COVID Update 2.23

February 23, 2021

The biggest piece of news this week concerns vaccine distribution.  Yesterday the Governor announced that the next group eligible, starting on March 1, will be those aged 55 to 64, as well as teachers and childcare workers.  This was a significant change in strategy, as we all expected the next group to be “essential workers” and those with health conditions that made them especially vulnerable.  The rationale for this change is simplicity: Connecticut continues to rank among the top five states in terms of vaccine distribution, and that’s partly due to a streamlined system for which eligibility is crystal clear.  Determinations as to who is included as an “essential worker” or what kind of health condition would qualify, are thorny and difficult.  In order not to pit one group against another, both of those groups were becoming quite large, so large that the administration was convinced they would have to age-stratify them in any event. 
 
I understand that, but there are serious equities at play here.  To paraphrase one of my law school professors, just because something is hard to calculate doesn’t mean the best estimate is zero.  These are difficult lines to draw, and no solution will please everyone, but I’m not convinced we should give up. There are volunteer firefighters with significant COVID exposure who don’t qualify for the vaccine.  Grocery store workers, hailed as heroes early on the pandemic, are left out, as are many medically vulnerable people.  I’m very glad that an exception was carved out for teachers and childcare workers, but I hope that we will find ways to include other groups as well. 
 
On another note, the legislature will be in session this week (the House tomorrow, and the Senate the following day) to take action on a number of issues.  One that could have a big impact on our region is mitigation of potential double-taxation that residents who normally work in New York or Massachusetts but have been forced to work remotely here in CT were facing.  (That’s included in S.B. No. 873.)
 
Other issues include removal of liens on the property of public assistance beneficiaries, an increased commitment to municipal aid for towns with nontaxable property (otherwise known as “PILOT”, or “Payments In Lieu of Taxes”), and a prohibition on workplace discrimination based on hairstyles historically associated with race (H.B. No. 6376, otherwise known as the “CROWN Act”).

 

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

  • Data Updates on Vaccine Administration. Click here.
  • SBA Prioritizes Smallest of Small Businesses in the  Paycheck Protection Program. Click here.
  • Employment Service Appointments at American Job Centers. Click here

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.”
 

Specific Updates for Our Community

 

Town Total Cases Total Deaths Number of Tests Number of Positive Tests
Canaan 7 0 671 8
Cornwall 42 0 1,782 49
Goshen 121 1 3,924 145
Kent 118 0 6,982 136
Norfolk 59 0 1,853 67
North Canaan 183 8 7,957 201
Salisbury 112 0 8,857 133
Sharon 90 1 4,263 129
Torrington 2,718     128 72,115 3,319

 
AnchorData updates on vaccine administration in Connecticut
 
The significant news yesterday was that Connecticut would continue to rely primarily on age to determine vaccine eligibility, rather than work or health status.  Specifically, the next group eligible for the vaccine, starting on March 1, will be those age 55 to 64, as well as preK-12 school staff and teachers, and early childhood providers.
 
Those who are currently eligible to receive the vaccine under Connecticut’s COVID-19 vaccination program include all individuals over the age of 65, as well as all healthcare personnel, medical first responders, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, and residents and staff of select congregate settings. Over the coming weeks, eligibility will expand based on age according to the following schedule:
 

  • March 1, 2021: Expands to ages 55 to 64
  • March 22, 2021: Expands to ages 45 to 54
  • April 12, 2021: Expands to ages 35 to 44
  • May 3, 2021: Expands to ages 16 to 34

 
In addition, the program will expand in March to include preK-12 school staff and teachers, as well as early childhood providers, all of whom will be provided the vaccine at dedicated clinics specifically set up for those workers.
 
The following data represents the total number of COVID-19 vaccinations administered in Connecticut, as reported to the state as of yesterday:
 

Dose Total Administered
First doses administered 582,075
Second doses administered 278,589
Total 826,125

 

Connecticut continues to rank in the top five states in the nation for vaccine distribution.
 
So far, the state has vaccinated:

  • 70 percent of its population over the age of 75
  • 37 percent of its population between the ages of 65 and 74

Information on Connecticut’s COVID-19 vaccination program is available at ct.gov/covidvaccine.
 
AnchorSmall Business Administration prioritizes smallest of small businesses in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
 
Yesterday the U.S. Small Business Administration announced steps with the Paycheck Protection Program to further promote equitable relief for the country’s smallest businesses.
The SBA will:

  • Establish a 14-day, exclusive PPP loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees
  • Allow sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals to receive more financial support by revising the PPP’s funding formula for these categories of applicants
  • Eliminate an exclusionary restriction on PPP access for small business owners with prior non-fraud felony convictions, consistent with a bipartisan congressional proposal
  • Eliminate PPP access restrictions on small business owners who have struggled to make federal student loan payments by eliminating federal student loan debt delinquency and default as disqualifiers to participating in the PPP; and 
  • Ensure access for non-citizen small business owners who are lawful U.S. residents by clarifying that they may use Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to apply for the PPP.

 
The 14-day exclusivity period will start on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 9 a.m., while the other four changes will be implemented by the first week of March. The SBA is working on the program changes and will communicate details throughout this week.
 
These actions will help to lay the foundation for a robust and equitable recovery for small businesses across the country. Small businesses employ nearly half of the American workforce; they create 2 out of 3 net new private-sector jobs; they reinvest 68% of revenues to build and sustain communities. Borrowers can apply for the Paycheck Protection Program by downloading the First Draw PPP loan application or Second Draw PPP loan application and working with a participating PPP lender through the SBA Lender Match tool.
 
Through SBA’s nationwide district offices, the Agency will work in close partnership with the Administration to further leverage its resource partner network and expand on multilingual access and outreach about the PPP. Updated PPP information, including forms, guidance, and resources is available at www.sba.gov/ppp and www.treasury.gov/cares.
 

AnchorCTDOL Scheduling Employment Services Appointments at American Job Centers

The CT Department of Labor now offers in-person  employment services at Regional American Job Centers (AJC). Representatives from AJC are available to provide assistance with resumes, cover letters, interviewing skills and other career related concerns. 

Please note, individuals must make an appointment before visiting a centerServices will also be available  virtually, by phone, email or video conferencing.

To schedule an appointment, fill out AJC's Employment Services form, which can be found here. After the form is submitted, an AJC staff member will call to set up your appointment. Use one of the following numbers to 
schedule appointment by phone:

  • Bridgeport (203) 455-2700
  • Hamden (203) 859-3200
  • Hartford (860) 256-3700
  • Montville (860) 848-5200
  • Waterbury (203) 437-3380
  • New Haven (203) 624-1493

Because of a high volume of requests, please allow 2-3 business days for a response. For more information, please visit the American Job Center website

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.