COVID Resources And Information

April 1, 2020

A lot of information has been thrown at you over the last week and we know at times it can be a bit overwhelming.  To alleviate some of the stress of wondering where to find it all, our team has compiled some helpful information on a variety of topics below. If we have missed something, though, please reach out and we will do our best to find you a response.

In response to COVID-19, below you will find:

  • Governor Lamont's Update
  • Information Concerning the CARES Act
  • Recommendations to Minimize Exposure
  • What to do if you're sick
  • Blood donations
  • Volunteering opportunities
  • Healthcare and Insurance Resources
  • Resources for Workers
  • Resources for Employers
  • Resources for Consumers
  • Resources for Seniors
  • Food Information
  • Education Resources
  • Family resources
  • Public Transportation
  • Information for Pet Owners
  • Primary Elections Update
  • Crumbling Foundations Update
  • Community Resources

Stay safe.  Stay healthy.  Stay Informed.

Governor Lamont's Update

The Lamont administration has put together a fact sheet on the state’s response to COVID-19 that provides guidance for constituent concerns. Click here to see the FAQ Sheet.
 
The sheet will be updated regularly, and is available on the state's coronavirus website. Click here to visit the Connecticut Coronavirus website.

Yesterday, March 31, Governor Lamont signed another executive order – the 19th since he enacted the emergency declarations – that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus.
 
Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 7R enacts the following provisions:

  • Continuation of funding for boards of education: The order requires the Connecticut State Department of Education to continue processing appropriated state grant funds intended to support boards of education through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, including ECS grants, payments for special education, and Choice programming. It also requires municipalities to continue providing funding to local boards of education as set forth in the approved annual school budgets.
  • Continuation of payment of public school staff: The order requires school districts to continue to employ, or restore to employment if already laid off, and pay school staff who are directly employed by the local or regional boards of education.
  • Preservation of student transportation services and special education providers: The order requires local boards of education and municipalities to negotiate amendments to contracts related to student transportation and special education services with the goal of continuing to make payments to transportation and special education providers so they may compensate their active employees, sustain the continuity of service when school resumes, and require the contracted company to attest and provide reasonable documentation of the fact that it is charging only the actual and reasonable cost of sustaining wage and health insurance payments for active employees and fleet.
  • Restrictions on entrance to state parks, forests, and other lands: In light of significant visitors to certain state parks in recent days, the order gives the commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection the authorization to ban visitors from entering state parks and other lands under the agency’s control after the property has reached a capacity adequate to supporting implementation of social distancing policies to limit the spread of COVID-19.
  • Curbside pickup of alcoholic beverages permitted: The order authorizes package stores and grocery stores to permit the sale of curbside pickup of all alcoholic beverages allowed by their permit type in any space adjacent to their permit premise and during the days and hours allowed for legal sale.

You can read the Governor's executive orders here, and read his full updates here. To watch his daily briefings, click here. 

CARES Act

Last week, the Senate and the House of Representative passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act - a third COVID-19 relief package to help workers, families, hospitals and their staff, small businesses, and the unemployed during this crisis.

To help answer some of the many questions people have about what is in this CARES Act and how they can get assistance, Senator Chris Murphy's office created a page with frequently asked questions. The page will continue to be updated as additional resources and applications become available. Click here to visit the page. 

Minimizing Exposure

To ensure our healthcare system does not become overwhelmed, we must take appropriate precautions, like practicing social distancing, to limit the spread of the virus. 

The best way to avoid coronavirus and other illness is to avoid exposure.  

  • Practice social distancing 
  • Work from home if possible 
  • Avoid large gatherings and crowded public spaces 
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds 
  • If unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol 
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick 
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth 
  • Stay home when you are sick 
  • If you are over 60 years of age or have a chronic illness, limit the amount of time you spend in public and avoid large crowds if possible 
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash 
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with a regular household cleaning spray or wipe

If you begin experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please call your healthcare provider. There are 15 drive-through test sites for people with a doctor's referral to be tested for COVID-19. Click here to read more.

I'm Sick. What do I Do?

If you are sick, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following:

  • Stay home if you are mildly ill with COVID-19, and do not leave EXCEPT to receive medical care
  • Stay in touch with your doctor, and call before you get medical care. If your symptoms become worse, or believe it is an emergency, seek medical attention 
  • If you are sick, ensure you wear a facemask when you are around other people and before you enter your healthcare provider's office
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the used tissue in a trash can
  • Wash your hands for AT LEAST 20 seconds. Can't wash your hands? Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
  • Disinfect high-touch surfaces, bathroom, your or the sick person's room

Emergency Warning Signs - Seek Medical Attention if:

  • You have difficulty breathing/shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in your chest
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face

Call 9-1-1 if you are experiencing these symptoms and notify the operator that you have or may have COVID-19.

When to End Home Isolation if you will not be tested:

  • You have had no fever for at least 3 full days without using fever reducing medicine AND
  • Other symptoms have improved AND
  • At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared

When to End Home Isolation if you will be tested:

  • You no longer have a fever (without using fever reducing medicine) AND
  • Other symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) have improved AND
  • You receive 2 negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. 

If you choose to end home isolation, consult with your primary health care provider. Local decisions depend on local circumstances.

Additional Resources on what to do if you're sick and might have COVID-19:

Consider Donating Blood

The Red Cross is seeking blood donors as Connecticut experiences a blood shortage. Blood drives nationwide have been cancelled, but hospitals across our state and country still need blood. To allow for social distancing, donors can call the Red Cross to make an appointment. Interested individuals can make an appointment using the Red Cross web site, here, or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Download it here. They can also call 1-800-Red-Cross. 

Volunteering For Your Community 

Do you have a background in medical care? You can contact your local health department. Locate your local health department here.

If you are a nurse, you can register to volunteer through the Connecticut Nurses Association web site: www.CTNurses.org/coronavirus

There is also a need for personal protective equipment for medical workers at hospitals and long-term care facilities. This includes:

  • N95 Respirators
  • Face Masks/Surgical Masks
  • Face Shields 
  • Surgical GownsGloves (nitrile, or non-latex)
  • Thermometers
  • Thermometer Covers (if applicable to type of thermometer)
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Other Medical Items

The public, businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations may donate these items through the Connecticut United Way/211. Click here to learn how you can donate.

Healthcare and Insurance Resources

The Connecticut Dept. of Social Services will cover telemedicine services for individuals and families enrolled in Medicaid/HUSKY Health. 

DSS is also planning to:

  • cover testing for COVID-19. 
  • make prescription drug coverage more flexible. 
  • eliminate cost sharing in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (HUSKY B) and for members enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid. 

Telemedicine coverage includes:

  • implementing real-time video conferencing, as can be enabled with a smart phone, between HUSKY Health members and their health care providers for specific medical and behavioral health services. This will enable many members and doctors to communicate remotely, with Medicaid covering the virtual visit. 
  • broadening video conferencing to include all primary care type evaluation and management services for medical and behavioral health

Access Health Special Enrollment Period Ends Tomorrow

  • Access Health CT recently announced a Special Enrollment Period. The last day to enroll is tomorrow,  April 2 for uninsured CT residents. Call an enrollment specialist at 855-365-2428. 
  • If you are experiencing symptoms of coronavirus but don't have health insurance or a primary care doctor, call 2-1-1. A number of hospitals have set up hotlines, which you can find using the CT Hospital Association COVID-19 Update Center, here. 
  • There are 15 drive-through testing locations in Connecticut. Find one near you here.
  • The Jackson Laboratory in Farmington announced it would partner with the Connecticut Dept. of Health, UConn Health, and Hartford Hospital to test patient samples for COVID-19, allowing our state to test more people quickly. Read the Governor's release here.
  • The American Dental Association has recommended dentists nationwide postpone elective dental procedures. Visit the below resources for additional information:

Resources for Workers
Some good news for small businesses and nonprofits negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic!

The Connecticut Recovery Bridge Loan Program, announced by Governor Ned Lamont, will make $25 million available to Connecticut businesses and nonprofits that have 100 or fewer employees to assist with cash flow.

Small businesses and nonprofits can now apply for one-year, no-interest loans of up to $75,000 under the program administered by the state's Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).
 

Loan amounts are up to the lesser of either three months operating expenses and/or $75,000.

Provisions and eligibility requirements include:

  • Zero percent interest rate;
  • 12-month term with 6-month extension per request;
  • Personal guaranty and credit score required;
  • Approval contingent upon business being profitable prior to March 10, 2020 and no adverse personal credit reports 60 days past due for the last 6 months.

All eligibility and application information can be found on the state’s COVID-19 website at ct.gov/coronavirus.

Resources for Employers

The state Department of Revenue Services has extended the deadline for the below businesses tax returns: 
  • 2019 Form CT-1065/CT-1120 SI Connecticut Pass-Though Entity Tax Return: Filing date extended to April 15, 2020; payment deadline extended to June 15, 2020 
  • 2019 Form CT-990T Connecticut Unrelated Business Income Tax Return: Filing date extended to June 15, 2020; payment deadline extended to June 15, 2020 

The Connecticut DRS also advised that  due dates for filing and payment of state income taxes could be adjusted to align with any specific, actionable announcement from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding due dates for the filing and payment of federal income taxes.

Call DRS at 860-297-5962 if you have questions, or email the department. 
For Employers and Small Business Owners:

Resources for Consumers

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), has put together some tools to help you detect scam emails, calls and texts and ensure charities are on the up-and-up.

If someone is claiming they have a cure or vaccine for COVID-19, they are lying to you. You should stick with the experts at the CT Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). AARP (www.aarp.org/coronavirus) and the Connecticut Attorney General's office are also great resources if you are worried about COVID-19 scams.

More information and resources about targeted scams: 

Food Resources

Norwich – Norwich Public Schools Food Service is offering free Grab & Go breakfast and lunch to any child under the age of 18 at the locations and times listed below. Meals may be picked up on the following days as of March 31st: Tuesday (meals provided for Tuesday and Wednesday), Thursday (meals provided for Thursday and Friday), and Friday (meals provided for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday).

Montville – Montville Public Schools Food Service is providing free Grab & Go breakfast and lunch to all public school students under the age of 18 and any household siblings at the following locations between 9:00-9:30am and 12:00-12:30pm.
  • Montville High School, 800 Old Colchester Rd, Oakdale, CT
  • Mohegan Elementary School, 49 Golden Pond Rd, Uncasville, CT

Bozrah – Students of Fields Memorial School and family members under 18 can receive free lunches. Families must email abanning@bozrah.org daily or at the beginning of each week to request lunches. Meals may be picked up between 11:30am-12:00pm at the kitchen side door.

 
Additionally, Students of Norwich Free Academy may pick up Grab & Go breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday, 11:30am-12:30pm in front of the Tirrell building. As of March 27th, meals picked up on Friday will include breakfast and lunch for the weekend. NFA students may also pick up meals at any of the sites offered by Norwich Public Schools.

Education Resources

Internet/Wi-Fi:

  • Folks who need wi-fi to help their kids stay online, AT&T, Verizon are waiving fees, promising not to terminate services, and Comcast is providing internet to low-income families during the outbreak. Click here for more information.   
  • Charter Communications will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days for households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum subscription. To enroll, call 1-844-488-8395. More information is available here. 
    • PLEASE BE AWARE THAT IF YOU DO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE FREE SERVICES, THAT YOU SET A REMINDER FOR WHEN THE OFFER EXPIRES TO DETERMINE WHETHER YOU WILL KEEP THE SERVICES OR NOT.  IF YOU DO NOTHING, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE ENROLLED IN THEIR SERVICES AND WILL BE BILLED ACCORDINGLY

Fun stuff for kids:

Additional Resources:

Resources for Families

The CT Office of Early Childhood has a number of resources for parents with children. Click here for updates.

Additional resources:

Resources for Pet Owners, Shelters & Veterinarians

For Pet Owners:

For Shelters and Veterinarians

Election Update

Gov. Lamont announced Connecticut's Presidential Primary will be postponed until June 2.