Maria Horn

It was a different kind of long weekend, filled with jarring contrasts. While our daughter in Minneapolis was sending us first hand reports of that city’s pain, fear, and violence, our other daughter attended a friend’s online college graduation. Our family’s news and social media feeds were filled, on the one hand, with cheerful messages to graduates wearing mortarboards and celebrating with their families, and, on the other, with videos of the National Guard clearing streets in cities throughout the country, of a police car suddenly plowing through a crowd of protesters, of journalists being arrested and shot with pepper balls. There were also images of protesters and volunteers cleaning up their communities, and protecting stores and businesses, and of police officials in some cities wading into angry crowds to listen to their concerns.

We must make sure to honor both. For the graduates, of high school, college, graduate school, certificate programs, or kindergarten, I wish you a heartfelt congratulations. This is unquestionably a difficult year to celebrate this milestone, but there are ways in which you will have a greater opportunity to remake the world than others before you, and I hope you hang onto that. A college classmate of mine, Maria Ressa, gave the commencement address at my university this year, so I tuned in. Maria is a founder of Rappler, an online news website based in the Philippines, and a brave, talented and tenacious fighter for democracy and free press in the country where she was born. Her speech reminded graduates to figure out who you are, and what gives your life meaning, then provided three ways to “live your way into meaning”:

• Make the choice to learn,
• Embrace your fear, and
• Build your community, but avoid the mob

All of those tie into the darker and more challenging part of the last few days.

Yesterday we had a powerful and peaceful protest on the green in Salisbury honoring George Floyd and other unarmed people of color who have died at the hands of law enforcement, and protesting the systemic racism that underpins those deaths. The young organizers, Calpurnia Carter (a rising Sophomore at Manhattan College – and Housatonic Valley Regional High School (HVRHS) Class of 2019), Xavier Johnson (a rising Freshman at University of Hartford -- HVRHS 2020), and Brynn Scharte (rising Sophomore at School of Visual Arts -- HVRHS 2019), gathered a robust crowd and spoke powerfully and movingly about our country’s history of racism and it’s effect on black and brown lives.

As an overwhelmingly white community, it is our responsibility to “make the choice to learn” rather than asking our brown and black friends to give us homework. So I want to share a few resources in that vein.

Here is a good starting point, a compendium of anti-racism materials intended to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen our anti-racism work. It includes resources for parents, books, podcasts, articles, films and TV, organizations fighting racism, and a variety of other sources.

I also recommend Representative Jahana Hayes FB Live video from this weekend, and Connecticut Treasurer Shawn Wooden’s article in the Hartford Courant [link]. We have work to do, but we are up to the challenge.

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

• Executive Order No. 7UU
• Executive Order No. 7TT
• Deadlines approaching for residents who lost health insurance due to job loss to qualify for coverage through Access Health CT
• Online purchasing of food with SNAP benefits begins June 2 and 3
• Connecticut Department of Housing announces federal approval of CARES Act dollars
• Attorney General Tong, Connecticut State Police release public service announcement encouraging residents to fact check COVID-19 information
• Utility shut-off moratorium for businesses extended through July 1; Residential shut-off moratorium continues for duration of emergency
• Sharon Playhouse Update
• National Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 5
• Survey to Assess Availability of Food Storage and Meal Preparation Sites in Connecticut

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Lamont signs Executive Order No. 7UU, enacting the following provisions:

• Mandatory COVID-19 testing for staff of private and municipal nursing homes, residential communities and assisted living agencies: Requires all staff of these facilities to be tested for COVID-19 weekly for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency.
• Determination of suitable work: Allows the Connecticut Department of Labor to consider, when determining a worker’s eligibility for unemployment benefits, whether COVID-19 means returning to work would pose an unreasonable risk to the health of a member of that.

Governor Lamont signed Executive Order No. 7TT, enacting the following provisions:

• Reopening of barbershops and hair salons on June 1: Permits barbershops and hair salons to resume operations on June 1, 2020, provided that they follow sector rules that have been issued by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.
• Amended prohibitions on large gatherings: Relaxes the previously enacted limits on large gatherings. Effective June 1, 2020:
  • Limits on all social and recreational gatherings are raised to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, subject to safety restrictions and existing orders and business sector rules.
  • Limits on all religious, spiritual, and worship gatherings are raised to 25 percent of capacity of the indoor space or a maximum of 100 people, whichever is smaller, and to 150 people for outdoor gatherings, provided in each case that appropriate safety and social distancing measures are employed.

Updated data on the impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes and assisted living facilities

The following documents contain updated data regarding each of the nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Connecticut that have reported positive cases of COVID-19 among their residents. The data is presented as it was reported to the state by each of the nursing homes and assisted living facilities. This data is updated on a weekly basis.

**Download: Data on nursing homes in Connecticut as of May 27, 2020

**Download: Data on assisted living facilities in Connecticut as of May 28, 2020

Utility shut-off moratorium for businesses extended through July 1; Residential shut-off moratorium continues for duration of emergency

The Connecticut Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) announced that the utility shut-off moratorium for non-residential customers in the state will continue through July 1, 2020. The separate utility shut-off moratorium for residential customers remains in place for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency declared by Governor Lamont. Both moratoriums apply to customers of all electric, natural gas, and water utilities regulated by PURA, and prohibit service terminations except in instances of public safety.

In addition, PURA continues to warn customers of a recent uptick in utility-related scams. Customers should always use caution when receiving any solicitation pertaining to their utility bill and are encouraged to call their utility company directly with questions or concerns. Connecticut’s regulated electric, natural gas, and water public utility companies are currently not terminating service due to nonpayment for as long as the emergency shut-off moratoriums remain in place.

For more information, read the press release issued by PURA

Sharon Playhouse

The pandemic has been very hard on our performing arts venues, including Sharon Playhouse. Alan Wager, Artististic Director, and Robert Levinstein, Managing Director, recently announced the tough decision to move the entire 2020 regular season to 2021.

If possible and feasible within gathering guidelines, they intend to open their Patio Bar to the community as a place to come and socialize on weekends, with live cabaret performances, maybe a food truck or two and modified seating configuration for social distancing.

“We will be literally ‘thinking outside of the Bok’ and turning our parking lot into a drive-in theater with live entertainment — specifically, concerts and possibly a laser show; we’re still working out the possibilities.”

Summer programming will open in Connecticut at the end of June, with that in mind, it remains the plan to still offer two productions of FROZEN JR and LION KING KIDS. Those programs will now be scheduled in August. Those working on the frontlines will be welcomed to attend any event at no cost.

And, as a treat to lift our spirits, check out this video of Alan singing “Where in the World” from Phantom of the Opera.

National Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 5
On June 5, 2020 people across our nation, including in Connecticut, will join together for the 6th National Gun Violence Awareness Day, which will lead into Wear Orange Weekend. This year, Wear Orange will be going virtual.

You can show support by joining me and others across the county by wearing orange on June 5 and posting a photo to social media with the hashtag #WearOrange.

This unifying action will show that victims of gun violence are not forgotten and that we can do more to come together to keep our communities safe. Across the country, organizers and volunteers will be turning skylines orange, passing resolutions about the day, holding hundreds of virtual events, and sharing pictures on social media with the hashtag #WearOrange.

Survey to Assess Availability of Food Storage and Meal Preparation Sites in Connecticut

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture, in partnership with other state and local agencies, is surveying various entities on their willingness to collaborate with local emergency food distribution agencies (e.g.; local food pantry) who are seeking additional food storage space and meal preparation services for home-bound individuals and families.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for emergency food provided by food pantries has far exceeded the storage capacity of most locations throughout the state. This has resulted in pantries limiting the amount of food they can accept through donations and state food banks. This in turn limits the pantries from sufficiently serving people at-risk of food insecurity. There is also a growing need for prepared meals for home-bound individuals and therefore companies willing to produce those meals.

Please answer the survey below to help inventory potential food storage, meal preparation, and redistribution options throughout Connecticut. Completion of this form does not obligate your future participation. Respond to Survey here.

Deadlines approaching for residents who lost health insurance due to job loss to qualify for coverage through Access Health CT

Connecticut residents who may have lost their jobs from a furlough or layoff within the last two months must act quickly if they would like to enroll in health care coverage through Access Health CT, the state’s health insurance marketplace.

In general, people who lost health insurance due to a job loss have 60 days to apply for coverage through Access Health CT, as that job loss is considered a “Qualifying Life Event.” This means that the deadline to enroll for anyone who lost their jobs in April is approaching fast.

To help residents maintain qualify and affordable health care coverage, Access Health CT recommends comparing options onAccessHealthCT.com to COBRA coverage, as the marketplace may offer a better, less expensive choice, and is the only place where people can qualify for financial help to lower their costs.

Access Health CT is working closely with the Connecticut Department of Labor and other entities to reach out to businesses that are in the process of reducing their workforce.

For more information, read the press release issued today by Access Health CT.

Online purchasing of food with SNAP benefits begins June 2 and 3

The Department of Social Services today announced that recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be able to purchase food online from participating retailers in Connecticut beginning Tuesday, June 2 and Wednesday, June 3. SNAP enrollees will be able to use their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card to purchase eligible food items online for delivery or curbside pickup.

Retailers approved for the initial launch of online SNAP purchasing are Amazon (including Amazon Pantry and Amazon Fresh), 12 Walmart stores (click here for a list), and 22 ShopRite stores (click here for a list)

Online SNAP purchasing will begin on June 2 at Walmart in Cromwell and Manchester beginning at 3:00 a.m., ShopRite in Canton and Waterbury beginning at 5:30 a.m., and Amazon beginning at 2:00 p.m. All other participating stores will launch online SNAP purchasing on June 3.

Online contact points for the stores are www.amazon.com/snapebt; www.walmart.com/grocery; andwww.shoprite.com/Store-Locator.

Only SNAP benefits on EBT cards can be used for online purchases. At this time, cash assistance benefits on EBT cards cannot be used for any part of online shopping, including shopping, delivery, or service fees. Federal rules do not allow any SNAP benefits to be used for shopping, delivery, or service fees, but some food retailers may choose to waive fees (as Amazon does for orders over $35). Online shopping customers using SNAP benefits will be able to use other debit or credit cards to pay for any fees or non-SNAP-eligible items they wish to purchase.

For more information about SNAP benefits in Connecticut, visit www.ct.gov/snap.

Connecticut Department of Housing announces federal approval of CARES Act dollars

The Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) today announced that it has gained approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regarding the federal dollars the state agency is receiving from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that will be utilized for housing issues. DOH was awarded $8.1 million in CDBG-CV funding and $8.1 million in ESG-CV funding. This is the first tranche of federal dollars that DOH was awarded under the CARES Act.

Eligible activities under CDBG-CV include – but are not limited to – making interim improvements on private properties to enable an individual patient to remain quarantined on a temporary basis; providing test diagnosis or services at a fixed or mobile location and providing equipment necessary to carry out the public service; and delivering meals on wheels to quarantined individuals or individuals that need to maintain social distancing due to medical vulnerabilities.

ESG-CV eligible activities include – but are not limited to – the expansion of rapid rehousing, expansion of shelter operations, establishing an eviction prevention program, and utilizing monies for telehealth. DOH has oversight of most of the homeless shelters in the state. This federal funding will assist DOH’s ongoing efforts of moving homeless individuals from hotels into permanent housing.

Attorney General Tong, Connecticut State Police release public service announcement encouraging residents to fact check COVID-19 information

Attorney General William Tong and the Connecticut State Police today released a public service announcement encouraging residents to fact check the information they receive about the COVID-19 pandemic and beware of scam artists who are attempting to spread false information.

The public service announcement can be watched on Attorney General Tong’s YouTube channel.

Complaints of scams can be filed on the website of the Office of the Attorney General.

For more information, read the press release issued today by Attorney General Tong and the Connecticut State Police.​

Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system

Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to 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.

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can also call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Relay services can be accessed by calling 7-1-1. Anyone who is out-of-state or using Relay can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. The hotline is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms is strongly urged to contact their medical provider.