Newsletter

December 29, 2021

As you may recall from last week's update, I had planned on skipping this week's update in favor of waiting for the new year. However, with many of you reaching out to find testing and asking questions about where the self-tests will be distributed, I thought it prudent to reach out today.

The Omicron variant appears to be highly contagious and I'm hearing of many whole families who currently have it. The overwhelming majority of hospitalizations remain in people who are not vaccinate (more than 80% was the most recent figure I've seen). Please schedule your booster shot if you haven't already, remember the flu is also happening and you can get vaccinated for that, and if you were planning a gathering with people outside of your home for New Year's Eve, now is probably a good time to rethink that.

I had hoped to provide you with an update on the distributions that were supposed to happen tomorrow but as of now the tests have been delayed because the freight carrier has not left the West Coast yet. There is still a chance that the test may be distributed tomorrow and I have included the current plans for both towns if the tests arrive in time. Please stay tuned to both the Town of Avon and Town of Canton websites as well as any of my social media outlets as the decision will be made early tomorrow once the towns know if the tests have arrived in CT. As soon as I know anything, I will post on Facebook and Twitter.

In the meantime, my sincere wishes to all of you for a better, healthier 2022!

Testing Kits Distribution Update

On Monday, Governor Lamont announced that three million self-tests and six million N-95 masks would be distributed beginning Thursday, December 30th. The supplies would be given to municipalities as well as K-12 schools. However, the governor announced today that there will be a delay in the distribution due to "shipping and warehouse delays" according to the Hartford Courant. Town officials from Avon and Canton tell me they are hopeful supplies will arrive in time for distribution and if so, schedules appear below.

Testing Kits

Distribution information for Avon and Canton is as follows:

The Town of Avon is expected to begin December 30th at 4 p.m. at the Department of Public Works located at 11 Arch Road in a drive-through distribution. Kits will be distributed on a first come, first served basis and proof of residency is required (e.g. official identification or a piece of mail). Please limit one vehicle per household. There is a limit of two kits per household and each kit contains two tests.

This event is part of a state-wide distribution of COVID-19 testing kits, and is contingent on the state’s ability to deliver the kits as scheduled this Thursday morning. Should the plan change, all applicable updates will be posted to the Town’s web site.

The Town has also registered to receive N-95 masks and expects those to be made available in the coming weeks.  The schedule and quantity of masks is not yet known. The Town will publish updates to the Town website as soon as it becomes available.

The Town of Canton will distribute, approximately 1,100 COVID Home Test Kits on Thursday, December 30, 2021 from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm at the Canton Community Center located at 40 Dyer Avenue via a drive-through process. The test kits will be distributed on a first come first serve basis while the supplies last.

Residents must have an ID or other document as proof of CANTON residency. Please have the identification available when you arrive at the Community Center.

There will be a two (2) kit limit for each vehicle.

The tests will be distributed at the back of the Community Center in front of the Senior Center and residents are requested to follow the indicated traffic pattern.

It is anticipated that the Town will receive N-95 masks at a later date for distribution.

Access Health CT Enrollment Deadline is December 31st

Access Health CT has extended the deadline to obtain good, quality, affordable healthcare to December 31, 2021. The original deadline was December 15th. Customers who enroll between December 16 and December 31, 2021 will have the option to choose whether their coverage begins on January 1, 2022 or February 1, 2022.

Customers who enroll between January 1, 2022 and January 15, 2022 will have coverage beginning February 1, 2022. Access Health CT is the only place to qualify for financial help to lower costs. Some Connecticut residents may be eligible for free or low-cost coverage through the HUSKY Health Program (Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Plan) and the Covered Connecticut Program.

Access Health CT

For free online help, Connecticut residents may visit www.AccessHealthCT.com.

Live chat is available at AccessHealthCT.com by clicking the “live chat” icon to connect with a customer service representative in real time. Live chat is available Monday – Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., and select Saturdays from 9:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

For free in-person help, residents may work with a certified broker or enrollment specialist in their community. To find a certified broker or enrollment specialist, visit the Get Help webpage. In addition, residents may visit any of Access Health CT’s enrollment locations or either of the Navigator partner locations.

Residents may also contact the Access Health CT call center at 1-855-805-4325, Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and select Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. On Saturday, Jan. 15, the call center will be open from 9:00 a.m. to midnight.

On Friday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 31, the call center will be open from 8:00 a.m. to noon.
Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.

New Laws Taking Effect January 1, 2022

I would like to wish you and your family and friends, a safe, healthy and prosperous new year! I also wanted make you aware of a few new laws that will take effect in Connecticut in just a few days.

My colleagues and I worked hard during the 2021 legislative session to listen to your concerns and advocate for meaningful change in our state. We look forward to getting back to the Capitol soon to continue in those efforts.

Please see the list below of some of the new laws that will go into effect January 1st, 2022, and the complete list, below.

New Laws

Parental Rights

  • This is about equity in our laws. The Connecticut Parentage Act (PA 21-25) provides equal treatment under the law to children born to same-sex couples and modernizes the definitions and other legal provisions relating to parenting and maternity.

Paid Family and Medical Leave

  • PA 19-25 is a game changer for families. Applications are already being accepted at ctpaidleave.org, where you can explore details of the groundbreaking family and medical leave program.

Immunization Exemptions

  • Keeping immunocompromised children safe was the driving force behind efforts to increase childhood vaccinations (PA 21-6). Outbreaks of measles in other states show how dangerous it can be to allow our herd immunity to be compromised.

Insulin Costs

  • PA 20-4 targets price gouging for life-saving insulin. We cap 30-day supplies of insulin at $25 and cap costs on supplies such as syringes, pumps, and blood sugar meters at $100 a month for people who have coverage through state-regulated insurance plans.

Health Equity

  • PA 21-57 recognizes that certain medical devices are more likely to provide more inaccurate readings for individuals of color than individuals who are white. The Department of Public Health will develop educational materials on pulse oximeters (electronic devices that detect blood oxygen levels) to ensure that healthcare providers are aware of this critical information.

Click here for a complete list of laws that will go into effect on Jan. 1.

Celebrating Kwanzaa

Saturday, January 1, marks the end of Kwanzaa, the seven-night celebration of African American and Pan-African culture. The holiday has grown to be celebrated by millions across the world, strengthening roots to both African heritage and the African community as a whole.

Kwanzaa

Happy New Year!

For many people, this year continued to be challenging whether it was finding employment, struggling to pay bills, caring for sick loved ones, and trying to maintain true mental health.

My hope for everyone in 2022 is that whatever burden(s) you are carrying, that you find hope in the small kindnesses (sometimes from strangers), joy in the quiet moments of your life, and that peace is found in your heart, in your home, and in our world. May 2022 be a Happy New Year!

Happy New Year