NorthEast/Millerton Library hands out COVID kits and masks

MILLERTON — It didn’t take long for word to get around that free COVID-19 test kits and face  masks were available at the NorthEast-Millerton Library (NEML) on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

According to Library Director Rhiannon Leo-Jameson, the items were provided by New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-106), and were distributed on a first come, first served basis.

At this time, Leo-Jameson does not know if the library will receive an additional supply, but she suggested that patrons do keep a look out for future announcements.

Leo-Jameson also said that every  adult American can sign up to obtain four free tests per household by clicking on www.covidtests.gov.

Barrett announced the surprise library COVID kit supply distribution via a combination of announcements on Facebook and Instagram as well as on the NEML’s website just before noon on Tuesday morning.

By early afternoon, the supply consisting of approximately a dozen iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests and the same number of KN95 masks was gone.

In addition to supplying the NEML, Barrett sent supplies to other libraries in her district including: Amenia, Chatham, Claverack, Roeliff Jansen, Hudson, Hyde Park, Livingston, Pine Plains, Pleasant Valley, Poughkeepsie District, Staatsburg, Stanford and Clinton Community.

Additionally, as told by North East town Supervisor Chris Kennan in his community email newsletter on Friday, Jan. 21, the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health (DCDBCH) will be working with Senergene Solutions “offer rapid antigen and lower nasal PCR testing” in Dover Plains for those living in northeastern Dutchess County.

The tests will be offered on Tuesdays and Fridays, from 4 to 7 p.m., from Jan. 25 through Feb. 11.

Results are available for PCR tests within 48 hours, although demand will impact how quickly one gets their results. Test results may be accessed through the iLab Patient Portal or by calling 800-869-0168.

The tests are free; Senergene Solutions works directly with one’s insurance for testing costs and for those without insurance, with the federal government for all costs. Testing is available on a walk-in basis, but pre-registration is encouraged to expedite the check-in process and may be done online before arriving. (For details, turn to Page A3.)

Kennan also noted that the Pine Plains Pharmacy is holding another vaccine clinic on Feb. 1; register at www.pineplainspharmacy.com. (The pharmacy is also looking for nurses to volunteer at its clinics, read more on Page A6.)

The North East town supervisor thanked the Pine Plains Pharmacy for working so hard to make sure as many people in the Harlem Valley get inoculated against the coronavirus as possible to try to put an end to the current health crisis.

“I would like to extend a special shout out to our friends at the Pine Plains Pharmacy,” wrote Kennan. “They have been working hard for many months to make vaccines available to folks in our northeast corner of the county, and they’ve done a really great job. Thank you Pine Plains Pharmacy!”

— Carol Kneeland