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Hochul: "This is WNY’s most vulnerable time”

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The warning from Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul less than a week ahead of Thanksgiving is stern and swift.

“We have to turn this trajectory around immediately,” Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said Friday night. She continued, “This is Western New York’s most vulnerable time of this entire pandemic."

On Thursday, Erie County saw a 7% positivity rate. The 7-day positive rate average is 7%, as well, according to a tweet by Erie County Executive, Mark Poloncarz.

“Seven percent is not acceptable my friends. It’s not acceptable,” Hochul said.

The head of Western New York’s “control room” spoke with reporters over Zoom and commended what she said is the majority of Western New Yorkers following good health practices. She did, though, question those who are not following the guidelines.

“To the minority who continue to flagrantly violate these protocols that are put in place to save lives and to help keep the health of your neighbors and friends fine, what are you doing? I want to say one thing right now: stop, please stop. There’s nothing wrong with wearing a mask. It’s not a political statement,” Hochul said.

This upcoming holiday week Hochul said is pivotal to changing the course of the virus. She is hopeful neighbors can do that.

“I’m going to continue to ask you to change this direction that we’re on. Other areas of our state have been successful. Think about Binghamton, Broome County,” said Hochul.

It is the community, Hochul said, that has to come together.

“We’re all sick and tired of it. Every one of us is. And we did not want to be in this position that’s why there’s an urgency to get out of this. We can turn this around and turn it around quickly. It’s up to all of us,” Hochul said.