Weekly Update/Community Heroes & More

May 29, 2020

As we wrap another week amid the Covid challenges, I want to share with you a few important updates that I hope you will find helpful.

In this update you will find:

  • Community Heroes
  • DOL Update
  • Community Dining Room/Fill the Pod for the Community
  • Branford Recreation Announcement
  • Covid Updates: Social Gatherings, State Universities opening, More Testing Sites, Don't Lose Health Coverage

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take its toll on the economy, The Community Dining Room has supported our neighbors who are experiencing food insecurity. Congratulations to Judith Barron, Barbara Barrett, Tabitha Brown and Mary Johnston for being recognized as our next Community Heroes.

Below is our Zoom chat.

CT Department of Labor (DOL) Update The DOL has put out a comprehensive document with valuable information for claimants as well as step-by-step instructions that I believe you will find helpful. Please click HERE to access the document.

Community Dining Room

On Sunday, May 31 the Community Dining Room will host a 'Fill the Pod' event. Please stop by their parking lot on 30 Harrison Avenue and bring canned goods, paper towels, napkins and laundry detergent to help Fill the Pod. And while you are at it enjoy live music by Nunz n Pepin from 1-4 on Saturday and Sunday! https://www.facebook.com/events/4405408336151733/

Branford Recreation Center Suspends Camp
The Branford Recreation Center sent a letter to families and participants announcing suspension of all their summer camp programs, as well as sports camps and clinics for the summer. This is the first time in 70 years that they had to cancel an entire summer of camp/clinic programs. Please read the full letter HERE.

Covid Stats as of Thursday Evening

For detailed information click HERE.

Additional Updates

Today, Governor Lamont announced that indoor social gatherings of up to ten people will be allowed inside homes and up to 25 people outdoor. He also noted that hospitalizations dropped by 71 people Thursday, now a quarter of the peak in April.

  • He also rolled back some of the restrictions on churches and houses of worship now allowing 25 percent capacity or 100, whichever is fewer, or up to 125 people for outdoor services.
  • The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system announced Friday its campuses will reopen in the fall with significant safety measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. More details to come.

More Testing Sites Available

Connecticut residents can now easily find COVID-19 testing locations throughout the state. If you go to the United Way of Connecticut's site, 2-1-1.ct.org, you will find locations, the requirements of each testing site, hours of operation and more.
With phase 2 of reopening scheduled for June 20, boosting testing capacity is essential to public health and restoring our economy.

All individuals, with or without symptoms, can be tested but all individuals must complete a telemedicine evaluation before a test is scheduled.

Don’t Lose Health Care!

Amid all the challenges we are facing due to the coronavirus pandemic, concerns about social distancing and stay-at-home measures, the loss of health insurance shouldn't be one of them.

In response to the unprecedentedly high unemployment rate, the Office of the Health Care Advocate (OHA) has created materials intended to help Connecticut individuals and families who have lost (or are about to lose) their health insurance.

For more information go to the OHA website: https://portal.ct.gov/OHA/Loss-of-Coverage-Options/Loss-of-Coverage

They also offer free, expert assistance and advice at any time - their helpline is (866) 466-4446 and email healthcare.advocate@ct.gov