Cristin McCarthy Vahey

The first phase is slated to take effect beginning May 20^th and includes restaurants, offices, hair salons and barbershops, retail stores, and outdoor museums and zoos.

Earlier today our community learned of the sad news that we had lost a teen-aged member of our community. In this moment of grief, we turn to one another for support and ask for prayers and loving thoughts for the family and friends.

Over the next two days, please join me for two different conversations.

We salute all of the teachers who are now teaching from home, some of whom are doing so while helping their own children learn. Thank you for helping our students to remain resilient, hopeful and engaged during these difficult days. We appreciate you more than these words can convey.

I hope you all were able to enjoy some sunshine and rays of hope this weekend, while continuing to engage in safe practices – social distancing, hand and face hygiene and mask wearing.

Today is Friday and somehow, even with the changes in our natural rhythms, it is still A time to step back from the daily stressors and regroup.

Many of our self-employed or gig workers have been anxiously awaiting the April 30^th start to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.

As we hear more and more about states around the country beginning to open their economy, and the Re-Open CT committee works hard to help guide our efforts, there are many questions about how all of this is going to work.