Maria Horn

Yesterday was the third Thursday in four weeks that found me driving back home after travel that took me out of Connecticut, and I was reminded once again of how special our part of the world is, and how grateful I am that we were spared the wrath of Hurricane Henri. 
 
I returned yesterday from a conference in Philadelphia. (Side note: yes, one morning I did run up and down the “Rocky Steps” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, but only twice.)  The conference was an intensive 3.5-day training session organized by the Counsel of State Governments for a bipartisan selection of about three dozen elected officials and senior staff from throughout the Eastern Region.  Topics included crisis management and resolution, communication of knowledge amid contested facts and conspiracy theories, and overcoming impasses to get to agreement.  The first of those sessions began by compiling a list of the various crises we face in our communities and throughout the country – nearly all of them have taken on harsh partisan edges.  Despite that, we all worked through the conversations without attacking one another, even when topics were sensitive.  We all emerged with a sense of hope and optimism for tackling what lay ahead. 
 
Some of that was tempered by the news upon my return, including the bombings in Afghanistan. Historically, this kind of tragic event would have sparked patriotic union and support for our country, but it was instead met with reflexive, partisan, personal attacks on our government and elected leadership from other elected leaders.  Criticism is one thing - in fact it’s necessary for a functioning government – personal attacks on the character of our leaders in the face of an international attack and loss of life is something else entirely.
 
Summer is winding to an end, and next week marks the start of the school year.  It’s not quite a return to “normal”, but the statewide commitment to ensuring that our children return to in-personal school is strong and inspiring.  Our local school districts did amazing work keeping our children safe, cared for, and educated, and I know they’re looking forward to returning to that work next week.  All three of my children will be in back in school this fall, the one in graduate school already underway, and the younger two returning to college in the coming days.  I know all three are relieved that their schools will be conducting classes in person. 
 
The end of summer brings lots of traditional events to the Northwest Corner, including the Goshen Fair over Labor Day Weekend, and the Cornwall Agricultural Fair on September 11.  Both fairs honor and celebrate our local agriculture, and this year in particular has been brutal for them.  As Cornwall First Selectman Gordon Ridgway observed to me today, breathing the smoke from the wildfires out west while being under flood watch in our region really illustrated the extremity of the weather situation we all face, but that our farmers experience even more directly.  Yet another excuse to visit our farmer’s markets!
 
 One more important event to flag is the Overdose Awareness Vigil at Coe Park on August 31 at 6:30 pm. It is always a powerful event, acknowledging the pain and loss of addiction for individuals, families, and communities, and taking the time to applaud those who have walked that fragile road to recovery, as well as the many who have helped build that road.  I hope to see you there! 

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

• COVID Data. Click here.
• US Food & Drug Administration Gives Final Approval for Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine. Click here.
• Other Vaccine Update and Resources. Click here. 
• Trees and Storms. Click here.
• CT's Plan for COVID Emergency Relief Funding in Schools Receives Federal Approval. Click here.
• CT is One of Four National Awardees for a Minority Business Development Agency Advanced Manufacturing Center Grant. Click here. 
• Expanded Mental Health Options for Community College Students. Click here. 
• Connecticut's Farm to Chef Week Begins August 29. Click here. 
• The Great Country Mutt Show on the Cornwall Green. Click here.
• Join a Call with the Department of Transportation. Click here.

COVID Data

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.”

US Food & Drug Administration gives final approval for Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine 
 
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced that they have approved the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine, which previously had emergency-use authorization, is the first FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine and will now be marketed as Comirnaty.
 
The FDA’s approval of this vaccine is a milestone as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. While this and other vaccines have met the FDA’s rigorous, scientific standards for emergency use authorization, as the first FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, the public can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product.
 
The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.
 
To learn more about the announcement, visit https://bit.ly/3j7mvD2
 
If you have not yet received your COVID-19 vaccine, you can find a vaccination site near you by visiting ct.gov/covidvaccine.

Other Vaccine Updates and Resources
 
In addition to the approval new above, a lot has been happening in the public health world around COVID-19 vaccinations in the last week. 
 
Booster Dose Updates
Last Wednesday, the US Department of Health & Human Services announced a national plan to roll-out booster vaccines beginning September 20.  The CT Department of Public Health (DPH) subsequently sent a communication to vaccinating providers that contains several initial planning assumptions and information about this plan, which can be found here. 

Pfizer and Moderna 3^rd Dose for Immunocompromised People
At this time, the third dose is being given to moderately and severely immunocompromised people.  Here is the link to the clinical considerations for an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine, from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices: Clinical Considerations for Third Dose for Immunocompromised People. 
 
CT WiZ Immunization Public Portal is Now Live

• Last Thursday, Governor Lamont issued Executive Order 13C to allow vaccine recipients to access immunization records through the secure Immunization Information System, CT WiZ Public Portal.  This is a free service provided by the CT DPH Immunization Program.  A press release announcing such access can be found here.
• Vaccine recipients and their legal guardians can access official immunization records for themselves and their children under the age of 18 using the CT WiZ Public Portal with two-factor authentication to verify identity.  When a vaccine recipient or guardian enters the exact name, date of birth, and cell phone number or email addresses that was used on the forms submitted at the time of vaccination, then they will receive an access code through their email address or cell phone.  The access code must be entered within a short window of time in order to view the immunization record.
• If you are unable to locate your record in the portal, you can contact the DPH Immunization Program for assistance (helpdesk: https://dph-cthelpdesk.ct.gov/Ticket or phone: 860-509-7929 during business hours Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm). 

Vaccine Mandates
Last Thursday, Governor Lamont issued an Executive Order 13D requiring that all Connecticut state employees, including those who work at state hospital facilities, staff of all public and private childcare facilities, and staff of all public and private preK-12 schools statewide receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by September 27, 2021.  Those who do not get vaccinated due to medical or religious exemptions will be required to be tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis.  However, state hospital employees will not have the option of being tested in lieu of vaccination.  

Governor Lamont issued Executive Order 13B on August 6th, which imposes similar vaccine requirements on employees of long term care facilities.  Those are defined as any facility, agency or provider that is a nursing home, a residential care home, an assisted living services agency, an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities, or managed residential community.  Long term care facility employees will not have the option of being tested in lieu of vaccination.  They can claim medical or religious exemption.   
 
COVID-19 Vaccine and Pregnancy
CDC recently published a new analysis, Receipt of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines preconception and during pregnancy, CDC v-safe COVID-19 Vaccine Pregnancy Registry 2020-21.  The preliminary findings are reassuring and can help inform discussions about COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy between pregnant people and their healthcare providers.

Growing evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy demonstrates that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.  CDC recommends that pregnant women should be vaccinated against COVID-19.  COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people 12 years and older, including women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.

The increased circulation of the highly contagious Delta variant, the low vaccine uptake among pregnant women, and the increased risk of severe illness and pregnancy complications related to COVID-19 infection among pregnant women make vaccination for this population more urgent than ever.

The CDC webpage COVID-19 Vaccines While Pregnant or Breastfeeding contains some key messages for you to share with your constituents.
 
Recent COVID-19 Vaccine Publications

• Advisory: Confronting Health Misinformation  As we continue our work to help protect our communities from the COVID-19 virus, confronting health misinformation is essential to ending the pandemic.  Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released Confronting Health Misinformation: The U.S. Surgeon General¡¯s Advisory on Building a Healthy Information Environment.  Limiting the prevalence and impact of misinformation will help all of us make more informed decisions about our health and the health of our loved ones and communities.  Together, we have the power to build a healthier information environment.
• New Website: COVID-19 Vaccine Equity for Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups  We will achieve COVID-19 vaccine equity when everyone has fair and just access to COVID-19 vaccines.  Please visit CDC’s new webpage dedicated to COVID-19 Vaccine Equity for Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups to learn more about what you can do to promote vaccine equity.  This work is part of CDC’s COVID-19 Health Equity Strategy to prioritize efforts to improve the health outcomes of populations disproportionately affected by COVID-19.  To help the United States succeed against this public health threat, CDC is working with state, tribal, and territorial authorities; community-serving organizations; and public and private groups to ensure all public health efforts address the specific cultural, linguistic, environmental, historical, and other needs and priorities of each population.  

 
Trees and Storms
 
We were fortunate that Hurricane Henri did not inflict the damage predicted on our area, but we did experience some damage, and trees continue to be the number one cause of electrical outages, in addition to causing property damage and public safety issues like blocked roads.  Eversource reports that 77 percent of their customers in Connecticut who experienced power outages were impacted by tree-caused outages.
In addition to residential and business customers, these outages can impact critical facilities like hospitals, police and fire stations, gas stations, and vaccine distribution sites.

As part of efforts to improve storm response and enhance safety, Everource is launching an effort to address significant tree issues in collaboration with municipalities following storm events. Starting this week, they are reaching out to 16 communities that were hardest hit by Henri, surveying trees and infrastructure, and addressing hazardous trees and branches before they can cause future outages and public safety issues. Kent is one of the municipalities named. 
 
Connecticut’s plan for COVID emergency relief funding in schools receives federal approval
 
The U.S. Department of Education has approved CT’s plan for use of the $110 million the State of Connecticut is receiving from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. The funding was approved by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden earlier this year as part of the ongoing efforts to assist in recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The state’s plan outlines an investment in a variety of evidence-based initiatives designed for a transformative and equitable recovery. Initiatives include a statewide K-8 model curricula, extended access to online/digital platforms that accelerate learning and provide credit recovery, expanded access to high-quality, innovative summer enrichment and afterschool programs, additional supports for students with disabilities and English learners, college and career advising resources for high needs high school students, comprehensive supports for youth in the criminal justice system, and subgrants to local education agencies to facilitate high-dosage tutoring.
 
Connecticut one of four national awardees for a Minority Business Development Agency Advanced Manufacturing Center Grant
 
Connecticut has been awarded a five-year, $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) to operate a national MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center.
 
Participating businesses will work with the UConn School of Business and other technical assistance partners to access advanced manufacturing and general business assistance to meet challenges and seize opportunities.
  
MBDA is the only federal agency dedicated solely to supporting minority businesses. The MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center will connect minority-owned manufacturers with experienced professionals to help them refine their business strategy and operations, assist with financial analysis, and connect them with Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers for deeper analysis of which advanced manufacturing services would be appropriate for that business.
 
Businesses interested in participating in this program can contact the Connecticut Small Business Development Center atctsbdc@uconn.edu or 877-723-2828.
 
Expanded mental health options for community college students
 
Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) President Terrence Cheng announced that, beginning in the fall 2021 semester, students at Connecticut’s community colleges will have access to free, 24/7, telehealth options to provide health and counseling services. Through a partnership with the telehealth company TimelyMD, students will have the opportunity to connect, any time, from anywhere, with clinicians and providers specifically trained to meet the needs of the community college population.

CSCU expects to formally launch the service for students at the start of the semester. To learn more about TimelyMD, visit timely.md/for-schools/.

Connecticut’s Farm to Chef Week begins August 29

Farm to Chef Week, running from Sunday, August 29 through Saturday, September 4, encourages culinary professionals to use Connecticut Grown ingredients in new ways on their menus, while educating residents and visitors about the diversity of products grown and raised in the state.
 
More information on local, participating restaurants can be found on the Farm to Chef website, as well as the  Department of Agriculture Facebook Page.Click on a location to view their menu and see which farms they source ingredients from.
 
 
The Great Country Mutt Show on the Cornwall Green on September 25

The Great Country Mutt Show, a Westminster style Mutt Show that showcases dogs of all breeds and creeds, will be held on Saturday, September 25 on the beautiful Cornwall Green. From “the best mask” to “the best lapdog over 40 lbs” to “the sweetest pair”, there are multiple chances for your beloved dogs to take to the ring. And while those rings are in action, there will be many other activities on the green...an auction, raffles, live music, food trucks...and more! Click here to register. 

All proceeds benefit The Little Guild Animal Rescue. Can't make the event but still want to donate? Just click here.  

Interested in improving CT’s rail infrastructure? Join a call with the Department of Transportation
 
The CT Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has initiated its update of the State Rail Plan in compliance with Federal legislation, PRIIA (Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, Public Law 110-432).
 
CTDOT will be holding three (3) virtual public information meetings on the dates listed below for the public to learn about the purpose and requirements of the State Rail Plan and provide feedback as we begin to update the former 2012-2016 plan.  Meeting links will be included in the meeting notices.
 
•             Tuesday, August 31st at 6:00 p.m.
•             Thursday, September 2nd at 1:00 p.m. 
•             Thursday, September 9th at 6:00 p.m.
 
The virtual meetings will consist of a presentation live-streamed via Microsoft Teams Live Event and YouTube Live. A Question and Answer session will immediately follow the presentation.  The Microsoft Teams Live Event offers closed-captioning and language translation options. All meetings will be recorded and posted on the CTDOT website.
 
In addition to the public informational meetings, a virtual room has been developed for the State Rail Plan that will provide information and additional opportunities to submit feedback during the 45-day comment period. The link to our virtual room will become active on August 31st and remain active throughout the development of the State Rail Plan update: https://aecomviz.com/CTRailplan.  The Department will be holding another round of public meetings once a draft of the State Rail Plan has been developed. 
 
 
 
 
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.