Bethany Bump reports in the Times Union that the COVID-19 outbreak in Albany County is so bad now that officials there held their first COVID-19 briefing since June on Sept. 3. Albany County Executive Dan McCoy and Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen used to hold daily briefings about the local reaction to the pandemic, and they were back on the mic to warn about spread among young people. “Younger individuals with the alpha variant we know had a level of comfort that if they got sick they weren’t gonna get that sick,” Whalen said, comparing the variant that hit the U.S. last fall with delta. “That comfort level is not there anymore.” Eight Albany County residents died from COVID-19 this week: one was in their 30s, two were in their 40s, two were in their 50s, two were in their 60s, and one was in their 70s. The majority of those ending up in the hospital or dying from COVID-19 now are unvaccinated, Whalen said. She urged everyone to wear masks, especially now that school is restarting. “Please, we know that these masks are going to be mandated for children,” she said. “They will take their cue from you. If they feel their parents are very angry and very upset, this filters down to the children and it is not helpful. It’s a mandate at this point and so to help your children get through this any positive reinforcement that you give will be more helpful than to see the stress.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.