COVID Update 6.3

June 3, 2020

I went to Hartford yesterday for the first time since March 11, to retrieve some items from my office. It was eerie to be in the empty Legislative Office Building, where I saw a total of three people, the first of whom was a member of the State Capitol Police.

The Capitol Police do an amazing job keeping us all safe during the times when the building is teeming with a sometimes boisterous crowd, so we chatted about the different times we face, and about the event planned for today in Hartford, protesting the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis, as well as the many other black and brown lives lost to police violence.  The officer was a little worried because of what we both saw playing out throughout our country, but proud of the way things have gone so far in CT, with police engaging constructively with protesters, some joining with them to kneel and pray together. 

We have been fortunate that the protests in CT have gone “the CT way,” as Governor Lamont termed it, and have not resulted in the levels of violence and destruction we’ve seen elsewhere.  I hope that is in part because the police, and the white community here, have made the choice not to act with arrogance, but instead to listen to, and learn from, those who have suffered under the forces of systemic racism for centuries. Many of us have benefited from those same systems, and it is well past time to face up to that.  Honesty, humility, and a well-functioning pair of ears, will help.

 
Many have asked about protests in our region, and here are two I’m aware of, both on Sunday, June 7.  Both ask that everyone wear a mask, and observe social distancing.

  • Black Lives Matter protests: 
    • 12:00 pm, Cornwall Bridge Triangle Green (everyone encouraged to bring a sign)
    • 8:45 pm, Kent Golden Falcon Field (everyone encouraged to bring a sign, bring a candle, and wear black)

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

  • Executive Order No. 7VV (including increased child-care program sizes)
  • Statewide launch of COVID-19 seroprevalance study to track infection data
  • FEMA approves funding for crisis counseling in Connecticut
  • Additional emergency SNAP benefits being delivered June 18
  • Public-Private partnership to support vulnerable residents during COVID-19 emergency
  • Guidance for reopening summer schools
  • Sharon Hospital resumes suspended services: appointments required
  • Resources for speaking with your children about race
  • Update on Torrington’s Warner Theatre
  • Free virtual tax preparation services from H&R Block for first responders
  • COVID-19 Guidance for Agricultural Workers and Employers

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.
 
Governor Lamont signs Executive Order No. 7VV enacting the following provisions:
 
·       Amended limitation on program sizes in child care: Modifies the number of children that a child care program can serve during the civil preparedness and public health emergency from 30 to 50 without needing to obtain approval from the Office of Early Childhood. Any facility caring for more than 50 children will need to obtain approval.
 
Statewide launch of COVID-19 seroprevalance study to track infection data
 
Governor Ned Lamont announced that the State of Connecticut is partnering in a first-of-its-kind, statewide project to quantify the spread of COVID-19 within the state by conducting a seroprevalence study of 1,400 randomized, representative Connecticut residents. The project will identify, through blood samples, people who have developed antibodies to COVID-19, a sign of prior infection. Led by Yale University in collaboration with Gallup, Quest Diagnostics, and The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, and with the support of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the project will provide the state with additional data in order to better inform its response and enhance efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus.
 
Gallup, a leading analytics and advisory company with over 80 years of data collection experience, will assist with the study design and analysis, participant sampling, and interviewing of adults living in Connecticut. Quest Diagnostics, a leading provider of diagnostic information services, will conduct the blood sample collection in the company’s network of more than 100 patient service centers throughout the state, provide logistics support, and conduct antibody testing. The Jackson Laboratory, a global nonprofit biomedical research institution that is already providing large-scale COVID-19 testing for the state, will help validate the testing.
 
The antibody test information will identify people who have previously been infected over the entire course of the pandemic. Importantly, it is not yet known if having antibodies provides immunity. The test does not convey information about who is actively infected.
 
Specifically, the study will examine the following questions:
 
·       How much of the Connecticut population has been infected with the virus causing COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)?
·       How many Connecticut residents experienced mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 illness?
·       Are there different characteristics, or risk factors, that are associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as age, location, or underlying health conditions?
 
The project is being funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which was approved by Congress in March. It is expected to launch in early June with results to be shared with the public toward the end of the month.

FEMA approves funding for crisis counseling in Connecticut
 
Governor Lamont announced that the State of Connecticut has received approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide crisis counseling to those who have been impacted by COVID-19. This program will be administered by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in cooperation with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. A federal grant of $669,404 will be utilized by the state to provide the following services:
 
·       Crisis counseling to persons experiencing homelessness who are in shelters, hotels, and in the community, as well as staff in these facilities;
·       Crisis counseling to senior citizens in congregate care settings and the community; and
·       Enhancement of crisis counseling call-line services provided through United Way 2-1-1.
 
The funding will also be used to develop a statewide advertising and media campaign, including social media outreach for the purpose of linking victim families to needed resources, as well as provide psychological first aid support and stress management tips.

Additional emergency SNAP benefits being delivered June 18 to more than 108,000 households in Connecticut
 
The Connecticut Department of Social Services announced that it will provide $16.3 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to nearly half of Connecticut’s SNAP participants on Friday, June 12, 2020. This is in addition to the $50.2 million in emergency benefits disbursed in April and May.
 
Authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, the extra food benefits will go to more than 108,000 households in the state that are not currently receiving the maximum benefits allowed for their household size. This means that all households enrolled in SNAP will receive the maximum food benefit allowable for their household size, even if they are not usually eligible for the maximum benefit.
 
Specifically:
 
·       The Department of Social Services expects that more than 108,000 of the 222,000 households enrolled in SNAP in Connecticut will receive the emergency benefits in June.
·       With this additional $16.3 million allocation, emergency SNAP benefits are totaling over $66.5 million in additional assistance statewide during April, May, and June, with commensurate spending in the food economy.
·       The average emergency benefit amount a household will see on its electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card on June 12 is $150.
·       All participating households will also receive their normal SNAP benefits on the first three days of each month as they normally do, according to last name.
 
Emergency benefits will allow each household’s SNAP benefit to increase to the maximum allotment for a household of that size as follows:

Household size Maximum Benefit Amount
1 $194
2 $355
3 $509
4 $646
5 $768
6 $921
7 $1,018
8 $1,164

(Each additional person: add $146)

For example, if a household of two would normally receive $255 of SNAP benefits in June, $100 would bring this household up to the maximum benefit for its size. This household would receive a $100 emergency benefit on June 12.
 
Public-Private partnership to support vulnerable residents during COVID-19 emergency
 
Governor Ned Lamont announced that the State of Connecticut is partnering with philanthropic organizations in an effort to provide emergency assistance to vulnerable residents in the state who are most directly impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency and are otherwise ineligible from receiving assistance through federal pandemic relief programs, including those from within the undocumented community.
 
The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was created at the outbreak of the pandemic to provide emergency assistance to those who have been impacted, excludes relief to any residents who are undocumented and any U.S. citizen who files taxes with an undocumented spouse or partner. This same measure also denies emergency benefits to the U.S. citizen children of these parents. To address this situation, the Lamont administration and its philanthropic partners are taking a several steps to providing assistance. Connecticut is the first state in New England to provide targeted relief to these groups of residents.
 
This includes $2.5 million in state funding that will be made available to provide rental assistance to those who are ineligible for similar aid by the CARES Act. The Connecticut Department of Housing will administer this program, which is currently in development.
 
Additionally, the philanthropic organization 4-CT, which was created with the express purpose of providing emergency assistance to the state’s residents during the current pandemic, will be making $1 million available to Connecticut families who are excluded from existing federal relief programs. These funds will be made available through a novel solution – the 4-CT Card – which will provide direct, one-time payments to families. The program will engage trusted community-based organizations as partners that will write “prescriptions” for cash assistance. Recipients will take these prescriptions to community health centers partnering with the program for validation, where they will receive gift cards to help pay for expenses like food and clothing. By utilizing community health centers to get this assistance, individuals receiving the prepaid cards can be offered health services (including COVID-19 testing) they might otherwise not receive. With the state’s testing strategy targeting densely populated urban centers, this approach brings individuals in those cities closer to testing and health services.
 
There are approximately 140,000 undocumented people living in Connecticut. While undocumented people make up 3.8 percent of Connecticut’s population, they represent 4.9 percent of the state’s workforce. Approximately 190,000 people, including 60,000 children, live in households where there is at least one undocumented person.
 
These households all pay taxes, including sales tax, property tax, and often income tax, but are ineligible to receive the benefits available to other taxpayers, including unemployment insurance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program support (food stamps), or the earned income tax credit. In 2018, 29,000 households filed taxes in Connecticut with an individual taxpayer identification number, a tax processing number available to those who are ineligible for a social security number. Of these, 7,760 filed taxes jointly with a U.S. citizen.
 
“The purpose of the CARES Act is to help the most vulnerable members of our society during this difficult time,” Governor Lamont said. “It is an absolute outrage that the federal government is denying these families and their children the support they are entitled to as U.S. citizens.  We call on the federal government to treat equally and fairly all citizens with regard to these emergency benefits.”

Guidance for reopening summer schools
 
Summer schools are preparing to open on July 6, 2020. A reopening plan has been developed outlining safety measures, daily operating practices, and restrictions to ensure that our students and teachers are better protected.

Read the summary of the report here.

Sharon Hospital resumes suspended services: appointments required
 
Beginning Wednesday, June 3, hospital services previously suspended due to COVID-19 will resume on an appointment-only basis at Sharon Hospital. This includes radiology, laboratory, cardiology, rehabilitation and wound care services. 
 
What to know about Sharon Hospital’s reopening during COVID-19:
 
Two Active Entry Points:

  • Main entrance: Open Monday through Friday from 5:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Emergency department: Open seven days a week from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. After 11 p.m., patients can access the emergency department at the adjacent ambulance bay entrance.

Arrival Screenings

  • A scheduled appointment (for all services) is required to enter the hospital; no walk-ins.
  • Individuals who arrive without a scheduled appointment will receive a Scheduling Card with phone numbers to coordinate a future visit. The card also includes the number to preregister for your appointment prior to arriving at the hospital. 
  • Everyone who enters the building will have their temperature checked and be asked several screening questions related to COVID-19.
  • Anyone transporting a patient to the hospital must remain in their vehicle at all times.  

General Safety

  • Anyone entering the hospital is required to wear a face covering.
  • The hospital still has a no-visitation policy. 

For questions, please call the hospital’s main line at (860) 364-4000 (TTY: 800-842-9710).

Visit nuvancehealth.org/safecare to learn more about safe care practices at Nuvance Health and how you can schedule a virtual visit or elective procedure at Sharon Hospital.
 
Resources for speaking with your children about race
 
Dr. Robert Keder, a Developmental Pediatrician at Connecticut Children’s, has some suggestions for how parents can begin speaking with their children about race. Click here to read Dr. Keder’s article, Discussing Racial Inequality and Social Justice with Children.

Update on Torrington’s Warner Theatre
 
Sadly, as so many other performing arts venues have had to do, the Warner made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of the Warner Stage Company’s 2019-2020 season, including The Producers, Mathilda, Dogfight, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.  They will do their best to reschedule these shows in upcoming seasons. 
 
The Warner has contacted all ticket holders, but hasn’t reached everyone yet.  If you bought a ticket to one of the cancelled shows, there are several options, including a voucher or a refund.  But the Warner is an anchor for Torrington and the surrounding area, and they need our support right now, so, if you can, please consider converting your tickets to a donation to help sustain this important and historic venue.
 
If you have any questions please call M-F 10AM-4PM (860) 489-7180 or email boxoffice@warnertheatre.org. Email is recommended for the moment. 
 
Free virtual tax preparation services from H&R Block for first responders
 
H&R Block is extending free Tax Pro Go – expert-prepared virtual tax service – for police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and healthcare workers through the end of June.
Frontline workers can visit www.hrblock.com/frontline to get started. They will need to upload a picture of their work ID showing they are a police, firefighter, emergency medical technician (EMTs), or healthcare worker for the tax professional to apply the offer.
 
COVID-19 Guidance for Agricultural Workers and Employers
 
The CDC has released COVID-19 Guidance for Agriculture Workers and Employers.  It is a comprehensive and detailed document, but some key points are:

  • Management in the agriculture industry should conduct work site assessments to identify COVID-19 risks and infection prevention strategies to protect workers.
  • Work site guidance for COVID-19 prevention and control should be taken into consideration in employer-furnished shared worker housing, transportation vehicles and work settings.
  • Prevention practices should follow the hierarchy of controls, which includes using source control and a combination of engineering controls, administrative controls (especially proper sanitation, cleaning, and disinfection), and personal protective equipment.
  • Grouping workers together into cohorts may reduce the spread of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace by minimizing the number of different individuals who come into close contact with each other over the course of a week, and may also reduce the number of workers quarantined because of exposure to the virus.
  • Owners/operators should maximize opportunities to place farmworkers residing together in the same vehicles for transportation and in the same cohorts to limit exposure.
  • Basic information and training about infection prevention should be provided to all farmworkers in languages they can understand.
  • Agriculture work sites developing plans for continuing operations where COVID-19 is spreading among workers or in the surrounding community should work directly with appropriate state and local public health officials and occupational safety and health professionals.

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. Relay services can be accessed by calling 7-1-1. Anyone who is out-of-state or using Relay can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. The hotline 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 is strongly urged to contact their medical provider.