Several people took the opportunity to enjoy Thursday’s nice weather outdoors. Pictured on North Main Street in Jamestown, from left, are Rowan, 1, Bridgett McFaul-Marsh, Tasha McFaul-Marsh and Sheridan Smith, along with their dogs, Michelangelo and Jackson Pollock. P-J photos by Eric Tichy

Clear skies and temperatures in the mid-80s were reasons enough for many to seek the outdoors Thursday. The easing of face mask and social distancing mandates for those fully vaccinated in New York state may have convinced others to soak in some sun as well.

Many could be seen walking without face masks in the downtown Jamestown area — a full day after New York officially adopted the new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An individual is “fully vaccinated” two weeks after receiving the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series, according to the CDC, or two weeks after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Among those outdoors Thursday enjoying the weather were Bridgett and Tasha McFaul-Marsh and Sheridan Smith, all from the Jamestown area and who stated they were fully vaccinated. Smith said he has become accustomed to wearing a face mask due to his job but was happy to have the chance to go without one outside.

“I’ve been so used to wearing one,” Smith said of masks. “It doesn’t really bother me now.”

Bridgett McFaul-Marsh is worried the state may have rushed to follow the CDC in allowing many people to ditch face masks. Part of the reason, she noted, is her 1-year-old son, Rowan.

Alisha Kelsey is pictured with Karter Wiggins, 3, and Emma Kelsey, 4, along the Chadakoin River with ducks nearby.

“I feel like we’re not ready yet,” she said.

According to New York’s tracker, 48,073 residents of Chautauqua County have been deemed fully vaccinated, though it’s not stated how many are free to ditch masks due to the two-week rule. In addition, 55,272 residents have received at least one dose to date, representing about 53.1% of the local population over the age of 18.

In Cattaraugus County, 24,483 residents have been fully vaccinated while 28,482 have received at least one shot.

VAX TO SCRATCH

Anyone who gets vaccinated at select state-run vaccination sites in New York next week will receive a lottery scratch ticket with prizes potentially worth millions, as Gov. Andrew Cuomo tries to boost slowing vaccination rates. The pilot program will offer prizes from $20 up to $5 million and run from Monday, May 24, to Friday, May 28 at 10 state-run sites.

The nearest site is the University at Buffalo south campus.

“It’s a situation where everyone wins,” said Cuomo at a press conference in Buffalo, noting that there’s a one in nine chance of winning a scratch ticket prize in New York. The state is joining others, including Ohio, with similar lottery incentives. Only residents 18 and older are eligible, according to a press release.

New York also plans to set up pop-up vaccination sites at seven airports across the state for U.S. residents, including airport workers.

New York has fully vaccinated about 43% of its 20 million residents, above the national average of 37.8%.

Still, Cuomo said the pace of vaccinations has slowed: New York has recorded an average of 123,806 daily shots in arms over the past 14 days. That’s down 43% from 216,040 as of April 12.

FEW NEW CASES

Only four new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported Thursday by the Chautauqua County Department of Health. Hospitalizations also remain low, currently at four.

As of Thursday there were 57 active cases and 248 people in quarantine; the seven-day positivity rate was at 1.2%.

To date there have been 9,168 total confirmed cases, 8,958 recoveries and 153 virus-related deaths.

In Cattaraugus County, there have been 5,657 confirmed cases during the pandemic in addition to 5,434 recoveries and 103 virus-related deaths. There are currently 119 active cases, 12 people with the virus in the hospital and 692 in quarantine.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.