Five years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, county leaders have released an after-action report designed to document the county response, challenges overcome, strides made in counties’ preparedness for protecting public health in communities across the state.
In June 2021, New York’s county executives published “Our Darkest Hours: New York County Leaders and the COVID Pandemic,” a mid-action report of how county governments helped keep their communities safe during the pandemic.
In the years since the COVID-19 pandemic, New York’s county executives have had time to reflect on the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned, and the lasting impact on their communities. This after-action report serves to chronicle these challenges, lessons, and changes to local governance.
“The dedication and expertise of these county leaders were instrumental in navigating the COVID-19 crisis,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario. “This report provides a comprehensive blueprint for strengthening our public health infrastructure and serves as a testament to their vital role in leading the on-the-ground response to the pandemic.”
The report details a series of lessons learned, including leadership through communication, strengthening public health, the mental health crisis, and the need for better coordination between the federal, state, and local governments.
The after-action report also provides first person reflections that offer deeper insights into the crisis and its enduring effects on local governance from four county executives, including Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, and Monroe County Executive Adam Bello.
NYSCEA President Jason Garnar added, “New York’s county executives endured a once in a generation trial by fire that yielded incredibly valuable lessons that future leaders can learn from when they face the next pandemic or disaster. This after-action report not only reflects our collective efforts but also sets the stage for a more resilient and prepared New York State.”
Download the report at https://tinyurl.com/4hjdak5h.
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