COVID Update 4.22
April 22, 2020It’s the 50th anniversary of Earth Day today, and the natural world is re-asserting itself. The skies are clearer than they have been in decades in some parts of the world, and wild animals taking over the roadways as traffic has disappeared. At our house a fox family has taken up residence in a burrow right next to our driveway – we’ve only seen one adult, so we’re assuming she’s a single working mother feeding and home schooling her seven kits. Quite a job – I’m guessing we won’t be seeing as many voles around here as we used to.
The environment also needs our advocacy and support, particularly in our region where the environment is so much a part of our culture and our economy, as well as providing a place of solace and refuge so needed for us today. So when you take that hike in one of our many preserved green spaces, think about supporting the land trust that protects it. Check out this video from the Connecticut Land Conservation Council, capturing the energy, enthusiasm, and positive spirit of Connecticut's land conservation community, and the deep passion and commitment these mostly all-volunteer nonprofits have in protecting special places across our beautiful state.
Before the statistics and reports, I wanted to take notice of how the Governor’s Executive Orders are changing. The one from yesterday (detailed below), for example, has several very narrow and specific terms, demonstrating some of what is happening in terms of state governance. Because the legislature is not in session, action falls to the Governor. Some earlier executive orders were quite broad, and are now being followed up with tweaks and corrections as legislators, in particular, report back on how a particular order is affecting residents or businesses in our districts in unintended ways, because they were not covered by the order, because they were and should not have been, because the order was unclear, or because a process proved unworkable, for example. So the orders get modified, honed, and corrected. We are experiencing an unprecedented crisis, so we don’t always get the solutions right the first time: the key is that we pay attention to the consequences, and make adjustments.
Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- Senate passes new relief bill
- Executive Order 7CC (a lot of adjusting going on)
- State seeking proposals to scale-up CT’s testing capacity
- Payment relief for student loan borrowers
- Life insurers warned not to ask applicants for their COVID-19 health history
- Connecticut insurance commissioner applauds CIGNA and New York Life for creating foundation benefitting COVID-19 health care workers and volunteers
- SNAP participants receive second round of emergency food benefits
- Connecticut Office of the Arts announces grants available for Connecticut artists impacted by pandemic
- Governor encourages residents to use the “How we Feel” app to improve COVID-19 response
I'd like to draw your attention to a new subpage on the Coronavirus website that consists of resources and tools for individuals with disabilities and those who work with this community. Many thanks to the ESF-15 Functional Needs Outreach Subcommittee for their work on this resource! Click here to check it out.
Senate passes new relief bill
Senate and House negotiators agreed on a deal to send additional funds to health care providers and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as well as resources to increase testing capacity,
The funding package centers on an additional $380 billion for small businesses, as well as $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for disease testing. Of the $380 billion, $60 billion is targeted for Economic Injury Disaster Loans, with the remaining $320 billion going to the depleted PPP (of the $380 billion), $60 billion of which will be specifically designated for community banks and small lenders to ensure they are reaching small and underbanked businesses.
The Senate passed the bill last night, and the House is expected to take up and pass the legislation on Thursday with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Businesses interested in applying through the PPP fund should be prepared to file as early as Thursday night, by going to: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/paycheck-protection-program-ppp
Governor Lamont signs Executive Order No. 7CC, which enacts the following provisions:
· Applicability of Executive Order No. 7S, Section 7 to additional critical and time-sensitive municipal fiscal actions: Expands Section 7 of Executive Order No. 7S, permitting a municipality’s legislative body and budget-making authority to jointly authorize certain actions by a majority vote of each body to include additional time sensitive and essential actions among which such bodies may authorize.
· Clarification of time periods regarding suspension and modification of non-judicial tax sales pursuant to Executive Order No. 7S, Section 11: Clarifies the calculation of time frames to redeem certain interests in property after a municipality has sold the property to recoup unpaid taxes. Executive Order No. 7S extended those time frames.
· Exclusion of federal stimulus payments in evaluating eligibility for state or local programs financed in whole or in part using state funds: Modifies state statutes to provide that individual stimulus payments under the federal CARES Act will not be counted as income or resources when determining eligibility for state benefits or services.
· Alternative to physical presence in court for finding of irretrievable breakdown of marriage: Modifies state statutes requiring the physical presence in court of a party to a dissolution or legal separation prior to a finding that a marriage has broken down irretrievably to permit the court to accept not-in-person testimony from such parties sufficient to make such finding. However, this does not apply in any case where a restraining order or a protective order between the parties is in effect or an application for such an order is pending before the court.
Alternative to in-person waiver of right to file motion or petition for educational support: Modifies state statutes requiring a parent to be present in court for the court to make findings sufficient to accept the parent’s waiver of the right or file a motion or petition for educational support to provide that such a waiver may be accepted upon submission of proof deemed sufficient by the court that the parent fully understands the consequences of such a waiver. However, this does not apply in any case where a restraining order or a protective order between the parties is in effect or an application for such an order is pending before the court.
· Alternative to physical appearance of petitioner regarding decree of dissolution after entry of decree of legal separation: Modifies state statutes requiring the presence of the party seeking a decree dissolving a marriage at the time of the entry of such decree and permits the court to make such entry without requiring the presence of the party. However, in any case where a restraining order or a protective order between the parties is in effect or an application for such an order is pending before the court, the presence of the party shall be required.
· Alternative to in-court canvas prior to entrance of final agreement: Modifies state statutes requiring the court to inquire into the financial resources and actual needs of the spouses and their respective fitness to have physical custody or rights of visitation with any minor child prior to entry of a final order of dissolution or approval of a final agreement and permits the court to satisfy the inquiry requirement. However, this does not apply in any case in which a restraining order or a protective order between the parties is in effect or an application for such an order is pending before the court.
· Alternative to physical presence when findings on the record required: Whenever applicable law requires the court to make a specific finding on the record in a proceeding, that requirement is satisfied if the court’s written judgment, order, or memorandum of decision includes such finding except in any case where a restraining order or protective order between the parties is in effect or an application for such an order is pending before the court.
· Revised financial protections for people covered by insurance who receive out-of-network health care services during the public health emergency: Repeals Sections 2(a) and 2(b) of Executive Order No. 7U.
State seeking proposals from organizations to scale-up Connecticut’s testing capacity
Governor Lamont announced that the State of Connecticut issued an RFP seeking organizations that want to partner with the state in its efforts to significantly scale-up its daily COVID-19 testing capacity as part of its efforts to reopen the state’s economy.
In addition to the current testing of patients and front line workers who are currently exhibiting symptoms of the virus, the state is planning to significantly build out its capacity to test people who are not exhibiting any symptoms, including front line essential workers, and test them regularly, knowing that COVID-19 can be transmitted before people develop symptoms. To do this, the Lamont administration is looking for proposals from organizations that will support sample collection efforts, particularly in urban and underserved communities where significant impacts of COVID-19 have been prevalent, in addition to proposals from CLIA-certified testing labs.
Governor Lamont recently issued executive orders under the state of emergency that have suspended many of the state contracting requirements and will allow the administration to expedite the process. Proposals will be accepted and awarded on a rolling basis, ensuring that testing capacity can be rapidly built up to support the state's reopening plans.
To read the RFP, click here.
Payment relief for student loan borrowers
Governor Ned Lamont and Banking Commissioner Jorge Perez, in collaboration with other states, announced that the State of Connecticut has secured relief options with many private student loan servicers whose borrowers are not covered by the recently adopted federal CARES Act. This new initiative will benefit Connecticut residents with privately held student loans.
While the CARES Act provided relief for students with federal loans, it did not address millions of student loan borrowers with federal loans that are not owned by the U.S. Government, as well as loans made by private lenders.
Under this new initiative, Connecticut residents with commercially owned Federal Family Education Loan Programs or privately held student loans who are struggling to make their payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be eligible for expanded relief. Borrowers in need of assistance should immediately contact their student loan servicer to identify the options that are appropriate to their circumstances. Relief options through the servicers listed below include:
· Providing a minimum of 90 days of forbearance;
· Waiving late payment fees;
· Ensuring that no borrower is subject to negative credit reporting;
· Ceasing debt collection lawsuits for 90 days; and
· Working with borrower to enroll them in other borrower assistance programs, such as income-based repayment.
Additionally, if regulated student loan servicers are limited in their ability to take these actions due to investor restrictions or contractual obligations, servicers should instead proactively work with loan holders whenever possible to relax those restrictions or obligations. The Department of Banking encourages prudent and reasonable actions taken to support relief for borrowers during the pandemic.
To determine the types of federal loans residents have and who their servicers are, borrowers can visit the U.S. Department of Education’s National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243or 1-800-730-8913 (TDD). Borrowers with private student loans can check the contact information on their monthly billing statements.
If a borrower is experiencing trouble with their student loan servicer, they are encouraged to ask to speak to a supervisor. If assistance is still needed, they can contact the following and file a complaint:
· Connecticut Department of Banking: 860-240-8170 for information or file a complaint online.
· The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Private student loan servicers providing relief under this initiative include:
· Aspire Resources, Inc.
· College Ave Student Loan Servicing, LLC
· Earnest Operations
· Edfinancial
· Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation
· Lendkey Technologies, Inc.
· MOHELA
· Navient
· Nelnet
· SoFi Lending Corp.
· Tuition Options
· United Guaranty Services, Inc.
· Upstart Network, Inc.
· Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority
· Vermont Student Assistance Corporation
Additional private student loan servicers may be added. An up-to-date list will be maintained on the Connecticut Department of Banking’s website at www.ct.gov/dob.
States joining this initiative include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
Life insurers warned not to ask applicants for their COVID-19 health history
Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais is warning all life insurers doing business in Connecticut to refrain from asking applicants about exposure to the novel coronavirus.
In a department notice issued by the Connecticut Insurance Department to all insurance companies that offer life insurance coverage in Connecticut, the state agency is advising that any life insurance application form filed for review should not include questions related to COVID-19, including questions about being quarantined. Any life insurance application form filing that contains such questions will not be approved.
Consumers, insurers and brokers with questions can contact the department directly by email at cid.pc@ct.gov or by calling the Insurance Department at 1-800-203-3447 or 860-297-3900.
Connecticut insurance commissioner applauds CIGNA and New York Life for creating foundation benefitting COVID-19 health care workers and volunteers
Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais is commending CIGNA and New York Life for their creation of the Brave of Heart Fund to benefit the bereaved families of COVID-19 front line health care workers and volunteers.
“Grieving families need so much support,” Commissioner Mais said. “CIGNA and New York Life have truly answered the call and responded to help protect the financial security of families affected by our current crisis.”
More information on the Brave of Heart Fund can be found at www.braveofheartfund.com.
SNAP participants receive second round of emergency food benefits
The Connecticut Department of Social Services announced on Monday that the second round of emergency food benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were delivered to nearly 108,000 households today. Authorized by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, the extra food benefits are being distributed to those households that are not currently receiving the maximum SNAP benefits allowed for their household size. This means that all households in SNAP are receiving the maximum food benefit allowable for their household size, even if they aren’t usually eligible for the maximum benefit.
The first round of emergency SNAP benefits was delivered to households on April 9. For more information, visit www.ct.gov/snap.
Connecticut Office of the Arts announces grants available for Connecticut artists impacted by pandemic
Recognizing that artists provide inspiration, connection, and education, particularly at times when the creative sector is needed most, the Connecticut Office of the Arts – a state office housed within the Department of Economic and Community Development – today announced that two grant programs have been created to help local artists negatively impacted by COVID-19
· The Connecticut Artists Relief Grant program will provide $500 grants to over 100 individual artists and teaching artists who live in the state and whose creative practices and income are being adversely impacted by the safety measures put into place to prevent the spread of the virus. The grant is partly funded by the New England Foundation for the Arts.
· The Connecticut Artists Respond Grant program helps artists translate and present their art virtually. Individual or collaborative artists who create or have created projects that respond to the needs of the times by presenting art activities, classes, or other creative experiences online at no cost to the public will be eligible for $1,000 or $2,000, respectively.
Applications will be accepted for both programs through May 4, 2020. For specific questions, artists should contact Tamara Dimitri at tamara.dimitri@ct.gov and teaching artists should contact Bonnie Koba at bonnie.koba@ct.gov.
Governor encourages residents to use the “How we Feel” app to improve COVID-19 response
Earlier this week Governor Ned Lamont announced that the State of Connecticut is partnering with the developers of the How We Feel app in an effort to anonymously provide scientists with critical health information needed to understand the spread of COVID-19. Available to download for free in the Apple App Store and the Google Play store, it is supported by a nonprofit organization and does not require logging in or the sharing of any personal details, such as name or email address. In addition to being available to download to mobile devices, users can also complete the survey through a web version available at howwefeel.app.
The How We Feel app was developed by leading health experts from several institutions, including Harvard University, MIT, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Weizmann Institute of Science. It was created in response to the need for health officials and doctors to obtain more information on COVID-19 in the face of widespread testing shortages. It only takes users about 30 seconds each day to report any symptoms they may be experiencing, and the information shared has the potential to reveal outbreak hotspots and provide insight into the progression of COVID-19.
People in Connecticut – whether they are healthy or sick – can help this research by using the app and self-reporting their daily symptoms through a series of short prompts about how they’re feeling, and share that data with scientists in real time. Aggregate data is securely shared with leading medical institutions so scientists and public health professionals can better spot emerging outbreaks early, identify new populations who are at risks, and measure the efficacy of public health measures such as social distancing.
Getting this data to the medical community as quickly as possible enables them to make faster decisions to help slow or contain the virus. When they have a better idea of who is sick, how sick they are, and where they are, there’s the potential to increase testing, deploy additional resources, and ultimately save lives.
For more information, visit www.howwefeel.org or contact info@howwefeel.org.
Give local: 4/21 and 22
Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system
Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.
Providing information to Connecticut residents
For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.
Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can also call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance and TDD/TTY access. It intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone experiencing symptoms is strongly urged to contact their medical provider.