Dave Lucas

This month marks five years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The shutdowns have long since ended, but the impacts on society are still being understood. Beyond the deaths and long-term illness, the pandemic disrupted how we work, learn and even eat. The New York Public News Network is marking the anniversary with a special series. WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief Dave Lucas revisits some of the people who appeared in his earliest COVID stories.

Brendan Cox has returned to lead the Albany Police Department. He was sworn in Monday by Mayor Kathy Sheehan.