Required Cloth Face Covering Begins Tonight, COVID-19 Updates

April 20, 2020

Beginning tonigt, April 20th at 8:00 pm the Governor is asking for people to wear cloth face coverings or higher level of protection required in public wherever close contact is unavoidable.

It includes taxi, car, ride-sharing and mass public transit. You can read the full Executive Order by clicking on the image of me below:

To learn how to make your own face mask, watch the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams.

Also, Spanish language tutorials on how to make a facemask with and without a sewing machine can be found here. The American Sign Language video on how to make a face mask is right here.

Talk It Out Line
 
When it builds up, talk it out. Parents who wish to access supports are invited to call 833-258-5011 and speak with trained professionals who will listen and speak with them about their concerns. Monday- Friday, 8AM-8PM & weekends, 1PM-8PM in English & Spanish
 
 
Women's Business Development Council Hold COVID-19-Related Virtual Town Hall

The Women's Business Development Council hosted a virtual Town Hall with Governor Ned Lamont and Stamford Health President & CEO Kathleen Silard on Friday to discuss COVID-19 updates and developments. One of those developments was Stamford Health expects to have rapid antibody testing available within the week.

 
Tax Extensions

To provide relief to Connecticut taxpayers during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services has extended the filing and payment deadlines of certain returns until July 15, 2020. These extensions align Connecticut tax filing and payment dates with filing and payment extensions recently announced by the Internal Revenue Service.

The following Connecticut returns have been extended until July 15, 2020. I've also attached a municipal tax relief deferral form for those interested.
 
 
The Municipal Tax Deferral Form can be found here.​
 
Rapid coronavirus testing center opens in New Haven

It will have the ability to test up to 750 people per day, pre-registration is required in advance online. Testing will be held at the former Gateway Community College parking lot 60 Sargent Drive. Although in partnership with CVS, testing will not take place at CVS locations. Social distancing will be adhered to, and people are asked to remain in their vehicles. Testing will be free and results will take approximately 30 minutes.​

 
 
To read more, and access the link to register please click here.​
 
From the Office of Early Childhood

The Office of Early Childhood wants you to know you’re not alone. They are spreading the word about the many options you have to make sure your children are well-fed during this difficult time. Please go here for sites in your town serving breakfast and lunch to kids 18 and younger. The site will be updated daily as meal sites are added.

 
 
Birth-to-Three Program News

2-1-1 has announced that the Birth to Three System is accepting referrals during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Please call with concerns about your child’s development: 1 800 505 7000 for a remote Early Intervention Evaluation. Please click here for more details.

 
 
Kindness is a Virtue
 
 
How important is kindness? Very! It is even more vital during public health emergencies. As part of mental-wellness, kindness has been shown to make coping in even the most difficult of times a little easier.
 
Here's a nice read that includes wonderful acts of kindness being shown to others.
 
Great Census News for CT

Connecticut’s response is above 50%, making us one of the national leaders in census responses! Let’s get to 100%! The census is now available to complete online. You can do so by clicking the image below:

 
 
Mother Earth Day Student Creativity Contest Award Winners Announced

Elementary, middle school, high school and college students from 15 schools in five different states participated in the contest. Winners and all entries are published on the UNASWCT website which can be reached by clicking the image below: 

 
 
Please note: The group has another exciting project on the horizon. Check it out!

"Engaging Informed Citizens" is a TEACH-IN featuring local southwest connecticut high school teachers, local university professors and adjunct instructors, starting mid June.  Planned are four free sessions with local teachers to engage high school students lacking intellectual stimulation, college students seeking summer purpose, young professionals building an expanded portfolio and adults continuously learning.  This is civics 101 with a global perspective.  Super-learners and teachers passionate about engaging informed citizens please email Alex Anvari at unaswct@gmail.com.

 
This virtual semester lecture series features 4 x 45 minute sessions along these themes:
1) "How does press freedom help with Covid-19?” June 19 (a media pro scholar educator)
2) "Your media provider rewards truth telling." tbd (a media pro scholar)
3) "Followers who are sophisticated consumers of information have leaders." tbd (educator)
4) "Aligning health policies with science" tbd (political leader scholar)
5) “Will the health care workforce surge when essays about the heroic efforts of epidemiologists and the front line define community leadership?” tbd (health science scholar)