Testing & Mental Health Resources

May 28, 2020
As we begin to re-enter society more regularly, it is going to be critical to use what one public health expert I heard from this week calls the “big three.” Improved and vigorous hand and face hygiene (yes, I’m still talking about hand washing!), wearing masks when out in public and maintaining 6 feet of social distance. One of the other critical aspects of the containment policies is testing.
Earlier today on a call with Comptroller Kevin Lembo, he shared that their office had been asked to help support the coordination of  testing in our state, with a goal of 140,000 tests per week by the end of June. The availability of tests is one part of the equation. All of you know where, when and how to access them is another. As capacity increases, we want to make sure people are taking advantage of available testing. For information on testing options, you can check the CVS website as well as 211. The best first step is to contact your primary care provider. Most important of all, if you are experiencing symptoms, please go get tested. Don’t put it off.

Infrared Thermometers Secured for Small Businesses

Connecticut has secured 50,000 infrared thermometers for small businesses, nonprofits, and places of worship to support safe reopening activities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The infrared thermometers will serve as a sufficient as well as an efficient step in keeping people safe.

Small businesses, nonprofits, and places of worship that would like to request equipment from the state’s supply of infrared thermometers can fill out a form online in the “Access to Personal Protective Equipment” section, or through the links provided below:

  • Small businesses: Any small business in the state that has between 2 and 100 employees are eligible to receive one thermometer per physical address. Eligible businesses seeking to request thermometers should click here.
  • Nonprofits: Nonprofits located within Connecticut are eligible to receive one thermometer per physical address. To request thermometers for nonprofits, click here. Social services and direct care nonprofits may request a thermometer through the process outlined in this memo.
  • Places of worship: Places of worship are eligible to receive one thermometer per physical address. To request thermometers for places of worship, click here.

Bike Helmet Safety

I have seen many people online looking for used bicycles and I have also seen many more children and teens out riding the bikes as the weather gets warmer. As a lifelong bicyclist, and the spouse of an avid cyclist who has been hit by an automobile while bicycling, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to make sure you are wearing a helmet when you ride your bicycle, and make sure your children are as well.
 
In Connecticut, the law requires children under 16 to wear a helmet when they ride. As one of our statewide safety websites notes, “Parents may not authorize their children to violate statutes related to bicycle travel. In other words, by state law, children under 16 must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle whether their parents want them to or not.” Please protect those amazing brains!
 
"Crashes with cars killed 854 cyclists in 2018. That’s the highest number in 30 years and a 6.3% increase over 2017. And, of those who died, only about 17% were wearing helmets. Studies show that wearing a helmet decreases the likelihood of a head injury by about 48%. Although only about half of cyclists wear a helmet, they are four times more likely to do so if a law requires it, according to studies cited by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety." - National Conference of State Legislatures

In case you missed yesterday's Fairfield CARES webinar with parenting and self care advice shared by Katy Rosenfeld from Fairfield Counseling Services and Halley Ceglia Terrell from Fairfield Public Schools and Private Practice, re-watch it below on demand. You will be glad you made the time. We are grateful to Katy and Halley for sharing their tips and wisdom with us.