Putnam's Summer Interns Are Certified Contact Tracers

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — Putnam officials have tweaked their seven-year-old summer internship program for the coronavirus pandemic.

This year, the students are more than just summer interns, they are also certified contact tracers.

Now placed in county departments, many interns have been able to aid in fighting the current pandemic, county officials said. Intern Emily Boeri has said that within her first few days at the Health Department she was able to help create COVID-19 information pamphlets as well as assemble testing kits.

With pandemic precautions being taken in and out of the office, the interns have had to become creative with their daily tasks, as they are unable to communicate with each other as usual. "I have no doubt that PILOT interns will rise to the challenges on and off site," said Jennifer Cassidy, of the county’s Historian office.

Knowing the positive impact the program has had on students in the past, County Executive Odell was committed to ensuring this experience for them. The program was initially delayed but has since begun, kicking off with a socially distanced orientation on June 30.

The county introduced the Putnam Invests In Leaders of Tomorrow (PILOT) program, which has given high school, college and graduate students the opportunity to intern with county offices, in 2013. The idea was first proposed by County Executive MaryEllen Odell with the support of the Putnam County Legislature. Their goal was to provide young residents with hands-on professional experience in county government.