Stay Safe During the Extreme Heat

June 22, 2022


 
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Dear neighbor,
 
I hope you've been enjoying the wonderful, warm days and cool nights in the last week, especially since we have a hot weekend coming! Remember to check on your older neighbors and I'm sure our libraries and Senior Centers will be open as usual as cooling centers. Keep an eye on your pets and stay hydrated as best you can.
 
But, if you really want to beat the heat, I hope you'll join me Saturday afternoon for a cone and conversation (dairy free options for those who have asked) at the America the Beautiful Ice Cream Store in Canton on Saturday at 3 p.m. Meet at the picnic tables after you grab a cone (and maybe bring a foldable chair) and we will discuss legislation passed this last session.
 
Next week, I'm collecting suits (men's and women's) for our Veteran Suit Drive. I've already received some and look forward to collecting more as we assist veterans in Connecticut getting into the civilian workforce. See details below.
 
There is more information below about our summer pests and disease-carrying ticks, how to stay safe in the extreme heat and how our farmers can feed our hungry neighbors with Foodshare.
 
Wishing you a great week,

Eleni
 
Upcoming In-District Events
Come get the legislative scoop on Saturday, June 25 at 3 p.m. at America the Beautiful Ice Cream Shop in Collinsville! Have some ice cream and learn more about the bills we passed this session.

On Thursday, June 30 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., I will be holding a Suit Drive at BeanZ and Co. in Avon! Please drop off used suits that are in good condition and then join me for a legislative overview on veteran services and resources. Suits will be donated to Save a Suit.

I look forward to seeing you!
 
Day in the Life of a State Representative
Starting with a walk and talk on the Pollinator Pathway in Collinsville. The last time we did this, it was the end of the season, and now it’s beautiful blooms everywhere. I learned that while butterfly bush is great for the butterflies, butterfly weed is better because it supports their entire lifecycle.
 
Next, I spent time with Partners in Policymaking students at the Legislative Office Building with my colleagues learning about issues affecting people with disabilities and providing feedback on how advocates can interact with their legislators. Great to be with Rep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey and Rep. Gary Turco among others!
 
The last event of the day was the wonderful Strawberry Festival at the North Canton United Methodist Church. Such a wonderful community event and as you can tell from the giant plate in front of me, deliciously sweet!
 
Stay Safe During the Extreme Heat
It's officially summer and we have have some extreme heat headed our way this weekend. If you're going to be working or outside in hot conditions, make sure you're taking steps to avoid heat injuries. Working in extreme heat or humidity isn’t just difficult—it’s dangerous. 

When the human body is unable to maintain a normal temperature, heat-related illnesses can occur and may result in death. Likewise, there are a range of heat illnesses and they can affect anyone, regardless of age, or physical condition. Click the image above to enlarge it. For more information about staying safe in the heat, please click here.

If you're looking for relief from the heat, dial 2-1-1 or click here to find a cooling center near you.
 
CT Recognized for Efforts to Streamline State Government
The State of Connecticut recently received national recognition for its use of technology to streamline and improve state government to offer better service to residents. Our state was a recipient of the 2022 Tyler Public Sector Excellence Award for employing best practices and technology to improve efficiency, resident satisfaction, and return on investment. Since 2016, Connecticut has expanded its use of eLicense and increased the number of self-service options for licensees. These efforts have helped ensure a consistent experience for consumers, licensees, and state employees, while also aligning workflows with the legislative requirements of each regulated industry. You can read more about this great announcement here.
 
Protect Yourself an Pets from Ticks
It's #NationalOutdoorsMonth and we are lucky to live in a state where there are so many places to enjoy the great outdoors!

Unfortunately, spending more time outdoors does come with the risk of being bitten by a tick. Ticks can carry more illnesses than just Lyme disease, including babesiosis, erlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and borrelia (to name a few). To learn more about them, visit: https://bit.ly/3n4llcB

It’s important to do what you can to protect yourself and others from ticks including not planting burning bush to prevent them from having a place to live near your home. Also, keep tall grasses to a minimum.
DPH Announced a Connecticut Resident Tested Positive For Powassan Virus
The state Department of Public Health recently announced that a Connecticut resident has tested positive for Powassan virus infection (POWV). This is the second case that has been identified in our state in 2022. From 2017 to 2021, 12 cases of POWV were reported, including 3 in 2021. Of those 12 cases, 2 were fatal. 

POWV is typically spread through the bite of an infected black-legged or deer tick. It can take a week to one month after the bite from an infected tick to develop symptoms. The virus can be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes after the tick first attaches. 

Most people infected with POWV will likely experience no symptoms, or a mild flu-like illness. Some will develop severe illness. 

Residents can take several actions to help prevent tick bites. This includes using CDC-recommended mosquito repellants, avoiding areas where ticks are likely to be, and treating clothing, hiking or camping gear with products containing 0.5 percent permethrin. For additional information, please click here.
 
Farmers Can Partner with Connecticut Foodshare to Address Hunger
Connecticut Foodshare is accepting applications for its Farm to Neighbors program, which addresses hunger while also supporting local agriculture. Through this program, Connecticut Foodshare will purchase locally-grown products from established, emerging, and socially disadvantaged farms and are distributed to residents experiencing hunger. To learn more about this program and to start the application process, please click here.

If you are having a difficult time putting food on your table, you can find a schedule of Connecticut Foodshare sites here. Additional food resources are available by calling 2-1-1 or visiting 211ct.org. 
 
Sincerely,

Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative
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