able to get the correct information out to people, it will help ease their minds," he said.
The poll also gave insights in to how the region views the next few months to a year and offers some contradictory insights.
For example, 47 percent of those polled think its somewhat likely that the disease will continue to spread throughout the summer. Yet 42 percent think its somewhat likely Upstate New Yorkers will be able to have family gatherings by July without the need for social distancing.
And 42 percent think its somewhat likely the region will see another large outbreak of the disease in the fall. But 45 percent think its somewhat likely schools will open in September.
To Siena Research Institute's Levy, those two questions show the uncertainty around the virus in people's minds.
"So many people across our area ... aren't exactly sure what the future of this virus is going to look like," he said. "You can say people are speaking out both sides of their mouths but I think that this is the world we live in right now because they're not sure."
The poll questioned 1,007 between April 27 and May 1 from the 11 counties in the Capital Region. The poll's margin of error is plus or minus 3.5 percent.
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