Maria Horn

We had good news this week in the form of a new federal stimulus package that is finalizing its journey through Congress and the White House.  The process behind creating this 5,000 page bill was messy at best, and we will be sorting out its provisions in the weeks to come, but one especially bright light within it is the Save Our Stages Act fund, which would help struggling independent concert and entertainment venues get back on their feet.  In addition to service industries such as the restaurant business, arts and cultural institutions have been hit hard and are in desperate need of help in order to make it through to the time when they can reopen fully.  Many, like Torrington’s Warner Theatre, are anchors for entire district, and many businesses depend on them.  The Warner’s economics do not work unless they can reopen fully, and although they’ve cut back to skeletal staffing levels, are in need of assistance if they are to survive. This funding is critical for them. 

In Connecticut, we rolled out a federally-funded grant program for bars, restaurants and other hard-hit businesses.  Strong progress also continued on vaccine delivery and vaccinations of healthcare workers and nursing home residents.  And we had improved fiscal news with the release of revised projections for the current fiscal year which reduced the size of the expected operating shortfall significantly.  To be clear, we still expect a shortfall, but current projections put that at $640 million, which is $239 million less than just weeks ago.  We’re hopeful that the recently-passed stimulus bill will be helpful in continuing that trend.
 
The need to be cautious and maintain public health precautions remains critically important, particularly over the coming holidays.  We’re also expecting high winds and heavy rain on Christmas Eve, so staying safe has multiple dimensions this weekend. 
 
From my family to yours, I wish you all safe, healthy and happy holidays, and a merry Christmas!  

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

• Vaccine Administration Update.
• New Grant Program for Local Businesses.
• The Transportation and Climate Initiative Program.
• COVID Testing Site in Kent.

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”
 
 
Updates on vaccine administration in Connecticut
 
To date, over 7,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to people in Connecticut. All of the doses under this first phase (Phase 1a) of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine program have been administered to people in the healthcare workforce, and residents and staff of long-term care facilities. A total of 9 nursing homes have completed vaccine administration, and 75 nursing homes are scheduled to begin administering the vaccine this week.
 
During the first week of deliveries last week, the state received a total of 31,200 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. This week, it is anticipated that 24,375 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 63,300 doses of the Moderna vaccine will be delivered to Connecticut.

How It Works

Through numerous rigorous tests and analyses, the Pfizer vaccine, which has already been administered to thousands of health care workers across the country, is considered both safe and effective. In addition, the vaccine developed by Moderna was approved by the FDA late last week for distribution in the U.S., and distribution of this vaccine is already underway.

Hartford Healthcare developed this helpful informational sheet below which explains the science behind the current COVID-19 vaccines.

While it is fantastic news that this vaccine looks to be effective and is in the early stages of being distributed across the country, we are not totally out of the woods. Doctors say that we will still have to wear masks and practice social distancing for the foreseeable future because it is still possible for people to carry light infections and pass it on to other individuals. 

Vaccine Availability

The state recently released a framework of its plans for the distribution of an anticipated COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.

Over the next two weeks, the Lamont administration says Connecticut is expected to receive around 130,000 doses, with the majority of doses going to healthcare workers at hospitals. Click HERE to see the distribution chart for the rest of this month.

New information about the vaccine continues to develop each day and plans for its distribution are expected to continue evolving as the situation develops. Information on the state’s distribution plans is being published online at ct.gov/covidvaccine.

As the state insurance commissioner reminded Connecticut residents, I also want to reiterate that there should be no out-of-pocket costs associated with taking the COVID-19 vaccine in Connecticut, both for those who are insured and uninsured. This eliminates one more barrier to ensuring that we get as many people vaccinated as possible and getting this virus under control.

I will continue to pass along updates related to the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine as it becomes more widely available. Meanwhile, let's all continue to do all we can to make sure we keep ourselves and our families safe and healthy, especially during the holidays.
 
New grant program for bars, restaurants and other local businesses
 
A new federally-funded grant program – a helping hand to bars and restaurants and other local businesses – will start cutting checks right around New Year's Eve.

The $10,000 to $30,000 grants are funded by the second federal stimulus package. Approximately 1,500 to 2,000 small and mid-size businesses that have been hurt by the pandemic will receive funds.

We have seen our local businesses step up during the pandemic and put public health over profit. They need our help and I will continue to advocate on their behalf because we need to make sure they can survive this crisis.
 
The Transportation and Climate Initiative Program: a multi-state climate initiative in partnership with Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Washington, DC
 
Climate change is a defining issue - a crisis that demands our attention and demands action. On Monday, Governor Lamont announced a multi-state climate initiative in partnership with Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C.
 
The Transportation and Climate Initiative Program builds on the climate laws and directives that are already in place in our state. In 2019, the General Assembly passed Public Act 19-117, which requires that by 2030 50% of cars and trucks, and 30% of buses purchased or leased by state be zero emissions vehicles.

This new multi-state compact addresses the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Connecticut. It works by placing a cap on the allowable emissions from the transportation sector. It requires large gasoline and diesel fuel providers to purchase allowances for the pollution caused by the emissions from the fuel they sell. Our state will then invest the money from these companies into building back our transportation system in a more green and economic manner. The program also requires that at least 35% of the revenue must go towards underserved communities to ensure that the investment in transportation is equitable.

With less emissions and a more green transportation system, policymakers hope to see health benefits while, in the long run, you save money on reduced fuel expenditures and lower vehicle operation and maintenance costs. 
 
COVID-19 Testing Site in Kent will continue throughout January

The testing site in Kent that began this month will continue through January, on Mondays from 3:00-7:00 pm, at the Town of Kent Transfer Station, 46 Maple Street, Kent.

This testing is FREE to the public, no insurance information or identification is needed. Download patient information form  (ONLY patient info box needs to be completed) and bring with you. Testing vendor Sema4 provides test results through their online portal in approximately 48 hours. Please read their FAQ sheet for details on instructions to create an online portal to receive results.  Any questions should be emailed to covidinfo@townofkentct.org .  

 
Providing information to Connecticut residents
 
For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus. Residents can also subscribe to text message alerts from the state by texting the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.
 
Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Anyone who is out-of-state or requires a toll-free number can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 by dialing 1-800-203-1234. This 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 are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.