Maria Horn

Today marked the first day of Phase I of Connecticut’s reopening, including outdoor dining, offices, retail and malls, museums and zoos, and outdoor recreation businesses.

A couple of days ago I spoke with a colleague who told me he couldn’t wait to have a meal on the terrace of a favorite local restaurant, but that his wife wasn’t comfortable with it yet and wasn’t going to join him: I think that’s pretty typical of where we are as we take tentative steps to change our patterns of behavior for the last several weeks.

I came across an interesting survey this week that resonated. It was conducted before the pandemic for an organization called seedership, a Connecticut-based community organization for small businesses, but the implications of the survey are especially relevant now. It showed the deep connection between small businesses and their communities, revealing how intertwined community success and small business growth really are. Nearly all (99%) of small businesses gave back to their communities within the past year, and most (97%) preferred local causes and nonprofits, according to the survey.

Small businesses view what they give back to their communities as an investment (60%) and important to their business’ growth (70%). 69% stated that their primary return on investment from giving is their personal satisfaction from supporting their communities, followed by 68% measuring return by the ability to create a benefit in their communities.

It's a good reminder as many of those businesses start re-opening, many having gone to great care and expense in order to do so safely, that this is an opportunity for us to return their investment in our communities by showing our commitment to them.
The full study can be seen by clicking here.

It’s also EMS Week. It’s difficult to convey how important our largely volunteer EMS practitioners are in our communities, safeguarding the health, safety and wellbeing of us. That’s true every day, in ordinary times, but today their work on our frontlines is extraordinary. In speaking with EMS practitioners throughout the region, I am always struck by the spirit with which they approach their work: with professionalism and pride, and no-nonsense dedication.

This year EMS Week is divided into different themes: today is EMS for Children Day. In a time when our kids , even my own pretty-grown ones, are experiencing so much uncertainty and stress, the knowledge that this group of community members will be there for them in an urgent situation, when we might not be, is extremely comforting. Thank you to all of you who have heard that call and serve in all of the towns of the Northwest Corner.
 Here’s a list of today’s topics:

• Governor Lamont signs executive order allowing all registered voters to vote absentee in the August primary election
• Executive Order No. 7PP (modifying restrictions to enable re-opening; camps and summer programs)
• State releases online guide to support the reopening of small businesses
• Businesses reminded to verify insurance coverage during reopening
• Nuvance Health hospitals in Connecticut resume elective surgeries and procedures
• Helpful tips for children and families
• Department of Energy & Environmental Protection issues operational plan for state parks
• Update on private family campground rules and recommendations
• Connecticut insurance commissioner reminds that all insureds are eligible for no-cost COVID-19 testing and treatment

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 allowing all registered voters to vote absentee in the August primary election

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, he has signed an executive order allowing all registered voters in Connecticut to vote absentee in the August 11, 2020 primary elections.
Current state law authorizes the use of an absentee ballot for six reasons, including a voter’s active service in the Armed Forces; absence from town during all of the hours of voting; own illness; religious beliefs; duties as an election official; and physical disability. Governor Lamont said that as the highly contagious virus continues to spread and nearly 3,500 people in the state who have contracted the disease have died within the last two months, it is critical that state government make reasonable adjustments that reflect the current state of emergency while ensuring that the democratic process continues safely and securely.

“Nobody should need to make a decision between their health and their right to vote,” Governor Lamont said. “Our state has taken every responsible step to this point to ensure that our residents are safe, and the next step we must take is to mitigate the risk of the spread of COVID-19 when Connecticut residents cast their ballots. We must guarantee access to the ballot, and this is a way to do that during these extraordinary circumstances. I do not take this decision lightly, and it is with the public health and welfare of residents in mind.”

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill has announced that she intends to mail every registered voter in the state an application they will need to fill out and return in order to obtain an absentee ballot. That application, which will be sent via U.S. Postal Service, will include a postage paid return envelope. After processing the applications at the local level, all voters who requested an absentee ballot will receive the ballots in the mail, which will also include a postage paid return envelope. Each town will also have a secure dropbox in a prominent location to allow voters to deliver their absentee ballots in person without close personal contact.

Connecticut’s 2020 presidential primary was initially scheduled to be held on April 28, but to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, Governor Lamont signed executive orders rescheduling it, first to June 2 and then to August 11, the same date that the state was already scheduled to hold primaries for other federal, state, and local offices. Moving the presidential primary to this date enables the primary for president to appear on the same ballot as those for other offices, and eliminates the need for the state to hold two separate primary elections.

**Download: Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 7QQ

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

1. Reopening Phase 1: Repeals several previously enacted executive orders to allow for the safe reopening of certain sectors of the economy on May 20, including for the reopening of outdoor dining, offices, retail and malls, museums and zoos, and outdoor recreation businesses.
2. Enforcement of sector rules governing the reopening of businesses: Modifies certain statues and regulations to permit the enforcement of sector rules as certain businesses reopen on May 20, including for local and district health directors and municipal chief executive officers
3. Extension of prohibition on large gatherings to June 20, 2020: Extends the prohibition of large gatherings in Executive Order Nos. 7D and 7N through June 20, 2020.
4. Extension of restrictions on off-track betting, indoor fitness, and movie theaters to June 20
5. Further clarification of limits on restaurants, bars, and private clubs – mixed drinks permitted for takeout delivery: Allows for the sale of mixed drinks for takeout and delivery by various liquor permittees under certain conditions.
6. Limitation on the operation of day camps: Prohibits day camps, which were not already operating as of May 5, 2020, from beginning operations for the season until June 22, 2020.
7. Enhanced health procedures for all day camps: Requires day camps to comply with the limitations on child group sizes and enhanced health procedure requirements placed on child-care programs by Executive Order No. 7Q, and by orders of the commissioner of the Office of Early Childhood.
8. Cancellation of resident camp operations: Prohibits the operation of resident camps for the duration of the civil preparedness and public health emergency.
9. Limitation on the operation of summer and educational programs operated by local or regional boards of education: Prohibits summer school programs from beginning prior to July 6, 2020, unless earlier extended, modified, or terminated by the governor. The commissioner of the Department of Education is required to issue guidance on the limited operation of summer school programs that are permitted to engage in-person classes after that date.
10. Suspension or modification of regulatory requirements to protect public health and safety: Permits the commissioner of the Department of Education to temporarily waive, modify, or suspend any regulatory requirements as he deems necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect the public health.

State releases online guide to support the reopening of small businesses

The State of Connecticut has released an online guide to help small businesses comply with COVID-19 safety guidance and manage the broader reopening process. The Small Business Reopening Resource Guide can be accessed by visiting the state’s coronavirus website at ct.gov/coronavirus and clicking the “Business” section, or accessed directly by clicking here.

It includes valuable information in the following areas

• Financial Needs: The guide provides a comprehensive list of financing resources and advisory partners at both the state and federal levels to help small business secure the financial support they need to manage reopening challenges.
• Employee Training & Support: Employers need to provide a safe operating environment for employees and customers. The guide helps companies identify general and industry-specific training and helps answer questions like who should be trained and what kind of training they need.
• Physical Layout: Mandatory social distancing may mean that businesses need to alter their facilities or how they conduct business to maintain safety for employees and customers. The guide offers suggestions to help small business maintain their operations while applying new standards for health and safety.
• Geographic List of Suppliers: Businesses will need protective equipment and other new supplies. The guide includes a list of suppliers of masks, face shields, gloves, as well as cleaning supplies and other needed resources.

The guide will continue to be updated as new information develops. A Spanish-language version is in development and will soon be available.

The guide was developed by an ad hoc committee through the Office of the Governor, the Department of Economic and Community Development, and AdvanceCT, in partnership with the following community and business organizations:

Businesses reminded to verify insurance coverage during reopening

Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais and Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman are reminding business owners of the importance of checking to make sure their insurance coverage accurately reflects any changed circumstances as they moved to comply with the state’s reopening plans.

The Insurance Department is strongly encouraging businesses or residents who have questions or concerns regarding their insurance coverage during the phased reopening of businesses to reach out to their insurance agent, broker, or carrier.

Consumers, insurers, and brokers who have questions can contact the Insurance Department directly through email at insurance@ct.gov, through the department’s website, or through telephone at 1-800-203-3447 or 860-297-3900.

For more information, read the press release issued by the Connecticut Insurance Department.

Nuvance Health hospitals in Connecticut resume elective surgeries and procedures

Nuvance Health hospitals and ambulatory care centers in Danbury, New Milford, Norwalk and Sharon, CT are reopening for elective surgeries and endoscopy procedures starting today as the region observes a decrease in the rate of new COVID-19 infections and in accordance with Governor Lamont’s executive order.

Staff have been preparing for weeks to resume a limited number of elective surgeries and procedures starting with high-priority patients and those most acutely in need.
“Don’t put your health on hold. We’ve put extensive measures in place to promote safety and the patient experience,” said Dr. Jeffrey Nicastro, Nuvance Health’s chair of surgery. “Our staff adheres to a comprehensive screening process for all patients, which will now include our procedural patients. This includes safely and effectively providing care from arrival to the procedure and through discharge to home or to next-steps care. Our process ensures every step to resuming elective surgeries and procedures is seamless and safe.”

One of Nuvance Health’s most notable safety measures is mandatory COVID-19 testing for patients scheduled for a surgical procedure. Patients are required to have negative test results within two days of their procedure, and they must self-isolate and follow stringent safety precautions to avoid possible infection between testing and the procedure date itself. Other important points include:

• Any patient who tests positive for a COVID-19 infection will be re-tested before elective surgery can be rescheduled.
• The hospitals and ambulatory centers are continuing visitor restrictions.
• All facilities are employing stringent, CDC-based, enhanced cleaning and sterilization regimens and enforcing proper use of PPE (personal protective equipment).
• Social distancing will be maintained in common areas, and all patients, visitors and staff must wear masks.
• Any COVID-19 patients in the hospitals will be treated in a separate area.
• Nuvance Health Virtual Visit care options are expanded to keep unnecessary patients out of the facilities.

Patients whose care was postponed are being contacted to schedule appointments. For more information, they should contact their physician directly or visit nuvancehealth.org/safecare.

Helpful tips for children and families

Community Mental Health Affiliates (CMHA) has a lot of helpful suggestions for children & families, those struggling with addiction, or anyone who needs help managing this crisis. Some tips for children and families:

• Keep your morning schedule. Get dressed and have breakfast together whenever possible.
• Spend screen time together. Make it meaningful and purposeful.
• Schedule time for learning, exercise, play, chores, and breaks.
• Have dinner together as a family when you can. Share moments from your day.
• Engage in fun projects to keep your minds busy and productive.
• Most importantly: talk and share your feelings, play, laugh, and give extra hugs

For more: https://cmhacc.org/en/covid-19

Development Pediatrician Dr. Rob Keder at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center has been developing several resources for parents to help build resiliency in children. Check out his post “Resilience is Family: 40 Ideas for New Family Traditions,” for some great tips on fun activities to try with your kids.

Department of Energy & Environmental Protection issues operational plan for state parks
As we approach Memorial Day weekend, the traditional launch of the summer season, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has released an operational plan that outlines for DEEP staff and visitors current guidelines around the operation and use of Connecticut state park grounds, trails, beaches, boat launches and other areas as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

While some of the information is guidance that DEEP has shared previously, the plan contains a good amount of new information, such as DEEP’s current plan for the swimming areas it oversees, and provides a “one stop shop” for the latest information on outdoor recreation offerings administered by DEEP.

As the state begins a phased re-opening of its economy, the vast majority of state parks remain open, as they’ve been throughout the pandemic. The restrictions that they’ve operated under, such as daily capacity limits, social distancing guidelines for visitors, and use of face coverings, also remain in place.

• Swimming and Beaches:

Last week, Gov. Ned Lamont, along with the governors of New York, New Jersey, and Delaware, announced that they would open shoreline beaches in their respective states effective Friday, May 22, though with capacity limitations, and visitors advised to follow social distancing guidelines. Based on the very limited size of beach and swim areas at inland state parks, and current social distancing guidance, DEEP will close beaches at inland State Parks, and prohibit swimming at inland State Parks. Again, this operational decision is based on the potential for on-shore crowding, not a concern of risk of transmission in freshwater.

Connecticut municipalities continue to make decisions regarding the beaches and swimming areas they oversee. DEEP has been in consultation with municipalities during the pandemic, and will continue to be. DEEP’s operational plan is available for municipalities to adapt to their needs if they wish to do so.

• State Campgrounds, Cabins, and Youth Sites:

As was recently announced, state Campgrounds, Cabins, Youth sites, Backcountry and River Camping sites are closed until at least June 11. Additional campground reservations for the 2020 season have been postponed for the time being to prevent the need to reimburse the public for future reservations if campgrounds remain closed.

Other options to open campgrounds are being considered that minimize staff and public risk. The decision will be based on current public health guidance, cleaning protocols and the availability of adequate staff and appropriate personal protective equipment.

As has been the case on nice weather days, many parks reach capacity and close to new visitors for the day. To avoid closures, DEEP’s guidance is the same as it’s been for several weeks now: visit a less-traveled park, earlier in the day; check DEEP’s state parks Twitter feed, @CTStateParks, or the DEEP Boating Division’s Twitter feed, @CTBoatingInfo, to make sure the park or boat launch you want to visit isn’t already closed, and have a back-up plan ready in case it is when you get there; and also don’t forget to consider municipal parks, a trail maintained by another organization, such as the Connecticut Forest & Park Association (https://www.ctwoodlands.org/), or a land trust (http://www.ctconservation.org/findalandtrust).

If you do visit a DEEP-administered outdoor recreation area, it’s important to do so safely. For a complete list of DEEP’s social distancing recommendations in the outdoors, visit https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/COVID-19-Updates-CT-State-Parks-and-Forests.

Update on private family campground rules and recommendations

As part of Executive Order 7PP and the Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Sector Rules for General Business, the Department of Public Health (DPH) provide the rules and recommendations for private family campgrounds, including the following rules:

• Rules:
  • Limit maximum occupancy to 50% of usual occupancy
  • Public Areas. All public areas, other than public bathrooms and showers, are required to remain closed.
  • 20-Foot Separating Distance between Campsites. This may require that every other campsite be closed in order to maintain at least a 20-foot separating distance between each campsite.

Connecticut insurance commissioner reminds that all insureds are eligible for no-cost COVID-19 testing and treatment

Connecticut Insurance Department Commissioner Andrew N. Mais is reminding all insureds in the state that all out-of-pocket costs for testing and treatment of COVID-19 have been removed.

For more information, read the press release issued by the Insurance Department.

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.