Dear Neighbor,
On March 8th, Connecticut had its first confirmed case of coronavirus. On March 9th, the Governor declared a state of Public Health and Civil Preparedness Emergencies. And our lives have been radically changed ever since. However, my commitment to you and your family has not changed. We will get through this period, and I know our state will be stronger on the other side. This newsletter is intended to provide you with helpful information and resources, as well as an overview of some of the work my office has been doing during this time.
When the 2020 legislative session began on February 5, I was particularly focused on workforce development initiatives and tax relief for the middle class and our small businesses. I got right to work proposing and guiding legislation through the regular legislative process on these subjects and others. Unfortunately, March 11 turned out to be last day the Capitol was open for business and the remainder of the legislative session was effectively cancelled due to COVID-19. However, my focus then shifted from legislation to constituent casework, and I have been working harder than ever before on assistance with unemployment claims, helping get financial assistance for small businesses and mortgage and rent relief for homeowners, and responding to concerns in nursing homes.
As of this writing, COVID-19 transmission rates, hospitalizations, and fatalities are all down significantly in Connecticut due to the measures we have taken and our shared sacrifices. I am extremely proud of and grateful to the many frontline workers across Manchester and Glastonbury who worked tirelessly and in some cases risked their own health to provide the essential care and services we needed to get though these difficult times. I have dedicated part of this newsletter to a few of them.
The legislature will likely meet in special session in July to address two critical issues that are important to me – expanding access to absentee ballots for the upcoming elections and police accountability. Stay tuned for more information on this.
If you have any questions, concerns, or if I can be helpful to you in working with any state agency or understanding how any of our state laws or regulations affect your work, our schools, or your opportunities, please call or email me anytime. More than ever, it is an honor and privilege to represent you.
Best,
Coronavirus Resources
For the most up to date information please visit ct.gov/coronavirus, and subscribe to my social media and E-newsletters
The CDC and Governor Lamont are continuing to strongly encourage individuals to wear masks in public when you are unable to “social distance” more than 6 feet away from others. We know that it works to slow the spread! If you have to ask - use a mask!
If you are out of work, you have the right to file for Unemployment Insurance. Visit FileCTUI.com to file your claim or call: 860-263-6975, 203-455-2653, 860-263-6974 or 203-455-2650. The volume and backlog of UI claims is unprecedently high. We have assisted many constituents who had problems with their UI claims. If you get stuck, please call my office and we will do our best to help.
If you are a business owner, the Department of Economic and Community Development is developing and updating guidelines on safe ways to operate your business: business.ct.gov/Recovery. They have also opened a small business hotline: 860-500-2333. If you notice a business not operating in a safe manner, call 2-1-1.
If you are having trouble paying your residential mortgage or rent, we have worked with banks and landlords to provide you additional time to put together payments. For more info on these programs, visit: portal.ct.gov/coronavirus/information-for/homeowners-and-renters.
Drive-thru COVID-19 testing is now available at CVS locations including at 2639 Main Street in Glastonbury. Testing is critical to managing the spread of the virus and finding a path to safely reopen the economy. More information and appointments are available here: cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing.
If you are experiencing problems with the care of a family member in a nursing home, you can reach out to the CT Long Term Care Ombudsman at ct.gov/LTCOP.
If you need help getting food, there are many available resources including newly expanded SNAP benefits and school lunch programs and through organizations like Foodshare.
I know that working with state agencies and our partners during this time can be complicated. Phone lines are crowded, applications may be confusing. My office is here to help. Call or email me anytime, and I promise I will get you help.
Sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.
Community Heroes
Over the last few months, in the face of unprecedented challenges, fear, and uncertainty we’ve had many neighbors who have gone above and beyond and answered the call to serve our community in many different ways. Here are a few:
Katie Ortiz, Manchester
Katie Ortiz of Manchester is an ICU Nurse at Hartford Hospital. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Katie was assigned to the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at Hartford Hospital and has tirelessly provided specialized care to critically ill patients diagnosed with COVID-19. When she isn’t doing that, Katie is a mom to two school-aged boys and is juggling her work responsibilities with overseeing remote learning at home! We salute Katie!
Chris Brown, Glastonbury
Chris works at Highland Park Market and was nominated by the Devanney family. Glastonbury residents will know Chris as a long-time bartender for events at The Gallery. When the COVID-19 epidemic started and The Gallery shut down, instead of staying home, Chris went from working part-time at HPM to working full time nonstop up to 7 days a week on the front lines at the market helping wherever he was needed. Says Molly Devanney, “Chris truly went above and beyond to make sure customers were taken care of.” Thanks Chris!!!
Geralyn Thames, Manchester
Geralyn is a Student Success Officer for Manchester Public Schools working with some of our most vulnerable students. Since the start of distance learning, Geralyn has worked to make sure students are staying engaged and ensuring the social emotion learning needs of students are being addressed during these stressful times. Without the work of people like Geralyn, many students would be at risk of becoming disconnected from the school community and emotionally isolated. Thank you Geralyn!!!
Tom and Candice Maningas, Glastonbury
Tom and Candice Maningas of Glastonbury are both full time workers on the front line of Connecticut’s COVID-19 response. Tom is a PA in the Emergency Room at St. Francis Hospital, and Candice is a nurse on a critical care floor at John Dempsey Hospital at UConn Health Center. On top of that they have two very young children at home, and had to take turns tag teaming on parental duties as they came home from their shifts at the hospital. We salute Tom and Candice for their personal commitment and sacrifice during these stressful times.
Where Do We Go From Here?
While we continue to be guided by public health experts on the steps we need to take to safely “reopen”, we also have an opportunity to build a stronger and more robust state.
Already we are working to ensure hospitals and health care providers such as nursing homes have an adequate stock of personal protective equipment. We are also working with farmers and food banks to protect and localize our food supply chain.
Your stories and experiences are important to helping us improve the quality of life for you. How well did the safety net work for you and your family? How can we do better? What services were not available that you really needed? I want to hear from you!
If you haven’t already, take a few minutes
to complete your US Census. It’s so easy and
so important! 2020census.gov