COVID Update 5.18
May 18, 2020I have a lot of calls with groups of other legislators focusing on the lessons we’re learning as we move through this pandemic. Some of them are about immediate issues – how to get PPE to an organization or business whose workers need protection. Others are longer term and policy-driven. We share feedback we’re getting from constituents, and strategies for making sure that feedback gets heard by the Governor and his staff. And while we understand and support the public health reasons for it, we are collectively frustrated by the fact that we are not acting as a traditional legislature, and that the checks and balances built into a system of government with three co-equal branches are not operating right now. For immediate solutions, we have to seek other approaches.
We’re also focusing on all of those executive orders the Governor has been issuing: which ones have worked, and ought to be the basis for legislation, and the public hearings that accompany that; which ones contain the seed of a good idea, but weren’t thought all the way through and would benefit from a public legislative process that could vet them more thoroughly. And which ones need to be re-thought or disappear entirely.
At the Governor’s press conference today, we heard some of that re-thinking in real time, as he changed course and opted not to allow hair salons and barbershops to open on May 20, after a lot of pushback from stylists across the state who felt they were at risk. The process can be messy, but I’m glad that feedback was heard.
Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- Update on Phase 1 of reopening
- Opening of hair salons and barber shops delayed from May 20 to early June.
- Dental guidance agreed upon by working group of dentists, hygienists, and assistants
- Northwest CT YMCA Free Mask Distribution
- Fresh fruit and vegetable giveaway in Torrington
- Free meal delivery service for higher risk populations
- Donated Laptops for High School students
For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.
From 5/8: update:
Update on status of criteria for Phase 1 of reopening
During his press conference today, Governor Lamont gave an update on the status of the seven public health criteria his administration is utilizing in its consideration for Phase 1 of Connecticut’s reopening efforts:
- 14-Day decline of hospitalizations: Achieved.
- Increased testing available: Achieved. The goal was to increase capacity to 42,000 tests/week: in the last week the state conducted more than 45,000 tests
- Sufficient contact tracing capacity: Achieved. A statewide contact tracing system has begun.
- Protect vulnerable populations: Achieved. Screenings have begun for nursing homes, direct care workers, corrections staff and offenders, first responders, and at risk urban communities.
- Adequate healthcare capacity: Achieved. Goal was to have fewer than 20% of beds occupied by COVID-19 positive patients; currently that number is about 11%.
- Adequate supply of PPE: Achieved. Goal was a 30-day supply of key PPE (masks, gloves, gowns, face coverings) in major healthcare system.
- Appropriate workplace safeguards: Achieved. Standards and regulations for reopening businesses have been created and disseminated.
Opening of hair salons and barber shops delayed from May 20 to early June.
As their administrations continue developing strategies for the safe reopening of sectors of the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut and Governor Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island today announced their intention to align the reopening of hair salons and barbershops in their respective states in early June.
Hair salons and barbershops were initially included in Phase 1 of Connecticut’s reopen plan, which begins May 20, however Governor Lamont said that after having extensive discussions with owners and employees of these businesses he feels that it is in everyone’s best interests to provide for some additional preparation time and also align the state with its regional partners.
Dental guidance agreed upon by working group of dentists, hygienists, and assistants
Governor Lamont today released the guidance document that was developed through a collaborative working group organized by his administration and provides best practices for dentist offices that are considering expanding their operations beyond emergency care in the coming days.
During the pandemic, dentist offices have been considered an essential business by the Lamont administration and were never ordered to close, however following a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dental offices were strongly advised to temporarily limit their practices to urgent and emergency dental care. As several other sectors of the economy begin preparations to reopen on May 20, some dental practices in the state indicated their intention to resume elective services on that date, and dental hygienists and assistants contacted the Lamont administration asking for more guidance.
To help address those concerns, Governor Lamont directed leadership at the Connecticut Department of Public Health to convene a working group of dental professionals representing dental hygienists, dental assistants, and dentists. The group recently met through video conferencing over a five-day period, and reached a consensus on the final guidance document.
Northwest CT YMCA is distributing free masks
Staff members of the Northwest CT YMCA are making and distributing cloth masks for free to anyone in need. Cloth masks are handmade, washable & reusable made with 100% cotton fabric, and are available in adult, teen and youth sizes in a variety of fabric patterns.
If you would like to contribute to their relief efforts, and extend a helping hand to our communities, you can donate here.
Contact your local Y to set up a time for a pick up in Canaan, Winsted, Torrington by emailing support@nwcty.org.
PPE for businesses and nonprofit organizations
As I have covered here before, CONNSTEP and CBIA have partnered with the state to get masks out to eligible small businesses (max of 2 masks for employee). An eligible business is:
- 50 or fewer employees
- A business considered an essential business as designated by the state.
For more information, click here.
If your business or organization is not eligible, or has not been able to acquire masks or other PPE, there are other sources being put together at the state level, so please email me at Maria.Horn@cga.ct.gov, including:
- Name, Address, and Phone of organization/business
- Contact person at said organization/business
- PPE requested
Fresh fruit and vegetable giveaway in Torrington on Wednesday, May 20
Friendly Hands food bank has organized a giveaway of fresh fruit and vegetables at Torrington Middle School, 200 Middle School Drive on Wednesday, May 20 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.
State partners with UnitedHealth Group, United Way 211, and DoorDash to pilot a free meal delivery service for higher risk populations
The State of Connecticut is partnering with UnitedHealth Group, United Way 211, and DoorDash to pilot a free meal delivery service for higher risk populations, which is beginning in the Greater Hartford area. Individuals, many of whom are homebound seniors located in Hartford, Bloomfield, Wethersfield, and surrounding areas, were identified by the Connecticut Department of Social Services, the Connecticut Association of Resident Service Coordinators, and municipal social services. Each meal is being prepared and donated by UnitedHealth Group, and the delivery is being provided through a partnership between United Way 211 and DoorDash. The pilot is anticipated to run through June 5.
First wave of donated laptops for high schools begin arriving slightly ahead of schedule, distribution will start next week
The co-chairs of the Governor’s COVID-19 Learn From Home Task Force, Superintendents Paul Freeman and Nate Quesnel, today announced that the first wave of Dell laptops that are being donated to Connecticut high schools by the Partnership for Connecticut are arriving slightly ahead of schedule and will begin to be distributed to districts starting next week.
The Partnership is donating 60,000 laptops in total. Due to the large global demand for the products, they are expected to arrive in Connecticut in three waves and will be distributed on a formula-based approach that prioritizes equity, student need, and safe distribution. The first wave will consist of 17,000 laptops in total, which will be delivered to New Britain on May 18, followed by Bloomfield, Bridgeport, Danbury, East Hartford, Hamden, and Hartford throughout the week. Dell is in direct contact with the districts’ IT directors to coordinate delivery and logistics. A total of 19 districts are expected to receive the products, the remainder of which are in the process of being manufactured and will arrive ready for immediate use.
In addition to the laptops, the Nooyi family donated more than 185,000 high-qualify Scholastic packs of books for Connecticut prekindergarten to eighth grade students. Delivery of those books began on May 4 in Bridgeport, Hartford, and Bristol, and have continued arriving in Alliance Districts throughout this week.
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.