f e a t u r e d p o s t s
 BY MATTHEW MERITT
To encourage teenagers to seek medical care when needed, some pediatricians now ask parents to leave the room during at least part of a checkup to speak privately with the child. I found this a little surprising when it happened to me at a local provider as we were preparing for the upcoming school year. Though I wasn’t worried about how my child would respond, I wondered what questions would be asked.
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One of the schools' communications says students who are not vaccinated will be tested weekly once the testing procedure is set. The communication notes the school has already collected proof of vaccination from staff, citing the CDC, State Health Department and American Academy of Pediatrics as sources claiming vaccination is the best way to fight the virus.
The other school’s note says vaccination information will not be shared, but explains it will assist the school and the county health department in determining quarantine requirements. Editor's Note: This is the first official installment of the "Meet the Merchant" series, which profiles businesses providing goods and services we use here. To read the story that helped bring the idea about, click here.  BY MATTHEW MERITT
One could say Warren Eng’s love of racquet sports has at least a little to do with his successful Horseheads dental practice, now in its 33rd year. While still in dental school in Baltimore, Dr. Eng broke his two front teeth during a racquetball match. The root canals eventually required to save them added a perspective not all dentists can claim. “I understand what a trauma-induced toothache feels like,” he said, recalling the unusual sports injury during a conversation at his Horseheads Dental office on Westinghouse Road.  BY MATTHEW MERITT
Scott Esty at Assemblyman Chris Friend’s office kindly replied to my recent inquiries about an assembly bill that could make the COVID vaccine mandatory. He made me aware of an additional bill that would prohibit mandatory vaccination against COVID. Mr. Esty, Assemblyman Friend’s chief of staff, noted there is no companion to these bills in the Senate and that January is the earliest further work on them can be done.  Editor’s Note: Though the Echo is mostly a good-news and features blog, occasionally it will point out general news items worth taking a look at. I haven’t seen this one reported in local news sources yet.
By MATTHEW MERITT A bill in Albany could make the new COVID vaccine mandatory, a Buffalo TV news station reported Tuesday (Dec. 8). The decision would rest with state health officials, not with individuals and parents. The WGRZ news article and video are worth a few minutes. It seems if state officials decide at some point the level of immunity in the general population is too low, they may “mandate vaccination for all individuals or groups of individuals who, as shown by clinical data, are proven to be safe to receive” it. That’s apparently language from the bill, which looks to be number A11179. The science behind vaccines is one thing and individual choice is another. What’s worrisome is a quote from the story in which concerns over state overreach into the personal lives of individuals and families seems to be dismissed. 
Hairy Bean Wig Salon owner Amy Pencola
BY MATTHEW MERITT
There are some things one might not notice until they’re needed. That’s when Amy Pencola comes in with a little boost for those on a challenging journey. The proprietor of the Hairy Bean Wig Boutique recalls a teenage girl at her Elmira Heights shop. Though cancer and chemotherapy couldn’t quell the young lady’s spirit, it had left her without hair – and it not much seemed to be growing back. |
